Chapter 19 — Rank-up Test

Editors: PROCRASTINATOR & GREETER

 

[Ei’s POV]

 

Kurui managed to find a nice inn. The food was as bland as ever. 

 

Now it’s night time and I’ve decided to explore the city. I wonder why Kurui decided to sleep. Maybe they want to? Or maybe it has to do with being sealed. It’s not like I would know.

 

Either way, running around on top of buildings is really fun. I would have done it more in Falu, but the guards almost caught me one time so I stopped. Hauritsu is a lot larger though, so hopefully no guards will see me. 

 

I seem to have made it to some sort of merchant’s area. There’s a few interesting shops here, maybe I’ll bring Luna and Kurui here some time. I think I can see the castle in the distance. Maybe I should go there some time. Well, that might not be possible. But if it is, I want to.

 

I guess I’ll just watch the stars for the rest of the night.

 

☆★☆★☆★☆★☆

 

It’s morning now so I meet up with Luna and Kurui outside the Adventurers’ Guild. I have this area of the city pretty well mapped out from running around. Before, it was just a void. 

 

We entered the building and stood in line… It’s the early morning and the line still took a few minutes to get through. Maybe we should have gotten here even earlier.

 

“Hey, Luna, do you think we’ll have to wait a while to take the test?” (Ei)

 

“Hmmm… Well, we have the letters from Jouh! Hopefully that helps us!” (Luna)

 

“If it’s anythin’ like I remember, as long as they have someone available it won’t take long.” (Kurui) 

 

“That’s nice.” (Ei)

 

“Ei… you’re forgetting that adventurers travel around a lot… A rank and above adventurers generally move around a lot! Even B rank ones are a decently rare sight!” (Luna)

 

“Huh.” (Ei)

 

“Hello! Welcome back to the Adventurer’s Guild. I’m Helen, how may I help you?” (Helen)

 

It’s the same person as last time. She even remembered we came here before, how nice.

 

“Luna, the elf, and I would like to take the B rank exam.” (Ei)

 

“Alright. We will see when we can slot you in, though the next week or so’s slots are already filled.” (Helen)

 

A week? Wow. Well, let’s try the letters.

 

“We have these letters from Jouh, the guildmaster of Falu’s branch. Do these do anything?” (Ei)

 

“Let me see them…” (Helen)

 

Helen pulls out a weird looking device, kind of like a microscope, and uses it on the letter’s seal. It comes undone with a blue glow.

 

“These are indeed authentic… Well then, we should have a test available for you in around an hour. Feel free to stay in the lobby or do other things for that time. A staff member will find you when the time comes.” (Helen)

 

Huh. Jouh really does have some influence. Well, I guess it makes sense if he was an A rank adventurer.

 

We sat down on a couch, right next to the two ten-tailed fox plushies. The line grew a lot since we talked with Helen, I guess we barely beat the morning rush. A few hundred adventurers at least were wandering around the guild now. 

 

“Are you Ei and Luna from Moon’s Shadow?” (Staff Member)

 

“That would be us.” (Ei)

 

“Please follow me to your exam. Your party member may join you.” (Staff Member)

 

We followed the brown haired staff member through a door to the back of the guild building, but not where the warehouses were. There’s several arenas here, but we went past them into another building. A private arena, I guess?

 

“We have arrived. I will now explain the test. The two of you will each be dueling with an adventurer at a higher level than you. You do not need to beat them, only show your prowess in combat. Failure is expected, and taking it with humility is another thing you will be tested on. In order to pass, your tester must give their approval or have all three judges decide you should pass. Should all three judges decide you fail, you will fail regardless of what your tester says. Any questions?” (Staff Member)

 

“Nope. Luna?” (Ei)

 

“None here!” (Luna)

 

“Very well then. The judges for today are retired guildmasters Gray, Katheryne, and Vandham. Your tester will be S rank adventurer, Mista Crow.” (Staff Member)

 

“S rank!?!??!?” (Luna)

 

I thought S rank was pretty easy, didn’t you just need two more guildmasters’ approval? Oh wait… you need to do 6 S rank requests first… that can’t be easy. Impressive, Mista Crow. But what’s with that name?

