Dust slowly settled in the arena, leaving an awkward silence after the cheers of victory subsided. Keyzier stood in the center of the arena, looking at his seniors lying helpless.
Fred was still unconscious, face down near the wall. Their Tank was wedged in a crack in the wall. The Mage and Archer lay on the edge of the field. Only the Priestess was still conscious, kneeling while gasping for breath, looking at Keyzier with a mix of fear and awe.
Seeing their severe condition, broken bones, burns, and heavy bruising, Keyzier's conscience was touched. After all, this was just a sparring match, not a life-and-death battle against criminals. Kazien thought. I can't bear to see them like this.
Without thinking twice, Keyzier raised his right hand upwards while standing in his original spot.
Emerald green mana began to gather in his palm, radiating warmth that could be felt all the way to the spectator stands.
"High Area Heal: Restoration!"
Not ordinary healing magic, but high-level long-range area magic. The green light shot out, splitting into five streams of light that enveloped the bodies of all Party Wild Dragon members simultaneously.
The Party Wild Dragon Priestess widened her eyes. "Healing magic... long-range? Without a medium? And done en masse?"
In seconds, the burns on Fred's face faded. The Tank's ribs, cracked from the impact of Donovan's sword, reconnected. Bruises on the Archer and Mage's bodies disappeared as if they had never existed. Fred slowly opened his eyes, blinking in confusion because the pain he expected to torture him upon waking turned out not to be felt at all.
Naturally, the way Keyzier used that magic shocked everyone who witnessed the event beyond belief.
"He... did he heal Party Wild Dragon?" whispered a spectator.
"That's not the point! Look at the range! He stood in the middle, but could heal people at the edge of the arena!" another responded.
Keyzier's magical and swordsmanship abilities were truly beyond everyone's comprehension. He had just shown dominance with destructive elements, swordsmanship skills equal to a sword master, and now healing magic equal to a high priest.
This made veteran observers and senior adventurers re-evaluate Party Noiver's position.
"That gray-white haired man... he can fill every role!" muttered a Rank A party leader who had refused to be an examiner yesterday. "He is a Damage Dealer, he can also be an emergency Tank with his Black Hole, and he can also be a main Healer."
"Not just him!" his partner chimed in. "Look at that young man! That red hair can destroy enemy tank defenses with terrifying power. And that girl... she can stack six buffs and debuffs at once. That's insane!"
Their conclusion was singular: Those three were monsters possessing terrifying power and perfect team balance, even though there were only three of them.
After ensuring Party Wild Dragon's condition was stable, Patrick, as the guild master and referee, stepped into the center of the arena. He used voice amplification magic.
"The match is over! The winner is Party Noiver!" Patrick exclaimed. He then turned towards Keyzier, Donovan, and Novalia. "Based on the extraordinary performance you showed today, defeating a Rank S Party with absolute dominance... then with my authority as the Pixa Branch Guild Master, I declare Party Noiver officially promoted to Rank A Adventurers!"
Patrick smiled proudly. He thought this announcement would be greeted with thunderous applause. However, what happened was quite the opposite.
Silence for a moment. Then...
"BOOOOOOO!"
Sounds of jeering began to be heard from the spectator stands. One person shouted, followed by dozens, then hundreds. Many people watching the match rejected the guild master's decision.
"Why is their rank only Rank A?!" shouted a fat merchant with an annoyed face. "Their power even exceeds Rank A! They just defeated a Rank S right in front of me!"
"No! We think their power exceeds Rank S! A foolish decision, Guild Master!" shouted a veteran adventurer while throwing his hat into the arena.
Patrick's face paled. He was confused by the crowd's aggressive reaction.
"The Guild Master is blind!" another voice cried from the east stand. "Give a rank that suits their power! What is the use of the rank system if the strong are rated low?"
"You better fight them yourself and bet your Guild Master title on it!" another spectator provoked.
"Their power is beyond reason, but the Guild Master gives Rank A? Guild Master, are you crazy?"
The commotion grew worse. The situation in the guild's field became chaotic and uncontrollable. The spectators felt that giving Rank A to someone who could toy with a Rank S was an insult to logic.
"You aren't the only witness here, Guild Master! We who are present here also witnessed their rank promotion test battle!"
"Right! Give Rank S to the three of them! Or at least a temporary Rank S!"
Patrick stepped back, cold sweat pouring down his forehead. He was trapped in a bureaucratic dilemma. He knew Noiver deserved Rank S, but the central guild's regulations were very strict. Promotion to Rank S required the approval of the central council, not just a single branch's decision.
