After returning from the Abyss, Zack—now much stronger—decides to retake the rank test, so that he won't face any problems in the future.
The very next day, Zack goes back to the academy to take his rank test.
And by coincidence, he runs into Albus there.
Albus sees Zack and walks up to him.
"Oh, Zack! How are you? It's been a long time since we met. After the Awakener Ceremony, you completely forgot about me!"
Zack doesn't seem happy to see him. He just wants to get out of there quickly.
He replies in a polite, fake tone:
"What can I say, Albus? You know I have to manage my expenses on my own, so I've been busy with all that."
"Oh...
By the way, I don't know why, but you seem quite different from before... Like you've become a lot stronger."
"Really?"
"Yeah, that's what I feel.
Anyway, what brings you here? Some work?"
"What about you? Why are you here?"
"Oh, I came to purchase a weapon from the academy."
"I'm here for something as well."
"Oh, alright then. Let's finish our work and catch up later."
Albus walks away.
Zack, in his mind, thinks:
Albus… no one would ever believe that you'll betray humanity in the future.
I wanted to take my revenge on you right now, but it's fine. Live your life while you can… I will have my revenge—sooner or later.
Then Zack leaves from there and applies for the retest, for which he has to wait two hours.
After two hours, he is called in. He enters a large hall where two instructors are present. Seeing Zack, one of them says:
"Oh, you're Zack, right? The one whose potential was marked as 'Unknown'?"
"Yes, that's me."
"Oh, you've changed quite a bit. Looks like your potential is really high now."
"Oh, come on, sir, you're making me feel shy," Zack replies, pretending to be modest.
Then the instructor asks Zack to place his hand on a large orb. After a few moments, a screen lights up:
Swordsmanship Rank: C
Potential: ?
"What?! From E to C Rank in just two and a half months? That's some incredible growth, Zack!"
"But your potential… it's still showing the same as before—unknown. Your case is quite strange, Zack. Anyway, go ahead and collect your ID."
Without saying anything, Zack takes his ID.
Zack is now officially a Rank C Awakener.
Just as Zack is about to leave the academy in a hurry, the Headmaster suddenly appears in front of him and stops him.
Startled, Zack says,
"Oh—Headmaster! It's been a while."
The Headmaster replies,
"Hmm, yes. Let's talk elsewhere… there are too many eyes here."
And then Zack leaves with the Headmaster.
The people standing around are left in shock, whispering among themselves:
"Who was that guy…? The Headmaster came to personally receive him?"
Zack and the Headmaster are now in the Headmaster's office.
The Headmaster says,
"Zack, it seems you've forgotten that you made a promise."
Zack, nervous, thinks to himself,
Oh no! I was supposed to give the Headmaster an answer about whether I would join the Battle Force or not.
"I'm very sorry, Headmaster. I made a big mistake—I completely forgot what I had said."
"Hmm, it's alright. We'll talk about that later. First, tell me—how did you reach Rank C so quickly?"
"Headmaster… please don't ask that question."
"Just tell me this—are you sure you haven't taken any wrong path to gain this power?"
Zack replies,
"Headmaster, please rest assured. I haven't done anything wrong. And when the time is right… I promise, I'll tell you everything."
To be continue...