Chapter 527: Platinum

The competition between Leon Drakar and Lucan had begun as something relatively harmless.

At first, the two Adventurers merely compared their completed assignments whenever they encountered one another inside the Royal Capital Headquarters.

Then they began accepting additional missions, returning from expeditions only to examine the mission boards for their next opportunities.

Before long, their rivalry had become a familiar subject of conversation among the Guild’s employees.

What nobody anticipated was how seriously Leon would take it.

During the first month, the captain of the Ardent Sun Knight Order completed a succession of difficult monster-hunting assignments, dangerous escorts, and investigations throughout the territories surrounding the Royal Capital.

By the second month, his name appeared so frequently in Mission Administration’s records that Garran Holt began recognizing his handwriting without examining the signature.

The third month brought further expeditions, including several demanding assignments connected to Greyfen. Leon continued fulfilling his responsibilities as captain of the Ardent Sun Knight Order, but almost every available period of freedom was devoted to Guild missions.

By the fourth month, even experienced Adventurers had begun questioning whether the man possessed an ordinary understanding of rest.

And now, nearly five months after beginning his relentless pursuit of Adventurer Rank, Leon Drakar had returned from another completed mission.

---

Garran Holt stared at the documents placed upon his desk.

Then he looked at Leon.

Then he returned his attention to the documents.

"Captain Drakar," Garran began, speaking with the weary patience of a man who had repeated the same conversation far too many times, "you completed this assignment yesterday."

Leon nodded. "Correct."

"And the previous assignment was completed three days before that?"

"Also correct," Leon answered.

Garran examined the remaining reports. "You’ve barely spent two consecutive days at Headquarters this entire month."

Leon considered the observation before smiling. "I suppose I’ve been rather busy."

Garran slowly lowered his quill. "Rather busy?"

Several nearby clerks attempted to conceal their amusement.

Leon appeared entirely unconcerned.

"Is there a problem with the reports?" he asked.

"No," Garran replied, rubbing his forehead. "That’s precisely the problem. Your reports are complete, the required evidence has been verified, and the missions were accomplished according to their conditions."

He opened another ledger and examined the accumulated records.

Leon had completed an extraordinary number of assignments over the preceding five months.

More importantly, those assignments represented genuine achievements rather than meaningless repetitions of simple tasks.

His record included dangerous expeditions, successful protection of merchants and travelers, elimination of powerful monsters, and valuable contributions to the Guild’s exploration efforts.

Garran studied the final figures.

Then his expression changed.

---

"Captain Drakar," Garran said slowly, "I believe your latest mission has brought you to the requirements for Platinum Adventurer Rank."

Leon straightened.

For several moments, his usual confident expression disappeared.

"Platinum?" he repeated.

Garran nodded. "Subject to the final examination of your records and approval through the Guild’s established procedures."

Leon looked down at the documents.

Then a broad smile spread across his face.

"Excellent."

Garran regarded him suspiciously. "Please tell me this means you’ll finally consider taking a few days to rest."

Leon laughed. "I’ll consider it."

"That isn’t particularly reassuring," Garran muttered.

The news spread through Mission Administration before the final examination had even concluded.

Several clerks hurried to verify the records, comparing completed assignments, mission difficulties, and documented contributions.

The process required careful attention.

Platinum Rank was not something the Guild intended to award casually.

And Leon would be the first Adventurer ever to receive it.

---

Sage was examining construction proposals when Garran arrived with the completed recommendation.

Boren stood beside the desk, reviewing expenditure estimates for another stage of Greyfen’s development.

"Guildmaster, I have something important to report," Garran announced, placing a thick collection of records before Sage.

Sage glanced at the documents.

Then he noticed the name written across the first page.

"Leon again?" he asked.

Garran nodded. "Captain Drakar has fulfilled the requirements for advancement to Platinum Adventurer Rank."

Sage stopped turning the pages. For several moments, he simply stared at Garran.

Then he looked toward Boren. "How long has he been doing this?"

Boren considered the question. "Nearly five months since he began taking missions at that ridiculous pace."

Sage leaned back in his chair.

Five months.

For almost five months, Leon had been completing assignments with a determination that bordered upon the unreasonable.

He had traveled across dangerous territories, confronted powerful monsters, protected merchants, and participated in demanding expeditions, all while continuing to command the Ardent Sun Knight Order.

Sage slowly closed the ledger.

Is this man actually insane?

He had encountered ambitious Warriors before, but Leon’s dedication to accumulating Guild accomplishments was becoming difficult to comprehend.

---

"Have the records been verified?" Sage asked, returning his attention to Garran.

"Twice," Garran replied. "Every mission has the necessary evidence and confirmation. His achievements satisfy the requirements."

Sage nodded thoughtfully. "Then there’s no reason to delay his advancement."

Boren examined the records. "He’s already a 6-Star Grandmaster Knight, yet it still took him five months of almost constant work to reach Platinum."

"Exactly," Sage replied. "And that’s an important distinction."

The Guild’s Adventurer Rank system had never been intended as another measurement of combat strength.

A powerful Knight might possess tremendous abilities, but those abilities alone did not establish reliability, experience, or meaningful contributions to the Guild.

Leon had earned Platinum through completed assignments and verified accomplishments.

His strength had allowed him to undertake difficult missions, but it hadn’t replaced the work required.

"Prepare the formal recognition," Sage instructed. "And make sure Garran’s department preserves a complete record of the achievement."

Garran nodded. "I’ll arrange everything, Guildmaster."

As he departed, Sage looked toward the thick collection of mission reports.

