The boulders were crushed, the wind cried, the dust stirred, and the rocks grazed upon their skins.

Glens hammer crushed another boulder as his hammer came swinging toward Ryouma.

You really like to keep things interesting, huh!!! [Ryouma]

Ryoumas magic sent Glen flying.

After their battle resumed, the training hall that was filled with boulders had once again changed shape, and was now an empty lot. But the flow of the battle hadnt change. Glen continued his fierce attack while Ryouma calmly defended as he aimed for the openings in Glens defense.

Take that! [Glen]

(Magic Hand) [Ryouma]

Ryouma dodged Glens attack. His two hands were occupied with his staff, so he used Magic Hand to throw Glen on his back.

Tch! Rock Bullet ! [Glen]

But right before that, Glen jumped up in the air. Then he used his earth magic and summoned a rock toward himself. He caught that rock, then he threw it toward Ryouma.

!? [Ryouma]

Glen only threw the rock with his arms, but it was actually faster than if he had just used his magic. Confused by the sudden turn of events, Ryouma managed to dodge, but he inadvertently cancelled his Magic Hand, and Glen somersaulted down to the ground.

Ryouma rushed up to Glen and counterattacked, but Glen blocked him with his hammer as a s.h.i.+eld. Then with his bigger stature and strength, he pushed Ryouma away. After recovering his posture, he rushed up to Ryouma. The battle was yet to end.

The battle between the two continued, but the situation started to change.

Not good!? [Ryouma]

The hammer that Glen swung with all his might took Ryoumas staff with it, causing Ryouma to let go. The sound of a grating metallic sound resounded near the edge of the arena as the staff crashed into the wall. With this Glen had taken the upper hand, but Ryouma wasnt going to accept his loss just because hes lost his weapon.

As Ryouma dodged Glens attacks, he wrapped his already ki-reinforced body with magic power. Then as a slight opening appeared, he thrust his palm toward Glen and used Fire Ball.

! [Glen]

Glen managed to barely dodge the palm thrust, but he couldnt dodge the fireball that shot out of Ryoumas palm. Because of that he couldnt get out uninjured, and Ryouma pressed on.

As Fireball shot out from Ryoumas palm, Earth Needle shot off from the ground as he sent a kick flying toward Glen. Then right before Ryouma regained his footing from the kick, he casted Wind Cutter. When he got back his footing, he immediately rushed toward Glen again and thrusted out his palms. None of the magic he used were above elementary level, but because they were casted alongside his Taijutsu, and because of how fast and close he casted them, they were quite effective.

Thats an odd way of fighting, but Thats exactly what makes it amusing! [Glen]

Glen was forced to either dodge or parry every single one of Ryoumas attacks with his hands or his hammer. It was clear that he wasnt in an easy position, but despite that, Glens expression didnt change. In fact, he was even laughing as if he was having the time of his life, not an ounce of distress could be seen on him. Only the joy of fighting could be seen on his face.

(Its probably because hes like this that hes so strong.)

Although Glen was born with a strong body, he wasnt always an S Rank. He suffered plenty of losses too. But because of how much he loved fighting, his heart never broke regardless of who he fought or how big the gap was in their strength. Its also because of his love for fighting that he was able to endure many situations he wouldve otherwise not. So Ryoumas hunch was indeed correct.

As Glen survived Ryoumas onslaught of magic, he went behind Ryouma, and he swung his hammer. Ryouma dodged to the right, but Glens hammer followed Ryouma. In response, Ryouma focused his magic power behind him and he casted the electric-type magic, Stun Arrow.

Right before he could cast his magic, however, Glen had already retreated, leaving the Stun Arrow without a target to hit. Not letting himself be disadvantaged, Ryouma took the opportunity to use his dimension magic to take back his staff.

A dent could be seen on his staff after having been sent flying, but it could still be used as a weapon. Ryouma gripped it tight as he met Glen once more.

(Since he could dodge my magic even at point-blank, he might also be able to sense magic. Should I use an area-of-effect spell then? I did get my staff back, so)

Ice Spear [Ryouma]

Using ice-elemental magic power, Ryouma clad the edge of his staff and transformed it into a blade of ice, then he executed a triple thrust. That ever changing staff of his could thrust, sweep, and even bash.

So its a spear this time! [Glen]

(You might be stronger, but Im faster!) [Ryouma]

Disoriented, Ryouma shot a Wind Cutter spell at Glens feet as he thrust his spear. Then immediately after, he casted his original earth magic, and distanced himself from Glen.

Earth Fang [Ryouma]

In the next instant, the area 3 meters around Glen started shooting out countless earth needles. Unfortunately, barley any of them hit. Seeing that, anyone would think that Ryouma failed, but Glen felt something was off, so he swung his hammer, and destroyed the surrounding needles.

Earth Bite [Ryouma]

At Ryoumas voice, the surrounding ground bulged and tried to bite Glen. It was as if the earth with needles sticking out of it was trying to swallow his entire being. In response, Glen bashed his hammer against the ground.

