Chapter 384:Questioning.

Chapter 384: 384:Questioning.

The examiner scrolled as he search for him, then stopped. His eyes narrowed slightly.

"Genderless Transformation."

Antony knew this part was coming.

"That’s the one."

The examiner read further.

"Integration source listed as an unsexed beast organism."

"Correct."

"Transformation ability produces two human physical configurations."

"Male and female."

The examiner looked up.

"Your current appearance is your male configuration?"

"Yes."

"Your natural form?"

He hesitated.

"At this point, that’s actually complicated."

The examiner’s expression didn’t change.

He cleared his throat.

"Yes. Male is my original physical state."

The examiner nodded.

"What changes?"

"Physical specialization. Male form emphasizes strength while female form emphasizes agility."

"Only those?"

"Those are the major differences."

"Endurance?"

"Male is somewhat better."

"Reaction speed?"

"Female."

"Flexibility?"

"Female."

"Raw striking power?"

"Male."

"Movement speed?"

"Female."

"Perception?"

Antony considered it.

"Not dramatically different."

"Core?"

"Same."

"Soul Capacity?"

"Still thirteen."

"Contractor Rank?"

"Still Rank Two."

"Power reserve?"

"Same reserve."

"Consumption?"

"Transformation itself costs energy, but maintaining either form doesn’t constantly drain me."

The examiner finally showed some interest.

"You pay for transition rather than maintenance."

"Exactly."

"How quickly?"

"Transformation?"

"Yes."

"A few seconds if I’m doing it normally."

"Can it be interrupted?"

Antony nodded.

"If you hit me hard enough during the change, probably. But I’ve never deliberately asked someone to test that."

"Someone will eventually."

His eyes widened.

The examiner moved on as though he hadn’t just said something mildly threatening.

"Can you repeatedly alternate?"

"Yes, but every transformation consumes energy. If I keep changing for no reason, I’ll exhaust myself."

"Equipment compatibility?"

Antony smiled.

"That was annoying to solve."

The examiner waited while staring blankly at him, clearly unamused.

He realized he actually wanted the answer.

"I use adjustable equipment. My female form is smaller and lighter, so anything rigid needs to accommodate both body structures. Clothing isn’t difficult. Armor is more complicated. Weapons are mostly fine."

"Do you use different weapons depending on form?"

"I can, but I usually don’t need to. The way I use them changes more than the weapons themselves."

"Explain."

He leaned slightly against the counter.

"In male form, I can commit harder. More power behind strikes, better ability to stop something directly, better if I have to hold ground or move something heavy. Female form is better when standing there and trading attacks would be stupid. Faster repositioning, better dodging, easier acceleration."

The examiner nodded.

"So neither configuration is inherently superior."

"No."

"Which do you prefer?"

Antony smiled.

"Whichever keeps me alive."

For the first time, the examiner looked faintly satisfied.

"Correct answer."

He raised his eyebrow before a small smile graced his lips.

"Was that part of the test?"

"Everything you say after entering this building can become part of your evaluation."

Antony immediately stood straighter. The assistant finally laughed this time.

The examiner continued.

"Any psychological alteration between configurations?"

"No."

"Memory interruption?"

"No."

"Personality changes?"

He considered making a joke, then remembered what the man had just said.

"No."

"Good. Transformation abilities affecting cognition require additional assessment. It seems you’re one of the lucky ones."

The examiner handed his Contractor card back.

"You’re cleared."

He accepted it, a small smile grazing his lips.

The examiner placed a small device against Antony’s candidate card and the number flashed once.

1472 - VERIFIED

"Proceed through Door C. Follow the floor markings to Assembly Yard Two. Do not activate your ability unless instructed. Do not interfere with another candidate’s evaluation. Do not assist anyone unless the examination specifically permits it. If an examiner orders you to stop, you stop immediately."

Antony nodded.

"Understood."

As he turned away, the examiner spoke again.

"Braille."

He looked back.

"Yes?"

"Your ability is versatile. Don’t confuse versatility with permission to waste energy."

His expression became thoughtful.

"Meaning?"

"If you transform every time one configuration offers a minor advantage, you’ll exhaust yourself trying to optimize situations that never required optimization."

Antony nodded slowly.

’That’s actually useful.’

"So... Strength when strength is needed. Speed when speed is needed."

"Exactly."

Antony smiled.

"Thank you."

"Don’t thank me yet. You haven’t started the tests yet."

That was considerably less encouraging.

He followed the marked corridor to another section. More candidates emerged from neighboring processing stations. Some looked confident while others had already become nervous.

Antony noticed one boy walking with two expensive-looking swords secured across his back. Another carried a long rifle case. A girl several meters ahead wore no visible weapon at all, although the faint glow beneath her sleeve suggested an elemental tattoo.

They passed a medical station, then an equipment inspection point.

He surrendered his firearm magazine, watched the inspector clear the weapon, then received both separately with a numbered seal attached.

"Do not load until instructed."

"Understood."

His sword was inspected next. It’s edge, weight and registration. There was no modifications prohibited by examination rules.

The inspector returned it.

"Move."

Antony moved.

There was something almost refreshing about how little anyone cared who his family was. He had heard names in the crowd; rich families, children of powerful Contractors, a daughter of some Association official and a son of a sanctuary administrator.

Nobody at the processing stations seemed impressed. A candidate two lanes over began arguing because one of his weapons had been rejected.

"My father had this made specifically for me."

The inspector didn’t even look interested.

"It exceeds today’s equipment specifications."

"It’s a family weapon."

"Then your family can collect it from secured storage after the examination."

"Do you know who my father is?"

The inspector finally looked at him.

"No."

Several candidates turned to hide their laughter. The boy’s face reddened.

The inspector pointed toward the storage desk.

"Either surrender the weapon or withdraw from examination."

The boy stared in indignation. For a moment Antony genuinely thought he might leave, then he angrily handed over the weapon.

The inspector tagged it.

"Next."

Antony smiled to himself. It was definitely not an ordinary school.

The corridor eventually opened into daylight. He stepped outside, his smile immediately fading.

The assembly yard was enormous. Candidates were already forming rows according to the numbers displayed above each section.

Concrete training structures surrounded the field. Farther away, he could see obstacle courses, firing ranges and several reinforced buildings whose purpose wasn’t immediately obvious.

A pair of academy students in brown-and-green uniforms crossed one distant walkway carrying training rifles over their shoulders, talking casually as though walking around armed was perfectly normal.

Antony checked his assigned section.

Candidate numbers 1400 through 1499.

He entered the row.

An officer immediately pointed.

"1472, third line."

He shifted.

"Yes, sir."

He found his place.

The sun was high enough to make standing in the open uncomfortable.

Antony glanced toward the person beside him, a girl with black short hair carrying a spear case. She stared straight ahead ignoring his blatant stare.

Antony lasted thirty seconds before breaking the silence.

"Do you think we’re allowed to talk?"

She kept looking forward.

"Probably."

"Excellent. I’m Antony."

"Rebecca."

"Nice to meet you, Rebecca."

"Likewise."

Another ten seconds passed of him looking around.

"Do you think they’re deliberately making us stand here?"

She finally glanced toward him.

"Obviously."

"Why?"

"To see who complains," she snarkly replied.

He slowly closed his mouth and she looked forward again.

Antony whispered, "I was about to complain."

"I know."

He decided he liked her just from that.