"Thank you for accommodating me," Eru replied with appropriate deference.

Aldric led him through corridors to a testing chamber—moderately sized room with various mystical apparatus and what appeared to be truth-verification enchantments built into the walls.

"The examination consists of four parts," Aldric explained. "Written assessment to gauge your knowledge, soul verification to confirm trustworthiness, Ether Core evaluation to measure your capabilities, and finally combat assessment to determine appropriate ranking."

Rey nodded understanding while his mind calculated optimal responses for each component.

"We’ll start with the written portion. Please be seated."

The test consisted of forty questions covering dungeon protocols, emergency procedures, Guild regulations, and general knowledge about Aether society.

Rey answered carefully—not perfectly, which would raise suspicion, but competently enough to demonstrate legitimate experience.

Question 15:

"What is the primary purpose of Guild oversight in dungeon exploration?"

Rey wrote: "To coordinate activities, prevent resource conflicts, and ensure Searcher safety through organized support structures."

Correct, but phrased in a way that suggested a practical understanding rather than academic study.

Question 28: "How should Searchers respond to discovery of Ancient artifacts?"

Rey wrote: "Report findings to Guild administration for evaluation and appropriate distribution according to contribution."

Also correct, showing knowledge of procedures without suggesting he’d challenge them.

He completed the written assessment in thirty minutes—quick enough to suggest intelligence, slow enough to avoid appearing superhuman.

Aldric reviewed his answers with professional efficiency.

"Solid performance. Eighty-seven percent accuracy with detailed reasoning. That’s above average for solo operators."

Rey inclined his head appreciatively.

"Next is soul verification," Aldric continued. "This isn’t interrogation—we just need to confirm you’re being truthful about your identity and intentions. The enchantments will detect deliberate deception, but honest mistakes or incomplete information won’t trigger false positives."

He gestured toward a chair surrounded by glowing sigils. "Please sit. I’ll ask questions, you answer honestly, and the verification field will monitor your responses."

Rey sat calmly while internally activating techniques that would allow him to navigate this hazard.

The Prince of Darkness stirred slightly within his soul, its presence helping obscure certain truths through mystical interference that appeared natural rather than deliberate.

Aldric activated the verification field, and Rey felt gentle pressure as the enchantments began analyzing his responses.

"State your name," Aldric began.

"Eru," Rey replied. The field remained stable—technically true, as that was indeed the name he currently used.

"What is your heritage?"

"Nephilim. Mixed Aether and Nether bloodlines." Also true, given his current physical form.

"Have you committed crimes against Aether society or its citizens?"

"No." The field accepted this—Rey had committed crimes against Nether society, but not Aether.

It was technically an accurate response.

’Oh wait... I killed all those people.’

"Do you intend harm toward the Guild or its members?"

"No." Again true—harming the Guild would undermine his integration objectives. He needed them to be functional and trust him.

"Are you working for hostile organizations or foreign powers?"

"No." Rey worked only for himself and his revenge objectives.

No external loyalties existed.

The questions continued for twenty minutes, each one designed to detect malicious intent or deceptive background. Rey navigated them with careful truth-telling that revealed nothing compromising while satisfying the verification requirements.

Finally, Aldric deactivated the field.

"Excellent. No deception detected. Your responses show honest intent and appropriate character for Guild membership."

Rey allowed himself internal satisfaction.

The verification had been dangerous, but his techniques for selective truth-telling had proven effective.

"Now for Ether Core evaluation," Aldric said, gesturing toward a crystalline apparatus in the corner. "Place your hand on the measurement stone. It will assess your Core capacity, refinement, and elemental affinities."

Rey approached the device while internally calculating optimal presentation. Too much power would raise questions about how he’d achieved such capability. Too little would limit his ranking and access to resources.

Mid-tier performance—impressive but believable for someone with natural talent and years of independent training.

He placed his hand on the crystal, and it began glowing as it analyzed his mystical capabilities.

The Prince of Darkness helped suppress his true capacity while allowing controlled amounts to register on the measurement device.

Rey’s actual Ether Core was too massive—refined through years of combat and enhanced by the armor he’d acquired. But he let the device detect only about forty percent of his real capacity.

Still impressive. Just not suspiciously so.

The crystal’s glow stabilized, and numbers appeared in mystical script above it.

Aldric studied the readings with visible surprise. "Core capacity at Gold-tier threshold. Refinement . Primary affinity: Spirit Art with demonstrated Mid-Sequence capability. Secondary affinity: Chaos Art, minimal development."

The Chaos Art detection was unavoidable—Rey’s Nephilim heritage would naturally suggest some Chaos affinity, and showing none would actually raise more suspicion than acknowledging minor capability.

"This is remarkable for independent training," Aldric continued. "Most Searchers require formal Academy education to achieve this level of refinement. You must possess significant natural talent." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"I’ve been fortunate," Eru replied modestly. "The Gods have blessed me despite my heritage."

Aldric nodded approvingly.

"Divine favor is evident in these results. The Guild values practitioners who’ve overcome adversity through dedication and skill."

He made notations on his assessment form before looking up with professional smile.

"The final component is combat evaluation. Your written assessment, verification, and Core analysis all support Gold-rank classification. But we need to confirm practical combat capability through sparring matches with Guild Proctor."

Rey’s expression showed appropriate interest mixed with slight apprehension.

"What are the parameters?"

"Non-lethal engagement using Spirit Art techniques only—no Chaos Art permitted in examination setting. The Proctor will assess your technical execution, tactical awareness, and combat adaptability. Duration is typically five to ten minutes."

Aldric consulted his schedule. "Proctor Warden is available in Training Hall Four. If you’ll follow me?"

They walked through corridors toward the training facilities, passing other applicants at various stages of their own examinations.

Rey’s mind worked through combat scenarios.

He needed to demonstrate competence without revealing his true capabilities. Mid-Sequence techniques executed well but not perfectly.

Tactical awareness suggesting experience but not supernatural perception. Combat performance that would impress without triggering investigation into how he’d acquired such skills.

A delicate balance.

But one he’d navigated successfully before.

They entered Training Hall Four—a large chamber with reinforced walls, protective enchantments, and observation areas where other Guild members could watch examinations.

A woman waited in the center—tall, muscular build, equipment suggesting veteran Searcher status. Her mystical pressure indicated high Gold-rank or low Platinum-rank capability.

"Proctor Warden," Aldric called out. "Examination candidate Eru, recommended for Gold-rank classification. Requires combat assessment."

Warden turned, her experienced eyes analyzing Rey with professional thoroughness. "Nephilim applicant with Mid-Sequence Spirit Art? This should be interesting."

She gestured toward the sparring circle marked on the floor. "Standard rules apply. Spirit Art techniques only, non-lethal intent, match concludes when I determine sufficient data has been collected or if serious injury risk develops. Understood?"

"Understood," Eru confirmed, stepping into the circle.

Warden took position opposite him, her stance suggesting decades of combat experience.

"Begin when ready," she stated calmly.

’Hehe...’

Rey centered himself, allowing controlled amounts of his mystical pressure to become visible while keeping the vast majority suppressed.

’So far, so good. This is the last hurdle...’

The final test was about to begin.

It was time to perform!