Shino:
"Professor!! The POX exam is in 134 days. People our age have already awakened their eyes… but we still haven't. If we can't awaken ours in time, Shizuku and I will have to wait another two years for the next exam. Please help us awaken them!"
Shinji:
"Calm down, Shino. It's not that deep. This happens a lot. When someone has a very special eye, the awakening usually takes longer than normal. Who knows — maybe yours are special too. People usually awaken their eyes under pressure, and the rarer the eye, the greater the pressure needed. That's why there are so few legendary and mythic eye wielders in history. Makes sense now, right?"
Shino:
"I get it… but please still help Shizuku and me unlock ours."
Shinji:
"I can't directly force you into a pressured situation. If I did and something went wrong — or even if nothing did — I'd face serious charges from POX and the nation's officials. But… there is another way."
Jeisuke:
"And what is it? I really hope it helps them awaken. I don't wanna take the exam without them."
Shinji:
"I have some connections with POX and government officials. If they give me permission to train you under my supervision, I might be able to trigger your awakening much faster than you expect."
Shino:
"Then let's ask for their permission!"
Shinji:
"Yes, but it'll take a bit of time. Paperwork, approvals… all that boring stuff."
Akaimo:
"Professor Shinji, can I ask you something?"
Shinji:
"Go ahead."
Akaimo:
"You said you have special connections with important people in POX and the government. Can you tell us more about yourself? I really want to know."
Shino:
"Same. I've been thinking that too."
Shinji smiled lightly.
Shinji:
"I used to be a POX scientist. I was the one who proposed the idea of the 'Danger Detection' machine — and I led the team that built it. It helps POX detect monsters from long distances, estimate their threat level, and measure monster density in certain areas. I became well known after that… but I eventually left POX. I wanted to walk my own path, study monsters freely, and teach people more about them so they could stay safe. Over time, people kinda forgot about me but my work. Still, many officials remember who I am — and they respect me a lot."
He took a small breath.
Shinji:
"Tomorrow, I'll visit POX and then the national officials. I'll talk about both of you."
Shino:
"Thank you so much. We're honestly really lucky to have met you."
Shino glanced outside.
Shino:
"Oh — one more thing. Why is your house this close to the jungle? Aren't you scared a monster might attack?"
Shinji chuckled.
Shinji:
"I didn't actually build this place. After a few of my inventions, POX gifted me this house. It's comfortable, peaceful… so I stayed. I've never detected any serious monster presence nearby. Some do wander around, but most are only Merus Level 1. If something dangerous enters the area, I can just contact POX — they'd send a whole squad of Malius Heroes if needed. They already did once, to deal with a Merus reberu 8 monster."
Shino:
"I see… we should get going. It's getting late — and you look tired."
Shinji:
"Take care. And don't stress — I'll visit POX tomorrow."