Back at ground level, Velk and Ash were waiting on one of the sofas in the guildhall. They had seen Sylvas off as he wanted to watch the race while they were being tested. This left them waiting for a guild receptionist to become available. Thirty men and women were taking the test to become hunters today. Most were around the same age as Velk, though a few were older, more experienced individuals. Unfortunately, only a handful would secure a new profession before the day ended.
The two didn't have to wait long, as a felyne had just finished taking a test designed for lynians wishing to become lynian comrades. To become a palico, one must first become a comrade. Lynian comrades differ from palicos in that they are not tied to a specific hunter and are more akin to sellswords or mercenaries within the guild. Since becoming a hunter is a tall order for a lynian, they have lower entrance standards.
It may sound disadvantageous to be a comrade rather than a hunter; however, in truth, it is sometimes the opposite. Not only do comrades earn rewards for completing missions assigned by the guild, but they are also compensated by the individuals who hire them. The primary reason they often cannot become hunters is that the physical requirements of the career are too monumentous for beings of such small stature to meet. Nevertheless, out of respect, comrades are referred to as hunters, along with their human and wyverian companions.
"Well, it's your time, buddy. Go and become a felyne comrade." Velk sent Ash off to complete the test with the receptionist, who primarily worked with the felynes and melynx. Melynx are a race of lynians that resemble felynes, but their fur is typically darker, while felynes have lighter coats. Ash could easily be mistaken for a melynx due to his light grey fur; however, he is, in fact, a felyne.
Velk watched Ash make his way up to the guild receptionist. Since the counter was a little too tall for lynians, they had to step up onto a platform made to boost them up. The receptionist had short brown hair and a gentle smile as she looked at Ash. She was dressed in the iconic guild uniform made for the receptionists of Rak-Al-Faar. It was a brown, poofy dress that cut off at the thighs, and although Velk could not see them, she wore knee-high socks and soft slip-on shoes.
She began talking to Ash and asked him several questions, nodding as he responded. Velk felt a twinge of envy, watching the girl respond to Ash's replies. He had always struggled to understand the intricacies of his native Mohun language, and learning a second, less human one was difficult for him. The guild receptionist then unrolled a parchment and readied her quill.
As Ash answered the questions, Velk looked around the room to see others doing the same with different receptionists. Most spoke respectfully and professionally to the receptionists, but some were uncouth, if not outright rude, to their examiners. Not everyone was fortunate enough to have a teacher like Rose, who was educated and attentive enough to give Velk the education he would need to become a successful member of the guild's ranks.
It could be said that most hunters, at least, weren't charismatic speakers, but you rarely found Master Rank Hunters who weren't beguiling in their own way. Clients seldom appreciate crude behavior from those they have just spent their life savings hiring, and the guild does not take kindly to any complaints arising from it.
At one point, Velk caught Ash gesturing toward him while answering one of the guild girls' questions. The receptionist glanced at him, smiled, and then nodded. Velk smiled back and gave a little wave, but she ignored him. She rolled the paper in her hands and stuffed it into a drawer. Afterward, she had Ash follow her as they headed into a specialized room for testing new prospective hunters.
Since Velk thought it would take some time for Ash to return, he could only wait silently for another receptionist to finish with their client while Ash took his exam. Ethran never told him what tests he would need to take for the exam, only that he would pass with flying colors. He had heard that the test was apparently different for everyone, so no one ever came wholly prepared. Just like monster hunting, one must be ready for anything.
Time flew as Velk sat idly on the sofa, waiting for his turn. It was only after forty minutes that another receptionist became available. Another man was still waiting, but he seemed lost in thought, so Velk quickly got up and approached the guild receptionist.
Approaching, Velk noted the lady's features. She had long purple hair styled into pigtails and striking green eyes. The girl's hair and eyes prominently caught his attention, yet Velk was not one to question or point out differences. He, himself, had an unusual hair color, and his eyes shone blue like no other.
The girl appeared distracted by some documents on the counter; she did not greet him when he arrived. Velk was unsure whether it would be rude to interrupt her while she focused on the papers or if he should make his presence known. Fortunately for Velk, he did not need to choose as the girl lifted her head and offered him a warm smile.
