Welcome to the Xyrus branch of the Adventurers Guild.
Please state your business.
He's here for a rank assessment.
#12 The King's Departure.
Upon making the request, I was taken to a separate room.
From Jasmine's demeanor, I can assume that this isn't a problem.
I've been concealing my face in order to ensure the royal family won't target my own, but...
It seems to be having some kind of effect already.
Enter.
I've brought the A-Class adventurer, Jasmine Flamesworth.
Her companion is here to have his rank assessed.
Oh, thank you.
It's nice to meet you.
I'm chief of the Adventurers Guild's Xyrus branch, Kaspian Bladeheart.
Usually, before the practical exam,
there's a written exam and confirmation needed for your mana core,
but considering who's recommended you...
I think we can skip those formalities.
Your father actually came by just the other day, Miss Flamesworth.
Now, given that registration doesn't require your true identity...
What should I call you?
Note, if you'd please.
He's strong.
Note. I see. In the musical sense.
It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Note.
Now, on to the exam hall.
Jasmine, do you know the guild chief?
In a sense.
My father has connections with the Adventurers Guild that run deep.
Huh. Arthur, does your partner look different?
Yeah. I noticed just recently that Sylvie can change her appearance a little.
Here we are. This is the exam hall.
Your use of mana and incantation speed are commendable.
But your defenses are lacking.
Diane Whitehall, you are C-Class.
Right!
To be a C-Class conjurer at that age is pretty promising.
Next is Elijah Knight.
Right this way.
Actually, one second, please.
After confirming,
Elijah Knight will be a B-Class adventurer.
B-Class? Without even taking the exam?
That's crazy.
What do you think is going on?
No idea.
Next is Lucas Wykes. Step forward.
Finally...
Don't suppose I could skip the exam and join A-Class, Madam Examiner?
Lucas Wykes. 11 years old. Conjurer.
At the light orange stage. Elemental specialty is fire.
Is this all correct?
Light orange? But he's even younger than the other examinee.
Those ears...
We'll begin now.
Come forth, my guardian!
What a massive attack.
But can he maintain control?
This brat...
Well done, Mr. Wykes.
Your mana capacity and ability to use advanced fire spells show potential.
But—
He...
This exam doesn't count! An outsider interfered!
Your exam was already over.
Attempting a sneak attack despite that is completely unacceptable!
That's your greatest weakness, I'd wager. B-Class seems right.
This isn't over, you hear me?! My father will hear about this!
Next, Note.
Arthur... or rather, Note. Good luck.
There's nothing at all in your file.
Are you here for the exam under extenuating—
Wh-What the—
Hold it right there.
Chief?
Step aside. I'll take care of this one.
But sir, an AA-Class sorcerer such as yourself administering an exam personally is unheard of.
I'm not doubting your skills.
I just happen to know his guarantor pretty well.
You don't mind, do you, Note?
The chief of Sapin's largest adventurer guild.
Not only that, but he's an AA-Class adventurer.
His defenses are flawless. I doubt this will be a typical practical exam.
Let's begin.
Congratulations!
Starting today, you are registered as a B-Class adventurer.
You're officially an adventurer, now.
Sir, please explain!
So many B-Class adventurers named in a single day...
It's unheard of!
And they're all children!
Do the two of you remember what happened six months ago here in Xyrus?
Do you mean the meet and greet for young people of all three races?
In addition to that, the Kingdom of Sapin
officially lifted the prohibition on recognizing elf and dwarf adventurers.
Wait, then those kids were elves? Or dwarves?
Lucas Wykes is a half-elf that lives in Sapin.
The specifics of his background aren't known, but...
I'd wager his mother is an elf slave.
There have been rumors for a long time about the Wykes' family's questionable methods
for producing sorcerer children.
Then what about Elijah Knight, who we had no information on?
Why did he get to skip the exam, on top of being named B-Class?
Knight has someone who can act as a guarantor for his ability.
Someone I'm afraid I am unable to overrule.
Who could that be?
There is apparently a human child in the Darv Kingdom who was raised by dwarves.
And that's Elijah?
He was sent to become accustomed to humans, as the first representative of the Darv Kingdom.
That's my speculation, at least.
For all this to happen so soon after allowing additional adventurer registrants...
I can only wonder what will happen going forward.
What about that masked augmenter that you examined, Chief?
