Chapter 221: Rank C Promotion.

Chapter 221: Rank C Promotion.

Acquisition requirement fulfilled. [Instant Heat Ignition], [Inferno Coating] gained. 7950 SP remaining

Mutation acquired. Merging [Instant Heat Ignition], [Inferno Coating] into unique racial skill [Hellblade Dragon]

Congratulations, you have earned enough rank points to take on an advancement trial for rank C. The test is to show the guild that your abilities are genuine, where you will face a registered examiner of an appropriate rank in this case, C rank hunters. That was the first thing our group heard after we handed in the two B rank Quests we had done for Muraina. The monetary rewards were impressive, but what our group wanted was the rank up points.

Apparently, this exam was included as a way to weed out adventurers unworthy of advancing beyond D rank. The official reason for this rule was to give the guild a way to test the adventurers abilities before advancing, since higher ranked Quests were naturally more difficult. Since the mercenary and hunters guilds needed to maintain the trust of their clients, the guilds had to be sure their members would be up for the task. Too many failed Quests would be unacceptable.

But from what Muraina told Ellaine and me on our way back to Griffonpeak, it was to stop the rich and influential from advancing up the guild through their resources and connections rather than their proficiency and reliability. Aristocrats and rich merchant children were known to hire people to help them complete Quests, and, while cooperation was normally something the guilds encouraged, it could become a problem if not managed.

This was why there were these exams. We accepted the exams, of course, and it seemed Muraina had already prepared everything in advance once she heard Saori, Tasianna, and Grimnir made it back to Griffonpeak.

Hunters trusted by a local branch were allowed to register themselves as potential examiners. For every exam they finish, they would be allowed to request suitable compensation, usually money. Otherwise, they may have the guild acquire a certain item for them if it didnt exceed the examiner's pay. A give-and-take relationship.

I shall be your examiner, ladies! A well-built man in his late twenties appeared before us and stated that with full confidence. We asked where the other two examiners were, but he answered he would be enough.

Normally, only a single examiner would be needed if the guild wanted to test an aspiring D rank party. Experienced C rankers were people who could go toe-to-toe against orcs and young garms, and would be able to slay trolls with their party. Comparing the scars on his face and hardened biceps to my rather slim build would probably make spectators worry for me.

Well, the issue was? They would be only looking at the cover.

The rules are simple. Impress me and dont try to get yourself hurt too much, kid. On the training ground behind the guild, the same man stood in front of me with his sword drawn, holding it leisurely. On the other hand, all I had was my catalyst. Okay, so lets begi WAAHHHH!

And the fight ended in less than two seconds, since I dashed in front of him before he could react. Swiping his sword hand to the side, I tripped one of his legs and put some pressure on his chest, pushing him effortlessly onto the ground before snapping my finger to ignite a fire. Holding the flame in my hand, I crouched down and asked him, Want to give up?

U-Uh, I-I Yeah, congrats After hearing that, I grinned and helped him back up before showing a thumbs up at the others.

Good work, Hestia! Ellaine clapped with an elated face.

On the other hand, Grimnir looked grim, shaking his head. Poor fool.

Needless to say, Grimnirs words were like an omen for the poor guy. When it was Saoris turn, the man tensed up, looking as if he wasnt fooling around anymore. Saoris more mature face and professional outfit intimidated him immediately.

When Saoris exam began, the man attempted to close the distance between them, but, just like with mine, Saoris exam ended in less than two seconds. Imitating the same moves I used, she ended her trial in the same exact way, even copying what I said while holding a black spark between her fingers! Want to give up?

Saori, the poor guy

At this point, I had the feeling we were just bullying him, but I didnt expect what Tasainna would do with him. Agreeing to test Tasianna, too, since hed promised the Guild Master that he would be enough, he couldnt back down. I had the feeling Muraina was bullying this guy as well.

When our examiner and Tasianna faced each other, the man was sweating at this point, tensed to the point it looked like he gained a few more wrinkles. Tasianna gave the poor guy a bow a moment before the air around her started to plummet in temperature. A magic circle appeared behind her, summoning a giant [Ice Spike]. Using her [Cryomancy], the giant spike slowly inched towards his face, stopping right before the poor examiner, where Tasianna pressured him with, Want to give up?

Mister?

After a few seconds of his silence, another adventurer to the side checked on him, informing us that he had frozen in place out of stress and fear.

Did we just give this guy a trauma?

H-Holy shit, I didnt think Saori and her crew would be this strong. Damn, Brandon should have listened to us when we warned him theyd just handed in two B ranked urgent Quests.

And he talked so smack about showing those girls what real adventurers are. Jeez, and I heard Hestia and Saori were mages, too.

Hmm, maybe we attracted too much attention. Whatever.

