Chapter 44

And so, on the day of the A-Class promotion exam.

The place we arrived at was a vast, open space.

A gathering hall... or perhaps an arena?

Surrounded by stands, the structure was designed to look down on us in the center.

Gathered on the central flat ground, there must have been two or three hundred of us, including me.

Among them, Noem was naturally included.

Could all these people be B-Class adventurers aiming to become A-Class?

"Finally, the exam is about to start!"

Noem said with an excited expression.

When did she become such an adventurous child? Well, for an adventurer, having a sense of adventure is a good thing, I suppose.

"Don't worry! Luya, you will definitely pass! I'm more worried about myself, as I have no combat skills at all...!?"

"Let's both do our best."

According to what I heard, this Colosseum-like building is a state-owned arena.

It is a facility where the Rubrum Kingdom holds ceremonies and such. In ancient times, bloody duels were held here, or so they say...

But that's beside the point.

The adventurer promotion exam is held nationwide every few years.

Due to its massive scale, the guild alone cannot manage it, so they seek the cooperation of a country somewhere in the world, borrowing people and facilities.

For this exam, the Rubrum Kingdom is the cooperating party.

Incidentally, it is a great honor for a country to host the A-Class promotion exam, and the bidding for the right to host it is always fierce.

The fact that we can stand in a public facility of the Rubrum Kingdom is due to such circumstances.

That's what I heard.

"But I'm worried. In fact, I'm more likely to fail than Noem."

"No, no, that's not true...!?"

"Quite serious. After all, I don't know when being a 'Skillless' will be a hindrance again."

The malice towards 'Skillless' is evident wherever I go.

Even when I first arrived in this country, 'Skillless' was not just a fact of not having skills but also a social handicap.

There's no guarantee that the initial setback will be the last.

"Oh? You're a 'Skillless'?"

Here it comes.

Did they overhear our conversation? A group standing next to us approached us the moment they found out I was 'Skillless'.

"Ha-ha-ha! So, we have a presumptuous one here? A 'Skillless' wants to become an A-Class adventurer?"

"Oh-ho-ho! Give it up! A-Class isn't that easy to achieve without skills!"

"Ha-ha-ha-ha! Are you ready to die? If not, you're underestimating the world by thinking a 'Skillless' can become A-Class!"

The group consisted of three people.

Moreover, they looked like a typical gang of troublemakers, with mohawks, spiky shoulder armor, and leather outfits.

And they all had the same fashion.

It was too perfect.

"Indeed, I am 'Skillless,' but I won't give up just because of that. No matter what."

In the end, I always end up dealing with this kind of trouble.

I should treat it as a mandatory event and finish it quickly.

"Ha-ha-ha! You've got guts, kid! But if it were that easy, A-Class wouldn't be necessary!"

"Ha-ha-ha! As long as you think you can do it with just determination, you're still a rookie!"

"Ha-ha-ha! To become A-Class, you need not just determination but thorough preparation and planning! You need a clear path to victory!"

Then what are you saying?

"Ha-ha-ha! I'm saying you're woefully unprepared! What did you bring with you!?"

"Ha-ha-ha! The A-Class exam is a long haul! Do you think you can make it without a single potion!?"

"Ha-ha-ha! Especially for a 'Skillless' like you, you need ten times the preparation of a normal person!"

O-oh...!?

"Ha-ha-ha! Since you're hopeless, we'll give you some of our potions! Here, ten of them!"

"Ha-ha-ha! The A-Class exam isn't that easy, even with potions! You'll need antidotes and paralysis cures too!"

"Ha-ha-ha! For a 'Skillless,' such preparations are even more necessary! Without skills, you need to rely on your attention to detail for everything!"

Thank you?

The mohawked trio not only gave potions but also antidotes, paralysis cures, stamina drinks, eye drops, reviving drugs, and petrification removal potions. They seemed like grandmothers giving their grandsons a lot of souvenirs.

"Ha-ha-ha! Even with all this, it's not guaranteed you'll pass! That's the harshness of the A-Class exam!"

"Ha-ha-ha! If you really want to become A-Class, don't give up even if you fail once! The key is not giving up!"

"Ha-ha-ha! There's a rookie over there too! Let's give him some guidance!"

And the three mohawked men ran off.

They appeared and disappeared like a storm.

"…I'm holding all these potions…?"

Noem, who was also given a bunch of recovery items, muttered in a daze.

I was also overwhelmed and dazed.

I thought it would be a typical pattern, but it turned out to be something completely different.

The A-Class promotion exam.

Even the participants gathered here to take it are not to be underestimated, it seems.

◆

While this was happening, the waiting time ended, and it seems the exam is about to start for real.

Four people, two men and two women, ascended a raised platform.

All four exuded an aura that they were not ordinary.

"I am Soeides. I will oversee the A-Class adventurer promotion exam."

One of the four spoke representatively.

A middle-aged man in his prime, with a commanding presence.

"First, on behalf of the Adventurer's Guild, I would like to express our deep gratitude to the Rubrum Kingdom for providing the examination venue and various conveniences and cooperation."

After bowing in an unknown direction and making a typical gesture, he turned back to face us, the examinees.

"Now, to the future A-Class adventurers gathered here, or perhaps… to the arrogant ones who mistakenly believe they have the qualifications for A-Class."

The man named Soeides continued.

"Our job is to determine whether you truly have the qualifications. The four of us on this platform, including myself, are all A-Class adventurers. The very beings you aspire to be."

The three behind Soeides stood with smirks on their faces.

A muscular giant, a sickly thin young man, and a young woman with a healthy allure.

"‘Iron Frame’ Grind, ‘Labyrinth Conductor’ Sentences, and ‘Saber Tigress’ Seagull. All are renowned adventurers. We are confident in our ability to oversee this exam. Of course, I, a direct A-Class adventurer under the Guild Council, ‘Invincible Shield’ Soeides, am no exception."

In other words, these active A-Class adventurers will judge and select those who are on par with themselves.

It seems like a reasonable system.

"We hope that as many of the rookies gathered here today will become our equals."

"Maybe none will pass? Ha-ha-ha!"

"Seagull, be quiet."

The only woman on the platform interjected with an ominous comment.

Indeed, the A-Class promotion exam is not easy to pass or fail.

They say there are even fatalities during the exam.

We need to stay focused.

"Before we start the exam… there is one more thing."

What is it?

Everyone here is on edge, thinking the exam is about to start!

"We have a guest for this exam. At their request, they wish to observe the selection process of the world's top adventurers. It's for their future as a king."

A king…?

"Let me introduce them. Prince Zemnant of the Centakilian Kingdom."

A fifth person ascended the platform.

I recognized the handsome young man.

Ah, yes.

Before our journey, at the audience with the king in our original country, he was one of the princes and princesses lined up.

"Don't be nervous, no matter that I am the first in line to the throne of the Centakilian Kingdom!"

What is he saying?

"A prince from another country attending an event in the Rubrum Kingdom. Some may find this strange."

"But there's no need to question it! I have deep ties to this country!"

The prince started talking without being asked.

"After all, my mother, the second queen of the Centakilian Kingdom, was originally a princess of the Rubrum Kingdom! In other words, the king of Rubrum is my uncle! He allowed me to observe because I am his beloved nephew! Ha-ha-ha-ha!"

Ah, that's right.

I had a vague memory of the name Rubrum, but now I remember.

It was mentioned by that prince.

He was determined to be the next king and had always been hostile towards his rival, Reslera.

And now, he stands before us.

This is not a good omen.