Conquering The Novel

"Oh, it appears you have an assessment slot reserved in your name by... wait— M-Miss Silvia?" the receptionist said, stutteringly.

"You are new to this work, aren't you?" I inquired, noticing her demeanor.

"Huh, Y-Yes, how did you know that?" the receptionist asked, puzzled.

"I can tell by the way you act and the amateurish aura you exude. You will be fired if you don't get your shit together soon.

As there seems to be someone waiting for that exact moment," I explained as I looked beside her.

!?

"W-What do you mean by—"

The receptionist was about to complete her sentence but was interrupted by a middle-aged woman who suddenly appeared beside her.

"Josephine, it's you again! I just left for a second, and you're screwing up again? I've urged you many times to keep your opinions to yourself and focus on doing your job properly!" The woman, who appeared to be a senior employee, scolded the receptionist, whose name appeared to be Josephine.

"I-I'm sorry, I won't make the same mistake again," Josephine said, bowing slightly.

From her body language, I could tell that she was used to being scolded.

"This is what happens when you look too weak and frail in this world!" I muttered as I witnessed the receptionist being scolded.

"Why are you apologizing to me? Apologize to Sir Marz," the woman said, pointing at me.

But I could tell by her expression that she was secretly enjoying it, as if she had been waiting for this exact moment.

"Sir Marz, I-" Josephine turned toward me and was about to apologize with a tearful expression on her face, but I cut her off.

"Get the hell out of here, you old hag. I didn't ask for your assistance, did I? Are you underestimating me because of my appearance?" As I spoke, I frowned at a woman who had just appeared.

That's right, I'm using the infamous young master lines from those wuxia novels.

"W-What? Old hag? I, Sir Marz —" the woman had a contorted expression after hearing me, and she was about to respond but halted in her sentence when she noticed a man rushing toward us.

"Ah, Sir Marz, you're here? Miss Silvia has already informed me of your visit; please excuse my tardiness in attending to you," A short, healthy man who appeared to be someone influential in this adventurer guild hurried toward us, sweating profusely.

"M-Manager Hong? What's going on? What brings you here?" The old hag inquired, her face worried.

"You idiots, didn't you recognize who the person standing in front of you is? Have I not already told you about him?" The manager started yelling at his staff.

'Eh? Who exactly is he?' They all thought inwardly.

"He's Miss Silvia's boyfriend! So be careful what you say to him," The manager stated, capturing everyone's attention.

"...."

Even I was taken aback when I heard him.

And Seeing my surprised expression, Howkins remarked in a hushed tone.

"I assumed you were already aware of this arrangement, and if you hadn't noticed, she even titled our adventurer party after your and her names combined.

Ares' - Ar and Silvia' - ia. That's where our party's name 'Aria' originates from."

When I heard his explanation, I didn't have to think twice about who suggested that name to Silvia, as my mind directly pointed me toward Aegis. I imagined Aegis winking and saying, "Isn't it a cool name?" to me.

"S-So he is Miss Silvia's boyfriend?" Josephine exclaimed, which brought me out of my thoughts.

"Oh, Manager Hong, Josephine was the one that angered Sir Marz!" The old hag said hurriedly in a sheepishly tone.

I can already assume from her acting that this wicked hag already knew about my identity and was waiting for the receptionist to make a blunder.

The manager glared at Josephine with a distorted expression.

"No, she was the one that offended me!" I said, pointing at the old hag.

"Did you really think I'd let it slide if you tried to use me in your petty plots, you old hag?" I said with a grin on my face.

"...."

"Eh?" Josephine and the old hag both were surprised, hearing me.

"Me? B-But I just came to assist you?" said the old hag.

"You were just standing there staring at us, waiting for the appropriate opportunity to arrive here and scold her, weren't you? Because you wanted to fire her using me, for who knows what reason. And you also called me tiny and fragile!" I stated.

"...."

Howkins and Josephine were stunned, their mouths agape, for they had never heard the old hag say those words to me.

"Tsh, see who she sought to use in her petty schemes: the Devil himself," Irethiel remarked.

"W-What? I never said anything like that," the old hag responded.

"You! Stop talking and get back to work; I'll deal with you later." The manager yelled and shooed her away.