 

As soon as the monologue completed, some doors on the other side of the room opened, and out walked a stereotypical looking plague doctor. White mask, black robes, black top hat, and a black cane in hand.

 

“Greetings, fledglings! I am Mista Crow! Ze one, ze only!” (Crow)

 

His voice had more of a Russian accent to it than a French one. Still, this guy seems like… an interesting character.

 

“Now zen, which one of you will be ze first to fight! Scra-KAW!” (Crow)

 

…And he makes bird noises too. Wonderful. Well, might as well try to appraise him.

 

Person: Mista Crow (Tengu, 37y)

Condition: Good

Status Ailments: None

Noteworthy Abilities: Tengu Transformation, Wind Magic, Fire Magic, Sword Mastery

Info: Tengu are like Kitsune. They can pass as beastkin if they try, and some don’t even realize they’re part of the Mystic Races. Just like this guy.

 

A tengu, eh? This could be interesting.

 

“So, which one of you first? Ze spirit user or one of ze mystic feeling ones? Scra-KAW!” (Crow)

 

… Mystic feeling? Well, it’s better than being outed as a vampire. Also, it’s interesting he pegged Kurui for the test.

 

“I ain’t here for the test. I’m still D rank unfortunately.” (Kurui)

 

“Nonsense, KAW! You have ze aura of theze two. I’ll offer you a deal, fledgling. Impress me, and I’ll pull strings to get you to B rank. Scraw-KAW!” (Crow)

 

“We’ll help as well, assuming you do impress us.” (Judge 1/Gray)

 

The other judges nod in agreement. That’s nice.

 

“Well then, I’ll go last. Otherwise, ya won’t be impressed by these two.” (Kurui)

 

“I like your confidence, KAW!” (Crow)

 

“Really now, Kurui?” (Ei)

 

“You know what they can do, EI!!!” (Luna)

 

“Fair, fair. Alright, do you want to go first or shall I?” (Ei)

 

“I’ll go first!” (Luna)

 

“Come at me, spirit user, sca-KAW!” (Crow)

 

“Well, if the fish is out of the bag, let’s do this Vadina!” (Luna)

 

“A great spirit, scra-KAW! How interesting! Zis will be fun then!” (Crow)

 

☆★☆★☆★☆★☆

 

Luna immediately starts to glow. I wonder if she can pull off the thing where her hair changes color again? 

 

Luna makes the first move, dashing at the tengu. She runs up with both swords and attempts to land a cross slash. Key word, attempts. Mista Crow draws a sword out of his cane and swipes Luna away, sending her flying into the wall.

 

“Ze path of magic and sword. Quite the unique one, KAW! Now, take this, [Tornado]” (Crow)

 

The plague doctor unleashes a tornado at Luna. That could be really troublesome, but I think she can handle it. 

 

“[Ice Spike]!” (Luna)

 

An ice spike the size of a house comes hurtling through the tornado, dispelling it. It continues at Mista Crow, but he just stands there. He taps the piece of ice with his cane and it explodes. 

 

“Quite ze powerful attack. Well executed, but you’re barely scratching what your spirit can do, KAW!” (Crow)

 

“If I wert to try my hardest, mine contractor wouldst not learn, no?” (Vadina)

 

“The spirit speaks, sca-KAW! I suppose zat you’re right. Not like I couldn’t handle you either way, KAW! Well, maybe it would be a bit of a challenge, KAW!” (Crow)

 

If this man’s words hold true… I don’t think I want to cross any S rank adventurer’s path any time soon.

 

“Dodge this, you damn doctor! [Ice Shard Storm]!” (Luna)

 

A rain of ice shards come flying at the tengu, but he sidesteps a few, smashes some with his cane sword (sheathed again) before dodging some more. 