Amidst the chaos, a calm yet authoritative voice full of mana pressure cut through the noise.
"Just make them Rank S, Patrick! Isn't that better than the guild becoming chaotic and losing public trust due to your rigid decision?"
The voice didn't shout, but was heard clearly in everyone's ears up to the farthest corner of the arena tribune.
The people in the spectator seats were very surprised to hear that voice. Moreover, that person called the guild master using only his name without an honorific title.
Simultaneously, everyone looked towards the source of the voice, precisely at the topmost VIP tribune covered by thin curtains. The curtains were now pulled aside.
Standing there was a middle-aged man in elegant noble attire that radiated a warrior's aura. He had sharp eyes like an eagle and neatly combed gray hair.
"That is..."
"Lord Wilson!"
The person they saw was Wilson Hederega, the Ruler of Pixa City and one of the most influential nobles in the northern part of the Kingdom of Fellims.
This was the first time they had seen a city ruler directly watch a rank promotion test match organized by the guild.
Patrick swallowed hard. He bowed slightly to pay respect from the center of the arena. "Lord Wilson... it is an honor for me to see you here."
Wilson stared sharply at Patrick. "Answer me, Patrick. The people's eyes are not blind. My eyes are not blind either. They defeated the Wild Dragon easily. What is your reason for holding their potential at Rank A?"
"But, Wilson..." Patrick tried to defend himself, using an equal tone because they were old friends, "guild regulations do not allow me to raise their rank to Rank S just like that! It needs verification procedures from the capital!"
Wilson snorted softly, then smiled thinly. "Just do it and I will take responsibility! Besides, I am also a witness here. Or perhaps my testimony as the City Ruler means nothing in the eyes of the guild?"
Patrick fell silent. Support from Wilson was a very strong trump card, but he also feared central sanctions if he violated protocol.
"In that case..." Patrick thought hard, looking for a middle ground. "We will hold a meeting with the central party first! I cannot exceed my authority as the Pixa City branch guild master to issue a Rank S license. It has to be printed at the center."
Wilson nodded slowly, appearing satisfied with the compromise. "Alright then. That makes sense. But make sure you also include a report about my testimony via written letter! Tell those rigid old people in the center that I guarantee these kids' strength."
Wilson leaned forward, looking at the entire audience. " The guild's reputation is at stake here, Patrick. Because not only adventurers witnessed their match. There are also civilians watching! If the guild is unfair, the people will lose trust in their protectors."
"You are right, Wilson! Besides, they also defeated a Rank S party, that fact is undeniable!" Patrick answered resignedly.
Patrick used his voice amplification magic again.
"Listen everyone! Due to Lord Wilson's intervention and looking at the facts... Party Noiver's rank promotion is temporarily SUSPENDED!"
The audience began whispering in confusion.
"However!" Patrick continued quickly. "This suspension is not a cancellation. I will bring the results of this match and a direct recommendation from Lord Wilson to the Central Guild. We will submit an application for a Special Promotion to Rank S for Party Noiver!"
Hearing that, cheers were heard again, this time more festive and full of support. Keyzier, Donovan, and Novalia just looked at each other and shrugged, not really caring about the rank label as long as they could continue adventuring comfortably.
After the crowd dispersed and the arena began to empty, Patrick returned to his office with a tired face. He had just sat in his cushioned chair when Sera entered bringing tea.
"Guild Master..." Sera said with concern. "You have to go to the center again? Even though you just arrived in Pixa City yesterday evening. You haven't even had time to rest at home."
Patrick massaged his throbbing temples. "Inevitably I have to go there again, Sera. This situation is too special. If I only send a letter, the process could take months. I have to face the Central Council directly."
He stared at the damaged guild sparring field through his office window.
"They are valuable assets, Sera. Maybe... a new hope for this kingdom in the future. I cannot let bureaucracy hinder them."
Patrick stood up, taking back his travel coat he had just hung up.
"Sera, prepare the fastest horse carriage. I leave tonight."
"Yes, Guild Master!"
"While I am gone, I leave everything to you! Ensure Party Noiver gets the best service, but don't let them destroy this city, okay?"
Sera smiled awkwardly. "I will try, Guild Master. Although it seems they won't do such a thing."
Patrick chuckled, then walked out, ready to undertake the long journey back to the capital to fight for the rights of the three wonder kids from Altoria.