Heading to Linhai Town
The next day, Su Ran changed into dark casual clothes that allowed him to move freely, still wearing the Cloth Robe underneath.
He wrapped the [Mithril Staff] in a specially made canvas cover and strapped it to his back, then properly equipped his other gear or put it away in his 1.5 cubic meters of storage space.
Full of energy and in peak condition, he arrived on time at the Iron Cross Guild headquarters, located in the heart of the Inner Ring District.
The guild headquarters was an imposing building constructed of gray stone and metal, its style simple yet powerful. A massive iron cross emblem formed from crossed swords and a shield hung above the entrance.
Even at this early hour, people were already coming and going. Members wearing standard-issue light armor or equipment bearing the Iron Cross insignia moved in and out in an orderly fashion, giving the place an air of efficiency.
Following the appointment instructions, Su Ran entered through a side door and arrived at a temporary recruitment desk.
A sizable queue had already formed. They were all awakened individuals applying to be temporary team members, most with formidable auras and a wide variety of equipment, generally of better quality than that of the pickup groups Su Ran had encountered before.
The reception staff were highly efficient. After verifying his identity and registering his information, they directed Su Ran into a spacious testing hall.
The hall was divided into several areas for preliminary screening in different categories: strength, speed and reactions, spell and skill demonstrations, equipment inspection, and a simple assessment of mental fortitude.
Su Ran's tests went smoothly.
Strength test: With 9 Constitution and 8 Strength, he reached the average level of a Lv.2 melee class without using any skills, causing the examiner a flicker of surprise. After all, he had registered as a Mage.
Speed and reactions: His agility test was unremarkable, but thanks to the keen observation and anticipation granted by [Knowledge Insight Lv.3], he achieved a good result in the test of dodging random beams of light.
Spell demonstration: This was the main event. Su Ran brought out the [Mithril Staff] and smoothly fired three [Energy Missiles] in succession. They were fast and highly stable, with power clearly exceeding that of ordinary Lv.3 spells.
When they precisely struck three simply moving targets at different distances, a middle-aged Mage overseeing the test couldn't help nodding.
He murmured to the recorder beside him, "Solid fundamentals, condensed mana, very fast casting, and plenty of power. Not bad."
Equipment inspection: When he displayed the [Mana Ring], [Arcane Focus Bracer], [Tiger Might Headband], [Mind-Calming Jade Pendant], and his full set of excellent armor one by one, the inspectors' looks changed.
His lavish set of equipment already surpassed the standard gear issued to many full members of the guild.
Mental fortitude: Su Ran sat quietly for ten minutes in a room equipped with a weak mental interference array, relying on the [Mind-Calming Jade Pendant] and his own mental power, which reached 16 points.
With his perception further enhanced by his equipment bonuses, he easily resisted the interference and remained composed.
The comprehensive assessment results came out quickly.
An Iron Cross Guild squad leader in charge of recruitment, a veteran Lv.8 warrior, personally met with Su Ran.
"Su Ran, Lv.3 Mage, outstanding mental power, excellent equipment, and proficient skill mastery."
The squad leader looked at the assessment report and got straight to the point. "We need ranged damage dealers with potential like yours.
"As usual, newly recruited temporary members are assigned to standard five-person tactical squads to practice together and carry out missions. Your squad has already been assigned. Its leader is Rex, a highly experienced veteran Lv.5 greatshield warrior.
"Your squad will set out for the forward camp on the outskirts of Linhai Town this afternoon.
"Once you get there, you'll receive more specific mission assignments and a battlefield briefing. Any questions?"
"No," Su Ran answered concisely.
"Good. Here's your temporary member badge and communications access."
The squad leader handed him a metal identification plate bearing the Iron Cross emblem and a modified Personal Terminal attachment. "Go to assembly area three and find your squad. They'll give you more details.
"Remember, follow orders in everything you do during the mission. Your performance determines everything."
"Understood."
Su Ran took the badge and put it on, then installed the terminal attachment. Following the directions, he arrived at assembly area three, a place resembling a training ground behind the headquarters.
More than a dozen squads were already gathering and preparing there. The atmosphere was serious and busy. Su Ran soon found the squad he had been assigned to.
The leader, Rex, was a burly man nearly two meters tall, with a broad, fleshy face and an enormous tower shield slung over his shoulder. His aura was steady and fierce.
The other three members were a female Lv.4 [Gale Archer] with sharp eyes; a Lv.4 [Elementalist] who specialized in frost and seemed rather quiet;
And a Lv.3 [Cleric Apprentice] who provided support and healing but also knew a few offensive divine spells. He was a somewhat nervous youth with freckles on his face.
"The new Mage? Su Ran?"
Rex's voice boomed like a great bell. He looked Su Ran up and down, his gaze lingering a moment longer on the staff on his back and the headband on his forehead.
"I'm Rex, the leader. This is Alina, our Archer; Karl, our Elementalist; and Xiaoguang, our Cleric Apprentice.
"Our squad needs a reliable magic damage dealer at its core who can also control the field. I hope you can fill that role. Enough talk. Over the next few hours, we'll do some basic practice to coordinate and communicate."
Rex was a man of swift and decisive action. He immediately led the squad to a designated mock-combat area at the edge of the assembly area.
The practice was simple: formation and positioning in a simulated encounter, basic hand signals and verbal commands, simple cover and alternating fire, and, most importantly, building trust.
Rex held the front, Alina and Karl took the two wings as ranged attackers, and Xiaoguang provided support from the center.
Su Ran was assigned a position slightly farther back with a clear field of view, responsible for the main spell damage and, when needed, controlling the field with the Tiger Might Headband.
The group practiced the most basic formations for advancing, defending, focusing fire, and retreating.
Su Ran demonstrated good teamwork. He never took anyone else's position, chose clear targets for his attacks, and timed his casting to match his teammates' rhythm.
The power of his [Energy Missiles] made both Alina and Karl take notice. Then, at the right moment, he cast [Light Spell] to dispel a simulated area of darkness.
After he also used [Lesser Healing Spell] to quickly heal Xiaoguang's simulated injury, the squad members regarded him with a little more approval.
"Not bad. The basic coordination is fine. As for advanced techniques and adapting in actual combat, we'll deal with those on the battlefield."
Rex checked the time. "Pack up. We leave in five minutes!"
There was no more idle talk.
They checked their respective equipment and supplies—the guild had issued basic combat rations, clean water, and three portions of general-purpose antidote and healing ointment—then boarded the reinforced transport vehicle arranged by the guild.
The vehicle drove out of the Iron Cross headquarters, passed through the Inner Ring District, and headed out of the city.
The compartment was rather quiet. Apart from the roar of the engine, there were only the faint sounds of the squad members checking their equipment or resting with their eyes closed.
Su Ran watched the city scenery fly past the window, knowing that his peaceful days of grinding dungeons had come to an end for the time being.