 

“Ze way you use your spirit is quite interesting. I have only seen another S rank adventurer do something similar, yet ze glow was fainter. Intriguing, KAW!” (Crow)

 

“I thank you for the praise, but we’re just getting started! Vadina, let’s try that thing from back then!” (Luna)

 

“Aye.” (Vadina)

 

Luna stops on the other side of the arena. Mista Crow just watches. A few looks of extreme concentration flash across Luna’s face before something seems to click. Her hair turns white and her eyes begin to glow.

 

“Eh? KAW! What is zis!?” (Crow)

 

Ah, great. A blizzard starts once again.

 

“As I said. Do not underestimate us, tengu.” (Vadina/Luna)

 

“Tengu? Well, this is getting a bit chilly. Perhaps I shall try a bit harder. [Hellfire Storm].” (Crow)

 

Six blazing tornadoes of fire rock the room, contesting against the blizzard. Slowly, they begin to overpower the blizzard, but Luna isn’t taking it lying down. She uses some ice to propel herself at the tengu and makes a few attacks with her sword. Mista Crow parries all of them, but he seems to be a bit more troubled now. Luna definitely got faster.

 

“Well, fledgling, you seem to have great power. But you lack control, scr-KAW! Thus your spirit cannot help you fully. Even if you have managed to do what no other has done, you lack refinement, KAW! I declare this test over, and you have passed according to me.” (Crow)

 

“I thank thee for thine advice, master tengu.” (Vadina/Luna)

 

“Again with ze tengu. I am no tengu, merely a crow beastkin. Though, I am impressed you could tell.” (Crow)

 

Luna slowly stops glowing and the judges all nod in approval.

 

“Well then, looks like you passed. Nice job, kid. I expect great things from ya.” (Vandham)

 

“Indeed.” (Gray)

 

“I think you will travel far, from stars to the abyss.” (Katheryne)

 

“Well, mystic high elf, you’re next!” (Crow)

 

“Half elf, but whatever. Let’s dance.” (Ei)

 

“Half elf? I feel sorry for you, fledgling. Let’s dance indeed.” (Crow)

 

☆★☆★☆★☆★☆

 

The arena somehow repaired itself, but I’ll just not question it. I’m a bit scared to fight this guy, considering how one-sided the fight with Luna was… oh well. 

 

I run up to the tengu and slash at him with my glaive, but he falls back.

 

“Fine weapon you have there, KAW!” (Crow)

 

“Thank you.” (Ei)

 

Well, I doubted that normal attacks would do the trick. I summoned my swords for Cthulhu and pulled out the shield. Then, I used the shield bits as stepping stones to launch myself back and forth between them.

 

Bouncing around Mista Crow, I slash at his back, his head, his legs, his arms, and his chest from all sorts of angles with my three weapons, but he keeps dodging or parrying my attacks! Even without my transformation, I can run 100 miles per hour, so I should be moving around that fast still!

 

“You’re a fast one, KAW! But what if you can’t use ze ground? [Flight]! [Molten Floor]!” (Crow)

 

The floor around the tengu turns to lava. I was using the shield as stepping stones, but it got locked up in lava! *sigh* That’s a pain.

 

“I’ll just use some of my own magic then!” (Ei)

 

“Another mage who uses weapons, KAW? Interesting, interesting!” (Crow)

 

Well, no point in holding back. Let’s do this the fun way. I trust this guy will survive my attack, even if it exploded a chimera.

 

“[Summon Thunderstorm].” (Ei)

 

“Sca-KAW! That’s a surprising spell for a C rank! Well then, [Summon Windstorm]! Let’s see who’s stronger, KAW!” (Crow)

 

I think I might be able to overpower him since he’s holding back… but it will be tricky as I’m holding back too. I concentrate even harder on my spell to insure that it stays in place, but the winds are really blowing. I slam my feet into the ground to prevent myself from being blow away.

 

“KAW!? Your spell hasn’t been dispelled? Try it with this, KAW! [Hellfire Storm]” (Crow)

 

Oh… that’s tricky. I was going to use [Storm’s Fury] but it looks like I need another counter.

 

“[Tidal Wave].” (Ei)

 

“What?! Scra-KAW!?” (Crow)

 

I summoned a tidal wave as tall as the arena was, around 50 meters probably. Then, I sent it crashing straight at Mista Crow, while maintaining concentration on my empowered thunderstorm. It was actually really hard to do.

