Hm...okay, this is pretty comfy. It's pleasantly cool and dark in here too, feel like I could drift off pretty easily.
Since it would've been suspicious to leave after coming this far, plus the fact that I need to go through this to become a Hunter, I decided to just bite the bullet and go for it, after checking with Ai to make sure it was safe to do so.
But since you also said that the process is guaranteed to fail, what do I do? Can I even become a Hunter if I don't get Tabulized or whatever? Wait, does failed Tabulization happen at all?
Okay, at least it's not unprecedented. I'd rather not attract any unwanted attention right now. In those cases where the process failed, did any of those people go on to become Hunters?
I see. Alright, then, I should probably try to keep a low profile to begin with. Maybe I could-...
My train of thought was interrupted as a hiss echoed out, before I blinked a couple of times as the pod opened up again, my eyes taking a moment to adjust as light streamed in.
I sat up before climbing out of the bed and stretching my arms up with a sigh, the machine closing back up as I stepped out of it.
"Uh...I'm so sorry to tell you this, but the Tabulization process failed. We have at least determined that you're a Combatant-type Hunter, but the device failed to stabilize your powers. Because of that, we can't determine your Class or Attribute either," The staff member informed me solemnly.
"Oh, I see, that's disappointing," I replied, playing along as I plastered a crestfallen look on my face, before adding, "So, does this mean I can't become a Hunter?"
"Well, it's certainly not impossible, but if you ask me, I'd advise against it. Failed Tabulization usually only occurs in those who possess a level of power at the lower end of J-Ranked Potential. Hang on, let's measure yours and confirm...," He trailed off as he picked up another device and pointed it at me, staring at the display for a moment, continuing, "Oh, your Potential is 86,600, that's surprising high for a failed Tabulization. Your Potential is your ceiling for growth, it's as high as your Power Level can rise. That's about average for a J-Rank, but since your powers haven't been stabilized, it'll be quite difficult to raise your Power Level."
Yeah, I already knew that thanks to the info dump Ai flooded into my mind.
Power Level is a measure of a Hunter's current abilities, while Potential is the ceiling of how high they can raise those abilities, like he said.
But my Power Level and Potential are equal. Usually, there's a pretty wide disparity between them after someone Awakens, right?
Yeah, tell me about it on the way out.
"Okay, I should get going now. Thank you for your help, sir, I appreciate it," I remarked with a polite smile.
"Don't mention it, just doing my job. You get home safe, kid," The man nodded in response.
I then headed out of the room and made my way through the building and towards the entrance, stifling a yawn as I stepped back outside.
That pod was so relaxing, think I'll take a nap once I get back to the orphanage.
And while I'm on the way back...Ai, you're up, girl...
Huh? What does that mean, exactly?
Ohh, okay, I think I get it now. So, then, in theory, I have effectively unlimited Potential, and my Power Level will always be maxed out in line with said Potential?
Oh, so like max level or level cap in video games? I see...well, I guess that's fine.
It would've been cool if I could grow endlessly powerful, but I suppose it'd be unnecessary. The fact that my upper limit is still significantly higher than what any other Hunter can reach is more than good enough.
Yeah, that'd suck, talk about a shitty way to go.
Hm, since my current MP is 50, well...that's some pretty simple math.
Ah, gotcha, so that's why my MP stat is so much lower than my other stats, good to know. And good call, that probably would've drawn unwanted attention to me.
Now that I think about it, it's a good thing they don't measure Power Levels during the assessment.
It definitely would've looked suspicious if a newly Awakened kid had a Power Level equal to his Potential.
Seriously? Wow, that's kinda insane.
Yikes, no wonder so many billions were killed before the Sanctuary Project was completed.
Hm, if I'm ten times stronger than the average powerless person, I should be careful not to accidentally hurt someone.
Yeah, makes sense, having a bunch of superhuman Awakened kids running about without the ability to control their strength would be a serious recipe for disaster.
I mean, so much as a single tantrum could be all it takes to result in a whole lot of death and destruction...