After a short wait, the sound of heels clicking against the polished floor drew Anand's attention. A young woman emerged from the inner corridor, moving with an easy grace that caught more than a few stares from those in the hall.
She was striking — her blouse and skirt tailored close, her figure accentuated just enough to blur the line between professional and distracting.
Anand's eyes lingered for a heartbeat longer than necessary, the corner of his mouth curving slightly. In his younger days, he'd kept the company of many women . Beauty was an art he'd always appreciated, but unlike most men, he never let it own him.
By the time she reached them, his expression was composed, the smile faint but unreadable.
"Good afternoon, sir," she greeted, her voice smooth and clear. "I'll be the one conducting your examination. If you'll follow me, please."
Aryan gave a brisk nod and stepped forward. Anand followed at his own pace, his eyes flicking briefly around the facility before returning to her. His tone was calm, almost playful, but never crossing the line.
"Lead on."
With that, she guided them toward the reinforced doors leading deeper into the Bureau, the receptionist behind the counter bowing her head as the trio disappeared into the restricted halls.
The reinforced doors slid shut behind them with a soft hiss, sealing the lobby away. The private chamber beyond gleamed with alloy and glass, its walls humming faintly with the pulse of embedded cores. Three stations waited in a line: a towering crystal obelisk, a reinforced alloy pillar with glowing sensors, and a domed arena sealed by mana barriers.
Lena walked ahead of them, her heels tapping lightly against the polished floor. Her voice carried the smooth professionalism of someone trained to deal with elites.
"The private exam consists of three stages. First, the resonance crystal, to measure core energy. Second, physical capacity: strength, speed, and reaction. Third, the combat projection. Straightforward enough."
Anand gave a short nod.
She gestured toward the crystal. "Please begin."
Anand stepped forward, placing his palm on the cold surface. For a heartbeat nothing happened. Then the obelisk pulsed — faintly at first, then violently, colors shifting from gold to crimson as light surged upward. The entire crystal trembled, hairline cracks spidering across its surface before stabilizing again.
Lena's eyes widened despite herself. "…King level."
Aryan's brow twitched, though his expression remained carefully composed.
Anand withdrew his hand, silent, and moved on.
The alloy pillar waited for the strength test. Lena's tone was even, though she couldn't quite mask the tension in her shoulders. "Strike once, as you would in combat."
Anand adjusted his stance. His fist blurred forward in a clean, precise punch.
The impact cracked like thunder. The pillar's sensors exploded in sparks, a long fracture tearing down its center as smoke hissed from ruptured vents.
Lena froze for half a breath, her lips parting. "It… wasn't designed to measure beyond Rank VI." She pressed a series of buttons, forcing the system to register what little it could. "That confirms Rank VII. King-tier."
Anand shook his hand once and let it fall back to his side, his expression calm, as if he had merely completed a routine task.
The next stage, speed and reaction, fared no better. He ran the length of the track, his stride smooth, effortless, sensors blurring to keep up. The readings spiked above the Commander threshold before freezing entirely. Reaction drills flashed, but the lights seemed too slow, every strike landing before the system fully registered.
When the final numbers aligned, Lena's voice was low, almost reverent. "tier VII… confirmed."
For a moment, silence hung in the chamber. Then Aryan stepped forward, producing a sleek black card from his coat. He set it lightly on the console.
"For the damage. Double the replacement cost," he said evenly. His gaze lifted, locking with Lena's. "And a share for yourself. This does not leave this room. Not a word. Not to colleagues, not to superiors. Do you understand?"
Lena's throat tightened. His voice was calm, but the weight behind it pressed down on her chest like a stone. She swallowed hard, forcing a nod. "I… understand."
Aryan's eyes lingered on her for a second longer before he stepped back. The air seemed to lighten once his stare left her.
The secured doors slid open again, and the three of them walked back into the lobby. The receptionist straightened at once, bowing slightly as they passed. No questions were asked, no words exchanged.
He stepped forward, the city stretching wide before him. Aryan followed at his side, silent as ever. Behind them, the Testing Bureau returned to its routines, as though nothing unusual had happened within its walls.
Anand paused on the steps, the city stretching before him in the afternoon glow. He tilted his head back, eyes tracing the clouds drifting lazily across the sky.
"King, huh?" he murmured, almost to himself. A faint smile tugged at his lips as he gave a soft yawn. "Not bad."