 

The wave goes flying at the tengu, and it explodes.

 

“I’m impressed, KAW! You actually made me use one of my spells at full pow-” (Crow)

 

“[Storm’s Fury]”

 

***CRAAA-CRAAACK***

 

**BOOOOM**

 

“SCRAAAAA!! (Crow)

 

Ah, great. I put too much power into that lightning bolt… uhg. I feel really dizzy now.

 

“I.. surre…der…” (Ei)

 

And then I collapse. Still conscious though. Ah… I could have pulled that off if I had transformed. Or de-transformed. Whatever… I would have won1 otherwise. I suppose that would have been a problem…

 

“Well done, fledgling. Zat last attack was a bit tricky, KAW! You’ve impressed me as well. Ah… do you need some help?” (Crow)

 

“Preferably…” (Ei) 

 

☆★☆★☆★☆★☆

 

The judges were very impressed with me… They said that I would probably make it to A rank within a few years if I kept up my pace. Encouraging, but I think I could do it faster if I revealed myself as a vampire. Not like I’d do that though. Still, that damn tengu was still holding back. He has a tengu transformation and I’m sure he can use it. I don’t think I could win against that, even with my transformation… S rank adventurers sure are a force to be reckoned with.

 

“Well, mystic fledgling, do you think you can impress me after zat?” (Crow)

 

“Probably.” (Kurui)

 

“I like your confidence, KAW!” (Crow)

 

Kurui is already on the field. Come to think of it, I’ve never seen Kurui fight seriously while in a human form.

 

They draw their whipsword and swing it around. The blade dances around Mista Crow, as he parriers all the attacks from it. His hands are moving so fast I can barely register them.

 

“Impressive.” (Crow)

 

“And I’m just gettin’ warmed up!” (Kurui)

 

“Zen, ze test will be over soon.” (Crow)

 

“Exactly. I’ll end it with my next move, though I expect ya to handle it.” (Kurui)

 

“Bold of you to presume zat I’ll gauge your worth from two attacks, KAW!” (Crow)

 

Kurui then disappears in a flash, reappears above Mista Crow, slashes with their sword, and disappears. This repeats over and over in a dance around the tengu, getting faster and faster until Kurui is barely appearing for a tenth of a second. 

 

Then, Kurui appears in front of Mista crow again, swings their whip sword at Mista Crow, only for it to be parried. The doctor sends a kick to their stomach and they are sent fly into the wall.

 

“Impressive indeed. You’ve passed, KAW!” (Crow)

 

Kurui is panting and barely able to stand. I’m pretty sure that’s an act though, they should be way tougher than that.

 

“T..thank yo..u…” (Kurui)

 

“Indeed. Considering you held back. Well, this concludes the test, KAW! Judges, what do you think?”

 

None of the judges disagree.

 

“I’ll lead these fledglings out to the reception area, KAW! You three go laze around like normal, KAW!”

 

“Oi kid. We don’t do that all the time, you know that.” (Vandham)

 

“Yeah, yeah, Mr. Teacher, Mr. Greatest Guildmaster, and Ms. World’s Best Receptionist.” (Crow)

 

What is with those names?! Well, I get one of them at least.

 

On our way back, Crow seems to be contemplating something.

 

“You fledglings have a bright future and some odd origins from what I can tell, KAW! I expect great things from you, KAW! Your party name is quite interesting. Perhaps instead of simply being ze Moon’s Shadow, you are ze eclipse.” (Crow)

 

“What?” (Ei)

 

“Pay it no attention, KAW! Just an old man’s rambling. I expect great things from you, KAW! Helen, make these three B rank. Here’s the extra paperwork for Kurui, scra-KAW!” (Crow)

 

“Understood, Master Mista Crow. Congratulations, you three. Please hand me your IDs.”

We hand over our IDs and the color changes. Instead of being the normal white card they turn to a silver color with a blue outline. Nice cosmetic upgrade.