Chapter 106: 3S
The entire testing process went smoothly. Sophie Wexler didn’t feel any discomfort, and she stopped just as the spiritual power she was releasing reached its limit.
Then, following the instructions, she slowly retracted her spiritual power and stepped out of the testing pod.
The moment she stepped out, she was met with the staff member’s incredibly intense gaze. He just stared at her, utterly speechless.
Sophie Wexler asked uncertainly, "Is... is there a problem with my test?"
’Her spiritual power is in its secondary growth phase. Could something have gone wrong with the test?’
"No, no, no," the staff member hurriedly waved his hands. "There were no problems with your test at all!"
’Not only were there no problems, it was the exact opposite—it was too good!’
’Shockingly good!’
"Based on this test, your spiritual power has been assessed as Level 3S!"
Sophie Wexler’s eyes widened in surprise. She had felt that her spiritual power was much more abundant than before, so she’d expected her Level to increase.
She had thought that reaching SS+ would have been great, but she never imagined she would actually hit 3S.
The result was both logical and yet completely unexpected.
She smiled and said she understood, as the staff member beside her continued to explain the necessary aftercare instructions.
He reminded her that because she had released so much at once, she shouldn’t overexert her spiritual power for the next few days. He also told her to get plenty of rest, along with a list of other instructions.
Sophie Wexler nodded as she listened. Just then, she felt a pair of eyes on her.
She instinctively turned to find the source of the stare.
She looked up at a nearby building, but she couldn’t see anyone in the windows above.
’Did I imagine it?’
A hint of confusion crossed Sophie Wexler’s face.
Noticing her expression, the staff member asked, "Miss Wexler, is something wrong?"
Sophie Wexler shook her head. "It’s nothing."
Then she looked up again at the building nearby. "What’s that building over there?"
The staff member followed her gaze and answered with a smile, "Oh, that’s our main control room. The test data for every Healer-class is synced there."
He explained in great detail to Sophie Wexler.
"I see," Sophie Wexler murmured.
Perhaps she had just imagined it. She didn’t dwell on it.
Meanwhile, upstairs, the Chief Examiner watched as the Marshal, who had been standing by the window just a moment ago, suddenly took two steps back.
He was confused for a moment. ’Wasn’t the Marshal standing at the window to watch the Level 3S Healer-class? Why did he back away the moment she looked over?’
"Marshal, would you like me to have her brought up?"
Cillian Forrest replied, "No need."
’It would be difficult to explain if Sophie Wexler saw me here.’
He turned and walked back into the room. A thought occurred to him, and he asked, "Has all the test data been uploaded?"
"Yes, Marshal," the Chief Examiner confirmed with a nod. "Our internal system’s data is uploaded synchronously."
After each Healer-class completes their assessment, the data is synced to The Healer-class Association and then to the Capital Planet’s matching platform.
Empireans then use the information on the platform to submit matching applications. The Light Brain processes these requests, and if an applicant is approved, they become a matching candidate.
Typically, the Light Brain will recommend about ten candidates for each Healer-class. From there, it’s a process of mutual selection, culminating in the final match at the matching banquet.
Of course, the higher a Healer-class’s Level, the more potential matches they are presented with.
Upon hearing this, a flicker of emotion crossed Cillian Forrest’s eyes. "Don’t release her data on the matching platform yet."
The Chief Examiner understood his reasoning instantly. Sophie Wexler’s level was far too high; the Empire had never seen a Level 3S Healer-class before.
If her results were made public, it was easy to imagine the uproar it would cause. Furthermore, with a level that high, announcing it before she was officially under the protection of The Healer-class Association could put her in danger.
All of these were distinct possibilities.
"But," the Chief Examiner began after a moment’s thought, "it has already been uploaded to the internal system."
"We can keep the general public on the StarNet from finding out, but the information has already synced to our internal systems. The Royal Family is sure to know by now."
"Even some nobles and military commands will have received the news."
"A complete information blackout is impossible."
"You don’t need to concern yourself with that," Cillian Forrest said.
’Those people have countless sources. Even though The Healer-class Association’s data is officially confidential, it won’t stop their informants.’
’It was impossible to hide Sophie Wexler’s level from them the moment it was recorded. Many of them have probably received the news already.’
’Since I brought Sophie Wexler to the Capital Planet for this test, I naturally came fully prepared.’
’I won’t let anything happen to her.’
He turned to Ethan Cross, who was standing beside him, and gave an order. "Tell Leo Fane to assign a team to protect her in secret."
"Yes, Marshal," Ethan Cross replied.
He then left to make the arrangements. ’If I weren’t on an active mission right now,’ he thought, ’and considering my old cover on Karath as the Marshal’s superior, this job of protecting Miss Wexler would have definitely been mine.’
’That kid Leo Fane really lucked out.’
’Then again, after Miss Wexler saved him last time, Leo Fane was in such a rush to get back to the Capital Planet that he never got to thank her properly. The guilt has been eating at him.’
’He kept asking what Miss Wexler needed, trying to figure out a way to send things to her from the Capital Planet.’
’I was so exasperated with him back then. Of course the Marshal would provide anything Miss Wexler needed. What was he thinking, trying to send her gifts? I had to put a stop to it.’
’So Leo Fane has been feeling guilty and restless ever since. This is perfect. A chance to protect Miss Wexler will be his way of repaying her for saving his life.’
Sophie Wexler had no idea Cillian Forrest was there. After the test, she was escorted back to her residence. Her thoughts turned to Cillian, and she wondered what he was doing.
’I haven’t contacted him at all since we parted ways on the Capital Planet.’
’He must be busy, now that he’s back.’
As she thought about it, she opened her communicator and sent Cillian Forrest a message.
Sophie Wexler: Are you busy?
Sophie Wexler: I finished my test. Guess what my level is.
A reply came back almost the instant she sent her message. The man—who had been working nonstop without a moment of rest since returning from Karath—tapped his response on his own communicator.
Cillian Forrest: Not busy.
Followed immediately by another:
Cillian Forrest: I’m guessing sss
Sophie stared at the screen in surprise, then sent a voice message. "How did you know?"
Cillian Forrest: You were already 2S. Asking me to guess like that means your level must have changed.
Sophie looked at the message. ’That makes sense,’ she thought.
Sophie Wexler: This means I’ll be able to cleanse the toxins deep inside General York’s Spiritual Sea.
Cillian Forrest: Mm.
Sophie Wexler: And you.
Cillian Forrest stared at the last two words on the screen, his fingertip twitching slightly.