After arriving at the exam center, we were guided by Chifuyu to her group so we could get to know each other. Like the Iroha Company, they also had a good number of new recruits taking the exam. I was introduced to some of the most promising among them: a boy named Yuzuara Sam, a girl named Yuzuara Nana, and another girl named Yuzuara Haruwa. They all had a strong presence and were quite friendly.
"Deluke, come on, please give me your number," Nana said, poking me with her phone.
"What does she think she's doing to my member?" Shizu muttered, looking annoyed.
"Sorry, Shizu, she's always been like this," Chifuyu sighed. "Once she sees a handsome guy, she just can't control herself."
Shizu shot Chifuyu a knowing look. "You're one to talk."
"Well, if you say so—tsk," Chifuyu responded, reluctantly looking away.
The hall for the exam was becoming increasingly crowded as members from various companies made their entrance.
"Mmm, there are really a lot of different human species here," I observed, scanning the room. Among the crowd, I noticed more demi-humans and alien-looking individuals than expected.
"Is that what surprises you, Deluke?" Chifuyu asked, amused.
"Not just that, but also the sheer number of companies present in Tokyo."
"Actually, not all companies here are from Tokyo," Nana explained. "Most of them are from other parts of Japan, and occasionally, from other countries."
"How do they even travel to get here?" I asked curiously.
"From what I heard, it's through teleportation—but it feels more like a 'position shift' to me," Chifuyu answered.
"Position shift?" The three of us echoed in confusion.
"It's a phenomenon where a person is taken from their current position to another location instantly, without feeling any spatial distortion. The movement is so swift that you can't even notice the difference," Shizu added, joining the conversation.
"Mmm, okay, I really don't get it," Nana admitted, still puzzled.
"I think I understand," I said after a moment of thought.
"Really, Deluke?" she asked, surprised.
"Well, if you think about it, it's like editing a video. You change the background of a particular clip to another one, but the subject remains in the same place."
"So basically, it's not us being transported, but the space around us that shifts?" Sam asked.
"Yeah, something like that. If I'm correct, the reason we don't notice the change is that, in typical teleportation, the disturbance you feel comes from being the one transported. But if the space itself moves while we remain static, we wouldn't experience any noticeable change."
Everyone remained silent, processing my explanation. Chifuyu suddenly grabbed Shizu's arm.
"Oi, Shizu, didn't you just tell me that he was a newbie who wouldn't understand a single thing about the exam? I even told my team to assist him during the second phase!"
"Even I'm shocked," Shizu admitted, raising an eyebrow.
"Wow, is this what it means to come from a place like the White Clad?" Sam sighed. "What an amazing deduction. He completely stole our spotlight."
Noticing their amazement, I wasn't all that surprised. Zein had already warned me that understanding the logic behind abilities and paranormal phenomena wasn't easy for newcomers. Most mistake fiction from anime or movies as reality, making conclusions without truly grasping the mechanics.
As our discussion continued, a bright light illuminated the podium, and four people appeared, all dressed in formal attire. It was obvious—they were the exam invigilators. The man in the center, who had the most severe expression, stepped forward. The entire hall erupted into noise at their sudden appearance and the oppressive aura they exuded. Fear and nervousness filled the room—our futures were about to be decided.
"Silence!!"
His voice boomed like a cannon, making my ears ring. Instantly, everyone fell silent, clutching their heads in pain. Of course, I was also affected, but the trained trainees remained unfazed. Shizu, who was completely unaffected, shot me a smug look, her expression practically saying, you look pathetic. Annoying.
"You all have come from distant places and trained hard for this exam," the man continued. "I won't ask why, nor will I lecture you about the dangers of becoming a Paranormal Officer. But understand this—we take orders for one reason, and one reason only: WORLD ORDER. Keep that in your heads, newbies."
He smirked and stepped back, allowing a woman from the group to explain how the exam would proceed.
"The exam consists of two phases," she announced. "The first phase is the measurement of spiritual energy. The second phase is the hunting of [spirits]. Now, let the first phase begin."
