Way Too Strong~!! Octavia!!!
The researcher's face was a complicated mess as he manually scribbled "Unmeasurable" grade onto the form.
"Should I be worrying about requisitioning a new budget for the measurement device... or celebrating that someone like this has returned to Korea..."
'Whoa, I didn't expect the machine to get totally wrecked like this...'
Davin struck a casual pose, hand on her hip, and replied nonchalantly.
"Well, just laugh it off, right? It means there's no one in the whole world as proficient in mana as I am!"
"That's... true, I suppose..."
"So! What's my rank, then? Obviously S-class? Is there some kind of ranking system too?"
Choi Seo-ah's lips twitched in a troubled expression. She tapped her chin thoughtfully before opening her mouth.
"First, there's just one thing I'd like to ask—"
Clank!
The iron door hidden behind the machinery swung open, and a figure strode out with heavy footsteps. A blond middle-aged man in a tailored coat, mana rippling visibly from his entire body.
"A mage, huh. Well, magic has too many variables to evaluate purely with machines."
The man grinned broadly.
"Just as you say. For accurate assessment and to prepare for any contingencies, a cooperating superhuman with abilities attends the returnee measurement process."
He introduced himself and extended a hand.
"I'm Gotier, an S-class awakener cooperating with the Korean government. Procedures are procedures, but I apologize for observing without introducing myself first."
Mana gathered in his palm. How polite.
Davin smirked and clasped Gotier's hand.
Boom!
The mana shockwave from their grip exploded outward, sweeping through the room like a blast.
"Urgh..."
Gotier was the one who staggered back. He grinned through the pain, his face alight with exhilaration.
"As expected... the peak of returnees truly can't compare to awakeners."
Davin dusted off her hand.
"Not bad—more interesting than I thought. But is that all your business here?"
"Since we couldn't measure your mana control, how about a spar instead?"
Choi Seo-ah nodded.
"Per regulations, if measurement fails, it can be determined by the external collaborator's judgment."
Davin smiled with delight, eyes crinkling.
"Sounds perfect to me. Lead the way to somewhere we can duel."
The group moved to the surface. A few men wielding swords were training. Choi Seo-ah waved them to the perimeter and explained.
"This is a training ground for superhumans. Normally, it's provided to returnees or awakeners under the Response Agency, or rented out to external superhumans like now."
Davin walked to the center and spoke up.
"Be careful not to wreck the facilities this time. Though it won't take long anyway."
"It won't be that easy."
Gotier, facing her, gathered mana and raised his right hand skyward.
"Ora, white light. Spear that pierces all things, white sun, judge of pure white."
Orage Blanc
Zzzt!
Lightning strands poured from his right hand, coalescing into a massive sphere of pure white thunder. The ultra-compressed mana spun inside, amplifying its power.
Bzzz— The training ground lights flickered as the lightning ballooned explosively.
"Oh."
A powerhouse who could hold his own even in Terra. Magic at the pinnacle was truly beautiful.
Davin stared at the massive orb hurtling toward her, then murmured briefly and extended her hand.
"𝕽𝖊𝖘𝖈𝖎𝖘𝖘𝖎𝖔 (Rescission)."
"Rescission"
A tiny light gathered at her fingertip. She flicked it forward.
Ping—
The light shot out with a light whoosh, burrowed into the massive orb, and—slash!—sliced through it like a cross-shaped blade in a precise spin.
Shhh...
No explosion. The giant thunderbolt simply quartered and dissipated into nothing.
Gotier didn't panic and began chanting his next spell.
"The atmosphere—"
But as the massive mana crumbled to dust,
"𝕮𝖔𝖓𝖈𝖊𝖓𝖙𝖗𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖔 (Concentration)."
"Concentration"
Davin's hand blade was already at Gotier's throat.
Kaboom!
The shockwave and roar followed her movement. Cold sweat beaded on Gotier's face.
"I lose... To think it would be this overwhelming."
The swordsmen watching from the sidelines buzzed in shock.
"What the hell was that..."
"Slicing magic with magic?"
"...That speed just now—wasn't it faster than us?"
Gotier stared in a daze at the insurmountable wall before him; Davin basked in the afterglow of a rare fight.
Choi Seo-ah stepped in to wrap things up.
