'Why is Adonis pretending to be a fan? Was this part of the plan?'
Rey felt confused as he stared at the flustered expression of the Hero who stiffly stood before him.
'He's really good at acting, though. I feel so much respect and intimidation coming from that stare of his.'
It was nearly convincing to Rey, in all honesty.
All of this was a surprise to him. He only came to the Guild with Esme since they were told to come for their official recognition ceremony.
It was going to be hosted from the Guild and broadcast to the entire city.
Rey personally felt like all of it was unnecessary, since pretty much everyone already knew who Jet and Lux were, but he also understood how big of a deal it was for two new Heroic Rank Adventurers to pop out of nowhere.
… Especially with the emergence of the Grand Calamity Dungeon.
'I even heard some people trying to draw connections between our arrival and the Dungeon's appearance… as if that even makes sense.'
Their actions also made him feel ridiculous for suspecting Adrien being behind the Dungeon's appearance.
Paranoia was indeed a deadly thing.
'After studying a bit more about Dungeons to refresh my memory, I no longer think he made this one appear.' Rey laughed at himself.
He still suspected that Adrien was lurking around somewhere, though.
He just didn't know where and why.
"I'm flattered, but I really am not worth idolizing…" Rey spoke up, gazing into the distance as if he was speaking deep words.
"At least, not until I fulfill my dreams…"
With those whispers echoing within the room, Britta and Burke both nodded with smiles on their faces.
That told Rey his performance was exquisite.
"Your dreams… huh?" Adonis' tone was low, and his voice trembled as if he was under some kind of pressure. "What is your dream, really?"
'E-eh? Why is he asking me that? Shouldn't he already know if he claims to be a fan?'
Rey was at a loss for words, but he pulled himself together and strengthened his persona to the max.
"You… already know, don't you?"
After a moment of silence, Adonis made a slight glare. His face seemed to echo resolve, and he nodded slowly.
"Yeah. I know."
Rey also nodded. He still wasn't sure why Adonis decided to act like this, but he didn't plan on raining on the boy's parade.
'To every man his own, I guess…'
And as for his decision to come watch the exhibition, Rey was simply bored waiting for the Guildmaster, so he decided to buy time by watching Adonis fight.
Besides, it would raise his social points as Jet if he decided to personally witness his fan's ascent to power.
'Adonis will become a 6 Star Adventurer for sure. All of this is just ceremony.'
Now that he thought about it, Adonis probably wanted to latch on to the growing popularity of Jet and Lux. If that was the case, then Rey didn't want to get in the way.
'I'll do my best to prop you up, don't worry!' He gave an internal thumbs up.
"Well, since we're all here… let's go to the Test Center, shall we?" Britta beamed at everyone.
And so, with a nod, everyone departed.
Well, everyone except Burke.
'Did she get promoted or something?' Rey's thoughts trailed as he walked away with the rest, ignoring the wide smile she constantly gave him.
'Good for her, I guess.'
**********
[Moments Later]
The Test Center sounded like a fancy name, but in actuality, the place was just an auxiliary building attached to the Adventurer's Guild main building.
It existed in the same compound, at the backyard.
The building was separated into compartments, and it was designed like a maximum security prison. Considering the fact that dangerous Monsters were kept in this place for candidates to slay, it was the least they could do.
The doors, walls, ceiling—literally everything—was reinforced with Orichalcum, with some Adamnatite alloy lacing some more dangerous and important areas.
The particular room where Adonis stood in was the largest of all; the only place that could possibly match the scale of the battle that was about to take place.
It was coated, from all sides, with a special Orichalcum-
Adamantite Alloy that made the place as sturdy as any establishment could afford to.
The spectators were three 6 Star Adventurers, and they stood at the farthest corner of the room as they watched Adonis prepare himself.
The spectators were three 6 Star Adventurers, and they stood at the farthest corner of the room as they watched Adonis There was no safety guide or protection for them. Considering how supervisors assigned to Tests that reflected their capacity, they didn't need any kind of special barrier.
Not only would it add more cost to the Guild's budget, but a functional safety barrier could potentially get in the way ofthe supervisors helping out candidates whose lives were in danger.
Supervisors weren't obligated to help, and the Guild wasn't liable for any harm caused during the Test—it said so on the form—but it was still standard ethics for Supervisors to assist those who had given the Test their best but were in danger.
Being able to freely act, without a barrier stopping a supervisor, was far more optimal.
… Cheaper too.
"Are you ready?" Britta's voice echoed out loud as she looked at Adonis' anxious face.
Some of the flickering lights above the room added unneeded tension to the moment, creating an air of eeriness.
"You can still pull out if you want to.
Adonis sensed concern in Britta's voice, and he guessed she must have noticed his unease. However, the reason for his current state wasn't due to the Monster that stood behind the thick door a distance from him.
It was due to the two who stood next to her and watched him with dark intent.
'No matter what happens, I can't give them what they want.' Adonis inhaled deeply, preparing himself for the challenge.
'I can't show them my full power!'