The Demonic Mage

Ryan looked at the questioner, and opened his mouth, hesitating to answer.

"You can consider it first." She interjected, "I give you time until the next person finishes his questioning."

"Thank you!" Ryan bowed, before being led to another room.

Should he accept or decline?

For a newcomer to be invited to become city guard, there must be something going on. Not to mention he was just an 'ordinary' man.

If he was a powerhouse or someone who had connections, then there would be a reasonable explanation.

For his circumstances, the only reason he could come up was for surveillance.

Maybe there would be some other reason, but surveillance must be one of them.

The mage's examination must have found something suspicious about him. But because it was just suspicions, he was not immediately detained.

He was placed among city guards for easier surveillance and also to prevent him from escaping.

If he rejects the offer, he would still be under surveillance. Not to mention, he would have difficulty in finding a job, and lodging.

Besides that, there was also the danger of the organization behind the laboratory. He didn't know whether there was someone who still recognized him, if they had and someone saw him and realized that he was still alive, it would spell trouble and not just small trouble.

So, it was better for him to join the city guard. No matter what he chose, he would still be under surveillance. So, it was better to choose an option that was beneficial for him.

If he joins the city guard, he could get a job, a place to live and protection. Only fools would reject it.

Just after he came into conclusion, someone was guided into the room by the mage.

"Have you already come to a decision?" The mage turned to Ryan.

"Yes, I'll join the city guard."

"I will convey your answer to the Administrator Eira." The mage said as he exited the room.

After the mage was gone, Ryan looked at the newcomer, who looked uneasy.

He could understand his feelings, a bit maybe because of the difference in circumstances. Though, it must be similar to what he felt after he finished his first job interview in his previous world. Uncertain future made him anxious after the interview, he was interviewed at an international company at that time, accepted would mean he would soar and being rejected meant he would need to start job hunting again.

If it was someone he knew, maybe he would offer some comforting words and chat with him to ease his anxiety, but he didn't know him. So, the room descended into awkward silence.

Luckily, not long after the mage brought another person.

"Follow me!"

They followed the mage exited the buildings and walked a distance away until they finally arrived at a training ground.

There, Ryan saw many young men were training hard, maybe it would be more apt to say that they were the same age as him. It was just his mental age at play, making him look at them as young men.

Someone who seemed to be of status came and greeted the mage as soon as they arrived.

"What important thing does it that required Mr. Ron to come to this humble barrack of mine." The man smiled as he looked towards the mage.

"Quit with the sarcasm, I came here as per the Administrator Eira order." The mage explained.

"This is..?" The man then looked at the three people behind Ron.

"They were the reason I am here." Ron explained, "From now on, they will be in your care."

Seeing the man's expression worsening, Ron explained, "You can't reject this arrangement. The Administrator was the one who decided it, even my captain doesn't have the power to change it. It's futile even if you protest."

"Doesn't it coincide with the time the new recruit just started their training." Ron said, "You could just incorporate the three of them with the new recruit."

"Now that my job is finished, I bid you goodbye." Ron turned around to leave, "Oh, further instructions would be relayed by Administrator Eira herself."

The man watched as Ron walked away, "Tch!" then turned towards Ryan and the others, "From now on, you three are under me. For now, you can change into training clothes and join them. Further arrangements would be explained by my men after training."

***

It was already quite late when the training was done. The training was more like military training in his previous world. It didn't match the training he had in mind about the fantasy world, but it was quite normal when he thought about it, after all the trainees were all normal men.

Maybe the harsh training he read in many novels was standard for noble descendants, who had many resources to support the training. It worked better for him anyway, as he didn't feel tired. Wait!

Ryan looked at the other trainees. They were full of sweat, with many gasping for breath while resting in the shade. Even the other two people who were with him were visibly tired from the training.

It seems it was only him that thought the training was not tough, or maybe his body.

Ryan touched his chest. It seems the thing in his chest was already affecting his body even though. He didn't know whether it was a good or a bad thing.

It seems finding out what was transplanted on him and what its effects need to be added to his agenda.

He remembered the madman said that it was a core. Just what is a core? And what's its effect?

Hopefully, after he became a city guard, he would be granted access to some information about this world.

For now, his task was to adapt and try to integrate into this world. At least he needs to change his mindset. He didn't want his perspective to make him look odd.

"Okay, end of training, you all could come back." The trainer said, then turned towards Ryan and the other, "You three, follow me!"

The trainer then led them into a quarter, there were already many trainees there, some bathing and some just resting while chatting.

He led them into one of the rooms. It was just a small room about 5x6 in size. At the end of the room was a cupboard while on either side of the room were bunk beds.

"This will be your living quarters for one month ahead." He explained, "There are also some clothes prepared for you to change in the cupboard."

"There would be a test in a month, only after passing the test would you qualify to be city guards. I hope you could follow the rules while you were here so as to not be eliminated even before the test."

The three of them looked at each other. It seems this will be their home for a month ahead.

Ryan just hoped no one had a bad habit and everyone could get along well.