Then he sighed. "Five months, Boren. Five months of this."

Boren smiled faintly. "Perhaps you should be grateful he hasn’t discovered a way to complete missions while sleeping."

Sage shook his head. "Please don’t give him ideas."

---

Lucan learned about the impending advancement shortly before noon.

He was returning from a completed assignment when one of the Mission Administration clerks mentioned that Leon’s records had been submitted for Platinum recognition.

For several moments, Lucan remained perfectly still.

Then he turned toward the clerk.

"Platinum?" he asked, his expression tightening.

The clerk nodded nervously. "Yes, sir. Captain Drakar has apparently fulfilled the requirements."

Lucan stared at him. "You’re certain?"

"Quite certain, sir."

Lucan slowly looked toward the mission boards.

He had spent the same five months pursuing assignments with considerable determination, carefully selecting missions that offered meaningful opportunities for advancement.

His own record had improved substantially.

Yet Leon had reached Platinum first.

The realization was deeply irritating.

"Where is he?" Lucan asked.

The clerk hesitated. "I believe Captain Drakar is near the main reception hall."

Lucan turned immediately.

Several nearby Adventurers exchanged amused glances as he departed.

They had witnessed enough of the rivalry to understand exactly what was about to happen.

Leon was standing near the Grand Guild Hall’s entrance when Lucan found him.

The captain appeared unusually cheerful, which only worsened Lucan’s mood.

"Leon," Lucan greeted him, approaching with a smile that contained remarkably little warmth. "I hear congratulations are in order."

Leon turned.

"Lucan! Excellent timing," he replied brightly. "I was just wondering when you’d hear the news."

Lucan’s smile tightened. "Platinum Adventurer. Quite an accomplishment."

"Thank you," Leon answered, looking thoroughly pleased. "Five months of hard work, but apparently it was worth the effort."

Lucan folded his arms. "Of course. Although I seem to remember someone claiming that this competition wasn’t particularly important."

Leon considered the accusation. "Did I say that?"

"Several times," Lucan replied.

Leon laughed. "Well, circumstances change."

Lucan stared at him.

For a brief moment, he appeared to be considering whether striking a newly promoted Platinum Adventurer would violate Guild regulations.

Fortunately, he restrained himself.

"Enjoy your achievement, Leon," Lucan said, his expression becoming dangerously pleasant. "I intend to reach Platinum myself."

Leon smiled. "I wouldn’t expect anything less."

---

Unfortunately for Lucan, Mina happened to witness the entire exchange.

The eleven-year-old stood near the reception counter, holding a small packet of pastries she had purchased earlier.

When she realized what had happened, her eyes widened with delight.

"Leon became Platinum before you?" Mina asked, looking toward Lucan.

Lucan closed his eyes briefly. "Yes, Mina."

Mina stared at him for another moment.

Then she burst into laughter.

Her laughter was so enthusiastic that several nearby Adventurers turned to investigate.

"You’re losing!" Mina declared between giggles. "You’ve been competing for months, and Leon still beat you!"

Lucan looked at her helplessly. "Mina, there’s no need to announce it to the entire Guild Hall."

"But it’s funny!" Mina replied, wiping tears from her eyes.

Leon appeared delighted.

"She’s merely appreciating the importance of perseverance," he remarked.

Lucan turned toward him. "Don’t encourage her."

Mina laughed even harder.

---

The formal recognition took place later that afternoon.

A considerable crowd gathered inside the Grand Guild Hall after word spread that the Guild was about to recognize its first Platinum Adventurer.

Sage stood before the assembled members, accompanied by Garran and several senior employees.

Leon approached when his name was announced.

The captain of the Ardent Sun Knight Order looked remarkably composed, although the satisfaction in his expression was impossible to conceal.

"Leon Drakar," Sage began, addressing him before the gathered Adventurers, "your achievements over the past five months have been examined and verified. Through your completed missions, successful expeditions, and continued contributions, you’ve fulfilled the requirements for Platinum Adventurer Rank."

A murmur passed through the crowd.

Sage continued, "Your strength as a 6-Star Grandmaster Knight is considerable, but today’s recognition concerns something different. You’ve demonstrated the dedication, reliability, and accomplishments expected of a Platinum Adventurer."

Garran presented the official Platinum identification bearing Leon’s name and newly recognized rank.

Leon accepted it with a broad smile.

"Thank you, Guildmaster Sage," he replied. "I’ll continue representing the Guild honorably."

Sage nodded. "I certainly hope so, Captain. Although I’d also appreciate it if you occasionally remembered to rest."

Laughter spread through the hall.

The celebration continued well into the evening.

Adventurers congratulated Leon, while several younger members examined his achievement with renewed determination.

Lucan endured the occasion with admirable dignity, although his expression became increasingly strained whenever someone mentioned Leon’s accomplishment.

Mina found that particularly entertaining.

Sage eventually escaped the gathering and returned to his office, where Boren was waiting with the final records.

"Well," Boren remarked, "the Guild has its first Platinum Adventurer."

Sage nodded, examining Leon’s completed mission history once more. "And a rather extraordinary example of what determination can accomplish."

Boren smiled. "Do you think Lucan will calm down?"

Sage considered the question before shaking his head. "Not remotely. If anything, I suspect we’ve just made his determination considerably worse."

Boren laughed.

Outside, the Grand Guild Hall remained filled with celebration.

Leon Drakar had become the first Platinum Adventurer in history.

And although his achievement marked an important milestone for the Guild, Sage suspected its most immediate consequence would be an increasingly furious Lucan searching the mission boards for anything that might help him catch up.