Once again, the initiates are gathered outside the Center Hall, meandering around three large signs with identical messages while chatting. I stand far from the back of the crowd but I have no problem reading them, more to do with the excessively large font they’ve used than my enhanced vision. A bird could read them from the clouds.

QUALIFIER RULES: DEMONSTRATION

Initiates, for the final part of your evaluation, you will demonstrate your proficiency in spellcrafting and spell use. This year’s test will be ‘team battles’. Initiates will have two days to form teams with a maximum of five members.

On Fireday, teams must all register at the Center Hall for competition during Restday and Saintsday. The location of the test will be the Beast Sanctuary. Teams will compete against one another to complete objectives assigned by the evaluating instructors.

While combat will not be the aim, the use of force will be permitted. The Hall will finance healing of any injuries obtained during the qualifiers. We kindly remind initiates that no unsanctioned duels are allowed on Hall grounds. Results of the qualifiers will be posted the following Saintsday.

We wish every initiate good luck. Assistant instructors are available to answer any questions.

The instructions are straightforward enough but I have several questions. Where exactly in the Sanctuary will this competition be taking place? Depending on the answer, the location will be trial enough.

What kind of objectives will they assign? I’d assume the ability to react quickly to circumstances is a part of the evaluation but depending on what we are asked to do, and where we’re asked to do it, several initiates will be disadvantaged. If we’re asked to, saints, play soldier and defend a caravan from ‘bandits’, fire casters are going to have a fun time. However, if we’re asked to say, protect a boat on one of the artificial lakes built to house the Sanctuary’s aquatic monsters, the usually underrated water casters are going to destroy everyone.

Then again, who’s to say these objectives are going to be combat related? Violence may be permitted but what if the goal is something ridiculous like…entertaining children? They’re rare but there are casters who learn magic just to perform at festivals and do private shows for nobles. Saints, what if they ask us to compete doing menial jobs? Damn it, I swore to myself I’d never be a ‘waste caster’!

“What’s got you so worked up?”

Alana puts a hand on my shoulder as she walks up to me. I give her a brief smile and gesture toward the signs. “Have you read that?”

“Mm. Talked to Mano. Probably can’t see him through all the bodies. Asked a few questions.”

“Did he say what these objectives are going to be?”

“Doesn’t know but they can be anything. Competing to hunt a monster, a race, a juggling contest. As long as it doesn’t directly pit initiates against one another, anything goes, and it is at the sole discretion of the instructors.”

“Fun. About those teams. It says a maximum of five but it doesn’t mention a minimum.”

Her eyes narrow. “You plan on going it alone?”

A part of me feels it could be the safer option. If an event is chosen that depends on cooperation, my success will be directly tied to the abilities of initiates rather than my own. There is a substantial gap between the two.

On the other hand, I can’t be in two places at once and if the test involves multiple objectives that need to be done simultaneously, I’m screwed. Hell, the qualifiers could have already started and the ability to form a competent, cohesive team may be the first objective they evaluate us on.

Ugh, I’m giving myself a headache.

A soft punch draws my attention back to my friend. “You’re overthinking this. This isn’t a trick. They want to see what we can do, don’t they? Missing out on the next Harvest Hero because of a test designed to eliminate people would be ridiculous. They want as many initiates as possible. After all, that’s more money in their pockets.”

That is solid reasoning. “You may be right.”

“You have nothing to worry about. We’ll just follow the rules, play their game, and get on with things.”

“So eager for me to collect on or bet?”

“So eager for me to collect on our bet,” she scoffs.

“Uh-huh. And what is this we? How presumptuous of you, Lady James, attempting to simply insert yourself onto my team.” I raise my nose with a sniff. Heh, with my extra inches in height, I’m tall enough to look down on her, just barely. Something she notices as well as she scowls. “I am not so easy.”

“Sure,” she says dryly. “I’d love to see who you get on your team besides me.” She waves a hand toward the crowd. Now that I’m looking for it, I can see that most of them are standing close together, already forming their teams. “Go on. See how many others like your ‘charm’.”

Did she just call me charming? It sounded a little sarcastic but I’ll take it. And I’m not going to take her up on her challenge. I don’t know any of these people. Why would I? While they were getting to know their dorm neighbors and sharing their woes, I was relaxing in a big house with my beautiful wife. They haven’t talked to me so all they have to go on is my reputation.

Lecherous lover of women. Foolish drunkard. Brutal fighter who made a young nobleman cry. Crazy woman who fought with a prince and got away with it.

Who in their right mind would want to partner up with me?

“Fine. I would be lost without you. Happy?” I try to sound bitter but I can’t help being amused at her smug grin. “Hopefully, you have someone, or preferably a few someones?”

“There are a few people here who know you aren’t a social plaque. Follow my lead.”

“Happily.”

“And try to be less…” She pauses, brows furrowing as her hands make random gestures. “Lou?”

I think I’m offended.

I shake my head as I follow her into the crowd. Not sure what be less ‘Lou’ means but I try to subdue my awe-inspiring force of personality. Despite my best attempts, whispers follow in my wake as the crowd makes way for us. Alana glances back at me. I shrug my shoulders. Sorry, my saint. As they say, greatness is hard to hide.

Her reaction is contained to a roll of her eyes and she endures the unexpected attention with a neutral frown. With my peers, hah, being so obliging, I quickly spot her target.