At a dark time, nearly ten people gathered in the conference room on the second floor of the guild.
　At this height of summer, it's already dark, so you can see how late it is now.
　However, the guild is basically open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so magic items that use magic stones to light up are used all over the guild, so you don't have to worry about the dark.
　At any rate, in the present conference room, while sweating in the heat of summer, there was still a lively discussion over fruit water cooled by magic items.
　The honest feelings of those in the conference room are that they want to drink cold fruit wine instead of fruit water. It is even more difficult to hear the voices of people drinking and making noise in the bar attached to the guild during the conference.

"To me, it seems that Lovre is still too early for Rank B, let alone Stee. It's no use that we didn't get along well with each other. But if it is to cloud my eyes and make me lose my determination, I will not be able to ask for it without worry if anything happens."

　Carrying a glass of cold fruit water to his mouth, Arnicht says so.
　If those who were taking the rank-up exam had seen this, they would have been surprised. Regardless of Ray, who judged him to be a half-player, it must have been a startling event for Lovre, who didn't get along with Arnicht thoroughly.
　Originally, Arnicht was not so arrogant, though he was a little harsh on others. In the first place, he came to Gilm with the intention of getting Ray to serve him, and if he didn't fall for Egg and Marina's actions of eliminating anyone who might have trouble with Ray, it was true that the character he showed in the ranking exam was what he played.

"Well, I understand Mr. Arnicht. As for combat power, it's almost as good as rank B..."

　One of the guild officials, along with his sigh, says so, and the residence, who was listening to the story, laughs bitterly.

"It was a little unexpected that Mr. Marca, who brought the story of Bicorn to the interview, should be told that Mr. Arnicht was not fit as a nobleman."

　As expected, there was only a meeting place with nobles and my bosses, and unlike the friendly language towards Ray, he spoke in a polite tone.

"There is nothing wrong with being honest. But that's only if you understand that you have that kind of personality. Don't act like you're being carried away by your feelings. Fighting ability manages to pass, civility disqualifies, and judgment disqualifies as well. Don't you have a proper conversation with your client, Mr. Arnicht?"

　Arnicht smiles bitterly at what his residence boss says.

"It might not have been very popular for me, either." But if I were to ask him for the nomination, I'm afraid I wouldn't ask him to do it."
"Personally, I don't hate people of that character, do I?" But I'm a little reluctant to make my selfish partner a high-ranking adventurer. I think it would be better to leave this mistress alone this time."

　Following Arnicht, Marka rubs her eyes and says so, dipping her mouth into cold fruit water to keep her awake.
　Marca's seven‐year-old infant remains the same, however old she may be. That's why they resist the sleepiness that comes to them.

"I didn't have anything particular to do with myself, so if I wasn't hostile to myself, I guess I'd have a reasonable tolerance."

　The Orchide continues with a missing sentence.
　Arnicht played an arrogant nobleman, but in Orchide's case it was natural that he was too lazy to be involved with Lovre, who was now the talk of the town. But it allowed us to see Lovre and Arnicht interact from a position that was one step back.

"Well, I see," How did you feel in your eyes?"

　The residence boss's gaze is directed at one of the men in the conference room.
　Beyond that gaze was a middle-aged man in his 40s who had been silent while listening to others.
　If Ray, Lovre and Stee were here, they would have looked surprised. That's because the guy who was attending a meeting with guild staff on the upgrade exam was taking the upgrade exam with themselves.

"He's not bad at all. But it's too early now."
"...I see. If even the Onds were to reject it, it's a rule."

　Yes, the man's name was Onds.
　The seemingly inconspicuous reticent man was actually working with Ray as one of the examiners, and Ray and Stee, who were suspicious of Arnicht, were completely oblivious, thus demonstrating the power of Onds.
　That's why I was invited from outside the guillem to conduct this ranking exam.
　At first, when officials gathered in this conference room for the upgrade exam, Marka, Coan, Arnicht and Orchide were surprised to see Onz there. But he was finally convinced when the residence explained that Ons was one of the examiners.
　...though Arnicht looked rather uninteresting.

"Then, with regard to Lovre, I will not be promoted to Rank B this time."

　The chief executive's decision on the rank-up exam will first determine whether Lovre will fail the exam.

"Next is about Stee. You're a fox beast, aren't you? You're an archer. The bow used was also very powerful, and among the members who took part in the rank-up exam, they attacked Bicorn from the longest distance."

　I nod with admiration to the people around me for the high evaluation of the residence.
　Stee, who was partying with Lovre, is probably because he is an archer. Being able to attack the enemy unilaterally from a long distance is an advantage that ordinary warriors do not have, and therefore the number is not as great as those warriors.

"I have so much manners for the nobles that I don't have to compare them with Lovre. I was somewhat unfamiliar with conversation, but I think I'll soon get used to it if I work as a Rank B."