"As I was saying earlier, rank announcements aren't based solely on numbers."
With the emergence of awakeners and returnees—collectively called superhumans—came tangled webs of interests. Like the age of arms races, nations worldwide were locked in fierce competition over these new national "powers."
"First, are you open to naturalization offers from other countries?"
"Nah, why bother with that hassle?"
"Then second, do you plan to engage in combat against hostile gates or similar threats?"
"I hate fighting, and I'm busy with streaming anyway."
Choi Seo-ah's expression finally cleared, as if everything was sorted.
"In that case, we'll announce you simply as S-class. There'll be some social ripple, but we couldn't hide more than that anyway."
"Got it. I'm not back to show off my strength, so whatever."
And one more thing.
"There's something we haven't told you yet, Ms. Ok Davin... When you came through, a mana trace was left between Terra and Earth, potentially creating a 'pathway.'"
Davin's face hardened.
"You mean... something from Terra might come through?"
"Yes. If that happens, could we count on your cooperation?"
Davin answered immediately.
"I can help with that much. Gotta take some responsibility, at least."
Choi Seo-ah sighed in relief and called another agent to escort the still-dazed Gotier away.
"Wait! Hold on a sec!"
One of the swordsmen from the duel rushed up to Davin and dropped to his knees.
"Lady Octavia! Teach me! I'm a viewer! How can a Terra swordsman be that strong—using body enhancement magic like you just did?!"
Hmm.
Davin smiled softly.
"Hmph. For a viewer, I suppose I can share. First off, you swordsmen here circulate mana in your bodies too, right?"
The self-proclaimed viewer nodded vigorously.
Davin placed a hand on his shoulder and manipulated his internal mana.
"Then you can learn. Like this—twist the mana in your lower body."
"Gaaah!!! Hnngh, guh!"
The man screamed, then desperately endured the pain.
Davin looked at him fondly.
"There. Maintain that throughout combat and use it well. Details? I'm no swordsman, so I wouldn't know!"
The man asked blankly.
"C-Can you... really turn it on and off every moment like that?"
"If it works, I say it, don't I? That's enough! That was some premium fan service."
Davin clapped her hands and finished. The man, caught between bewilderment and joy, shouted.
"Thank you! Lady Octavia! I'll take you as my master!"
"Master's a bit much..."
Davin headed outside. Choi Seo-ah was already waiting there.
"So, anything left on the agenda?"
Choi Seo-ah's face was more serious than ever.
"Yes. Something really important."
Davin's expression tightened too.
"That crucial, huh?"
"A very important schedule."
A while later, Davin spoke with a blank expression.
"Uh... Agent Choi Seo-ah. Was... eating dessert the important thing?"
Choi Seo-ah calmly scooped a bite of parfait topped with rabbit-ear-shaped ice cream, replying innocently.
"It's the Returnee Adaptation Project to alleviate the alienation returnees feel from rapid societal changes."
"That's... actually a real thing?"
"If I submit the expense report from the corporate card, it becomes real."
With a straight face, Choi Seo-ah offered a dessert.
"Earl Grey honey silk tart. The latest trend."
"What the..."
Atop the crisp tart sat silvery honey strands glistening in cream. Choi Seo-ah's eyes sparkled suspiciously as she continued.
"They restocked today, so I had to come."
Oh, and you can call me Seo-ah.
Her tension suddenly spiked as she said,
"I'll call you Davin too. Let's hang out like friends."
'Uh... is this okay? She's 28...'
Choi Seo-ah looked no older than her early twenties, but you can't spit in the face of a smiling one—Davin awkwardly went along with it.
Truth be told... it felt kinda nice. Yeah. My body's in its teens anyway... friends are fine.
"Ah, this is mint makgeolli pavlova."
With a twinge of guilt and thrill, Davin rationalized her age.
After sampling 2040's colorful, wondrous desserts, followed by coffee and languid bliss, evening arrived.
"Ah, time to clock out. Joyfully."
Choi Seo-ah happily ended her salary-thief spree with elegant napkin dabs at her mouth.
"Thanks to you, Davin, I got to indulge in desserts for the first time in ages. I'll drop you home. From next time, you might want to be careful heading out."
"?"
Back in the taxi home, Davin turned on her phone and finally understood why.