Jana led Adrian through a bustling corridor, past rooms where adventurers honed their skills against training dummies or studied maps, until they arrived at a large, open chamber. The air here vibrated with controlled power.
In the center, a towering figure stood, his back to them, muscles rippling even beneath a simple leather vest. His broad shoulders seemed to fill the doorway, and the sheer presence he exuded was almost palpable. Adrian, even as Nyxal in disguise, felt an instinctive respect for the man's raw, untamed strength. This was the most powerful human, perhaps the most powerful being, he had encountered since his arrival in Aethelgard. This was Guild Master Borin.
Borin turned as they approached, and Adrian met his gaze. The Guild Master had a craggy, weathered face, etched with countless battles and wisdom, but his eyes, though sharp and assessing, held a surprising depth. An overwhelming aura of disciplined power emanated from him, a stark contrast to Nyxal's own primordial chaos.
"Guild Master Borin, this is Nyxal, our new applicant," Jana announced, her voice respectful.
Borin's eyes, the color of stormy skies, swept over Adrian, a thorough and unwavering examination that seemed to probe beneath his human facade. Adrian felt a familiar flicker of concern – was his disguise holding? Borin's gaze lingered for a moment on his eyes, then on the subtle, inhuman grace of his posture.
"Nyxal, hmm?" Borin rumbled, his voice like stones grinding together, yet surprisingly deep and resonant. "Jana tells me you claim 'extensive experience.' Let's see if that's more than just idle boast." He stepped closer, his presence almost overwhelming. "There's a… unique presence about you, lad. Not weak, but different. I can't quite place it. Just ensure it serves the Guild, not yourself alone, and we'll have no issues."
Adrian met his gaze evenly. "My intentions are to serve the Guild, Master Borin. And to understand this realm better." He decided on a blend of truth and calculated ambiguity. "My experiences have indeed been... unique."
Borin grunted, a sound that could have been approval or skepticism. "Good. The physical assessment is first. It's about demonstrating fundamental competence. We need adventurers who can carry their own weight, literally and figuratively, and react under pressure." He gestured around the room. "You'll go through three stations. First, the Strength Gauntlet. You'll lift and carry these weighted barrels across the marked area." He pointed to a series of increasingly heavy wooden barrels. "Then, the Agility Course. Navigate that series of low walls, ropes, and moving targets." He indicated a complex obstacle course. "Finally, the Endurance Spar. You'll face Guild Trainer Kael for three rounds. We're not looking for a knockout, just sustained effort and defensive capability."
Adrian nodded, his mind calculating. He could easily crush these tests, but he needed to appear humanly strong, not impossibly so. He had to be good, but not too good.
"Begin with the Strength Gauntlet, Nyxal," Borin commanded.
Adrian approached the barrels. The first few, light enough for a common man, he lifted with practiced ease. As he progressed, the barrels grew heavier, truly challenging for a normal human. He focused, channeling just enough of Nyxal's power to make the lift seem like a struggle, his muscles tensing, a faint sheen of sweat appearing on his brow. He lifted the heaviest barrel, a solid 200 pounds, with a grunt, holding it for a moment longer than strictly necessary before placing it down. It was a performance, carefully calibrated.
"Hmm. Decent enough," Borin murmured, making a note on his clipboard. "Next, the Agility Course."
The agility course required speed and precision.
Adrian moved with fluid grace, his steps light, clearing the low walls with elegant leaps. He swung across the ropes with surprising momentum, his hands gripping tightly. When he reached the moving targets, he dodged and weaved, appearing just quick enough to avoid them. He stumbled once, subtly, just to add to the illusion of human fallibility, but recovered quickly. He finished just under the two-minute mark.
"Passable," Borin noted again, his voice flat, but Adrian detected a hint of grudging respect in his eyes. "Finally, the Endurance Spar. Kael!"
A stocky, grizzled trainer with a well-used wooden sword stepped forward. "Ready when you are, recruit."
Adrian adopted a basic fighting stance. Kael immediately pressed the attack, his strikes quick and well-practiced. Adrian parried, dodged, and sidestepped, his movements economical. He allowed Kael to land a few glancing blows, feigning exhaustion, but never letting his guard truly drop. He used fundamental techniques, avoiding any flashy, Nyxal-like maneuvers that would betray his true nature. He moved like a highly competent, experienced warrior, not a divine being. He weathered the three rounds, breathing heavily but still on his feet, his posture showing resilience.
"Alright, that's enough," Borin finally barked, and Kael immediately backed off. Borin approached Adrian, his gaze once again sharp. "You're strong, quick enough, and you can take a hit. You conserve your energy well. You passed the physical assessment, Nyxal."
A wave of relief washed over Adrian. Phase one complete. "Thank you, Guild Master," he said, catching his breath.
"Don't thank me yet," Borin said, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "The written exam is next. And then, the combat trial. That's where we truly separate the strong from the truly capable. We'll see how 'extensive' your experience truly is."
He looked towards Jana. "Jana, take Nyxal to the study room. He can begin the written exam immediately."
Adrian nodded, feeling a surge of quiet determination. He was ready.