"Congratulations once again," Allen said, steepling his fingers as he looked at each of them, "you have all officially passed the Ranker examination."
Hajin had already slumped across the office couch with both arms stretched along the back, as if the room belonged to somebody too tired to remove him before the paperwork found its target.
'There is always a catch,' he thought, watching Allen through the corner of one eye, 'especially when a powerful man congratulates you twice.'
Elise sat rigidly upright with both hands folded in her lap, trying so hard to restrain her smile that the effort showed around her mouth.
"Thank you, Guildmaster," she said, with pride warming every careful syllable.
Sable gave one restrained nod while her fingers tapped against her knee.
Her eyes moved toward Hajin, then returned to Allen whenever he looked back quickly enough to catch her.
