Shinji still couldn't process what he'd seen on the paper.
His machine had never been wrong before — not even once.
Even then, he refused to accept it blindly. He started checking everything again. Every bolt. Every wire. Every little part of the device. He didn't sleep the entire night. He didn't rest for even a single second. For someone his age, it should've been impossible… but his dedication straight-up ignored things like exhaustion.
After inspecting the machine again and again, he finally confirmed it.
The machine was 100% fine.
No malfunction. No error. No mistake.
Shinji slowly sat down in relief. A smile broke onto his face. His eyes teared up — not from sadness, but from pure overwhelming joy.
The next morning, Akaimo and his friends went to school like usual. Everything was normal… until a man walked into the principal's office.
Moments later, the principal gathered every student above 13 years old in the school ground.
Principal:
"You've all already heard about the upcoming POX Exam. Now the final date has been decided."
He stepped aside and let the POX official speak.
POX Official:
"Students, as announced before, the next POX Exam will be held within the next five months. The final date is now fixed — 7 June, which is around 134 days from today. The exam will take place at Branch 3 of the POX Organization in this nation. Anyone who wants to become a Malius Hero must attend this exam or wait another two years for the next one. Registration will be done through your schools, and each school will get five full days dedicated only to registration."
Shino and Shizuku were losing their minds internally — they still hadn't awakened their eyes.
Akaimo's team decided to visit Shinji after school.
Akaimo refused at first since he doesn't have any unawakened eye...but Shizuku grabbed his arm and dragged him along anyway.
They knocked on Shinji's door.
No response.
One minute passed.
Then two.
Then five.
They assumed he wasn't home and were about to leave when the door finally opened.
Shinji stood there — exhausted, heavy-eyed, clearly sleep-deprived.
Shino:
"We actually came here to talk about the POX exam… but you look really tired. Also, yesterday your expression was super weird when you checked Akaimo's paper and you look like you are tired today... We mainly came to ask you for tips on awakening our eyes."
But I guess you are very tired today, we will give you a visit tomorrow.
Shinji gave a faint smile.
Shinji:
"You came to the right person. Come inside… let's talk."