(ix.)

Linda led him out of the tiny side room and into the massive warehouse area attached to the back side of the guild. Lazarus didn't know how else to describe it. However, instead of heavy machinery or oversized crates, there were several makeshift combat arenas set up. A testing area, perhaps? She steered the lich toward a secluded corner where there were multiple groups of target dummies planted into the compressed dirt floor.

Standing between two of the targets Linda said, “This is the area where adventurers practice their ranged magic skills. Most people will use ice or fire magic to hit the targets from a certain distance. We're less interested in the range of your abilities at the moment. What we want to see right now is your raw magic power.”

She paused for a moment, appraising the lich. “This is the best place for you to display your magic to optimize your ranking. Don't worry about causing any damage to the building or anything; there are multiple safeguards in place that would prevent such a catastrophe. Just stand at the X over there and aim for one or both of the targets here.”

Linda clapped the dummies' shoulders amiably, as if she were greeting two old friends at the pub.

“As you wish,” Lazarus agreed with a small, polite bow.

Let the experiment begin!

He retreated several paces to the area the receptionist pointed out in her guidelines, taking this time to formulate his plan of attack.

I say, this could be a bit problematic for me... After this morning's misadventures I have hardly any mana at all! Ah, but of course.., this is a test of magic! I daresay I shan't be needing this sword for the task.

After a few quick moments of focused intent, the sword at his side shattered into millions of magical particles which absorbed back into him.

Much better. I have 503 mana to work with now. I'll need to create a skill to show off here. Nothing too over the top, mind. It simply wouldn't do to keel over face first before I've had a chance to prove myself. Again. I think I know exactly what I'd like to do with these targets...

Lazarus visualized several long metal spears jutting out from the ground and impaling all the human-sized targets from various angles. This was rather similar to a favorite historical torture device of his. He bared his teeth in yet another ghoulish grin under his helm.

Spell Created: Iron Maiden – Create 10 Iron Spears to impale a targeted area at different angles. Remains materialized for 30 seconds. Mana cost 200. Level 1.

All hail the Red Text! For the glory and the power!

Lazarus felt the small drain on his mana, leaving him with 303 mana. He felt momentarily woozy as his mana dipped but did not allow his suit of armor to sway. It was of critical importance to not show weakness at this juncture.

The effect, however, was glorious and completely worth the exertion. The razor sharp tips of the spears left the straw dummies in shreds. Both targets were completely destroyed.

Lazarus looked up from the grim display and observed Linda breaking out in a cold sweat for the second time that afternoon.

“What in heavens was that?! That spell was not listed when we checked your status before!” she exclaimed, frazzled.

Lazarus chuckled to himself, then calmly explained, “No, no. That would be absurd. That's because I just created the spell on the spot with my Spell Craft ability.”

“But... the spell craft ability usually takes time to develop!” she wailed. Her professional demeanor seemed to have vanished entirely at this point. “The image has to be 100% clear in the caster's mind and the effect and name need to be determined well in advance before it can be solidly created!”

Lazarus took a slow breath knowing this would likely be the result for the rest of the tests as well. The poor woman had her work cut out for her today.

“Yes, that's correct,” the lich confirmed, ever the paragon of patience. “I was able to do all that with no issue just now.”

Linda looked dejected. “But... but that's not normal!” She stamped her foot in frustration.

At this point Lazarus couldn't take it anymore. He doubled over suddenly, letting out a deep, rattling laugh. The dark haired woman paled, fingers pressed to her lips uncertainly.

“Oh, my dear girl! And when did I claim to be normal?” he exclaimed, straightening.

Linda gaped, trying desperately to rebuild her world view and continue with her job.

After a moment of looking over the destruction wrought by a single cast of Iron Maiden she said through gritted teeth, “Your individual ranking for this part of the test would be Sapphire level at the minimum. If this was a group of 10 people they would be demolished in one shot.” She sighed and attempted a small lopsided smile. “Let's... move on to the next part of your test.”

Linda guided Lazarus over to a second, much larger arena taking up about half the size of the warehouse overall. The arena was split into two sections: one with a high wooden wall built around it and the other with no wall around it.

“Please enter the walled off area,” she directed, tucking a few stray strands of hair behind her ear.

Lazarus all too eagerly complied.

“You will be facing an Emerald level threat... a Black Bark Panther.”

Linda guided him to the gate of the arena. Next to the gate were natural foot holds set into the wall that she climbed up with ease. Despite all the lich had put the poor receptionist through today, the woman was a seasoned professional. Lazarus walked purposefully to the center of the arena and waited for the next part of the test to begin.

Linda, now standing primly on top of the wall, gave an order out to a young adventurer with spiky brown hair to shut the gate to the arena. Once the gate was closed she reached behind her back and pulled out what looked like a deck of cards. She pulled one of the cards out from the deck and looked over it carefully. Her lips quirked up in an impish grin.

While Lazarus couldn't see the card's face from where he was standing in the arena, he had a sneaking suspicion that they were not standard playing cards.

Linda said, “The test will last for a maximum of 10 minutes... that's as long as we can maintain the Black Bark Panther. If you manage not to sustain any injuries during the test you will be ranked at Ruby level.”

“I see,” Lazarus mused. “And if I defeat this creature? This... Black Bark Panther, was it?”

Linda nodded, smiling blandly. “If you somehow manage to defeat the creature before the time is up you will be ranked Emerald.”