“Uh…” He began with a look of confusion on his face. “It says the number 5 on here,” he finished and turned it around to show it to them.

After looking at the paper once, Pina nodded once in understanding whereas Lina immediately scowled incredulously.

“What? 5? But that’s…!” She began in protest, but Pina gestured with her hand in a up and down motion to stop her.

While she looked perplexed, Pina turned to him and said, “Yes. That’s your super human rating.”

“I see, but what does it mean?”

Realising that he did not understand the significance of that number, she smiled wryly and said, “Sorry. I didn’t realise you didn’t understand it. Then, let’s start from the beginning,” and she momentarily paused before beginning her explanation.

“A super human rating is the level of power they possess, which is basically their internal energy. Based on the amount of energy that they can output during the super human assessment, they will be ranked based on it.”

“So, the reason I received 5 super human rating is because…”

“Your power was weak.”

Her words did not immediately register in his mind, but the moment that they did, he blinked in surprise and thought, “Huh? What? My power was… weak?”

“That can’t be though, Pina,” said Lina in protest. “You saw how powerful that burst of energy was from the amount of light that got displayed?”

“I did and that made it so difficult to properly assess his power,” said Pina with a difficult look. “After all, that light quickly diminished and remained stable at a low state. You saw that too before you rushed down in concern. You did, right?”

“I did, but…!” Lina began and trailed off, unable to reply back with a stronger counter to her argument.

“Since his power state remained stable at such a low output, I and the others decided to conduct the assessment based on it instead of that short burst of power. That’s why, we gave him a rating of 5.”

Zayden followed their conversation up until that point before asking, “I have a question.”

“Yes?”

“Isn’t 5 the highest?”

“Normally, that would be the case. You might think it’s the same in comparison to the ratings given to different electronics, but for super human rating, it’s the opposite.”

“Opposite?” He asked in surprise. “As in, the lower the rating the greater value it possesses?”

“That’s right,” said Pina in agreement.

“I see…” he said slowly while pondering about it.

“So, instead of the usual ranking from E being the lowest and S being the highest, in this world, E is the highest and S is the lowest. Wow. It’s so unnatural just from thinking about it.”

“Do you get it now?” Pina asked him with a concerned look. “Do you want me to give an even simpler explanation?”

“Ah, no. I understood the first time around,” he replied with wave of his head. “So, based on this, I’m a 5th class super human.”

“Well, yes,” she said, surprised by his words. Then she spoke her thoughts aloud as she muttered, “That sounded so good just now. Class. Igneous. Honestly, class sounds a lot better than rating.”

He nodded in understanding and asked, “If I’m 5th class super human, what’s Wonder Man’s rating? May I know it?”

“That’s…” Pina began with a troubled look on her face. “It’s classified information, so…”

“It’s okay if it’s classified information,” he replied in reassurance to her trailing away with a troubled look on her face. “It was my mistake to ask considering such information isn’t normally shared publicly.”

“You’re right,” replied Pina with a smile. “The only information about a super human is publicly disclosed is their super hero’s name and rank among the guild they belong or the rank among the other ranked super heroes from around the world.”

“Yes. That makes sense,” he replied in understanding. “Thank you for the explanation.”

“You’re welcome,” she replied and turned to Lina. “I think we’re done here for today.”

“I guess,” replied back Lina with a gloomy expression.

They bid each other farewell, and Zayden thanked everyone in the room for helping in assessing him before departing from there. He and Lina walked in total silence from exiting the room, walking along the corridor and remained so until they got back into her car.

“Why are you upset?” He finally asked her by her continued appearance of gloominess.

She looked at him, then turned away and let out a deep sigh before saying, “I don’t approve of your rating.”

He was surprised by the firmness in which she spoke about not being happy with the rating he received.

“You think I should be rated higher?”

“Yes!” She said firmly, and turned to look at him with a serious look. “You weren’t there so you wouldn’t understand, but that light… it was so dazzling and bright! Plus, the energy that got released when the assessment was taking place. It was almost like one of those higher rated super humans that I witnessed when I was a kid.”

This startled him, and he asked, “Wait. You witnessed another super human do something like this when you were a kid? Do you know who that was.”

“Why, of course!” She said as if it was obvious. “It was Wonder Man!”

“Wonder Man?”

“Yes! My dad brought me over to show me how the assessments were done, and at that time, we bore witness to the appearance of a new legendary figure in history,” she said and looked as if she was remembering the events that took place so long ago. “His assessment was so powerful that the equipment actually blew up and we had to evacuate.”

“What…? The assessment equipment got blown up?” Zayden asked in surprise. “Were you okay?”

