"How about this? There's still another test, right? Why don't I take that too so I can prove to you that I'm really not a True Mage yet."
Lawrend bargained with the receptionist.
"Tch. Alright, but if you were really a True Mage, your Mage Guild membership will be revoked."
The receptionist truly thought that Lawrend was actually a True Mage. He thought that by putting the membership on the line, he would back down. After all, there are many benefits to being a member of the Mage Guild. No mage on the continent was able to resist that temptation.
"Sounds good to me."
Lawrend nodded his head bravely. He was not a guild member anyway, and he was confident that this next test would truly prove what strength he has.
"Heh, did everyone hear that? Please be my witness!"
The receptionist chuckled and looked around. Even if Lawrend wanted to deny it later, there were many witnesses here.
"Now that that's settled. There's a long ruler on that table. What you have to do is to gather your mana throughout your body to your hand and push it all out into the ruler by holding its end."
The receptionist explained to Lawrend. This would be the second test that would test his mana's volume. Basically, it records how much mana he has.
"I understand."
Lawrend nodded his head. He took a deep breath and released his breath slowly. He held onto the end of the ruler before closing his eyes. The ruler started from 1 to 100. Even though the ruler was already longer than the average ruler the numbers were still small.
Lawrend gathered all of the violet lightning mana inside his body into his hand. He took a deep breath again before gritting his teeth and pushing all of it into the ruler.
The ruler started to glow a bright white color starting from the end that Lawrend was holding it from. It moved slowly before stopping at the 1 mark.
"1-1!?"
The receptionist looked at the ruler in shock. When the crowd around them heard his words, they all frowned in confusion.
What's the reason you ask? It's because a Beginner Mage should stop at the 3 marks. A 1 mark shouldn't be odd for most people, but Lawrend had the mana purity of a True Mage! There was no way that this makes sense.
"W-Why?"
Lawrend was shocked himself. He should have an exact of 3 marks on the ruler. This was according to what he has read in the books about magic.
"Quick! Call the Guild Master!"
The receptionist shouted at another guild staff. The staff nodded his head and immediately ran back inside to call the so-called Guild Master.
"Everyone! We would like to ask you to stay here."
The receptionist shouted. He had a grave expression on his face. He didn't even have the anger on his face anymore.
Everyone inside the testing grounds looked at each other in confusion. Nevertheless, they heeded his words. There seems to be something serious going on.
"What's happening?"
Lawrend asked the receptionist. He suddenly became serious when he saw the 1 mark that Lawrend got.
"Let's just wait for the Guild Master."
The receptionist didn't tell him clearly. Lawrend could only wait together with Aleshia.
Before long, a tall man with a slick back hairstyle entered the testing grounds. His looks suggest that he was at least in his late 20s. He held onto a long staff with a big blue gem on top.
"What is it, Creol?"
The man asked the receptionist.
"Guild Master!"
Instead of responding, the receptionist went closer to the guild master and whispered into his ear.
"I see."
The guild master nodded his head before turning it towards Lawrend.
"So your name is Lawrend?"
The guild master asked to which, Lawrend nodded his head.
"Do you want to become an elite member of the Mage Guild? You will have the benefits of a True Mage even though you are still a Beginner Mage. That also applies if you reach True Mage in the future. You would also get the benefits of a High Mage, and so on."
The guild master asked Lawrend and explained the benefits of being an elite member. By this time, the crowd whispered to each other. There were shocked expressions on their faces.
"What's the reason you want me to become an elite member?"
Lawrend was bewildered. The benefits of being an elite member seem too good to be true so he couldn't help but feel that something was off.
"... Come with me inside."
The guild master glanced at the other people inside the testing grounds before beckoning Lawrend to follow him.
"Creol, make them sign Blood Contracts."
The guild master ordered the receptionist before entering the Mage Guild.
"Yes, sir!"
The receptionist, or rather, Creol, nodded his head in salute.
He looked at the people inside the testing grounds and gave them meaningful looks.
"You heard the guild master."
Creol shrugged his shoulders at them. The crowd could only follow his words and sign blood contracts made by the Mage Guild. In conclusion, they were given a gag order about this incident.
What Creol didn't realize was that a shadow quietly slipped past the crowd and jumped over the walls of the testing ground in silence.
Inside the Mage Guild, Lawrend was sitting inside the Guild Master's office. The Guild Master in question was sitting on his desk in front of Lawrend and Aleshia.
"I would like to introduce myself. My name is Reon Garne. I'm the Mage Guild Branch Guild Master of this city."
The guild master introduced himself to Lawrend.
"Pleased to meet you, sir! My name is Lawrend Horiel."
Lawrend extended his hand forward in a handshake. He was in awe of this man in front of him. Being the Branch Guild Master of the Mage Guild means that he was a bigshot. One snap of his fingers and he can mobilize all of the mages in the city.
"So Lawrend, do you accept my offer?"
The guild master asked Lawrend with a confident smile.