After the practical was complete, Verity led me through the corridors once again. We passed a multitude of doors and other hallways. Until we stopped at a door with the words 'Potential Testing Room', she opened the door and motioned for me to follow.
"Do you usually handle the rank evaluations?" I asked to have a conversation.
"Not really. I am a part of the rift analysis sector, but we have been a bit short-staffed lately, so they asked me to step in." She explained, a bit of her professional facade breaking with the frustration in her voice.
"Oh, what is the cause for being short-staffed?" I asked, trying to show curiosity in her work.
She stopped her stride to turn around and look at me with a questioning look. "You really don't know?"
"I have been out of town for about a month. Is there something I am missing?" I asked with a raised brow.
"You really don't know, do you? The Namibian deadzone has shown increased activity in the last month. The data suggest that a horde may be mobilising in our direction, so most of the hunter's guild officials have been working on mounting a resistance." She explained. "We are here," she motioned to a crystal ball sitting on a table, with many wires attached to it. "This will test the potential of your gifts' future strength, giving us an accurate idea of your power." Her words made sense, but most of my focus was on the revelation she had just imparted.
If a horde was approaching, it could spell disaster for all the colonies surrounding Namibia. A dark look flashed across my face at the mention of Namibia. Seven years ago, another horde had approached, and my parents and older brother were a part of the resistance where they lost their lives. If the horde was truly mobilizing, the colonies wouldn't last long. It was interesting to see history trying to repeat itself. My family died the last time. I wondered how many would follow this time around.
"Are you listening to me?" Verity's voice cut through my inner musing as my eyes focused back on her. I studied her face for a few seconds, right on the border of decency, causing her to avert her gaze, and pinkness appeared on her cheeks.
"No, sorry. I was lost in thought." I said as I finally broke eye contact.
"O.. Ok, we are ready to begin. Please place your hand on the ball and infuse it with mana." She cleared her throat to regain her composure.
I flashed her with my brightest smile. "Your wish is my command," I said before following her instructions. The crystal ball felt cold to the touch; there was a tugging feeling as if the ball was hungry for mana. It only stopped when I began infusing my own mana into the ball. The ball began to shift in color, starting with a light blue. Before a strange black light invaded the ball, mixed with a small amount of dark blue. The color of the mana looked familiar, but for the life of me, I could not remember where I had seen it before. A memory flashed through my mind of a strange throne made from metal and bone, but it only made me more confused. The intensity of the glow kept increasing as more of my mana was sucked into the crystal ball. I only stopped when it felt like it could not take any more. Taking a step back, I watched as the colors swirled within like a hungry storm raging for release. It took a few seconds for the ball's radiance to begin fading until it was back to its original see-through color.
Looking back towards Verity, I saw that she had her face glued to a computer screen. Stopping only to write some things on her clipboard. I waited patiently for her to finish. She looked up from her notes to look at me, noticing that I was staring, she blushed and looked away again.
"So Verity, are you free this weekend?" I asked, my impulsiveness demanded that I do something about this tension between us.
She looked up at me yet again with surprise on her face, clearly not expecting my forwardness. "Is that an invitation, mr Whither?" Her tone of voice displayed her interest while attempting to remain professional.
"It can be, if you want, of course." The ball was in her court now. Her next course of action would define what our little game would become.
She drew in a breath, as if hesitant to respond. Our eyes met, and I saw intrigue within her forest green gaze before she spoke, "I may have Saturday off, depending on where you will be taking me." Oh, you smart woman. You are quite cunning, aren't you?
"An interesting proposal. Our little game has become far more interesting, hasn't it?" Her eyes flashed with recognition of another lost soul. My interest in her skyrocketed. I could see the signs of another high-functioning sociopath sitting in front of me, and it was exhilarating. She drew in another professional breath, the pinkness draining from her cheeks as she returned to her role.
"Regarding your evaluation, Mr. Whither," she said, looking down at her clipboard. "The machine gave your Gift an 'S+' rating in ultimate potential. A truly exceptional result, if given time to mature, you could stand amongst the top Hunters on the planet. However, the energy signature for your Asura's Wrath gift was deemed... unmeasurable. " She spoke with professional charm, which only made me want her more. There was a hunger that flashed across my face for a second before I controlled myself.
"Well, it seems we are done here, thank you for your patience, mr Whither." Verity stood up to shake my hand before taking me back towards the lobby.
Imagine my surprise when I see none other than Wu Qu walking through the front door with flowers in his hand. He walked towards the man at the front desk and asked him something. The man motioned towards the corridor where we were standing. Wu looked up and saw us standing together. I turned towards Verity and flashed her with another charming smile, as I motioned towards Wu, who was walking towards us. "Someone you know?" I asked slyly.
She was confused until she saw Wu; she rolled her eyes and sighed. "Unfortunately, yes."
"Ah, Miss Verity, just the woman I was looking for." Wu began when he drew near. "These roses reminded me of your unmatched beauty, so I knew it would be the perfect gift for you." He said as he tried to hand her the flowers, Verity bit her lip as she sent me a pleading look.
I stifled a laugh before I intervened. "So, I'll see you Saturday," I spoke as if Wu was not even there.
Verity, being the smart woman that she was, picked up on my cue before playing along. "Yes, I will see you then," She said with a smile.
A devious thought crossed my mind as I drew her closer to me and delivered a passionate kiss. Her lips tasted like a spring peach, which I wanted nothing more to devour. Her pulse spiked against my lips, not passion, but adrenaline. She enjoyed the danger as much as I did. But I held myself back and separated from her, before turning towards Wu. "Oh, Wu, I did not see you there." I feigned surprise as I regarded him.
His mouth was slightly agape from my display of affection, and his grip on the roses loosened as they fell to the ground. I could have sworn that I saw shame flash across his features until he recognised me, and it turned to anger. He did not even look at me anymore, his attention completely on Verity as he spoke. "You chose Him over me?" His voice sounded both hurt and astonished at the same time.
"There was nothing to choose." She shrugged her shoulders as her hand touched my shoulder affectionately. "Zeon is quite the man." My smile grew even wider as she spoke.
"It seems the score is even now, but I am going to say goodbye now as I am a very busy man." I could not resist the subtle jab at Wu before I left. I cleared the events from my mind as I focused on my next step.