"sure, ask away"

"okay, first off my name is Alex i'm the guild master here"

Mars gave a nod, he had figured that anyone that called Reimund by name could not be simple so he was not to surprised by Alex high standing, but when Alex saw Mars's lack of reaction he mental added a few points for being calm

"then let's start... have you ever killed anyone?"

"sure"

"then what did you feel when you did it?"

"hmm..."

Mars stocked his chin as he thought for some time before he answered

"besides the breaking off bone though my hands and the smell of burnt flesh, nothing at all"

Alex gave a slight frown but asked the next question

"how do you feel about following orders?"

"no problem, as long as I like the one that's giving them or they pay me... or if they are a good looking women then I have no problem"

"okay... then what kind of combat capability do you have?"

"hmm... sword, bare hands, fire magic and shadow magic... also Victoria here I guess"

"oh right you magic beast... if you mind can I ask what type she is?"

"no I don't mind, Victoria will you tell him or should I?"

Victoria purred on Mars's lap until her horns flashed and Alex's expression changed drastically before he calmed down by letting out a sigh

"okay then... moving on, I need your race for the record... you're not human right?"

"nope, well half human at least "

"what do you mean?"

"I mean i'm half dragon"

"....well that explains what I heard about a small sun appearing at the temple earlier"

Mars scratched the back of his head but also looked a little proud

"yeah that was me"

"okay... that's was it, now it's just what rank to put you... I don't really think you want to start at wood right?"

Mars went over the ranks in his head form and found wood was the lowest of the 9 ranks

"no, that would hurt my pride"

"yeah... well the highest rank I can a.s.sign you is iron, but that's only after a live combat test"

Mars gave a smile, after all skipping wood and stone before going straight to iron was about the bottom line for his dragon like pride

"sure no problem"

"good, then let's go find someone for you to fight against"

Alex stood up and walked downstairs again while Mars and Victoria followed him and when he reached the first floor again he yelled out into the crowd

"I need 3 iron's for a combat test, 50 cel per person"

"a combat test?"

"looks like it"

"sure i'm game"

"me too!"

"look it's that kid again"

"that's him, the one that blocked the street with fire magic?"

"yeah... well i'm going to skip this one I don't want my face burnt"

soon 9 people gathered and Alex chose 3 which he led along with Mars through the backdoor out to a training field that could easily fit 100 people, although only 40 or so was on the field at this moment Mars also noticed that a back door form the hunters guild let here and there was also a bow range off to the side

"hey Mars, how did it go?"

Mars looked over and saw Reimund, Irene and Elsa was sitting on a blanket off to the side of the field while drinking tea which Elsa poured for the 3 of them

"it went fine, i'm going to take a combat test now"

Irene gave a smile and waved him closer before she whispered

"be sure to hold back a little and don't injure them to much"

"...sure"

Mars gave a nod and went back to the group just as Alex yelled

"clear the field"

the people on the field stopped training and looked over before they cleared the field and formed a crowd that looked at Mars and the 3 other mercenary's with interest

"okay here's the rules Mars, as long as you beat 2 of the 3 you get to be ranked iron"

"...sure"

"good, then Fred you're up first"

"on it boss"

a mercenary walked out, he was human and held a spear and wore leather armor

"good, ready.... START!"

Fred took a stance and trusted out with his spear towards Mars which dodged the tip of the spear by leaning slightly to the side while he had his hands down to the side of his body and a bored look on his face

"how about this!"

the speed of Fred's thrusts sped up but still all his spear hit was air as Mars dodged with millimeter to to spare, before he stepped in and grabbed Fred's arm before he threw him into the air and back onto the ground, only braking his fall at the last moment before he mounted him holding his arms down with his knees

"...I admit defeat"

Mars stood up again and helped Freed up before he looked over at Alex and bluntly said

"next"

"okay... Mike you're up"

"got it"

a man caring a sword and clad in plain clothes like Mars and took a stance bare handed which confused Mars

"are you not going to draw your sword?"

the man gave a smug smile

"not if you don't?"

Mars felt silent as his eyes turned slightly cold before he drew his sword

"ready... START!"

a gust of wind pa.s.sed and Mars appeared behind the man and a thin red line appeared on the man's neck before he turned pale and grabbed his neck

"...I admit defeat"

the crowd turned silent before it exploded into cheered

"wow did you see that!"

"no i didn't, I only saw a blur!"

"...me too i guess"

Alex gave a nod and looked at Mars with respect before he looked over to the last mercenary and asked

"do you want to have a go at the newbie too Jack?"

"why not"

"Mars what do you say?"

"sure"

Mars watched Jack walked out, he was a wolf beastman that looked like a wolf walking on hind legs and carried a 2 handed longswords on his back, he was clad in leather armor with a metal plate that covered his chest, Jack's ears peaked up and asked Mars

"is this the first time you have seen a greater beastman?"

"is that what you are?"

"...I guess that answers my question... anyway I know i'm not your match so can you lower your level to mine and give me some pointers?"

"...sure"

Mars had no reason to refuse and besides he had been used to sparring with Rex everyday for the past 2 months so he need to find a new sparring partner soon, so Mars lowered his sword and closed his eyes before he gave a wave with his free hand

"come at me when your ready"

"....are sure?"

"yeah, even if you hit me it's fine as long as I don't die instantly... besides---"

suddenly a formless pressure formed around Mars making Jack and even Alex that was the closest to him after Jack take a step back by instinct

"---this seems more fun"

"o-okay here i come!"

Jack seemed a little nervous but still came forwards as he drew his 2 handed long sword out form his back and slashed down at Mars, only to be sidestepped before Mars sent out a somewhat slow slash which Jack just barely dodged

"slow! keep something to dodge, don't put all into your offence"

"y-yes!"

"come on! keep moving a slow swordsman is a dead swordsman!"

"yes!"

Mars slashed at Jack again which the later tried to block with his sword

*CLANG*

the sword flew out off Jack's hands and landed a few meters away

"keep a firm grip on your sword or this happens!"

"yes, master!"

"who's your master!?"

Mars slashed out a Jack and forced him back

"I don't remember having such a bad student!"

"y-yes!"

"good now pick up your sword!"

the sound of Mars yelling at Jack could be heard over the next 40 minutes until Jack sat down on the ground panting like a dog with his tongue out his mouth, but still a bright light could be seen in his eyes as he had gained a lot from this training session with Mars, it was not only him some of the swordsmen that had been watching also looked like they had learned something as they went to train with new renewed vigor

"well that's it"

Mars opened his eyes, even if it wasn't much he had also gained a bit by teaching Jack

'maybe i should train some more in the future'

Mars though briefly about this before Alex walked up to him and clapped him on the shoulder

"well done Mars"

"thanks, is this it?"

"yeah all done let's go get your tag"

Mars gave a nod and followed after Alex into the guild while Victoria followed after him like always, the baron couple also followed into the building, and soon Mars and Alex arrived at the counters where Alex took out a necklace and slipped a iron tag into it before he set it into the bottom of a crystal ball which he put his hand on and gestured for Mars to do the same, and after 5 seconds the crystal ball glowed slightly and Alex removed his hand and pulled out the tag and gave it to Mars with a wide smile on his face

"here you go Mars, you're a member of the mercenary's guild now"