After concluding his discussion with Gran in the meeting room regarding the nomination request scheduled for a week later, Rei descended the guild stairs. Having ostensibly accepted the job with a show of reluctance, he turned over ideas for how to spend the intervening days.
"Ah, Rei-kun. You're the last one down. Did something happen?"
Spotting him, Kenny called out at once. However, Rei could hardly discuss the Duke's Daughter or the sensitive details of the mission in the middle of a crowded hall, so he offered a vague excuse to gloss over it.
"We were just discussing the rank-up exam. It was my first time acting as a party leader, after all."
"I see. But you really are a solo adventurer, aren't you, Rei-kun? Now that you've reached D-Rank, don't you think it’s time to find a party? The requests are only going to get more dangerous from here on out."
"Honestly, Kenny, how rude. Rei-san has his own reasons for how he operates," Lenora scolded from beside her.
"What? Are you saying you’re fine with Rei-kun staying solo, Lenora?"
"I'm not saying that. I'm saying it's unprofessional for us, as guild staff, to meddle in his affairs."
"I get it, I get it. Good grief, you’re so stiff. That’s why everyone says you lack any feminine softness."
Kenny muttered the last part just loud enough to carry. Lenora’s eyebrows shot up instantly.
"Kenny! That was uncalled for. Just who exactly is saying such things?"
"Oh, no one in particular. Just... everyone."
Kenny’s tone was blatantly provocative. Naturally, Lenora wasn't about to let that slide, and their usual playful bickering ensued.
Fortunately, it was the middle of the afternoon, and the guild hall was mostly empty. The few adventurers present were tucked away in the tavern, enjoying late lunches or afternoon drinks. They likely wouldn't have dared to trade barbs like this during the early morning or evening rushes when the guild overflowed with people.
"Well, you two seem busy, so I'll be taking my leave. See ya."
"Wait, Rei-kun! This big sister was going to treat you to a rank-up celebration—"
"Kenny! You are still on the clock!"
Lenora cut her off sharply. Kenny had likely heard the news that everyone had passed the rank-up exam from the other examinees who had come down earlier.
Leaving their voices behind him, Rei stepped out of the guild.
"Gruluuu."
He was greeted by the soft cry of Seto, who was currently being petted by a group of children. Among them was the boy who had tried to offer the gryphon dried meat before the exam began.
"Ah, big brother! Look, Seto is eating the dried meat now!" the boy reported happily when he saw Rei.
Rei watched as Seto rubbed its head against him. He reached out to scratch the gryphon behind the ears, a genuine smile—not his usual wry one—touching his lips.
"That's good to hear. Well, we have to get going now. Is that alright with you guys?"
"Yeah! See you later, Seto!"
As the boy ran off into the city, the other children shouted their goodbyes to the pair and chased after him. Rei watched them go, his hand still resting on Seto’s back.
"You've become quite the local celebrity, haven't you?"
"Guruu."
"Well then, let's head back to the inn. Still... I have to figure out how to spend this next week."
Gran had requested that Rei avoid subjugation requests if possible, though he hadn't strictly forbidden them. Perhaps he could take a gathering request instead. Turning these thoughts over in his mind, the man and the beast made their way toward the Dusk Wheat Inn, which had effectively become their permanent residence.
On the way, they stopped at the stalls to buy various snacks. Since Rei could store anything they couldn't finish in his Misty Ring, he never had to worry about food going cold or rotting. He could shop as much as he liked without hesitation.
Having contributed to the local economy as usual, they arrived at the Dusk Wheat Inn. Rei left Seto in the stables and stepped inside, only to be stopped in his tracks by an unexpected sight.
"Ah, Rei! Over here! You took forever, what was the hold-up?" Filma called out, nursing a cup of wine.
"You certainly took your time," Superbia added, looking up from a bowl of hearty meat stew.
Schola was as studious as ever, buried in a spellbook and completely oblivious to Rei’s arrival. Arrogan sat with them as well, pointedly looking away while stuffing his face with grilled skewers.
"Surprised? Our surprise party was a success!" Culotte greeted him with a smug, triumphant grin.
"...What is all this?" Rei asked, approaching the table.
"What do you think? It's a rank-up celebration! You can't let an occasion like this pass without a little noise."
"I wasn't told anything about a party."
"Well, obviously. You were still stuck in the meeting room when we decided on it."
Realizing the plan had been hatched during his private audience with Gran, Rei took an empty seat. As if on cue, Lana appeared and set a cup of wine down in front of him.
"Rei-san, congratulations on passing the rank-up exam."
"Yeah, thanks. I managed somehow."
"Alright, now that Rei has his drink... Come on, Rei. You're the party leader, so do your job and lead the toast!"
Pushed by Culotte’s insistence, Rei let out a small sigh and raised his cup.
"To the fact that everyone in our group passed the rank-up exam safely, and to our future success as adventurers... Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
For once, even Arrogan joined in the shout without complaint.
"Still, that exam was something else," Culotte said, her brow furrowing slightly as she spoke. "Physically it was one thing, but it was a real drain on the nerves."
The alcohol might have been helping, but her tone suggested she had finally processed the weight of having taken human lives.
"I agree," Filma said. "That wasn't exactly a pleasant experience."
Though she had maintained her composure during the fighting, the mental pressure of the mission had clearly taken its toll.
