Three nobles, one guard, and a guild examiner—five people in total stood before the candidates in the meeting room.
Shtie’s face paled with shock at Maruka’s final greeting—or more precisely, at the name "Quinto." Robre, meanwhile, scowled at the arrogant posturing of the noble who had introduced himself as Arnihit.
Despite the decades between Rei’s teenage years and Onz’s forties, the two shared a stoic calm, neither letting their emotions reach their faces. Rei had, of course, allowed a brief flicker of surprise to cross his features when his acquaintances, Maruka and Koan, first entered the room, but he had quickly regained his composure.
Residence, the examiner, surveyed the four candidates. While internalizing his impressions of each, he finally spoke.
"Now that the introductions for the four patrons of this Rank Up Exam are out of the way, let’s get down to business. I will now announce the details of your trial. In the grasslands a few hours' march from the City of Gilm, a pack of Bicorns has recently taken up residence. ...I’ll ask just in case, but is there anyone here unfamiliar with the monster?"
At Residence’s question, everyone nodded to indicate they were informed.
Rei followed suit, recalling the entry from a bestiary he had read.
A Bicorn was a monster often described as a subspecies of the Unicorn. In contrast to its single-horned relative, the Bicorn had two horns growing from its forehead. Unlike the Unicorn, however, Bicorns were ferocious, carnivorous, horse-type monsters. They were highly intelligent and, much like wolves, specialized in pack hunting. A lone Bicorn was a Rank D threat, but they were considered Rank C once they gathered in a group. Furthermore, the horns were coated in a lethal toxin; a single wound would result in death unless an antidote was applied within three hours. Conversely, the horns were highly prized as materials, holding value roughly equal to a Magic Stone. Their hides were also harvestable. While their meat was technically edible, it wasn't particularly flavorful, so its market price was modest. Their Proof of Subjugation Part was the tail, which fetched five silver coins. This was an exceptionally high price for a Rank D monster, reflecting both the beast's ferocity and the lethal danger of its venomous horns.
As he went over these facts, Rei felt a slight furrow touch his brow.
(A Rank D target for a B-Rank promotion? Even in a pack, they’re only Rank C at best. Something’s off.)
Under normal circumstances, it was bizarre for a test to reach Rank B—a level of skill regarded as elite—to consist of hunting Rank D or Rank C monsters. Rei turned his gaze toward Residence, but the examiner offered no correction, merely observing the candidates as they processed the news of the Bicorn Subjugation.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, you’re kidding! This is a total windfall! Rank B just for bagging some Bicorns? Did the guild decide to give me a freebie because they finally recognized my talent?"
The one muttering excitedly was Robre, the wolf beastman. He was clearly overjoyed, as the tail extending from his lower back wagged with considerable vigor.
"Wait a second, Robre. Don't you think it's strange? Why would a test to move up to Rank B be—"
"I told you, it's a gift! The guild must have taken our experience at Rank C into account. Rei, old man, you’re lucky you got to join the same exam as me."
"..."
Onz met Robre’s boasts with silence. Even after hearing the target was Bicorns, his expression didn't shift a millimeter as he kept his eyes fixed on Residence.
Rei didn't bother responding to Robre either. Instead, he looked past Residence toward the nobles standing beside him.
(Even if the Bicorn hunt is the primary task, how do the nobles factor into the evaluation? I see. The reason for facing low-rank monsters probably lies with them. I've heard that Rank B adventurers are often expected to handle requests from the nobility or even royalty... which means I’ve got nothing but a bad feeling about this.)
Rei stole a glance at Koan and Maruka. He wasn't worried about them. One was a former A-Rank adventurer, and the other possessed extraordinary magical talent.
(So, the problem is those two.)
He let out a quiet sigh and looked at Arnihit, who wore an arrogant sneer, and Orchid, who looked like he would rather be anywhere else.
Having reached the same conclusion as Rei, Shtie was also casting a searching, suspicious gaze toward the nobles.
Noticing the shift in the room, Residence, who had been silent, spoke up again.
"It seems some of you have caught on. That’s right. For this request, you will be traveling and acting in concert with the nobles gathered here."
"Huh!? Wait a minute! I can understand that former A-Rank guy, but we've got two typical nobles and a child. No matter how you look at it—"
"Silence, you. What did you just say?" Arnihit snapped, glaring at Robre with a scowl. "Our status is incomparable to beasts like you. Watch how you address your betters."
Hearing that, Robre bristled. He took clear offense at being described as a beast, and he shot back a sharp look that carried a distinct edge of murderous intent.
"Wait, Robre!"
Shtie hurriedly restrained him as the atmosphere turned explosive in seconds. At the same time, Orchid, who stood next to Arnihit, stepped in with a look of profound boredom.
"Hey now, what's the point of starting trouble here? Our goal is strictly the extermination of the Bicorns, right? Let's prioritize that."
