On the day the rank-up exam was explained, Ray was heading with Sett to the guild as usual.

"Seto, I don't know what the test is about, but let's do our best together."
"Glu?"

　As he walks, Ray gently caresses his head as he bends his head, too.

"Oh, unlike last time, this examination seems to be OK with Seto. You want to come with me this time, don't you?"
"Gurgling!"

　a set that exclaims "Of course!"
　The main purpose of the previous ranking exam was to defeat bandits, so I was prohibited from taking Seto with me, but this time I heard from the guildmaster Marina that there was no problem. but knowing that there are noblemen.

(Well, an examination to upgrade to rank B. I don't know what it is about.)

　When they arrive at the guild with such a complex feeling as if they were looking forward to it, they break up with Seto and go into the guild as usual.
　The first thing I saw in the guild was an unexpected crowd.
　Usually at this time of day, the busy morning hours were over, with only about 10 oversleeping or receiving unpopular requests.
　But this day is different. There are obviously a lot of adventurers in the guild, if not a lot.

"This is..."

　Ray is leaning his head unconsciously, but adventurers in the guild begin to talk to each other when they see him.

"Is that your favorite Ray?"
"Oh, if you think about it in terms of ability, it's only natural that it's rank B... but unlike the rank-up exam when you're rank D, it's not just combat power that's going to be judged this time. Given that, I think Ray has a slight disadvantage. If it were only combat power, it would certainly be my favorite."
"... Come to think of it, I often hear that he's bad at socializing. Would it be surprisingly difficult?"
"What do you think?" After all, fighting power is definitely the most important thing for adventurers. If you think about it, Ray is definitely the favorite."
"Who is this know-it-all idiot?" It's true that high-ranked adventurers are more aggressive, but on the other hand, high-ranking adventurers aren't necessarily high-ranking adventurers, especially in this ranking test."
"Well, what's wrong with my analysis?"
"There, there, there, there, there, both of you go. Don't fight in a place like this. Even though the conflict between adventurers is tolerated, if you do so on the day of the rank-up exam, you'll see the guild?"
"You have an item box, don't you? At that point, Ray's advantage won't change. There are also demons called high fighting power and Seto. ...it's your favorite, isn't it? I have five silver coins for Ray."

　After hearing such lively voices, Ray finally understands why people are gathering so much.

(Whether I pass the rank-up exam or not... Or, to be exact, who will pass the exam?)

　With a slight frown, not many adventurers in the city of Gilm, which is said to be the home of adventurers, reach the rank of B, which is recognized as a first-rate or high-ranking adventurer. That's why it's true that the rank-up examination to Rank B is a form of entertainment and, in a sense, betting has always been the norm.

"Good morning, Ray. You explain about the ranking exam in the conference room, don't

　Kenny notices Ray in the words of the adventurers around him, happily moving his ears around his head.
　Unlike the professional smile directed at the adventurer who came to the request, you can see from the bottom of your heart that you are happy to meet Ray.
　Many adventurers who like Kenny with such a smile either admire him or look jealous of Ray with his smile on his face. But the fact that no one is actually going to take any action is probably proof that Ray's position in the city has been firmly established.

"Huh? Aren't there Lenora today?"
"Because it's a holiday in Lenora today. Well, that's why I can occupy Ray alone."
"All by myself... well, I don't mind." It's on the second floor anyway."
"Yes. Good luck on the rank-up exam. Of course I bet three silver coins on Ray's success."
"...I see,"

　Kenny's words finally confirm that the bet on the rank-up examination is guild-sanctioned... and he breathes a little sigh, nods, and immediately goes up the stairs to the upstairs conference room.
　while listening to Kenny's cheers





"Oh, are you the crimson of the rumor?" You look more normal than I thought. Well, that's why a fool who judges by his appearance is going to have a miserable experience."
"Stop it! Uh, uh, sorry, I'm Stee, and this rude man is Lovre." I'm a Rank C adventurer who will take this upgrade exam with you. Thank you very much.

　a voice uttered as soon as one entered the conference room Turning to the voice, I saw two adventurers.
　The first man to speak to Ray was a man in his early twenties, wearing metal armor, covering only the parts of his arm and body that were likely to be attacked. Dog ears grow from the head as a sign of being a wolf or dog beast. There was a spear about two meters against the table I was sitting on.
　The woman had large ears and a fluffy tail extending from her waist like a fox beast. There is a bow on the table and an arrow barrel on the back. This is also about the same age as the wolf beast called Lovre, in his early twenties.

"Are you here, too?"
"Yes, it's your company. I've heard that there's another guy who's taking the rank-up exam, but he hasn't come yet."
"I mean, we came too early." Have you been looking forward to the day since yesterday?

　Smiling and trying to explain something to Stee, Lovre closes his mouth in a flurry.

"Hey! You're trying to tell me what you're going to say to someone I've never met before."
"Fugafuga,"

　Stee looked at Lovre with a protesting look, and then he gently let go of his hand...

"I stayed up late yesterday because I was so excited that I couldn't sleep."

　At the moment, he told me quickly and quickly.

