The purpose of the test was, of course, to determine who would pass.
　So let's decide, shall we?

　Because we had spent the whole day in a barren battle for that purpose. If we didn't make any decisions here, we would really be barren.

'First of all, Zester. You're the only candidate who fought only you, and all the candidates failed.
"As you wish.

　Aranzir-san was watching the place where he was watching, too.

　There were a certain number of guys among the examiners who were aiming for a safe passage and only fighting Zester.

　Why did they focus on Zester?
　It's because he sees Zester as the weakest of the bunch.

　It's probably because he's the weakest of the bunch, and rather than challenge the strongest of the bunch and perform an abomination, he'd rather get over the hump and leave a good impression.

"A class A title is unworthy of a person with such a despicable mindset. Therefore, you are not accepted.
"Sansei,

　With the agreement of Zester and I, Mr. Alanziel put the targeted candidates' documents in the fire.

　The documents contained the background and characteristics of each candidate, but they were blackened in the flames, never to be read again.

"That's about ten people down at once.
'Let's get the rest of them scrutinized quickly. I can't wait to finish the work and play with Gran too.

　I'm telling you, Gran is already asleep at this hour.
　Wait until tomorrow.

Shall we start with the successful candidates?　........Master Dariel, was there anyone who said 'this'?
Hmm.

　Zester urged me to recall the series of fights today.
　The one that jumped out at me in that series of fights and showed a memorable fighting style was.......

''.........Our Gashita?''
Wait a minute.

　Mr. Alanziel, after looking over the rest of the papers in a disciplined manner, says.

'Who's Gashita?　I don't think any of the candidates have that name, okay?
He's not here.

　My Lax village adventurer Gacita is now remaining in Lax village to protect my absence.
　Therefore, there is no way he is participating in the exam.

''No, no, no...!　What did I tell you?　They decide who passes the test!　Why do you name the guy who didn't take the test!
Because...!

　Listen to me, okay?
　I don't mean to bring up guys who aren't part of the exam for nothing.

　I've faced many adventurers all day.
　All of them are qualified to challenge the top tier of the A class.

　But when I put my weapons together with all of them, I thought.

''...there was no one stronger than Gacita.

　What do you mean?
　It's true that Gacita is the strongest adventurer in Lux Village that I've trained directly.
　I thought I had trained him to the point where I wouldn't be embarrassed to put him anywhere, but that's why I can compare him to me.

　The threat that Gacita poses to me through daily training. Not once today did I encounter an opponent who made me feel more than that.

'Not even in a many-on-one matchup. It's surprising, but I've realized it. Gacita was far more powerful than I realized!

　Publicly!

'A young man who won a pure archery match against Altamir?　If you can surpass Artamir, who was chosen to be the 'Bow' brave, then you certainly deserve an A grade!

　Zester agrees.

'No, wait. So no matter how strong you are, you're not a candidate, are you?　If you're such a promising young man in general, why don't you send me to the promotion exam!

　Gacita himself refuses to take the test.
"I don't care about my grade, I want to protect my village! Say.
　In order to take the exam for promotion to A level, you have to go to the center guild, and this time I went to the center guild at the same time, so....

"It's my role to protect my brother's absent Nakamura!

　And then he didn't move even with leverage.
　After meeting the three brothers who abandoned the village and left, I realized that Gashita was a person who was full of love for his hometown from the start, wasn't he!

''Alright, alright...!　Then that gashita or whatever the hell he's called, he passed A-level!

　The promotion to the highest grade was decided without his knowledge.
　Mr. Alanziel is also a person who makes decisions quite randomly.

''Then let's decide who else will be promoted to the top grade.　Let me remind you, it's from among those who took the test today!
Yes, sir.

　Finally, a serious selection was made.
　Based on the abilities, skills, spirit, wisdom, judgment, integrity, etc. that they had seen and experienced in actual combat, they picked those who had exceeded the criteria to become an A-class fighter....

◆

We have a problem.

　Mr. Alanziel says.

'Too many people have passed.'

　As a result of our discussion, the number of people who beat the drum that 'this guy will pass the test' was far more than we expected.

　About twenty people.
　They had been told in advance that there would be three to five people who could pass the test, so they hadn't narrowed it down at all.

''The two of you aren't even close to being strict enough yet.

　For some reason, me and Zester were pissed off at Mr. Arantzill.

'You haven't narrowed it down a bit,' he said. You haven't got the faintest idea what you're talking about. You are not fit to be an examiner unless you are tougher and more ruthless.
'What?　That's what I said, but........?

　I've narrowed it down to 20 people. I think every single one of them are qualified for A-class status.
　The aura, the way they carried themselves, and the way they judged a pinch were quite skillful.

''That's why I agree with you. Excluding the personnel who met the requirements because there are too many of them would be the end of the world. It's not good for them or for the guild as a whole.''

　Zester also defends himself.
　I thought he was going to be a yes-man who was so fascinated by Mr. Alanziel that he would approve of everything, but he unexpectedly stated his opinion very firmly.

'You two are still young boys.... Let me pick out who is worthy and who is not........

　Mr. Arantzill," he said, looking around at the twenty or so documents that still remain.

''...............''

　And there is no movement at all.

I knew you couldn't make up your mind either!
No, no!　It's not!　These guys are so similar in their features that it's hard to sort them out!　

　Don't tell me you're getting old!

　Anyway, there are only two decisions that can be made at this point.

　The twenty-odd people who are still on the shortlist are either passed or they all fail.
　Either they'll all pass, or they'll all fail.

You can't pass them all, so we'll just have to reject them all.
Stop!
Stop!　That's far too merciless!　Please, please!

　Zester and I tried to stop them, but I guess they couldn't get all 20 of us to pass.
　Why?
　What's wrong with that?
　But if you are too reckless in giving out successful candidates, the authority of the A class may be damaged.

I'm not sure what to do. In this case, I guess we have no choice but to adopt another method.
'What?　Is there anything else you'd like to share?

　Means?

We'll give you a second test!
"Secondary test?

　There is such a thing?

It's an additional item that is added if you can't narrow it down on the first test. I didn't want to do it as much as possible because it would have called into question the examiner's judgment...
''But it's not that unusual. After all, it would be impossible to identify all the elite adventurers selected from all the guild branches in a single test.

　According to the supplementary explanation from Zester, the percentage of times the second exam is given is about two out of three.
　You've been doing this almost every year.

Then why don't you just go to the second test without any trouble?　Have we wasted our time...?
No, no!　I didn't want to show you or Gran the good stuff, I didn't want to make a big, bangin' decision in one go!

　Did you have such an ulterior motive?
　You can't. Those adventurers who are here to take the examinations, their future depends on it...!

　That's why we've decided to hold it again this year.

　The second test.

　Do I have to go along with it?