PikanVale Institution

Sven found himself in a hall so large it almost had its own ecosystem, miniature clouds were forming up top, illuminated by intricate stained glass windows that shone a rainbow of colors down onto the gathered group of beast men, Sven, Ignis and Goram included. Before them stood an aging minister with a monocle'd eye and a mortar board hat, he was stood next to a raised pedestal and was current surveying the crowd. The hat itself made him look absolutely ridiculous but Sven managed to keep himself from laughing.

"Welcome new students, you should be proud to be walking these hallowed halls traversed by the best of them! Why, Harlow HornHelm was but a young man when I first started teaching here, through the decades many legends have come and gone but what has remained is this institution and its reputation as one of the top guilds ever established. For such pedigree we have sought out to purchase only the best students to help cultivate." The robed man made a sweeping gesture with his hands as he motioned the crowd collected before him. "You might feel betrayed or upset for having this all **** upon you, but in time you will learn to appreciate the gifts this guild can offer." Some in the crowd didn't quite see eye to eye on this issue, Sven was all but painfully aware of from the mutterings he heard under the beastmens breath and out of hearing range from the preaching minister.

"Easy to say from where you're standing." Muttered one.

"And to be glad of our chains, too?" Followed by another.

"Be happy of your ownership, he says as he speaks to us from a raised position on his pedestal." Spat another, a little too loudly.

"Most orphaned children and common riff raff in the city would kill 7 of their closest friends just so they could have a 1/1000th chance of standing where you currently stand. To be trained by such nobility is an absolute privilege." The minister coughs airily as he shot the last muttering beast man a very subtle look before continuing. "Take heart, ye weary ones - for it is you who have made it into our institution on skill and merit alone. You have escaped the sink hole of poverty you were otherwise destined to be dragged into and can now climb the ethical ladder of meritocracy! As I said, right now you may feel hard done by, but in time you will thank us." The minister opened the book and sifted through some of the documents Goram had handed to him.

"Alice Purr, you look like a promising one. A magical affinity of 89 is a shockingly impressive score!" The mage looked through some much older and dustier documents in his big book. "Lets see, ah here it is! The old mage, Lucifer Penrose was said to have scored a magical affinity score of 93 and he was the highest scorer on our records, and as you probably all know that man went onto become the guilds head master after having retired as an adventuring Void Wizard." Sven looked at Alice with more than a little bit of shock, winking in return she reveled in the attention she was getting from the white haired stranger.

"Ignis Fl-"

"GATE!" Ignis swiftly corrected, the graying man jumped a little in shock - something told Sven this wasn't a man used to being interrupted.

"Ignis... Gate." The minister obliged her. "Also a high magical affinity scorer, 90 points. Very interesting, it is exceptionally unique to have two individuals of such promise apply in the same batch. You've done most well for yourself this time, Goram." The orc blushed as he puffed out his chest in pride. "Also interesting, it seems not only are you applying as a free agent, you were also once studying at PennyCut Academy? And you've already received your primary class?" Ignis nodded, Alice was shocked to see that not only had Ignis scored higher than she had (much to her chagrin) but she also had a class already?! Alice felt jealous towards the small high elf for the first time.

"Sven Gate, hmm." The man mulled over the papers. "These are signed documents that confirm your admission to the guild, so it would be difficult denying you entry to the guild now - but these stats... You don't quite make the cut. How did you manage to get these documents signed if you don't mind me asking, Mr Gate?" The minister shot a narrowed stare towards the red eyed wanderer, the old robed man took in his bandit-like appearance and started putting 2 together inside his head.

"I'm not at liberty to say, they are signed are they not?" The minister didn't like having his questions go unanswered, an awkward silence swallowed the hall for a time before Ignis broke it.

"Sven doesn't make the cut?! What stupid male pig metric do you have that could determine that my master is no good?! Huh?!" Ignis's temper flared again, Sven had to hold her back from doing anything stupid.

"It's true, Sven saved me from being stabbed - no, killed by one of those awful mountain goblins. He is a fine warrior and the guild would be better off with him than without him." Alice tried making a case for him, the minister merely tapped his book impatiently, still not truly convinced.

"Minister Gabe, the cat woman speaks the truth, while I was transporting these assets back to the guild we were ambushed by goblins, if it were not for Sven's help we would have surely lost Alice to the journey. If this cat woman is as impressive as you say she is, then her life should be worth at least a chance for Sven to prove his worthiness." The minister seemed to consider the orcs words for a moment, he looked thoughtful as he replied.

"I value your input Goram, even after your servitude had ended you have stayed on with the guild to repay your tuition. I admire and respect that." The orc bowed, humbled by the ministers words. "If you vouch for this man then he will be allowed this one chance to prove his worthiness." Gabe, the robed minister closed his book audibly as he went to descend the podium. "If he is to pass my unilateral decision to admit him into the guild, he must first make battle with a woodland troll, if he's as seasoned an adventurer as you claim then fighting such a beast would be a fair challenge, would it not?" The man passed Sven casually as he went to attend to the relevant matters at hand.

"In one hour, Goram will guide you to our on site arena where your fate will be decided, if you don't show up we will take that as you withdrawing your application. Do you have what it takes to join our guild, Gate? Come show me." Sven watched the back of the minister as he walked towards the large wooden cathedral doors. Sven's heart was pounding in his chest, could he, a classless adventurer really defeat a level 25 forest troll?!