"Congratulations once again," Allen said, steepling his fingers and looking at each of them in turn. "You have all now officially passed the ranker exam."
Hajin was already slumped on the couch, his arms spread across the back like he'd been sitting there for hours. He watched Allen from the corner of his eye, waiting for the catch, when it came to stuff like this, there was always a catch.
Elise sat up straighter, her back rigid and her hands folded neatly in her lap. She looked like she was trying very hard not to smile too widely. "Thank you, Guildmaster."
Sable nodded once, her expression calm but her fingers tapping restlessly against her knee. She kept glancing at Hajin from the corner of her eye, then looking away quickly when she caught herself.
Juna just sat there with her tail draped over the arm of the couch, looking completely at ease. She had one ear tilted toward the door and the other tracking Allen's movements.