"Sir Marz! I apologize on her behalf, and I will take care of her later.

I've already started preparing for your evaluation; if you please follow me," The manager said while smiling and rubbing his hands.

I nodded my head and turned to Josephine, who smiled and bowed thankfully for helping her out. However, I disregarded her and followed the manager.

"...What is that woman even thankful to you about? Ultimately, it was because of you, she was in trouble," Irethiel remarked telepathically.

"That's the tactic called 'Create Problems And Sell Solutions'. You won't get it, demon," While following the manager, I stated with a smirk.

I achieved what I wanted by making a scene and even assisted the receptionist who I took advantage of.

"Wow, boss, you are a genius! I now understand why you scolded her in the beginning; you wanted to protect her from the schemes of that old hag, right?" Howkins exclaimed.

"Shut the fuck up, you dumbass Howkins," I said, as he had misinterpreted the situation.

However, everyone who had been focusing on us during the commotion seemed to have believed Howkins' words and were now seeing me in a new light with respect.

And the people began to chatter amongst themselves.

[I heard the old lady wanted her nephew to have the receptionist job, so she's been bullying that poor receptionist for a long time now, attempting to get her to quit or be removed so her nephew could take her place.]

[Yeah, I've heard that too. She appears to be a bully and has caused many people to quit their positions here.]

[I also heard that she has a close relationship with her nephew...]

..

..

..

***

The manager led me through the halls of the Adventurer's Guild, pointing out various facilities and amenities available to adventurers.

And we finally arrived at the assessment room, a spacious and well-equipped facility.

The manager explained that this was where adventurers' physical and magical abilities, as well as their combat skills, were assessed.

He pointed out the various regions of the chamber and described what they were for, such as stations for testing strength, agility, and endurance, as well as spots for testing magical powers and combat capabilities.

There was also a device for measuring mana.

But I don't suppose these devices can evaluate my mana because I acquire my mana from a different source than these people do.

The manager then went on to detail the requirements for passing the test and acquiring an Adventurer's License, which would allow me to take on tasks and earn rewards.

"I am Aiming to be an A-Rank adventurer!" I abruptly informed him.

!?

"A-Are you certain, S-Sir Marz?" While sweating heavily, the manager inquired worriedly.

"Why? Are you doubting my abilities?" My brow furrowed as I questioned him.

"No, that's not the case!" I will arrange it right away," The manager said before rushing somewhere.

"His expression explains how influential the merchant association and Silvia are in this continent," I muttered.

"Hmm, I believe you have what it takes to become an A-Rank adventurer!" While stroking his chin, Howkins said.

There was a new assessment system introduced for becoming an A-Rank adventurer, which was not the same as what I had gone through previously when I arrived here with Mika.

The manager soon returned, huffing, and spoke.

"I-I got the permission to allow you to take the new assessing program.

Sir Marz, let me clarify this assessment to you before we begin." Before beginning his explanation, the manager stated.

"The assessment will take place in the virtual world to avoid any tragic injuries, as the program is still new to the public.

It is classified into several ranks, beginning with Rank F and moving up to Rank A. Each rank puts an adventurer's combat skills to the test, and the difficulty increases as the rank goes up.

The monsters that are included in each rank are:

Rank F: This is the lowest rank and is considered to be of low difficulty. It includes fighting low-level monsters such as Slimes, Goblins, and other weak creatures.

Rank E: This rank is slightly more challenging than Rank F. It includes fighting low-mid-level monsters such as Kobolds, Orcs, and other low-mid-level creatures.

Rank D: This rank is considered to be of moderate difficulty. It includes fighting mid-level monsters such as Trolls.

Rank C: This rank is considered to be of high difficulty. It includes fighting high-level monster Giant Spiders.

Rank B: This rank is considered to be of very high difficulty. It includes fighting high-level boss-type monsters like Ogres or other powerful creatures.

Rank A: This is the highest rank and is believed to be extremely difficult since the monsters that arrive will be the most formidable and dangerous monsters and bosses in the land, and it will be unknown what monster you will be facing until you confront him as it is based on your earlier fights.

Passing these assessments will get the adventurer the license, and your adventurer rank is also determined by which Rank monsters you can defeat," the manager explained.

***