"Anyway, sorry! I didn't mean to turn this into a pity party. Let's change the subject. Does everyone have plans for what they're doing now that we’re D-Rank? As for me..."
Culotte trailed off, glancing briefly at Arrogan and Schola.
"I've decided to form a party with these two."
The bombshell left Rei blinking in surprise.
"Hey! You didn't have to tell them that!" Arrogan snapped.
"Why not? We're the comrades who ranked up together! We're practically classmates."
"...I thought you two were at each other's throats over the rewards," Rei noted. "When did this happen?"
The answer came not from the bickering pair, but from Schola, who had finally put down his spellbook to eat.
"Actually, that was the catalyst."
"The arguing?"
"Exactly. They were arguing over the loot and somehow realized they hit it off. Things just snowballed from there."
Superbia, who had been listening, turned to Schola. "Are you really okay with this? You're part of the party too, aren't you?"
Schola gave a small nod. "Culotte and I are a thief and a mage. We've known for a while that we were lacking in the vanguard. If it was just the two of us, Culotte would have to take the front line, and while she's capable, she's still a thief. She lacks the defensive power and the finishing blow. Having a strong warrior like Arrogan join us is actually a relief."
"But what about their compatibility?" Filma asked with a wry smile, watching Arrogan and Culotte continue their playful bickering.
"Well, they say birds of a feather flock together."
"I just hope it doesn't turn into a case of like hating like," Rei muttered.
The comment seemed to hit home; whether it was the truth of the statement or the alcohol, Schola, Superbia, and Filma all burst into laughter.
"So the three of us are teaming up," Schola continued, "but what about you three? Between Superbia as a warrior, Rei as a magic warrior who can handle both ranges, and Filma as a rearguard with spirit magic and a bow, your balance would be perfect."
"It's an interesting thought," Superbia admitted, finishing his wine and ordering an ale from Lana. "But if I were to form a party with this group, I’d want to be able to at least hold my own against Rei. I wouldn't want to be dead weight."
His pride as a warrior clearly wouldn't allow him to be carried by someone significantly stronger.
"I see... I wouldn't mind it myself," Filma said. "What do you think, Rei?"
Rei shook his head slightly. "Whether I want to form a party or not, I can't for a while."
"Oh? Why's that?"
Sensing the curiosity of the group—including Arrogan and Culotte, who had stopped their bickering—Rei decided he could trust them enough to speak.
"I've accepted a rather difficult request. I don't know how long it's going to take, so any talk of parties will have to wait until that's settled."
"Ah, was that why you were the only one kept behind in the meeting room?" Culotte asked.
Rei nodded. "Yeah. I just made D-Rank and I've already been handed a nomination request."
"Well, considering your strength, I suppose it's not that surprising," Superbia said with a shrug.
Superbia had sparred with Rei almost every day during the exam, both on the way to the bandit stronghold and on the return trip. Having witnessed Rei’s prowess firsthand, he saw a nomination request as a natural consequence of such combat power.
"Besides, acting as the party leader this time taught me that I'm really not cut out for group dynamics," Rei added. "I'm done with being a leader, at the very least."
"I know you're strong enough to manage as a solo, but isn't that a bit lonely?" Culotte asked.
"I appreciate the concern, but I have my partner Seto with me. A team of one man and one gryphon will do just fine for now."
In truth, Seto was already a formidable monster on its own, but with the various skills it had acquired from magic stones, its combat potential likely rivaled an A-Rank adventurer.
Plus, if I have to worry about splitting magic stones, being solo is the only real choice, Rei thought as he ate a piece of poison toad meat.
Just then, the door to the Dusk Wheat Inn opened, and two people walked in. They headed straight for the examinees' table.
"We heard the news at the guild. Congratulations on the promotion."
"Congrats!"
The newcomers were a mage and a bow user whose faces Rei knew well.
"Sulnin and Ekryl. It's been a while. Thanks for looking after Seto while I was gone."
"Think nothing of it. We were the ones who were helped, after all. Do you mind if we join you?"
Rei glanced at his companions, and seeing no objections, he pulled up chairs for them.
"Still, D-Rank already? At this rate, you'll catch up to us in a heartbeat."
"Ma'am! An ale for me and my friend here," Ekryl called out to Lana. "And some snacks, whatever's good!"
Filma looked between the newcomers and Rei. "Rei, are these people...?"
"Yeah. This is Sulnin and Ekryl from Scorching Wind. We met during an orc subjugation. By the way, where’s Mirene? Is she not with you today?"
"Ah... about that," Sulnin said, scratching his cheek with a sheepish grin. Rei could already guess the answer.
"The stables, I take it?"
"Yes. We heard you were back yesterday, and it seems the thought of parting with Seto was just too much for her."
"So she’s currently barricaded in with him. Well, whatever. If we keep drinking here, she’ll turn up eventually."
"Most likely," Sulnin agreed. "In any case, to celebrate your promotion, the tab is on us tonight."
"Are you sure? You were saying you were broke not long ago."
"Don't worry. Thanks to Seto, we managed to take down a Treant without breaking a sweat. We're quite flush at the moment."
With that, the celebration dissolved into a full-blown banquet. Over the course of the night, the members of Scorching Wind hit it off with Filma and the others, beginning a relationship where the veteran adventurers would look after the rookies for a long time to come.