NOVEL NEXT Chapter 67
“…Does this even make sense?”
Whose voice could it be?
Usually, the examiner would have pointed out the noise, but they stood there, visibly stunned, staring at the building that had suddenly appeared in the exam site after less than a minute. On the surface, it seemed like an ordinary 3-pyeong house, but it had been constructed in under a minute!
“The exam barely started, and you’re saying it’s already finished?”
A weary voice, belonging to no one in particular.
But it resonated with everyone’s feelings.
The person responsible for the building, seemingly unconcerned, was casually checking the strength with the back of their hand.
‘Skill? Could such a thing be possible, regardless of skill?’
The executives of the Builders Guild, witnessing the scene, blankly stared at the structure set in a corner of the exam site.
‘This is absurd.’
It was a shocking experience that countered decades of accumulated experiences building in this city.
The executives, unable to say a word, looked at the building as if it were mocking their countless theories and experiences.
“…Hah.”
It’s not that there were no useful skills in architecture. Many of those holding positions in the Builders Guild had honed such skills tirelessly.
Water creation skills, telekinesis, earth magic…
They were veterans who had refined their strengths for years. Those who accumulated efforts to rise to the guild’s executives had a sense of pride in their abilities.
Therefore, even moments ago, the executives who had been watching the exam leisurely now stood up in unison, shouting.
“It’s mine!”
The examiner, hearing the shouts from behind, pressed their brow with their fingers. The bewildered examinees and the uproarious executives made it impossible for any headache not to arise.
“Hey, Henry! You owe me a debt, don’t you?! I’ll cancel it if you give up!”
“Hah! With a talent like that, I wouldn’t give up even if there were double the number of applicants!”
“What do you mean? You already have an apprentice! I, without one, should be the one to take that talent!”
“Your lack of an apprentice is due to your terrible personality! Such a talent would leave if treated poorly! A gentle man like me needs to embrace them!”
“Stop your nonsense! Your motives are crystal clear, you rascal!”
“What? You little shorty…”
‘What a mess.’
The examiner struggled to regain composure. With executives wrestling behind him and examinees still shocked by the sudden appearance of the building, the exam needed to proceed. He cleared his throat and shouted as powerfully as he could.
“Everyone! Do you want to fail?! Let’s continue the exam!”
Before he finished speaking, the examinees jolted and began to tackle their tasks once more. But what could a mere human do against an unexpected monster? The expressions on the examinees’ faces were heavily clouded, shadows cast over their standout features.
Resentment, fear, awe, jealousy, rage.
Countless emotions flooded the exam site. Some examinees even walked out without finishing the exam, returning their examinee tags to the examiner. For the examiner, it was a situation where cold sweat couldn’t be avoided. He wanted to stop them, but soon had to give up.
How could he stop those whose glimmers of hope had vanished?
“Those who were going to fail anyway! There’s no need to worry!”
The examiner rationalized to himself and shouted again.
“Do you think you’ll kneel over such a little matter?! Think of the time you have put into your efforts! Don’t be afraid of results that are merely fast!”
‘This is awkward.’
The exam terrorist, Johann, scratched his head, feeling awkward.
‘I just want to get out of here quickly.’
Feeling out of place, Johann leaned against the already constructed house and closed his eyes.
‘I’ll just kill time and leave.’
Whether he passes or not, he’ll attend the next exam. That was the only thought in his mind.
——————-
“You want to take our exam? Hmm…”
A bald man with burly muscles glared at me.
“Our guild doesn’t accept half-assed applicants. And you, bringing a girl, dare to try for our test?”
“Wow, that’s a lot of talk. Just hand over your examinee tag.”
He had said he wanted to take three exams before lunch. Ugh, I just wish I hadn’t been caught by the Builders Guild.
Why do the old men cling to me like that? It took a long time to escape the one who latched onto my ankle.
I placed my recommendation letter on the reception desk, as if to say, “Take it or leave it.” The bald man read the letter, smirking as he did so.
“You rookie. Let’s see how well you do! Hey! I’m taking this rookie for the exam, so watch my spot!”
“A rookie, huh…”
“Seems like that uncle really loves calling me a rookie.”
