#921 The Exam

Hi, it’s me again present on this memorable day.

Was there ever a time when the farm buzzed with this much excitement?

Today, we’re welcoming three hundred visitors (according to the organizers’ tally).

It’s the S-rank Adventurer Promotion Exam at the Farm Dungeon, co-hosted by the Adventurers’ Guild and our farm!

“Lord Saint...thank you once again for listening to our plea today...!”

The one offering thanks is none other than Silver Wolf.

He’s an S-rank adventurer and the Guild Master overseeing the Adventurers’ Guild.

“Today’s exam became a reality because you, Lord Saint, graciously accepted our proposal. We cannot thank you enough!”

“Oh, please stop. You’ve been thanking me non-stop until today.”

I was quite taken aback when Silver Wolf first brought up the idea, to be honest.

Firstly, his retirement caught me by surprise.

Silver Wolf was such a figurehead for adventurers that I had vaguely assumed he’d always be around. But I assumed wrong.

It feels like hearing about a celebrity who’s been around since you were born passing away. Not that Silver Wolf is dead, mind you.

But then, to top it off, the idea of holding an exam to find a new S-rank adventurer to fill Silver Wolf’s shoes?

And here, of all places?

“Here,” where?

Right here.

The farm!!!

“When you came to visit, I wondered what on earth was happening, but to think it was for permission to use this place as a venue...”

“I’ve always dreamed of it! Hosting a grand adventurers’ event right here at the farm!!!”

Silver Wolf sure is passionate.

He had the same fervor when he came asking for permission.

“The farm is an incredible place! It’s overflowing with things you won’t find in the ordinary world, and it’s enough to stir the soul of any adventurer—the thrill of the unknown! And not just that, but we’re neighbored by not one but three superb dungeons that would tickle any adventurer’s fancy!”

Three?

...Well, never mind.

“Any adventurer would dream of making use of this! No, they would!”

“Silver Wolf, you’re so excited you messed up your own rhetoric.”

“This is to be my last great adventure as an S-rank adventurer! Hosting the greatest adventurers’ event ever in the farm’s most challenging and rewarding dungeons. An honorable end to my adventuring career!!!”

Well, that’s how it is.

I couldn’t help feeling flattered by his high regard, so I agreed to his request without a second thought.

It turns out I’m quite susceptible to flattery.

And that’s how the S-rank promotion exam at the farm came to be.

The designated area is already swarming with young, up-and-coming adventurers aiming to be the next S-rank.

“Don’t worry, Lord. Participants have been strictly instructed not to stray from the designated areas. Any violation means immediate disqualification, with the threat of losing their adventurer’s license. It’s highly unlikely that any of them would dare to intrude into your living quarters.”

“You didn’t have to go to such lengths...!”

“Not at all! We’re using your facilities out of goodwill; it’s only natural to show this much consideration!”

Silver Wolf is always so thoughtful.

That’s probably why he can hold the position of Guild Master, even within a profession as unruly as adventuring.

And now, Silver Wolf is about to retire.

Will his successor emerge from among these three hundred hopefuls?

“But wow, we’ve gathered quite a crowd, haven’t we?”

“This is after we narrowed it down, too. We initially had four thousand applicants when we made participation open to all. We had to hold a preliminary exam just to manage!”

Four thousand?!

I mean, if you make it that open, of course, hordes of people will flood in!

“To think that even non-adventurers would try to join... We had to weed them out by making them face trials in major dungeons across the land, and only after that rigorous process were we left with these three hundred. They’ve already faced and overcome a trial; can’t you tell by their expressions?”

...Being a layman, I wouldn’t really know.

Well, at least Silver Wolf had the foresight to sift through them beforehand.

It’s this kind of consideration that makes him so reliable and why I agreed to his request...

“What a ruckus this has turned out to be.”

This prompted my wife, Platy, holding our second son, Norito, to come and see what was going on.

“You were unusually quick to agree this time, Dear. I thought you’d be against exposing our farm to so many eyes.”

