The magic affinity test could reveal mana quality, type, and density. Frey Empire developed and distributed the test. And 8 years later, the institutions that performed it the most were schools and prisons.
"Let's quickly get over with the kid before the captain arrives." Chief Officer Bradford said. He was a plump, middle-aged man with a receding hairline.
Officer Lothar nodded to acknowledge his childhood buddy's word. His figure was thinner and poorer compared to Bradford, but a middle-aged man nevertheless. He walked into the waiting room with a lantern in his hand.
"Stand up!" Lothar barked. "Gentlemen, cooperation is the key to survival."
A few men on the bench grunted as the new source of light blinded their eyes. But Lothar grunted back and ran the lantern close to the first man's face. Everyone removed their shoes before standing up.
The first man had a round face, the second's face was long, while the third had an afro. Lothar moved along to scan their heads one by one. No matter how these people looked, they reached the same height while standing up.
Every man was standing close, making heads appear in a line like a watermelon field. But then there was a gap between two heads. Lothar lowered the lantern a little. The light revealed a ghastly thin face draped with shadows, revealing a skeleton thin boy.
"Hmph! Step forward and follow me." Lothar snorted.
Altus obediently followed while turning his head around to observe the men and the room. The light grey handcuffs on the hands of these men were similar, but bigger. He was wearing the smallest size available, but he believed he could slip out of them if he tried.
"Sit down," Lothar said when he reached the end of the line. Then he led Atlus into the adjacent room.
The only source of light in this room was the lamp on a table. It was dim to the point that not even the entire table was visible. Bradford turned up the dial on the metal lamp, making the light reveal a green-colored pill.
Lothar and Bradford looked at the pill and then at Atlus.
"As the military, we will have to confiscate it, son." Bradford said. "Where did you steal it from?"
"Envying the rich classmates is fine, but breaking into their house? No, no, son. It's bad. You should leave the pellet to us." Lothar added.
"You fools can't fathom the wealth I traded it for." Atlus said.
"You traded it?" Bradford squinted his eyes and looked at Lothar.
Traded it? This kid's cheap clothes said otherwise.
"Who is your father? I will send a guard to fetch him." Bradford asked as he leaned back in his chair.
"My father had long left the cruel mortal world. Unfortunately, he won't be able to heed your summon."
"Your mother?"
Atlus melancholically shook his head.
"Anyone from your family?"
"No." Atlus slammed on the desk and got up.
Bradford understood the reason behind the cheap clothing. The pellet would be the last treasure this poor boy's family left for him.
"You are just a child. Your potential is boundless in this new world." Bradford sighed as he evaluated Atlus's thin body.
"If you only look at what others have, then it will burden you. Don't let jealousy hinder your growth." Lothar added.
"Look at the Captain's example. He was once a poor boy like you," Bradford said. "But he did good and his deeds paid off."
Lothar pushed a small box from the side of the table while Bradford increased the light of the lamp. They lost all desire for the pellet as they concluded Atlus came from a respectable family.
"You can go home after the test." Lothar unlocked the handcuffs using a key. "A little formality. It will hurt a little. He used a scalpel and swiftly made a cut on Atlus' finger.
A line of blood emerged on the fingertip. Lothar put a thin black strip on Atlus's finger. It was a Magus paper, a quick alternative to the detailed blood analysis. The paper changed color based on the mana type. It quickly soaked the blood.
The two officers looked at each other when the paper remained black. Just a week ago, they had sold the top-quality Magus paper provided by the Empire to a black market merchant and purchased cheap Magus paper from the same person. They thought it was a harmless exchange, but it turned out that the paper made by the Westfront Syndicate wasn't as accurate as the Empire's paper.
"Sometimes the reaction takes a while," Lothar said as he pulled away the paper. Suddenly, the sound of racing footsteps grew louder and closer.
"Captain is here." A guard whispered in urgency as soon as he reached the room.
Lothar packed up the mana testing kit. While Bradford picked up the pill and urgently rubbed it over Atlus' fingertip. The wound closed in an instance.
"Go home, kid, and eat well. If we catch you again, then we will report it to your principal." Bradford said while placing the pellet in Atlus' palm.
"Captain?" Atlus secretly sucked a deep breath as Arden entered the room. He felt his heart rate spike with anxiety.