"Steek!"
"Hmm, I can't read Lovre's back? I've been dating her for many years, not Date."

(...I see)

　After seeing a series of conversations, Ray quickly understands what the two are like. That is to say, they are having a party together."Oh, no! I'll tell you, I won't lose my hand in the rank-up exam! If I were in the war, I'd have one or two nicknames..."

　It was Lovre, blushing, who answered, not Ray, but Stee, who was next to him.

"Well, I don't think it's so easy to be nicknamed." The reason why we couldn't participate in the war in the first place is because Lovre was asked to guard us, right? I knew there was going to be a war soon."
"Well, that's... I've spent a little too much money during the winter, and I've run out of money..."
"You've got your own fault, sir," and I want you to be my companion."
"...I'm sorry,"

　From the sidelines, Lovre appears to have the initiative, but Stee actually seems to be in a better position.
　Considering their characteristics, Ray is small and surprised at the unexpected sight, but suddenly feels the presence of others and turns his eyes to them.
　A man in his 40s appeared there.

"Oh, I wonder if he will take the examination,"
"Oh, isn't he not talented enough to take the Rank B upgrade exam only at that age?"

　Lovre, perhaps determined to deflect the unfavorable topic, told her in a provocative tone, but Stee's fist was immediately dropped on her head.

"Yes, I'm sorry," My fool! Well, I don't mean to look bad like this, but... sorry! Look, Lovre apologizes!"
"It hurts!"

　Watching his arm forcefully pull down the wolf's ear-covered head, Ray looks subtle.

(A fox beast with more physical strength than a wolf beast... well, maybe it's because we'

"Don't worry,"

　He said it briefly, walked on without moving his stubble face, and sat down next to Ray.
　It is equipped with leather armour which is believed to have been made from some kind of snake monster skin, with two daggers attached to the waist. That alone was a typical robber's gear.

(But since I'm trying to become a rank B, I don't think it's strange that there's something I can do about it.)

　With that in mind, Stee gets up from her seat and walks towards the man.

"Well, I'm sorry," Really. But Lovre doesn't mean any harm. So will you forgive me?"

　The man's bluntness probably determined that he was still angry. And Lovre, who caused his girlfriend to bow, scratched his cheek as if nothing was going on.
　As Stee said, he probably didn't mean any harm. However, he could not undo the words he had uttered, so he had no choice but to wait and see.
　But the man says nothing and shakes his head slightly and opens his mouth.

"It's true that I don't care. He's always quiet."
"...what is it?"
"Oh,"
"Well, if you don't mind, may I ask your name?"
"It's Ons,"

　Stee bowed again to the man who called himself Onz.

"Well, I think we'll be acting together in this examination, but I look forward to working with you."
「……」

　Onds nods silently to Stee's words, then says nothing, and just keeps silent.
　With a somewhat uninteresting expression on his face, Lovre looked the other way without saying anything more...

"You're here,"

　Suddenly, I turn to the entrance to the conference room.
　At the same time, Ray and Stee also look to the entrance, and in about 30 seconds, five figures appear in the conference room.
　One is a middle-aged man in his late 30s and early 40s wearing guild uniforms. It was easy for everyone in the room to imagine that he was probably an examiner.
　Two of the remaining four are girls under the age of 10 and young people in their twenties with smiles.
　Ray knew who it was. Because we formed a friendship only a few days ago.
　It was obvious that the two men who followed suit into the conference room were also aristocrats.

"To Marka and Coan?"
"What? Do you know?"

　When Lovre reproaches Ray's muttering, he nods a little, but before he utters anything, a Guild official opens his mouth.

"Well, let's start with greetings. I'm a residence. If you look at his clothes, you'll find out, but he's also a guild employee and an examiner this time."

　The middle-aged man, Residence, takes Lovre and Stee's faces seriously, and Ray and Ons are explained without any change of expression.

"And these are the aristocrats who have made a request for this rank-up examination."

　When the residence says so, Ray's unknown aristocrat first steps forward and opens his mouth. He was a man in his twenties, with blue hair reminiscent of the summer sky.

"It's Arnicht Alwe. As he is also the next baronet, I expect a corresponding response. "Also, I want you to understand that this request was requested by the guild for some reason, and that I would not normally be involved with anyone like you."""

　Arnicht glances at the adventurers as if he were not the same human being, but as if he were looking at the stones rolling around him. Lovre frowns uncomfortably at the glance, but Stee gently grips his hand.
　You might not have noticed it happening under the table, but Arnicht snuffed back.
　The next step forward was the man next to Arnicht.

"Orchide Daphni. the second son of a count Thank you very much.

　A man named Orchide, who, like Arnicht, is in his twenties, speaks to those who play with their brown hair in an obnoxious tone and take part in the rank-up examinations.
　The next step forward was a girl under the age of ten. It's Marka Quent.

"My mistress is Marka Quent. I have decided to take the examination for the upgrade of my lord and others. Nice to meet you! This is Coan, who is also the bodyguard of his mistress. He is a former Rank A adventurer, but this time he will only serve as a bodyguard for his mistress."

　Marka proudly told him, and next to him, Corean smiled and bowed gracefully.