Anyways, with that miscellaneous quest done, we returned to the receptionist desk where Saori, Tasianna, and I were promoted to C rank. Woohoo. After that, we also took the time to use the guilds free Job change privilege. For every rank we advance in the guild, we get a free Job change.

Weekly Job Change Limit: 3/3

Previous Jobs: [Caster], [Mage], [Fighter], [Cleric], [Brawler], [Spearman], [Aggravator], [Taunter], [Freelancer], [Earth Mage], [Wind Mage], [Scale-Dust User], [Crimson-Scaled Dreadgiver], [Hellblade]

Main Job: [Infernal Hellblade]

Available Jobs

[Adventurer] [Spearwielder] [Pyromancer] [Terra Sorcerer] [Aeromancer] [Storm Sorcerer] [Lava Mage] [Lightning Mage] [Holy Mage] [Space-Time Mage] [Magus] [Healer] [Priestess] [Shrine Maiden] [Synergist] [Warrior Priestess] [Mage Guild Initiate] [Toxic Blader] [Pugilist] [Ravager] [Flying Fighter] [Bard] [Scout] [Worker] [Academic] [Noble] [White Pyromancer] [Corrosive Pyromancer] [Usurper] [Champion of Aurena] [Crimson Saintess] [Idol]

Hmm, lets see whats new since the last time I checked my list in detail. The new Jobs include [Adventurer], [Spearwielder], [Terra Sorcerer], [Storm Sorcerer], [Lava Mage], [Lightning Mage], [Mage Guild Initiate], [Toxic Blader], [Pugilist], and [Flying Fighter].

The upgraded versions for [Crimson-Scaled Dreadgiver] and [Infernal Hellblade] arent there yet. I thought leveling [Infernal Hellblade] would do the trick, but it doesnt look like it. Do I have to level [White Pyromancer] and [Corrosive Pyromancer], too? Well, I would have to do them eventually anyways.

There was still a large backlog of Jobs that I still had to take on, and each of them would not only increase my stats but also increase the proficiency of my skills, potentially leveling them up. The issue was there were a lot, and I could only change Jobs three times per week.

There was also the additional problem that our party didnt have a [Crystal of the Divine System] of our own. We had to return to the city each time wed finished leveling our current Main Jobs, which wasted time, and the more advanced Jobs required more experience for each level and also had a higher level cap. Without tough enemies, it would be impossible to level them up in a single week.

Hmmm, Hestia? What is wrong? Saori called out to me, wondering why I was frowning.

Oh, nothing much. I was just thinking how, since we will be touring soon, that it would be nice to have a crystal in the RV so we dont have to return to a city or town every time.

Having listened to us speaking, Ellaine interjected herself into the discussion while shaking her hand. No, no, dont say something silly like that, Hestia. Dont you remember how much you need to pay to borrow them from somebody? The monthly fee to keep it with us is far too much for us to afford. We need that money for other stuff, like the enchantments for our catalysts and Sir Farrons medicine.

Well, there goes that idea out of the window. I forgot borrowing them is already a huge hassle since only the largest guilds can afford the deposit and rental fees.

Noticing my sigh, the foxian receptionist smiled and attempted to cheer me up with a tip, If buying or borrowing a crystal is too difficult, there is always the option of gaining the materials to make one, Lady Priestess.

Ah, right, there was that option, Grimnir exclaimed. But, isnt that a bit too mischievous of an idea, lass? Dungeon destruction Quests are extremely rare since the adventurer guilds wish to control them. Even then, those Quests are usually pretty competitive, dangerously so.

Hmm, you know about it, Grimnir? I asked.

Yeah, but Ive never experienced one myself. Think of it as you braving a mostly unknown dungeon without any prior information to destroy the dungeon core. The issue is that most of the time, the guilds wish to monopolize the dungeon instead of destroying, so dungeon conquering Quests are more common.

I still remembered that [Crystals of the Divine System] were made using the shards of drained dungeon cores through alchemy. These crystals were so hard to acquire for the reason Grimnir had just mentioned. Why would you want to destroy a dungeon, a moneymaker, just to create one single, mostly utility-based, crystal?

Aside from that, you also had to be careful of how you destroyed the dungeon cores. If they were shattered without first being properly drained, they would explode like nukes, leaving some devastating fallout behind. It was a heavenly taboo, quite literally. The adventurer guilds and the gods; not good options for people to make enemies with.

Maybe there will be an opportunity in the future, but for now, lets concentrate on something more important. My Jobs, for example.

Job: White Pyromancer

Requirements: [White Flames]

Acquisition Benefits: Mana increase, Intelligence increase, Agility Increase, [Holy Magic] proficiency, [White Flame] proficiency

Main Job Benefits: [Flames of Purification]

Huh? Only one benefit? Mana Eyes.

