Chapter 40: A Promise
Instructor Henry stood stiffly before a communications panel, the faces of two stern-looking officials from Valerius City displayed on the screen.
"Report," the first official, a man with sharp eyes and grey temples, commanded.
"Training concluded ahead of schedule, sir," Henry stated, his voice clipped and formal. "Results were definitive after the four primary tests. One trainee significantly outperformed all others across every category."
"Ahead of schedule?" the second official, a woman with a severe haircut, raised an eyebrow. "Because one trainee dominated? Explain."
"Yes, ma’am. Fin Carver, D-rank, Arclight Hunters Guild. He set new records in Endurance and Speed. His Strength and Instinct scores far surpassed the benchmarks for his rank, rivaling B-rank averages. Continuing the training seemed redundant."
The male official leaned closer to the screen. "A D-rank? On the provisional task force for the Rank 6 dungeon? Henry, are you confident in this assessment? We aren’t sending children to their deaths."
Henry met the gaze on the screen steadily. "His performance was unprecedented, sir. Objectively, he earned the spot based on the criteria. Whether he possesses the experience for a Rank 6... that remains to be seen. But his raw ability and potential are undeniable."
The female official considered this. "Unprecedented potential from a low rank... often burns out quickly or proves unstable. Keep a close eye on the situation. Report any concerns immediately."
"Understood, ma’am," he confirmed. The screen went blank. He let out a slow breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.
’Carver,’ he thought. ’What in the blazes are you?’
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