Chapter 401: Ademary Awakened Bureau [1]

"Whoa... So cool!" Darian whispered in awe as he looked around the bustling hall, his eyes wide as he took in the sleek modern architecture and the fully geared Hunters walking back and forth. Pure admiration wrote itself across his face.

Standing beside him, Soren caught sight of Ryan smiling and subtly shaking his head. He raised a brow in silent inquiry.

Noticing his look, Ryan rubbed the back of his neck with an awkward smile. "Ah, it’s just... I was pretty much like this when I first visited the Bureau back then too."

"I see... Well, now that I remember, I was surprised a lot too."

Though he hadn’t shown it quite as outwardly as they had, the initial feeling of stepping into the heart of the Hunter world was undeniable. And considering Darian’s age and lively personality, a reaction like this was practically a given.

"Darian, let’s go. You can tour the bureau later," Soren called out. "I will accompany you myself."

"Ah, ok!" Darian snapped out of his daze and hurriedly followed after them.

They went straight to the reception but had to wait in line for ten or so minutes before their turn came.

"Good morning, how can I help you?" the receptionist asked, her tone professional but friendly.

"I’m here to have someone take an awakening test," Soren replied, gesturing toward Darian.

The receptionist nodded and pulled up a form on her terminal. "Name of the applicant?"

"Darian Dervish."

She typed it in, then slid a small tablet across the counter. "Please fill out these forms and pay the test fee."

Soren paid the fee while Darian filled out the forms with Ryan’s help. Once everything was processed, the receptionist handed them a small card.

"Take this to Building C, just outside the main hall and to the left. Someone there will guide you through the rest of the process."

They thanked her and headed outside, following the directions to a smaller building connected to the main hall by a covered walkway. The door slid open as they approached, revealing a waiting room with a few other applicants and a staff member behind a desk.

Soren told them to wait and walked over to the staff member behind the desk. After a brief conversation, he returned.

"Our turn should come in about half an hour. Let’s sit down and wait."

Ryan and Darian nodded and found seats in the waiting area. While Darian and Ryan looked around the room, Soren activated Eyes of Truth and started inspecting everyone in the vicinity.

Most of the applicants were older than Darian and Ryan, around eighteen or nineteen, and dressed well enough to make it obvious they came from wealthy families. Unfortunately, his ability revealed that most lacked the aptitude needed to awaken; only two had a genuine chance, with 4th- and 5th-Circle potential, respectively.

Among the crowd, however, a pair of twin sisters around Darian’s age soon drew his attention. Wearing luxurious dresses that marked them as high nobility, they sat with refined composure that seemed far beyond their age. What truly set them apart was their potential, which soared at the rare eighth circle, matching Darian’s, along with an impressive array of unique traits and talents.

’I wonder if this is their first time taking the test...’ He mused calmly, until a sudden prickle of pressure broke through his thoughts.

He instinctively turned toward the source of the gaze and met a pair of piercing purple eyes. The woman beside the twins watched him intently, her posture settling into a subtle, guarded stance. Soren gave a faint smile, then casually looked away, breaking eye contact.

She stared at him for a few moments longer, measuring his calm demeanor, before finally turning her attention back to the twins.

Soren knew why she was vigilant. Apart from her, he was the strongest person in the room, making it natural for her to single him out.

A swift glance through Eyes of Truth brought up her status screen.

════════════════

Name: Shabnam Mahren

Race: Human

Age: 35

Status: Healthy

Rank: 6th Circle (Mid Stage)

Current Mana Level: 2,140,079

Mental State: Cautious, Curious, Watchful

Abilities: Amethyst Thunder Constitution (SS-Rank), Papilion’s Veil (A-Rank)

Affinities: Lightning (Grade 8 - SS Rank), Water (Grade 5 - C Rank)

Hidden Talent / Traits: Overprotective, Independent Streak, Lightning’s Favor

Potential: 8th Circle (Estimated)

Investment Value: SUPREME

════════════════

’Oh, she’s really good.’ Soren thought as he studied her profile. Since she was older than Zura or Zoe, he guessed she hadn’t focused as much on her own cultivation as they had, or perhaps awakened late like him. That would explain why she was only at the 6th circle. But then again, having a 6th circle cultivation was still impressive no matter the age; it just depended on the perspective.

He took another quick glance at them and nodded inwardly.

’Hmm...’

Their hair and eye colors differed, but the twins’ features subtly resembled the woman’s. And given their shared surname and her overprotective trait, the woman was probably their mother or a close relative.

"Layan, Lamya, let’s go. It’s your turn."

He heard the woman speak and watched as the twins stood up in unison, adjusting their dresses before following her.

"Huh?" Darian muttered beside him, his eyes widening as he stared after the trio.

Soren glanced at him. "What’s wrong?"

"That... That lady looks familiar." Darian replied with a frown. "I’m sure I’ve seen her somewhere before, but I can’t remember her name..."

’...You have a photographic memory, yet you don’t remember?’ Soren raised a brow, then guessed the trait mustn’t be fully developed yet, or Darian had seen just a glimpse of her. But his curiosity was already piqued. ’...Well, it won’t hurt to take a look, right?’

Soren pulled out his phone, unlocked the screen, and opened the search bar. Typing in the name Shabnam Mahren, he tapped search and waited for the results to load.

’W-Whoa!’ His eyes widened slightly at the flood of headlines filling the screen.

Among the countless news articles and forum discussions, the top search result immediately caught his attention:

<anno data-annotation-id="17cdc603-0ba7-5fa0-d1d1-cd3a107b41f2" data-title=""The ’Lightning Queen’ Returns: Former S-Rank Hunter Shabnam Mahren Formally Announces Her Comeback After 10 Years Of Retirement!"">"The ’Lightning Queen’ Returns: Former S-Rank Hunter Shabnam Mahren Formally Announces Her Comeback After 10 Years Of Retirement!"1</anno>