"Hi, my name is Thomas Ervin. I have an appointment today for my Awakening." the receptionist tapped things on her keyboard and prepared all the paperwork.
"Mister Ervin, you're appointment has been rescheduled to a little later. We apologize for the inconvenience, since Hero John Eubanks' rise to the S-RANK, many people have come to attempt the Awakening." the receptionist handed a couple of papers to Thomas.
"I've put you in our database as a non Hero, for the moment that is. Once you get your ranking hand the documents to the person who'll be taking care of your Awakening." Thomas nodded and proceeded further inside the headquarters following the corridors.
Arrows indicated were the Awakenings would take place. Not 5 minutes later, Thomas entered a massive hall were many people were sitting. All were here for the same purpose. It was now more understandable why his appointment had been rescheduled.
There were five doors each with a number ranging from 1 to 5. Every so and then a person in charge of Awakening would call someone up. Thomas sat down on the seat from someone who had just been called.
"Hello, sir. Don't you mind if we have a little conversation while we wait for our turn?" Thomas looked at the man to his left. He was an old man maybe in his 70s, but nonetheless he looked very vigorous and had a fire in his eyes.
"Why are you giving me those eyes? Are you that surprised that someone my age would attempt Awakening? How old are you?" Thomas was smiling uncomfortably, he had made it obvious the way he was looking at the old man.
"I must say that I'm surprised. You've opened my eyes, There's ultimately no age to Awaken. If we are destined for greatness then so be it, I wish you luck gramps." the old man smiled and nodded, it was a short conversation to the least.
"Thomas Ervin! Thomas Ervin!" Thomas stood up and followed the madam who shouted his name. They walked through many corridors and passed countless doors, finally at the end of the hallway a door stood tall.
"Awakening room." Thomas' heart started pumping faster. He though about all what a successful Awakening could grant him. Lots of money he thought, not a boring life anymore. He would become someone many want to be.
"Mister Ervin, please remove all of your clothes only stay with your underwear." Thomas removed his clothes while all the same looking at this sophisticated machine at the center of the room.
"Can I ask you to lay down please?" Thomas layed down on the bed that was part of the machine. The madam placed a peculiar looking hat on Thomas' head.
Then the machine started. It produced jetlike engine sounds although not as loud. After a good minute the machine stopped on its own. The madame then removed the hat.
"Let's see the results. You see this screen? It's connected to the Awakening machine. In a few seconds a number will appear, this number will indicate your rank. If nothing appears then it will mean that you have no magical powers, meaning you will never be a hunter." Thomas simply nodded.
He sat down on the bed and looked at the screen togheter with the madame. All sorts of numbers ranging from 1 to a 1000 appeared randomly. Finally, the apparition of numbers started to slow down.
350...
300...
400...
700...
The eyes of the madame stared at this number with great intensity. Before declaring anything she waited for tens of seconds but his number wouldn't budge.
"Umm madame, what are the results?" the madame cleared her throat and gently smiled at Thomas. She made all kinds of signs as if she had lost the ability to talk. She opened the door and quickly closed it.
Without his results, Thomas couldn't leave. He had to know what rank he was. He stood up and put on his clothes. When Thomas was about to exit the room to find the madame, four men entered the room.
"Mister Ervin, we are the secret service. Follow us please." Thomas didn't what to say all this situation was so unexpected as unpropable. To have the secret service come to you personally.....
"What did I do? I-I-I just came to take my test. Like.....I didn't do anything wrong." the five of them went up to the last floor of the headquarters were only a few of the association had access.
They led Thomas to a room. A man sat there behind his desk. This person wore a black suit with a black tie, a massive scar was on his face. The serious expression the man wore changed to a sudden smile.
"Mister Ervin, my name is Nick Sullivan, the associations director. I suppose you haven't heard of me because I simply keep it low. Anyways it's my pleasure to meet you." This was a big fish, Nick had to be someone incredible to be the head of the association.
Indeed Thomas had never heard about who the director might be, in fact it was not a well known fact. But today he met him in person.
"Now, listen." Nick stood up and walked up to Thomas, he placed his hands firmly on his shoulders. From up close, Thomas could truly see the difference in height, Nick was just a massive boulder.
"I, the head of the Hero's association, PROUDLY announce that you are the 10th S-Class in the history of the United States." Silence was all that was after Nick's announcement.
A drop of sweat came down from Thomas' perfect hairline down to his defined jaw and ultimately fell down on the black carpet that was sitting under his feet.
"So you're telling me.....that I'm an S-Class? Then how come I didn't have any kind of powers show up until now?" Thomas was rightfully confused.
"THOSE are the unchangeable laws of our world. Powers will never show up if not cultivated in a way or another, and before we can cultivate our powers we must first find out if we posses this mysterious energy circulating in our body." Nick returned to his warm and comfortable seat.
"When you'll get out of the headquarter's doors, the press will jump on you like wild animals and the powerful guilds will give their bussines cards to you." it was difficult to believe that this was his new reality but Thomas just nodded and kept it shut.
"Since I'm the first to meet you I have the privilege to make you the first offer, sounds logical right?" Nick's eyes became small, veins popped up on his forehead, he was looking like a doubtful car salesman who was about to give the most ridiculous offer.
"Work for the Association. You will be given 500.000 dollars per week and a magnificent mansion in Miami's beautiful beaches. You'll also become the head of the Headquarters' Miami branch and directly report to me. Sounds good doesn't it?" Nick had a devious smile on his face, he could see the amazement on Thomas' face.
"I'll have to decline, director."