"Welcome, sir! My name is Abi. Are you here to join the Hunter's Guild?" She appeared experienced with the greeting as she spoke, using expressive gestures with her hands and head. Velk noticed her eyes give him the quick 'up-down' before resting upon his gaze.
Velk narrowed his eyebrows before responding, "Yes, ma'am, I would like to register in the guild as a hunter!" Velk came off as very excited, as he had spoken louder than necessary.
Abigail widened her eyes and pulled her head back in surprise. "Perfect! I will need you to answer a few questions before we begin the tests. Would that be fine with you?" She mimicked Velk's excited nature, clapping her hands twice as she said 'perfect,' before pulling out a scroll, not even giving Velk a moment to respond.
"Ye-yes, I am willing to answer any questions, as long as it will allow me to join the guild?" Velk was surprised by how excited Abi became when he expressed his desire to join the guild, leaving Velk both embarrassed and confused. He was unfamiliar with this Abi lady, so she was a new character he would need to get to know.
Although Velk missed it, Abigail showed a hint of a smirk as she heard the boy stumble on his words. Working as a guild receptionist was not that exciting, so she loved to tease any new hunters she could get her hands on. Everyone was unique, so she had to act in different ways to pull off the teasing, and she had gotten good at reading her clients because of it.
"Yahoo~! Alright, let's start. First, I need your name." She unrolled the scroll and picked up a quill with ink.
"Ah, yes. . . sorry, my name is Velk. Nice to meet you." Velk realized he hadn't given her his name when she first introduced herself, making him even more embarrassed. His anxiety was at its peak right now. He had been dreaming of the hunter exam ever since he learned about its existence, so his nerves were on edge.
Abi giggled as she watched him. "How about a family name?" She still wore a smile.
Velk started to panic a little. He had never learned his family name; he didn't even know if he had one. It had never been necessary up to this point, and both his grandfather and Rose neglected to mention it, not that he ever asked, so he was partly to blame. He debated whether to use Rose's, but quickly decided against that.
"My name is. . . Velkhana, no family name. . ." Velk could not help but shake his head.
"As in the elder dragon? Interesting." She pushed her cheeks up with her pointer fingers and rocked her head from side to side. It was a bit distracting for Velk, just watching her bob her head and attempt to be so. . . cutesy?
Velk was admired as equally as he was picked on for being named after a monster. Once he had had enough of the 'bullying,' he regularly introduced himself by the nickname his grandfather had given him. He had asked Rose if she knew why he had been named what he was, but she only responded, "I don't know, but it sounds like what your father would do, that's for sure."
"Hmm. Do you have any family members in the guild?" She felt slightly annoyed about having to do a bit more work, but since this wasn't the first time she had to handle it, it wasn't such a big deal. It was just that the guild found it necessary to document all familial lines within their organization.
"Yes. Both my father and grandfather are registered in the guild." He didn't actually know if his father was in the guild, as he had only heard stories from Rose, but he knew for certain that his grandfather was a member.
"Great! If you can provide their names, I can assist you." She seemed to become excited once more, aligning her mood with the one Velk had previously established.
Velk started scratching his cheek in embarrassment and said, "I don't know either of their names. . ." Velk then chuckled lightly. Yet another detail Rose omitted from her tales.
Velk watched as Abigail visibly tilted a few degrees to her left, giving him a look of absolute bafflement. Her brows twitched while she sighed in exasperation. "Fine-fine, it's not very important anyway. Can you at least tell me where you live?"
He saw her scribble forcefully a few things on the document as he told her where Rose's house was. Once he mentioned Rose's name, she looked at him inquisitively before widening in surprise. "Are you by any chance a survivor of Talbiet?"
Talbiet—the village that was burned to the ground ten years ago. The very place where Velk's grandfather died protecting. It was now known as The Scorched Valley, as no plant life grew there anymore. A residual heat lingered even after the flames disappeared, one that drove away all but the most adapted wildlife.
"Uh. . . yes. That is where I grew up until the dragon attacked. I retreated along with the others, and my grandfather died in the fire while defending the village. Why?" He did not know how she guessed he was a survivor, but if it benefits him, that's good!
Upon hearing that, Abi turned on her heels and went towards a large, shared cabinet behind the counter. She skimmed through the various folders inside until she found what she needed. Returning to the counter with the folder in hand, Abigail wore a somewhat severe expression, her sharp eyes and squinted eyebrows conveying seriousness.
