Suimei’s eyes narrowed as he watched that beautiful figure disappear.
—If it’s her, then this should be fine. She’s not the kind that enjoys idle chatter, and she doesn’t have any companions. Plus, she’s the cautious type.
Anyway, she was bound for the Empire anyway. It wasn’t likely that what happened here would be leaked.
…Confirming her exit, Suimei raised a question without ever taking his eyes off the doors.
“—So can you tell me what my ranking is?”
Unable to see Suimei’s expression as he posed this question, Dorothea looked up at the ceiling as she answered.
“That, hmm… Right, well, Suimei-san, you defeated both Raikas-san and Enmarph-san.”
“…Yeah.”
“…”
At this, Raikas, his face ashen, looked away. Enmarph’s face was similarly remorseful. As expected, two defeats in a row was hard to stomach. Watching the pair out of the corner of her eyes, Dorothea answered in a business-like tone.
“Although typically speaking a C-rank would be most appropriate, but considering that you’ve clearly demonstrated a B-rank ability, then it only makes sense to register you as a B-rank.”
“Oh…” Suimei said in surprise, this evaluation beyond his expectation.
B-rank. Although he was undoubtedly a person of some ability, he’d still been evaluated quite highly.
Her decision made, Dorothea revealed a happy expression, saying something that seemed to make her happy.
“That was truly very impressive. You’ve become someone famous in one go, Suimei-san.”
“Perhaps.”
“Yep, yep. I can guarantee it.”
As she spoke, she revealed a confident look that seemed to say, “Leave it all to me.”
Indeed. If a new adventurer were to suddenly appear with such a high evaluation, then his name would definitely spread quickly.
“It’s just that—”
“…?”
That was, of course, providing that certain things happened first.
“—That would only happen if the three of you – Dorothea, you included – were to reveal what happened today, right?”
“…? Well, even if we didn’t talk about what happened here, a brand-new B-rank would draw attention all its own.”
—Exactly. That was the key.
As Dorothea stood there, puzzling over his words, before any of them realized what had happened, Suimei adorned himself in his black-colored work clothing.
Suddenly, a terrifying aura burst out from his body.
Raikas, the first to notice something was awry, stared at Suimei.
“…You.”
“It’s not a problem. I won’t become anyone famous. No, during today’s test, I was handily defeated, and was appropriately given a D-rank. This is what you will report. I will be remembered as a second-rate magician without a single redeeming quality besides his ability to work restorative magic.”
“—?”
His words left Dorothea completely uncomprehending, while Raikas and Enmarph were frozen by the tense atmosphere. What had just happened? Along with the frightening pressure being exerted by Suimei, he’d pronounced a declaration for them to follow.
And so—
“I apologize to the three of you, but I’ll have you honor my request.”
“Even if you say that, well…”
“Ah—”
Turning, he suddenly placed his hands atop their heads, and immediately enacted a magic without the least hesitation.
Raikas, charging at him to interrupt his actions, and Dorothea, innocently standing there clueless, were thus subjected to Suimei’s command magic without resistance.
Because neither of the pair had any notable magic resistance, the result was obvious
His magic scoured the expressions from their faces, and their shoulders drooped, their stares blank as they stood lifelessly in place.
There was but one who did not fall under the spell of his magic. Trembling fiercely, Enmarph cried out in fear.
“…Why?”
“Hmm? Do you even have to ask? It’s like I just said. I just want to be ranked appropriately is all.”
“The hell are you saying? Rankings are a matter of the utmost importance to guild members. Throwing away the high rank you’ve attained like that… what is your goal?”
Suimei answered his question without worry.