The elevator quietly rose to the waiting lounge where Riko and his group were stationed, as the moment of the second test of the selection had come. "So dusty in here!" Maddeline complained, having to share a tight room with the other three. Her veins looked like they would pop from irritation, but her beautiful pink-violet hair and peaceful voice showed a contrast.
"Yep, whoever made this thing is really bad with maintenance. If it were me, I would change the gear system by adding a—" Riko was interrupted mid-sentence by Albert. "Unfortunately, not everyone has a mind for engineering and architecture like us," he said, smiling arrogantly—something that noticeably enraged Jetore, yet Albert smirked as he took pleasure in annoying him.
After two minutes, the elevator door opened as the group exited to find what looked like a large battle rig, with observation decks surrounding the small stadium. Jetore immediately noticed the other contestants. On top of one of the large platforms was Felix and his group. Felix looked toward Riko for a moment, but it was obvious he wasn't interested in conversing. The same could not be said for Rennet and Mei, who carefully eyed Albert and Riko as they walked in.
"So these are the guys that took out that Zeerox, huh? They don't look that tough to me," Rennet remarked, smiling pridefully yet not maliciously at Albert, who seemed almost disgusted by his gaze.
"Looks can be deceiving, yo, muscle head. I can tell they're strong by looking at them; that boy with the goggles on his head especially might even be as strong, if not stronger, than me," Mei said, her gorgeous eyes shining like stars in the night sky, yet her expression looked cold and lacked empathy.
"Man, what a creepy room they got goin' on. Anyone know what the next test is?" Riko asked with a smile that clearly couldn't read the tension in the room.
Before anyone could answer, however, Robu and his group stumbled in with bandages. "Well, I'll be damned; he's smarter than I gave him credit for," Albert remarked, smiling from a distance.
"Someone you know?" Maddeline asked as she dragged Jetore back from Rennet's direction after he attempted to start a fight.
"Not really, but he tried picking a fight with me, so I dealt with him," Albert answered coldly.
Robu didn't speak to anyone; he smirked as he thought to himself, "So only the ten of us remain, huh? Just you wait, Architect—I know your style now. My pickaxe's gonna grind you into fuckin' dust!"
Riko ignored the tension altogether, instead looking at Felix with a rather determined look, as if having somehow deduced the threat posed by him. A single sweat ran down Riko's usually nonchalant face as he smiled excitedly.
Mr. Kran and Clara then stepped in, looking down at the contestants through a platform above. "Welcome to the second test of the Marked Mercenary Selections. As you know, we kill, fight, and destroy for the sake of justice and to preserve the happiness of innocents. To protect others from malicious forces, you need to first ensure that you yourself aren't a malicious force," Mr. Kran stated.
The contestants were distracted as a green-haired woman with a blue jacket, a neatly woven long skirt, and a fluffy scarf walked onto the platform beside him. "Hello, lovelies! What do you think of my new hair dye? Anyway, so today we'll be doing a calm wellbeing exercise where—" She was interrupted by Clara, who placed a hand on her as if telling the woman to be quiet.
"This is Lady Carmalitta, a renown therapist. Her passion mark, the Mark of the Psychologist, allows her to peer into other people's souls and discover parts of their stories. She learns if a person is pure of heart and truly wishes to become a Marked Mercenary for the right reasons or not. If she clears you, then you may continue to the next test," Mr. Kran said, gesturing for Carmalitta to stay silent until necessary—clearly hurting her feelings, if her saddened expression was anything to go by.
Maddeline smiled and mockingly waved to Jetore. "Well, looks like your fight ends here, blowhead. See ya around," she said.
"Shut up, you bitchy tramp—I'm very pure!" Jetore argued, a comment that made Riko and Albert chuckle a little.
One by one, the contestants lined up in single file, beginning with one of Robu's teammates, Grug. He had red hair and a long grey coat; his eyes were red, implying he had a substance abuse problem. Carmalitta approached and smiled gently with an adorable smile. "Now, please place your hand in mine for but a moment. With your permission, please let me in; I want to see your thoughts and virtues…" she said as she closed her eyes while holding Grug's hand.
On the back of her head was a passion mark that showed the symbol of an aerial view of the human brain. It glowed dimly with a light pink hue for a moment before she let go. Carmalitta looked as if she wanted to speak to Grug, perhaps give him advice, but Mr. Kran asked, "Well?"
Carmalitta looked uncomfortable before looking Kran in the eye and answering, "He has a way to go. He plans on joining the organization for clout and to learn leads for traffickers; he's not a very pure man yet. But who's to say—" Kran cut off Carmalitta's sentence, as he'd already heard the part he needed to. A cold, stern look washed over him as his piercing gaze broke Grug's will, who was brought to his knees.
"Please, sir! I need to—I promise I—" Grug struggled, but in vain, as a hidden trapdoor beneath him opened and revealed itself. He screamed like a toddler as he fell in.
"Grug, no!" Robu yelled, his rough voice visibly getting on Mei's nerves as she looked annoyed.
"You shithead, the fuck did you do with him!?" Robu demanded, clutching his pickaxe and glaring at Mr. Kran.
"Behave yourself. That man has simply been sent to a safe conveyor belt which will lead him back to the surface and eject him out, for he has lost," Kran said, his voice as cold as permafrost.
Albert smiled hesitantly as the contestants braced themselves for their own turns. Yet, interestingly, it was Riko and Felix who seemed undisturbed.
