Honestly, Neo already knew his talent was low.
But for the first time he prayed that he would make it past 50 marks. This was the currently most possible way to ensure his family's safety.
And he didn't want to miss it.
Without further delay, Neo went inside the cryo pod.
Instantly, darkness welcomed him. All the entrances closed around him.
For a second, he felt nothing. But soon, he felt countless tiny threads around his body, scanning him with quantum precision.
All the cells of his muscles felt the need to go into overdrive when the cold and suffocating emptiness of space embraced him.
For a moment, he felt frozen solid.
He felt blistering pain, but he refused to let out a scream, just like he always did in his heavy workload.
Soon, his cosmic energy helped his body adapt to the artificial void of space.
Outside, Madam Titania made her entrance at the right moment.
Viscount let out a hearty chuckle after seeing Titania enter the Appraisal facility.
"Titania, you're exactly on time. Your recruit seems to be in a messed-up situation."
The virtual monitor flickered to life, turning red as it displayed a crucial set of data.
[ Health Status: 70% ]
Condition: Severe genetic dysfunction detected. Cells and DNA are deteriorating at twice the normal rate.
Muscle and Bone Integrity: Weakened, showing signs of premature aging.
Brain Function: Suboptimal, with early signs of neural degeneration.
[ Cosmic Energy: 5.0 / 5.0 (Average) ]
Energy Flow: Stable but average. Cosmic energy absorption is normal but not improving.
Potential for Growth: Low. Energy usage is consistent but inefficient due to physical deterioration.
[ Genetic Integrity: 42% (Severe Dysfunction) ]
DNA Stability: Critical. Significant damage to the subject's genetic material.
Cell Regeneration: Extremely low, with reduced stem cell activity, causing rapid decay.
[ Remaining Lifespan: 16 years ]
[ Final Score: 51 (Passed) ]
Evaluation: Barely passed due to minimal physical reserves. Immediate medical intervention is required.
Recommendation: Genetic treatment and regenerative therapy needed to stabilize the condition.
Titania's expression darkened as she read the final report.
"Where did you get this boy, Titania? It's already a miracle that he's alive and awakened," Viscount muttered, turning very serious.
Titania bit her lips while tears gathered at the corner of her eyes. She remembered how Neo kept providing for his family even in such a critical condition. She remembered how he stood up for that mother and daughter duo even when his life force was burning.
He had only 16 years to live. Despite that, he chose a life of sacrifice and responsibility. And it deeply touched her heart.
"I sense a story. Care to explain it to me, Titania?" Viscount said after noticing how emotionally she had reacted.
Titania's lips quivered as she began speaking: "I met him on a random stroll... fighting with a gang of thugs to shield his mother and sister...."
She gradually told everything she knew about him. About how his father died early, and he became the responsible provider of the house. How he had to leave his school in demand of that. How he recently fought with life and death in a coma for 3 months, only to awaken as a Beyonder in the end.
And now, he wants to grow strong. She saw his burning desire for strength.
And thus, she chose to take him in.
"I have nothing to gain from this, Sir Viscount. I only did what I felt was necessary at that moment."
Viscount sighed and replied, "You actually did what I would have done in that situation. The boy has both courage and loyalty. Even if he is weak right now, we can put him to good use. He can be a junior assistant in the Hydra Crew. They have been looking for a helping hand for a year now."
In the end, he flashed a faint smile.
Titania looked relieved. "Thank you for your understanding, Sir Viscount. I'll owe you one."
"Haha, you're silly. Now go and get the rest of the proceedings done. Let's welcome our newest member of Oscar Nebula."
Titania nodded and got busy with the paperwork alongside Seline.
By the afternoon, all the proceedings were done.
"Congratulations, Neo Godson! From today, you're a junior assistant of our Space Mercenary group," Titania said, shaking Neo's hand with a warm smile.
Neo showed a genuine smile. "Thank you, Madam. I'm really happy. But can you tell me my score?"
Titania hesitated a little before replying, "51."
Hearing her, Neo let out an exhausted breath.
"Feeling sad?" she asked, retracting her hand.
He shook his head.
"Not really. I just hoped it would be a little better than this. But I'm happy that I passed. I wouldn't have to stay ignorant anymore."
Though he acted calm and collected about it, she could feel his disappointment.
To cheer him up, she reminded him about the perks of joining the company.
"Oh right, I haven't told you about your sign-up bonus. You'll get a one-time bonus of $10 million Federal dollars, and an Aero Car worth $5 million to make travel efficient so that you can respond to our summons as fast as possible."
Neo was shocked. "10 million?" His lips quivered, just imagining the endless possibilities he could spend it on for his family.
He had never imagined having so much money in his hands.
Yes, just yesterday he earned $600,000. But $10 million was still a massive number.
He would have to work for weeks even with Universal Synthesis to earn so much money.
He could repay all of their debt, and still half of that would remain. He could buy a house with that.
Also, she mentioned a flying car. He could finally have his own private car, something he had never dreamed of having one day.
Not to forget, joining Oscar Nebula wasn't just about money or luxury. He could finally learn more about Beyonders and how their power works.
And he wholeheartedly believed this company would provide both.
Finance Power + Combat Power.