Chapter 99

That day, there was a rare visitor at the guild.

We had seen his face a few times and had even talked about work, but he was the kind of person who rarely showed up. As a result, his presence was always faint. However, he was undoubtedly the highest-ranking person in this guild.

His muscular and large frame was dressed in the finest clothes in the guild.

His frown was deep, and his face always seemed to be angry about something.

He embodied the image of a difficult and important person, and that man was none other than Mr. Lamrei, the guild master of the Regol branch.

"As you all know, we are short of manpower!"

There were no formal speeches or morning meetings at the guild, but when he spoke, everyone wanted to listen. He had a mysterious voice.

The men who were making a ruckus in the tavern, the ones who were pondering in front of the bulletin board, and the beginners who were polishing their equipment all stopped what they were doing and focused on the guild master.

"Last year, we were particularly troubled by a shortage of timber. You all know the reason. The population of Regol has increased dramatically! And this year, it will only get worse. We need more people for escorting logging, transporting, and developing new areas!"

Xiaoming and I exchanged puzzled looks.

Usually, the guild was left to the deputy, Mr. Gertna, so why was the guild master here?

Mr. Lamrei was always out in the noble district doing various things. He certainly didn't come just to give us a lecture like a principal.

"And in the fall, it will happen again! The wheat harvest season will come! Many guild members from here in Regol will be assigned to escort duties during the harvest, but to handle the increased workload, we need more active guild members!"

Mr. Lamrei then posted a piece of parchment on the bulletin board.

What is it?

"From now until the fall harvest, we will increase the number of promotion exam days and offer discounts on the participation fees! We will also relax some of the promotion restrictions for Bronze and below! We are desperately short of manpower! Those with the drive should strive to pass the exams!"

After saying that, Mr. Lamrei hurriedly left the guild.

He was as stormy as ever. I've been here for a long time, but I still don't understand him.

"...The promotion exams are getting cheaper."

"If it gets easier to promote from Bronze, I might give it a try. The rewards for escort missions will go up, right?"

"Starting today? So today's exams too?"

"Awesome, the guild master is the best."

While some might question the fairness of the relaxed conditions, for the guild members taking the exams, it was a welcome change.

The young, new guild members were excited about this unexpected good fortune. It would make it easier to promote from Iron to Bronze, and with that, they would have more job options and a more stable income.

"My promotion exam today will be cheaper too, it seems."

"Hey, that's a good deal. The exam to promote from Bronze to Silver isn't relaxed, but you'll be fine, Rina."

"Yeah... Seniors Shina and Ulrika say I can do it, but I'm not sure... But if I'm going to do it, I'll give it my all!"

That's right. Today was Rina's promotion exam.

From Bronze 3 to Silver 1. It was a crucial day for Rina, who was aiming to reach Silver, her long-held goal.

"Rina will ace it. I guarantee it."

"...Bronze 3 is talking. Mongrel, you should take the exam with her today."

"Give it your all, Rina! I'll be cheering you on with a drink!"

"Can you stop using someone's promotion exam as an excuse to drink!?"

So, I decided to enjoy the day as a spectator.

"Thought everyone would come to watch, but it's just Shina?"

"The others are on missions. I was worried, but it's not a test that requires such concern. So, I'm here just in case."

I thought the whole Artemis group would come to cheer for Rina, but it was just Shina. It seems the Silver promotion exam isn't as serious as I thought, or maybe Rina's skills are so good that there's no need to worry.

"Is that Alektra from 'Harvest Sword' watching the rookies?"

"Yeah, something like that. A few of ours were at the right stage, so I was talking to Shina."

Next to Shina was Alektra, the deputy leader of "Harvest Sword."

She's a caring and motherly type, so it's not surprising to see her watching the exams.

"Still, Mongrel is pitiful. Rina, who was a junior two years ago, has already surpassed him. How long does he plan to play around at Bronze?"

"Very pitiful, indeed."

"He's still as annoying as ever!"

"...Trying to provoke him is pointless. He's immune to it."

While we were talking, Rina's exam began.

The content was target shooting.

Multiple targets with numbers were placed at a distance, and she had to shoot them in the order they were called out. It seemed to also test her vision, as missing the numbers would be a problem. Even with good archery skills, misidentifying the targets would be disastrous. Mistaking a monster for a human and shooting it would be a serious issue.

"Next, '7'!"

"Got it."

To me, it looked like an incredibly difficult exam, but for Rina, it seemed like a piece of cake. She didn't even seem to be using a sight.

She hit the targets called out one after another with ease.

"The distance isn't that great, and the targets themselves are large."

"Is the distance not that great?"

