“... Don’t tell me this is about that..?” I muttered to myself, as I read a letter I got from the Capital’s adventurer’s guild’s guild master. It asked me to come visit the Capital’s guild at my own convenience, and it also requested that I bring Lua, Alice, Ria and Agunan along.
It has to be about James, right? I mean, why else would they ask me to come to the guild? I haven’t done anything else that would catch the guild’s eye in the Capital.
“... I really don’t want to go…” I complained to myself. Why am I getting in trouble for something that someone else caused? It isn’t my fault that that drunk moron picked a fight with me, but I’m the one to face the consequences.
And I know I’m just being a whiny kid about it. I knew I had to go, so I asked Nudy to go get Agunan and Ria. I would get Alice and Lua myself.
Spoiler [collapse]
After we grouped up and I explained what was happening, I sent Agunan and Ria to change their clothes to something more adventurer appropriate. It would look strange if the two showed up to the guild in a tuxedo and maid dress respectively. Lua and Alice also headed to their rooms to change into something more appropriate, because while their daily wear wouldn’t look too off at the guild, they said they wanted to go in adventuring gear.
Because everyone else was changing, I also decided to trade my hoodie for my armored jacket. Just in case we ran into James again. I really should make myself some new stuff. Maybe some armored pants to go with the jacket, and perhaps even some better boots. Helmet… maybe. But I’m not sure if I want one, as it wouldn’t look that good on me. And yes. Looks are more important than absolute safety. I’m a backline summoner/supporter, not a frontline fighter. And my set cards and stats should keep me safe.
After everyone was dressed up, we headed for a teleporter and I beamed us to the Sawyer manor’s front yard. I really have to compliment the personnel working there. They don’t even bat an eye to my antics any more, and it hasn’t been a week since I arrived.
As we walked through the city, our group got some … funny looks. Well, it was mostly Agunan, as even in the capital, which had a more diverse populace than places like Sawyer city, Agunan with his red dragon-scaled skin and pair of wings stood out. Literally, as he was also quite tall. The only person in the capital to rival his height, as far as I’ve seen, has been that Rudevik guy we saw at the cookie store. … Well, I suppose James in his Hulk form was also larger than Agunan, but that doesn’t count. And if Agunan turned back into a dragon, he would be way larger than the wannabe red hulk.
Now I kind of want to see that. Red hulk vs. Red dragon. Not that it would be a real competition. Agunan would win no problem. If he couldn’t … I don’t know what I would do. Probably spam installs into him or something. Maybe force him to train extremely hard. I can’t have my dragon losing to some random raging drunk.
The Capital’s adventurer’s guild was the largest I’ve seen yet. Well, actually the Hero’s countries guild was even larger, but I only saw it from the sky, so this is the largest I’ve been inside.
We entered the building, and a lot of adventurers quickly turned to look at us. I often wonder why so many adventurers can just sit around at the guild? Like, isn’t this prime time for you to be working? Or do you just make so much per quest that you only need to take one per week or something? Not that I’m one to talk, but my money doesn’t come from adventuring. It comes from cheating. Upstart Goblin is basically the same as Motherlode.
As I was scanning the crowd, I spotted someone that I recognized. Though the man wasn’t difficult to spot, due to his size. He was the giant bodybuilder we saw at the cookie store named Rudevik. It was cool to see him here, but now I really hope the other S-ranker isn’t here. There were just two of them in the capital, right? Well, if our business is about that James fellow, hopefully this guy will deal with him instead. I don’t want to get into any more trouble than I already am.
We lined up and waited until one of the counters was free. Not that there was much of a line, but there was one person ahead of us, so we did have to wait a sec.
“Hello. How may I be of service today?” The happy receptionist welcomed our group. I was actually quite impressed that she didn’t worry about Agunan, but she must be a professional.
“I got a letter from the guild master, asking us to come to the guild.” I told the receptionist, as I placed the letter on the desk.
She picked it up and scanned it. I let her, as the letter didn’t really have any information she wouldn’t easily find out.
“I understand. If you would please wait for a second. I shall inform the guild master of your arrival.”
A bit later, the receptionist returned and asked us to follow her to the guild masters room.
