<Was it really this easy? > Erik thought, <Or is this simply due to Hais's brain crystal power?>
But it was clear it was due to the latter. Hais's brain crystal power made it easy to understand things, and Erik managed to notice only what he needed.
Other people would have needed to read many books or search for clues for hours. However, he managed to do all the necessary steps in just 20 minutes.
As Erik carefully manipulated the final lever, bringing the mechanical hum to a halt, a soft, almost inaudible hum filled the room.
The chest recognized the correct sequence of inputs, and the once-glowy constellation symbols faded to a dim hue. The metallic lid of the chest slid open with a hiss of released air, revealing its contents in a soft glow.
The inside of the chest was surprisingly bare, save for a single slip of paper resting in the center. It was an odd contrast to the high-tech, futuristic design of the chest. The paper was an anachronism, a relic in the modern world.
Erik reached into the chest with caution, carefully pinching the corners of the paper and lifting it into the light. The ink was jet black and fresh, and the words were surprisingly neat and straight for being printed on such old-fashioned paper.
The note was brief, a simple message that starkly contrasted the complexity of the puzzle it needed to solve to open it. "You are not so stupid, after all." The words seemed to dance on the page as if mocking and congratulating Erik at the same time.
Erik blinked, stunned, and then burst out laughing. The tension he had been feeling, the anxiety that had been building since the start of the test, vanished instantly, replaced by a sense of lightness and accomplishment.
He looked at the paper before folding it neatly and tucking it into his pocket. Despite the message's mocking tone, Erik couldn't help but take it as a compliment. After all, he had solved the puzzle, and the chest held no further surprises.
As Erik approached the reception, the room hummed back to life, his footsteps glinting against the metallic flooring. The glow of various consoles, screens, and holographic interfaces bathed the space in a kaleidoscope of flickering, shifting colors, creating a surreal, ethereal atmosphere.
The reception area was a simple space with clean lines and a sleek design. The main point of contact for candidates was a long desk made of an opaque glass-like material. The examiner, a woman in the guild's standard uniform, was standing behind the desk, the soft glow of the information screens illuminating her face.
She looked up from her work as Erik approached, her eyes widening in surprise as she took in Erik's calm demeanor. Following the puzzle test, she must have expected him to be more agitated or exhausted.
As Erik approached, the examiner looked up from her terminal. She raised an eyebrow, surprised at how quickly the task was completed, but kept her calm.
"You made it?" She said, a note of skepticism in her voice. She gestured for Erik to hand her the slip of paper.
Erik reached into his pocket and handed her the paper without saying anything. He set it down on the desk; the mocking words became insignificant in front of the woman's shocked expression.
As she read the paper, a slow smile spread across the examiner's face. Erik watched as her eyes skimmed over the message, her brows arching in surprise before a small smile appeared on her lips.
She let out a soft laugh, the stern exterior melting away for a brief moment. "Well, I'll be damned," she said, amusement twinkling in her eyes, "I think this beat every record previously set. You only took 22 minutes."
Erik nodded, a glint of pride in his eyes. "Thank you," he said, remaining calm despite the compliment.
His fingers traced the mocking words as he ran his hand over the slip of paper.
Erik realized that the test was more than just solving a puzzle; it was also about how quickly he could adapt and apply his knowledge in a new context. And, based on the examiner's reaction, he had done exceptionally well.
The examiner walked over to her computer and entered the results into the system. Erik's progress would be updated in real-time at the guild headquarters. She then returned the paper to him. "I think you should keep it. It may serve as a reminder not to underestimate yourself."
Erik couldn't help but chuckle as she returned the paper. Instead of insulting, the inscription felt like a badge of honor and a validation of his abilities. He tucked the paper into his pocket, thanked the examiner, and exited the room, ready to face the day's next challenge.
***
The guild hall was filled with a low, excited hum as the test results were displayed. Officers, veteran adventurers, and rookies were scattered throughout the large chamber; all engrossed in the sizeable holographic board in the center of the room.
The hall fell silent momentarily when Erik Kay's name appeared on the screen; the usual chatter and clink of mugs were hushed. His perfect score on the puzzle test was displayed in bold, along with the astounding record time of 22 minutes. As the crowd processed the results, there was a collective gasp.
The silence was short-lived. Excited whispers circulated through the hall, eventually becoming murmurs and animated discussions. This was not only remarkable; it was unprecedented.
Never before had anyone, let alone a novice, solved the puzzle so quickly.
"Did you see that? Twenty-two minutes!" one veteran exclaimed, disbelief painting his weathered face.
"Kid's a genius, no doubt," another responded, stroking his grizzled beard thoughtfully.
The words 'hire him' echoed around the room, repeated like a mantra by various guild leaders. His abilities had not gone unnoticed.
Erik Kay was no longer just a name on a scoreboard. He was a prize, a potential asset to whichever guild persuaded him to join.
The air in the guild hall was thick with anticipation. Everyone knew a star was rising, and they couldn't wait to see where it would shine next.
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