Before he answered Emma's question, he took a moment of silence before continuing.
"Normally, most of the Female Blood we had encountered before you already knew their ability which they had no problem except they had to undergo some trials—like entrance exams in schools—something like that? It's for them to officially be part of the organization. However, that doesn't seem to be the case for the both of you. And since Hans doesn't have much time in his hands to spare because of his workloads…"
Jasper approached the sofa then settled himself comfortably as he continued explaining, "So he decided to have a joint trial. Which means you and Hazel will have to find out your ability, and at the same time, take the test to officially become an agent and you will work under the Head who will choose you as their apprentice… if you guys pass."
He rubbed his temple whereas he furrowed his brows thinking if he forgot something to inform them. It soon ended when he remembered something.
"Ah! Just to remind you, Hans won't be the one to decide whether you are qualified to be their underlings. The Heads will be attending the trial that day and will see if you have the capabilities to be working under their command." He added.
He stood up then was about to leave but before he could fully leave the room, he gave Emma some encouraging words, "Just do what Hans wanted you to do and you'll get by it easily. Good luck on your joint trial tomorrow. Bye-Bye~"
Jasper playfully waved at the nervous female blood. Although Emma was left nervous, she still felt some excitement within her while Head Benjamin was genuinely happy and at the same time worried for her if she can handle Hans' trials.
He's afraid that she might be unable to cope up after she takes the trial. However, he also knew that Hans is someone he could trust despite their severed friendship. Besides, he knows that what Hans will be doing is for their own good and for the clan. Henceforth, he will do everything to help his pair and to completely place his trust in Hans.
Afterwards, Head Benjamin stood up and said, "I have to go. I still have some things to do. I'll be back to check on you when I'm done with my work."
Emma nodded in response then the Head kissed her forehead and went out of the room. Head Benjamin started making his way to his office. When the elevator opened, he stepped out then proceeded to his office, however, the moment he was about to make a turn.
At one corner, he saw Hans cautiously go out of the rarely used exit Sheryl once said to him. Head Benjamin silently followed him but once Hans entered his office without noticing the Head, he deliberately stood in front of his office.
He stared at the door of a minute or two while battling whether to take this opportunity to talk to him regarding Emma's trial. He managed to knock after he had a second thought and went inside. He then saw Hans hurriedly piling up his papers over a certain file which made him understand Sheryl's scepticism towards Hans.
But for now, he decided to shrug it off and then asked, "Where were you?"
Hans immediately composed himself before answering his question whilst fixing some paper works.
"I had to finish some errands."
He knew that he won't be getting anything out of Hans if he asks any further so he chose to change the subject.
"About Head Audeth's pair-"
But he was interrupted when Hans said, "It's the newborn."
"You knew?"
The Head asked as he approached Hans's table whereas Hans rested his back on the chair.
"Heard it from the Master."
He replied then hid his paper works inside a drawer.
When Hans noticed that Head Benjamin didn't seem to have anything to say anymore, he took the opportunity to ask him back.
"What brings you here, Head Benjamin?"
And the Head replied as he tucked his hands inside his pockets, "Emma's training. I leave her in your care."
"Yes, I will Head Benjamin."
Hans reassured him then the Head left his office after he heard his response.
The day passed in a blink of an eye and the next morning came. Hans, Sheryl, and the Head along with the few hunters were now on the training ground. Few of the Heads except Head Kelly went to a room above the training ground with an open glass which is exclusively used by the Heads or the one who was given an authority to enter the room, it is for them to have a better view of the hunters they are training to.
Hans immediately explains to the two Female Bloods they are tasked to do. "Both of you are tasked to use your own ability, that is how I will evaluate you if the both of you are worthy to work here as agents. Without my help, of course."
Hazel, with a puzzled look, questioned him, "How are we supposed to use our abilities when we don't even know them in the first place? And aren't you supposed to help us?"
Hans stared coldly at her and responded, "That is for you to find out. Use your head. My job here is to give you obstacles, however, since I don't have that much time. I had to improvise another way for your test. Unlike the other agents before you, they took the test for a week but yours will only be for today."
He then signalled one of the agents to get him some things he instructed him then he continued, "Even though the past agents had a week worth of tests, still, it wasn't easy at all. They had to start from the very bottom till the final trial. And yours will be a lot harder than theirs but you're lucky since you only had to take one test."
Emma and Hazel felt relief when they heard that they only needed to take a single test but it soon changed into horror when Hans told them.
"Both of you will automatically take the final trial and that is the only way the Heads will evaluate you to become an official agent in this organization."
After the agent bowed to him and left, he reminded the two Female Blood, "Also, remember to put your life on the line. The final trial is like a near death experience if you ask me."
Both of them gulped in nervousness then Emma took the courage to ask as she raised her hand, "Uhmm… What happened to the past members who were under your care?"