We of course did as requested, and soon enough we were in a sizable office. It wasn’t much larger than the GM room I saw in Sawyer city, but just a bit more space makes a big difference in rooms of this size. I mean, this is the only GM’s room where there have been two couches for the visitors, so that is already something.
The walls of the room, as seems to be almost tradition by this point, were filled with filing cabinets and display cabinets. The displays had some interesting looking weapons inside of them, while the filing cabinets… Well, I can’t see what is inside of them, but I’m sure you can imagine. I was more interested in the weapons in the first place, as some of them looked quite nice. I’d honestly love to analyze all of them, just so I could have them in my reference library when I work on weapons of my own. Maybe put all of the info about them into a book and give that to Wilma and Karl so they can also look it over.
As for the GM, well, she was somewhat interesting. Not just because she was the first female GM I’ve met. … well okay, that is a part of it. But what really was different was that her build wasn’t the usual muscle build that I got used to with the other GM’s that I’ve met. She was actually quite lean, though she still clearly had some reasonable muscle visible.
She was also an elf, at least based on her pointed ears. Her hair was long, platinum blond in color, and had some light blue stripes running through it. Quite pretty and somewhat unique, as even in this fantasy world, hair with striped colors like that isn’t common at all. Oh, and her eyes were blue, not quite the same light as her hair, they were a bit darker, but not quite what I’d call dark blue. They were just … regular blue.
“Please. Do take a seat.” The GM said to us.
After we took our seats, I just had to ask. “... so, what do we owe this pleasure to? This isn’t about what happened three days ago, right?”
“About James? No. He is of little concern at this moment.” The GM quickly put away my worries. “This is something much more important, but I suppose before I get to that, some introductions are in order. My name is Futerasu Hikari, but please feel free to call me Tera.”
She has a surname? So she is a noble? Good to know. I guess it isn’t that strange for the country to give her a title, since that James guy has an honorary title. If he has one, anyone can get one.
“Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Tera. As you already know, I am Brian Wood.”
The rest of us also introduced ourselves, even though she 100% knew us. She did write our names on the invite letter after all.
“Now then. Why I called you here. I would like all of you to take part in a special promotion exam. We can’t have you staying at C-rank forever.”
“Why not? Not like we really even do guild quests. We are barely adventurers at this time.” I commented.
“Because you can’t get access to the actually worthwhile quests, right?”
“... well that is also a fact, but also because we are busy.”
“I probably would do more, if I could get better quests.” Alice admitted.
“At least some of you see my point.” The GM said. “So, I simply would like you to go through a special exam, and I will bump you all up to A-rank if you pass.”
“... can you really do that?” I asked.
“Can the guild have adventurers that fight SS-rank monsters be C-rank?” She returned my question.
“... I have never fought an SS-rank.” Lua admitted.
“Yeah. Alice and I kind of always stole them.” I admitted.
“Excuse me, but how many SS-ranks have you defeated? Your party?” The GM asked.
“Do you want the official answer, or the true answer?” I asked.
“... both?”
“Two and four.”
“I don’t follow.”
“Officially two. The Behemoth at Alewatch and Ursa Major at Oroco. In actuality, two more.”
“And why didn’t you tell the guild about them?”
“They happened outside of the country, so I didn’t see it necessary.” I told her. “... actually, why am I telling you this? You aren’t mind controlling me, right?”
“You do it because she has boobs.” Lua reminded me.
“Hey! I rescind that.”
“But it is somewhat true.” Alice added. “You let a lot more info go when talking with a female.”
“Please don’t have your relationship problems in my office.” The GM told us off. “So how is it? Do you wish to take part in the exam?”
“Of course we will.” Alice answered before I had the time to make a snarky remark about us having a choice. “What will the exam be?”
Why do I have to fight this giant cookie monster? What will this prove? That I can beat up an S-rank adventurer? I already did that once. Doesn’t the GM read the tabloid?
Well jokes aside, the first part of the test was indeed a fighting test. The GM originally planned to test us out either herself, or have an A-rank adventurer fight us. But as Rudevik was just hanging out at the guild, she asked him to come instead. And now I’m standing opposite to him, having to fight him.
“... so, how should I do this? Just beat him up, or?” I asked the GM.