"Archers are amazing. Rina is doing well for her age."

"She's our pride. Well, she's not a new recruit anymore... hehe."

Soon, a board with what looked like a monster's image was placed on the ground, and a different test began.

This time, she had to shoot at the weak points of the monster depicted on the board.

The target seemed to be a Charge Deer, and aiming for the eyes, neck, and heart would earn higher scores.

The shooting position was a bit further away, so Rina seemed to be focusing on precision, using a sight to steady her hand.

"Wow, she's good."

"Even with stationary targets, she's doing well."

"She could have passed a year ago if she wanted to."

Seriously? If Artemis had tried, she might have been Silver last year.

"But hitting stationary targets doesn't mean you can fight monsters. You also need to get used to the tension and atmosphere of facing real prey, or you might freeze in a real situation."

"True, I understand that. Even if you're good at sparring, it's different in a real fight."

"...Exactly. New recruits should gain more experience in situations that match their abilities. I have my doubts about the guild master's decision to relax promotion requirements for Bronze and below."

"True... Last year's harvest season was very busy..."

"They were desperate for more manpower."

...They want to ensure a larger number of Bronze and Silver members.

It sounds like... especially with the harvest season coming up. It feels like they're preparing for conscription.

But it's still summer. Can you sense war preparations this early? It's unlikely that Halperia would attack. If they were, it might be that they detected preparations for an invasion by Sangreal, but starting preparations this early is unusual.

It's definitely not a small-scale conflict.

"Shina, if Rina gets conscripted, you'll protect her, right?"

"Of course, I will."

Shina laughed, snorting.

"Even under an incompetent commander, we won't be used up."

"...You're confident."

"Would you like to protect Mongrel too?"

"I can protect myself."

"What's this? Is Artemis trying to recruit Mongrel?"

"Is Alektra not recruiting?"

"Some are, but I'm against it. We don't need more leaders like our captain in our party."

"Hehe."

"Hey, stop calling me a pervert."

"Quiet. You get along so well with our captain."

I don't want to be called a pervert... Could you tell Dickbalt that for me, Alektra?

"Passed easily!"

"Congratulations, Rina! Well done..."

"Thanks! It was easier than I thought, and I was a bit disappointed."

Rina passed the exam and was promoted to Silver 1.

From now on, she will carry a brand new silver plate on her missions. Kids grow up so fast...

"Should I stop calling Mongrel-senpai 'senpai'? ...Maybe just 'Mongrel-san'? ...Or should Mongrel-senpai call me 'senpai'?"

"Hmm, that sounds interesting. Hehe."

"Rina-senpai! Nice to meet you! Thank you!"

"...I think it's better to stay the same."

The important silver plate is not available yet. It needs to be engraved with personal numbers and names, so it will be handed over at the earliest tomorrow.

"By the way, I actually prepared a congratulatory gift for Rina."

"Really?"

"Since I was sure you'd pass soon, here you go."

I took a light pink accessory from my pocket and placed it in Rina's hand.

"It's a pendant made from a whale's tooth. You can wear it with a different string if you like."

"Wow... What is this... It's amazing. Ah, it's a dog...!"

"I bought the tooth when I got the whale's whiskers. I worked really hard to carve it with a file."

The design was my idea, a deformed mixed-breed dog's face.

There are holes in various useful places, making it easy to attach a string, chain, or leather strap. You could even attach it to your dog tag.

"By the way, there's a small ball inside. If you take off the string and blow into the hole, it makes a whistle sound."

"A whistle?"

"In an emergency, if you're lost or can't move, blow it as hard as you can. Someone nearby might hear and help. With a bit of luck, of course."

In other words, it's a whistle in the form of an accessory. I thought it might be a bit overprotective, but it's like a good luck charm. It's also practical, so I feel more at ease knowing she has it.

"You're so skilled... You should become a craftsman."

"Ha, it took me days to make this small thing. No way I could do that."

"Wow, Mongrel can make something like this. It's quite cute."

Rina was staring at the cheeky dog face accessory.

Was the design a bit off?

"...It's amazing. I'm so happy. Thank you, Mongrel-senpai!"

"Ah, you're welcome. I'm glad you like it. ...Congratulations, Rina. Stay safe and do your best, even as a Silver."

"Thank you!"

It seems my handmade accessory will be used. That's a relief. I'm glad it won't end up in a drawer somewhere.

"By the way, Rina, if you put the shaft of an arrow into that hole and shoot, it becomes a whistling arrow. I haven't tried it, but you can if you have time."

"No, I don't want to use it like that! I might lose it!"

"...You even add strange functions to gifts, don't you?"