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He'd expected this. Or something like this, at any rate. A trial to weed out the weak from the strong. Even if the 'Order of the Lake' claimed differently, even if they didn't sort their recruits by marketability and allegedly wanted valor over vigor, it wouldn't change the fact that they wouldn't have any need for feeble heroes. It was exactly why the beginning of the recruits' assessment, as the commander had put it, was not a lengthy interview or an essay or a hypothetical trolley discussion... but this, a physical test. 

While both of his hands were stuffed into his pockets Cade clenched and unclenched his fists, feeling the knuckles in his right pop from an old break. This assessment was something he was prepared for. He'd looked into this guild, and even if the specifics of their recruitment process weren't made public there were plenty of others from different guilds that were. He knew it wouldn't be that much different. Cade was fit, focused, [i]determined.[/i] It was going to be a piece of cake.

[i]'You will act as a team.'[/i] 

Except for that part. That was the kicker, because really? A team? With this mess? Hell, some of them weren't even taking this seriously - did they want to join the guild or not? He had to wonder if they'd flunked out of other guilds or just Awakened like, yesterday. That giant long haired guy seemed to the only stranger with common sense, but then again look at how he was [i]dressed[/i]. Like some vintage comic book character!

It was a little irksome, being expected to work together with all of them. Cade was sure his annoyance was showing on his face, so he breathed in deep through his nose, held it in.

[color=8B98F2]"I don't know what you find so funny about this,"[/color] he said with his exhale, icy eyes sweeping over lunch girl, hooded lady, and beach bum. 

It was quite clear that Cade was not here for fun. He stood stiffly to one side of the group, dressed as he usually was nowadays in long pants and coat, none of his skin showing save for his pale face. He flicked his head up lightly, shifting his multi-colored bangs. All the better to look down his nose at the other recruits. 

While other questions were asked, practical and stupid ones, Cade glanced at the only person in the room he actually could rely on in a team. Her bright red hair was unmissable, but there was also the fact that she stood not far away from him. When their eyes met, a silent message was communicated to CC. [i]We've got this.[/i] There was no way Cade was letting anyone else beat him in this trial, sure that the proctors would be taking individual skill into account far more than stated, and if it was teamwork they wanted then he need not look further than his own family. 

Once everyone was finished Cade looked back at the group that would be grading their performances - Hensley, Brandt, and Redd. Figures he vaguely knew the faces of but little else besides what scant information he could find online amid the rumors. He flexed his fingers one more time before drawing his hands from his coat. He flashed them a smile, one tighter and sharper than he'd meant for, and finally asked his own question. [color=8B98F2]"Can we get started already?"[/color]