It has been an hour since the battle with the hyper class, and the city streets have calmed down significantly. Thanks to Ren and his squad's efforts, many casualties were fortunately prevented. Still, the few lives that were out of Ren's control, damaged not only his pride, but also his resolve. He felt as if all his efforts were wasted, because he couldn't save everyone. As he looked at the city, he could only curse himself for being so weak.

Noticing his demeanor, Sieg couldn't just sit around and let him mope. Sieg walked towards Ren, with a happy smile on his face.

"Hey, I called HQ to send a car to pick us up. That way we can catch up a bit! Since we've both been busy, how bout some father son bonding time!" Sieg said, trying to lift up his spirits.

Ren stayed silent. Sieg was slightly offended by his son's rudeness, but instead of lashing out, he took a deep breath then patted him on the back.

"You did good, you know? Even if you're an A tier Investigator, you're still human. Amongst these monsters, any mistake can be forgiven" Sieg said.

He still didn't respond, he just continued to look at the city with a melancholic gaze. Sieg sighed loudly before smacking him on the head.

"What the hell was that for?!" Ren asked, angry.

"Listen to your father when he's speaking you damn brat! I'm tryna give you advice..." Sieg said, pouting a bit.

Ren rubbed the part of his head where he got hit, while looking at Sieg with frustration.

"I don't need advice... I already know how weak I am. All I need to do is improve. Get stronger so that nobody gets hurt..." his voice full of certainty.

As a father, Sieg felt proud that his son's resolve was so strong, but he also felt disappointed. Not in Ren, but in himself.

"A father's job is to give their children the opportunity to be spoiled. I'm sorry I never gave you that luxury..." Those were the words he wanted to say to Ren, but he knew those words meant nothing at the moment. Because as of the moment, Ren was no longer a child, he was a man. The only thing Sieg could do was put on a happy face and smile.

"Don't get yourself too overworked~! I have too much work as is, I don't want to have to heal your ass because of your recklessness too! Now come on, the car's here!" Sieg said, trying to act happy-go-lucky.

"I'll keep that in mind... I apologize for my rudeness just now..." Ren said, walking towards the car.

Once the two reached the car, both of them were surprised at who the driver was

"Senior investigator Kiel, it's an honour to meet you!" Ren said, bowing to show respect.

"Why the hell do you respect this old geezer more than me?!" Sieg said, sounding upset.

Senior Investigator Kiel laughed before gesturing to them to head inside. The two got inside, both of them wondering why Kiel of all people was sent to fetch them. For all they knew, Kiel wasn't even sent at all! But their questions were quickly answered.

"If you're wondering why I was the one who picked you two up, the answer is rather simple.... there's an extraordinary new recruit I want you to witness..." Kiel said, a tone of seriousness in his voice, as if to emphasize the importance of his statement.

Both of their interests were piqued. Sieg intertwined his fingers as he laid back into the car seat. A devious yet curious smile grew on his face.

"What tier do you think they are?" Sieg asked.

Senior investigator Kiel paused for a moment before turning his face to the rear view mirror.

"They haven't gone through the written test yet, but from what I've seen, our new recruit is easily an A tier..." Kiel responded.

Ren was shocked hearing this. From all his studies, and personal experience gathered from gossip, eavesdropping, and general knowledge, there had never been a recruit able to achieve the status of A tier during their recruitment exam. Even during his recruitment exam, he was only able to achieve a B tier ranking. So to hear someone was able to reach A tier was unheard-of. To accurately put it, it was as if you heard someone winning a marathon with an hour lead.

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"How's that possible... to reach the level of A tier, one must-" but before he could respond, he was cut off by Sieg.

"One must be equal, or stronger to a Hyper class fester..." Sieg said, sounding rather intrigued, maybe even a bit excited.

Ren was dumbfounded. How could such a person be born? Or were they created? Even then, the fact a person that holds that much potential, is both an asset, and a risk. But a strange feeling consumed Ren. Sure this new recruit is spectacular, but why is his father smiling so widely?

"Hey... do you think this recruit might be able to use 'Descent energy'?" Sieg asked, his words catching both of the men's attention.