　Following Arnicht's fighting power, he is also highly regarded for his manners.
　The moment people around me wondered if this was acceptable.

"But there are some difficulties in determining." The matter concerning the bicorns which was approached by lord Arnicht and other nobles. I think I approached her..."

　The residence's gaze turns to the orchide, and the nodding orchide opens his mouth.

"It's me. I refused to say no when I proposed, but I was a little worried. Of course, I didn't receive a suggestion to miss the bi-corn, but it seemed like I was thinking too hard in my head."
"Isn't it natural to think about it? It's much better than refusing or accepting without thinking about it."

　One guild official says so, but Orchide shakes his head slightly.

"That's true, if you think it's normal. But looking at what happened at that time, it seemed as if he was trying to get by with it. It's just what I felt, so I can't say it's right... but what was the result of the interview?"

　When I ask the residence while chewing a little bit at the stretch, he nods, even though he is worriedly.

"Well, at the interview, I told them to tell me if they wanted to say anything, but at first they didn't say anything as if they were watching me. I told him that I was eventually approached by Orchide to let my bicorn go, but it took a long time to talk about it. When I think about it, I have some doubts about my ability to make decisions in the event of an emergency."
"But since we ended up talking, I don't think there's any problem."

　Guild officials say the same goes for others around them.

"How was Stee from your point of view? Do you think she deserves to be ranked B?"

　The words of the residence boss draw the attention of everyone in the conference room to a silent man.
　He may not have been waiting for it, but Onds nods a little and opens his mouth.

"I'm a little worried about my ability, but my potential is high. Besides, unlike Lovre, it doesn't turn pale. If anything, I'd rather be the type who makes good use of course.
"Well, unlike Lovre, it'said he, "it's a very good evaluation."

　Marka says with a small smile, but it's kind of lovely that he rubs his eyes to keep himself awake.

"What else would you like to say about Stee?"
"It's true that it acts as a lubricant between parties. I don't know if this is a necessary skill for a Rank B adventurer, but it's also a decent skill at cooking. Even if I acted with the nobles at some request, it wasn't such a bad dish that I couldn't eat, even if I wasn't satisfied with it."
"... Is that so? At that time, Ray's water was so delicious that I don't remember much about the food..."

　Orchide goes on to say Arnicht.
　The food Stee served for lunch was by no means a bad one if you think of it as a limited ingredient. However, the water that Ray produced with a flowing dagger using his magical powers had a taste that could be called heaven's sweet dew, so it was recognized as a dish that was neither good nor bad."Well, that water certainly tasted good. That's what the royals can drink."

　The only daughter of Duke Quent, who is also a royal aristocrat, gurgles at the compliment, imagining what it tastes like for guild officials who have never drunk water made by Ray with a flowing dagger.
　What was unfortunate at this time was probably water. I couldn't imagine at all how much water Ray had produced because of the drink he had on hand.
　Meanwhile, the residence boss opens his mouth as if to break off the conversation.

"Anyway, Stee still has some immature side to her, but she still considers herself capable of being a Rank B. Do you have any objections?"

　The words had calmed down the conference room, expressing that no one had objected.

"Then we will decide to upgrade Stee to Rank B. Now, finally, Ray, the most important of all."

　The moment the name Ray comes up, the conference room is buzzing in a different way.
　Some are blatantly frowning, while others smile as if they were interesting.
　In the meantime, the residence, who had accompanied him as an examiner, first says, judging that it was his turn.

"Honestly, I have no problem with combat capability. I think that's why they have the ability to pass not only Rank B but also Rank A."
"I suppose... If you think you have a different name, you don't have to worry about your fighting power at that time."

　nod in agreement of guild officials
　Those here already know how much Ray has in terms of combat capability. When it comes to guild workers, many have known Ray since he came to the city of Guillum. It starts with beating Oakking at Rank G, where he can finally get out of town, and more recently he's overwhelmed the vanguard of the Vestian Empire by himself, or he's beating Rank B monsters... even huge monsters that might have reached Rank A monsters if they're not good at it.

"Then, are the remaining criteria for judgment other than combat capabilities?" What's the matter.

　Residences, troubled for a moment by questions from their bosses, open their mouths.

"First of all, is there any problem with judgment?" At the time of the interview, I immediately reported on the matter Mr. Arnicht had approached. Well, I could have thought a little more, but at least I don't think I'll make a choice to damage the country, the guild, or this guild."
"Well, then the last question is courtesy."
"As far as I'm concerned, I can only say that it's not very clear. However, it seemed that he did not have much ill will. I've heard that he was brought up in the mountains by his master, so I don't think there's anything I can do about it."

　Most people on the spot are troubled by the residence's words.
　As far as courtesy is concerned, there is no problem with the quality of Rank B. But the point is that politeness.
　After that, we had an hour's discussion about upgrading Ray... and by the time it was finally decided, it was almost midnight in this city.