CHAPTER 166: AMONG THE ORDINARY

Noah started walking toward the reception desk, followed by Emily and Lilith.

But Elizabeth didn’t dare to just stand there and wait for Noah to approach her. After all, this man was on equal standing with the guild master.

So she stepped forward herself and gave a slight bow. "Mr. Starwind. It’s always so good to see you. What brings you here today? You haven’t been seen taking part in any dungeon raids for almost two months now."

"Yeah, I’ve been a little busy," Noah replied with a casual smile. "Was trying to focus a bit on my daughter’s training. She’s stubborn about becoming a hunter now. Can’t really send her out there without proper preparation, right?"

As always, he looked completely humble despite his status.

"Yes yes, of course. So that means your daughter is here today to take the hunter test, right?" Elizabeth asked, catching on to Noah’s intention.

"Yes. Once she’s placed into a good party, Emily and I can focus on raids again. And..." he was about to continue, but his daughter’s voice cut him off.

"I have to take a test?! I thought just showing up to become a hunter would make everyone feel honored. Don’t they know who I am?"

Noah’s eye twitched. "Uff, God!... what am I gonna do with this girl?! When will her mouth ever learn to behave?"

Emily grabbed Lilith’s hand and gave a slightly awkward smile to those nearby. She leaned in and whispered into Lilith’s ear, "Didn’t you say you’d speak gently to everyone? Forgot the condition for becoming a hunter already?"

"Huh?! But I did speak politely," Lilith replied, sounding completely sure of herself.

Noah put a hand on his head again with a sigh.

Emily widened her eyes and gave Lilith a sharp stare, trying to pressure her into behaving.

"Okay okay, fine! I’ll speak more nicely to everyone," Lilith finally gave in.

"Promise?!" Emily asked again, just to be sure.

Because she knew very well...sooner or later, her daughter would end up throwing a jab at someone.

And when that happened... trouble was guaranteed.

Elizabeth turned around and quickly walked back to her desk.

She had no intention of being a part of this family drama.

Noah walked with Emily and Lilith tailing behind him.

Elizabeth took out a fresh registration form and started to fill it out.

"As far as I’ve heard, Lilith has four affinities, right? Lightning, gravity, air, and healing?" Elizabeth asked.

"Yes," Lilith replied with pride.

"And tie—"

"Tier 2," Lilith cut in before the question was even finished.

"Ok. And your age?"

"Twelve," Lilith answered.

"Nice. That’s all I need." Elizabeth handed her a token. "Token 109," she said simply.

Lilith took it and walked off without a single word.

After Noah offered a respectful nod, she and Emily followed Lilith as well. They sat down as a waitress approached.

"We’ll take something light," Noah said. "Two teas, some fruit slices, and a plate of honey toast."

The waitress bowed and left.

Emily leaned over the table. "Once the test begins, try to be nice with your examiner, okay?"

Lilith gave a half-shrug."Nice?! Mom, it’s a duel, a fight. Not some academic lesson on magic where I have to be nice. And if I’m nice, how am I supposed to fight?!" Lilith complained.

"Lilith. A duel doesn’t always mean you’re standing against an enemy or a monster," Noah said while sipping water from the glass on the table. "When will you finally grow up? Sometimes, a duel is the best way to understand each other. To learn from one another. It’s not just some barbaric way to show off strength."

Lilith didn’t respond. She leaned back on the bench, arms crossed.

While they waited, more applicants started trickling into the hall.

One. Then two. Then five more. In small batches, they entered quietly, some with curious eyes, some with nervous steps.

But even as the numbers grew, no one stood out today.

No special bloodlines like Lucas’s. No rare-tier mages. No strange outfits or foreign emblems. It seemed like, today’s test was going to be a normal one. Free from incidents.

They all walked toward Elizabeth’s desk one by one, filled out their forms, and received their tokens without incident.

Elizabeth handled each with experienced efficiency. She asked for affinity and tier, verified the forms, and gave out tokens....nothing more.

Now and then, someone in the background whispered about the Starwind name. But no one dared approach the table. Whether from fear, respect, or ignorance, the distance remained.

An hour passed.

The Starwinds finished their light meal. The toast was half-eaten, the fruit untouched by Lilith. Emily gave a small sigh and leaned back, glancing around.

Still, candidates kept coming in.

Another ten minutes.

Then it stopped.

The door remained closed. The crowd had settled.

Elizabeth stood up behind her desk and flipped through the stack of completed forms, silently counting.

After finishing, she looked up and announced clearly, "Total candidates for today: 189. Registration is now closed."

Some people sat up straight.

Others exchanged glances or fidgeted with their tokens.

Elizabeth folded the list, placed the remaining unused tokens back into the wooden box, and tucked it under her arm.

She stepped around the desk and faced the hall.

"Everyone who has received a token, follow me. The practical assessment will now begin in the fighting arena."

She turned without waiting and began walking toward the long corridor at the back of the hall.

Noah stood up slowly and stretched his arms. "Let’s go. After your test is over, I need to talk with the guild master."

Emily adjusted Lilith’s sleeves one last time and whispered, "Remember... polite."

Lilith gave a blank stare, then looked away. "I’m always polite."

The three of them joined the crowd as all 189 candidates started moving forward, toward the arena where the real test waited.

When they crossed the narrow path, the familiar scene in front welcomed them all.

Four hunters were waiting at four corners of the arena.

And surely, Ali Arkman, the guild master was present as well.