Ch. 36 - The Letter of Recommendation

Robb was caught off guard. "How did you know...?"

"Heh. I've been on this market street for quite some years now. I know the faction's procedures inside and out."

She spoke while retrieving a crystal vial from a locked drawer. "First, let me return this to you."

Robb accepted the vial and recognized it immediately, the artificial stardew Hadrian had given him.

"Remember? I promised to hold it for safekeeping and return it once you passed the apprentice evaluation."

Lady Elena said, the severity on her face softening into something resembling an elder's pride in a junior. "Now that you've broken through, it rightfully belongs back in your hands."

"I'd almost forgotten that agreement." Robb admitted honestly. "Thank you for keeping it safe, Lady Elena."

"And this." Lady Elena handed him a letter bearing a peculiar seal. "Take this letter of recommendation. Present it to the duty officer when you apply for your initial resource allocation."

Robb accepted the letter with confusion. The seal looked extremely ancient. "This is...?"

"As an Elementary Apprentice, you're entitled to apply for one resource allocation from the faction." Lady Elena explained patiently. "Generally, the quality and quantity of resources depend on your potential rating."

She paused, concern flickering in her eyes. "Given your initial aptitude and the timing of your breakthrough, your rating probably won't be very high. This recommendation letter should bump you up one access level."

Warmth flooded Robb's chest. He hadn't anticipated this kind of care at all. "Lady Elena... I truly don't know how to thank you."

"Brat, don't get sentimental on me."

At this, Lady Elena instantly reverted to her usual sternness, waving her hand as if shooing away an annoying fly.

"I just find you slightly less insufferable than those other arrogant good-for-nothings. I'd rather not see you shortchanged by the faction for no good reason."

Robb stowed the recommendation letter and stardew, struggling for words. He was just working up to some tearfully grateful speech when...

"Alright, alright, get lost. Stop delaying me from closing up."

Lady Elena shooed him away. Her tone was impatient, but those green eyes shimmered with warmth. "And don't forget, be here on time for work tomorrow."

...

The faction's central hall was situated in the outer reaches of the Black Mist Order, an ancient, imposing structure.

Dozens of luminous stones were set into its soaring spire, casting soft light even on the darkest nights, illuminating a wide area around it.

Robb approached the entrance at a measured pace, an involuntary tightness in his chest.

Though he'd personally confirmed his spirit power met the Elementary Apprentice standard, this would be his first official certification.

"Hopefully it won't be like Locke's spectacle..." he thought. "Being gawked at like a monkey in a zoo is not exactly pleasant."

He recalled the scene when Locke had tested his spirit power, nearly half the dormitory's Initiates had flocked to the central hall, crowding around and pointing.

That kind of attention would be unwelcome under any circumstances, and in the Black Mist Order, drawing excessive notice meant potential danger.

Robb had always been cautious, and after his clash with Marcus, he understood the importance of keeping a low profile even better.

Fortunately, the central hall was relatively empty at this hour. Most apprentices were busy with their own experiments or away on assignments.

Robb relaxed slightly and made his way toward the duty station in the corner.

The duty area was a semi-independent space within the hall. Several apprentices in gray-white uniforms were processing various matters.

Robb observed for a moment, then chose a female officer who seemed relatively free and approachable.

"Good day. I'm here for Elementary Apprentice certification." He maintained a polite but self-assured bearing.

The duty officer looked up. She appeared to be in her early thirties, attractive but slightly weary. The light blue badge on her chest identified her as an Intermediate Apprentice.

"Name?" Her tone was businesslike but not impatient.

"Robb Stark."

"Assigned area?"

"Initiate dormitory, east wing." Robb answered concisely, trying not to attract unnecessary attention.

The officer nodded, consulting a thick ledger beside her, fingers sliding rapidly across the pages. "Your name doesn't appear on the faction's projected breakthrough list?"

"No. I broke through while in the detention cells." Robb answered truthfully.

The officer's pen stopped. She looked up, surprise evident. "The detention cells? There are no meditation aids of any kind in there."

"Precisely because of that environment, it actually helped." Robb offered a vague explanation. "The isolation from the outside world allowed me to focus entirely on meditation."

The officer studied him for several seconds, cross-referencing her records. Her expression gradually turned intrigued.

"Robb Stark... I've got your file here. Your initial magic aptitude test result was sixth-magnitude, correct?"

Robb's heart tightened, but his face remained impassive. "That's correct, ma'am."

"Sixth-magnitude... arrived at the Black Mist Order just over nine months ago..."

The officer spoke with obvious incredulity, surprise deepening in her eyes. "Breaking through within the allotted time with that level of magic aptitude is genuinely extraordinary."

She closed the ledger and stood. "Follow me. We'll need a formal spirit power assessment."

Robb breathed a quiet sigh of relief, at least he wouldn't have to be tested in the middle of the hall.

The officer led him through a corridor to a small door inscribed with ancient runes.

Inside was an independent testing chamber. At its center sat a crystal ball similar to the one in the main hall but smaller, surrounded by intricate runic engravings.

"Place your hand on the crystal ball and release your spirit power." The officer instructed. Her tone was calm, but the curiosity in her eyes was no longer concealable.

Robb nodded and placed his right hand lightly on the crystal.

He closed his eyes and, following the rhythm of his now-Proficient meditation technique, mobilized his spirit power in a steady, ordered flow.

As spirit power entered the crystal, it began to glow softly.

Dark red mist churned within, gradually coalescing into a clear, stable symbol.

Unlike the dim, blurred result from when he'd first arrived, this symbol was bright and solid, its surface perfectly still.

The officer's pupils contracted slightly, clearly surprised by the result.

"The spirit power fluctuations are virtually free of impurities. Stability far exceeds that of a typical Elementary Apprentice... How did you achieve this?"

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