We know even less about him than Lucas and Elijah.
To be honest, I have no idea who he might be.
But I'm certain he wasn't sent by the elves or dwarves.
The fact that his guarantor belongs to the Flamesworth family,
wielders of the most powerful fire magic in the kingdom, is very interesting.
That's why his fire magic was so impressive.
No, what I was really impressed with was his skill with a sword.
His movement was awkward, likely due to the fact that he's still growing.
I can only imagine how terrifying he will be once he's fully grown.
Don't be overconfident.
Note.
Are you okay? You were spacing out.
My duel with Kaspian made something clear.
I've grown too accustomed to this world.
Too accustomed to the powers this world affords me.
I'm neglecting the diligence that brought me strength in my past life as a result.
Sorry.
The way you stopped him...
was reckless.
But if you hadn't done something, I would have.
Do you two know each other?
Or was there some get-together for the B-Classs that I wasn't told about?
We didn't feel like inviting someone who breaks the rules, that's all.
Don't get full of yourself.
Even inside the same ranks, there are different levels!
Stop.
Are those the kids?
Are they really children?
They do look young.
Impressive.
Looks like the Kingdom of Sapin has a promising new crop of adventurers.
We're drawing a lot of attention.
What a pain.
I won't let you pull that crap ever again!
We should get going, too.
Sure. But where should we go?
I've got a place in mind, actually.
Is this is a beast pasture?
It's more peaceful than I would've imagined.
This area has already been thoroughly explored,
so lower-class adventurers come here to train or collect material they'll need for quests.
Then why are we here?
Let's get going. We're a day out from our actual destination.
She's fast!
I never underestimated her, but I'm caught off guard by just how fast she is.
I seem to have been wrong about quite a few things today.
He keeps getting faster!
Is he trying to force my hand?
In that case...
After I finish this string of blocks,
I'll use this spell!
Don't be overconfident.
Where did I make the wrong assumption?
What was that?
We need to run.
That monster isn't native to this area.
What's it doing here?
They captured it alive, and then it escaped.
Why would they do that?
It's going to catch us.
Run, Arthur!
Jasmine!
Thanks, Arthur.
Not good!
Not yet.
Wait for the right moment.
Arthur?
I won't make the same mistake again.
I can not afford to. I can not afford to.
I guess you had it all figured out.
Owowowow!
What was that for?!
I wish you'd look a little more worried in situations like that.
Though that might sound weird coming from me...
Could someone please tell me where I made the wrong assumption?
I became an adventurer to get away from my family.
The Flamesworths have produced powerful sorcerers for generations.
And I was always taught that fire is the strongest of the elements,
so I was proud to belong to that family.
I think the fact that I awakened earlier than any of my siblings is why my parents
had such high expectations for me.
And maybe that's why...
When they realized I had no talent with fire magic, they all started calling me
a failure.
That doesn't make any sense!
I know that mana cores have different power levels,
but there's no hierarchy of elements!
It's down to how well the caster uses them!
Sorry! I've just never seen you worked up like this, before.
It was surprising to see you angry.
I think the outburst was due to how much what she described reminded me of my past life.
Of how I was also called a failure.
But... it just doesn't make any sense.
In the past, I've been scolded by the Twinhorns for fighting like you did today.
I didn't understand how to cooperate... or how to convey to someone that you trust them.
They taught me all of that.
Meeting them is what changed me, bit by bit.
Though they still get angry at me, occasionally.
What about you?
I...
Will I be able to change?
Someone like me.
Arthur.
Little Arthur.
Art.
Arthur.
Big brother!
I can change.
I have to believe I can.
So that going forward, I'll always be able to protect them.
I was almost able to reach his hand...
Well, not literally.
And why is he traveling with a woman?!
He seems to have a different one with him every time I look!
That looked dangerous.
G-Grandpa?! How long have you been there?
I was just, uh...
Sorry.
If you're jealous that Arthur is taking on a new challenge,
why not start something yourself?
Like what?
Well, for example...
Two years later
You hear the rumors?
About the guy who's strong as hell?
It's gotta be a buncha nonsense.
Turns out, it's not. A friend of mine saw him.
He's supposed to be smaller than you'd think.
I've heard about this. He's traveling with the Flamesworth girl, right?
The Masked Swordsman!
Come on, Note.
Okay, Jasmine.
And now... it's time to set out.