The Examiner and the Accursed Sun
Again and again, there is no work in winter.
Well, that’s just what guild members say. Places with indoor work remain busy as usual. But for guild members, it’s truly idle time.
When it snows in winter, cart traffic almost comes to a halt. Then, there are no jobs as escorts guarding logistics. And just like in Baroa Forest, there are no monsters either. Extermination quests naturally disappear.
The only work left for guild members is hauling cargo in the city or guard duty. But most of the guard work is taken care of by the Legol Guard Force, so those without savings will really struggle.
However, with the current economic prosperity, there are plenty of temp jobs available, so it’s not impossible to find work. The slum shanties have been demolished, clearing the streets and allowing houses to be built. Legol’s population has also increased, but there is an equal demand for labor.
So, there are various things one can do.
However, it is also a fact that many lazy guild members choose not to work in the winter.
Why is that?
Because it’s too cold and bothersome. Easy to understand, right?
I’m one of them.
“Mr. Mongrel. Today we have the promotion exam for the new Iron Rank members.”
On that day, as I was making lukewarm milk in front of the hearth at the guild’s tavern, Milene called out to me.
“Ah, is it that time already? This afternoon?”
“Yes. We’d like you to serve as the examiner for that test.”
Because there’s no work in the winter, the guild is also idle.
However, instead of just idling away like me doing nothing, they hold these promotion exams during this idle period, since it’s possible then.
Even newborn chicks eventually shed their shells after a few months.
The simple-minded personalities of former farmers are honed to some extent, and they gain the bearing of a mercenary. The guild encourages these newcomers to participate in the winter promotion exams in order to re-evaluate them.
Frankly, there are too many jobs that Iron Rank members can’t take on, so it’s a non-issue. For the newcomers, this must be a long-awaited opportunity.
“Oh, sure. I’m free anyway. The usual fee, right?”
“Thank you. Since there are many participants this time, we’ll add about 100 coins on top.”
“Generous, huh? Well, all right then. It’s the duty of a senior to look after the newcomers.”
I’ve actually served as an examiner for these promotion exams several times before.
I’m still only Bronze 3, after all. I can at least distinguish the roosters from the hens among the Iron Rank younglings.
More importantly, it’s a good opportunity to get my face known among the young ones.
“Hey Mongrel, are you going to bully the newbies?”
“Feel free to beat up any cheeky ones, gahaha!”
“You fool, I’m the kindest guild member in Halperia. I’ll just act arrogantly in front of them.”
“How humble of you.”
I wonder how this year’s newcomers have grown.
I’ve heard about them, but there are parts I can’t tell without testing them directly. Well, let’s see.
“Welcome, Iron Rank chicks. I’m Mongrel, serving as the examiner for this promotion exam. A seasoned Bronze 3 senior. Anyone with a cheeky mouth will be docked points at my discretion, so show some respect!”
In the practice grounds attached to the guild, with a dirt floor.
This year’s newcomers were lined up there… no, not really lined up. They were gathered haphazardly in one area.
There were 20 of them. Of course, these weren’t the only ones. Since this was an ability test for melee roles, some who couldn’t make it today would take the exam on another day.
The newcomers, who had been so noisy and loud when they first arrived, had at least grown enough to know their place on a day like this.
All that was left was to confirm the strength they had cultivated.
“You who have gathered here aspire to be guild members as melee fighters. You can’t use bows or magic, but you can get up close and punch. Conversely, that’s all a melee fighter needs to be able to do. This role is harsh for those lacking that ability. Today, I’ll evaluate this ‘strength’ you all boast about.”
Melee fighters equip fantasy-esque gear like swords, spears, shields, and armor to fight.
It’s an ordinary, mundane role, but without it, the backline archers and mages would be exposed to danger, and the party would fall apart. More than anything, melee fighters tend to claim the most monster kills.
In this exam, you’ll have to demonstrate at least the minimum ability to fight monsters.
To become a guild member, a self-declaration is enough, but today you’ll have to show that you’re not just carrying weapons around aimlessly.
“Come at me like I’m a goblin!”
“Yaah!”
The exam content is simple.
Each person equips their preferred weapon and attacks in their preferred style.
I’ll receive that and evaluate it. Extremely simple.
