Kurt walked beside Rook through the crowded streets, cigarette between his lips, hands in his pockets while Emma followed lazily behind them.
"So," Kurt said. "You gonna tell me what this test is all about, or are we keeping the mystery alive a bit longer?"
Rook glanced at him. "It's simple. You need an official rank certification to move freely between districts."
Kurt raised an eyebrow. "I've been moving around just fine."
"That's because you've been with the guild," Rook explained. "When we operate as a unit, doing dungeon raids, contracts, anything guild-related, you're covered under my authority. I'm a B-rank hunter, so I can bring the team into higher districts for legitimate business."
"Right," Kurt said slowly. "So what's the problem?"
"The Foxhole mission isn't guild business," Rook said. "Not officially. You're going solo to gather information from a brothel in the E-rank district. Which means you need your own certification."
Kurt exhaled smoke. "You're sure I just can't sneak my way in?"
"Guards are stationed at every checkpoint," Rook said. "They scan your ID, see you're an uncertified F-ranker and that's a bust. Bribery could work but why take the risk when you can just get tested."
"Lovely," Kurt muttered. "So how exactly does one get tested?"
Rook led him around a corner toward a large, official-looking building with the Dungeon Authority emblem above the entrance. "You go to a D.A Essence Evaluation building. There's one in every district that houses an E-E Crystal devices that measure your Essence capacity and output. You simply put your hand on the crystal, channel your essence, and it tells you what rank you are. It even breaks down what tier you are in that rank. Low, mid or high."
Kurt eyed the building. "And judging by the way I handled myself in the Crimson Hollows, getting ranked high enough to go to the E-rank district shouldn't be a problem, yeah?"
Rook smirked. "That's what I'm counting on."
Kurt dropped his cigarette onto the pavement and ground it out with his boot. "Right then. Let's go get tested."
***
The Dungeon Authority building's interior was a masterclass in what bureaucracy looked like: stark white walls, harsh fluorescent lights, and the incessant hum of essence-powered machinery humming in the background.
Clipboard-cluing officials and tablet-tapping drones navigated the halls, their faces a perfect reflection of the drab atmosphere; ranging from bored, harried to just plain indifference. Max Weber would have been proud.
A receptionist directed them to the Evaluation Wing, and moments later, a woman appeared to escort them.
She was blonde, hair pulled back into a neat bun, with sharp glasses perched on her nose. Her corporate attire of a white shirt and pencil skirt, hugged her body in ways that accentuated her curves, professional but didn't do well to hide her figure.
She carried a clipboard with papers neatly clipped to it, and a pen was tucked into her bun like a weapon waiting to be deployed.
"Mr. Manchester?" she said, glancing at her clipboard. Her voice was smooth and professional.
Kurt grinned. "The one and only, love."
She looked up to meet his piercing blue eyes, and just for a second, something shifted in her expression. "I'm Felicity. I'll be overseeing your evaluation today. Follow me, please."
She turned and started walking, heels clicking against the polished floor. Kurt matched her pace, walking beside her, while Rook and Emma trailed behind.
"So, Felicity," Kurt said, his tone easy and already flirtatious. "You do this often? Testing people, I mean. Must get boring after a while."
Felicity glanced at him, her expression completely neutral. "It's part of the job."
"Right, but you don't strike me as someone who does boring well," Kurt continued with a grin on his face. "You've got that look... probably way overqualified for this sort of thing. I'm guessing you're here because you're good at it, not because you couldn't do better elsewhere."
Felicity's steps faltered, just slightly, and she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as a faint blush colored her cheeks. "That's... an observation."
"Just calling it like I see it, love," Kurt said, grinning. "And I see someone who deserves a better day than babysitting blokes like me through some crystal tests."
Felicity's rosy lips twitched to almost a smile. "It is what it is. Not everyone can be as forward in their approach to life as you Mr. Manchester."
"Life's too short for subtlety," Kurt said. "Especially when you're talking to someone as lovely as you."
