ranks

Good question. I've heard that before from someone else, so I'll probably make a thread on it. Yggdrasil is partially right, you may gain them from merit, but it's many things. Intelligence, devotion, potential, initiative, involvement, experience, coming up with good ideas, helpfulness, anything that may set you apart and make you stand out above the rest. All you need to do is prove yourself, and someone will notice. If you have any quality that shows you're deserving and capable of more responsibility and authority, we'll see. All you must do is prove yourself of these qualities.