Let's Get Educated (1)
After a brief greeting, she got straight to the point. “We will now begin the orientation for newly registered Awakened.”
“Everyone gathered here today has been officially registered as an Awakened, and from this moment forward you will be held to different standards than ordinary citizens.”
Her calm voice carried across the entire auditorium.
“Having an ability is not a privilege. It would be best to understand it as a position that carries responsibility.”
I sat listening with my gaze fixed forward.
“The Management Bureau does not exist to restrict the activities of the Awakened. Its role is to maintain the minimum standards needed to ensure abilities are used safely and to prevent unnecessary accidents.”
“Fundamentally, Awakened individuals have an obligation to control their own abilities. If that control proves difficult, you may be placed in separate training or management programs.”
“Today’s orientation and the subsequent training courses are not meant to evaluate your abilities or assign ranks. They are procedures to assess your current condition and help you learn basic usage guidelines. There is no need to be overly nervous. Simply follow the instructions and complete the assigned processes.”
“I will now explain the basic laws pertaining to Awakened individuals.”
1. Ability use in public places is restricted. Using abilities that could cause danger in spaces with unspecified numbers of people is prohibited in principle and requires prior approval when necessary.
2. Abilities that affect others cannot be used without consent. Any ability capable of influencing the body, senses, or mind requires the target’s clear and explicit consent.
3. All consequences resulting from ability use are the sole responsibility of the user. This applies equally to both material and personal harm.
4. Awakened individuals have an obligation to control their own abilities. Unauthorized use while control is unstable is prohibited and may result in classification as a managed subject.
I followed the content on the screen, mentally organizing the information. Don’t use it in crowded places.
The second point made my gaze flicker. It was because seduction and charm had immediately come to mind.
“Third, any outcome caused by ability use is the user’s full responsibility. This applies to both property damage and harm to people.”
“Regardless of intent, the Bureau may impose administrative measures, additional training, or, if necessary, usage restrictions depending on the situation.”
The core message was simple. You’re allowed to use it, but you carry every ounce of the responsibility that comes with it.
“Finally, Awakened individuals are obligated to control their own abilities. Unauthorized use in an unstable state of control is prohibited and may lead to separate management classification.”
The emphasized section ended there.
“That concludes the basic legal overview.” It was a concise summary. “Next, I will explain the safety guidelines for ability use.”
The screen changed again, displaying a fresh set of items. Section Chief Park Seo-yoon kept her gaze steady as she continued.
“With abilities, the environment and method of use are often more important than the ability itself. The same power can produce vastly different results depending on the circumstances.”
1. Always check your surroundings before using an ability. Areas with high population density, enclosed spaces, or flammable materials carry elevated risk of accidents and should be avoided. For example, using fire or electricity-based abilities near gas stations or other facilities containing flammable substances may lead to fire or explosion and will result in immediate disciplinary action.
2. Abilities must be used in gradual stages. This is especially important for newly Awakened individuals whose senses and output have not yet stabilized.
3. If any abnormal symptoms occur, stop using the ability immediately. Sensory overload, loss of control, or abnormal physical reactions are common among new Awakened and can lead to major accidents if ignored.
Section Chief Park Seo-yoon swept her eyes across the auditorium. “We will now proceed with physical ability verification and basic training. Please follow the guidance and move to the designated areas. Groups will be formed in units of ten according to your number tags. Proceed together with your assigned group.”
The relevant instructions appeared on the screen at once.
“Each group will have a designated supervisor. Please follow all guidance for movement and procedures.”
The doors at the back of the auditorium opened. Several staff members stepped forward and began calling numbers.
“Numbers one through ten, Group One. Please move this way.”
People rose from their seats and flowed in one direction.
“Numbers eleven through twenty, Group Two.”
The crowd divided with mechanical precision. I glanced down at the number tag in my hand and checked the digits. My turn was coming soon.
They’re splitting us up more neatly than I expected.
I stood up.
“Numbers thirty-one through forty, Group Four.”
My number range was called. The people ahead of me began moving, and I fell into step with the flow.
