Filling the blank spots in the form which was about basic questions such as the full name of the applicant, date of birth, address, the motive for applying for a Guardian License, national number, etc. Virus once again handed the form back to her. Meanwhile, she was drinking water from her bottle.
After receiving the form, just as she does all the time, in order to sate her own curiosity, the receptionist naturally took a quick glance at the ‘motive for applying for a Guardian License’.
PFFFFT!
But the next instant, everything within her mouth was spilled out as she gazed over at Virus dumbfoundedly.
She was so speechless because this was the first time she had seen such a weird motivation for wanting to be a Guardian.
‘Entertainment.’
That was the only word that was written in that particular section. Indeed, sitting behind the desk and having accepted many application forms before, she could boldly say that she had seen all types of reasons such as ‘for justice’, ‘for wanting to be famous’, ‘for fighting against evil’, ‘for wanting to be rich’, ‘for revenge’, ‘for defending humanity’, and many others!
Yet… this was the first time she had seen such a simple yet strange motivation. Entertainment.
No matter, gazing back at Virus’s currently chuckling eyes, she got the inexplicable sensation as if the target of her attention was a mere kid who was obsessed with nothing but games that would entertain and engage him!
“Ah, Mr. Goodwin-“
“You can call me Vic.”
“Ah, yes. Vic… I-I mean, Victor, is this truly the reason for you wanting to be a Guardian? Simply… entertainment?” She inquired doubtfully.
She didn’t believe, not even for a single second, that someone would be crazy enough to throw himself into the raging war of terrifying monsters of the rift which apparently desired nothing but the eradication of the entire human race for such an absurd yet ludicrous rationale as ‘entertainment’.
Meanwhile, after a few seconds of silence, turning rather serious, the dark-haired youth finally uttered, “Hmm… entertainment, as long as we’re able to live and survive comfortably, isn’t that the reason for everything?”
“W-what?” The receptionist could swear at this point that she’d encountered a madman this time.
Not paying any heed to her gaze which was as if she was looking at an insane man, Virus’ serious face seemed to melt away as it was replaced with a peal of unconstrained laughter, “Hahaha, just kidding, I just wrote the first word that came to my mind. My real motivation is to fight for justice by being evil!”
“Huh?” At this time, the receptionist, at last, felt like she was being teased and played with for the last minute or two. So pouting slightly, she voiced helplessly, “Sigh, Victor… you were teasing me again. Okay, okay, you don’t want to tell us your real motivation for wanting to be a Guardian. That’s fine. We’ll just go with ‘Entertainment’ then.”
After that, handing over a piece of paper, she explained, “This is like your entrance ticket for the Guardian Examinations which is fifteen days later. You can return at the time and participate in the exams.”
“Hmm, why can’t I take it right away?” Virus preferred to take the evaluation tests right away if possible.
“That’s because the exams require professional Guardians and as I’m sure you’re aware already, professional Guardians are busy and expensive. Therefore, they come once a month just to assist with the exams.” She clarified.
“Oh, I see. Is there anything else I need to know?”
Hearing the question, recalling something, she didn’t hesitate to offer him an examination guide booklet in return before exclaiming with a chuckle, “Just take a look at this, everything you need to know is written in here. Oh, right! You can also pay your examination fee upfront.”
“I see. And how much is that?”
“Eh, you don’t know yet? It’s $100,000.”
Immediately, an indistinct frown found its way on the dark-haired man’s forehead. “Isn’t that a bit too much? I mean, how are normal people supposed to get their Guardian License if even the examination fee is exorbitant like that?”
“Umm, well, it’s true that normal people wouldn’t be able to pay that by themselves alone. But there’s no helping it since a large percentage of that goes to the hired Guardian examiners while the rest goes to the American Abnormals Association.”
Not ending her elucidation there, she added, “But it’s not like there are no ways for normal people to pay either.”
“What do you mean?”
“Hmm, I’m only aware of two of the methods by which even normal abnormals can pay for the examination fees. First, there are special places that lend high-interest loans to abnormals who are about to take their Guardian evaluations. This option is rather risky. But then again, if you pass the evaluation indeed and if you are a decent abnormal with a desirable potential, paying back wouldn’t be that much of a hassle.”
After that, before Virus could question again, she went ahead and started talking about the second method, “And the alternative is to get the backing and support of one of the guilds. If you can make one of the guilds fancy you in these remaining fifteen days, you wouldn’t have a problem in paying since they’ll do it for you in exchange for a certain contract. I recommend this method, but unfortunately, it’s too hard to enter the eyes of top-class Guilds.”
Putting a business card on the counter next, she whispered, “Since I like you quite a lot, I suggest you go to this place and get a loan from them. Its interest rate is probably the lowest amongst such organizations.”
“Hahaha, although I’m quite honored you’ve come to like this humble me, there’s no need for it.” Pushing back the business card, Virus shoved a particular debit card in her direction instead. “I’ll pay upfront, you can withdraw all of it at once.”
Of course, having already predicted such a situation, the debit card was not his own pitch-black full of grandeur [Virus] card since that would naturally attract too much attention and might even lead to the revelation of his true identity.
This debit card was the one he had requested from the CEO ugly before and then received it from his driver, Mark Sanchez.
