Yuki leaned in to take a look, and her eyes instantly widened.
He really... he really has the qualifications!
What did that mean? Her direct superior, that department supervisor who threw his weight around all day, was only a junior cadre!
A big shot! This is definitely a real big shot!
Yuki's mind went blank; she even forgot to be curious about what the hidden code name actually was.
At this moment, only one thought occupied her mind: Had she been rude just now? Did spitting out coffee count as being rude?
The way she looked at Ariel had changed from initial curiosity to complete and utter awe.
"Sir, the verification has passed. Please... please follow me."
Her voice trembled slightly. Her previous complaints and exhaustion regarding her work vanished, replaced by an inexplicable sense of excitement and nervousness.
She was actually leading the way for a future big shot!
Yuki led the way, her steps feeling a bit light and unsteady.
She secretly sized up Ariel behind her from the corner of her eye, her heart filled with speculation.
To have such high authority and strength at such a young age—could he be a core descendant of some great family?
Or perhaps, an ace secretly trained by headquarters?
Meanwhile, Ariel followed silently behind her, his steps light and steady, without making a single unnecessary sound.
He surveyed the corridor leading to the assessment site: cold metal walls, surveillance cameras every ten meters, infrared sensors hidden in the ceiling... Everything was rapidly analyzed in his eyes, constructing a three-dimensional defensive map.
To him, this was nothing more than a routine matter.
Get stronger, then attain higher status, and mobilize more resources—that was all.
The corridor leading to the assessment venue was long, with cold metal walls and a light every ten meters overhead, stretching their shadows long and short.
Footsteps echoed in the empty passage, one light and one heavy.
Yuki was clearly unable to bear the dull silence. She turned her head, peeking at the masked man beside her, and spoke softly.
"Um... Big Shot, you look about the same age as me. How did you get so amazing?"
Ariel looked straight ahead, his voice devoid of emotion.
"Good luck."
"Good luck doesn't get you the qualification for the Intermediate Cadre assessment."
Yuki stuck out her tongue, her tone carrying a hint of innocence and admiration.
"I heard from the seniors that the Intermediate Cadre assessment is terrifying."
With a bit of a Newcomer's awkwardness and a desire to please on her face, she added:
"If you ever need anything in the future, Big Shot, you can come to me anytime!"
Ariel just gave a soft "Mm" in response, his gaze still fixed forward, seemingly studying the intricate piping on the walls.
This attitude discouraged Yuki a little, but she soon found a new topic.
As if to bolster her courage, she leaned closer to Ariel and whispered mysteriously.
"The Pokémon used for the assessment are all catalyzed by the latest Berserk Potion. They lose all reason and go into a violent frenzy. After every assessment, those Pokémon are either severely injured or crippled, and the venue takes a long time to clean. So, the organization has a rule that applications can only be made once a week, and there's only this one assessment point."
"If we get there and find the venue was just used, we'll have to wait until tomorrow."
Ariel gave an "Mm" as a response.
This information was somewhat useful to him.
The brutality of the assessment meant he would need to use his true strength.
Seeing his flat reaction, Yuki didn't get discouraged. Instead, she felt this was the demeanor a big shot should have, so she shared the gossip she'd heard even more enthusiastically.
"By the way, Big Shot, have you heard? Our current strengthening potions are many times more effective than before!"
Her eyes sparkled.
"And the side effects have decreased! I heard from the auntie doing chores in the kitchen that it seems Lady Ariana's research team extracted some special substance from a very unique Black Charmander, which led to a major technological breakthrough!"
Black Charmander.
These words were like a pebble thrown into a deep pool, sending ripples through Ariel's calm thoughts.
Details of that mission flashed through his mind.
That unique Charmander with scales like obsidian, and the special energy fluctuations contained within its body.
So that was it.
From the very beginning, Team Rockets' goal was the secret hidden within it, capable of revolutionizing the entire potion technology.
It seemed the intelligence he had submitted back then was a key link in making all this happen.
"What are you thinking about?"
Yuki's voice pulled him back from his thoughts.
"Nothing."
Ariel replied flatly.
Just as he finished speaking, heavy and hurried footsteps came from the other end of the corridor, accompanied by a coarse and greasy male voice.
"Yuki! Where have you been fooling around again? Wandering around during work hours—do you not want your bonus this month?!"
The voice drew closer, and a figure appeared under the light.
The man was about forty years old, with a bloated figure. His Team Rockets uniform was tight on him, and the buttons on his belly looked like they might pop at any moment.
Most prominent was his glistening "Bald" hairstyle, reflecting the greasy light under the pale lamps.
He was Yuki's supervisor.
Yuki's body stiffened, the liveliness instantly draining from her face, replaced by a panicked expression as she hurriedly bowed in apology.
"Su... supervisor! I'm sorry! I—I wasn't slacking off!"
"Not slacking off?"
The supervisor's triangular eyes sized her up, his gaze carrying an uncomfortable scrutiny.
"Then explain why you aren't at your post and instead came to this godforsaken place. Are you trying to Slack Off again!"
His words were sharp and mean, every word seemingly striking at Yuki's self-esteem.
Under his mask, Ariel's brow twitched imperceptibly.
"supervisor, I... I am taking this gentleman to the Intermediate Cadre assessment."
Yuki explained hurriedly, pointing at Ariel beside her as if grasping at a lifeline.
Only then did the supervisor's gaze shift from Yuki to Ariel.
He froze for a moment, and then those small eyes were filled with undisguised suspicion and contempt.
Intermediate Cadre assessment?
With just this masked brat who looks no different from a student?
The supervisor had been in Team Rockets for over a decade and knew the ropes.
Obtaining the qualification for the Intermediate Cadre assessment was as difficult as reaching the heavens.
Either you grind for eight years in a junior cadre position and be among the top performers to even qualify to apply...
Or, you go on those extremely difficult, life-or-death secret missions to trade your life for merit.
Those who survived such missions were invariably ruthless monsters with terrifying strength.
This young man in front of him didn't look like he belonged to either category.
Grinding years? Was he even that old?
Risking his life for merit? The supervisor's gaze swept over Ariel, and he sneered inwardly.
With this puny frame, he probably couldn't even understand a mission briefing, let alone face real danger.
It was likely just an excuse this girl Yuki made up to get herself off the hook.