The other rookie adventurers were stunned for a moment before murmuring to each other. I happened to be standing close enough to hear their conversations.

"I recognized that man, he's the cook who served me lunch the other day!" one of them whispered.

"Are you serious? A cook as an examiner?"

"I'm sure there must be some kind of mistake, as I know, the examiner for the initial rank-allocation-test must be a Silver-ranked adventurer," another one said.

The clerk noticed the uneasiness in the room and cleared his throat, "Allow me to explain. The reason we had Sir Gallagher here filled in is because the original examiner for this test couldn't show up today. And due to the other adventurers of the same rank and cla.s.s being unavailable at the moment, as such, we had no other choice but to request him as a subst.i.tute. However, I a.s.sure you that having him as your examiner wouldn't really affect the result of your test. At least not by a huge margin," the clerk said boringly.

"Hmmph, who do they think I am? To allow a mere cook to a.s.sess my ability, how preposterous!" one adventurer harrumphed. He was a young lad around my age, with brown combed hair, dressed in a fine clothes that reeks of spoiled children.

"No matter," the lad continued. "If that's what's decided, I shall go along this farce and show that my abilities are not something a simple cook could gauge."

The clerk sighed, "Very well, then. We will begin to the test immediately. Adventurer Vargo, please select any weapon on the rack and head over to the arena."

The lad went to the rack and confidently picked up a long-sword. Swinging his sword a few times in his hands, he nodded in approval and made his way to the arena.

The clerk said to the cook, "Sir Gallagher, if you may," his tone respectful. The cook grunted in consent and strolled into the arena, still wearing his ap.r.o.n.

"Where's your weapon? Are you taking me lightly?" the lad snarled at the cook.

The cook didn't reply, his expression remained neutral.

"Have it your way then," the lad spat.

The clerk took his place just outside the arena between the both men and his voiced whipped, "Begin!"

The cook crossed his muscular arms and stood still, gazing down on the lad like an immovable mountain. The lad clicked his tongue and charged straight towards the cook, letting out a cry as he swung his sword against the hulking man's thick torso. As the the blade was about to land of the cook, he stepped slightly to the side, barely dodging the strike, causing the lad's balance to falter. The lad stumbled forward and turned around, but before he can react, the cook's kick blurred and landed on his abdomen, sending him flying out of from arena, spurting a mouthful of blood as he landed.

Seeing the lad knocked out with a singular blow, everyone including me turned their gazes back to the cook with an expression of sheer horror. Seriously? I'm supposed to determine my initial rank by fighting with THAT?

The cook shook his head disappointedly and grunted, "Iron."

We all turned our heads to the clerk, our faces aghast, and demanded an explanation.

"I thought you said the original examiner was absent? What the h.e.l.l happened back there?" one person said.

The clerk sighed again, "True, on the account of us unable to find another Silver-rank Adventurer of the same cla.s.s under such a short notice, we had no choice but to turn to a higher rank examiner. As such, the only other person that was qualified to test you was Sir Gallagher, a Gold-rank adventurer!"

"Then why didn't you postpone the test instead!?" another person protested.

"We initially did, but due to the insistence of a certain n.o.ble right here, were we forced to proceed with the testings. And since he agreed to pay an extra fee in order to find a subst.i.tute, the guild willingly obliged and had Sir Gallagher tested you instead."

We turned to look at the unconscious lad once more, this time with scorn.

The clerk turned to Lia, "Adventurer Liarelle, I presume? Aside from handling the administration of the guild, I also serves as the guild's doctor. As such, I'll be the one to a.s.sess your abilities. Please go to the injured adventurer and tend to him."

"Right away!" Lia jogged towards the incapacitated adventurer.

"Anyway," the clerk said, "Who's next?"

The rest of the adventures avoided eye contact with the clerk.

"Nope."

"Not me."

"I'll pa.s.s."

"Same here."

The four of them dropped out and decided to accept the lowest initial starting rank; Iron.

"I see," the clerk scribbled down something on his clipboard and headed to where Lia is. Halfway through he paused and turned to me, "Adventurer Mike? What about you?"

I shook my head helplessly and said, "I think I'll just-"

"You. Come here. Fight."

I turned around and found a pair of pa.s.sionate eyes staring straight at me.

"Uhh... Nope, I'll pa.s.s," I decisively smothered any hope of trying to win.

"Come here. Fight," the hulking cook crossed his arms and demanded. I suddenly felt his aura rose, exuding off a sense of indomitability. His deep black pupils locked onto mine and his expression hardened, not taking no for an answer. Man, I must've really offended him by acting all lovey-dovey with Lia back in the mess yesterday. I swallowed down my saliva, frantically weighing my options. Knowing that I'd be, without a doubt, beaten to a pulp if I accepted the duel, I decided to take the risk and refuse.

"N-no thank y-you…" my voice came out in a squeak.

"Pfft. p.u.s.s.y."