The Hierarchy (before battle)

Well, now that that's over and done with, I would like the Sinners to come gather around here.

Hohenheim placed the Sinners in a single file before him, and began.

Now, the regular check-up is complete.

We finally have enough data to compare your pre-employment statuses to those of your current selves.

Which means…?

Indeed. We were able to measure your pre-employment combat capabilities as well.

Oho… and what are your conclusions?

Allow me to preface this by saying that there isn't much significance in establishing this particular hierarchy of power on a linear scale. Like I said, you are all equally mediocre at the present anyway, and -

Oh, there's plenty of significance all right! We've all gotta know who's the big boss!

While this is but a speculation of the worst-case scenario, we must know which one of us has the most right and authority to lead the rest of the Sinners in case our Executive Manager becomes, due to some unknown yet inexorable circumstances, unavailable!

<H-hey, that's…>

I don't listen to anyone weaker than I am.

Hm… What if there was a reason I was the first one asked to introduce himself…?

There was a burgeoning interest among the Sinners to see which one of them would be at the apex of this scale, were they to be measured by their strengths prior to their employment.

<H-hey, maybe before I lost my memories, even I - >

Dante, don't.

It is interesting how every collective has the desire to get the clear picture of the pecking order.

A negative expression of this desire may even lead to juvenile behaviors among children - for example, stealing their colleague's lunches for meager reasons such as scoring higher than they did on a test.

You're not speaking from personal experience, are ya…?

Thus, I believed that trying to conceal the outcome of the tests from you would be quite meaningless.

Each of your placements in that line you are standing in signifies that very order you were so curious to know. I do not wish to waste any more breath on this subject.

There was a long, long silence.

Then the Sinners all simultaneously turned to look at the person standing in the frontmost position of the line.

…….

This has to be the longest, most awkward, most loaded silence I've ever felt in my life.

Ahm, hm…

Much did I wish to hold shrouded in my fathoms, yet I yearned still to convey that we are all more than meets the eye.

Yet there remains a certain abundance within my heart… Perhaps the tests of this day paint a picture of both of my qualities.

Thus spoke I, Yi Sang.

Um… Yi Sang…

I will place trust in the faith that all of you shall one day sprout wings as I have.

Yi Sang… it's the other way around…

Ah yes. The line was made from my point of view.

From here, the Sinner wielding that oversized lance is the one at the front of this line.

…….

Well… you said some cool words, though. We… got this, right? Yi Sang…?

…….

W-well, 'tis quite the bashful occasion… Ahem… to be the center of such fervent attention of one such company…

I wouldn't say 'fervent' is the right word… 'worried', maybe…?

… I shall be vigilant…

No one seemed to have any objections or doubts about who the strongest Sinner was, given the earlier event.

On second thought, it appears that it would be best if we left the c…command to… Ishmael, as we have done so far.

Outis mumbled through gritted teeth.

Forsooth, I am in agreement! I am more partial to roles as a defending Fixer or a squire! 'Tis oft the case that such side characters enjoyed greater popularity since time immemorial.

Very happy to see this discussion not coming to blows. Now, are we all ready to move on from this?

Wait a minute…

Aren't we all forgetting something pretty important?

That's just how the world works, Greg... No one remembers anyone between the first place and the last place. I even forgot my own placement in the order...

No, I mean…

Fellas, I wasn't even a part of the list.

Oh, were you not?

Who cares, mate? There's twelve of us. Some people just fall out of the radar, big deal. Let's just get on with it.

H-hey, you can't just disregard me like swatting away a fly -

Eh, I'd guess somewhere around my level, probably. Or Heathcliff's.

Ishmael replied in a voice that had clearly lost all interest in this discussion.

Ah, you're the Sinner with that bizarre insectoid arm.

We had no choice but to place you in the least favorite category of all researchers.

Exceptions.

Ugh…

Ughh…

Mmmhhhh…

…….

<They really hate that, huh.>

In other words, you are… a case that cannot well be placed in a list or a scale. To do so would be irresponsible.

I'd say you carry a certain potential.

That, uh… potential, is it? Does that mean that I could also be first place if all goes well?

It could very well be the reverse, given the definition of 'potential'.

Let not this query harrow your mind, Gregor. Your day will come.

Feels funny, getting consoled by the guy who placed last…