She opened it up and scanned through the contents. "Can you describe what your grandfather looked like to me?" She questioned Velk.
Velk had a hard time recalling his grandfather's appearance, but a couple of things stood out enough to be memorable. "He had white hair, a large beard, and. . . oh, and he also often used a long sword for combat, or at least, I believe, that's what he told me. . . . What else?" He then continued to describe what he knew as best he could.
Listening attentively, Abigail began marking people off the list for potential families. Once only one option remained, she lifted her brows in surprise and exclaimed, "Oh! Oh?"
The conclusion she reached was the most logical, given that the boy lives with Rose, although it was also the least likely option left and, if true, perhaps the most thrilling.
"I will be right back. Please stay here." Abigail flashed Velk a crooked smile. After saying this, she turned and basically ran to a door in the back before disappearing from sight.
Velk didn't understand what Abi had learned to elicit such a response. He could only linger with a confused and worried expression, hoping he didn't screw up his chances.
It took nearly ten minutes before Abi showed back up. She looked calmer and slightly apologetic as she made her way back to the counter. "Thank you for waiting, Velkhana. Now that you are all signed up, all we need is for you to take the test, and you will be able to join the Hunter's Guild. This way, please." She opened a passage through the counter, allowing him to pass through.
As they made their way toward an office, Velk saw numerous trophies hanging on the walls. Heads, fangs, jewels, weapons, and armor decorated the halls. Velk spun his head in awe, finding everything around him absolutely stunning and remarkable.
Upon entering a room—aptly named, Testing Room—Velk was surprised to see that the very short guild master was waiting in a chair behind a desk. This would not have been so surprising fifty years ago, as a guild manager or above would always oversee the recruitment process. However, the policy has changed; they now only promote those already within the guild, rarely doing the recruiting themselves to allow time to manage more critical business matters.
The guild master quickly stood up and waddled towards Velk. She grabbed his arm as she drew near. This all happened too fast for Velk to react, and suddenly, he found himself face-to-face with the old lady. Before he could even begin to grasp what was happening, she began to act very eccentrically, grabbing his head and directing his gaze into her eyes. She tugged on his cheek and lips, exposing his teeth, and pushed upward on his eyelids to widen his eyes further.
All while staring into Velk's eyes, she touched all over his torso, thighs, and legs, and at one point, she even grabbed his crotch and gave it a firm squeeze. Velk felt very uncomfortable, especially when she grabbed his junk, but he did not voice his concerns as he didn't know if this was for the test, and he knew that the elder wyverians could be a bit wacky in nature, given their rather old age. He did not dare say anything for fear of accidentally offending her.
Once finished, she gave him two quick slaps on the cheek and pushed him back into a standing position as if he were an animal. The guild master turned to Abi, who stood off to the side in shock, and said, "He has passed the test. Abi, would you be a dear and get him properly situated? Also, please bond him with that felyne of his while you're at it."
At this point, Velk's mind was in total chaos, and he suddenly blurted out, "Wait a minute, what about the tests?" His brain raced in every direction, struggling to comprehend what had just happened.
"Shi-shi-shi-shi," the guild master began to snicker. "You've already passed! You're a fine young man; you'll make an excellent hunter." The guild master tossed a slip of paper to Abi and waved her hand in dismissal.
Abi snatched the paper and seized the chance to escape from the overbearing guild master. "Velkhana, let's go pick up your friend. I must show you around the guildhall and ensure you are measured for your equipment." The tour would take some time, and Velk still needed to get his measurements taken so that some gear could be crafted for him.
The guild wouldn't usually give out a set of free weapons and armor, but according to the slip, the guild master has ordered an iron weapon and a light leather armor set for Velk due to his 'exceptional background.' All this came out of her the guild master's pocket, not that such things mattered; she was the guild master.
Still, in a mild state of disbelief, Velk stumbled out of the room with Abigail, who kept stealing glances at the guild master. The guild master responded with a warm smile that only a grandmother could match.
After the two left the room, the old wyverian returned to her seat and silently mused, "That boy is a fifty-fifty split between his grandfather and father. He's a little more talkative than his grandfather and a lot more innocent than his father." She will surely have fun teasing the poor youngster on whom she has now set her sights.