CHAPTER 44: CH 44: TESTED OUT - PART 3

Lysera stormed through the winding corridors of the defense office, boots slamming against polished tiles with such force that the sound echoed like thunder.

Her subordinate practically jogged to keep up, clutching a clipboard in trembling hands as he tried to find the right file she’d asked for.

"M-Ma’am, about the—"

He stammered, attempting to break the tense silence.

Her glare cut into him like a blade.

"Walk faster."

He swallowed hard and nodded, eyes darting between the files clutched in his shaking hands.

The moment she looked away, he fumbled the stack entirely, sending papers fluttering in every direction like a flurry of broken promises.

He gasped and fell to his knees, scrambling to gather them again.

The delay only made Lysera’s blood boil further. She folded her arms and exhaled through her nose, jaw tight.

Damn Delran.

She clenched her fists.

That old woman had practically shoved her out of the room with a fake request, a meaningless errand that gave her just enough authority to not argue back—just enough reason to feel like she was being forced to abandon Kana.

’Kana.’

That thought hit the hardest. She didn’t know what was happening back there. Kana was new, untested, and not used to dealing with the twisted politics of the defense office.

She shouldn’t have to be alone in this.

Lysera closed her eyes for a moment and told herself it would be fine. Kana was clever. She wouldn’t expose too much. The system would protect her.

Still, that bitter unease coiled in her gut like a snake.

Her subordinate, now covered in sweat, held up a single folder with shaking hands.

"F-Found it, ma’am!"

Without a word, she snatched the file from his hands and turned on her heel, moving with barely restrained fury.

She didn’t care about the errand anymore. She had what she needed—and she was going to get Kana back.

It didn’t take her long to reach the testing wing. When she turned the corner toward the observation hall, what she saw made her freeze.

Sergeant Delran was leaning over Kana, one hand on the wall beside the girl’s head, voice low and commanding.

Kana stood still, eyes wide, clearly trying not to move. Her shoulders were tense. Her hands, clenched at her sides.

Panic. That was what Lysera saw in her expression.

The last bit of control snapped.

Lysera surged forward and grabbed Delran by the shoulder, yanking the older woman away with enough force to stagger her.

"Get your hands off her."

Delran stumbled, eyes going wide at the sudden aggression, but before she could say a word, Lysera had raised a hand to strike.

"Stand down."

Delran barked—not in a shout, but a command laced with sharp magic.

The spell hit Lysera like a wall of cold water. Her arm froze mid-swing. Her mind fuzzed. Her magic recoiled within her like it had been shoved into a box and locked tight.

Kana gasped.

"Stand. Down."

Delran said again, and the words sent a wave of pressure through Lysera’s body. She staggered back, still breathing hard, but her limbs no longer moved with her will.

Her fingers twitched. Her lips parted, but no words came.

Delran straightened her uniform and fixed Lysera with a look of calm irritation.

"I told you this was necessary.

She said coolly.

Lysera didn’t answer. She couldn’t—not properly. The command magic was still weaving through her nerves like invisible chains.

She tried to focus, to fight back, but she couldn’t stop the trembling in her jaw.

Delran turned back to Kana and offered a slight smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

"We’re done with the tests. Her scores are... a little high for a human, but within tolerable margins. There’s nothing alarming here."

Kana blinked and nodded, her expression still unreadable.

"You’re free to return home."

Delran added, stepping back and gesturing toward the door.

Lysera’s limbs began to loosen again, the spell finally fading, but she didn’t move right away. She just watched the older woman, her eyes narrowing.

Something in Delran’s tone... was off. Too composed. Too calm.

Kana walked to Lysera’s side and whispered.

"I’m okay."

Lysera nodded, but her fists were still clenched. She didn’t believe it. Not entirely.

As they turned and left the room, Lysera looked over her shoulder one last time. Delran remained standing there, arms folded, gaze sharp and thoughtful as she watched them go.

She didn’t speak, but Lysera saw the slight tension in her face—the calculation behind her eyes.

That look stayed with her long after the door closed behind them.

"She’s planning something."

Lysera muttered once they were alone in the corridor.

Kana looked up at her.

"You think so too?"

"I know it. She didn’t need to test you. That was all just an excuse to dig."

Lysera gritted her teeth.

Kana hesitated.

"She didn’t learn anything important. I held back."

"That’s not the point. They know your name now. They’ll start watching."

Lysera snapped.

Kana stayed quiet, her gaze drifting to the floor.

"...I’m sorry. I should’ve fought harder. I should’ve dragged you out before it started."

Lysera said after a beat, her voice quieter now.

Kana shook her head.

"You did what you could. If you had tried harder, she might have punished you for it."

"I don’t care. I won’t let them do this to you again."

Lysera’s voice was hard again.

They reached the outer gates of the defense office and stepped into the afternoon light. The warmth should have comforted them—but Lysera only felt colder.

Behind them, hidden within the shadows of the testing hall, Sergeant Delran watched the path they had taken.

Her assistant approached from the side, brows raised.

"So? She just barely passed. I don’t get it."

Delran didn’t answer at first. She stared at the closed door, then finally murmured,

"Something’s off with that one. I don’t care what the tests say."

She narrowed her eyes.

"We’re going to keep an eye on her."

Sergeant Delran remained in the quiet observation room, her gaze fixed on the door long after Kana and Lysera had left.

The tension that clung to her posture slowly eased as her subordinate—the young tester assigned to oversee Kana’s evaluation—stepped up beside her.

"So, are we going to stop her from going on the temple mission? It might be safer if we delayed it."

He asked cautiously, glancing at the notes still glowing faintly on the monitor.

Delran didn’t answer immediately. She stood with her hands clasped behind her back, eyes sharp, contemplative.

"There’s no need. If the High Priestess herself requested Kana, then we can’t interfere."

She said at last, her voice calm but firm.

The tester frowned.

"Even if something’s... off about her?"

Delran turned to face him fully now, her expression unreadable.

"High Priestess Jenna is the one who receives direct messages from the goddess. If she named this girl, then there’s a purpose behind it. A divine purpose. We’re not in a position to question that."

The subordinate nodded hesitantly, though his concern didn’t fully leave his face.

Delran looked back at the door.

"We won’t stop her. But we will watch."

She narrowed her eyes slightly, voice low.

"Keep the reports coming. Any fluctuations, any strange behavior—I want to know the moment it happens."

The tester gave a stiff nod and hurried out.

Alone again, Delran let out a slow breath.

"Let’s see what you really are, girl."