Chapter 132: FOUR EXAMINERS

The rumble of footsteps echoed as all 259 applicants made their way toward the fighting arena of the Hunter Guild. The path curved slightly, then opened into a massive, dome-shaped arena. Rows of seats were arranged in the gallery like a coliseum. It was used for training sessions, mock battles and in a time like this… a test ground.

Some walked with nervousness, others with eager spirits, while a few like Logan moved silently. Totally unnoticed.

When they all arrived, they saw four figures standing across the arena, keeping equal and considerable distance amongst themselves.

None of them looked ordinary.

On the far right stood a bulky man in dark brown armor with a huge axe resting on his shoulder. His armband shimmered with a glowing D, the D-class hunter.

To his left, almost 90–100 meters away, a tall woman with silver hair was standing with a long spear at the left corner of the arena. Her armband bore the letter C, a C-class hunter.

At close right, a man in his thirties was standing without any weapon. But his posture and face were screaming of danger. One look at him and anyone could tell, he wasn’t someone to pick up a fight with. His armband had A on it. A-class hunter.

And at the close left corner, a man in his forties was standing with two blades resting at his waist. His crimson cloak fluttered proudly. He didn’t have any armband. His presence didn’t feel scary like the A-class hunter as well. But there was something unique about him. No way to put it in words but just one look at him, and it was enough to tell that he was on a whole different league than the others.

As everyone was pouring into the fighting arena, one applicant’s eyes fell on him. And immediately, “What in the hell man, isn’t he the guild master, Ali? Ali Arkman? What’s he doing here in the arena?” someone asked with a horrified face.

One applicant placed a hand on his shoulder and said, “Don’t freak out. He isn’t here for small fries like us. From what I’ve heard, he always takes part in the test as an examiner, hoping to find other S-class hunters.”

Many others also were murmuring. For many, Ali’s presence came as a shock, while many wanted to see him in action. After all, there were only three S-class hunters in the whole of Arcadia. Guild master of Hunter Guild, Ali Arkman, Noah Starwind, and John William from the court mage. John William retired as a hunter long ago and now only worked in the mages’ court.

Amidst the chatter and shock, Elizabeth walked to the center platform above the arena floor and raised a sound crystal to her lips.

“Listen up! You’ll each be called by your token numbers. Step into the arena when it’s your turn. Based on your magical Tier, you will face the appropriate examiner.”

She gestured toward the four standing hunters.

“Tier 1 and Tier 2 will face the D-class hunter.

Tier 3 will face the C-class hunter.

Tier 4, A-class hunter.

Tier 5 and above, if there is any, will be the lucky ones to face the guild master himself.”

Those who still had some doubts became certain now.

“So the guild master is really acting as an examiner? Damn! Not being a Tier 5 feels like the greatest luck ever.” One whispered. But his voice was still loud enough to cause a flood of laughter.

Elizabeth raised her hand, silencing the crowd.

“You will not be graded based on victory or loss. Strategy, control, decision-making, and combat instinct are all what matters. Your opponent won’t use lethal force—but don’t expect them to go easy. Fight well. Prove your worth. And earn your license.”

She paused briefly and glanced down at the crystal.

“Token Number 001—Gareth Vin.”

A tall youth with broad shoulders stood up from the front row. He looked nervous but composed. His blue cloak fluttered behind him as he stepped down onto the arena floor.

“He’s a Tier 3,” someone whispered.

“Then he’ll be fighting that tall woman then, C-class hunter.”

Gareth walked toward the woman. But the examiner didn’t offer any greetings.

She simply picked up her spear, which had been spiked into the ground, and asked calmly, “Ready?”

Gareth nodded.

A second later, the battle began.

A fireball roared from Gareth’s palms and streaked toward his opponent. The C-class hunter sidestepped effortlessly, responding with a flick of her wrist. A surge of pressure burst outward like a wall of force, crashing into Gareth and throwing him off balance.

“Wind affinity!” many murmured from the gallery.

The boy gritted his teeth and cast a barrier. Then a sharp whirling spike lunged at the examiner, aiming for her exposed flank.

He had wind affinity as well.

But the C-class hunter didn’t move.

Instead, she simply raised a finger—and Gareth’s wind spell shattered mid-air.

Before Gareth could even react, the examiner closed the distance in a blink and tapped the boy on the chest.

Boom!

The shockwave sent Gareth flying backward across the arena, landing hard on the stone tiles.

Silence enveloped all.

The C-class hunter stepped back and spoke without turning.

“Strong core, Tier-3, decent aggression. But your instinct is too blunt. D-class. Dismissed.”

Elizabeth nodded. “Token 001, Gareth Vin, D-class hunter.”

Though Tier-3 mages were normally entitled to Class-C, without required qualifications, they were given a Class-D license first. And in future when improved after training and experience, they were promoted to Class-C.

Polite applause followed as Gareth limped off the arena with pride. Even in defeat, passing as D-class on the first attempt for a Tier-3 was considered impressive.

The next few names came rapidly.

“Token 002—Tier 2. Defeated by D-class hunter. E-class awarded.”

“Token 003—Tier 3. Stalemated with C-class. C-class awarded.”

“Token 004—Tier 1. Defeated swiftly. Try next time.”

“Token 005—Tier 4. Nearly passed. B-class.”

“Token 006… F-class.”

“Token 007… Try next time.”

Matches came and went.

Some were over in seconds.

Others dragged for minutes.

But none were spectacular enough to grab attention.

Some applicants cheered for their friends. Others sat with growing tension, clutching their knees. The mood oscillated between excitement and dread as numbers climbed.

Elizabeth continued calling names.

“Token 038… Token 049… Token 057…”

Time passed.

And then—

“Token 171… Aiden Ferith!”

A brief hush fell across the arena.

Dozens of heads turned toward a lone masked figure seated near the back.

Logan’s entrance during application for the test had caught many people’s attention. And they had been waiting to see what a twelve-year-old kid was capable of. Did he actually have any strength or was he just big talk?

Logan rose and marched toward the arena calmly.

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