Chapter 19：Bet (1/2)

”Let's get some status.” After Sam said those words, everyone was dumbfounded. They don't know how they came but they followed Sam, to a place. The place is the Artisan Tower. When Philip and others saw that they felt dumbfounded. They don't know why they came here. Artisan Tower is the branch of Artisan guild. In every significant city Artisan Guild opened an Artisan tower.

The Artisan tower is one of the four places that is not under the jurisdiction of the city lord. The other three places are the Pharmaceutical Guild, The Inscription Guild and The Formation Guild. These four places have a lot of influence since they bring most of the trade to a city. The four places have four towers in the city. The four towers are powerful not only because there is an expert whose strength is similar to that of the city lord, but also, they have high statuses. The heads all the four towers are Rank 2 in their professions. So, even city lord has to show some respect to them.

So, when Sam came to the Artisan guild, they thought that Sam might know someone here that could help him out of the situation. Then Marvin asked. ”Sam, do you know someone here?” Marvin.

”No.” Sam's reply surprised them.

”If you don't know why are we here?” Freya asked this time.

”Well, didn't I say earlier, to get some status of course.” Sam said matter of factly.

”Sam, did you study Weapon smithy or forging before?” Philip asked after some thought. He guessed why Sam came here, but he didn't dare think of the possibility. Sam didn't answer to his question and just walked to the counter. Sam asked the receptionist.

”I want to take the exam.”

”Here, fill the form and go to the first floor.” The receptionist who is a young lady said with slight annoyance as she looked at him and passed a form. Sam looked at the form and took a look at it. It is an apprentice examination form. The apprentice examination form is used for people who want to be an apprentice of some already ranked Artisan. The test will help analyse the aptitude and knowledge of the candidate and the result will be posted in all the Artisan guilds, if any of the Artisans like the candidate they will offer him a chance to be an apprentice. That is how the system works in all the other guilds as well. When Philip and others looked at the form, they thought they finally understood what Sam planned. Philip can't help but say. ”Sam even if you can get high score and able to become an apprentice for a high ranked artisan, it would be too late. We don't have much time.” Philip said a little concerned. Sam smiled and about to answer then he heard someone from behind.

”You finally came from the hole you are hiding.” Hearing that Sam and his companions all frowned. They turned towards the person who spoke and saw Leonard standing there with an ugly expression. Then Leonard saw the form in Sam's hand and said with a mocking sneer.

”You really are country bumpkin. Do you really think just because you can take an examination you will definitely become an apprentice of an artisan? Listen carefully, I am already an artisan of an Elder of the tower, he is about to become a rank 2 artisan. Do you still think that anyone will take you as an apprentice in the entire Artisan tower? Dream on. I will deal with you as soon as the admission tournament is over, I will make you regret ever born.”

Sam didn't mind him at all and just walked to the counter and said to the receptionist lady. ”Miss, I want to take an Artisan exam, not an apprentice exam.” Hearing what Sam said everyone looked dumbfounded. The sneer on the Leonard's face froze. Then he burst in to a laughter. Receptionist also looked Sam up and down with a frown on her face. She seemed to be annoyed for some reason. Sam thought inwardly.

Receptionist just looked at Sam's handsome face and said with the same frown. ”Get lost” Then she continued her working.

This time it was Sam's turn to frown. He really felt displeased. Meanwhile the receptionist also felt displeased. She is actually someone of lofty status. Her father has punished her by making her work as a receptionist for today, which made her temper flaring up quite since morning. Now a guy who is younger than her is asking to take an Artisan exam. Isn't it a joke? It is good thing that he is handsome, otherwise I would have kicked him out myself. She inwardly thought. Then she heard a voice which made her annoyance even more.

”Hello young miss, I want to take the Artisan exam.” Sam repeated himself again. He got a good look at the woman. The first impression that the woman gave would be a 'vixen'. She is beautiful, sexy, seductive. That doesn't mean that her character would be bad. It's just that her beautiful face, voluptuous figure. Her proud chest gave everyone that impression. They just cannot help to look at her more and get attracted to her. But none of them could be seen in Sam's eyes. He currently very displeased by her behaviour. At this time the young woman spoke in an extremely cold tone.

”I don't know where you came from. But you better get lost before I kick you out.” She said with an extremely cold tone. Philip and rest were about to convince Sam but stopped as he gestured them.

