CHAPTER 60: THE EXAM BEGINS

Sarah was surprised. Although she had long desired the position and had Rioken’s support, there was no guarantee she would be chosen, since the appointment of deputy directors was solely the regent’s decision.

And yet, Sarah wore a sad expression.

"I guess I won’t get to pretend to be a secretary anymore. I’ll miss it."

Her words made the others laugh. They too had felt the same way when they heard of their promotion.

Suddenly, the clock chimed, catching Rioken’s attention.

"It’s already five. Let’s take our seats."

"That early?" asked Gramm.

"It’s your first meeting. You’ll see the earlier we start, the earlier we finish," said Rioken as he stepped through a door behind him, followed by the other two.

As they entered, they found four people already seated in the meeting room.

It was a large space. At its center stood a long rectangular wooden table, intricately carved. Ten chairs lined each side of the table evenly, and an eleventh stood at the far end.

Once everyone was seated, there were seven people present, each occupying a designated seat.

All of them were Transcendants, holding either a director or deputy director position. They had gathered for the traditional monthly meeting of the five offices.

A pair of double doors at the end of the room opened, revealing a man and a woman dressed in butler uniforms.

Once the doors were fully opened, they stood aside to allow one person to enter: the regent.

The regent was a beautiful woman with delicate features, dressed in a long golden gown embroidered with intricate patterns. Her lush violet hair was held in place by a jeweled tiara.

At first glance, she appeared no older than twenty-five.

As soon as she entered, the Transcendants rose respectfully, then sat once she had taken her seat.

Her striking purple eyes swept across the room, noting who was present and who wasn’t.

The butlers took a step back and closed the doors behind her. They remained outside, forbidden from attending the meeting.

Once the doors were shut, the regent spoke:

"Let the session begin."

At her command, the director of the Bureau of Internal, Administrative, and Political Affairs unofficially nicknamed the Chancellery announced the agenda:

"First and foremost, we would like to announce the appointment of His Eminence Gramm Sigmund as Director of the Bureau of Archives and Exploration, and Her Eminence Sarah Harley as Deputy Director of the Bureau of Internal Affairs. That concludes the opening announcements."

She paused, then continued:

"The session will address the following topics: the upcoming entrance examination for the different offices; a list of sanctions to be issued against the Empire of Aurora; the troubling situation in the Kingdom of Vermin; and the monthly reports from each bureau."

Several hours of discussion and deliberation followed.

It wasn’t until 6:30 p.m. that the meeting, which had begun at 5:25 a.m., finally ended.

The butlers reopened the doors to let the regent leave.

Once she had gone, the other Transcendants exited the room one by one.

Once again, they had failed to reach consensus quickly.

Still, progress had been made they had wrapped things up in less than a day.

Gramm walked out exhausted, prompting concern from Rioken.

"You alright?"

Gramm gave a simple thumbs-up in reply.

He had been chosen to oversee the entrance exam, which was being implemented in a new format. That meant a mountain of work ahead of him.

---

Later that evening, in the Internal Affairs district.

Sarah sat at a desk across from Rioken, who was reading her report.

When he finished, he set the pile of papers down.

"What did you think of him?" he asked.

"Dangerous. Very dangerous."

"I’m not surprised."

"Was that why you sent me?"

Rioken gently touched the hilt of his sword before answering.

"Rizel has always intrigued me. I’ve never been able to read him. By sending you, I thought you might get a better sense of who he is... and I wasn’t disappointed."

Sarah lowered her head.

"Is he really that strong?"

Rioken stood up and stroked his chin in thought.

"I couldn’t say.

I’ve never drawn my Matsume against him, and he’s never revealed his full strength either.

But I’d say he’s probably as strong as Gramm is now. If you ever have to fight him, run. You wouldn’t stand a chance," Rioken warned, giving her a pat on the shoulder before leaving the office.

"You did a great job again. Get some rest. Being a deputy director comes with a lot of paperwork."

Sarah wanted to shout:

("That’s because I’m doing your job too!")

But she remembered Iris’s words and shuddered.

"By the way, did you meet anyone else interesting?" Rioken asked, gazing up at the sky through the window.

"Yeah. I can’t wait to see what they’ll show during the exam."

"They impressed you that much? Well, we’ll find out soon enough.