The first phase determined if a person had what it took to walk the path of the spiritual realm. The testing device was a large, colorless stone that measured spiritual energy and displayed the value numerically. The passing threshold was 100. Regular humans had levels between 10 and 90 since all souls eventually ascend to heaven or hell. However, an awakened individual—someone aware of their spirit—typically had a value of 101 or higher, allowing them to control and develop their energy. Those below 100 could feel their spirit but would never be able to wield it.
As the exam commenced, participants were called up one by one to measure their spiritual energy. It was nerve-wracking. The average range was between 1,000 and 5,000, a good standard for the annual exam.
"This year, too," the center invigilator muttered, looking unfazed.
"Well, last year had a lot of promising candidates," another invigilator replied.
"I heard the golden age is predicted to repeat itself over these three years before the official exam."
"Let's just hope our exam center receives one of those chosen talents. It's frustrating hearing others brag about their genius recruits."
A loud murmur of amazement rippled through the hall as someone finally broke past the 10,000 thresholds, scoring 10,430.
"Oh, someone got above 10K—that's a good sign."
"Another one! And they're from the same group."
"Isn't that the IROHA group?" the old man at the center muttered, rubbing his temple in frustration. "All their members seem to be scoring over ten thousand. I remember those two trainees who led them—both scored over a hundred thousand in their exams. Why didn't they take the test here?"
The test continued as more examinees stepped forward, yet the values of spiritual energy being recorded kept falling—some as low as five hundred. One after another, hopefuls were met with disappointing scores, and IROHA's confidence swelled with each passing minute. It seemed they were well on their way to dominating the charts.
Then, everything changed.
A foreign candidate stepped forward and registered a shocking 50,000. The murmur in the hall surged. Up until now, the highest scores had hovered between 10,000 and 25,000—this new benchmark electrified the room.
But the real turning point came moments later.
A flash of white light enveloped the measuring stone as Nana from the YUZUARA COMPANY placed her hand on it. The number that appeared sent a collective gasp through the hall:
100,999.
Applause and exclamations erupted. Even the stoic invigilators, who had remained indifferent when someone reached 50,000, now showed visible signs of excitement. Shizu, who had seemed aloof throughout the test, allowed herself a small smile of pride.
"Wow, wow, wow!" Chifuyu cried, clapping Shizu on her back. "I didn't think she had it in her!"
"She's always shown promise since joining," she said, smiling as Nana returned, her presence practically glowing with pride.
"Come on, Shizu," Sam grumbled, "you didn't even smile when we got our scores. Aren't you at least glad we didn't bomb it?"
Shizu said nothing. She didn't need to—her silence spoke volumes.
"Don't mind him. Don't mind Haruwa, either," Chifuyu said, trying to lighten the mood.
As Nana rejoined us, her teammates swarmed her with cheers and praise. Even Sam and Haruwa, momentarily forgetting their own disappointment, were the first to congratulate her.
"I did it, Chifuyu-sis!" Nana beamed.
"You did," Chifuyu said, wrapping her in a proud hug.
"Now I can finally shove this in the IROHA's faces. It's not just my sister who's a genius!"
Nana chuckled. "Wait… didn't you get under 100,000 during your own exam?"
"Well, I got 90,000," Chifuyu admitted, scratching the back of her head, laughing shyly.
"Oh."
"What about you, Shizu-san?" she asked, eyes bright with curiosity.
"I scored 450,000," Shizu said, pride unmistakable in her voice.
Gasps rippled through the group.
"Whoa, that's incredible!"
Shizu waved it off with a chuckle. "Not that impressive. The highest score that day was 500,000. And I heard that at other centers around the world, some people have broken the hundred million mark. So, compared to them, I'm… below average, I guess."
The celebration was suddenly cut short by a mocking voice from behind.
"My dear Shizu… if you're calling yourself 'below average,' then what does that make Chifuyu, who only managed 90,000?"
Celestina stepped into view, her entourage trailing behind like hyenas.
"I've got it!" one of her companions sneered. "A Yuzuara heir… turned disappointment."