“Don’t think it will be that easy.” Rudevik said.
“You can do anything, as long as he doesn’t die. I already called for a healer and I can also use basic healing magic.”
“I can also heal.” Lua offered. “I can use both Light and Water attribute healing magic. As well as Blood magic.”
“... I see. Then if you would, that would be a great help.” The GM agreed to Lua’s suggestion.
“What about you, mister Rudevik? Do you want to test me? Or me when I’m serious?”
“Don’t you even dare to hold back!” Rudevik barked out. “I want to see the force you use to take down SS-rank beasts.”
“... alrighty then. Answered my questions.” I said, as I pulled open the collection.
I need something not too large, but also powerful. Let’s just sort by attack and. Oh? I almost forgot about you. You are perfect for this. I just need to fusion summon you. Shame I won’t use the Fusion spell I got with you, but that is just something you’ll have to deal with. Now just get out the cards and…
“I activate Polymerization. I fuse together five Spellcasters.
The might of five Spellcasters come together as one.
And from it, the fivefold magician is born.
I fusion summon. My perfect Spellcaster appears.
Quintet Magician!”
SpoilerAs my five monsters became one, the eyes of both the GM and Rudevik opened quite wide. I’ve seen more extreme reactions, but this is certainly one of the reactions that has happened.
My monster then slowly levitated towards the ground, and landed in front of me.
“Master. I am thankful that you have summoned me. How may I be of service?” Quintet Magician asked.
“The GM wants me to prove my strength. Fight mister Rudevik over there to do that. Don’t kill him.” I instructed my magician.
“As you wish.” Quintet Magician answered, as a grin formed on his face.
“Don’t go overboard.” I reminded him. If we were fighting that James guy, I’d be all for killing him and resurrecting him, but I don’t want Rudevik to go through that. He doesn’t seem like that bad of a guy.
“Are you ready to go?” I asked my opponent. “Because my summon is.”
Rudevik quickly recovered from his daydream and took a stance. Then it almost seemed like he was munching on something, even though I didn’t spot him putting anything into his mouth, before he responded: “Ready! Bring it on.”
“Go.” I quietly ordered my monster.
As Quintet Magician moved, so did Rudevik. He moved at speeds that rivaled, if not exceeded, the other S-ranker in the city. At least how I saw James moving that night.
Rudevik came straight at my Magician and threw a punch. Only to have said punch blocked by a small magic shield, just about the size of his fist. Quintet Magician then quickly casted another spell, which caused a wind shear that pushed the warrior away from him. At least it seems that Rudevik is a warrior, as he brought this fight to the melee range.
“Not bad. Not bad.” Rudevik commended my Magician. “Blocking my punch is no easy feat.”
“That was quite simple actually.” My Magician told him. “You need a lot more strength to fight me. Please take this seriously.”
“He is right, you know.” I called over. “And he is a summoned monster. Even if you kill him, he will come back.” I reminded Rudevik. Technically it is possible he didn’t even know that, but I feel like he would have known.
“Then I shall not hold back. Do your best, magician.” After Rudevik said that, he once again munched with his empty mouth. I know he didn’t put anything into his mouth, so what is he doing? Why is he fake eating?
I didn’t have time to think about that any more, as the fight was back on. Sure I was just watching from the sidelines, but…
Suddenly, I felt something off. A bunch of mana appeared around me and formed a shield to protect me. Quintet Magician apparently cast some sort of barrier around me.
Why would it? Well, because apparently Rudevik is an asshole. Instead of fighting the monster I summoned, he decided to come straight at me. Too bad for him, my monster is OP and was able to set up a barrier in time.
And Quintet Magician wasn’t happy about what Rudevik did. He instantly made multiple magic circles and began flinging spells from them. The first one teleported Rudevik away from me, and up to the air. Then a barrage of elemental spells hit the man, followed by powerful beams aimed at his limbs. The barrage caused wounds all over his body, while the beams pierced holes into his arms and legs. While his limbs were still attached, they were anything but usable. And with Rudevik now reduced to that state, Quintet Magician let his hold on the man go, and the large man crashed onto the ground.
… so, does this count as a win? I mean, my opponent is unable to continue, so… I win?
