Chapter 193: Rank Up Test (1) (2/2)

”That is true, but at least you do not need to worry that much anymore. At worst, you will just fail to pass it this time, and will just need to train even harder! There will be no fatal injuries that would set you back!”

Although reassured and quite relieved by Aiden's words, Cole still had a slightly worried look on his face as he turned to face the door on the eastern side of the hall.

Taking a long, lasting look on the closed wooden door, he seemed to have come to a decision about the matter. His worry morphed to confidence and determination as he heaved out all the air that troubled his mind and heart all day today.

He then turned to look at Mary, who without even having the need to mention anything, nodded in understanding, and spoke.

”I see, you have made up your mind. Shall I go and inform the examiners about your upcoming test and deduct the credits from your account?” Even though she knew the answer to the question, she was still required to ask it out and wait for his clearly obvious response.

As expected, Cole nodded with a determined expression. He had already made up his mind, he will not change it anymore. His friends are supporting him and even made sure that he did not have to worry about foul play anymore. What right did he have to back out now?

”Yes, please do so. I am ready to take the test.” He nodded.

A smile finally replaced the cold, hurt expression of Mary, as she picked up a form from under the desk and quickly began to scribble something on it, filling out a few rows hurriedly.

Barely a minute later she was finished, and as she grabbed the paper, she turned at Cole with the friendly, professional smile on her face.

”Okay, I will go to the back and let the examiners know about the upcoming Rank Up test. Please wait for a few minutes, I will let you know once you can go in, through that door. ”She pointed at the eastern door, the same one which Aiden used for his registration.

As soon as she said what she was obligated to, she immediately turned around and rushed through the back office door, her figure quickly vanishing through the long hallways as the door closed behind her.

”Come, let's just sit back. You need to relax and be at your best when you go through that door.” Patting Cole's back, Aiden motioned for him towards the closest set of empty seats.

Silently nodding, Cole walked back, trying his hardest to keep his composure, and cool. It was a lie to say that whilst he sounded confident and determined a moment ago, he wasn't still nervous about the whole upcoming ordeal. Yes, he fought against a Sea Devil, a real Sahuagin with Aiden before, but the fact was he never won. He was just barely able to avoid his crazed blows, and cling to his life by a hair's thread. He wasn't Aiden, he wasn't an unnaturally powerful, incredible beast hiding in human skin. He was just your average youth, hoping to make a change in his life and not fall back towards the bottom and live a meaningless life being a farmer in some nameless village, paying tribute to his village chief and governing Nobles.

No. He wanted something more, he NEEDED something more. It was fate or maybe the Gods that brought him towards Aiden on that fated day, and by staying at his side, he slowly grew better and better. He was no longer the bullied newbie that just arrived in the city, there were several completed quests and challenges under his name. He got gradually better at wielding his short sword, and whilst he had no special skills or talents, he still felt that he was quite capable. At least by his own standards.

His nervousness slowly faded as these and similar thoughts began to come to the surface of his mind. He creased his eyebrows, as his fading confidence found a newly formed pillar it could lean on. It was, as if a single bright ray of shining light pierced through the dark, eerie convergence of stormy clouds amidst the sky, and put a stop to the despair it poured down towards the ground-dwellers.

As time slowly passed and more and more thoughts and happy memories pierced through the despair of clouds, it slowly basked the gloomy ground of Cole's mindset in its colorless, bright rays of hope and confidence.

The nervous haze from his eyes slowly being lifted, Cole reached for the hilt of his short sword dangling from the side of his belt, and tightly gripped it.

He was no longer afraid, he had no worry in his eyes, not even when from the back office room, opened up and amidst the office floors, two huge men, donned in ebony black armors, -one with studded, reinforced leather and one with a shining, metallic feel to it-, walked out with Mary lagging not too far behind, and walked towards the side room in a slow pace.

He was ready to face any challenge they could throw at him! He was ready for the test!