Chapter 506 Getting out of the guild unnoticed
For the better part of an hour, the interview continued in much the same vein. The examiner, a seasoned veteran with years of experience under his belt, would throw out complex scenarios and ethical dilemmas, and Erik would respond thoughtfully, showing a deep understanding of the guild's values.
He spoke confidently, his responses often laced with pearls of unexpected wisdom for his age. He could pinpoint and dissect the core of each question, and his answers demonstrated his comprehensive understanding of the guild's principles of integrity, teamwork, and honor.
Despite the overall excellence of Erik's answers, the examiner maintained an unimpressed demeanor. His features remained motionless, and the lines on his face did not indicate the thoughts going through his head. A polite approval murmur was audible from time to time in addition to his acknowledging nod. On the other hand, his eyes betrayed a critical distance and a tempered skepticism that allowed for doubt.
As a result of his lengthy tenure in the guild and the numerous interviews of this type that he had been responsible for conducting, he was an experienced professional in this field.
He had encountered a significant number of brilliant newcomers and had seen countless impressive performances. Even though Erik's responses were undeniably thoughtful and well-articulated, the examiner maintained their level of skepticism.
At the end of the day, words were nothing more than words. They were capable of being crafted and molded, selected with care, and arranged in such a way as to convey precisely what the listener desired to hear.
As a result, the examiner was impressed with Erik's eloquence and the scope and depth of his thinking, but he had to withhold judgment.
He persisted in interrogating Erik, asking progressively more difficult questions as he secretly monitored Erik's responses, considered what Erik said, and dissected the nuances in Erik's body language.
The examiner had not yet found the spark in Erik that would make him one in a million, despite the undeniable fact that he was an impressive young man.
The examiner leaned back in his chair and placed his hands on the desk, creating a heavy silence in the room. His eyes studied Erik's face as if trying to solve a complex equation.
Erik's responses had been heard, and while they were good, something about them bothered him.
Erik's responses appeared mechanical at times. They had a deliberate air as if each answer had been meticulously crafted rather than genuinely expressing his beliefs. Erik seemed to be giving the answers he thought the examiner wanted to hear rather than what he honestly thought.
Furthermore, darkness seeped into Erik's words at times. While adhering to the guild's values, his responses occasionally revealed a pessimistic view of the world.
While the guild recognized that life was full of harsh realities, it clung to the ideals of hope and solidarity.
The examiner knew that the guild comprised a diverse group of people, each with experiences and perspectives. Nonetheless, he couldn't help but be concerned by Erik's responses.
Despite the answers and Erik's previous test results, the examiner found himself unable to give the maximum score to him. His intuition, honed over years of experience, warned him something was wrong. The interview was over, but the man's assessment of Erik was far from conclusive. He finally broke the silence.
"Mr. Kay, the interview is over," he said firmly, his voice echoing slightly off the sleek, metallic walls. The only other sound in the room was the whir of the air filtration system.
The young man appeared unfazed by the unexpected announcement. His face was serene and calm, with no visible disappointment or satisfaction. He simply nodded in response to the examiner's words.
"I must say, your responses were extremely insightful."
"Thank you, sir," Erik said. However, the Flyssa swordsman noticed that something was wrong with the examiner.
Erik rose from his chair, stretching his limbs to relieve stiffness. Curiosity glowed in his eyes as he turned his gaze to the examiner. "So, how did it go?" he inquired, his tone tinged with eagerness.
"The results will be available in an hour," the examiner said with a small, noncommittal smile.
"I need some time to think," he added. The undertone of mystery in his voice persuaded Erik that his performance was not as straightforward as he had thought. "
You're free to leave the guild for the time being," the examiner continued. "The final examination will take place in two days. We need to set up the stage."
Erik felt a wave of relief wash over him. This day had been long and full of nuances. He was eager to get away and find peace to process everything that had happened.
"Thank you," Erik said, nodding his head in agreement. As he made his way to the exit, he turned on his heels, his steps echoing throughout the room.
Erik stepped into the building's corridor, a sense of impending doom gnawing at him. The overhead lights gleamed, illuminating the walls around him.
He was aware of the attention he had drawn at the guild, and the thought bothered him. He needed to keep his face hidden from the others.
With a quick mental command, he then talked to the biological supercomputer. <Scan the place for cameras,> he ordered, his mind connecting seamlessly with the device.
[UNDERSTOOD. COMMENCE SCANNING. 3…2…1… SCAN COMPLETE. 15 CAMERAS HAD BEEN FOUND IN THE SURROUNDING 30 METERS; DO YOU WANT TO CONNECT TO THEM?]
The biological supercomputer asked while It relayed the locations and types of the cameras to him, the data flowing into his consciousness like a stream of coded information.
Erik processed the information swiftly; his cognitive speed accelerated thanks to the power of Hais's brain crystal. The world around him appeared to slow down, and simultaneously, he felt his senses were becoming sharper.
Erik thought about what to do for a second. <Send the cameras on a loop and delete any recording of me leaving the room. I don't want to be seen while leaving the building,> the young man ordered.
[UNDERSTOOD. COMMENCING OPERATION. 3…2…1. TASK COMPLETE.]
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