Even though Zac's acting is almost perfect, inside he is still feeling nervous.
The man in front of him didn't show any emotion or pity towards him and is simply watching his every move.
Each passing second tightened something in his chest. It is obvious that he didn't buy Zac's story of pity and is waiting to find an error in it.
[He did not believe you, host.] The system said in his mind.
"I can see that."
He exhaled slowly.
"…Fine. Let's just say I believe you."
A small smile appeared on Zac's face. "Thank you."
"I didn't say I completely believe you," he replied flatly. "I said… let's just say I believe you."
The air turned colder.
"You'll be under observation until we're sure you're not one of those terrorist pieces of shit using taboo methods to forcefully raise your potential."
A chill ran down Zac's spine. He had heard of them before, people who are against humanity and want nothing but destruction.
But most of the details are hidden from the common people, so he did not know the exact truth.
"Understood," Zac said quietly.
The man leaned back slightly in his chair.
"Since you came for registration, I'll handle it personally."
"You've awakened SS potential. One of the rarest levels, and you are not the only one to do it. This year, including you, seven students have awakened to this level."
Zac stayed silent.
"Because your result was confirmed inside the association, keeping it a secret or going public is your choice."
"If you don't want attention, we'll keep everything confidential."
"As for your identification, you'll start from the bottom like everyone else."
Zac blinked slightly.
"To receive an E-class license, you must kill 20 'E'-class monsters from the portal."
"The association will provide you with the portal. You have two days to bring back their mana stones."
"Complete it, and you get certified."
"Am I clear?"
Zac straightened instinctively.
"Yes, sir."
His hand even lifted into a short salute before he realized it.
The secretary beside the man let out a small laugh.
Zac coughed lightly and lowered his hand. "Habit," he muttered.
The man didn't react. "You may wait outside. Someone will guide you to your first portal."
Zac stood up and walked toward the door.
His hand reached the handle.
"Zac."
He stopped and slowly turned back.
"You were sighted near the portal site last night. What were you doing there?"
Zac didn't flinch; with a straight face, he lied again. "My school is near that park; I left something behind during the day. So I went to pick it up."
The man watched him for a second longer.
Then gave a small nod. "You may go."
The moment the door closed behind him.
He let out a long breath.
"…That was intense."
[Yeah, that was a narrow escape.]
***
Inside the office—
The secretary finally spoke.
"Sir… we clearly saw him going into the park last night. Why didn't you press him further?"
The man didn't answer immediately.
He had already stood up and walked toward the glass wall, watching the city stretched beneath him.
"Do you know his name, Lima?"
She blinked. "Zac Godson"
"He's Elric's son."
The words landed like a hammer on her head. Lima's face drained of all colors.
"…That Elric?"
Her voice came out almost as a whisper.
The man didn't turn and simply answered her with a, "yes"
"But… that's impossible," she said with trembling hands. "I thought… the ones at the top, they—"
"Words," the man cut in quietly, "carry different weight depending on who speaks them."
Lima frowned, not fully understanding.
The man's eyes remained on the city.
"The promise he received is still protecting his family."
Lima fell silent.
***
Zac is wandering across the sixth floor, quietly exploring its vast expanse.
Ancient paintings lined the walls, alongside miraculous objects and carefully crafted replicas of great Awakeners, each display carrying a sense of reverence and history. He moved from one exhibit to another at an unhurried pace.
Among the paintings, his attention was drawn to a massive timeline chart.
It was not just a simple record but an enormous artwork, blending pictorial depictions with detailed written explanations of years and events. He stepped closer and began reading.
In the year 2030, Earth suddenly began to expand. Continents shifted, colliding and merging into a single colossal landmass, while the rest of the planet was swallowed by vast oceans.
Natural calamities erupted across the world, bringing immense destruction and loss of life. It took five long years for the chaos to settle.
Just as humanity believed the worst had passed, fate proved them wrong. The calamities had only been the beginning.
In 2035, mysterious portals began appearing across the world. From them emerged monsters that slaughtered every living being in their path.
Within just two years, half of humanity was wiped out by these creatures and the lingering disasters. The global economy collapsed, and food and water became more valuable than gold.
Humanity fought back with modern weapons, but every attempt proved futile. Against the monsters, their efforts were nothing more than a waste.
By the year 2037, the first human awakened.
One by one, the remaining people across the world began to awaken as well, each receiving the system.
With their newfound power, humanity finally fought back, marking the true beginning of the war between humans and monsters.
In 2150, the most powerful Awakened of that era came together and formed an association to combat the growing threat of the monsters.
By 2340, the long war finally came to an end. The Awakened forces succeeded in pushing the monsters back through the portals.
In 2345, the association was officially established.
Humanity had come to realize that the Awakened possessed overwhelming power, and to maintain order and peace, the Association became a governing body led by the strongest Awakened from around the world.
In 2350, the Great Divide took place.
(A/N: the current year is 2595.)
The once massive unified continent was split into five distinct nations. Zac belonged to one of them, a nation known as the Eastern Alliance.
Zac took in the vastness of the world laid out before him, and for the first time, even though he had already learned it in school, seeing it after awakening, that too in the association, he truly understood how small he was within it.
He moved on to the next painting. This one depicted the Awakener Association, detailing its power structure, from the chairman down to the Awakeners who carried out the most menial tasks within the organization.
The hall was filled with history, records of ancient families, tales of great wars, and accounts of mysterious fortunes. Taking it all in, he eventually made his way to the lounge and sat down.
Just then, the elevator doors opened, and one of the most striking women he had ever seen stepped out.