073 An Improvised Trio

"—A Rank Exam?"

After I’d finished off the Golems and pocketed the reward, the guild receptionist hit me with those words.

When I’d first registered as an adventurer, the exam had been waived—likely because I was a noble, or perhaps because I’d captured Boudan. However, it turned out I still had to pass a test to officially finalize my promotion to B-class Rank.

"Y-yes... I-if you don't take it, your registration will expire."

"Yeah?"

"H-hyee!"

I’d only meant to offer a short grunt of acknowledgment, but apparently, my attitude was terrifying.

Good grief, what a massive pain in the neck.

That said, I wanted to keep my adventurer credentials. They allowed me to cross borders without revealing my identity as a noble, and they were a requirement for events like the Adventurer Tournament. Plus, considering the Calamity that was bound to strike sooner or later, the Adventurer's Guild’s information network was a tool I couldn't afford to ignore.

But still...

"I don't like it," I muttered.

I turned to relay the news to Cynthia and Lilith, who were sitting at a table in the back of the guild hall.

"U-um," the receptionist stammered.

"What?"

"Your companions, Cynthia-sama and Lilith-sama, also passed their aptitude tests previously... but their Rank Exams are still outstanding as well..."

"Aaaah?"

"H-hyee!"

Look, I’ll say it again: I’m just nodding along here.

I knew this woman was just a receptionist and wasn't the one making the rules. I eventually managed to relay the situation to the girls, but they both seemed fine with whatever I decided.

"Still, considering our plans for the future, it would be better to get it over with, wouldn't it?" Cynthia asked.

"Well, I suppose so."

While Noblesse Oblige was centered around the Academy, we often had to venture out into the world. Naturally, we’d be heading to other countries for various events eventually.

"I have no objections. I shall follow Weiss-sama in all things," Lilith replied.

Her loyalty was as unwavering as ever. It was enough to make me feel a swell of pride.

The specifics of these exams tended to vary by country; sometimes you had to duel an examiner, other times you had to track down a specific item.

"U-um..."

"Huh?"

"Hi, hi, a, ae, a..."

"...What is it?"

"Weiss-sama is only responding to you, so there is no need to be so frightened," Lilith offered helpfully.

See? Lilith gets it. I’m just... socially awkward.

"I-is that so?! O-oh, thank goodness... Um, well, about the exam... Partly due to the current needs of this country, the next one is scheduled to begin later today..."

"Aaaaahn!?"

"H-hyeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!"

Seriously, am I really that scary?

---

"Alright, that should be everyone for the B-class Rank. I'm Vance. Let’s get to it."

Reluctantly—truly, deeply reluctantly—I’d shown up for the exam.

I’d thought it would be fine as long as I had Cynthia and Lilith with me, but since their ranks were still low, they were sent to a different testing site. In other words, I was—gulp—all alone.

I have no problem purging villains, but I’m absolutely pathetic at playing nice with others. I’m especially prone to putting up my guard when I’m surrounded by people I don't recognize from the Original Story.

God, I hate being around people.

"Hey, isn't that guy Weiss? The one who won the tournament?"

"For real? He looks even cooler in person."

"I heard he has a devil under his Subjugation. And he’s a noble, to boot. Amazing, right?"

At times like this, having unusually high magic power was a curse; it made my hearing too sharp. It sounded like they were praising me, but I had no idea how to react.

Well, at least my plan is working.

The name "Weiss the Sloth" was a thing of the past. I didn't need it anymore. If they’d been insulting me, I would have either killed them or pretended not to hear, but praise... praise was harder.

"Wait, aren't his ears turning red?"

"Yeah, his cheeks too. Is he getting fired up for the exam?"

"Damn, he’s so cool."

...Shut up. Don't praise me.

"Before we start the exam, you'll need to form trios," the examiner, Vance, announced. "The head-count should be exactly right for it."

Good grief. If he says something like that, a crowd is going to swarm me.

...Actually, that would be fine. I could just pick the strongest ones.

"Nice to meet you! I'm a swordsman!"

"I'm a tank! Let's do this!"

"I'm a healer. What a perfect team!"

Contrary to my expectations, teams began forming all around me at lightning speed.

...Why?

If I were in their shoes, I’d be trying to recruit me first—

No... wait. I see.

Most adventurers were commoners. Nobles generally didn't feel the need to put themselves in harm's way. And in this world, a noble’s title carried terrifying weight. To a commoner, a noble was nothing but a walking disaster. If they accidentally offended me, or if I claimed they’d "injured my honor," they wouldn't stand a chance. It wasn't uncommon for people to be framed in staged altercations and sentenced to death just to satisfy a noble's whim.

In short, they were terrified to even look at me.

...Does this mean I have to be the one to ask?

But the thought of saying, "Um, can I join your group?" made me want to curl up and die. Would a command work? "You. Let me in."

No, that feels too much like a stereotypical arrogant noble. I hate that.

Damn it, what am I supposed to—?

Just then, I locked eyes with a familiar face. His eyes widened in surprise before he gave me a sheepish, awkward grin.

Wait... did I just feel a wave of relief? No, must be my imagination.

"H-hey, Weiss."

"...Yo, Runner-up. I beat you into the dirt; is your body actually healed already?"

"I couldn't even leave the inn for three days. But Shari managed to patch me up. Though... my body still kind of screams if I move too fast."

The guy twitching and moving with all the grace of a broken puppet was, indeed—Allen.

Why was he here? Well, I knew he was in this country, but still... He really was a protagonist. His recovery speed was cheating. Even after the brutal beatdown I’d given him, his "Passive" was still carrying him.

Actually, it wasn't just that. With a Gift like his, the side effects alone should have left him bedridden.

