068. The Test
Gana Empire headquarters, one of the mansions.
Bin pushed open the door.
Screeech.
A luxurious mansion came into view. It was no wonder this was a Gana Empire residence. The space itself was impressive, but the chairs, dining table, and countless furnishings all bore the unmistakable touch of master craftsmen.
Having once been a blacksmith himself, Bin recognized it instantly.
'As expected, no one can match where they splash their money.'
Bin had only a moment to glance at the ornaments before he felt eyes upon him. He turned toward the gaze.
Several people sat at the long dining table. Four Super Novas in white uniforms sat at the center, flanked by Gana natives in uniforms adorned with gold patterns—It among them. A woman stood beside It.
Bin's lips curved into a smirk at the sight.
'Mostly familiar faces.'
They were people he'd seen back when he'd entered the Gana Empire as a blacksmith. Some had even commissioned weapons from him. They were all dedicated to their duties, with no ill will between them.
These were the Super Novas affiliated with the Gana Empire. Super Novas could be simply divided into two groups: those belonging to the empire, and those tied to their own families.
Most preferred affiliation with the empire. Empire Super Novas received vast sums of gold, of course, but it was also a chance to elevate their family's standing.
However, not just anyone who reached Super Nova status could join the empire. They needed approval from It, who oversaw the empire's Super Novas.
Here, a Gana native's word was law.
It sat at the center of the long table, the number '8' embroidered in gold thread on his shoulder standing out prominently.
It began to scrutinize Bin.
'This is the new Super Nova appointed by Captain Jink of the Imperial Guard... Rumors say he beat Silva, but he doesn't look that strong...'
It frowned, scanning Bin from head to toe.
"Bin Bascon, as you know, having recently ascended to Super Nova status means there's a simple test. With one spot open in the empire's Super Novas, it works in your favor."
The test It mentioned was a procedure to confirm if Bin was suitable for a Super Nova position—whether for the empire or his own family.
After all, these were prime candidates for future spots in the Gana Imperial Guard. Caution was essential.
Normally, the empire had five Super Novas, but with Hobas dead, they were operating with four, leaving one vacancy. It was a golden opportunity to gain wealth and fame through activities within the empire.
But to Bin, it wasn't appealing.
"......"
Bin silently met Its gaze as he listened.
Bin's impassive demeanor irked one of the Super Novas—none other than Raz Medra.
'This kid's got some nerve.'
The boy with wooden glasses and a staff hailed from the Medra family, one of the renowned teenage noble houses famed for their magic. He was a master of sand magic, able to manipulate sand around him. Given enough earth, he could bury an entire mansion in a mound of dirt in an instant.
Raz kept glaring at Bin with sharp eyes.
'How is he so relaxed? No tension at all.'
Raz believed Super Novas needed discipline. After all, he'd risen to empire-affiliated Super Nova status in his late teens, spending nearly a decade under the strict hierarchy with older members. It was only natural.
To him, the newcomer Bin was an eyesore.
'Does he think this is a playground...?'
Raz's lips twisted. Bin still wore that leisurely expression, his voice low and steady.
While Raz stared, It turned to the woman beside him.
"Then, Arian, begin."
At Its words, a woman approached Bin. Gold rings adorned her neck and arms. Her skin was tanned, her face veiled in white cloth, revealing only her eyes. A mystical aura emanated from her.
Thud, thud.
Bin's eyes gleamed as he watched her.
'So this is Arian, the woman known as the Veil.'
Arian. Affiliated with the Gana Empire, she possessed a special ability: accurately discerning a knight's rank. While most powerhouses could only estimate, she was more precise than anyone. She could even foresee potential.
Naturally, for evaluating Super Novas, current combat power mattered, but potential was prioritized even more. Her ability proved immensely useful.
Soon, Arian stood before Bin. She spoke softly.
"Then, let's begin."
Arian gently grasped Bin's right hand with her own.
Grip.
The surrounding Super Novas and It turned their attention to her and Bin. Everyone watched silently, accustomed to the process—except one who found it displeasing: Codic.
Codic's eye sockets narrowed at Arian seizing Bin's hand so boldly.
'This brazen creature laying hands on my innocent lord...'
Codic's cheekbones puffed up. He thought there was an order to mating—at least wag a tail or emit a scent first. But this wench grabbed his lord's hand out of nowhere. Infuriating.
As Codic glared, Arian closed her eyes and focused. Silver mana poured from her body. The sacred aura silenced the Super Novas and It.
"......"
Moments later, Arian slowly opened her eyes and spoke calmly.
"3rd class low. Equivalent to a low 3rd class knight."
Everyone around wore stunned expressions. Some Super Novas turned away with snorts. It was far below the rumors.
Knight ranks were subdivided like weapons: lowest, low, mid, high, superior.
Bin, who had defeated Silva—the Bascon powerhouse of brute strength, rated 3rd class superior—was expected to be at least that, if not higher, like them.
But the result was disappointing. Arian's judgments had always been spot-on, leaving no room for doubt.
Raz sneered inwardly.
'What? Just a guy relying purely on his weapon. How could we let trash like this become a Super Nova...'
The blonde woman beside Raz clicked her tongue in pity.
'Was the hype exaggerated? He'll have to stick to family duties. Such a shame—he's cute...'
The bare-chested man across from her eyed Bin.
'I wanted to spar, but this deflates me already.'
The Super Novas' expectations plummeted.
It spoke with a bitter expression.
"Bin Bascon. No choice here. Focus on your family duties."
As It finished, Arian closed her eyes again to assess potential, delving into the abyss within Bin's body.
* * *
A world of pitch-black abyss everywhere.
Arian looked around. As she stepped forward, sensing mana—
Gulp.
She swallowed unwittingly. In the all-black world, she'd encountered something.
"......"
She reached out to touch what loomed before her.
Then—
Two enormous eyes appeared. Like a dragon's, massive and unhesitating. They seemed ready to devour her on the spot.
Thud.
Arian recoiled instinctively, breaking into cold sweat—just as the colossal presence invaded her eyes.
Shaaaa—
"......!"
* * *
Moments later, Arian burst from Bin's inner world with a shriek of terror.
"Aaaahhh!"
Her body toppled backward. The cloth over her face flew off.
Thud.
Pale-faced, Arian covered her eyes with both hands. Her actions made it obvious: she was trembling in fear.
The Super Novas and It panicked at her collapse.
"......?!"
Never before had Arian acted like this. She huddled on the floor, as if possessed, shaking violently.
Shudder, shudder.
Raz and the hulking Metz approached in alarm. Raz checked on Arian, while Metz advanced on Bin. The bald man with a giant axe on his back glared suspiciously, convinced Bin was to blame.
Metz asked coldly.
"What did you do to Lady Arian?"
His belligerent tone suggested weapons could clash any second.
Arian was indispensable to the Gana Empire, after all.
But Bin, veteran of countless trials, didn't flinch. He replied indifferently.
"Just held her hand once."
"......"
Metz's eyes narrowed at Bin's nonchalance.
It and Raz tended to Arian.
"What happened?"
"Lady Arian, what on earth...?"
"......"
Arian couldn't speak, her face ashen, body quaking.
Unable to bear it, It gripped her face and pressed.
"Arian? Pull yourself together. What happened?"
Its gaze fixed on her eyes. Her pupils darted wildly before she spoke in a trembling voice.
"1st class supe... 1st class superior."
Thud.
Arian fainted after forcing out the words. Everyone froze in shock.
"......!!"