Chapter 69 - 69: Recruitment Part 3 (1/2)

Ten days had now passed since the entrance ceremony, indicating the arrival of the returning students to the Academy.

No ceremony was being held but the excitement in the city was very much apparent as Aron was making his way to the academy.

The academy had no strict dress code, rather ranks were differentiated by the cloak one wore. First years or rank ones had a brown cloak with a white outline, second years or rank twos had a green cloak with a thin white outline, third years or rank threes had a blue cloak with a thin white outline, fourth years had a red cloak with a thin outline while those with titles differed, a guardian had a white cloak with a golden outline whilst a harbinger had a black cloak with a golden outline. Those above rank four dressed as they please and normally wore cloaks carrying the crest of their families or faction.

At the moment, Aron wore his usual attire of dark silver boots, plain black trousers held up by leather belt to which his weapons and bullets were kept. On top he wore an equally plain black shirt with his Harbinger's cloak above it.

He did receive quite the number of stares as he made his way into the academy but he paid no mind to it. Standing not too far from within the academy was Jin who was leaning against a pillar with his arms crossed.

When he saw Aron approaching, he showed a small and moved from the pillar. Once Aron came close enough, Jin joined him and began walking beside him. ”How many?” Aron inquired without turning his gaze.

”A lot were interested but very few fit the criteria, so we've narrowed it down to thirty six.” Jin put his pinky to his ear and moved it vigorously while yawning as he answered Aron. ”That's more than anticipated, not a bad number,” Aron replied seemingly satisfied with the results.

”True, but wouldn't it have been better to wait for the returning students to arrive before recruiting?” Jin asked but Aron immediately shook his head at the idea. ”Do you really think a proud noble would agree to join a faction of a commoner, one younger than him or her no less.” When Aron revealed this, Jin lightly slapped his palm onto his forehead as it was quite obvious when one thought about it.

Jin and Jagu's task was simply to find individuals interested in joining Aron's faction. The few they did find would then be interviewed before the returning students arrive since they, too, would obviously seek to poach talented individuals.

Today being the arrival of the returning students, classes had been cancelled but the school and some of its facilities were open for use to students, hence why the academy had many people present.

As Aron and Jin made a turn into another hall, they found a queue of students lined up near the wall with the one furthest at the front standing in front of the door leading to one of the lecture rooms.

When these students saw Aron, they couldn't help but gaze at him. Some grew more eager whilst others felt even more nervous. After all, this interview would determine whether or not they would be allowed into his faction.

At the front of the door, Jagu stood guard and kept the line in order. He and Aron gave each other a nod before he made his way into the lecture room and sat at the front table.

It was from there that Jagu began calling in the students to be interviewed one by one. The interviews didn't last long as the questions Aron asked were a few.

Most students of course came across as average in Aron's opinion but they were a few that could be considered valuable.