Chương 48: A New Way - 4

Traveling Attractions were joint ventures between a guild and a merchant. They were meant to visit several 'zones of attraction' in a bid to serve some kind of purpose; sometimes that purpose was to spread a new product developed by a guild. Other times, it was to promote a new — person relevant — law or treatise. Other times yet, like on their occasion, it was to search for employees.

"If they're seeking candidates on an academy campus, it must be nothing special," Lance dismissed the Traveling Attraction.

"Not that we shouldn't listen to what they have to say," he added hastily, least Penn thought him too stuck-up to listen to what others had to say.

"Oh, you're such a stick-in-the-mud, Lance," Penn told the truth the way it was, that was one of the things he appreciated about her, despite her 'alternative' appearance.

"But, yeah, let's see. Oh! Looks like they're from the Planetary Defense Council. Now I'm really curious!" His interest was piqued, too. He hadn't before heard of the Defense Council recruiting directly from academies, before. What could they possible gain from taking on inexperienced late teens, early twenty-somethings? A man from the wagon jumped off and began setting up his pitching displays and podium. Lance vaguely recognized the man as one of Frank's assistants, but he forgot the man's name.

It wasn't long before a large crowd had gathered, including professors. Lance wondered if that was the real goal, here, to attract professors? If so, why wouldn't they simply contact said professors directly? None of this made sense. Finally, with their displays arranged and he tired of second and third guessing why the Planetary Defense Council was recruiting, he shut his mind and listened:"Greetings, I am relished by all of those I see in the crowd today.

My name is Joshua and I thank everyone here for listening to what I have to say!" That was the man's name, Josh! Lance had only met the man one time and that was during his father's 'incident.' He was as capable as any warrior and had sworn himself to Frank's righthand. He had suffered greatly for his dedication during their time of crisis with Lance's father cursing him to terrible effect and Josh having nearly gone mad with tormented figments of his imagination.

Josh continued: "All of you are curious as to what we have to say, no doubt! All of you have heard of the great undertaking to defend our world from the Cosmic Horror, yes? All of you have heard that many nations and countries are uniting under a common defensive banner for the international good. Yes! But have you heard of the logistical struggles we face in doing so? Ah, this, it seems, you have not heard of, so let me tell you!" This text was taken from Royal Road.

Help the author by reading the original version there. Penn leaned in and whispered in his ear.

"They're recruiting clerks, huh?" She giggled.

"Why such fanfare?" Lance shook his head.

"I truly don't know." And he didn't, either. It seemed like an immense waste of resources. By the end of Joshua's speech, over half the crowd had left, signaling to all of them that few people were interested in glorified clerking. When all who seemed interested had paid a visit or gone, Lance approached and introduced himself: "It's fine if you don't remember me. Things were hectic back then."

"Oh, no, I remember you!" Josh told him.

"You were the hero that saved us from the hero. I wouldn't forget. I had no idea you went here. Can I tempt a brave Paladin with a summer job clerking?" He laughed and smiled.

"I think my summer is going to be taken up with Paladin stuff. My dad's already going to train me every weekend to help me prepare for the coming fight. He wouldn't be impressed if I took up paper sorting!" Josh snorted.

"You know, I agree with ya, lad! And I don't want to see the wrong side of your father, again, so consider the offer withdrawn! What about you, young lady, you look like you're in need of a summer gig. How about it?"

"My family comes from modest means. I am interested, yes. Might you a pamphlet I can have?" Penn Vic asked.

"I sure do — heck, take one of each!" Josh handed her a number of pamphlets. Each folded piece of paper contained information on a different part of the Council's recruiting efforts. Lance was surprised at the number of positions they offered.

"Wow! These look interesting," Penn said.

"I am a support occupation as a Deity Champion. Is there anything of a higher paid position which would match Farseer and Technician?" This time the sound Josh made was an impressed whistle.

"Now that's a combo! To be considered Council material, though, you would need a lot better mastery over your Skills, need more levels, yeah. You're on your way, though. Keep us in mind when you graduate." Lance didn't say, 'if you graduate' since if they weren't able to defeat the Cosmic Horror at the year's new birth, they all would all perish horribly. He knew when not to be a party pooper, not the least because of his own experience in partying.

"I will — promise!" Once Josh moved to another part of campus and renewed his recruitment pitch, Penn Vic and he moved to the side of the campus green.

"You seemed really taken in by Joshua's remarks," he told her.

"Well, who wouldn't want to work for the Council? They have the strongest people around and they fight to protect the world from evil, no matter where evil shows itself. That sounds like a worthy organization to join to me!"

"I don't doubt you," Lance replied.

"They are good people who do good work. It's not the most lucrative work, though. I figured your father wouldn't want you to join a civil service." Penn smiled.

"Maybe he wouldn't, Lance. My life is my own, though."

"And you want to be a clerk?" he smiled. He knew already Penn wasn't suited for a desk job. Not one shoveling papers, anyway. He only liked to tease her because he could — as her friend.

"Maybe not clerking, but something like it," she replied, a twinkle in her eye as she lingered on a position within the pamphlet entitled, 'Eye in the Sky.'