She didn't respond, but the blush deepened, and she adjusted her glasses in a way that suggested she was trying to regain her composure.
Behind them, Emma rolled her eyes. "Unbelievable." And Rook smirked but said nothing.
They entered a large chamber lined with E-E Crystals, each one about the size of a grown man, glowing faintly with internal light. Several officials stood around the room, monitoring readings and taking notes.
Felicity led Kurt to one of the crystal orb in the center of the room and gestured for him to approach. "Place your hand on the crystal and channel your essence. It'll do the rest."
Kurt stepped forward and placed his palm flat against the crystal's smooth surface. It was cool to the touch, almost cold, and the glow inside intensified slightly at the contact.
"Now channel," Felicity said, her pen poised over her clipboard.
Kurt focused, drawing on his essence, or whatever passed for it in his case. The system didn't work like traditional cultivation, but his body still radiated power. The crystal pulsed, light flaring brighter, and numbers began to flicker across its surface.
Felicity's eyes widened. "That's..."
The crystal chimed, and after a few minutes, the number settled, interpreted as: D-Rank(high-tier).
The room went silent and a nearby official stepped closer, frowning. "D-rank? Are you certain?"
Felicity double-checked her clipboard. "According to his records, he was tested as F-rank... a month ago."
The official's frown deepened. "F to D in a month? That's—"
"Impressive growth," another official said, crossing her arms as murmurs rippled through the room and Kurt could feel the weight of their stares, suspicion mixing with disbelief.
Felicity looked at him, her face revealing nothing. "Mr. Manchester, is there anything you'd like to disclose about your training regimen? Any... supplements or enhancements?"
Kurt pulled his hand back from the crystal and shrugged. "Just a whole lot of sweat and blood. Lot of near-death experiences too. It really motivates you to get better, you know?"
The officials exchanged glances, but no one could argue with the crystal. The results were absolute.
Felicity cleared her throat and made a note on her clipboard. "Well. Congratulations, Mr. Manchester. You're officially certified as a D-rank hunter. You'll receive your updated identification within one to three days."
"Fantastic," Kurt said with a grin, clearly pleased with the outcome and rewarded himself by lightning another cigarette.
As he blew out a smoke, Rook stepped forward, clamping a hand on Kurt's shoulder in approval. "Good work."
Emma who leaned outside with her arms folded, couldn't resist chiming in, a smirk twisting her lips. "Guess you're not completely useless after all."
And when they turned to leave, Felicity called out. "Mr. Manchester, wait."
Kurt stopped and looked back at Felicity, who approached with her heels clicking softly, and handed him a small card. Her handwriting was neat and calming to look at, and at the bottom was a phone number.
"In case you have any... questions about your certification," Felicity said, her cheeks faintly pink as she tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear and turned her gaze to the ground.
Kurt took the card, his grin widening. "I'll be sure to call if I need clarification, love."
"Life's too short right?" Felicity adjusted her glasses and turned away quickly, retreating to her clipboard.
As they walked out, Emma pulled out her phone and checked a message, smirking slightly.
Kurt noticed immediately and glanced over. "What's got you grinning?"
"Nothing." She pocketed the phone. "Got plans tomorrow night."
"Plans?"
"Yeah. Plans that don't involve you." She shoved her hands in her pockets. "You gonna interrogate me now?"
Kurt raised his hands. "As if."
"Good." She walked ahead, leaving him and Rook behind.
Rook shot a quick glance at Kurt. "You alright?"
Kurt took another drag, his jaw tightening as he exhaled a plume of smoke. "Why wouldn't I be?"
Behind them, the officials were still murmuring about the F-to-D jump, their suspicion lingering in the air. But the crystal didn't lie, and Kurt was already gone, his updated certification waiting to be processed.
***
A/N: I hope you're enjoying this so far. Add to Library and send a power stone or two if you're.
And a review or two would mean something to me! Thank you and peace!