***Eight minutes later***
Maddeline, Mei, and Rennet had passed Carmalitta's test, as she deemed their goals and aspirations pure enough. However, she seemed uncertain when assessing Rennet and seemed worried for a minute before letting him pass. It was clear to Felix that she was purposely lying to Kran about Rennet's past for his sake; he noted how kind a gesture it was but worried how it could backfire on her.
Robu's other remaining teammate, Goather, also got ejected and disqualified for his bloodthirst at the thought of being allowed to legally kill people if he became a Marked Mercenary. Robu, Jetore, Albert, Felix, and Riko remained in the queue. Albert often looked back with unease at Felix, who towered over him; something about his presence was unsettling and enough to keep him on edge.
As Robu stepped up to Carmalitta, he was noticeably blushing and flabbergasted by her, evident in his red face. Carmalitta softly touched his hand and focused before letting go, as her expression twisted to that of a child whose favorite toy had just been destroyed.
"I'm sorry, but I can sense you have a very greedy reason. I can't allow you to join the organization. But please try again—I'm sure next time you'll—" Carmalitta was stunned as her effort to encourage Robu was interrupted—again. Honestly, she was growing tired of people interrupting her in the middle of her sentences.
"No! I can't—please, you gotta help me. I know I'm just a schmuck with a pickaxe; I probably reek to you fellas, and it's true I want money, but it's… because of my mum. We never had a comfortable life; she always worked her ass off for me, and all I did was be a pain in her ass! I'm sorry! She's sick, and I need money to help her. I'm beggin' ya!" Robu pleaded as he got on his knees crying, his tears flowing strong but gaining weak empathy from Kran.
"Stand up; you look pathetic right now. Your sorry excuses do nothing but disgust me. Your reason to join us is merely financial support, is it? Well, why don't I support your banning from this organization! Huh?" Mr. Kran said, his formal voice sounding rather twisted and aggressive as he aimed to implant a kick toward Robu.
Suddenly, Carmalitta jumped in the way, making Kran stop. "Please! I'll take full responsibility! This man is not lying! Let him join! I beg you!" Carmalitta shouted as tears flowed from her eyes.
Robu looked up with awe. "Stop—you're only making it worse for yourself!" he said.
Carmalitta smiled before speaking: "It doesn't matter. This organization's end goal is to ultimately help people in need, is it not? Tell me, Kran—is this justice to you?!" she yelled, her usually soft voice—similar to a harmonica playing on a harp—twisting into that of an aggressive rock metal singer.
Mr. Kran stopped and then, rather unexpectedly, smiled. "You are correct, miss. I'm sorry if I seemed too forward. Robu, you've passed. However, know you have Carmalitta alone to thank," he said. Even his assistant, Clara, looked shaken by the sudden gesture of humanity.
"Hey, so um… not to ruin the moment, but can we keep going?" Riko asked, chewing on his chocolate candy.
"Well, that was just inconsiderate," Maddeline said, looking rather annoyed at Riko. Mei felt the same; despite her personality coming off as cold and focused, she felt moved by Lady Carmalitta.
"O-Oh? Of course! I'm sorry, let's continue. Albert Erecus, was it? Please step up and permit me to gaze into your—" Albert interrupted her and said, "Get on with it."
*What is it with everyone interrupting me!!???* Carmalitta shouted in her head before focusing her power.
She could sense Albert's tragic past and understand fragments of the bond he had with Derlin, his older brother. She was saddened by his sorrowful circumstances and resonated with his pure goal of creating safe homes to shelter those suffering. A calming, gentle smile made up her face as she allowed Albert to pass. He didn't understand what she saw and honestly wasn't happy about his privacy being invaded, but something about her smile calmed him. It was the same as Derlin's and Riko's—the same smile, despite the difference in character between the three. What was it that made them so special? he wondered, as he sat on the seat beside Maddeline, who could see him pondering.
Riko's blood was already pumping as fast as possible, and he was growing restless. For some reason, he knew he wanted to clash with Felix, and Felix could tell by his gaze, smiling in hope of obliging if possible.
Carmalitta focused on Felix, but unlike the others, she didn't smile when letting go. She had a strangely mature expression as she permitted him to pass. Felix himself didn't seem to care, however.
Finally, it was Riko's turn as he stepped up. Albert looked cautiously at Maddeline. "So, what do you know of Riko?" he asked.
She looked confused, as if not expecting such a question. "I just met the guy in this selection, but I gotta say, he's the most interesting of the bunch," she answered.
Carmalitta closed her eyes as she focused on him. In an instant, she screamed in terror, sweat brimming from her forehead. She could sense pain, misery, and vengeance all in one, as Riko's past flashed through her eyes; there was too much for her to make clear.
"Lady Carmalitta, is everything alright?" Mr. Kran said as he caught her before she fell.
The room went silent as Riko looked shocked before putting on a neutral expression—something unusual for him. Carmalitta gained her senses back and calmed down. "E-everything is fine; I simply just had a minor panic attack, nothing unusual for me," she said, trying to reassure everyone before standing up and allowing Riko to pass. Her voice was shaky and uncertain—something Clara picked up on.
The contestants followed Mr. Kran, who made sure to keep an eye on Riko, as Felix stared daggers into Riko's back. The group walked to a platform in preparation for the third and final test.
Carmalitta fell to the ground, panting, as her facade crumbled. Clara knelt beside her. "Carmy, how long have we known each other? Tell me what's wrong; I won't tell Mr. Kran," she said, her Japanese kimono dress flowing gracefully.
"I may have unleashed a beast by letting that boy in. What was I thinking?? That boy… Riko, is… not pure," Carmalitta said with shame and fear.
Clara looked shaken as she turned her shock toward Riko, with both animosity and fear alike.