"Why are you... alone?" I asked.

Why didn't this guy have a team? Even if he was the runner-up, everyone in this country should know how strong he was. Unlike me, he was a commoner; he should have been the most popular guy in the room.

Allen rubbed the back of his head, looking embarrassed. "I-I don't really know. I tried talking to a few groups, but they just told me to 'get lost, kid'..."

"I see."

Right. Everyone here is an adult.

To them, kids like us probably all looked the same. Plus, Allen’s face during a fight was completely different from his usual "lost puppy" expression. My performance in the finals probably overshadowed him, too.

Hmph. Typical protagonist-mob character.

"...Well, you are just a brat, after all."

"But Weiss, you're alone too—"

"Shut up. Don't lump me in with you."

I cut him off before he could finish the sentence. If he didn't finish it, it wasn't true. I was absolutely not a loner.

"Anyway, I'm glad I found you," Allen said. "Duke and Shari are in a different exam, so I was feeling a bit nervous."

"What, they're here for the exam too?"

"Yeah. I've been soloing quite a few quests lately, so my rank shot up."

In that case, they’re probably with Cynthia and Lilith.

"So, Weiss, do you already have a team?"

"...No, I'm still weighing my options. Assessing potential combat power is vital, after all."

"I-I see. That makes sense..."

Good grief, he’s making that puppy-dog face again. He really does remind me of Debi.

"Hey, kid! Want to join us?" a random adventurer called out to someone else.

"For real?!"

"Yeah, let’s give it our best!"

Teams were being finalized all over the room. Damn this system.

I hate this. I really hate this, but...

"Fine. Can't be helped, Allen. I feel sorry for you, so I'll let you team up with me."

"Really?! Oh, thank god..."

"Hmph. Just make sure you pull your weight."

"Of course!"

Phew. Well, whatever.

Even a protagonist-mob guy could be useful once in a while. And at least he was cheerful when he wasn't trying to kill me.

Now, the problem was the third member. The examiner said the numbers were even, which meant if I just waited, someone was bound to be left over.

"W-Weiss-kun?"

"Huh?"

I turned around to find a trembling girl. She was clutching a staff that was nearly as tall as she was, looking for all the world like a frightened kitten.

Why is SHE here?

"Carta? What the hell are you doing here?"

"E-err, I’m here for the exam..."

"...And you're alone?"

"Y-yes. Everyone said I was too small and wouldn't let me join. I didn't know what I was going to do... nihehe."

Carta broke into a beaming smile. She and Allen really were cut from the same cloth.

...Can't be helped.

"Fine. Carta, you're with us."

"Eeeh?! Thank you so much! Yay!"

"Carta-san, I'm Allen. We didn't really talk much at the Academy, but I'm looking forward to working with you!"

"Same here, Allen-kun!"

Seeing those two interact was... fresh, to say the least. In the Original Story, Carta dropped out and never had anything to do with Allen. I suppose looking at this as an unreleased "Side Story" wasn't so bad.

"So, did you come here by yourself?" I asked.

"No, Cecil-san and Olynn-san are here too. Their exam is—"

"Stop. I don't need you to finish that sentence. I get it."

"Eh? Oh, okay."

I cut her off. So basically, the whole gang was here.

Seriously, what is this? Is this the 'Fate' of the Noblesse?

"Alright, looks like everyone’s settled," Vance announced. "The trios you've just formed will be heading into the Water Dungeon. Your objective is simple: bring back a Siren's Magic Core, and you pass."

The room erupted in an instant.

"Are you kidding?! A Siren?!"

"The Water Dungeon? Isn't the difficulty on that place insane?"

"Damn it, we drew the short straw!"

Dungeons—mysterious structures whose origins remained unknown. Some said they were remnants of the Demon King, others claimed they were ancient relics; even the Original Story never gave a straight answer. More importantly, I remembered the Siren being a total nightmare. I’d seen the "Game Over" screen more than a few times because of that thing.

This Vance guy looked like a peaceful middle-aged man, but he was a sadist.

The other examinees were panicking, some even shouting about wanting to forfeit.

"...A Dungeon," Allen muttered. "It's my first time, but let's do our best."

"It's my first time too! I'm so nervous!" Carta chirped. "I wonder if there’s enough room to fly?"

"I don't know... probably not," Allen replied.

"Eeeh?!"

Unlike everyone else, those two looked like they were heading to an amusement park.

Hmph. For this one brief moment, I’m actually glad you two are on my team.

"Allen, Carta. We're finishing this as fast as humanly possible. I don't intend to lose to anyone here."

"Eh? But Weiss-kun, it’s not a race!?"

"Just treat it like part of the test."

If I was going to do this, there was no point unless I took first place. We were strong; just "clearing" it would be boring.

"—Weiss, I'm with you," Allen said, his expression hardening.

"Eeeh? Allen-kun, you too?!"

"Hmph. I guess our opinions finally managed to align for once?"

"I guess so."

Allen had lost his home and family to monsters. His hatred was likely even deeper than mine. Not that it was any of my business, but he had my sympathy.

"Then let's go. I’m leaving any dead weight behind."

"—Understood."

Carta seemed to have caught the mood; she dropped her easygoing smile and steeled her gaze. Good. I was starting to miss the coward she used to be.

I was pretty sure I’d cleared the Water Dungeon in the Original Story. I didn't remember every detail, but the difficulty was definitely high. This would be the perfect chance to see just how well my skills held up in a real Dungeon.

---

Meanwhile, Cynthia and Lilith...

"I'm Nell! Nice to meet you!"

"Oh, hello. Have we met somewhere before...?"

"Nell-san, it’s a pleasure to work with you!"

They had formed a team with Nell—a girl with white hair and long, pointed ears.