Chapter 37

Satowa carefully chose his words to ensure that his evaluation of Allen was neither too high nor too low, as he continued his conversation with Shell.

"That's right.

And he also said that Allen was deeply moved by the senior's passion.

Even though the materials for collection were of little value to Rio, Allen mentioned that he was collecting them with great enthusiasm.

As an explorer, Allen respects the passion of enjoying the collection itself, without forgetting the joy of the task at hand."

"Hmm?

That's quite impressive.

It doesn't matter whether the difficulty of the request or the value of the materials is high or low.

He hunts because it's fun.

There are too many fools who get the fundamental premise wrong, thinking they need money or fame."

"Exactly as you say, President.

Like Rio, no matter what job he does, a top-tier person never forgets their passion."

Shell and Odilon found themselves in agreement for the first time.

"What I most want to praise about him is his character.

I heard that Allen met Rio, who was about to go out for collection, in front of the dormitory yesterday by chance and immediately asked to join him.

Despite this, Allen spoke with shining eyes, recounting specific episodes that highlighted how much he respected Rio.

To be able to see so many good points in someone else in just one day is a testament to his humble heart and his innate observational skills."

"Hmm...

I think you can get a sense of a person by just drinking and talking with them.

But I can appreciate his quick decision to join Rio on the spot."

"Exactly as you say, Lord Satowa.

Moreover, the ability to sincerely praise others' strengths can be seen as a reflection of one's absolute confidence in oneself."

The President's evaluation was gradually becoming favorable.

Satowa, carefully gauging Shell's reaction, continued.

"At first, no matter how much Allen was praised, he only responded with modesty, never lowering his guard.

I thought it was impressive for a 12-year-old...

But when it came to talking about Rio, he suddenly became like a typical young boy, sharing information he hadn't been asked for, adding his own details."

Satowa smiled, recalling Allen's behavior at the time.

"Of course, his lack of caution could be a weakness in the future, considering his environment.

However, there was something endearing about his somewhat careless and unguarded nature, which is not typical of a Royal Academy student...

That's why I evaluated him as a 'lovable boy.'"

"Hmm.

Well, he's more likable than a kid who just repeats safe answers and acts like an elite."

Satowa was satisfied that Shell's evaluation of Allen was settling nicely.

He then decided to bring up a somewhat difficult topic.

"...So, about his explorer rank..."

"Huh?

Oh, did you give him a C rank with your authority?

Well, since he seems to be active and not just a decoration, that's fine, right?"

Odilon nodded.

But Satowa still seemed hesitant.

"What's the matter?

...Did you give him a B rank?

Man, that's a bit too lenient, isn't it?

...Well, if you saw that much potential in him, I won't say no.

At the very least, make him come and greet me once.

If you give a B rank to a kid you've never met, using the President's authority, it won't set a good example for other explorers.

But if I talk to him and approve, I can silence any complaints from others."

Shell cracked his knuckles and laughed, indicating that he wasn't going to let this go.

Odilon objected.

"I'm against it.

I can imagine he has that potential, but there's no reason to rush his rank.

If we set such a precedent, influential noble parents will start demanding higher ranks for their children, and the significance of the explorer ranks will be lost."

This was a very reasonable opinion.

But Satowa remained silent.

"Hey, don't tell me you gave him an A—"

At that point, Satowa decided to report the truth.

"...Well...

With his consent, he was registered as a G rank."

"...What?

What's that supposed to mean?

A G rank is like a low-level errand boy.

If you saw that much potential in him, why didn't you reject his ridiculous request?"

Even Shell was confused.

"...At first, I intended to register him as a C rank.

But he insisted that the standard D rank was fine, or even G, and that he didn't need any special treatment...

Because he seemed so uninterested in the rank, I impulsively suggested, 'How about recommending him for a B rank?' to test him.

Through the conversation about Rio, we had become quite relaxed, and he was sharing information freely.

I had started to underestimate him...

Suddenly, he wiped the friendly smile from his face, stood up, and with a cold, emotionless voice, said, 'I'll withdraw my registration,' and walked towards the door..."

"Man, Satowa, that was a rare mistake for you.

From what you've said, this kid isn't the type to jump at a decorative rank."

"...Maybe he felt disrespected despite my sincere approach."

Shell and Odilon both looked at Satowa with disapproval.

"It was entirely my fault.

With Rio's help, I managed to get him to sit down again, but no matter what I said, he refused to register at any rank other than G...

Given his enthusiasm and dedication to improving himself through his activities, I felt I had to accept his conditions."

Shell sighed.

"Ha.

I guess it wasn't as simple as I thought...

That's why I said I should have been there.

Well, what's done is done.

Give it some time and talk to him again.

It would be a waste to give such a talented and motivated kid a meaningless job."

I know that best, being a G rank myself, Shell added.

But Satowa's expression remained gloomy.

"...But... it seems he is genuinely happy with the G rank...

When I agreed to register him as a G rank, he suddenly became very cheerful.

When I asked him why he was so happy, he said, 'This way, I can experience being an explorer from start to finish,' with a broad smile.

...When I saw that smile, I was truly frightened.

I began to wonder if he had come to the interview with the goal of starting at G rank.

At least, he seemed ready to cut to the chase...

His sudden change was so striking that I couldn't help but think he had been leading me on.

Even though I didn't notice any unnatural points in our conversation, his smile was so confident that it made me think he had been guiding me all along."

Shell laughed.

"Hehehe.

A top-rated student from the Royal Academy manipulating Satowa to experience being an explorer from the bottom up.

That's pretty impressive!"

Shell clenched his fist and stood up.

I overdid it, didn't I?

Satowa quickly tried to defuse the situation.

"By the way, he said this!

He was impressed by Rio's proposal to eat the Horned Rabbits without wasting any, showing gratitude towards living beings!"

"Gratitude towards living beings?

Hey, that's a bit too soft.

Can such a kid really make it as an explorer?"

Shell slumped in his chair.

Did I overdo it?

"By the way, he had an opinion on the material of the explorer registration card.

He said it would be more romantic to use different materials for each rank, like in the old days, rather than just focusing on cost."

Shell stood up again.

"That's a good point!

All they ever talk about is cost and budget. What can they actually do?"

Did I overdo it again?

"By the way—"

~15 minutes later~

"Damn! In the end, I still don't know what kind of kid he is!

That's why I should have seen him myself!

I'll temporarily set his secret evaluation to A with my authority and quickly promote him!

Then I'll have the chance to see him for myself!"

After the rapid emotional ups and downs, Shell was now extremely sensitive.

Even the seasoned Satowa, a middle manager in the elite bureaucracy, couldn't control this emotional Shell.

Thus, Shell, who had been repeatedly left hanging, became even more interested in Allen than if he had just received a normal report.

Incidentally, the "secret evaluation" is the personality assessment conducted by the Association, as mentioned by the gardener Oliver.

Despite the "secret" label, its existence is well-known.

It is primarily based on character, and it is the main reason why it takes so long to raise one's public rank as an explorer.

◆

Allen Lovain, with his iron will, convinced the Deputy President of the Ygrinia Kingdom Explorer Association, Satowa Fjord, to forgo the privileges of a Royal Academy student and register as a G rank explorer.

This news quickly spread throughout the capital.

It was also rumored that Allen Lovain was close to the heir of the Penglai Trading Company, Rio Ghoosh, and that Rio was present during the registration.