-----
Once we passed through the doors the interior layout changed completely. A long corridor opened up, divided into clearly marked zones. Simple signs were posted along the walls.
Reaction Speed Test
Strength Test
Flexibility Test
More systematic than I thought.
Staff members were stationed everywhere, and each zone had its equipment ready. Supervisors stood in front of each group giving instructions. My group moved according to the directions we received.
“This is the waiting area for Group Four. Please wait briefly before proceeding in order.”
I stopped where the staff member indicated. While standing in the waiting zone I naturally got a clear view of the tests happening up ahead. One person at a time stepped up to the measuring equipment, received a quick explanation, and began immediately. The process flowed without unnecessary waiting or delays.
“Group Four, please prepare.”
As I moved forward the individual stations became clearer. The first was the reaction speed tester—simple foot plates, sensors, and a large screen mounted in front.
“Step on or touch the points as they appear on the screen. React as quickly as possible.”
The person ahead of me stepped up. The screen lit up and red dots began appearing. Tap, tap, smack, clap—feet and hands moved in response. As the dots appeared faster and in greater numbers, the tester gradually started missing them. After about five misses the results appeared on screen.
“Your reflexes are quite good. Next, please.”
The line moved forward. My turn arrived. I stepped onto the platform.
“I’ll begin when you’re ready.”
“Yes.”
A red dot appeared on the screen. I amplified my senses. My body reacted almost before I could think. My feet and hands moved ahead of conscious thought. Tap, tap, tap—the signals came in rapid succession. The speed gradually increased. I kept breathing steady and continued reacting. Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap. I pushed to the maximum I could manage at 2.5 times sensory amplification. In the end I still missed five.
The results appeared. The staff member checked them once and recorded the data.
“Oh… that’s considerably fast. Are you a physical reinforcement type? Please move to the next station. Next, please~”
My physical condition wasn’t bad. The next station was the strength test. Equipment resembling a grip dynamometer and a handle-like device were set up alongside measuring instruments.
“Don’t use maximum output. Apply force at the level you can currently control.”
I gripped the dynamometer. —Crunch!
I put strength into my hand. Thanks to my Optimized Body, my arms looked slender and delicate, yet the muscle fibers were compressed with terrifying density. The numbers shot upward at incredible speed.
I exerted the maximum grip strength I could currently produce. The digits leaped upward in an instant. The staff member’s eyes naturally drifted to the device. A short beep sounded and the measurement locked in place. A brief silence followed.
I casually relaxed my hand and set the equipment down. The staff member seemed momentarily unable to speak. His gaze flicked back and forth between the machine and my slender arm, visible beneath the sleeve.
“…Three hundred and eighty-two kilograms.”
His expression shifted subtly. He was clearly trying to hide his astonishment.
“Next is the standing vertical jump. Begin whenever you’re ready.”
I bent my knees lightly, then pushed off the ground from that position. —Whoosh!
The sound was light, but the speed at which my body rose was anything but. I landed. The sensor calculated the height. The staff member checked the screen.
“Twenty meters. That’s quite a jump pow… er… wow……”
His voice trailed off strangely at the end. What? What’s going on… no way?
I quickly touched my head. The recoil from the jump and landing had knocked the hood I’d pulled down tightly back off my head. My hair spilled out.
In that very brief moment, without any conscious intent, the suppressed effect leaked out exactly as it was. The air changed subtly. It felt as though something invisible was spreading. The staff member’s gaze froze. He couldn’t continue speaking and simply stiffened. Several other people waiting for their own measurements were naturally drawn in as well.
“…Ah!”
My hand shot up and covered my head. I pulled the hood back down firmly. The diffused atmosphere vanished as if cut off. The staff member blinked once.
“…Ah!… Measurement… yes, the measurement has been recorded normally.”
I stepped down from the platform as if nothing had happened. But something had already occurred. I could feel the stares refusing to leave me. The sensation from a moment ago still lingered in my mind. It had slipped out even though I hadn’t intended it. My control was still incomplete. I pressed the hood down once more with my hand.
I won’t get disciplined for this… right?