“... Don’t tell me this is about that..?” I muttered to myself, as I read a letter I got from the Capital’s adventurer’s guild’s guild master. It asked me to come visit the Capital’s guild at my own convenience, and it also requested that I bring Lua, Alice, Ria and Agunan along.
It has to be about James, right? I mean, why else would they ask me to come to the guild? I haven’t done anything else that would catch the guild’s eye in the Capital.
“... I really don’t want to go…” I complained to myself. Why am I getting in trouble for something that someone else caused? It isn’t my fault that that drunk moron picked a fight with me, but I’m the one to face the consequences.
And I know I’m just being a whiny kid about it. I knew I had to go, so I asked Nudy to go get Agunan and Ria. I would get Alice and Lua myself.
Spoiler [collapse]
After we grouped up and I explained what was happening, I sent Agunan and Ria to change their clothes to something more adventurer appropriate. It would look strange if the two showed up to the guild in a tuxedo and maid dress respectively. Lua and Alice also headed to their rooms to change into something more appropriate, because while their daily wear wouldn’t look too off at the guild, they said they wanted to go in adventuring gear.
Because everyone else was changing, I also decided to trade my hoodie for my armored jacket. Just in case we ran into James again. I really should make myself some new stuff. Maybe some armored pants to go with the jacket, and perhaps even some better boots. Helmet… maybe. But I’m not sure if I want one, as it wouldn’t look that good on me. And yes. Looks are more important than absolute safety. I’m a backline summoner/supporter, not a frontline fighter. And my set cards and stats should keep me safe.
After everyone was dressed up, we headed for a teleporter and I beamed us to the Sawyer manor’s front yard. I really have to compliment the personnel working there. They don’t even bat an eye to my antics any more, and it hasn’t been a week since I arrived.
As we walked through the city, our group got some … funny looks. Well, it was mostly Agunan, as even in the capital, which had a more diverse populace than places like Sawyer city, Agunan with his red dragon-scaled skin and pair of wings stood out. Literally, as he was also quite tall. The only person in the capital to rival his height, as far as I’ve seen, has been that Rudevik guy we saw at the cookie store. … Well, I suppose James in his Hulk form was also larger than Agunan, but that doesn’t count. And if Agunan turned back into a dragon, he would be way larger than the wannabe red hulk.
Now I kind of want to see that. Red hulk vs. Red dragon. Not that it would be a real competition. Agunan would win no problem. If he couldn’t … I don’t know what I would do. Probably spam installs into him or something. Maybe force him to train extremely hard. I can’t have my dragon losing to some random raging drunk.
The Capital’s adventurer’s guild was the largest I’ve seen yet. Well, actually the Hero’s countries guild was even larger, but I only saw it from the sky, so this is the largest I’ve been inside.
We entered the building, and a lot of adventurers quickly turned to look at us. I often wonder why so many adventurers can just sit around at the guild? Like, isn’t this prime time for you to be working? Or do you just make so much per quest that you only need to take one per week or something? Not that I’m one to talk, but my money doesn’t come from adventuring. It comes from cheating. Upstart Goblin is basically the same as Motherlode.
As I was scanning the crowd, I spotted someone that I recognized. Though the man wasn’t difficult to spot, due to his size. He was the giant bodybuilder we saw at the cookie store named Rudevik. It was cool to see him here, but now I really hope the other S-ranker isn’t here. There were just two of them in the capital, right? Well, if our business is about that James fellow, hopefully this guy will deal with him instead. I don’t want to get into any more trouble than I already am.
We lined up and waited until one of the counters was free. Not that there was much of a line, but there was one person ahead of us, so we did have to wait a sec.
“Hello. How may I be of service today?” The happy receptionist welcomed our group. I was actually quite impressed that she didn’t worry about Agunan, but she must be a professional.
“I got a letter from the guild master, asking us to come to the guild.” I told the receptionist, as I placed the letter on the desk.
She picked it up and scanned it. I let her, as the letter didn’t really have any information she wouldn’t easily find out.
“I understand. If you would please wait for a second. I shall inform the guild master of your arrival.”
A bit later, the receptionist returned and asked us to follow her to the guild masters room.
