Kael clutched the poster tightly against his chest, as if it were the last thread keeping him from falling back into the pit he'd crawled out of. If this didn't work out, he would return to being a nobody a nameless rat scurrying through alleyways, stealing scraps just to survive.
No.
The trials had given him something, a taste of worth. He refused to let it slip away.
The stolen clothes he wore clung uncomfortably to his skin, yet he carried himself as though they were silk spun for nobility. He had to look presentable. He had to look like someone the Bureau would want.
The door creaked open with a groan as Kael pushed it, stepping into a modest office lit by sunlight streaming from a wide window. The air smelled of paper and ink. Behind the desk sat a man who looked to be in his mid-forties, with dull blue eyes, blonde hair streaked faintly with gray, and a face weathered by years of responsibility. His hand moved lazily over a stack of documents, pen scratching.
The man didn't even look up as he spoke, his voice calm, almost disinterested.
"Come in. How may I help you?"
Kael swallowed hard, his throat dry.
"Uhm… I heard there were positions for mages in this branch."
This time, the man's eyes rose to meet his.
Kael froze. Heat rushed to his face, and he quickly glanced away.
Damn it, Kael. First impressions, and you already look like a fool.
The man gestured for him to sit. Kael obeyed, feeling the weight of that quiet, measuring stare pressing against him. His palms sweated. His heart thudded.
"You've already passed the first test," the man said.
Kael blinked. What test? All we've done is… stare at each other like idiots.
"Now," the man continued, "onto the second. Why do you want to join the Bureau?"
The words slipped from Kael's mouth before his mind could catch them.
"For the money."
The man's expression remained unreadable. Kael's stomach dropped. Panic lit through him like wildfire.
"Oh….uh, I meant… to protect the people. The scumbags uh, the citizens! Yeah, the people."
I'm screwed. I'm so screwed. Nobody hires a stammering idiot.
Then, to his surprise, the man's lips curved into the faintest smile.
"Congratulations. You are now a member of this branch of the Bureau."
Kael blinked once. Twice.
"…Huh?"
It was that easy? No grueling tests, no fights to the death, no trial of blood and fire?
No. Something's wrong. Too easy. Way too easy. This stinks of a setup.
Still… Kael forced a grin, though unease gnawed at his chest.
If there was an easy way in, he'd take it. But he swore he would not let his guard down.
Not for a second.