“Well, um...!”

True, my initial plan was to live quietly and keep the farm a secret.

But with people like the Demon King coming and going, and thanks to various people’s efforts, the world has become peaceful, and those with malicious intent are practically non-existent.

Given the circumstances, and with Silver Wolf making every effort to be considerate, I thought it might be okay.

“Hmm, I’ll be in the main house with Norito. If any suspicious person tries to approach without permission, I’ll blast them away with a magic potion, so don’t worry.”

Is that supposed to be reassuring or worrisome...?

“...Huh? Just Norito? Where’s Junior?”

“Junior? Oh, he’s over there, mingling with the S-rank exam candidates.”

“What?!”

Upon closer look...She’s right!

There’s my son, unmistakably out of place among the crowd of applicants!

The sight is all too familiar, my own son!

Why is he in the middle of the candidates?! Could he possibly be... attempting the challenge?!

“It seems he’s inherited your love for festivities, Dear. Well, he is my son, so maybe he’ll breeze through to S-rank without a hitch.”

Platy, that’s some serious doting!

But, knowing Junior, maybe it’s not so far-fetched? Am I being a doting parent, too?!

But how did Junior manage to blend in with the candidates?! Is the Adventurers’ Guild managing their applicant screening properly?

What’s the deal, Silver Wolf?!

“Hm? An unregistered candidate slipped in? Oh dear, with so many participants, it’s challenging for the guild to keep up. My apologies, wah-haha...”

There goes my faith in Silver Wolf!!!

What if my Junior actually wins this thing?!

Are they seriously going to make him an S-rank adventurer?!

No, I’m just being a dramatic parent.

“Well then... I suppose it’s time for me to deliver the opening speech.”

Ignoring the just-occurred mishap, Silver Wolf proceeds with the event, stepping up to a prominent spot with everyone’s attention...

“Eyes on me, future S-rank adventurers. I am Silver Wolf, the Guild Master and an S-rank adventurer myself. However, one of these titles will soon be relinquished. Yes, my S-rank adventurer title...”

At that moment, a solemn silence envelops the gathering.

It’s not just Silver Wolf; everyone there feels a twinge of sadness at his retirement.

It’s clear how much these rough-and-tumble adventurers respect him, showcasing his true strength.

“In my fruitful life as an adventurer, it was the Adventurers’ Guild that enabled me to focus solely on the adventures ahead. The guild, a mutual support organization for adventurers, has been the lifeline that has kept our kind thriving for centuries.”

Nods of agreement echo from the audience.

What’s this unity?

Is it the solidarity among adventurers, or is it the personal charisma of Silver Wolf himself?

Even Junior is nodding along.

Son, you know nothing about the adventurer’s creed.

“Therefore, as a way of giving back to the Adventurers’ Guild, I will step down from active duty and support you all as the guild’s head. Today’s event marks the beginning of that commitment, my final act as an active adventurer.”

“OOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHH!!!”

The crowd erupts in cheers.

What’s this atmosphere?

“My last act as an active adventurer and my first as the dedicated Guild Master is to select my successor, a new S-rank adventurer from among you gathered here today. Isn’t that right?”

“YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!”

The excitement only grows louder.

“Do you have the resolve to seize glory as the new S-rank adventurer? To overcome various grand adventures and etch your name in the guild’s records? To become a part of the history of adventurers?”

“WE DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

“We dooooo.”

Eh?

Did Junior just respond, too?

“Then, in response to your ambition, we commence the S-rank Adventurer Promotion Exam. Whoever withstands and overcomes this trial will be... the new S-rank adventurer from today onwards!!!”

With that, Silver Wolf ignites the ambitions of the young adventurers gathered here.

Three hundred strong and capable adventurers.

However, only one would be selected to fill the gap left by Silver Wolf and become the new S-rank adventurer.

Who will claim that coveted title?!

“Ah, I almost forgot to mention, but there’s a chance that more than one of you could be selected as an S-rank adventurer this time.”

Huh?