Awakening.
The word echoed in my head like a death sentence. What am I supposed to do? This would be the perfect time for a 'God' or a 'Guide' to pop up and tell me how to handle this, I thought bitterly.
"Okay," Lara said, her voice trembling slightly. "Let's do everything. Make him an official citizen, then register him to the Dominic household." She stood up, her face a mask of sorrow. "Please excuse me." She moved to a far corner of the office, dialing a number with a cold intensity that didn't match her usual warmth.
"Don't be scared," Mr. Clayman said, giving me a reassuring smile. "It must have been tough, but we'll sort everything out. That's what the Bureau does—we help people."
"Thank you," I replied, but my mind was miles away. Help isn't the problem, buddy. The problem is I'm a walking nuclear bomb disguised as a firecracker.
I flicked my wrist, summoning my Status Window. In this world, the screen is invisible to everyone but the owner. I stared at the "God-Tier" labels and the "Maxed Luck" stats. If any of this leaked, I was done for.
"So, you're trash and a ghost," Jamie sneered, his laughter cutting through the room. "That makes you a 'Trashy Ghost.' How fitting."
I really want to smack this brat, I thought. But then, it hit me. Wait... that's it!
If the world wants a loser, I'll give them the best loser they've ever seen. I'll make myself look useless and weak. The original Jayden was an F-Class; if I can just suppress this "God-Tier" nonsense, I can fade back into the shadows where it's safe.
"A special exam will be conducted for you, Jayden," Mr. Clayman interrupted my thoughts. "Three parts: a physical test, a written test, and a magical test."
"If the magical test determines my class, what's the point of the others?" I asked.
"Opportunities," Clayman said, chuckling as he patted my head. "Magic is everything, yes, but you can still find a path using your body or your brain. You could be a strategist for a company like the Bureau. I've taken a liking to you, kid. I want to help you find your way."
He's actually... kind of nice, I realized. "Thank you," I said softly.
The door swung open, and Lara returned. The "Goddess of the Whip" was back. She knelt down and pulled me into a hug so tight I could barely breathe.
"We will find whoever did this to you," she whispered, her voice dropping to a deadly, freezing tone. "And I will end their lives."
A shiver ran down my spine. This was the first time I'd seen Lara's true S-Class bloodlust. It wasn't just scary; it was a promise.
A knock at the door broke the tension. A young assistant in a silver uniform stepped in. "The test is ready, sir."
"Thank you," Clayman stood up and looked at me with a smile that felt like an invitation to a new life. "Come, Jayden. Let's get you registered. Let's put you in the family where you belong."
I stood up, adjusting my silk shirt. Alright, world. Let's see if I can fail this test well enough to survive.