Natalia Kuzmina stepped into the lounge with her team, the soft thrum of ambient music and the scent of expensive refreshments washing over her in a wave of deserved luxury.

Around a hundred prospects in black Second Skin suits filled the space, already forming into tight social clusters. Natalia surveyed the room with cool satisfaction, then turned back to her team.

"We did it," she said, a rare smile gracing her lips.

Emi bounced on her toes beside her, her sapphire-blue hair bobbing with the movement. "We were amazing!"

""Our performance was optimal," Kenichi agreed, adjusting his rectangular glasses. The tall, broad-shouldered boy stood ramrod straight, his hands clasped behind his back. "Our synergy was optimal, and we completed our objective with three minutes and forty-three seconds to spare! A magnificent performance by all!"

Jiro grinned widely, nudging the stoic Noah with his elbow. "Hey, pretty boy, how about an arm-wrestling match?"

Noah sighed, barely glancing at Jiro. "Unnecessary."

"That was so awesome," Kaito pumped his fist in the air, his spiky red hair seeming to bristle with energy. "When Kenichi created that shield wall so Jiro could charge through? Man, I got chills!"

"Logical," Noah muttered, arms crossed over his chest.

Natalia half-listened to their chatter, her eyes scanning the room.

A perfect team. A perfect victory. I proved my worth as a commander. Satori will be pleased.

Her gaze swept methodically over the gathered prospects. Where is he? His test must have been trivial. He should have been the first one finished.

She checked her Cryo-Lich Ring, running her thumb over its smooth surface. Her team had performed flawlessly—her telekinesis and ice abilities complementing their skills in perfect harmony. She belonged at the top. With him.

So where is he?

The large door on the far side of the lounge hissed open. Natalia's attention snapped toward it.

Satori walked in, looking completely unruffled, as though he'd just returned from a casual stroll rather than a combat trial. Not a single red hair out of place. His expression calm and satisfied.

And in his arms, held princess-style, was Pan Soomin. The timid pink-haired girl from the written exam. Her head rested against his chest, her face flushed pink. She gazed up at him with wide, adoring eyes.

Satori's hand was very clearly, very deliberately, cupping the full curve of her ass.

The world narrowed to that single, infuriating image. He... is carrying... ANOTHER WOMAN. And his hand is... That scumbag! That absolute, unrepentant PIG!

Behind Satori's little parade trailed his team of misfits. The copper haired guy glared daggers at Satori's back, his coppery-red hair practically bristling. Another one with blonde hair limped slightly, looking bored despite his injury. The girl with indigo and pink-streaked hair watched the scene with an amused smirk. And the nervous one scurried to keep up with Satori, his glasses sliding down his nose.

"I-I really thought I was going to die!" He stammered, clutching his datapad to his chest like a shield. "You saved me! I owe you everything, Satori-san!"

"Yeah, I am pretty amazing Jacob."

Natalia strode forward, her team parting before her like water. Emi kept pace beside her, her bright smile fixed and brittle. Her eyes were wide, the usual sparkle gone, replaced by a silent, wounded question.

"Satori," Natalia said, her voice dripping with poisoned honey. "Having fun?"

Satori looked up, his expression one of perfect innocence. "Natalia. Emi. Glad you made it." He adjusted his grip on Soomin, causing her to let out a tiny, breathy sound.

"Mmmh..." Soomin squeaked, her face flushing deeper as she realized who was watching. "N-Natalia-san! E-Emi-san! I-I'm so sorry! I was just... my legs..." she stammered, trying to squirm out of his arms. Satori didn't let her.

Emi forced a bright, wobbly smile. "Wow, Soomin-chan! You look... tired! Was your test hard?" She tilted her head, blue hair swinging. "It's so nice of Satori-kun to help you!"

Skylar sauntered over, putting a hand to her forehead dramatically. "Oh... I'm so... exhausted again..." She staggered theatrically, her indigo and pink-streaked bob swinging. "I don't think I can walk... I need a big, strong man to carry me..."

The guy that was glaring at Satori immediately puffed out his chest, muscles flexing beneath his Second Skin. "I'll carry you, Skylar!" His amber eyes lit up with excitement.

Skylar straightened up instantly, perfectly fine. "You know what? I do need some punch, can you get me some Raphael? I'd really appreciate it."

"Of course!"

Natalia ignored their bickering, her gaze fixed on Satori and Soomin. Her fingers twitched at her sides, telekinetic energy rippling just beneath her skin. One simple gesture and she could rip that pink-haired girl right out of his arms...

Satori finally set Soomin down, though he kept a steadying hand on her back. "She did well. We all did." He looked directly at Natalia, then at Emi. "We won."

The simple statement, delivered with calm confidence, sent an unwelcome flutter through Natalia's chest. Damn him. Even now, with her blood boiling, he could affect her with just a few words.

"Of course you did," Natalia replied coolly. "We did too. Best time in our sector."

Emi nodded vigorously. "It was amazing! We—"

Before she could finish, the massive screen on the far wall flickered to life, displaying VEGA's cold, blue eye. The room fell silent as the AI's smooth, modulated voice filled the space.

"Attention, successful candidates. Congratulations." VEGA's voice dripped with synthetic warmth that somehow felt colder than outright cruelty. "Of the 13,147 prospects who began this examination, you 120 represent the survivors. A .9% success rate. Pathetic, but within acceptable parameters."

Natalia straightened her spine, satisfaction washing over her like warm water. They had culled roughly thirteen thousand applicants—thirteen thousand dreams crushed beneath the weight of inadequacy—and she had survived. As expected. As was right. This was simply the natural order asserting itself.

"You will now have a one-hour break," VEGA continued with mechanical pleasantness. "Refreshments are provided. I suggest using this time to consider your future carefully, as for many of you, it will be significantly shorter than you anticipated. In one hour, you will be escorted to the Grand Hall for the Guild Draft."

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