Scarlett stared at the woman in front of her, She wasn't comfortable, she felt like something was wrong, considering she had just been tested and her element should have been confirmed so she wasn't sure yet if it was safe…testing waters she asked the question.
She was already feeling alert, she couldn't do anything but she could run…she guess…
Melissa, on the other hand, was as if nothing of importance had just happened. She looked at her with a dry face like she wasn't shocked silly few seconds ago. No tension. No lingering curiosity over shocking results.
She was already bored.
"Yes," Melissa said as she adjusted her dress. "We're done here. You can collect your printed results and leave."
She turned away before Scarlett could even respond, walking back toward her glass section as though Scarlett had already ceased to exist.
"I believe you're the last candidate for today."
"I think so," Scarlett replied.
Her voice surprised her. It sounded… normal.
She stepped out of the pod, deliberately ignoring the female hulk's hand when it reached for her. Once bitten, twice shy. She was not about to get shaken like a sack of potatoes again.
Melissa settled into her chair and put her glasses back on, crossing her legs.
"Good," she said. "The hunting exam begins in three days. See you then."
She waved her hand lazily, shooing Scarlett away like a stray cat.
The female hulk snapped into motion immediately. She collected the printed documents and walked over, handing them to Scarlett with both hands.
And then—
She smiled.
Scarlett froze.
…Why are you smiling?
The smile was polite. Respectful. Almost deferential.
Scarlett stared at her like she'd just seen a chicken bow.
"…Thank you," Scarlett said cautiously.
She took the documents and followed the indicated path… through a side door.
The moment she stepped through, understanding hit her.
So that's why…
She hadn't seen anyone leave after the exams.
Different entrance.
Different exit.
Neat.
The door slid shut behind her.
Only then did Scarlett allow herself to breathe out fully.
Inside the testing room, Melissa stared at the floating screen long after Scarlett disappeared.
Her expression was blank.
Then, without hesitation, she tapped a single command.
DELETE.
The data vanished.
Melissa stood and glanced at the female hulk.
"We're done for the year," she said calmly. "Let's return."
She shut down the system.
Some truths didn't belong in public records.
Outside, night had fully fallen.
Scarlett walked toward the train station, retracing the same route she'd taken earlier with the elder. The place felt different now, quieter, heavier, like the world itself was watching, the exam is in three days, and she doesn't have any money or no one in this world, no responsibilities, no unnecessary drama, so it's time to explore her space
There were fewer people around. Street lamps glowed faintly, casting long shadows across the platforms.
Scarlett moved toward a secluded corner and stopped.
She waited.
No footsteps.
No glances.
No attention.
Satisfied, she relaxed.
And stepped into her space.
The familiar pull wrapped around her, and she vanished.
Scarlett appeared inside her space, inhaling deeply.
The air was rich, thick with mana, so pure it felt like breathing nourishment. She walked toward the mana water, scooped some up, and splashed her face.
Cold.
Refreshing.
Alive.
"Okay," she murmured. "Let's explore."
She turned toward the ranch area.
As she got closer, she slowed.
She stretched her hands forward.
Nothing blocked her.
A relieved smile tugged at her lips.
She walked up the path, climbed the steps, and reached for the door handle—
"Ouch!"
She yanked her hand back.
Pain flared across her palm.
Blood welled up.
"…What now?" she muttered.
Before she could curse properly, the entire space shuddered.
A blinding silvery light burst from the sky. A massive, intricate rune descended, slamming down on her and like a scan, wave through her body to her feet before shrinking rapidly and shooting straight into her forehead.
Scarlett froze, still not understanding what happened
"…Excuse me?"
The space trembled again.
Harder.
Like an earthquake.
Yet she didn't fall.
Didn't even wobble.
It was as if gravity had decided to mind its own business.
She stood as everywhere changed, Darkness fell as stars bloomed across the sky.
A moon appeared.
Scarlett stared upward, mouth slightly open.
"…Did my space just unlock night mode?"
Then—
Light exploded.
A sun rose.
Scarlett looked down.
And her brain short circuited…