Alex was well aware of the specific location he needed to reach for the hunter test. Within the colossal Hunter Association building, spanning a total of 100 floors, the testing facilities were concentrated on the third through tenth floors.
His journey began as he approached a staircase conveniently situated to the right of the entrance.
Here, he faced a choice: he could either climb the stairs or opt for one of the many elevators on the left side. The elevator bank boasted a substantial number of lifts, at least twenty in total, efficiently transporting people up and down the building.
The entire operation of the Hunter Association building was fueled by mana stones, a cutting-edge power source of this era. The elevators relied on this energy too, ensuring smooth and efficient rides for the occupants.
Alex chose the convenience of the elevator and stepped through its gates. The interior of the elevator resembled a luxurious chamber, providing a touch of comfort during the ride.
Upon entry, Alex noted that there was only one other occupant, a short and portly individual engrossed in scrolling through their phone.
Anticipating their mutual destination, both Alex and the individual promptly pressed the button labeled '3'. The portly gentleman cast a genial smile in Alex's direction and initiated a brief exchange.
"Hello, brother, good morning," he greeted amicably, inquiring whether Alex, too, was partaking in the hunter examination today.
This inquiry was a common icebreaker, as all aspirants needed to register on the third floor.
Alex, however, sought minimal engagement at this juncture and responded succinctly with an affirmative "yes." His concise reply seemed to convey his preference to maintain a degree of solitude, a sentiment that did not go unnoticed by the other occupant.
With no further exchange of words, the elevator embarked on its ascent. After a brief ascent, the elevator smoothly came to a halt, its doors opening to reveal the third floor.
A mechanical voice chimed in, announcing their arrival with a succinct "Welcome to the third floor."
Exiting the elevator, Alex turned to his left, where he noticed a line of people forming at various counters that resembled small stalls.
He opted for one with a relatively short queue, considering his reporting time was 11 a.m., and the clock currently read 10:45, providing him with a comfortable cushion of time.
After roughly 5 minutes of waiting, it was finally Alex's turn. Seated behind the counter was a strikingly beautiful elf woman. Her expression, however, clearly showed her disgust at his presence.
Undeterred, Alex adorned a warm smile and cordially greeted her, "Hello, ma'am. I'm here to register for my upcoming hunter test."
The elf lady, her demeanor frigid, responded tersely, "Wait for 2 minutes." Alex didn't raise any objections; he simply stood by patiently. After all, he had arrived a good 10 minutes ahead of his scheduled reporting time.
As he waited, Alex couldn't help but reflect on the societal dynamics at play. Everything in this world seemed to revolve around power and money, and it brought back memories of his previous life when he had been devoid of such influence.
The same principle held true in this new existence; with power, he might have bypassed this line altogether.
The queue represented more than just an inconvenience; it was a vivid reminder of the importance of strength in this society. Alex understood that his current position was a reflection of his abilities, or rather, the lack thereof.
He was determined to change that, to ascend to a level where waiting in line would become a distant memory, replaced by the privilege of setting his own terms in this world governed by power.
______
Amidst the bustling activity at the registration counters, Alex discreetly scanned the other participants. He had a keen eye for potential allies, individuals whose skills and demeanor might align with his future ambitions.
Yet, to his disappointment, none of the faces in the crowd triggered his past life memory.
Maintaining his patience, he stood in line for approximately three minutes before the elf lady behind the counter addressed him abruptly with a curt, "Name."
The unexpected rudeness of her tone caught Alex off guard. While he didn't anticipate a red carpet welcome, he believed in the fundamental courtesy owed to every individual, regardless of their status in life.
Suppressing his initial irritation, he responded with a forced smile and warm politeness, "I'm sorry, ma'am, I didn't quite catch that. Could you please repeat your question?"
However, instead of softening her approach, the elf lady's behavior grew even colder. A disdainful remark escaped the lips of the elf lady as she muttered, "Tsk, poor bastard," under her breath.
Her condescending tone was unmistakable, yet she continued with her professional façade, unfazed by her own rudeness.
With a disapproving sigh, she reiterated her question, her expression as cold and impassive as before.
"I am asking, what is your name?" The words were delivered with an air of detached formality as if she regarded the interaction as nothing more than a bureaucratic obligation.
Offering his name, he said, "My name is Alex Thorn."
The elf lady proceeded to gather the necessary details from him with mechanical efficiency. After a few swift keystrokes, she handed Alex his registration notification. His phone chimed with a new message, displaying the details of his registration: "Alex Thorn, security number - 9XXXX, 1st test on the 5th floor."
Alex couldn't help but sigh as he read the message. It was an all-too-familiar scenario from his past life, a reminder of the unfairness that had plagued him then and now.
His muttering drew curious glances from nearby participants, but he paid them no heed.
Exiting the line, Alex made his way to one of the chairs attached to the wall. Retrieving his phone from his pocket, he contemplated the message.
Life had an ironic way of repeating itself, and Alex couldn't escape the sense of déjà vu that washed over him.
With a resigned acceptance of the hand he'd been dealt, he proceeded to the elevator, ready to face the challenges that awaited him on the 5th floor.