Hearing the term "Descent energy" caused a shiver to run up Ren's spin. Descent energy is the term used by F.A.T.E for the special kind of energy that is generated by all living things, but is most prevalent in Festers. Even if descent energy is used by F.A.T.E themselves to fuel the attachment units, it's still a taboo topic amongst F.A.T.E staff.

"... or they could easily just be physically gifted... you might be intelligent Sieg, however your wild imagination often hinders you. Those who can naturally use Descent energy, are a one in a million anomaly" Kiel said, looking at Sieg sternly.

Hearing those words caused Sieg to smile.

"I'm flattered you consider me an anomaly Senior investigator, but leave something of this nature to me... got it?" Sieg said, glaring back at him.

Kiel glared into the rear view mirror once more, before returning back to driving. Sieg scoffed before turning his attention to Ren.

"Ren, do you know the requirements for each investigator rank?" Sieg asked.

Ren nodded. Of course he knew. He had the information drilled into his head the moment he became an investigator.

"Well that saves me some time... But in short, a D tier Investigator should be able to defeat at least a base class Festers, C tiers should be able to defeat up to the super class, and B tiers should be able to defeat up to the advanced class..." Sieg explained.

"I get that... but I'm failing to see your point, General Sieg." Ren said, crossing his arms.

"Hold on, don't be so impatient. Haha, well I guess you're like your mother in that regard. Well as I was saying... the requirements for every tier under the A tier, is only to have the ability to defeat the fester of their level... but the A tier is special..." Sieg said.

This was the first time he heard that the A tier had a special requirement. From what he learned and his own personal experience being promoted, all one needed to do was defeat a hyper class fester, so what did his father mean?

"Of course, just like its predecessors, you can reach the A tier by defeating a hyper class fester, that's how you got promoted. But there's also one other way to achieve the A tier... and that is the ability to use Descent energy in any form" Sieg continued.

"What... Do you mean?" Ren asked, not understanding what Sieg was talking about.

"Well I understand your confusion as most A tiers gained their rank the first way... but the ability to use Descent energy automatically bumps you up to A tier, regardless of combat ability, physical prowess or intelligence..." Sieg said.

This question was answered, but he still felt like something was missing from his reasoning.

"... I get what you mean, but what made you come to the conclusion that this new recruit might be able to use Descent energy?" Ren asked.

"Because the physical exam was intentionally made to find those who could use Descent energy. Isn't that right, Mr. Kiel?" Sieg asked, smiling slyly.

Kiel paused for a moment, before affirming his statement.

"Yes... the physical exam was made to find those who could use Descent energy. The obstacle course stimulates the body so that descent energy readings can be seen more clearly. This is because Descent energy tends to leak out when the body is exposed to extreme emotions such as fear, stress or pain" Kiel explained.

"That's why there hasn't been anyone in the history of F.A.T.E's existence to get an A tier in the recruitment exam. It's because normal people were never meant to get anything above the B tier..." Sieg added.

All of Ren's answers were answered, yet he still felt uneasy. Was it his fear? Or maybe he was scared of being surpassed. No, the uneasy feeling was not born from fear, it was born from a strange sense of calmness. That recruit would inevitably become one of the Special tier investigators in the future, meaning that the scales of victory would tip over to the humans favour. That would mean the thousands of deaths caused by the Festers each day, would drop substantially. Children of the future wouldn't have to grow up in the cruel world that he did, but for a man like Ren, something going this well, was terrifying. The scenario he envisioned, could only happen if everything went completely right. Many different variables could lead to an even more disturbing future. What if this new recruit turned evil? What if the Festers begin to adapt? All these thoughts clouded Ren's mind. No matter how hard he tried, a bit of that paranoia slipped out.

"... You're scared aren't you?" Sieg said, turning to face Ren.

"... How couldn't I be? I hate uncertain futures.. especially one that can go so wrong..." Ren said, clenching his fist tightly.

Sieg ruffled Ren's hair before patting him on the back.

"It wouldn't hurt to believe in miracles ya know?" Sieg said, smiling.

Ren smiled a bit, before looking out the window. Ren looked somberly at the city as it passed by him. It reminded him of all the battles he had fought to protect humanity against festers... and all the lives lost because of his weakness.

"A miracle huh? I doubt one exists in this cruel world..."