The rooftop was dim under the flickering neon glow, and a soft drizzle tapped against the solar tarps overhead.
Haneul shifted uncomfortably, breaking the silence. "So, you said the scanner ran your test twice? But they still locked your rank? That's messed up."
Chang looked up from his sketchbook, his eyes narrowing as he considered the weight of it. "Yeah — star-class potential, but locked at F-rank. It's like they saw something good in you, then just slammed the door shut."
He nodded to himself, brushing a stray lock of hair from his face. "That's not just unlucky — that's permanent. They might not even bother with a re-evaluation."
Beom-seok shrugged, trying to sound optimistic. "Maybe it is different. If you can show what you're really made of, they might have to take another look. I mean, how long can they ignore you when you're clearly different?"
Haneul rubbed the back of his neck, frustration evident in his voice. "I don't know, sis. The system's been brutal lately. Being red-locked? That's not just a slap on the wrist — it's like social death. I'm worried they won't even give you a real chance."
Chang's fingers tapped thoughtfully on the edge of his notebook. "They said the scans didn't recognize your Gift properly, right? So maybe it's something new — something weird that the system can't handle. The tech can be rigid like that. And… your mental strength is still B-Rank, right? That's not bad. You've got the smarts to manage this, even with all that radiation gnawing at you."
The air was thick with the scent of steamed dumplings and the faint tang of ozone from the city's electric hum.
Haneul leaned back against the cracked brick wall, flicking a crumb off his sleeve as he eyed Iseul with a mix of concern and reluctant pride. "You really think the trial is gonna change anything? The system's always been garbage about us."
Chang set down his pencil and looked at her seriously. "They gave you star-class potential but locked your rank at F? That's more than harsh."
Beom-seok chewed thoughtfully, then shrugged. "The system's glitchy, yeah, but maybe this Trial of Courage will be different. If you pass, maybe they'll finally stop treating you like soil-class trash."
Chang nodded, his pencil poised over a fresh sketch, though his eyes never left Iseul's face. "Yeah. It's not like they ever see the real deal — they just want stats and labels. But you? You've probably got one of those new mutation types no one's cataloged yet, now that I'm thinking about it."
"They've been making a lot of announcements online and in the Zepe District news lately about new variants of mutation Gifts — ones outside the normal category — that have never been documented or seen."
"They're even offering CFT benefits for people willing to let researchers document and test the scope of these new mutation Gifts."
Yong-woo, wide-eyed and clutching his bear, piped up quietly, "But— but you tolds us you dream tings… and the computer couldn't find it 'cause it was hiding, right?"
Iseul smiled faintly, brushing a strand of hair behind his ear and tapping his nose. "Yeah. The scans picked up something — star-class potential. But it's complicated. The system doesn't understand what I really can do. So it just locked me in the lowest rank to be safe. And… the radiation suppressants they suggested haven't done much either. My body still feels drained after even small attempts."
Beom-seok shrugged again. "Well, the Trial's your shot. Whatever happens, we've got your back. You're not alone."
He bounced a dumpling between his chopsticks, breaking the silence with a grin.
"Whatever it is, Noona, you better show them. Make 'em eat those words — and maybe some more of these dumplings too."
Iseul slapped him on the head playfully but still went to make more dumplings.
It took her about fifteen minutes altogether to make a whole new batch. She exited the kitchen with plates in hand.
She set the plates down on the small table, the steam from the food curling into the cool evening air. Her younger brothers were still rubbing sleep from their eyes but perked up when she placed their favorites in front of them.
"You really think they're going to re-evaluate you?" Haneul asked between bites, curiosity and a trace of worry in his voice.
"Yeah," Iseul replied, her tone calm but with a faint edge.
"They had to scan me twice before giving me the Star Class potential tag… but somehow, my profile is still locked at permanent F-rank.
The officials said my gift needed further evaluation. No one explained why."
Beom-seok frowned, pushing a dumpling around on his plate.
"That's… weird. If the system saw Star Class potential, why would it leave you at F? That doesn't make sense."
Iseul gave a small smile, but inside her thoughts churned.
Exactly.
It doesn't make sense.
Either there's an error in the system, or someone's blocking my record on purpose. But why me? What do they see—or not see—that I can't?
She sipped her tea slowly, letting the warmth calm her. If Domination wants to play games with my future, fine… I'll just have to pass the trial so well they can't ignore me.
Chang leaned forward, lowering his voice like they were conspiring. "Do you think the trial results could override the F-rank lock?"
"That's the hope," she said with a smirk, though her eyes stayed serious. If I can't break that lock myself, maybe the trial will force them to. But I can't let them know how much this is bothering me. I don't know who's watching.
After they finished eating, Iseul's tone turned a little more serious. "Make sure you finish your homework and have it ready for me to check before I leave for work tonight."
The brothers groaned collectively.
Beom-seok complained, "I hate where you work, Noona. The scrapyard distribution center? You don't even get paid enough for all the junk you sift through."
Haneul added, "Yeah, it's gross. And you work so late."
Chang said, "Even though you sometimes find valuable stuff to turn in… it hardly ever happens, and you spend hours digging through trash. I don't like you having to do that just to feed us."
Iseul looked at them and smiled softly. "I know. But you guys need to focus on your education, not the money. Haneul, you're sixteen now — you say you want to help out?"
Haneul nodded eagerly, "Yeah, I'm old enough now."
Iseul cut him off firmly, "No. Get your education. Study hard. When you graduate, I'll have enough money to send you off to college for professional training of your choosing."
She looked at all of them, voice gentle but unwavering. "The same goes for all of you — take your studies seriously and leave the money and food worries to me, the adult."
They all exchanged reluctant glances, but Iseul's words carried the weight of promise and determination.