The regent has high hopes for this new wave, and Gramm isn’t exactly known for his leniency."

"Right. It’s rare for Gramm to be impressed by anyone. Maybe no one will pass this year," Sarah laughed.

"Maybe. But if anyone does, they’ll be prodigies capable of shaking the order of this world."

---

Meanwhile, in Cards City.

Thanks to the credit card granted by Sarah, Sirius and Iris had rented a furnished villa in one of the capital’s upscale neighborhoods instead of the basic hotel she had recommended.

With authorizations signed by the mayor of the United Nations City and stamped by the Bureau of Internal Affairs, they held the status of political refugees, allowing them to live freely in the capital of the Republic of Palms.

The morning after their arrival, Sirius sat in the living room, surrounded by a white mist as he watched TV. He was practicing how long he could maintain it.

As he switched channels, he landed on a news bulletin from Words News, an international channel specializing in Awakened affairs.

He was so surprised he lost focus, making the mist vanish, and called out urgently:

"Everyone, come look!"

When the others arrived, a reporter was analyzing breaking news:

"All individuals aged 16 to 20 who wish to join the Order are requested to go to the capital of their respective nations, where the first trial of the entrance exam will be held simultaneously.

This is a new format: spots are unlimited. Whether you’re Awakened or not if you were previously discouraged by the difficulty, worry not. There will be no quotas this time.

The Chancellery has stated that it will deploy its members to help with candidate transportation.

Additionally, there are no registration fees, no housing fees, and no travel costs.

Everything will be covered by the Order. The exam will take place exactly one month from today."

At the end of the report, Sirius turned off the TV.

"One thing’s for sure: this exam will be nothing like the others," he thought.

Elsewhere in the world, the news was spreading. Every young person saw it as an opportunity: wealth, glory, power...

The greatest prodigies would gather in one month— and it promised to be explosive.

---

Days flew by like falling leaves.

Sirius and his companions spent their time training or teaching Brad and Bell.

Iris eventually chose a beautiful scarf that covered her entire head.

Sirius kept improving his combat style.

As for Lucy, she stayed busy, sparring regularly with Carla, with whom she had grown close.

Meanwhile, whether in the Empire, the Republic, or any other nation, young men and women from all walks of life flocked to their capitals, awaiting the first trial of the Order’s entrance exam.

---

One month later. The big day.

Capital of the Republic of Palms.

Examination Center

Booth 112.

A long line stretched before a Chancellery intern registering candidates.

"Next!" she called.

"Your name, age, and an official document."

"Sirius, 16," he said, handing her the authorization given by Sarah.

"Do you wish to apply as a combatant or non-combatant?"

"What’s the difference?"

"If you’re not Awakened, you’ll automatically be placed in the non-combatant category.

Otherwise, you may choose.

A combatant is an enforcer whose resonance can be used in battle.

A non-combatant is an enforcer whose resonance is less suited for combat.

Of course, a non-Awakened must possess some ability useful to the Order."

Without hesitation, Sirius replied:

"Combatant."

The receptionist typed his answers into her computer, then asked the final question.

"Which bureau do you wish to join?"

"Archives and Exploration."

She raised an eyebrow briefly, then completed the registration. A few seconds later, a black badge was printed.

She handed it to Sirius.

"Congratulations, you’re officially registered. Please proceed to one of the exam rooms."

As Sirius left, she called the next candidate.

"Iris, 16."

"Combatant."

"Military Affairs."

The receptionist gave her a green badge and pointed her to the appropriate exam room.

"Next."

"Carla, 20."

"Combatant."

"Military Affairs."

"Next."

"Lucy, 17."

"Non-combatant."

"Administrative and Political Affairs."

The receptionist smiled, pleased to see someone applying to the Chancellery, and handed her a silver badge.

Once all the candidates had been registered, the rooms were packed.

Sealed envelopes were placed in front of each candidate.

When everyone had received theirs, an examiner entered to give the instructions:

"Each envelope contains the written exam topic, a pen, and three answer sheets.

To pass, you must submit one properly completed copy before the hour is up.

Anyone who fails to submit a copy will be automatically disqualified.

If you have any questions use your head."

He checked his watch.

"The exam starts now. Open your envelopes."