Chapter 77: Adventurers Ranking Exam

Chapter 77: Adventurers Ranking Exam

The room was silent, yet the air thrummed with restrained energy.

The door had barely clicked shut behind Leo and Kenzo when a ripple of curiosity spread among the candidates.

"So he's first, huh?" Ethan mumbled, adjusting the blade at his hip as he leaned forward, a glint of excitement in his eyes. "That guy looked strong."

Lei Feng leaned back in his seat, eyes narrowing toward the door. He had felt it too—the quiet strength radiating off Kenzo Tanaka. Calm and precise, like a sheathed blade. Dangerous, but controlled.

Ember, still chewing her gum with disinterest, blew a small bubble and popped it. "Doesn't matter how strong they look. The Association doesn't care how cool you stand. It's all about how well you fight, adapt, and survive."

The girl wearing a wide-brimmed witch's hat snorted softly. "She's right. The exam isn't just about levels—it's layered. Trials of skill, adaptability, magic control... One slip and you fail."

Lei Feng didn't speak, but his focus deepened.

So it's not just raw power they're after... It's control. Discipline. Strategy. That suits me just fine.

"Hey, what rank are you?" Ethan asked, peering at him. "Me and my sister are E-Ranks, aiming for D-Rank this year."

"Rank…" Lei Feng murmured, rubbing the back of his neck. "Actually, this is my first time taking the exam."

"What?!"

The room echoed with stunned voices. Heads turned. Even Ember raised an eyebrow.

"How can that be?!" the pointy-eared man with a red headband exclaimed.

"It's true," Lei Feng shrugged. "I don't have a rank yet."

The witch-hat girl turned to him with intrigue in her eyes. "From your aura, I'd say you could handle a D-Rank without breaking a sweat. Why haven't you taken the test?"

"Yeah! You're older than me. How come you're such a slacker?" Ethan muttered.

"Hmph. I hate slackers," Ember added, folding her arms and popping another bubble.

Lei Feng gave a dry chuckle. "I'd rather not say. What's the main point of the exam anyway?"

"What are you saying?!" Ethan's eyes widened in disbelief.

Suddenly, the air turned cold.

A chilling pressure swept through the room as all eyes turned to the side. The alluring woman with twin daggers, fixed a cold unyielding glare on Lei Feng.

"How dare you speak so casually of the Adventurers Ranking Exam," she said coldly. "The exam provides a universal power system for all races. Each race follows a different leveling path, and even among Awakeners, levels can be deceptive. There are Level 20s who can beat Level 30s. The Adventurer Rank ensures balance, structure, and proper evaluation."

"Whoa... I didn't know it was that important," Lei Feng mumbled, taken aback.

"Did you grow up in a well or something?" the dagger-wielding woman said with a sharp glare. The atmosphere tightened.

"Please... let's all calm down," the witch-hat girl said, sweat glistening at her brow. "She's strong... I wonder what rank she is."

She turned back to Lei Feng with a soft smile. "Anyway, I'm Lyra. Nice to meet you, Lei Feng." Then she turned to the dagger woman: "I'm sure he didn't mean anything by it, miss."

"Hmph. As if I'd waste concern on someone so ignorant," the woman scoffed, flipping her silky hair and folding her arms.

Lei Feng's lips parted, but no words came.

This woman... How can she be so arrogant...?

"Hey, Lei Feng, was it?" the pointy-eared man said calmly. "Never underestimate the exam. It carries great significance."

He leaned closer, lowering his voice. "That woman over there? She's A-Rank. Katelyn Frost, the Frostbite Assassin."

Lei Feng and Ethan's ears perked up. Their eyes widened in awe.

"I'm Elroth," the man continued. "C-Rank Adventurer. I'm aiming for B-Rank, but I've failed three times already."

"What?" Lei Feng raised a brow. "It's that difficult?"

"Yeah," Ethan nodded. "F, E, D, C, B, A and S-Rank. The gap between each rank is massive. Some people spend years even decades advancing. It's not just about power. It's about proving you're worth the title."

"I see..." Lei Feng sat back, reflecting silently.

How ignorant have I been...?

Katelyn snorted softly. Ember didn't even glance his way. Lyra simply smiled and shook her head.

Time crawled.

Ten minutes passed. Then fifteen. Then twenty.

BAM!

The door burst open. Kenzo stepped back into the room, a single bead of sweat trailing down his cheek. His long ponytail fluttered like a banner of quiet triumph.

He walked in with the same poise he left with, but the subtle gleam in his eye said everything.

"Passed?" Ethan asked, breath held.

Kenzo gave a curt nod. "Ranked B."

Gasps echoed.

"Damn..." Ethan whispered, awe-struck. Even Ember paused her chewing.

"B-Ranks are amazing," Ethan continued with enthusiasm. "They're elite. Guild leaders respect them. They're qualified for boss raids, high-risk quests... Most people never make it past C!"

If B is that revered... then A... Lei Feng's eyes drifted to Katelyn.

She sat alone, crossed legs, detached. Her aura was suffocatingly distant, her daggers hanged with retrained power—impossible to gauge.

Lei Feng swallowed.

I may not be there yet... but with my OmniClass God System, it's only a matter of time. I won't stop at S-Rank. I'll surpass it.

"Man!" Elroth chimed, approaching Kenzo with a bright grin. "You've got serious potential. Maybe even A-Rank someday! I'm Elroth Vance—let's exchange contacts!"

Kenzo glanced at his outstretched hand, scanning Elroth's aura.

"Not interested," he said flatly, then walked past and sat silently, arms crossed, eyes closed.

"Haha... brutal," Elroth muttered, walking back to his seat between Ethan and Lei Feng.

"Another arrogant one, huh?" Lei Feng said under his breath.

"Well... he has the ability to be arrogant," Elroth sighed.

Moments later, Leo appeared at the door once more, expression unreadable.

"Next: Elroth Vance."

"Guess it's my turn..." Elroth stood, robes fluttering. He took a deep breath and followed Leo out.

"Good luck, Elroth!" Ethan called.

Lei Feng watched intently—every movement, every breath.

This isn't just an exam. It defines your standing... not just in a guild, but in society itself.

Fifteen minutes later...

Elroth returned, hair disheveled, robe torn and stained. His expression was grim.

He didn't need to say it. Everyone understood—he had failed.

Leo followed behind him, unbothered.

"Next: Katelyn Frost."

Katelyn stood with poise, her daggers gleaming faintly. She strode forward like a queen among peasants, cold and elegant, and disappeared through the door.

Elroth collapsed into his seat beside them with a sigh. "We're worlds apart... She's just a few years older than me and already taking the S-Rank exam. I couldn't even pass B... I'm so jealous."

"Don't be like that," Lei Feng said. "You're already C-Rank and in your twenties. There's still time."

"Yeah," Ethan nodded. "You're not weak. The B-Rank exam's tough—that's what makes passing it meaningful."

"He's right," Lyra added. "You're talented, Elroth. I'm 23 and haven't made it to C yet, but I'm not giving up."

"I guess you're right," Elroth clenched his fist. "I won't lose to my brother. He reached C-Rank at 18, I did it at 22... but I'll catch up. I'll surpass him. I'll evolve."

"That's the spirit," Ethan smiled.

"Yeah." Lei Feng nodded. "Keep pushing forward."

"Thanks, everyone." Elroth smiled faintly. "Let's exchange contacts. I'll be heading out—only those who pass wait for their new ID."

The group exchanged contacts.

A moment later, Elroth left—his back straight, his steps heavy, but not broken.