Kaoru stepped back into the simulation room. There, Asagi still stood with several staff members, along with the Head of Department, who had just finished giving a long lecture. As soon as Kaoru entered, the Head of Department—a short, bald man who looked like an employee at a shady company—quickly straightened himself. His expression shifted from tense to respectful as Kaoru approached him.
"Ah, you must be Mr Kaoru, right?" he asked, trying to sound casual, though there was an undeniable hint of awkwardness in his voice.
Kaoru gave a slight nod. "Yes, that's correct. Are you here to collect the bill for the damages?" he asked, his tone half-serious, half-joking.
The Head of Department let out a stiff laugh, his shoulders trembling slightly. Asagi and the staff in the room immediately seemed to deflate, as if they knew what was about to happen next. "Oh, of course not, Mr Kaoru," he replied, attempting to sound wise. "However... I might need to cut someone's salary this month for carelessly running a Hard level simulation for a beginner," he continued, casting a sharp glance at the staff lined up beside him.
The staff and Asagi bowed their heads, avoiding the Head of Department's piercing gaze as cold sweat appeared on their foreheads, guilt written clearly on their faces.
"Anyway," the Head of Department continued with a diplomatic smile, "you seem to be fine after completing the Hard level exam. This is the first time anyone has passed it so easily. I must say, it's an extraordinary achievement. So, are you interested in joining our department?"
Kaoru smirked, a smile that wasn't entirely pleasant. "Sorry, but I'm not interested in becoming someone's dog," he replied, his tone suddenly colder. "That kind of thing reminds me of bad memories," he added, recalling his past experience of being forced to serve as a pawn for an external entity that had claimed him as a hero.
The Head of Department let out another stiff laugh, trying to mask his discomfort. "Ah, I see... what a shame," he said while wiping sweat from his brow. "Well then, as a final procedure, we just need to complete some formalities. We need to ask a few questions to assess your psychological condition. With power as great as yours, it's a very important matter for us. I hope you understand."
Kaoru gave a slight nod. "Yes, of course. Let's get it done."
The Head of Department smiled in relief and gestured to Asagi to continue. "Asagi, please take care of the procedure," he said, handing over the next task to Asagi, who looked a little calmer now, though still cautious.
---
Asagi led Kaoru to a small room that looked ordinary but was actually an interrogation room. Inside, it wasn't Asagi asking the questions, but another man sitting calmly across from Kaoru. He began asking a series of questions to assess Kaoru's psychological state.
With his usual laid-back demeanour, Kaoru answered all the questions without any effort, each response flowing smoothly. There were no signs of lying or hesitation, making the atmosphere feel very... normal.
After the test ended, the man left the room with a serious expression. He went straight to the adjacent room, where Asagi was already waiting for the results.
"How did it go?" Asagi asked, slightly anxious.
The man took a deep breath before answering. "Honestly, his mental state seems fine. But there's something bothering me. I have a bad feeling about this."
Asagi frowned. "Why? Did he lie?"
The man shook his head, his face showing doubt. "It's not about lying. His answers felt natural, everything flowed smoothly. Too smoothly. And that's what worries me. It's as if he's done this kind of test before and knows exactly how to behave."
"So, is this a problem or not?" Asagi tried to make sense of it.
The man pondered for a moment, his eyes narrowing as though thinking of something difficult to explain. "It's a bit ambiguous. There's no clear red flag, but I'd suggest placing someone to monitor him closely. I hear he's close to Asuka and Shiranui, so maybe you can ask them to report on his progress monthly. That's all I can recommend."
Asagi nodded, trying to digest the advice. The psychological evaluator wasn't just anyone—in addition to his role as a doctor, he was also a Taimanin, which was why he knew many names from the Taimanin forces.
"Alright, we'll follow your advice," Asagi finally said, though there was still an unsettled feeling in her heart about Kaoru.
Once all the tests were completed, the Head of Department began evaluating Kaoru's danger level and whether he could be considered "friendly." In his office, the man read through the entire report provided by Asagi. After finishing, he let out a long sigh, looking somewhat perplexed about making a decision. He looked at Asagi seriously.
"I still wish this man would join us. Did he really not use Taiman particles to cause that destruction?" he asked, as if seeking confirmation.
"No, during the tests from easy to medium, Kaoru showed no signs of using Taiman particles like a Taimanin. I suspect this is some kind of magical energy," Asagi replied firmly. "You know, there are other supernatural organisations outside Japan?"
The Head of Department nodded, then smiled bitterly. "Of course I know. Good grief, this is really making my head spin. We've already got Edwin Black terrorising the world, and now hellish creatures are starting to move. There must be something special about Japan that's drawing them here. Look at my hair, it's all gone from the stress!" he complained, rubbing his bald head.
Asagi remained silent for a moment, unsure how to respond. This Head of Department was once part of the military and the sole survivor of a supernatural tragedy that took place on a small island off the coast of Japan. After that incident, he had vowed to form an alliance with the ninja from Gosha Village. Despite the many obstacles he faced, he eventually succeeded in forming this department through his hard work. Asagi greatly respected him, not just as a commander, but also as her mentor.
"Alright," the Head of Department finally said, after thinking for a moment. "I'll label Kaoru as an S-level danger. Besides that, we'll give him authority to be involved in supernatural matters that benefit us. As you suggested, make sure Asuka stays close to him and keeps a regular watch."
Asagi nodded, saluted, and then turned to leave the room. She stepped out quietly, preparing to inform Kaoru about the test results. After the door closed, the Head of Department let out a long sigh. The fatigue was clearly visible on his face.
"Let's hope there won't be any more major supernatural incidents adding to this burden..." he muttered, reaching for a cup of cold tea on his desk.