Chapter 18: The Test
The doors of the Magic Bureau of Dungeons slid open with a soft hiss.
Xavier and Serena followed the unarmed woman inside, the two armed guards trailing behind them like shadows. The interior was far larger than Xavier expected—white floors reinforced with glowing runes, transparent walls displaying floating data panels, and awakened personnel moving with practiced efficiency.
They passed the receptionist without stopping.
"This way," the woman said. "Since you're a special case, we'll complete your testing as quickly as possible."
Xavier smirked and leaned slightly toward Serena.
"See? Even the Bureau gives me royal treatment. Why can't you?"
Serena slowly turned her head and looked at him.
Her expression was flat. Lifeless. Completely devoid of mercy.
"If you truly believe you're special," she said calmly, "we can fight later."
Xavier immediately raised both hands.
"Nope. Joking. Totally joking. We can go shopping later instead of training."
Serena nodded once.
"You always make excellent decisions."
Xavier exhaled in relief.
They continued down a long corridor until they reached a reinforced door marked AWAKENING EVALUATION – SPECIAL CLEARANCE.
Inside was a massive testing chamber.
The room was circular, with layered observation windows above and rune-etched walls designed to withstand high-level abilities. Several technicians stood behind consoles, while two awakened officials waited near the center.
"Mr. Cross," the woman said, stepping aside. "This will consist of three parts: mana measurement, physical capability testing, and ability verification."
Xavier glanced around. "Sounds fun."
"Please stand on the platform," one of the technicians instructed.
Xavier stepped onto a circular plate embedded in the floor. Runes lit up beneath his feet, and a translucent column of light rose around him.
"Begin mana scan."
The light intensified.
Numbers began scrolling rapidly across the screens.
10…
25…
80…
150…
The room grew quiet.
The numbers slowed, then stopped.
172.
The technicians exchanged glances.
"That's… unusual," one of them muttered.
The woman frowned slightly. "172 mana capacity with no registered awakening?"
Xavier scratched his cheek. "Is that good?"
"It's abnormal," she corrected. "Most newly awakened individuals range between 20 and 60."
Serena smiled faintly.
"Next test," the woman said, regaining her composure. "Physical capability."
The platform retracted, and a reinforced training dummy rolled into the center of the room.
"Strike it with everything you have," an official instructed. "No weapons."
Xavier cracked his knuckles.
"Engine Sync," he muttered.
The faint hum of an engine echoed through the room.
Xavier stepped forward and threw a single punch.
The impact was deafening.
The dummy folded inward like aluminum foil before being launched across the room, crashing into the far wall and embedding itself halfway into reinforced stone.
Silence followed.
One technician slowly turned toward the woman.
"…That dummy is rated for B-rank testing."
The woman's expression finally shifted.
"…Noted," she said carefully. "Ability verification."
She looked directly at Xavier. "Demonstrate your primary skill."
Xavier hesitated. "Uh… how much damage am I allowed to do?"
"…Minimal," she replied.
Xavier glanced at Serena.
She gave him a look that said don't embarrass me.
With a sigh, Xavier placed his hand on the ground.
"Engine Sync—low output."
The hum returned, softer this time.
Xavier sprinted forward, vanished, reappeared ten meters away, and stopped instantly—no skid marks, no recoil.
The sensors went wild.
"Speed amplification without mana expenditure?"
"Stat redistribution mid-movement?"
"That violates at least three models!"
Xavier straightened. "So… am I passing?"
The woman stared at the data for a long moment.
Then she turned to him.
"Mr. Cross," she said slowly, "you are not an unawakened individual."
Xavier shrugged. "Yeah, I figured that part out."
"You also do not fit any known classification," she continued. "Your abilities resemble neither enhancement-type awakenings nor traditional magic-based systems."
Serena stepped forward. "Meaning?"
The woman met her gaze.
"Meaning he's officially designated as a Unique Irregular Awakened."
Xavier blinked.
"That sounds expensive."
"It means," she clarified, "that the Bureau will register you immediately, monitor you closely, and strongly recommend cooperation."
Xavier smiled. "As long as you don't shut down my business."
The woman paused, then shook her head.
"For now, Magical Delivery LLC is not in violation."
Xavier pumped a fist internally.
"However," she added, "any further dungeon involvement must be reported."
Xavier nodded. "Fair enough."
The woman turned and gestured toward the exit.
"You're free to go—for today."
As Xavier and Serena walked out of the testing chamber, Serena leaned in slightly.
"You did well," she said quietly.
Xavier grinned. "Does that mean I get a reward?"
"Yes," Serena replied. "I won't beat you unconscious today."
"…I'll take it."
Behind them, inside the control room, the Bureau officials stared at the data one last time.
And silently agreed on one thing—
Magical Delivery LLC was no longer something they could ignore.