Hans was about to answer but was interrupted by Head Kelly, "Oh! They're fine, no one has died so far."
Emma and Hazel sighed in relief but the Head spoke again, "On the other hand, hmmm… I have to say that most of them got hospitalized and it took them 3 months to fully recover while some did experience the near-death situation. And some, they quitted or failed before and along the way of taking the tests. So now they had to take the trials all over again."
She then giggled when she reminisced about the past, "I remember, when me and Head Audeth foolishly challenged him and so he made us take the test which we ended up regretting. He really is the apprentice of the former director and the current director."
Emma and Hazel froze and went pale because how could the Heads end up getting hurt by a mere human like himself. She then left and went to where the other Heads were.
Their gaze averted to Hans when he started speaking as they jolted in uneasiness, "Before you take this trial. Tell me, are you willing to go through this?"
He waited for the two to respond however, Emma and Hazel were still a bit hesitant so he continued, "I won't force you to take the drill if you don't want to. On the contrary… you will continue living a life always being protected. And living a life without being able to do anything is more frustrating than it already sounds."
The two Female Bloods looked at each other as if they're having a conversation in their mind. Hans took this as a 'No' that made Hans decide, "Alright, let's go-"
But he was interrupted when Hazel spoke as she took a step forward, "I'll take it… No matter how hard it is, I'll take it. Being protected and being unable to do anything… I'd rather take this chance than be useless for the rest of my life, Sir!"
Emma's worries and doubts began to fade, she then stood beside her full of determination and perseverance in her eyes.
"We'll never back down from our words. This isn't for us, but for the people we care for." She declared as she glanced at the person beside her and Hazel did the same while they smiled at each other.
Hans stared at the two Female Blood and a smile slightly escaped from his lips. When the agent he ordered a while ago arrived, he called the other agent and began giving them instruction while Emma and Hazel tried listening, but to no avail, they couldn't hear a thing. After a little meeting between them, Hans turned to face the Female Bloods that made them jolt.
He asked them for the last time, "Well then, let's begin?"
And the two responded with confidence, "Bring it on!"
~ "Aren't you worried for your pair, Head Benjamin?" Head Asher asked and smirked while looking at the hunters below them getting ready for the drill.
Head Benjamin stared at him then back to his pair which made him smile, "My pair is not weak. I completely believe that she will get through this. I also put all my trust in Hans."
He gave a moment of silence then asked him back the same thing, "Also, I should ask you the same. What about you, Head Asher? Aren't you worried for your pair?"
This time Head Asher chuckled as he gave an anxious remark, "It would be a lie if I say I'm not. But Hans will do what is good for them and besides, knowing him, he has a soft heart for the Female Bloods even though he tries so hard not to make it so obvious, don't you agree?"
His anxiousness soon faded as he looked at Head Benjamin while raising an eyebrow. "I totally agree with that."
The Head nodded and the both of them watched the other Heads along with Sheryl, entering the room. Seeing Sheryl filled with worry and uneasiness.
Head Asher called out her name, "Sheryl."
She looked at him and gave him a response then the Head continued, "Hazel will be fine. Your cousin is not weak."
Sheryl smiled, hiding her anxiousness, and replied, "Yes, Head Asher."
When Hans heard the response of the two Female Bloods in front of him, he tossed the dagger to Emma and a spear to Hazel. They were a bit confused, after that, two agents who were a few meters away from them started cracking knuckles and clenching their fist in motion. The Female Bloods knew what they were getting to but they had never fought in their life. They never even held such weapons since birth and much more killed a person so, how are they supposed to fight?
Emma noticed that the two agents seem to have no weapons in them so she agitatedly asked, "W-wait! Where are their weapons? They could get hurt!"
Hazel dumbfounded made Hans stare blankly at them. He just couldn't believe what they're saying right now.
He sighed disappointingly then pointed at the two agents and asked, "Do you really think you could touch even a single strand of their hair? Are you serious?"
When they heard him ask that, they felt that they had been struck by lightning and glooms in disappointment.
Hans continued as he slightly rubbed his temple, "Don't make me laugh. You're not even close to their level. If I were you, both of you should start praying to survive or you'll end up sleeping six feet under the ground."
The tension of the two Female Bloods rose as they slightly paled in fear upon hearing those words.
"Of course, if they don't do their jobs well, they'll be punished. And you will have to go through me if that ever happens." He added that made them remember the words Head Kelly told them before.
The two agents felt a chill went through their spine because they knew Hans wouldn't say those words for nothing.
When Hans raised his hand, the two agents readied themselves waiting for his signal. After a minute of silence filled the training ground, Hans finally gave them his order, "Go."
The agents ran towards the Female Bloods in a battle mode whereas Emma and Hazel were ready for defense. As the two agents slowly closed the gap between them, anxiety and nervousness began to engulf them as they subconsciously shut their eyes in fear.
...