”I will say again. I have an Acolyte mage cultivation and the fire attribute. Now, I want to take an examination to become an Artisan. On what grounds are you going to throw me out of here.” Sam said in an equally cold tone. Hearing this she finally lost her cool.

”Fine you want to take the Examination. I will let you take that. You will have to pay 10000 spirit stones to participate. Then we will talk.” She said in anger.

”Why should I pay 10000? Isn't it 1000 stones?” Sam asked in same cold voice. He is being increasingly frustrated.

”Because I said so.” She said as if she is only natural but with the same high pitch voice. Sam turned and looked the surroundings. Right now, there are a lot of people surrounding them. Even there are some people with the artisan tower uniform. They seemed to be elders of the tower. But they are not interfering with the commotion. Seeing this Sam got even more frustrated. But he really didn't lose his cool but gave a devilish smile. Seeing this smile Philip and gang felt a bit cold. They looked at the receptionist with pity.

”Okay I will pay. Better I will pay a total of 18000 thousand stones. But in return I don't want my amount in return. Instead, I need a total of 5 times the original amount. Deal?” Actually, there is a rule that every candidate should pay and will only get the money back if he passed. It is to stop them from wasting the guild's time.

Hearing this all the spectators were dumbstruck. They let out a cold breath. They really want to see how big these balls are.

”Young man, don't be excessive.” Now an elder intervened. Knowing that the matter is getting out of hand, he cannot be just standing there. Sam didn't even bother to look at the elder. He just looked at the woman coldly with that devilishly handsome wicked smile.

Seeing his confident yet wicked smile, the woman felt a sense of danger. But when she saw the surrounding people looking at her for reply, she felt that she would lose a lot of face. So, she agreed.

”Deal.” She then spread her hand towards Sam, asking him to pay up first. But Sam didn't say anything and looked through the crowd as if he were searching for someone. Then the receptionist asked with a sneer. ”What chickening out now?” She said with a provocative sneer.

”I don't trust you.” Sam said with same calm and cold face. Everyone looked at the handsome man with a shocked gaze. 'This guy really knew how anger people to death.' Philip and gang thought as they looked at the receptionist. Just as the receptionist is about to lose her cool again. A tranquil voice came from back of the crowd. A middle-aged man came forward as crowd made way to him. Every employ bowed with respect. ”I can be the middle man.” The middle-aged man said. He is in robes belonged to the Artisan tower. From the respect of others, he seemed to be in quite a high position.

”Who are you?” Sam asked with same cold voice. Every elder looked at Sam with fierce expression.

”Young man, don't you know how to respect the elders?” The elder who interrupted Sam earlier spoke. Again, Sam didn't even bother and looked straight at the middle-aged man. Respect, he lost all the respect to these people when they just stood and watched the show. He came here with proper etiquette and procedure to take the examination, but he couldn't help being disappointed.

”I am the head of the tower.” The middle-aged man said with the same tranquil voice. He didn't seem to be bothered by what Sam did. Everyone on the spot felt their legs going weak. 'This young man is done for.' Everyone thought. Even Philip and gang felt quite anxious. But Sam didn't even say anything and threw a leather bag to the middle-aged man and the person checked the bag and nodded. Then he turned to Sam and said to him. ”This way please.” As he spoke, he walked upstairs. Sam and the receptionist followed. Then the rest of the crowd followed as well. Leonard is also among them, he seemed to be enjoying it quite well. He also has same thought. ”This country bumpkin is done for.” He muttered as he followed.

Upstairs Sam, the tower head and the receptionist along with the crowd all stood before the room. The room is filled with all types of things like a bellow, pits, anvil, hammers, quenching tanks, etc. Everything a weapon maker need is there. The tower head started explaining. This is the examination room. ”You need to bring your own materials, if you want you can buy from the tower. After finishing the product, you should take it to that platform. If it is passed, the standards, the tower spirit will give the rank of the weapon which is also your Artisan rank. If your weapon is innovative and new design you have to place your hand on the platform and use your spirit sense to show how you will use it. Then you may also get a Scholar artisan rank.” The tower head explained.

Then he pointed at the wall and said. ”That screen shows what you are doing to the higher ups from the guild. If they find any mistakes or malpractices are there, they can reject you.” Sam nodded.