I don't know whether I'm having a problem with M&M 9 or whether it's my own dumb self unable to figure out what's going on.

I can't seem to get *any* of my characters above the expert level. According to the game, I've been "promoted" (or honorarily promoted?) several times -- my log reads promoted to Mercenary, Crusader, Healer, Assassin, Paladin, Ranger and Druid -- but every teacher that I've spoken with recently tells me I need to be promoted to advance.

I know some of the characters by nature are limited to how far they can advance -- but I can't even advance my characters in even such relatively minor skills as Disarm Trap and Identify Monster/Items.

Is there a bug in the game I don't know about, am I just playing it incorrectly -- or did I perhaps stumble onto a loooong dead-end path & will have to restart the game?

Appreciate any help you guys might know of.

Thanks much.