Earth and sand blew up as his hammer descended, and rocks of all sizes shot all over the arena. But this time, Ryouma didnt defend. Instead, he attacked. With his ki protecting his body, Ryouma rushed through the earth and sand with his wind magic, and he pierced his staff into Glens stomach.

That blow contained in it a force strong enough to make any man faint, but right before it could bury itself into Glen, it was stopped.

!! [Ryouma]

What stopped the staff was the handle of Glens hammer. Apparently, Glen had reflexively moved his hammer, allowing him to stop Ryoumas attack in the nick of time.

To think the thrust of a staff could actually be stopped with something as thin as the handle of a hammer, as expected of an S Cla.s.s. If this were a public duel, shouts of praises would surely have filled the hall.

But at that moment, what shouted was not the voice of praise, but of the guild master.

Thats enough! Drop your weapons! [Wogan]

As Wogans voice resounded, so did the signal to end the match. As Ryouma sheathed his weapons, he took a deep breath. The match now over, Glen laughed and went over to talk to Ryouma.

You really are strong! Especially that last one. Man that gave me the chills. Its been a while since Ive had this much fun, if youre up for it, we can still continue [Glen]

No, thats enough. Also, if this keeps up, the bill for the repairs is gonna be ridiculous. [Wogan]

Wogan informed the two with his hand on his forehead, his head seemingly in pain. When Ryouma and Glen heard that, they looked around them, and what they saw was a cracked, uneven land that had been lifted up. Countless traces of the battle could also be seen on the door and the walls around the area. The whole place was now a desolate land completely unlike that of its earlier appearance.

(And naturally, the people responsible for this are none other than me and Glen, with my magic and those rocks and that hammer of his.)

And so, because of various reasons, the battle can no longer continue. This duel is over. [Wogan]

Wogan firmly reiterated that, and Glen had no choice but to shrug his shoulders, saying, I guess it cant be helped then.

Thank you for today, Glen-san [Ryouma]

Dont sweat it. Its been a while since I got to fight this much. That aside, what about the results? [Glen]

Glen and Ryouma both looked toward Wogan. In response, Wogan spoke in a tone that seemed to say, Dont ask the obvious.

Ryoumas strong enough, so of course hell be promoted to B Rank. Besides, if I dont pa.s.s him here, people are going to start questioning me.

Anyway, youve both suffered some wounds, so go ahead and get yourselves healed. Ill get the papers done in the meantime.

Ryouma, you can go home if you want, but make sure you get your B Rank guild card from the receptionist first. [Wogan]

I understand, Wogan-san. Thank you very much! [Ryouma]

As Wogan said that, he took Ryoumas guild card, and went back into the guild ahead of everyone.

Meanwhile, Ryouma and Glen received treatment for their wounds and bruises. Suddenly, Glen asked Ryouma his plans for the day.

Oi, Ryouma, you free today? [Glen]

I dont have anything in particular planned, so yes. [Ryouma]

As Ryouma replied, Glen heartily laughed.

Then lets drink! Well toast to your promotion! [Glen]

I-Isnt it a bit too early for that? [Ryouma]

Who cares! Besides, once we start drinking, itll be dark before you know it! You two coming along? [Glen]

Glen started gradually putting together a drinking party by himself, even dragging with him the two healers. Ryouma was a bit confused by the sudden turn of events, but in the end, he happily accepted Glens invitation. However

Lets drink! Lets drink! All you b.a.s.t.a.r.ds who want to drink come! Were celebrating this guys promotion, so all drinks are on me!! [Glen]

When Glen entered the guild, he started calling out to the adventurers. Seeing that, Ryouma couldnt help himself but ask.

Glen-san, werent you having financial difficulties? [Ryouma]

What? Its not like Im gonna turn into a beggar or anything. I can easily just go hunt some magical beast, so the store will just put it on my tab. This celebration is for you, you know. Lets make a bang!

For that well need people. Lots and lots of people! Anyway, dont sweat the details, and just get that card of yours. [Glen]

So Ryouma went to the receptionist to get his B Rank guild card. When he got back there were almost 20 adventurers in their party.

Glen-san, can we come too? [Adventurer 1]

Yeah! Dont mind the money, Ill pay it all! [Glen]

This is turning into a banquet! [Ryouma]

Perfect! Oh, hey, youre back. Oi, you lot, since our celebrant is back, lets go out and drink ourselves drunk!! [Glen]

Yeah!! [Adventurers]

Surrounded by a crowd of adventurers way bigger than he expected, Ryouma followed along completely dumbstruck as Glen led the crowd to the pub, where they all celebrated Ryoumas promotion. Many people congratulated Ryouma, but they also talked about other things.

From what Ryouma gathers, apparently, it isnt strange at all for Glen to take adventurers or arena partic.i.p.ants out to drink. To add to that Glen also has a huge appet.i.te, and he always pays whenever he goes out with lower ranked adventurers.

With that Ryouma finally understood why Glen was having money problems. And immediately after, as if to further prove his suspicions, the great feast started.

Incidentally, when the feast began, people started trying to out drink each other. So since Ryouma was already here, he figured he might as well join. Because of this Ryouma secretly gained a reputation of being a strong drinker of the likes of Glen.