Man isn't equal.
No matter where you go to in the world, there is always a hierarchy—some kind of strata that explains the natural order of things.
So also is the way of the Adventurers.
Among the ranks of the Adventurers, there exists a hierarchy of rank defined by stars; from One Star to Six Stars.
They define the strength and competence of the Adventurers, and also determine the kind of tasks they can undertake.
Within this strata, Six Stars remain the highest rank attainable by an Adventurer—no, by any human, period!
Only three Adventurers currently have this Rank in the entire Adventurers City.
Ah, it is also called by another name.
The Heroic Rank!
*********
"Huh? You want to take the Heroic Rank Test?!"
Burke's voice was so loud that the entirety of those within the room heard what she said. It stunned even her, causing a look of shock to appear all over her face.
'I didn't expect to be so loud! I've just spilled confidential information!' Tears nearly welled up in her eyes.
If these people weren't planning on giving her a bad review before, now that she had done this, there was no way they would let it slide.
She couldn't escape the punishment for her negligence.
"Yes. We would like to take it."
"B-but…"
"There's no rule stating we can't, is there?" The moment the man asked this, Burke had to fall silent and shake her head.
The Adventurers believed in freedom above all else, so there was no rule confining the candidates to a particular set of tests, or placing a ceiling on the options available to an aspirant.
As long as they had the guts and money necessary to take the test, there was no limit to what they could or couldn't participate in.
"Then, we'd both like to take the test. How much is it?"
Burke sighed and decided to tell them the price. Perhaps once they heard it, they would change their minds.
"One platinum coin each. And there's no refu—"
"Here you go." Two platinum coins were placed on the table before Burke could even complete her sentence.
'Ahh… what did I expect? They were dressed this fancily, looked this attractive, and they both want to take the Heroic Rank Test.'
Nothing about these two was ordinary, and she was a fool to have expected their actions to make any kind of sense.
"O-okay." Burke took the Coins and inspected them, per procedure.
They were legitimate, but after placing it in the appropriate coin register, she pulled out two tags and handed them to the candidates.
"Please return here after twenty-four hours to take your test."
"Hm? I thought we could take the test immediately after registration." Jet asked, his brow raised in inquisition.
Of course, he still looked despite his confusion, so Burke was happy to clarify the whole thing.
"If this was any other Test, that would be the case. But, it takes a lot of preparation to organize the Heroic Rank Test, which is why you'll have to return tomorrow."
Jet stared at Lux, and they both nodded as if they just exchanged a message telepathically.
"Understood. Then, we will return tomorrow."
Burke nodded and smiled at the two. 'There's no doubt about it. They're definitely together!'
"Is there anything we need to know before tomorrow? Any further thing to process?"
"N-no. Once you're done with your Test, you'll be given your badge, and that's about it…" Burke answered, but quickly realized her unconscious choice of words.
'Why did I assume that they would pass?'
"Very well. Thank you for your time." Jet bowed his head slightly and wore his hat while Lux pulled up her hoodie and hid her face.
It was already too late to hide their identities, as pretty much everyone had caught a glimpse of it—though most of them didn't get to see their whole face.
There was even an uproar in the reception hall, though all of it was ignored by the three parties who were engaged in their conversation.
"T-thank you as well…" Burke didn't even attempt to plead for a good review, but her tongue slipped and she ended up saying what she shouldn't have.
"What a nice couple…"
Once again, her voice was louder than expected. As a result, the two who were already leaving stopped dead in their tracks.
"Eeeek!" Burke knew she was going to get in trouble this time for sure.
However, rather than reprimand her for speaking so carelessly, Jet merely chuckled and responded in the calmest manner possible.
"We're not a couple. We're siblings."
With those words of correction uttered, Jet and Lux casually stepped away from the reception area and headed straight for the exit.
Burke watched their backs as they left, her jaw wide open as only one thought filled her mind.
'H-he was… single all along?'
**********
"What an amusing lady…"
"Indeed…"
As the partners—black and white—stepped out of the Guild Building, their whispers faintly filled the air around them.
Their silent footsteps and gentle strides showed just how graceful they were. Even the briefcase that the man held was as graceful as the man who wielded it.
It was practically evening already, with the sun setting in the distance—the perfect time to settle in an inn.
Despite knowing this, the two halted their steps.
This wasn't due to some kind of negligence on their part. Instead, their sudden stop was caused by a group of about six men who stood in front of them.
They all had rough appearances and reeked of alcohol. Despite this, there was an air of intensity about them that made it clear that they weren't mere novices in the game.
These were veteran Adventurers.
"Is there a problem? You're in our way." Jet spoke, his voice the only echo of reason among the annoyed grunts that the six made.
"A problem, huh? Yes… you could say that…" The one who seemed like the leader stepped forward.
He was very tall, with dark skin and a muscular build. He was clearly a Barbarian. If his ebony skin and plaited hair didn't give it away, then his terrible attitude made for the perfect introduction.
"I hear you plan on taking the Heroic Rank Test…"
"Yes. That is correct."
The moment the man heard this, he drew his face closer to Jet and slightly turned his head in a threatening manner.
"Oi… wanna die?"
For a moment, tense silence took control. That was until the remaining drunk Adventurers 'oooohed' and 'ahhhhed' at the entire scene.
They seemed amused for some reason.
"Pfft! Sango is gonna beat them good!"
"Take it easy or they're gonna piss themselves."
"Intense from the start, eh? As expected of the Vice Captain!"
Their cackles were unpleasant to the ears, and despite them making a scene, no one seemed to be stopping them.
Despite there being quite a number of onlookers, it seemed like many were intrigued by the confrontation and wanted to see what would happen.
Finally making a move, Jet held his hat and lowered his head, his voice spreading throughout the area despite being a mere whisper.
"I would appreciate it if you did not bathe me with your foul breath, you fool."