"...If you put it that way, Orchid, I suppose I have no choice but to let it slide. Be grateful, you beast. Ordinarily, such lese-majesty would be grounds for beheading, but I shall show mercy today."
"Grrrr...!"
While watching Robre growl under his breath, Rei felt a sense of incongruity.
(I've only met her once, but I can't imagine Maruka just letting someone like Arnihit act this way. She’s popular with the residents of Duke Quento's Territory specifically because of her character. So why is she letting him run his mouth? I can understand Koan keeping quiet since he's acting as her guard, but...)
As the pieces fell into place—the Rank D Bicorns, the accompanying nobles, and the social requirements of Rank B adventurers—a single hypothesis formed in Rei’s mind.
The true test wasn't the hunt; it was whether the candidates could manage a typical, high-maintenance noble like Arnihit.
(If that's the case, I understand why he was chosen. Or maybe... he’s intentionally acting this way as part of the test?)
Daskar, Margrave Larkus, ruled the City of Gilm, and he was not the type of man to tolerate arrogance based on bloodline alone. While Rei didn't expect every local noble to follow Daskar’s example, it seemed unlikely that they would be so overtly condescending in a public setting like the guild.
However, Rei only suspected this because he already knew Maruka and Koan. For the other three, the damage was done: Robre fell into a sulky silence, Onz remained a statue, and only Shtie continued to eye the nobles with mounting suspicion.
"Now, everyone understands the details of the request... or more accurately, the Rank Up Exam, yes? The remainder of today is your preparation period. We depart tomorrow morning at nine. Gather in front of the Main Gate. Any questions?"
Shtie, the most sensible of the group, raised her hand. "How are we getting to the hunting grounds?"
"The guild will provide a carriage. However, anyone who possesses their own means of transportation is free to use it."
Residence glanced at Rei as he answered, knowing full well that Rei traveled on the back of Seto. The travel speed of a Gryphon was vastly superior to any land animal, and the gap would be even wider against a heavy carriage.
"However! I expect you to act with the understanding that this is a Rank Up Exam."
In other words, he would not permit Rei and Seto to fly ahead and annihilate the pack before the others arrived.
Rei nodded without a change in expression.
(So they definitely want us to act together with the nobles. It seems my guess was on the mark.)
"The grasslands are only a few hours away," Robre noted, pointedly ignoring Arnihit as he addressed Residence. "Can we assume we'll finish the trial and return within the day?"
"I’ll leave that to your discretion. If you think camping supplies are necessary, bring them. If not, don't."
"...I see."
Robre likely understood that their preparation and logistical foresight would also be evaluated. He gave a sharp nod.
Of course, the answer was irrelevant to Rei, who possessed the Misty Ring. No matter how much luggage he brought, it could be tucked away in his Item Box, and he still carried the Magic Tent he had received from Daskar—the ultimate camping tool.
(Still, I might as well help the group and score some points.)
"As some of you know, I have an Item Box," Rei said, looking around the room. "You don't need to worry about the weight of your gear for this trip. Just prepare whatever you think is necessary, and I'll store it."
"Are you serious!? You'll carry the heavy stuff for us?" Robre’s eyes lit up. As a Vanguard Spear User whose style relied on agility, the prospect of traveling light was a major relief. Shtie the Archer and Onz the Thief both turned toward Rei with similar looks of interest, though Onz’s expression remained characteristically minimal.
"An Item Box? I had heard an adventurer in this city possessed one... I see, so it's you," Arnihit said, turning his gaze toward Rei. Suddenly, he reached out a hand. "That Item Box of yours. Let me see it—no, hand it over."
Before Rei could respond, Maruka intervened.
"I would advise against that. Rei's Item Box is protected by a particular magic. If anyone other than its owner touches it carelessly... well, who knows what would happen?"
"Wh-!? Is... is that true?" Arnihit stammered, pulling his hand back and looking at Rei with a pale face. Knowing that Maruka herself was a magical prodigy, he couldn't simply dismiss her warning.
Rei nodded, deciding to play along. "Yeah. It's bound so that only I can use it. If you try to force it, the defense function will trigger. It’s a very unpleasant way to go."
To be precise, the effect was a result of Rei’s own magic, but he saw no reason to clarify. Arnihit, terrified of what sounded like a curse, stopped demanding to see the artifact. Furthermore, even as a noble, Arnihit knew of Rei’s reputation in Gilm—a man who didn't care for social standing or titles. Pushing such a person too far was a dangerous game.
"Very well. That concludes the briefing. You are dismissed. Make sure you are at the Main Gate before the nine o'clock bell rings tomorrow morning."
Residence announced the end of the meeting as if he wanted to avoid any further drama and quickly exited the room. Arnihit and Orchid exchanged glances and followed suit.
"I am expecting great things from all of you," Maruka said regally, casting a brief, meaningful look at Rei before departing with Koan.
Left to their own devices, Rei and the others went their separate ways to purchase supplies. The next day, the morning of the Rank Up Exam finally arrived.