"How may I assist you today, sir?" The receptionist at the Adventurer's Guild politely inquired of the young adventurer standing before him.
"Hello, I would like to know how I can raise my adventurer's rank. Here, this is my adventurer's license." Alex handed over his card to the receptionist for verification.
The receptionist inspected the card and responded, "Well, for the E-rank promotion test, there are no specific criteria. You can take the test after completing a few of the Guild's quests and gaining some experience."
He then proceeded to enter information into his system.
"Hmm, let's see. You've been an adventurer for less than a month and have successfully completed half a dozen quests."
Alex nodded, anticipating the receptionist's guidance. "As per the rules, you are perfectly eligible for the rank promotion test. Considering you're a student at the academy, you can skip a few steps."
"When can I take this rank promotion test to advance to E-rank?"
"Yes, sir, I can schedule it for you today. The only thing is, there's a small fee of 10,000 relis to take the test."
'You have to pay for it. And you call that a small amount. For that amount, I could live a whole month and still save some, even if I splurge.'
Alex was shocked to learn about the exam fee, and it was a hefty amount.
In defeat, Alex looked at the receptionist, waiting for his reply. With a heavy heart, he decided to pay and book a slot.
"Sir, here is your Adventurer's license back and a receipt for the test. Your slot is at 12:30, three hours from now. Please remember to be on time, or you will have to wait again. This fee is also non-refundable, even if you fail to get your promotion."
"Can't I have it now? And what will happen if I fail to clear the test?"
"Sorry, sir, this is the only available time slot. We can reschedule you later in the evening or tomorrow, at your convenience. If, for any reason, you fail the promotion test, you can try again. You just have to pay the test fee, that's all."
"So, I can try as many times as I pay."
"Yes, anything else, sir?"
"Can you tell me more about this rank promotion test, like what I have to do and what I have to defeat?"
"For the E-rank promotion exam, you have to defeat an E-rank golem within a limited time frame and complete a Guild quest."
"Is the quest assigned by the guild, or can I choose any quest of my choice?"
"The quest will be randomly assigned by the guild's system. Generally, for the E-rank promotion exam, it involves hunting and clearing a group of monsters."
"Okay, then I will come back here in three hours."
Alex now had three hours to spend. Being in the heart of the city, he thought he might as well go sightseeing and explore its vibrant surroundings.
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Alex exited the Adventurer's Guild and strolled into the bustling streets of the city.
The morning sun illuminated the surroundings, casting a vibrant glow over the awakening city. Although numerous stores were just opening, the streets retained their characteristic hustle and bustle.
While sightseeing, Alex encountered a clothing store, and on its glass panels, he noticed the reflection of his current outfit.
'I look shabby, to say the least. All my clothes have started to not fit me. I really need a change of wardrobe.'
After using the Foundation Building potion and adhering to his regular training regime, Alex had grown taller, gaining more definition and muscles.
He underwent a significant transformation compared to the previous month. Once standing at 172 centimeters, he was lanky with a sick and frail body. Now, he stood almost 185 centimeters tall, boasting a robust physique with well-defined muscles.
If he used to evoke a sense of needing protection before, now he exuded a manly and handsome aura. The only things missing were a fresh haircut and a wardrobe update.
The fashion in this world closely resembled Earth's, and Alex quickly found clothes to his liking.
He purchased an abundance of clothing, recognizing that adventuring in the wilderness took a toll on his attire, which regularly suffered damage.
'That Grim Hound completely ruined my new outfit that day with its claw marks. It was totally unusable thereafter.'
After making the purchase, he left the store, sporting his new attire. The storekeeper also recommended a nearby salon.
The change of clothes and styling gave Alex a whole new look; his entire vibe seemed transformed.
'Wow! Not bad, not bad at all...I could say I look more handsome than those models back on Earth.' Alex couldn't help but entertain some narcissistic delusions.
Strolling around and further acquainting himself with the city, time elapsed, and it was now time for his adventurer's rank promotion exam.
Returning to the Adventurer's Guild, Alex prepared for his promotion to E rank. The motive behind seeking a rank promotion was straightforward.
He had outgrown the level of an F-rank adventurer, finding the quests too simple and easy. To access more challenging and lucrative quests, an advanced rank was necessary.
With an E rank, he could undertake a variety of quests beyond simple tasks like herb collecting or hunting F-rank monsters.
Moreover, to venture beyond the red zone and truly enter in the wilderness, a minimum E-rank status was required.
Each rank upgrade came with additional perks, and the higher the rank, the more recognition and fame one garnered.
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The same guild receptionist from the morning greeted Alex. He was surprised to see the change in Alex, but being a professional, he quickly recomposed himself, not letting his surprise show.
He then guided him to the same floor as before, where he had taken the adventurer's entrance test. There, another guild personnel directed him to one of the spacious rooms, similar to the previous occasion.
"The rules for the E-rank promotion test are the same as the entrance test. You have 10 minutes to defeat the golem. The use of magic, artifacts, and potions is prohibited. The test will start in 30 seconds."
As the guild personnel left with the instructions, a 30-second countdown initiated on the screen above, and a wall-mounted array of weapons appeared next to him.
With a sword in hand, Alex assumed a fighting stance, readying himself for combat. He focused on the spot in front of him, where the golem would soon appear.
[3... 2... 1... 0]
As the timer hit 0, a 10-minute countdown began, and opposite him, a golem materialized.
The golem resembled the previous one but with some changes. It was darker in color and smaller, standing just over 2 meters tall. The humanoid structure of the golem appeared more refined, and it exhibited increased intelligence.
This time, not only did the golem charge, but Alex also countered, blocking its punch with his sword. The exchange continued, with Alex dodging subsequent attacks.
'This one seems faster and stronger. But it's not the only one who has improved.'
A minute passed, and the golem and Alex exchanged more than 50 blows. The battle intensified with each passing moment.
Alex parried, the clang of metal shattering the room's silence. This was not like those mindless beast. This was a challenger, its movements honed, its tactics cunning.
The fight had just begun, making it too early to determine who held the upper hand in this challenging encounter.
Only time could reveal the victor as both opponents exchanged blows on equal footing.