Flames of Purification

A skill that enhances the white flames of the sky, enabling it to purify even the vilest of corruptions and viruses. Enables the [White Flames] to heal abnormal status effects above the Major stage. The strength of the [Flames of Purification] is determined by the users own knowledge of the ailment and the level of [Corrosive Fire], for rejuvenation and decomposition are but two sides of a single coin

Hmm?! What is this?!

Was this the first skill that was affected by the level of another skill? Technically speaking, it was, though you could make the argument that the [X Amp] and [X Magic Efficiency] skills only functioned as support for their respective elemental magic skill. However, [Flames of Purification] directly required another skill to be leveled up to function better.

But what interests me the most is this point vilest of corruptions and viruses.

Those words reminded me of Amadeus Chezaic the eldest son of House Chezaic, who not only had albinism but also a genetic disease that hindered the healthy growth of his mana paths, a severe detriment to him since he was born with innate mana potential worthy of a noble. With how his mana paths would burst open, damaging his body, whenever he became excited or strained himself, it was a bane to his ability to live a proper life.

Theodore somehow managed to help him using an elixir made with some of my blood to alleviate some of the symptoms, but since he was deported to the church in Aureolis after the Davison incident, I have no idea how hes doing. Hopefully well.

However, after finding out that my healing spells werent enough to help him, Ive been wanting to gain a spell or ability which allows me to heal things like birth defects. Aurena isn't called the Goddess of Miracle without a reason. With [Miraculous Grace] through [The Light] and now this, it seemed my progress as a healer would soon continue.

Jeez, Shiterno, actually, I should probably call him Danterno this one time. This is a pretty nice gift. Hmm, but what about [Corrosive Pyromancer] then?

Job: Corrosive Pyromancer

Requirements: [Corrosive Fire]

Acquisition Benefits: Mana increase, Vitality increase, Wisdom Increase, [Earth Magic] proficiency, [Corrosive Fire] proficiency

[True. You want to know what the boy was feeling, dear?] KleaHatma added, making her ability to feel emotions known again. Ellaine nodded to her offer after thinking about it for a few seconds. [Regret. Envy. Jealousy. Obvious enough since we made that clear before, but his regret really intensified when he saw you, dear. I could feel some elation, happiness, to see you, but it was drowned out when he put that helmet on. Take this information as you will.]

Tasianna placed her hand on Ellaines shoulder, shaking her a bit. Dont worry about Jonathan, Ellaine. Dont forget your fathers words, the two of you changed positions. I am sure he is very much aware of you, but he cant show it yet.

Yeah, youre right. Ellaine placed a hand on her forehead, sighing deeply with closed eyes. She then clutched her whipsword tightly, and then nodded. Alright, thank you, everybody. I know I act too much like a child, and that I should worry less, so thank you very much for being patient. Seeing her warm smile, I was glad that Ellaine was slowly strengthening her will.

Good! I clapped before my smile disappeared. Okay, lets take care of some rats, everybody.

Our group then rushed forward, dodging people as we traversed through the crowd of the middle district until we found an alleyway. Darting into it, Saori clad us all in her [Shadow Armament] and used [Shadow Dash] to transport us into the shadow world.

[Shadow Armament (Full Body)] inflicted on [Young Sunfang Dragon, Hestia Atsuko Kargryxmor]

After a few moments inside the shadow realm, Saori began pointing out footsteps. They werent exactly clear to us yet, but the moment three men showed themselves in the alleyway, looking around frantically to find us, Saori pushed us all out of the shadow.

What?! Arck! Grimnir grabbed the first, disarming him before smashing him onto the ground.

Shit! Ru-Argh! And the second was captured using Ellaines whipsword, entangling him in her whip.

Wha-?! Finally, the third was rushed down by Saori the same way she handled our examiner, only this time, she wrapped him up in her mana threads.

After we captured all three and had them immobile in mana threads, we threw them next to the wall. Tasianna then cast [Air Shield] around us while Grimnir and Saori scared away any potential witnesses.

Well, Mister Rats, whose spies are you?

A note from AbyssRaven

I'm a bit braindead right now so I don't know what to write in the author notes. Too tired.

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About the author

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Wednesday, October 27, 2021 12:11:17 AM Germany [Member of Zard Skwad]

Bio: Hey there, AbyssRaven here. I'm just an avid Light Novel and Fantasy story reader who randomly thought of a story and began writing about it.

I eventually found out that I've been spending a bit too much time with building, planning, and researching for the story, that I've decided to just share it with others.

Writing is mostly a hobby for me, but I would still love any kind of criticism to improve on it.

I'm also german, so please excuse anything that sounds a bit weird...I wouldn't mind you pointing it out though.

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