1 mage kill needed for induct no matter the path, 3 is required before you can choose zerker (the other paths are allowed to select immediately). So you can get the title cleared and some powers, just not BT and DB.

Otherways to not have the applicant flag are not pledging, but write a note or talk to the leaders directly. My last battle characeter had the flag for less than. 5 minutes. Or get all three mage kills then pledge. Or just don't pledge til 25 when you get truesight anyway, so at least they can't simply invis to avoid you.