Anger flashed across the faces of our group. The Yuzuaras fired back insults, and in seconds, a verbal brawl erupted—words sharp as daggers. The attention of nearby participants and invigilators shifted toward us. The IROHA group responded with their usual arrogance, and the hall's tension began to thicken.
"YUZUARAS!"
Chifuyu's voice rang out like a war drum, silencing the chaos instantly.
"Stop embarrassing our name. We're not alone here. Other companies, seniors, and dignitaries are watching. If we act like children, what will they think of us?"
The hall fell silent.
"We're sorry, Chifuyu-sama!!" the Yuzuara members chorused.
Celestina smiled as if the chaos hadn't involved her in the slightest.
"Oh, we just came to congratulate Nana. What an excellent score. And to wish your new recruit good luck," she said, voice dripping with faux sincerity.
"This is new," Shizu replied, unimpressed. "Since when have you cared about others' progress? Or… are you here because Endo's squad didn't even break fifty thousand?"
Celestina's smile flickered. "Tsk. I really did come to congratulate Nana. But after hearing you call yourself below average, even though you only beat me by twenty thousand, I started to wonder—what should we call people who score under 100k? We call anyone under 10k trash, so… you understand my dilemma."
Her tone was syrupy, sweet—and laced with poison. She turned her gaze to the crowd and raised her voice.
"And of course, I came to see today's most important candidate!"
Everyone in the hall turned.
"Huh?" Shizu blinked. "Why are you shouting—"
"I mean the first IZANA recruit in years," Celestina said with a wicked smile, "personally recommended by the WHITE CLAD."
The moment the words left her lips, whispers ignited across the room.
"The White Clad?"
"Did she say recommended?"
"So, he's one of them…"
"doesn't that mean a reject, haha!"
"He looks like a vampire."
"Maybe he is."
"His cute thou"
"But he doesn't even give off an aura…"
"He's going to fail. I can feel it."
"Why would somebody even sign in with the Izana's"
"They most have been desperate"
"His face annoys me"
"Typical. What a letdown."
The gazes turned malicious, mocking.
"Why is everyone saying awful things about Deluke?" Nana asked, clearly upset.
"Celestina… that witch," Haruwa muttered.
I heard every word—but I wasn't shaken. It was finally my turn to take the test.
"Deluke, don't listen to them," Nana said gently. "You've got this."
"Yeah! You'll do great, right Shizu?" Chifuyu added with a smile.
Shizu shrugged, grinning. "Oh, I'm sure he'll get a high score—just not higher than mine."
The others stared at her, stunned.
"Or are you nervous, Deluke?" Shizu teased. "Need big sis to hold your hand?"
"You're enjoying this way too much," I muttered.
"Why wouldn't I? I get to watch you score lower than me."
"Says the girl who couldn't even get the top score during her own year. Looking for a scapegoat now, you petty gorilla."
"Huh?! Who are you calling a gorilla, you sickly vampire?!"
Gasps and chuckles followed has the people of Yuzuara watched us in amusement. Even with all the attention on us—insults and assumptions flying—Shizu and I were too busy trading jabs to care.
"Well, I'm off," I said, finally stepping forward.
"Good luck, Deluke~! Hope you score less than me!" Shizu called cheerfully.
"Shizuuu!" Chifuyu tried to cover her mouth.
As I walked toward the testing stone, I felt the weight of a hundred stares, but it didn't bother me. I knew exactly why they assumed I was weak.
Among awakened individuals, spiritual strength can often be felt—a pressure, a presence. Nana, for example, had a strong aura, even when concealed. It helped her avoid ridicule.
Me? I gave off nothing. I looked sickly. Frail. Weak. It was natural for people to assume the worst.
Even Shizu did—at first.
Only one person ever noticed the truth.
Freed.
Mai told me not to make a big deal of it. Told me to keep a low profile.
But after hearing Celestina's smug voice one too many times, I thought… maybe today's the day I show a glimpse.
Just a little.
I placed my hand on the testing stone.
Let's begin.