No matter what had just happened, the welcome gathering continued.
When the time seemed right, Blue moved things along to the next stage of the event.
He invited Lynn to the front and said,
"According to Society rules, you now need to choose before everyone here the role you'll be responsible for in the future."
Blue produced a few sheets of paper, each listing positions currently vacant within the Society.
Lynn took them, and Blue continued,
"Generally, our jobs fall into two categories: guard work and technical work.
"Guard work is self-explanatory, protecting the Society's various enterprises.
"Technical work refers to specialized tasks like potion-making or array maintenance, which are usually safer."
Lynn nodded and studied the list in detail.
Before long, two positions stood out.
Gold Shadow Caravan Guard:
"The Gold Shadow Society's caravan travels to the Black Rose Wizard Territory twice a month. The wizard assigned to this post must accompany the caravan for the entire journey. Monthly pay: 35 primary-grade magic stones and 10 contribution points."
It was the highest-paid of all the vacancies, but also the most dangerous and exhausting. While on guard duty, there would be little opportunity for meditation, and with no mana channels along the route, the only way to maintain training speed would be to burn through magic stones, a costly habit.
The second position was a technical one:
Array Maintenance Worker:
"Responsible for maintaining the arrays in certain Society-owned establishments, such as the Green Vine Restaurant and Red Tree Inn. Monthly pay: 5 magic stones and 5 contribution points.
Note: The Society can provide basic knowledge of arrays for study purposes."
The choice wasn't hard. After a brief comparison, Lynn made up his mind.
"I'll take the array maintenance position, Lord Blue."
Blue paused at that, then offered a kindly warning:
"Are you certain you want this job?"
Following custom, the two of them stood at the front and spoke without lowering their voices, so everyone could hear.
The guests immediately began whispering among themselves.
"Called it, it's always either caravan guard or array maintenance that the newcomers go for."
"Caravan guard is fine if you've got no shot at promotion, good way to make some retirement money…
"But array maintenance is another matter. Everyone knows Faruga's got a nasty temper and guards his little hoard of array knowledge like a dragon on gold. You won't learn anything from him without taking a few lumps."
Down below, Frankie decided to stir things up again, calling out,
"Hey now, don't interfere. Society rules say you can't influence a new member's choice!"
Lynn listened to every word. He wasn't the type to ignore sound advice, so he thought for a moment before asking Blue,
"This posting notes that the Society will provide some basic array knowledge. Is that true?"
"Of course," Blue replied, nodding. "But it's only knowledge, not instruction, and it's not a complete array foundation. It's given in stages.
"You have to prove you've mastered one stage before you can get the next."
He paused, then added seriously,
"I should also warn you that technical jobs usually involve assessments. Fail them, and you'll pay the price. At best, you'll owe magic stones; at worst, you'll lose contribution points.
"For array maintenance, the first assessment comes in the third month after you take the job. Fail, and you'll owe 15 primary-grade magic stones and lose 20 contribution points. After that, you'll be tested every month, and each failure costs another 20 points.
"A third-tier member starts with 100 points. Lose them all, and you'll be asked to leave."
Lynn nodded, reassured by what he'd heard. With his Insight talent, he didn't truly need instruction, just the knowledge itself.
"Is Lord Faruga the one in charge of array maintenance?" he asked after a moment.
"Strictly speaking, no," Blue said with a shake of his head. "The maintenance staff has no hierarchy; each person handles different arrays.
"It's just that Faruga is a second-rank member and more experienced in array work, so newcomers usually shadow him for a while."
"He's a second-rank wizard apprentice?"
"No, just a second-rank member."
Lynn nodded, having pieced together the situation.
His expression calm, he said,
"I'll still take the array maintenance job, Lord Blue."
Blue gave him a long look, then, seeing no need to press further, simply nodded.
"As you wish."
He took out several contracts and gestured for Lynn to sign.
Lynn accepted them and examined each one carefully.
Around the hall, murmurs rose among the wizards clearly; most didn't think much of his choice.
No one looked more pleased than Frankie. Slapping his thigh, he laughed loudly,
"Foolish, utterly foolish!
"I can't wait to see you burn through a pile of magic stones just to beg the Society for a position change!"
Lynn's expression remained calm. Without even glancing up, he asked Blue in an even tone,
"Lord Blue, if I'm not mistaken, this is supposed to be my welcome gathering.
"So why is the sound of an unpleasant dog's bark mixed in with the cheers?"
He hadn't lowered his voice; the words carried clearly through the hall.
At that moment, the longsword at his waist slid half an inch from its sheath on its own, releasing a razor-sharp gust that whistled through the air.
The shriek lasted only a heartbeat before fading, the sword slipping back into place, but the lingering currents made everyone's robes snap and flutter.
The hall fell silent.
If Lynn's earlier words had only made people think him quick-witted, then this casual display of extraordinary power elevated him to something else entirely: a strong man who could speak with composure.
At the height of mastery, the White Crow Sword Technique could deliver attacks on par with a second-rank apprentice.
Lynn wasn't yet at that peak, but the technique's power was still equivalent to a solid lower-tier zero-ring spell.
In the past, he'd only been able to wrap the blade in wind while swinging it, but a recent study of the Small Wind Shield had given him new insights.
Now, he could control the White Crow's air currents with far greater precision.
He continued to read the contracts, utterly calm yet far from meek.
Frankie found himself stifled, unable to vent his earlier humiliation. He'd planned to linger and reclaim some face, but…
Recalling Lynn's earlier display of force, he began to wonder if he'd picked the wrong "soft persimmon" to squeeze.
His expression shifted more than once before he forced a laugh and said,
"I meant well, Lord Lynn. I once took the array maintenance job myself… Faruga is truly detestable. I just didn't want you to fall into the same trap.
"As you said earlier, I simply blamed the wrong person… This is all a misunderstanding."
Lynn finally looked up, offering a calm smile.
"I appreciate your concern, my lord. I haven't taken it to heart."
Frankie kept laughing on the surface, but inside, Lynn's composure only irritated him more.
Who said this was just a newly promoted third-rank apprentice?
That unknown wind-type spell he'd used earlier was powerful and instantaneous, no less!
Only someone deeply familiar with a spell familiar enough to form its rune in their mental sea could cast it instantly.
Before that, it required specific gestures and incantations.
No matter… If you dare choose array maintenance… heh…
After those parting words, Frankie didn't have the face to stay any longer. He left a gift behind and made a hasty exit.
When Blue announced the work assignment and formally presented Lynn with the Society badge, the initiation ceremony came to a successful close.
Lynn stood at the door, seeing each guest out in turn.
He could feel that his fellow members were noticeably warmer toward him now.
Their parting words were more sincere, their smiles more genuine.
So it is a world that respects strength above all.
Once he'd finished with the last guest and was about to leave, a middle-aged man, reeking of alcohol and wearing the badge of a third-tier Gold Shadow Society member, suddenly staggered into the hall, half-lidded eyes fixing on him.
"You're Lynn Kent, the recently promoted, washed-out apprentice?"
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