Unfortunately for me, I had not enough STRENGTH to carry any of the cool and incredible armor Anne crafted. I just chose the best robes and magic armor I could find and that didn’t slow me down. I could hear the group chit chatting lively but didn’t pay any attention. I got out and they saw the clothes I carried and smiled warmly.

“I think it suits you just fine, Leo,” said Hansel.

I daresay this is a very standard clothing for a mage such as myself. I did choose one of the cheap ones, but I couldn’t wear any of the rest. Wallace was somewhat satisfied – I think he understood this as well and tried not to be pushy about it. He paid the nice smith, and we took our way to The Guild.

Even with all the delay due to the people saluting the prince, we didn’t take long reaching an enormous building at the east. At this point, I noticed some things. The architecture of this place is all messed up, historically speaking. At the skirts of the city, the houses resembled those of the 1500, built out of stone with wooden ceilings, small and not evenly painted. But The Guild had a structure similar to the Industrial Revolution, refined, with several floors and windows. The castle is a classic one too, high walls with thick stones, tall towers as well. This is really strange… It makes me curious.

I didn’t want to raise any suspicions, though, so I didn’t ask about this discrepancy.

We entered the extravagant building, and reached a big room, with a huge desk and some chairs and tables on the side. On the wall near the counter there was a big board with a lot of papers on it.

“Welcome to the Adventurers’ Guild, Prince Hansel, Lord Wallace,” the girl in the desk caught our attention. “How may we serve you today?” She seemed like a very nice person.

“Oh, Lady Ursula. Your radiance is, indeed, blinding.”

“Lord Wallace, I won’t take your flirty today. I’ll kindly ask you to refrain from it, and I’ll ask kindly just once.”

… I take it bad, she’s dangerous!

“Don’t be mean, Lady Ursula. I just-”

“Refrain from it, Lord Wallace,” she sentenced.

Wallace was quite disappointed, he looked like the type to not give up on a woman. Lady Ursula was beautiful, though, I can’t blame any man who tries to flirt with her.

“In any case, Ursula,” Hansel took control of the situation. “I’d like to introduce you to Leonard Sica. He’s a friend of ours that would like to join The Guild.”

“Of course, Prince Hansel. I’ll prepare the papers, please stand by.”

She took no time in the subscription, but when she asked me what rank I’m in, it left me clueless.

“I’d say he’s probably a D+ ranked hunter?” Said Wallace. “Near C-?”

The rank classification helps The Guild to decrease the death rate while increasing the income in values and money. It also increases satisfaction among the members, Hansel explained it to me on our way here.

C ranks and above have ramping power, though. The strength of a C ranked monster is such as ten D ranked ones, so The Guild must be very careful in placing hunters in higher ranks.

“If the candidate thinks it can take C- monsters, we need to test it first,” said Ursula. “Then again, we don’t have the personnel to attend the test, so I’ll place him in the lowest one.”

That’s quite disappointing. Higher rank means higher rewards within the Guild. I don’t care a lot about money, but if the library uses this hierarchical system, that means the secrets of my summoning can only be unveiled if I’m high ranked…

“We can attend the test, Ursula,” said Hansel.

“Me as well,” Wallace followed. “We are S Ranked in the Guild, after all."

“You are not part of the testing staff, and I can’t bend the rules for you. Mister Leonard can either accept the E Rank or wait until the personnel is available.”

“When would that be?”

“In about a month. They left for the northern countries.”

I… I’m not sure I want to wait that long.

“I understand about the staff, Ursula. But one of the jobs of S Ranked Hunters is to help The Guild when they require it. You can file a petition for us to fill in the job of testers.”

Ursula seemed upset about it but didn't express her discontent to us.

“Very well, I’ll make the preparations as well. Nevertheless, I must inform you that you will only be present for security. I’ll accompany you and my decision will determine Mister Leonard’s Rank. Is that satisfactory?”

Hansel and Wallace seemed to agree to the terms.

“We reached an understanding, then. The test will take place in one of our hunting grounds tomorrow in the afternoon. Please contact me to guide you.”

I’m… I’m super nervous now. I need to prepare for this. I don’t want to be an E rank.

We left the Guild’s building – the sun was starting to set in the distance.

“Leo,” Hansel called me. “I know this is sudden, but I was thinking if you could humor me for a few more hours.”

“... Like, me? With you? Alone?”

“At least until we get to the castle. You see, the Arch Mage serving my father is interested in you after I told him about your magic. You’ve seen him before. The mage that came to us when you first arrived in the city.”

Oh, yes. I remember him. I want to decline the offer, though. Would that be suspicious? I don’t have too many spells, which might be weird for a soldier…

“We can have dinner afterwards.”

“... Sure, I’d love to.”

“Brilliant! Let me guide you to the Castle, then.”

… Why did I say yes?