In light of recent events, several guilds have in fact been in talks to take in young Rean Icaran. He has shown some potential, and he'll only continue to grow. I'll leave you with this clip from the raid yesterday. The reporter ended his segment.
In one household:
"Woah, that guy is completely ruthless. There's no way he isn't getting scouted. He's exactly the kind of hunter who makes it to the top," a man said.
In another household:
"This is too brutal for family TV. Not necessarily the gore, it's just the hunger for power and stuff. Imagine kids seeing this and even getting remotely inspired. That guy sucks. I can't get why they're making a big deal out of him," a father noted.
At the Association Headquarters:
"I know all 7 of you have different takes and suggestions and stuff. We'd like to hear it. Please don't think your suggestions will result in anything that could possibly destroy Rean's life or even put his career path into question. This is mostly formality, as his status has more than already been confirmed."
"I think what he did was disgusting, especially since it's customary for the highest ranked hunter present to take the reward points," one said.
"I think it was definitely something. I won't call it out as wrong, but Rean wasn't right either, especially since the Captain made it a point to emphasize that," another said.
They went through the recruits one by one. Their opinions were all recorded, eventually to be analyzed. This whole questioning the Association was conducting was to be reviewed by the Black Cranes guild. They had shown interest in this set of awakeners ever since Rean's first kill. They just needed a little more confirmation to know those they'd settle on.
Finally, it came to Porter's turn.
"I don't know.
I mean, at first I thought Rean was wrong.
I mean, disobeying your commanding officer, there's no toleration for this kind of behavior. However, is that actually wrong?
I mean, think about it, like really think it through. If that was so wrong, then why the rush? I felt empowered when I saw him do it. I can't even begin to imagine how he must have felt. He wasn't even looking at Amer when he got confronted. It was as if he was high."
Porter paused, wanting to continue.
"Ok, that's enough. You've all said your pieces. I'll go take this back to the guild, and after evaluation, you may or may not get a notification. Fingers crossed, hope you get one."
The lady conducting the interview left the room. Immediately, she placed a call.
"Hey, Mr. President, there's one more on that raid team who's also interesting," she said.
She wasn't an employee of the Association. She was affiliated with the Black Cranes itself. They sent her to check in and, under an alias, ascertain if the group had any other gem waiting to be discovered.
Back in the other room:
"You think what he did was right? Wow, Porter, you're actually now just disgusting," one started.
The others followed not too long after until the doors came open again.
"Who is it this time?" one asked.
Rean and Amer came in, Rean looking left and the other right. Whatever happened between them, it didn't seem to have eased the tension between those two. They were still very much at odds, and nothing seemed to have changed.
After Rean and Amer settled, another man walked in. It was Mr. Salde.
As if in acknowledgment of his presence, everyone adjusted their seat. It wasn't a menacing or threatening vibe. It was simply respect. They were now in the presence of the strongest A-rank in the world.
Before long, Salde began speaking.
"Ok, ok, I know most of you always decline and stuff, but apparently it's mandatory I tell you this. The Association is always short-staffed, and it'll be a pleasure if you could work with us. I know most of you want to face high-ranking gates and raid top-tier dungeons. I know that's something the Association isn't usually involved in, but it would mean a lot if you could lend us your strength."
"Most of you are probably excited by the pay, or maybe it's some other incentive. Please note I am not judging you, just laying down facts that have proven to be true over the years. I know it's hard, impossible even, leaving the big bucks top guilds would pay to come work here under what's essentially charity."
He stopped.
He continued.
"Now here's the harsh truth of it all. Only some of you will ever get scouted, and even if you're not, you can just join another raid to show your skills. What you may not, however, be considering is that there's a limited amount of time this will happen."
All in shock, gasps and murmurs filled the room.
"The Association keeps it pretty tight-lipped on this. If you do not get scouted upon your third trial raid, without exception, you cannot join the Association, and guilds will be unable to claim you by proxy. The only job you'd be inclined to take as an awakener would be teaching."
"I say all this before I ask your answers of you because only two got scouted just now. There's no further evaluation. The woman who did that whole questioning just now was a scout from the Black Ravens, and like I just said, they want only two of you."
Salde paused for a while to let them articulate their thoughts.
"I'll join the Association," the D-rank with the water talent said.
Everyone looked in awe, even Salde. This was unexpected. Normally, most would wait for at least their second trial before dropping out.
After a while, he was indeed the only one to drop.
"Ok, since the rest of you choose to still have their try at this whole thing, I wish you the best of luck," Salde said.
"As for the two who got scouted, it should go without saying that the only ones who made an impression were these two: Porter and Rean."
"You, come with me. The rest of you will wait here for someone else to explain how you'll proceed. Then you two, you can head over to the Black Cranes guild. Here, take this. They're your licenses," Salde said, handing over their licenses.
Rean and Porter.
Rean accepted it. No thank you, just his eyes fixated on the license, as if something was running wild in his mind.