Chapter 32: Appraisal Meeting ③

“Next up is Kishizue Rokuou, unaffiliated. A delinquent leading an organization. Does that cover the basics?”

“That reads as ‘Knuckle Duster,’ right?”

“Apparently, it started as a biker gang, but after they intruded into the Fuiko Family’s territory, he awakened as a sorcerer.”

“Even so, he hasn’t aligned with any other families and has beaten back sorcerers who came to recruit him.”

“At the very least, if he’s awakened as a sorcerer, he should be seeking the Flow Vein and aiming to unify the sorcerers. I cannot give a proper evaluation to scum like this.”

“However, while his sorcerous principles are simple, he’s easily defeated hundred-million-class sorcerers—and in one-on-one fights at that. I’d like to grant him at least a hundred-million-class evaluation.”

“If you view his biker gang as a sorcerer family, they only race on designated roads. If you consider those roads their territory, they haven’t infringed on anywhere else. Furthermore, in every violent incident, the sorcerers attacked first. There’s at least some justification there. In terms of pure strength, I’d like to give him credit.”

“A minimum of eleven opponents. When multiple sorcerers ganged up on him, he handled them alone. Truly overflowing with manliness. I want to acknowledge that point.”

“Well then, with everyone’s evaluations submitted… Kishizue Rokuou’s total worth is assessed at 756 million.”

The proceedings continued.

And naturally, the topic shifted to focus on the man who had achieved explosive growth and recognition over these past few months.

“And now… ho ho, here we are. The biggest problem child—Shiga Inui.”

“The boy who, after the Yukoku Clan was destroyed, received transplanted organs carrying their sorcerous principles.”

“I sense nothing but calamity from this man…”

“Beginning with the annihilation of the Yukoku Clan, he defeated a general of the Abarabana-ke, turned the tables on the Seven Families’ ambush, and even invaded the Tsuchikurenai-ke as support for the Soui house…”

“Officially, Soui Shuryakuma is credited with taking down the Tsuchikurenai-ke, but that man would have been incapable of defeating Tsuchikurenai Hyakurei.”

“Shiga Inui, who participated as support—this man has been racking up achievements at a frightening pace.”

“What are you saying? I sense nothing but evil from this man… If things go wrong, he might even bare his fangs at us.”

“Single-handedly annihilated the Yukoku Clan—and did so as a civilian, not a sorcerer. From there, he skyrocketed. In the battle with the Abarabana-ke, he defeated a general-class sorcerer, and despite restrictions, he took down five family heads…”

“What I value most is the very beginning—the Yukoku Clan. The idea that a former civilian defeated time-manipulation sorcerers known for their extreme malice and cruelty is laughable.”

“And on top of that, there’s the ambush incident. I’ve heard the average total worth of those family heads was around 1.5 billion. Even if their sorcerous principles were restricted… the momentum with which he defeated them is unprecedented.”

“This man’s life, his existential worth—limiting it to just a single digit in the billions would be wasteful.”

Each member tossed down their coins. The coins were gathered together to determine his existential worth. For a former civilian, this amount would be utterly unprecedented.

“Is everyone in agreement? …Very well, it’s decided.”

“Shiga Inui. By assessment of the Twenty-One Elders, his total existential worth is 2.74 billion.”

Chapter 33: Appraisal Meeting ④

“However, what a shame… How much in bribes did you lot accept?”

“The Sorcerer Assessment Meeting displays achievements, threat level, and existential worth in easy-to-understand monetary terms.”

“In a sense, that also connects to a sorcerer’s prestige. That’s precisely why our evaluations must not show favoritism.”

“The Three Great Houses, renowned houses of sorcerers… For them to rank below a former civilian—now that’s what I’d call favoritism!”

“That’s right. Even so, we’re conducting pure assessments… In fact, members of the Ten Great Flow Kings who should have made the cut ended up ranked below the former civilian.”

“The fortunate ones are the Three Great Houses. If they’d been ranked below Shiga Inui, there’s a chance their contracts would have been severed.”

“Just being part of the Three Great Houses makes your existential worth skyrocket. At minimum, they’re worth a billion.”

“…The Three Great Houses have never single-handedly crushed a sorcerer family. Rather… I can’t imagine anyone stronger than that man who single-handedly defeated the Yukoku Clan, who were on the verge of being promoted to the Ten Great Flow Kings.”

“2.7 billion.”

At Mineki Shian’s words, Shiga Inui tilted his head.

“Hm?”

He thought he’d misheard. However, she repeated herself to Shiga Inui.

“2.74 billion… That’s your current existential worth.”

Shiga Inui counted the digits on his fingers. After counting over and over, confirming he was worth over a billion, he finally asked:

“…Is that impressive?”

He asked just how much of an achievement this truly was.

“Impressive doesn’t even begin to cover it… Excluding the Ten Great Flow Kings and the Three Great Houses, reaching 2.7 billion in about a month is… impossible.”

Former civilians becoming sorcerers does happen. However, an existential worth of 2.74 billion is exceptional. Considering that, Shiga Inui’s existence would appear genuinely aberrant.

“Within this past year, seven people achieved hundred-million-class status. Of those, Inu is the second-fastest rising sorcerer.”

Mineki Shian examined the report.

“…Huh? There are others who’ve hit hundred-million-class besides me? Second place means there’s a first place too?”

Apparently curious, Shiga Inui tried to check the contents of the report.

“Ah… Want to take a look?”

She showed Shiga Inui a copy of the report she’d prepared in advance.

First Place: Dashin Oji Kurou — 3.06 billion

Second Place: Shiga Inui — 2.74 billion

Third Place: Itoshimari Renri — 1.815 billion

Fourth Place: Kougaon Shijuukyou — 1.4 billion

Fifth Place: Kishizue Rokuou — 756 million

Sixth Place: Mukadera Shakuren — 500 million