We’re both using wooden swords, so it’s not dangerous. I’m even wearing practice armor and wielding a kite shield for defense. But if you leave too many openings when attacking, I’ll counterattack with my sword. Of course, getting hit by the counterattack means a deduction. I can’t approve of melee fighters who die that easily.
“Next, a spear user. Good, come at me!”
“Ugh!”
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That said, most of those who’ve been serious until this winter clear the minimum bar.
Having done physical labor on farms, they can naturally deliver heavy blows.
Many have goblin extermination experience even before becoming guild members.
The only ones who can’t pass this time are those completely lacking in aptitude. Well, there are always some like that every year, though…
“Damn, your guard is solid…!”
“Nice form. Did you practice swordsmanship before?”
“I did, but…!”
“Don’t underestimate a veteran Bronze. Here!”
“Uwah!?”
For the skilled ones, I’ll hit them with a shield bash.
It’s a counterattack, but not grounds for deduction. I’d rather praise them for doing well.
Phew. Well, maybe about 90% will pass this time.
Most of them stayed calm even against my goblin-like wild swings, and their attacks were quite good too.
Those who failed probably just aren’t suited for this. They fundamentally lack the right instincts or… something like that.
They should either train more or aim for regular employment from temp work instead. It’s harsh, but it’s too late after you’re dead, and there are many jobs where just your own life isn’t the only thing at stake.
“All right, those who passed can take the next level person-vs-person test. If you clear that, I’ll give you bonus points.”
“The next level?”
“I’ll do it!”
“You’re doing it!? Then me too!”
“I guess I have to if you’re doing it.”
And here’s the additional test for those who passed,
an aptitude test of sorts that the guild is commissioned to conduct by the nation. Those who pass this get their skills rated higher by the nation.
“The morningstar… made of wood and with blunted spikes, but it’s the strongest polearm adopted by the Sunglaire military.”
When I showed them that extremely long weapon reminiscent of a spear, the young guild members couldn’t help but hold their breath.
The morningstar. It’s the main armament of the Sunglaire Holy Kingdom’s military, and the symbol of terror that has massacred countless Halperians.
In my previous world, a morningstar referred to a mace-sized club with a spiked iron ball at the end – a brutal weapon from the end of the century.
But in this world, the morningstar is exceptionally long, with spikes of uneven length. The sight of soldiers brandishing these weapons is, to put it mildly, terrifyingly horrific.
If a physically-enhanced man swings a morningstar, no amount of armor can stop it.
A direct hit from the iron ball means the end. So what do you do?
“You’ll either have to dodge under this morningstar and get inside to land a single decisive blow, or strike the shaft with your wooden sword without getting hit by the iron ball section. If you can do either, you pass.”
I’ll wield this unfamiliar weapon clumsily but with brute force.
Gripping the end for wide, sweeping strikes. Sometimes holding the middle for quicker swings suitable for close combat.
Seeing my practice swings cutting through the air, the young ones looked a bit intimidated.
“However, unlike the slow movements earlier against the ‘goblins’, I won’t be moving deliberately slowly this time. That was only the speed of goblins or hobgoblins. This time, I’ll move at a regular pace, imitating a Sunglaire soldier. Only those who aren’t afraid should participate.”
“…I’ll do it!”
The one who had been hit by the shield bash raised his voice first.
Good guts. To be honest, I’d like to give bonus points just for that, but these are instructions from the nation. Rewards only come if you clear it.
“I’ll do it too! I’m not afraid of some weapon!”
“I thought the earlier test was too easy. This sounds fun, doesn’t it?”
“Me too, me too!”
Well, since they chose to become melee fighters, they all have sufficient fighting spirit.
No one is daunted… The nation likely wants to get them used to fighting against Sunglaire’s forces from an early stage. Thinking that, it’s a rather harsh system.
“All right, the additional test starts! Be careful of injuries!”
In the morningstar test that followed, about one out of ten passed.
Those who cleared it can be glad. Those who couldn’t should use their frustration as motivation to try harder.
And don’t end up hating me like I’m from Sunglaire just because you lost. I’m Halpherian, after all. Don’t get too into your role.
I made sure to drive that point home firmly after it was over.
I can’t have them developing discriminatory attitudes over something silly like that.
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