Chapter 9 - C-Rank Examination
「You guys. ......」
The man with the bitter look on his face, a guild employee, must have thought we were a nuisance after the earlier commotion.
But Alec didn't seem to mind, and presented his adventurer card to the counter.
「This adventurer card can be used here?」
「Yes, you're Alec-san, aren't you? Rank D, right?」
The staff member looked at the card and at Alec.
「How is it?」
「Yes, you can use it. However, you can't enter the Labyrinth of No Return by yourself.」
「What the hell?」
「Oh, please don't be violent, okay? It's another rule for adventurers, you know. The quality of the treasure is good, but the level of difficulty is also high. If a D rank amateur like you dives in there, it's like asking to die. Please start from another dungeon.」
「Then let me take the C-rank test.」
He didn't even look at me when I invited him, but now that he knows that Alec needs it, he seems to be on board. By the way, I'm a B-rank adventure, so I'll be fine even if Alec fails the exam. I can also enter the Labyrinth of No Return.
「Fuhh, I'm going to charge you 300 gold for the exam. There's no refund if you fail, so don't worry.」
The staff member explained in a curt manner.
「That'll do. That's for three people.」
Alec produces a single silver coin. Ione is already rank C, so Alec, Meena and Lily can take it.
「That's fine. Here's your change. I'll call you later, so please wait a moment.」
「Also, how much does this sell for?」
When he put the jewel on the counter, the color of the staff's eyes changed.
「Oooh. Wait a minute. Let's see, there was a quest ......, here it is. Jewel (small), 15,000.」
It seems that the jewel can be sold for a high price anywhere. Alec said they fetch even higher prices at auctions.
「Okay, I'll stop. I'll just take the test.」
「I see. Well, please wait over there. I'll call for you.」
We were made to wait for a bit, and then we had to have a sword fight with the examiner in the courtyard.
「Okay, let's start the exam.」
First up is Alec.
「Good luck! Alec.」
「Good luck, Erotic Old man!」
「Fight, master!」
「Fufu, good luck!」
With our cheering, Alec braced himself.
「What's the matter? If you don't slash at me, I won't be able to test you.」
「Okay.」
The examiner urged him to slash at him, but Alec's opponent seemed to have a higher level of skill and swordsmanship than he did, and he calmly flicked his sword at him.
「Damn it!」
Alec didn't go after him, but stepped back and regained his distance. It was a cautious move, but if the opponent was superior, hit and run might be the right choice.
「Mmm!」
Swinging the tip of his sword, Alec slashes again with a feint. Again, the examiner easily flipped it off with his sword, but this time Alec slashed at him in succession. Up, left, right, and right again. All of them were caught by the examiner, but it was a rhythmic attack. It must be a kata he learned at the kenjutsu dojo.
「Hou~, you've got good sense. All right, you're a C rank from today.」
The examiner seemed to approve of Alec's skill. Good.
Meena also got a pass for her good moves.
「Okay, Lily, you're next.」
「Ehh.」
「Alec, you don't have to take Lily if we're here.」
I say.
「That's right―」
「No, you don't. You don't have to pass, but you should take the test, just in case. It's important to know what you're capable of, you know?」
「Murhh.」
Lily doesn't seem convinced, but he might have a point.
「Then, Lily, why don't you take the test for a while? I'm sure the examiner won't attack you so dangerously.」
「Fine」
She didn't seem too keen on the idea, but Lily held up a Y-shaped slingshot.
「There. Oh, it missed.」
Her weapon of choice was the flying stone, but it didn't hit the examiner.
「Hahaha, if you miss, monsters and bad adventurers will come like this, you know?」
The laughing examiner raised his sword and closed the distance.
「Uhyaaa, wait! No attacks!」
「Nonono, I'm going to look at your defense too. Come on, what are you going to do?」
「Will she be okay?」
I thought uneasily. There's no way Lily can catch a sword.
「I'm sure Lily'll be fine. She's good at running away.」
「Yeah, you're right.」
I nodded at Ione's words. She would immediately play a prank and we would chase after her, but many times she would manage to escape. I don't think she has that much ability, but I wonder if she has the skill.
「Nihi, demon, over here!」
「Hey, Lily! Don't come over here, it's dangerous!」
Alec didn't like it, but Lily made a disgusting escape, hiding behind Alec.
But the examiner seemed to think it was a good idea.
「All right, that's enough, if you can get away with it, you've passed. You're not a vanguard, but you're pretty good.」
「Wow, that's high evaluation」
「Yes, it is. It's important not to get hit」
Ione says, but I see.
「Well, I guess you three have passed. Starting today, you'll be C-rank adventurer. To move up one rank to B, you need to break through a dungeon. In the Labyrinth of No Return, if you clear the fourth layer, you're good to go. However, you will not be allowed to cheat and join a higher ranked party.」
The examiner explained, but Alec said he wasn't interested in that, as long as he could get into the Labyrinth of No Return. Well, become a rank B doesn't have to be right now.
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