Chapter 7 #2
I can always apply for the next cycle of applications, but I fear that I will starve by that point.
I need to qualify for the position now, not later.
My survival hinges on this.
Even if they fail, these people can still apply to other positions within their House. But for me, this is the only government body that I can count on to have an objective selection criteria.
My House will deny my application outright. I have no doubt my mother has made sure of that. And the other Houses would consider me a potential spy, and why would they hire a foreigner when they could hire their own people?
The noise around me intensifies. Everyone is anxious but hopeful because despite the possibility of working for their House, the Central Administration offers more prestige.
When the clock strikes noon, the gates close.
A loud horn resounds in the air. Everyone falls silent.
One. Two. Three.
Three seconds pass before the double doors of the Central Administration building open, and three people come out in a queue.
The first is one is Jacobo Telfa, the president of the Central Administration. He is one of the most famous figure in Tartareia. For thousands of years, he has served on the board of the Central Government, and everyone praises him for his neutrality in dealing with the Houses.
Of course, that means the Houses themselves only tolerate him on the surface. In reality, they see him as an obstacle in the way of their domination.
The Central Administration had been created fifteen thousand years ago after a deadly civil war had wreaked destruction on Sattoriya.
The Houses had come together and elected a neutral body to decide who was worthy to rule Tartareia, and after a lengthy period of deliberation, the council had chosen the House of Silla.
Tor, the Lord Supreme and the head of the House of Silla was seen as the savior of the Tartareians, especially after he’d managed to organize a Peace Summit with Aperion, which is currently underway.
“You will each be given a rune as you enter the exam hall. This is specific to you and cannot be transferred. For that reason, when you are assigned your rune you will be asked to do a blood oath,” Jacobo Telfa explains.
“Keep the rune with you at all times during the examination. This is to ensure no cheating will occur and the process will be fair.”
Jacobo finishes his speech and a line of people forms to enter the examination hall. I sneak a peek to see what this blood oath entails and I note that each participant is asked to cut himself and pour his blood onto the small wooden tablet containing the rune to activate it.
On one hand, I appreciate this step towards making the process fair. But on the other… I worry that my blood might trigger something; that they will know my identity and ban me from the examination before I even set foot into the hallway.
The line moves quickly and soon I’m in front of the door. Two senior officers stand on either side of me, their expressions neutral as they hand me a wooden tablet with my corresponding rune.
Saying a small prayer in my head, I cut myself and infuse the rune with my blood.
Nothing happens.
I let out a relieved breath as I’m ushered forward into the hall.
There are rows upon rows of examination tables, and seeing everyone seated and ready for the test increases my anxiety. I have studied for so long for this… I feel prepared. And yet I can’t discount the fact that some people may just be more prepared than me.
When everyone’s been seated, Jacobo resumes his place in front of the examinees and says a few more words.
“There are forty-eight positions available at this time, in all areas of the Central Administration.”
Murmurs echo in the hall. There are at least a thousand people present here, so the odds are not in our favor.
“Although this is a general examination, it covers all areas of interest. The highest scores will have the chance to choose their positions while the lower scores will get what is left over. Good luck.”
With that, he’s gone. Seconds after, a booklet appears in front of each examinee, and a gong’s sound reverberates through the hall.
The exam begins.
Knowing there is a time constraint, I do my best to read the questions all at once, then answer the ones I am sure about. A few questions pose some difficulty, mainly in the way they are framed, and I realize they are meant to obfuscate.
I do everything to the best of my ability, and once I’m down to three questions I am not sure about, I stop and take a deep breath.
Everything hinges on this… Instead of overthinking it, I calm myself and let my intuition take over. Scribbling all the remaining answers, I finish just as the gong resounds again.
Jacobo reappears to announce the end of the examination.
“Everyone, please head back to the hallway. Keep your runes with you. Within an hour, if you’ve passed, your rune will start emitting a blue light.
We invite everyone who does not pass to leave the premises.
When only the examinees who’ve passed remain, I will join you and announce the hierarchy of scores, after which you can choose your positions. Thank you.”
Everyone exits clutching their runes and saying small prayers.
Although I’ve done my best, I know there is a chance I won’t make it. Especially with so many contenders. And if that happens… I don’t know how I will survive. Perhaps I can try and do some odd jobs around? Yet who will hire me? I can’t divulge my identity and it’s not like I have any other skills.
The minutes pass with grueling slowness, so much so that when Jacobo reappears it feels as if an eternity has gone by.
I swallow hard as the male smiles and decrees that the results will now be announced.
Clutching the rune in my hand, I don’t even dare to look at it. Around me, screams of joy and sighs of disappointment fill the enclosure.
Already, people are lining up to exit the courtyard because they have not passed.
Someone bumps into me, and that action jolts me back to the present. Still unprepared to look at the decision, I see a stream of light coming from the rune.
I…passed?
I sigh in relief, my knees buckling under me.
Now, it does not even matter what place I got. I made it. I will have a job, a salary… I won’t starve.
Praise the Seven, I whisper to myself, promising that I will do my best at this job and I will be worthy of the opportunity.
When only the forty-eight people who passed remain inside the courtyard, Jacobo recites the hierarchy. After each name, those called choose their profession.
To my surprise, my name is called in the tenth position. It feels so surreal that I don’t even realize as my feet carry me toward the stage where Jacobo is.
“Please make your choice,” he says. I nod, unable to form the words.
He points me to a table that has the remaining positions.
The highest one still available is within the War Department—a strategy consultant. But there is also a supervisor position within the Archives.
I stare at the two. A position within the Archives would allow me to live undetected. And though I love books and learning, I can’t help but longingly glance at the other option.
The War Department…
Once, my biggest wish was to become a fierce warrior. This would be an administrative position, nothing involving conflict or actual fighting. But it would allow me to learn more, potentially find out how to advance my own spiritual energy.
The downside, however… I could be found out.
My hand hovers over the Archive position. The safe option.
I take a deep breath and close my eyes as I make my pick.
“Congratulations and welcome to the War Department,” Jacobo intones.
I gulp down uneasily. It seems my instinct chose danger over safety.