Shunya was sure the NGCO building had been designed specifically to make newcomers feel small.
The main hall was huge, all polished marble floors and banners with the golden phoenix crest. Rows of recruits stood in loose formation, some still bandaged from the physical test yesterday. Shunya spotted one guy with his arm in a sling trying to hide a grin, probably just happy he survived.
Jean stepped up to the podium, looking much too cheerful for someone about to announce life-changing ranks.
"Good morning, new cultivators," he said, voice echoing. "You've completed both your written and physical assessments. Today, you'll receive your official cultivator rank, along with your ID badge and stipend package."
Shunya leaned toward Naomi. "You think they'll also hand out apology letters for nearly killing us?"
She smirked. "Only if you ask politely. And by politely, I mean not at all."