We of course did as requested, and soon enough we were in a sizable office. It wasn’t much larger than the GM room I saw in Sawyer city, but just a bit more space makes a big difference in rooms of this size. I mean, this is the only GM’s room where there have been two couches for the visitors, so that is already something.
The walls of the room, as seems to be almost tradition by this point, were filled with filing cabinets and display cabinets. The displays had some interesting looking weapons inside of them, while the filing cabinets… Well, I can’t see what is inside of them, but I’m sure you can imagine. I was more interested in the weapons in the first place, as some of them looked quite nice. I’d honestly love to analyze all of them, just so I could have them in my reference library when I work on weapons of my own. Maybe put all of the info about them into a book and give that to Wilma and Karl so they can also look it over.
As for the GM, well, she was somewhat interesting. Not just because she was the first female GM I’ve met. … well okay, that is a part of it. But what really was different was that her build wasn’t the usual muscle build that I got used to with the other GM’s that I’ve met. She was actually quite lean, though she still clearly had some reasonable muscle visible.
She was also an elf, at least based on her pointed ears. Her hair was long, platinum blond in color, and had some light blue stripes running through it. Quite pretty and somewhat unique, as even in this fantasy world, hair with striped colors like that isn’t common at all. Oh, and her eyes were blue, not quite the same light as her hair, they were a bit darker, but not quite what I’d call dark blue. They were just … regular blue.
“Please. Do take a seat.” The GM said to us.
After we took our seats, I just had to ask. “... so, what do we owe this pleasure to? This isn’t about what happened three days ago, right?”
“About James? No. He is of little concern at this moment.” The GM quickly put away my worries. “This is something much more important, but I suppose before I get to that, some introductions are in order. My name is Futerasu Hikari, but please feel free to call me Tera.”
She has a surname? So she is a noble? Good to know. I guess it isn’t that strange for the country to give her a title, since that James guy has an honorary title. If he has one, anyone can get one.
“Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Tera. As you already know, I am Brian Wood.”
The rest of us also introduced ourselves, even though she 100% knew us. She did write our names on the invite letter after all.
“Now then. Why I called you here. I would like all of you to take part in a special promotion exam. We can’t have you staying at C-rank forever.”
“Why not? Not like we really even do guild quests. We are barely adventurers at this time.” I commented.
“Because you can’t get access to the actually worthwhile quests, right?”
“... well that is also a fact, but also because we are busy.”
“I probably would do more, if I could get better quests.” Alice admitted.
“At least some of you see my point.” The GM said. “So, I simply would like you to go through a special exam, and I will bump you all up to A-rank if you pass.”
“... can you really do that?” I asked.
“Can the guild have adventurers that fight SS-rank monsters be C-rank?” She returned my question.
“... I have never fought an SS-rank.” Lua admitted.
“Yeah. Alice and I kind of always stole them.” I admitted.
“Excuse me, but how many SS-ranks have you defeated? Your party?” The GM asked.
“Do you want the official answer, or the true answer?” I asked.
“... both?”
“Two and four.”
“I don’t follow.”
“Officially two. The Behemoth at Alewatch and Ursa Major at Oroco. In actuality, two more.”
“And why didn’t you tell the guild about them?”
“They happened outside of the country, so I didn’t see it necessary.” I told her. “... actually, why am I telling you this? You aren’t mind controlling me, right?”
“You do it because she has boobs.” Lua reminded me.
“Hey! I rescind that.”
“But it is somewhat true.” Alice added. “You let a lot more info go when talking with a female.”
“Please don’t have your relationship problems in my office.” The GM told us off. “So how is it? Do you wish to take part in the exam?”
“Of course we will.” Alice answered before I had the time to make a snarky remark about us having a choice. “What will the exam be?”
Why do I have to fight this giant cookie monster? What will this prove? That I can beat up an S-rank adventurer? I already did that once. Doesn’t the GM read the tabloid?
Well jokes aside, the first part of the test was indeed a fighting test. The GM originally planned to test us out either herself, or have an A-rank adventurer fight us. But as Rudevik was just hanging out at the guild, she asked him to come instead. And now I’m standing opposite to him, having to fight him.
“... so, how should I do this? Just beat him up, or?” I asked the GM.
