Erik was treated to an aerial view of the bustling metropolis as the flying car soared over the sprawling cityscape. High-rises of gleaming metal and glass pierced the sky, haphazardly arranged to speak of unplanned, rapid growth.
A network of winding streets spread like a spiderweb between these architectural behemoths, teeming with people of all shapes and sizes.
The city was alive and pulsing with energy, a symphony of sights and sounds that was both thrilling and overwhelming.
Despite this flurry of activity, a massive structure dominated the skyline, attracting Erik's attention like a magnet. It was the Arena, with its towering facade dwarfing the surrounding structures.
The Arena's design was as elegant as it was efficient, with its sleek lines and towering walls encapsulating brutal functionality. Large screens on its exterior walls flashed vibrant colors, playing promotional videos of previous tests, and thrilling battles ensued within its walls. Each time the background was different, but it was clear from the videos that they weren't digitally made or holograms; they were actual buildings the guild built inside the Arena.
<That's an excellent way to generate more revenues…> Erik thought.
When the driver noticed Erik's fixation, he nodded knowingly. "It's impressive, isn't it?" he said, his gaze never leaving the control panel. "Not just for the grandeur, but for what it represents. Hope, determination, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. This is where the mercenaries are tempered, and legends are born."
His words echoed in Erik's mind as he stared at the massive structure. The Arena was more than just a testing ground; it symbolized the mercenary guild, a beacon that embodied the guild's and its mercenaries' spirit.
Erik was dropped off at the foot of the monolithic Arena by the flying car. The vehicle's hum faded as it vanished, leaving him alone in the vast paved space.
The Arena loomed ahead of him, intimidating and silent, symbolizing the challenges that awaited him within its walls.
"Go to the examinees' gate; they will process your arrival and tell you when to start the test." Erik walked toward the gate after the two parted ways.
As he approached the Arena, his gaze was drawn again to the massive screens displaying past feats of strength and cunning, each frame telling a story of struggle, perseverance, and eventual triumph.
When he arrived at the examinees' gate, he was met by a few stern-looking men.
Erik strode confidently toward the examination clerks, his hood and mask still on. The clerk was in his forties, his face lined with experience and the sternness that comes with such an important job.
"My name is Erik Kay, and I've come to take the practical test," Erik stated calmly but firmly.
"We need an ID," said the man. Erik then displayed it, and when he was finished, the clerk looked up, briefly looking at Erik's masked face before returning his attention to the computer in front of him.
The rhythmic tapping of the holographic keyboard filled the otherwise silent space as he typed quickly. "Erik Kay," he mumbled, his gaze scanning the data on the screen.
After a brief moment, the clerk returned his gaze to Erik. "Your test is scheduled to begin in an hour," he said professionally and matter-of-factly. "In the meantime, you can wait inside. There's a waiting room for the examinees."
Erik acknowledged this with a nod, a thin veil of anticipation covering his features. He thanked the clerk and proceeded to the waiting room. The enormity of the test began to dawn on him as he moved deeper into the Arena. But instead of being anxious, he was filled with excitement.
The young man entered the waiting room to the soothing hum of advanced technology interspersed with the comfortable simplicity of a traditional setup. The room was large, stretching out with enough seats for dozens of people, but it was empty except for Erik.
The room's walls were made of a sleek metallic material that radiated a soft radiance and gave off a subtle, soothing glow.
Holographic screens were Embedded in these walls that were constantly updated with information on various ongoing and upcoming tests and general mercenary guild news. His test was, of course, displayed on the screen as scheduled, and the time it was going to be aired was on its right.
A large, circular seating arrangement stretched out in the center of the room. The seats were ergonomic, padded with memory foam, and covered with a material that changed temperature based on the occupant's body heat to keep him or her cool or to provide warmth.
A small, touch-sensitive table was available between each seat, complete with a futuristic panel that allowed users to access various services such as food, drink, and entertainment while waiting.
A row of refreshment dispensers hummed quietly to one side, offering various nutritionally dense and comfort food options. A wall-mounted screen across from them played calming ambient sounds, adding to the overall peaceful atmosphere of the room.
<And now we wait…> Erik thought.
***
After half an hour, the door to the room opened. A woman of medium height entered the room, her uniform crisp and authoritative. Her sharp gaze was drawn to Erik, a flash of recognition flashing across her features before she returned a curt nod of greeting.
"I don't have much time, so I'll get straight to the point," she declared, her voice echoing slightly in the otherwise quiet room.
"Your test will involve rescuing a 'kidnapped' individual. This individual is, in fact, an actor who is playing a role for the purposes of the test, so don't worry about that."
"He-" Erik attempted to speak but was immediately cut off.
Her brisk, no-nonsense tone filled the room as she delved into the details. "In order to fully simulate the reality of a mercenary mission, we will not provide you with the location of the 'hostage.' You are responsible for finding them using the clues and resources at your disposal."
Erik listened intently, his attention drawn to the woman's every word. This test was more difficult than he had anticipated, but it was still an intriguing challenge.
He appreciated the extra layer of strategy and problem-solving that the requirement to track down the hostage's location added, but he wasn't planning on wasting too much time with this charade.
After ten minutes, the woman finished her briefing and gave Erik one last look. "Remember, everything you do during this test will be under scrutiny. It's not just about achieving the objective; it's also about how you do it. Keep this in mind. Good luck." She stepped back, leaving Erik in the waiting room's calm silence, his mind racing.
"Well. For sure, that was intense."
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