The Night Rose

Chapter 7

The truth is, most of the things that she had seen so far since she stepped foot into the island were really unexpected. Just like, when Arwin stepped inside the huge Northguards building, she saw how buzzing the place was. 

People were continually coming inside and leaving, and people were chatting and eating at the kitchen side.

"Small fry, get out of the way." Someone suddenly said in disdain and roughly pushed Arwin to the ground.

The same also happened to some other misfortunate people who weren't lucky enough to dodge.

"Are you alright? You seem to be new here. I have never seen your face before.", someone said curiously and gave a hand to Arwin to help her up.

Arwin took the hand and was pulled up and saw that a staff member was looking at her.

"Yes, I just came to this lovely continent, and I decided to try my luck here as I need money." Arwin fought the urge to protest and honestly answered to the staff member.

"Oh, then let me guide you to the registration counter as an apology for how one of our employees treated you. The rest is up to how well you do on the tests." The staff member said and took Arwin to the registration counter, “Though you seem fiesty and will fit right in.”

"Hey Tom, she's new here and wants to register. Can you do the process for her?" The staff member said, leaving before Tom could even answer.

"Hello, I'm Tom, so I think I heard you want to register just before that jerk left so abruptly.”

Arwin laughs, “Yes, that’ st right.”

“Right, so the fee is one gold coin. We also accept equipment as proof of payment that you will get back after the test, but you have to make a small contribution for the guild," Tom said to Arwin as he guessed immediately that she was new on the island judging from her tone and the way she acts awkwardly.

"Yes, I would like to test my luck and register. Hmm, for the payment, I will give you this pistol then." Arwin said, pulled her pistol out, and gave it to Tom, she smirked, “I believe that would be enough.”

Tom smiled at Arwin and took the pistol to inspect it; it had some exquisite parts and carvings. He replied, "Yes, this will be plenty enough to cover the fees, but remember, you won't get it back if you fail the tests. You have to buy it from us then," He answered honestly as he had seen many people losing their weapons in exchange for the chance to join the guild. 

"Yes, I'm sure as I'm confident enough about my skills," Arwin answered while giving a light smile at Tom, “But thanks for the honesty, Tom.”

Tom just shook his head as he chuckled softly and thought that another overconfident fool had stepped in that would quickly leave in shame.

He had witnessed far too many of this type of people every day that he grew accustomed to it; he can easily identify which can get in and which will. He guesses that Arwin won’t, so he just gave the paper to Arwin, disappointed.

"Can you read and write?" He asked Arwin.

"Yes, I can read and write with the common language only. Other languages I do know some but not enough." Arwin answered honestly and looked at the paper.

This world had their languages, but at least most of the people did know the common language that was the universal language used at trading and in other interactions.

"If there aren't any problems, just sign here and there, and then I will take you to the test area," Tom said while giving a pen to Arwin, who took them silently.

She scanned the paper and answered the questions.

It had the fundamental questions about name, age, occupations, etc., so she just quickly filled them as honestly as she could. She pauses as she glanced at the gender, she accidentally ticked ‘male,’ so she crumpled the paper up and requests, “I made a mistake, can I ask for another paper?”

Tom shrugged and gave her another one.

It felt exhilarating and at the same time, free. She no longer needs to hide behind the lies that she’s a man so that everyone can accept her. This was a new start; she gets to prove her skills as herself, a woman.

When she was finally ready, she gave the paper back to Tom, who looked at the paper and did read the answers as the next test was based on the answers.

"Female… age twenty-two…. Occupation: formerly an airship captain and a mechanic," Tom mumbled to himself before saying. He didn’t bother asking more than what he reads; he continued, "Okay, let's move forward to another test.”

“Follow me this time. It's a written test that you will be doing alone in the room I will bring you. You have one hour to answer as many questions as possible, and I will be the supervisor to see that you won't cheat. After that, it will be checked, and we will see if you will move forward." He gestured Arwin to follow him. Tom did bring her to a room with only one table and chair in.

"The second test will begin immediately when you sit down and grab the pencil," Tom said while taking out a time measurement device.

Arwin quietly followed and sat down on the chair. She then grabbed the pencil immediately as Tom announced that the test had started now.

She was surprised as most of the questions were about airships and how to fix or maintain them.

There were also questions about how you would fight or deal in some problematic situations and why you would do so.

So Arwin was surprised and happy with the test.  She took her time to answer and show her in-depth knowledge in the short one hour that she has to answer them.

She didn't want to hurry and miss some of the questions nor give vague answers, as her future now depended on this stack of papers in front of her.

She smiled and softly muttered, as if she was whispering, “I am deeply grateful for being the Night Rose’s captain until my dying breath.”