“Don’t think it will be that easy.” Rudevik said.
“You can do anything, as long as he doesn’t die. I already called for a healer and I can also use basic healing magic.”
“I can also heal.” Lua offered. “I can use both Light and Water attribute healing magic. As well as Blood magic.”
“... I see. Then if you would, that would be a great help.” The GM agreed to Lua’s suggestion.
“What about you, mister Rudevik? Do you want to test me? Or me when I’m serious?”
“Don’t you even dare to hold back!” Rudevik barked out. “I want to see the force you use to take down SS-rank beasts.”
“... alrighty then. Answered my questions.” I said, as I pulled open the collection.
I need something not too large, but also powerful. Let’s just sort by attack and. Oh? I almost forgot about you. You are perfect for this. I just need to fusion summon you. Shame I won’t use the Fusion spell I got with you, but that is just something you’ll have to deal with. Now just get out the cards and…
“I activate Polymerization. I fuse together five Spellcasters.
The might of five Spellcasters come together as one.
And from it, the fivefold magician is born.
I fusion summon. My perfect Spellcaster appears.
Quintet Magician!”
SpoilerAs my five monsters became one, the eyes of both the GM and Rudevik opened quite wide. I’ve seen more extreme reactions, but this is certainly one of the reactions that has happened.
My monster then slowly levitated towards the ground, and landed in front of me.
“Master. I am thankful that you have summoned me. How may I be of service?” Quintet Magician asked.
“The GM wants me to prove my strength. Fight mister Rudevik over there to do that. Don’t kill him.” I instructed my magician.
“As you wish.” Quintet Magician answered, as a grin formed on his face.
“Don’t go overboard.” I reminded him. If we were fighting that James guy, I’d be all for killing him and resurrecting him, but I don’t want Rudevik to go through that. He doesn’t seem like that bad of a guy.
“Are you ready to go?” I asked my opponent. “Because my summon is.”
Rudevik quickly recovered from his daydream and took a stance. Then it almost seemed like he was munching on something, even though I didn’t spot him putting anything into his mouth, before he responded: “Ready! Bring it on.”
“Go.” I quietly ordered my monster.
As Quintet Magician moved, so did Rudevik. He moved at speeds that rivaled, if not exceeded, the other S-ranker in the city. At least how I saw James moving that night.
Rudevik came straight at my Magician and threw a punch. Only to have said punch blocked by a small magic shield, just about the size of his fist. Quintet Magician then quickly casted another spell, which caused a wind shear that pushed the warrior away from him. At least it seems that Rudevik is a warrior, as he brought this fight to the melee range.
“Not bad. Not bad.” Rudevik commended my Magician. “Blocking my punch is no easy feat.”
“That was quite simple actually.” My Magician told him. “You need a lot more strength to fight me. Please take this seriously.”
“He is right, you know.” I called over. “And he is a summoned monster. Even if you kill him, he will come back.” I reminded Rudevik. Technically it is possible he didn’t even know that, but I feel like he would have known.
“Then I shall not hold back. Do your best, magician.” After Rudevik said that, he once again munched with his empty mouth. I know he didn’t put anything into his mouth, so what is he doing? Why is he fake eating?
I didn’t have time to think about that any more, as the fight was back on. Sure I was just watching from the sidelines, but…
Suddenly, I felt something off. A bunch of mana appeared around me and formed a shield to protect me. Quintet Magician apparently cast some sort of barrier around me.
Why would it? Well, because apparently Rudevik is an asshole. Instead of fighting the monster I summoned, he decided to come straight at me. Too bad for him, my monster is OP and was able to set up a barrier in time.
And Quintet Magician wasn’t happy about what Rudevik did. He instantly made multiple magic circles and began flinging spells from them. The first one teleported Rudevik away from me, and up to the air. Then a barrage of elemental spells hit the man, followed by powerful beams aimed at his limbs. The barrage caused wounds all over his body, while the beams pierced holes into his arms and legs. While his limbs were still attached, they were anything but usable. And with Rudevik now reduced to that state, Quintet Magician let his hold on the man go, and the large man crashed onto the ground.
… so, does this count as a win? I mean, my opponent is unable to continue, so… I win?