“I was, but that was the day that made our government begin researching on creating an equipment that could withstand such massive powers if someone of that calibre were to appear in the future.”

“Is that what the new equipment is for?”

“Somewhat. Due to the overwhelming accidents and such, the government had to order the creation of assessment devices that do not put such immense strain on the examinees. That’s why, the two separate projects converged together and that large assessment structure was created in the underground areas at this place.”

“I see,” he said with a nod of his head. “Seems like the government will only act if something bad happens.”

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“It’s typical of them honestly, what were we supposed to expect from them?” Lina asked, and he faintly smiled. “It’s not like there’s some greater force in the world that could make the government listen to all the necessary things and begin implementing that the people need instead of always giving useless things.”

“The government don’t fear the people?” He asked in surprise. “Aren’t they worried that during the elections time the votes will shift and new leadership will take over?”

“Any government would be concerned about that,” she said with a light chuckle. “If there did exist a government that didn’t care one bit about their people, they would be absolutely tyrannical.”

“Yes,” he said solemnly.

Asura thought about her words and thought back to the warring period that existed in that world. During that period of time, he had encountered many clans that never treated their clansmen with respect of dignity, but instead treated them like livestock to be used and thrown away.

He clenched his fists and wore a serious expression on his face at the thought of such inhumane actions that he had borne witness to.

Just then, he heard Lina saying, “Zayden? Zayden?”

He broke out of his trance and turned to look at her in surprise.

“What’s wrong? You looked so serious,” she asked with a hint of worry on her face.

“Oh. It’s nothing,” he said, smiling faintly at her.

She continued to stare at him before saying with a small smile, “I see that you’re smiling more.”

“What?” He asked, being caught off guard by such a statement.

“You’re smiling more although it’s not much but definitely an improvement.”

“Is that so?” He asked and when she nodded, he said thoughtfully, “Well, I was just told a while ago that a person didn’t need a reason to smile. I liked those words, so…”

As he trailed away, her smiled widened and said, “Yes. He has that kind of effect on the people that he gets near,” which she said while referring to Wonder Man. Then she scowled and said, “I just wish he stops pestering me about being a princess.”

“I am curious about that,” asked Zayden as Lina started up the car and they put their seatbelts on. “Why does he keep on calling you that?”

“You want to know the reason?” She asked, and when she noticed him nodding his head questioningly, she smirked and replied, ‘It’s because I’m rich,” and she put the car into gear.

“You’re rich?” He asked while looking puzzled.

“Well, technically it’s my family, but everything they own will be mine eventually anyway, so I might as well call it mine,” she said cheerfully.

“Is he calling you because you’re like a princess since you’re rich and your father is the guild master of the top ranked guild, Berserkers?”

“It’s not just that. My dad has influence within the government and sometimes even gets them TO act on his requests that only a few other individuals have access to.”

This amazed Zayden, who asked in surprise, “Really? Your dad has that kind of influence? That’s incredible.”

“The reason to that is because my dad and the guild had conducted various tasks assigned to them by the government. A lot of which were ‘dirty business’ according to my dad, so this is their way of repaying his faithfulness.”

“What kind of dirty business are you referring to?” He asked curiously.

To that, however, she shook her head and said, “I’m not sure, but our guild’s members are always dispatched to handle extremely serious situations and some of those includes missions with no return.”

“Suicidal missions?!” Zayden exclaimed in alarm.

“Yes,” she said with her face contorted into that of bitterness. “Many left for such missions and never returned and those that did were so badly wounded that they were rendered permanently handicapped for the rest of their lives.”

He was startled that the such a famous guild was being put to such dangerous tasks. It made him wonder for what reason the guild master was willingly allowing that to happen in the first place.

“I know what you’re thinking,” she said, noticing his expression and smiling bitterly. “My dad isn’t so cruel or cunning, but even he has to make some tough decisions. Like, I had asked him why he keeps sending our people off to such dangerous missions, but he told me it was necessary to protect the country and the people.”

“Is it because they’re dealing with villains?”

“Yes, especially since the assessment to become a super human is completely dependent on the individual. So, this gives the villainous organisations to get their hands on members and either through force, manipulation or through bribery, commit to them into committing atrocities. It’s sickening.”

He did not say anything, but he looked at how tightly she was gripping the steering wheel and could only imagine how angry she must inwardly feel.

Asura remembered how in each war that was held, he kept losing men that he got to know, he spoke to, and even reassured they would make it out alive. It frustrated him to no end and nearly made him feel despair to the never-ending war, but he knew deep within he had to keep going regardless of the sacrifices made. After all, if he did not act, then there would be no future for his people or the world itself.

