In the central hub lobby of the Vanguard guild, Jack sat quietly on a bench while Alette rested on his right shoulder, both waiting for the results.
"Do you think we did well?" Asked Alette.
"I know I did, you?"
"Well, I'm not sure if I answered the questions correctly."
"What kind of questions did they ask you about?"
"They asked me about my reasons for joining this guild, my abilities, and all sorts of stuff, y'know." As she swung her legs back and forth.
"At least it's not about right or wrong answers; they just want to know how useful you are to the guild."
"I might not be the best for the guild." She said, puffing up with determination. "But I know I can be your best partner!" Her eyes sparkled with excitement. "And soon, we'll have an incredible group of friends fighting alongside us to take down those monsters! Just imagine it, how awesome we'll be!"
"Heh, I could already imagine that."
"Right! We can ask Caelus if he could join us on the quest!"
Jack glanced to the side and noticed Caelus entering the lobby after finishing his examination. "Speaking of Caelus, there he is."
"Perfect! Let's go talk to him!"
The two of them stood up and made their way across the lobby toward Caelus.
"Caelus!" Alette called out to him and waved her hand.
"Ah, glad you waited for me." Said Caelus.
"So how was it! Did you win!?"
"Heck yeah, I did!" He said with a cheerful smile. "She almost had me there." He let out a tired breath. "Man… platinum or higher rankers aren't messing around."
Alette let out an exaggerated sigh. "I really wish I could see you in action, but they wouldn't let us and told us to wait here. It was a total bore!"
"Yeah, now that he's here, we just have to wait. They said we'll get our tags once the results are ready." Jack said.
"I wonder what material the tags are made of." Caelus wondered. "Jack, do you know what material they use for the tags?" He asked.
"If I remember right, the lower ranks use porcelain, iron, and tin. The experienced get iron and bronze. Skilled veterans carry silver and gold. And at the top, the heroic ranks, you've got platinum, mithril, orichalcum, and adamantine."
"I bet Jack's gonna get an adamantine! How about you, Caelus?"
"Dunno, we'll just have to wait and see!" Caelus said as he sat on the wooden bench.
"Agreed." Jack said as he sat down beside Caelus, with Alette resting on his right shoulder.
As the trio waited for their results, two instructors from the arena could be seen in the background ascending the staircase and entering an open doorway.
________________
The perspective shifts to the lion-shield, platinum-ranked instructor, as both instructors enter the meeting room. Inside, four individuals are already seated, with the guildmaster at the head of the table.
"Hey, Kayden, how are your injuries?" Asked another platinum-ranked instructor, a dwarf with a thick rope beard, clad in an iron helmet and heavy armour.
"That man packs a punch." Said Kayen, the lion-shield platinum-ranker, letting out a small breath, a grin forming despite the lingering pain.
"Aye, and you miss Hanna?"
"The one who fought before Kayden's opponent made things… troublesome." Hanna said calmly. "It was difficult to evade his attacks, but I suffered no serious injuries, Mister Ludruck." The witch adjusted her flower-adorned hat, her light blue robe settling softly around her.
The two platinum-ranked instructors took their seats in the meeting room.
"Still, was he good?"
"Yes."
"Two men who managed to hold their own against higher-ranked opponents." Said the man, a reddish-brown wolffolk dressed in formal attire, his eyes hidden beneath a blindfold, a mithril tag resting on his chest. "Mister Caril, could you tell me more about them?"
"Certainly." Said the blue-skinned tiefling, a chin puff beard framing his face as he adjusted his guild staff uniform. He pulled out Jack and Caelus's application forms and began with Caelus's background.
"Ahem… Caelus Aetos. Human male, twenty-six years old, born in Sparta. Class brawler. His abilities include chain manipulation, as well as heat infusion and emission, capable of producing blue flames."
Caril switched application forms to Jack's.
"Next, Jack Ryder-"
A wolffolk guildmaster flicked his right ear after hearing that name, and Caril continued.
"Human, male, twenty-five years old, born in Windersal. Class elemental knight. His abilities are..."
"Well?" Said Ludruck.
"Ahem...his abilities are omni-element."
"Huh? Omni-element? That's not possible." Said the gold-ranked man in his thirties, dressed in a black assassin's tunic, his grey hair framing a stunned expression.
"It's true, I fought him myself. Everyone in the arena saw it, including Miss Hanna." Kayden told the gold-ranked assassin.
Hanna gave a small nod in agreement with Kayden. "I couldn't sense any mana from either of them."
"So two formidable superhumans, joining the Vanguard for the same purpose as us." The guildmaster said, his voice calm yet resolute. "This will prove invaluable for the grand quest that lies ahead."
"What materials shall we give these two men?" Said Caril.
"I suggest we grant Caelus a platinum tag. He's an exceptional fighter with the spirit of a true warrior." Hanna added.
"Very well." The guildmaster agrees.
Hanna nodded. "And grant Jack a platinum tag, too."
"No." Said Kayden.
"Oh?" The guildmaster's gaze shifted to Kayden. "And why is that?"
"Given his extraordinary manipulation of all elements, and the fact that he didn't even try to hide it, perhaps he's simply young or unaware of how great his power truly is. His swordsmanship is fast and acrobatic, and he's able to channel his abilities directly through his weapon. His tactics are also impressive; using his flying sword to knock my shield away was a calculated move that created an opening for a decisive strike. However, I believe he is capable of far more than just infusing energy into his sword, controlling a flying blade, or conjuring a few elements from his hands."
"Mister Kayden…" A hush fell over the room. "Are you implying… that he's beyond platinum?"
"Yes." Kayden slowly nodded his head.
"Hmm…" The guildmaster turned to Dahlia, who was sitting next to him. "Miss Dahlia, what's your opinion on Kayden's assessment?" Dahlia, a blonde holstaur in her forties, sat in her guild staff uniform.
"I know what material to assign to Mr Ryder."
"I'll trust your judgment," the guildmaster said, tapping the two application forms belonging to Jack and Caelus on the table. "Would anyone else like to make any changes?"
The meeting room remained silent.
"Very well, let us proceed with the rest of the newcomers."