Yeah, yeah, that innocence is really something to envy.
“I’ll finish quickly.”
“Got it!”
“Enough chatter, hurry up and follow me!”
I followed the bald man into the exam site.
This time, it was ten minutes.
Having finished my exam 30 minutes earlier than the Builders Guild, I shook off the bald man’s hand that had draped over my shoulder, acting friendly.
“Hey! Friend! You have quite the talent! You’re the first to dig a drainage system this fast! How about seriously learning this work?”
“I have no intention of doing so.”
Did he think I learned those skills to do manual labor?
“Oh, come on! Let’s get serious! You could become the god of civil engineering!”
“Send the acceptance notice to Yeomyeong-gwan. Let’s go, Millia.”
“Okay!”
“If you change your mind, let me know! I’ll be waiting!”
From behind, I could hear him licking his lips. It was unsettling to be eyed by that bald man. I just wanted to get the certification and never come back.
We quickly exited the Civil Engineering Guild.
“Where to next?”
“The nearest place is the Woodworking Guild, so let’s go there.”
“What do you make with wood?”
“Right.”
“Can you do woodworking too?”
“Millia, what’s a boat made of?”
“Wood! Ah!”
Millia’s eyes widened as if she just realized it and looked up at me. Every little action of hers is like a puppy. I instinctively patted Millia’s head. She accepted my hand as affectionately as a cute puppy.
“We’re going to do that from now on.”
Then I got caught by the leader of the Woodworking Guild.
“Hey there, young man! Where do you think you’re going? You have the talent to succeed me! You could become the best carpenter in the continent! What do you need?! Money? Honor? I’ll give you everything!”
“I need to go take my next exam…please let go of my ankle…”
I couldn’t just kick the old man since this is a country that values hierarchy and respect. How tiresome this is. I kindly removed the old man’s hands and exited the Woodworking Guild. What a tiring start. I hope it’s not like this in the next guild.
“Johann, what are we having for food?”
“Choose what you want to eat.”
“Then let’s eat that!”
Millia pointed at a rather upscale-looking restaurant. It looked like a pasta place. So they have pasta here too. Well, it’s not surprising since the school cafeteria has some strange Korean dishes too.
We swiftly entered the quiet atmosphere of the restaurant. We sat at a table with a great view of the city beyond the window. Usually, a spot like this would be gone in no time, so I considered myself lucky.
Fortunately, the food was quite satisfactory as well. After halfway through my plate, I glanced at Millia, who was eating bright red pasta, sauce smeared on her mouth as she chomps down like a little kid. I handed Millia a tissue.
“Wipe your mouth when you eat.”
“Wipe it for me!”
“You’re not a little kid.”
“Wipe it for me~”
“Fine, just stay still.”
Cautiously, I wiped the corners of Millia’s mouth with the tissue. She smiled contentedly, seemingly satisfied with me wiping her mouth, then continued to twirl her pasta with her fork and put it in her mouth.
She eats well.
It’s nice to see her enjoying food. Eating heartily looks much prettier than nibbling on it daintily. I relaxedly continued to watch Millia eat until I turned my head at the feeling of being watched.
…What are those people doing here?
The moment our eyes met, some guys cleared their throats and looked the other way. They were familiar faces from the Builders and Woodworking Guild.
Are they stalking me?
I’m pretty sure I declined their offers. All I need is the certification. Maybe it’s because I stared too long, Millia tilted her head, glancing at the suspicious old men as well.
“Are those uncles here to eat too?”
“…It seems they followed us.”
“Why?”
“Not sure…”
The topic of scouting or whatever is obvious. But I’m merely a would-be knight. Since I’ve made that decision, I have no intention of taking another job.
If I don’t become a knight, the world might end!
So, I need to leave before those old men catch me.
“Hey, waiter!”
“Yes?”
“I don’t need change.”
I quietly pulled out some gold coins from my pouch and handed them to the waiter. It was a bit too much for the food, but it was an apology fee.
“Huh?”
“Millia!”
“Okay!”
Millia immediately stood up and jumped into my arms. I hugged Millia and leaped out the window.
“I hope the Warrior Guild doesn’t make such a fuss…” whoosh