Yes, it's confirmed. It looks like you got through the exam safely. Now you are an adventurer from today, Mr. Shroud. Congratulations.

　I returned to the Adventurer's Guild and submitted the goblin's magic stone.
　Now the exam is over.
　I am now a member of the Adventurer's Guild.

"This way, please.

　The receptionist gives me a card of sorts.

'What's this?'
It's an adventurer's card. It's like an adventurer's identification card. It's like an adventurer's ID, so be careful not to lose it. It can be reissued, but it will take about a week. Also, if you lose it intentionally or use it to buy or sell it, it will not be reissued and you will be stripped of your license.

　........Starting with such an explanation, he gave me a lecture on how to prepare myself as an adventurer.

''Finally, this will be your reward for ten goblin magic stones.

　You will receive 50 coppers.

'It's an exam and you're getting paid?
'Yes, of course. It was earned by Shroud-san. I'm not going to take that away from you.
Thank you.

　It's an F-ranked demon, so the reward is a sparrow's nest of rewards...
　Still, it's better than nothing.

"I'd like to take a quick commission...
'Yes, you can choose any request you want from the board over there. However, Shroud-san has just become an adventurer.......that is, he is F-ranked, so the requests he can receive are limited. Thank you for your understanding.

　I wouldn't suddenly entrust a new adventurer with a request of high difficulty.
　If I did that, it's obvious that the request would fail, and the adventurer himself would be in danger.

　I understand that, so I have no particular objection to it.

''You've kept me waiting,''
You're back.

　I walked away from the counter and returned to Kanade, who had kept me waiting.

'Hey, hey, did you get to be an adventurer?　Can you?
Yeah, I'm in.
Well, congratulations... I knew Rain could do it.
I'm going to take the commission as soon as I can, is Kanade okay?
Yeah, no problem. It's all right.

　The energetic Kanade pulled me to the bulletin board where the request form was posted....

Whoa, this one's a rarity.

　........As we were about to move, a large man interrupted us to block the passage.

''I thought it might be, but it's a real cat spirit race, isn't it?
Can I help you?
I've never seen a cat spirit race. This guy's got to be good for something.

　Ignoring our words, the man turns his price-taking gaze to Kanade.

　........It's a disgusting feeling.
　Kanade also seems to be uncomfortable, and his eyebrows are furrowed.

''What are you doing here, what are you doing here?　Hmm?
I don't have to answer to you...
Well, you're a cheeky little beast...
Is this about me?
''Who else is here but you? What's wrong with this cat spirit race?

　I'm not obligated or righteous to answer this man's questions, but if I do the same thing with Kanade, I might be in a bad mood.
　I decided to answer honestly.

'We met in a swamp deep in the plains. Since then ... well, things have been going on, and we've been working together.
The swamp?　There's supposed to be a killer tiger appearing there now...
I would have beaten that cat myself.

　I should say I'm proud of you for calling Killer Tiger a cat.

I see. I'm sure the cat spirit race would consider Killer Tiger to be a cat. It's a good idea. I love it.
I don't want you to like me.
Don't be so dull. You wanna have a drink with me?　I'll buy you a drink.
No!　I don't think I'm going to enjoy being with you.
It's better than being around a dull little kid like that, right?
'Hey!　Don't make fun of my master - Rain is using me as an errand boy, you know.
What?　An errand?
I'm a beast tamer.

　I said crisply, thinking that I had to make this clear.

　The man dotted his eyes...
　Next, he laughs in a vulgar voice.

'Haha!　This kid is a beast tamer?　That's fine, but did you use the cat spirit race?　Don't talk nonsense, there's no way that's possible. The cat spirit race is the most powerful species.　There's no way I could use this kid.
'That's because your eyes are glazed over, isn't it?　Rain is an amazing beast-tamer. He's many times stronger than you.
So this little boy is a lot stronger than I am?

　A dangerous color in the man's eyes.

'Then let's play a game, shall we?　Me and this kid we'll arm-wrestle each other. If the Beast Tamer is capable of using the cat spirit tribe, he wouldn't be able to take me on, would he?　Isn't that right?
Of course, Rain is second to none!
Hey, hey, don't make me do this.
'If I lose, I'll get down on my knees and do whatever it takes. But when I win, you're mine.
Okay, I'll take that one.
So you're not listening to me no, you're not listening to me at all.

　Kanade is so desperate for the bee and sparks to fly that he doesn't even look back at us.

　A match with this man?
　Arm-wrestling with a guy whose arms are probably twice as big as mine?

　It's absurd.
　We have to stop this quickly.

Let's get this party started. Hey, let's rent that table over there.
Rayne, you can have a mangled mess!

　It had gotten to the point where there was no stopping it.
　How can we do this...?

　The man sees my confusion and gives me a nasty smile.

''Oh, come on, you don't sound very motivated on your master's part, do you?　Are you afraid?　As long as you bow your head, we can call it an uncontested battle. Well, I'll take the cat spirit race there, though.
....

　As for me, I don't care if I get hurt, I don't care what happens to me.
　Except when Kanade is involved.
　There's no way I'm going to leave Kanade with this man.

Shall we?
Well, you got some balls, don't you? Or did you just get desperate?

　The man was right, I was halfway through.
　You could say that he was just being stubborn.

　But.........

　There's no way I'm going to do nothing when Kanade is about to be taken away.
　I will do whatever I can.
　That's all I can do.

　I fold my hands with the man and put my elbows on the table.

'Skinny hands, huh?　Don't complain if it breaks.
....
"Heh, you can't even say 'bully'?
Let's just start. All you do is talk and those muscles are for decoration?
All right, fine. I'm gonna kick your ass.

　The adventurers around us looked at us with amused eyes.
　Some of them are betting on it.

　I'm the biggest of the big holes.
　The other adventurers seem to be known for their strength, and considering that, it can't be helped.

　But.......watch.
　Even with this, I've been a member of a brave party.
　I'll give you a whirl!

"I'll give you the signal, okay? Okay?

　Me and the guy nodded at the same time.

'Lady ... go!

　The game was instantaneous.

　I tried my best.
　Without feeling much resistance, he pushed through the man's arms and slammed his palms down on the table.

''Gee.........!　

　He says his arm is broken.
　The man was holding his broken arm and writhing in agony.

　Looking at the man, I tilted my head.

''.......Why?''

　There was no way I was going to be able to beat a man who looked like he was wearing muscle armor...
　Somehow, I was overwhelmed.
　I don't know why.

We won, Rayne, huh?

　The swallowing Kanade called my name high and mighty.

''That's what I'm talking about, Rain.
'No, I'm kind of surprised myself, but there's no way I could have that kind of power...'
'What are you talking about?　Layne's at his lowest point right now, right?　I'm sharing my power with you, you know.
What do you mean?
'Oh, could it be that Rayne has only ever contracted with normal animals?　Is this the first time you've signed a contract with a species above a certain level of power like me?
That's right. Average bear, at best.
'I see, then you don't know. You know, when you make a contract with the strongest species, you can gain power according to the individual's ability. We, the cat spirit race is strong, so Rain's power is enhanced accordingly.
"Seriously?
I'm serious.

　So now I've got the physical ability of the cat spirit race....
　That's something outrageous.
　If you told me I was dreaming, I'd easily believe it.

I'm so glad I followed Rayne. I'm so, so, so glad that you're trying to protect me.
'No, well that's a given, isn't it?'
Heh. Thanks, Rain.

　Although I'm still stunned that my perceptions can't catch up with reality...

　For now, we were able to protect Kanade.
　Let's call it a day for now.