Kael, completely unaware of the thoughts running through Ferris’ mind, had already begun thinking about something else.
He still had no idea what this so-called VIP Clearance actually meant, but one thing was obvious.
The Branch Director himself was standing before him, personally handling his affairs.
There was no better person to ask.
Looking at Ferris, Kael spoke without hesitation.
"Since you’re already here, I’d like to ask something."
Ferris smiled politely.
"Of course."
"I just completed the A-Rank reassessment, but I didn’t see an option for the S-Rank test." Kael paused before asking, "How do I advance to S-Rank?"
Ferris froze.
"...S-Rank?"
For a brief moment, he wondered if he had misheard.
This young man...
Did he just ask about advancing to S-Rank?
Ferris looked at Kael, trying to determine whether he was joking.
Unfortunately...
Kael’s expression remained completely serious.
A strange look appeared in Ferris’ eyes.
Did this young man truly understand what an S-Rank Hunter represented?
The gap between A-Rank and S-Rank wasn’t something that could simply be measured with numbers.
It was a completely different realm.
Countless A-Rank Hunters spent their entire lives unable to cross that final threshold.
Ferris himself was the perfect example.
He had attempted the S-Rank advancement test years ago.
He had failed.
Ever since then, he had remained stuck, unable to take that final step despite years of continued training.
Yet the young man standing before him had only awakened a month ago.
A month.
Advancing directly from his original rank to A-Rank in such a short period was already something absurd enough to leave people speechless.
Now...
He was asking to challenge the S-Rank examination immediately afterward.
Did he underestimate just how enormous that gap truly was?
Ferris silently took a deep breath before clearing his throat, forcing himself to regain his composure.
"The reason you didn’t see an S-Rank trial is because the VR simulation isn’t capable of operating at that level."
"It lacks the ability to accurately simulate battles involving S-Rank Hunters."
Kael nodded.
"I figured as much."
He hadn’t been surprised by the answer.
Even during the A-Rank trial, the simulator had only been capable of reproducing his physical abilities. It couldn’t replicate his Earth Energy or many of his actual combat skills.
That alone was enough to show its limitations.
If it couldn’t even perfectly simulate him, expecting it to accurately simulate an S-Rank battle would be unrealistic.
Ferris studied him for a moment before asking,
"So... are you saying you wish to take the S-Rank advancement test?"
"Yes."
Kael answered without the slightest hesitation.
"If possible, I’d like to take it now."
Ferris frowned slightly.
"Normally, the S-Rank advancement test is quite straightforward."
Kael looked at him.
"What is the test?"
"You fight an actual S-Rank Hunter."
Kael’s brows rose ever so slightly.
An actual S-Rank Hunter...
He considered it for only a moment before nodding.
"Alright."
"Let’s do that."
There wasn’t even the slightest trace of hesitation in his voice.
In truth, Kael had been hoping for exactly this.
He wanted to know how his current strength compared to a genuine S-Rank Hunter.
Although he was confident that his current abilities were already sufficient to contend against one, confidence alone meant very little.
He preferred facts.
There was no better way to understand the extent of his own strength than fighting someone who had already reached that realm.
Ferris couldn’t help letting out a helpless sigh.
"If only it were that simple."
Kael looked at him questioningly.
"S-Rank Hunters are incredibly rare."
"There aren’t any stationed within this branch."
"If you wish to take the examination, I’ll have to contact headquarters and request that an S-Rank Hunter be dispatched here."
He paused for a brief moment before continuing.
"However..."
"If I may offer a suggestion..."
"I don’t think you should proceed with it."
Kael remained silent, allowing him to continue.
"You’ve only just completed the A-Rank reassessment."
"An S-Rank Hunter is an entirely different existence."
"The gap between A-Rank and S-Rank isn’t merely large."
"It’s the difference between heaven and earth."
Ferris spoke calmly, without any intention of belittling Kael.
"I’m aware your performance today was extraordinary."
"But I’d still advise you to wait."
"Continue growing."
"When you’re absolutely certain you’ve reached that level..."
"Then come back and attempt the examination."
Kael listened quietly.
He could easily tell there wasn’t the slightest hint of hostility hidden within Ferris’ words.
Quite the opposite.
The man was genuinely concerned for him.
A faint smile appeared on Kael’s face.
"You don’t have to worry."
"I wouldn’t attempt it if I wasn’t confident."
Ferris looked into Kael’s eyes.
There was no arrogance.
No impulsiveness.
Only quiet confidence.
The room fell silent for several seconds before Ferris finally nodded.
"...Very well."
"If that’s your decision, I won’t stop you."
His expression became considerably more serious.
"However, there are two things you must understand."
"First."
"Unlike the lower-rank reassessments, this examination involves fighting a real S-Rank Hunter."
"There is a genuine possibility of suffering severe injuries... or even becoming a casualty."
"The Hunters Association will not be held responsible for any injuries sustained during the examination."
Kael nodded.
"I understand."
"Second..."
"If you fail the examination, you’ll be required to pay a penalty fee to the Hunters Association."
Kael wasn’t surprised.
Instead, he found the rule perfectly reasonable.
The previous reassessment examinations relied solely on VR simulations.
The S-Rank examination was different.
It required an actual S-RRank Hunter to personally travel from headquarters and conduct the assessment.
That alone consumed an enormous amount of manpower, resources, and, most importantly, the valuable time of an S-Rank Hunter.
The penalty fee existed to prevent people from overestimating themselves and repeatedly requesting examinations they had no realistic chance of passing.
As for the possibility of injury...
That was even easier to understand.
Kael already knew just how terrifying an S-Rank Hunter could be.
Even while holding back, someone at that level could easily inflict serious injuries upon a weaker opponent.
The Association was simply making those risks clear beforehand.
Seeing Kael nod in understanding, Ferris finally relaxed.
"Very well."
"I’ll contact headquarters immediately and arrange the examination."
"It may take some time before they can dispatch an S-Rank Hunter to this branch."
"So..."
"You’ll have to wait a little while."
# #
[AN_ I owe you guys some bonus Chapters which I promised for this weekend. But with how busy I’ll be, I don’t think I’ll be able to post them all at once.
So how about this instead, I’ll post 3 Chapters daily for the rest of the month to make up for it. How does that sound?]