As such, he felt her emotions and extended his hand out to place it gently on her shoulder to reassure her. She was surprised and glanced sideways at him only to find him smiling softly at her. This further surprised her since this was the first time she saw such an expression from him, and felt inwardly that he was sincerely wishing to reassure her.

Noticing his intentions, she took a deep breath and breathed out slowly before smiling again.

“It’s okay. I’m fine now. Thank you,” she thanked him gratefully.

He simply nodded her, satisfied from seeing her finally relax from the stress she had put herself under.

“So, where are we going next?” He asked her curiously.

“I thought we’d do more shopping for you.”

“What? More shopping?” He reacted in alarm and thought nervously about the amount he spent changing into different clothes for her to pick and choose the ones that suited him. “Um…! I’m tired today, so can you please drop me off at my place?”

“Are you sure? We got a lot of time ahead of us,” she said and glanced towards the wrist watch she was wearing on her arm.

“There’s no immediate need. Really. You already bought a lot for me as it is and I don’t know if I have enough room to put them up,” he said defensively, hoping to convince her to not take him on another gruelling shopping experience.

“If storage is the issue, you can take the storage boxes they gave us. I’m not in particular need of them anyway.”

“I like the idea, but I’m still tired today. Plus, I feel drained from the assessment, so I’d like to rest at my place.”

“Oh. That’s right,” she said in realisation. “Sorry. I had completely forgotten about your assessment seeing as you’re full of energy right now. You shouldn’t put on a front. Don’t ever do it in front of me. Okay?”

“Yes. I won’t,” he assured her with a smile while inwardly sighing in relief.

After that, she asked him where to take him, and he gave he the address but she did not know where the location was. So, he pointed in the direction in which his residency was at based on the memories that Asura possessed that which belonged to Zayden.

Nearly an hour later, they arrived at an area full of large buildings that seemed to be not well maintained. Even the roads here were not well maintained as there were pot holes at almost every few meters.

“I think you should stop here since the road seems bad,” advised Zayden with concern.

Lina momentarily hesitated as she wanted to see where he lived, but at the same time saw the logic behind his request. Besides, she was worried that one of those pot holes might be bigger than her wheel and her car might get stuck, which then would put her in a difficult situation.

“Okay,” she said apologetically.

“It’s okay. You brought me this far. I’m actually grateful,” he told her appreciatively.

Finally, the car was brought to a stop and she rummaged through her handbag before pulling out tiny boxes out of them before handing over to him.

As she thanked her, she explained, “Remember to put down first before activating them with the command,” and further explained what commands to use on them.

“Thank you very much, Lina. I am so grateful for what you’ve done for me today,” he thanked her once again, smiling faintly once more.

“Anytime, Zayden,” she told her cheerfully. “I had a great time as well. Oh yeah, before I forget,” and she rummaged through her hand bag once more before pulling out a small box with the image of a phone on it. “Think of this as a gift for succeeding in passing the super human.”

“Um… Thank you, but what is this?” He asked while taking it from her.

“It’s your new phone.”

“W-What?!” He exclaimed, looking stunned. “How much did this cost?”

“You don’t need to know the cost when it’s a gift,” she told him firmly with a smile.

“But… But I—!” He began in protest, but she silenced him with a sad look.

“Are you going to refuse a gift given by me?”

He blinked in surprise at such a cute behaviour from her and was stunned for a moment. Then he shook his head and assured her he would take good care of the phone, to which she nodded approvingly.

With that, the he got off the, bid each other farewell and then he closed the door gently shut. He saw her chuckle inside at how gently he closed the car door before she put the car into gear and reversed out of there. He stood there and watched her depart completely before breathing a heavy sigh.

“Today was eventful…” he muttered to himself.

He looked down at the small boxes full of items he was carrying and decided to stuff them into his pockets, which ended up bulging and making him look odd. Even so, he quickly headed towards one of the run-down apartments that he remembered Zayden lived in due to the cheap apartment.

“I need to relax the moment I enter my room and process everything that’s happened today,” he thought to himself thoughtfully.

Just as he reached the walkway towards the entrance way to the apartment he was staying at, he suddenly heard a familiar voice from ahead that made him reflexively wince.

“Hey, Zay. Fancy seeing you here.”

He raised his head and looked in the direction the voice came from and saw someone familiar. He was not familiar to Asura, but from Zayden’s memories, he recognised him. Not just him as, at that moment, several men appeared to stand behind the speaker and gave him menacing looks.

“We missed you so much that we got worried and wondered what had happened to you. We’re so glad you came back,” he told him with a sinister smile spreading across his face.

Asura looked at the men in front of him with a very serious expression on his face, recognising them as the people that often bullied Zayden at this residence.