The room fell into a hushed silence as three hunter-guards emerged from the examination room.
"Please find your seats. You will be called into the room one by one."
One of the guards raised their voice, instructing the candidates to take their seats and wait for their names to be called. The other two guards remained stationed near the door, ensuring order and security.
Alex, along with the other candidates, followed the instructions diligently. The tension in the room heightened as everyone prepared for their turn to enter the examination room.
Each candidate knew that this test would play a pivotal role in determining their hunter rank and future prospects.
As the names were called one by one, candidates entered the examination room, leaving the rest to anxiously await their turn. Alex took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself for the challenges that lay ahead.
He had come this far and was determined to succeed in the third test, no matter what it entailed.
The minutes passed by slowly as the candidates waited their turn, their minds racing with anticipation and uncertainty. The examination room held the key to their future as hunters, and each of them was eager to prove their worth and potential.
After a 20-minute wait, it was finally Alex's turn. The staff member who had initially given instructions called out his name, and Alex followed him to the testing area.
As they walked, the staff member couldn't resist a mocking tone.
"You've already passed the mana test, which is good, but without any affinity, you know, if you don't pass this third test, you won't be able to become a battle hunter," the person said mockingly while searching for Alex's previous results on a tablet.
Alex had encountered this kind of behavior before – the condescending attitude that displayed nothing but a sense of power over others. Alex remained silent, only nodding in response.
"Good, you know your place," the man said coldly, and then muttered under his breath, calling Alex a 'country bumpkin.'
He seemed to deliberately say it loud enough for Alex to hear, emphasizing that he was an F-rank candidate with no elemental affinity, no significant background, and no power.
Alex understood that he was in no position to defend himself against such comments, at least not yet.
As he entered the testing room, Alex was determined to prove that he was more than what they perceived him to be.
Typically, there are two main categories of hunters in this world. The first category consists of battle hunters, who are further divided into various specialties such as mages, swordsmen, spearmen, thieves, healers, and tankers.
These battle hunters are often regarded as the champions of humanity, valiantly fighting on the front lines of dangerous missions and dungeons. They are a source of pride for any guild fortunate enough to have them.
On the other hand, the second category encompasses support hunters. These individuals possess the necessary mana to become hunters but lack elemental affinities to become mages or physical capabilities to become warriors.
Support hunters often find themselves pursuing roles such as potter, dungeon clearer, or other non-combat functions within the hunter profession.
In his previous life, Alex had passed the third test, which focused on physical abilities, earning him an F-rank classification.
He initially embarked on a career as a swordsman but later transitioned into the role of an informant, deciding not to advance further in the hunter rankings.
To progress through the hunter ranks, individuals must meet a minimum mana capacity requirement for their desired rank.
They can take ranking tests at any time through their nearest hunter association, provided they pay the necessary fees.
This system allows hunters to continually challenge themselves and ascend the ranks based on their abilities and achievements.
In essence, battle hunters are the front-line heroes, while support hunters play crucial roles behind the scenes, and both contribute to the survival and prosperity of humanity in a world fraught with danger and uncertainty.
Rumors in the hunter community suggested that in Alex's previous life, many low-rank battle hunters who found themselves unable to progress further in their respective ranks eventually made the switch to become support hunters.
This transition allowed them to utilize their unique skills and abilities in ways that contributed to the hunter community, even if they didn't continue climbing the battle hunter ranks.
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After following the staff for two minutes, Alex arrived at the physical exam center. This facility was markedly distinct from the previous examination rooms. Instead of rows of seats, he found himself in a spacious arena filled with various training equipment, obstacle courses, and combat dummies.
It was a dynamic space where individuals came not only for the hunter test but also for low-ranking hunters to hone their skills.
Alex observed groups of low-ranking hunters stretching, warming up, or discussing strategies with intense determination.
The physical exam was a challenging test of an individual's strength, agility, combat skills, and overall physical prowess.
It was designed to assess a hunter's ability to handle combat situations, navigate treacherous terrain, and confront dungeon monsters effectively.
The third test was a straightforward yet critical evaluation for aspiring hunters. It involved a one-on-one combat scenario with an examiner, where candidates were provided with advanced equipment and gear from the test center. The outcome of this battle would determine the candidate's suitability as a hunter.
In the third test, the equipment provided was designed to read and analyze the candidates' data during the battle. This advanced gear served as both a tool for combat and an evaluator of their abilities.
When the candidates engaged in the battle with the examiner, the equipment monitored various aspects of their performance in real time.
The equipment would record data such as their combat techniques, agility, accuracy, and decision-making abilities throughout the fight.
It analyzed their every move and tactic, creating a comprehensive profile of their performance. This data was then processed by the equipment's advanced algorithms to generate a precise evaluation.
The results were not influenced by human judgment or bias. Instead, they were an objective reflection of the candidate's performance during the battle.
This data-driven evaluation eliminated the possibility of unfair grading or favoritism, ensuring that candidates were judged solely based on their combat skills and adaptability.
The result of the battle was a direct reflection of the candidate's combat skills, adaptability, and strategic thinking.
In the center of the arena stood a raised platform where the examiners and judges would oversee the tests. Alex noticed that the judges were experienced hunters, each with a distinguished aura of power and expertise. They would carefully evaluate each candidate's performance and assign rankings based on their observations.
As Alex took in the scene, he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement and apprehension. The physical exam was a crucial step in his journey to become a hunter, and he knew that his performance here would determine his future rank and opportunities within the hunter community.