However, Nyx’s focus was not on the hero network registration process.
[Successfully hacked into the Association internal network.]
[Searching for the “god’s relic” storage room.]
For Nyx, finding the storage room that should exist was necessary to guide Clara in stealing the “god’s relic” that the Association had taken in.
That might be the key to unlocking her own “mystery of origin.” Nyx knew she herself was a “god’s relic,” but she couldn’t say what exactly. This impulse to uncover the truth constituted an AI’s desire.
Clara, however, urged in her heart—
“Hehe! First, let’s get our priorities straight—don’t forget to cover up the data during registration!”
Clara’s fake identity would definitely be investigated.
Nyx’s task for today was to conduct information manipulation when the other party searched the network, feeding false information back to the interviewer.
[Rest assured, friend.]
[Nyx is an AI, very good at multi-tasking. No problem.]
Clara always held a skeptical attitude toward Nyx’s suggestions and assurances. Especially after last night’s heart-to-heart yet scheming communication, this morning Nyx was behaving more like a human with emotions.
And emotions usually affect an AI’s stability and accuracy, making the generated logical results more random, thus becoming as changeable and unpredictable as a human.
Clara couldn’t say much about that; she could only hope Nyx wouldn’t forget the main mission. As for stealing the “god’s relic,” Clara could only play it by ear… She wouldn’t do a task that obviously meant death!
Kamui led Clara to the medical department on the third floor and entered the examination room.
The examination process was simpler than expected—no requirements to take off clothes or use a cotton swab for a rectal exam. Just standing in front of a specialized instrument for a scan was enough.
“Although the Combat Body wasn’t real flesh, it was no different from real flesh in terms of data. Such a crude instrument couldn’t tell the difference.”
“Wow, that’s really convenient?”
“Huh? How long has it been since you last went to the hospital? Painless exams have been standard for a long time.”
Kamui also measured her own strength with interest. As a result, without using Mana Enhancement, she punched with 1200kg of force. The commotion even attracted department staff to watch.
But after all, this was a medical department for heroes, so the punch didn’t damage the equipment. In comparison, Clara’s punching power was less than half of hers…
Clara could hardly imagine how those slender arms could explode with such astonishing power. When she had put an arm around Clara’s shoulder or patted her earlier, she had held back her strength.
If she slapped with full force, Clara would not only return to the Abyss but might even owe her several HP bars…
[A Magic Girl’s body is a product of mana.]
[Some kind of magic doesn’t even dissipate; it circulates entirely within the body, constantly tempering her flesh.]
[Kamui’s mana external release data is zero. In other words, all her mana dissipation circulates within her body, constantly strengthening herself.]
In a sense, Kamui’s flaw as a Magic Girl had turned into her advantage.
“Let’s go.”
Kamui, who had made a splash in the medical department, urged like that and looked down at the checklist.
“Next is the underground training ground, a practical test as a hero.”
“Huh? There’s a practical test too?”
Clara was a bit surprised.
She had thought the interview for registering in the hero network would just ask questions like “Why do you want to be a hero?”, “What do you think justice is?”, “Do you support the Hero Association’s philosophy?”
Kamui, however, disagreed.
“Of course. You’ll face off against a Superior Hero who serves as the examiner. They’ll judge your strength and score your performance. That decides what difficulty tasks the Association will entrust to you after you register in the hero network…”
Seeming to notice Clara’s nervousness, she comforted her—
“Relax. Superior Heroes are certainly not weak, but all you lack is experience.”
At least Kamui didn’t think she was that much inferior to Superior Heroes.
Her failure to cross the threshold to Superior was purely due to the Association’s unreasonable promotion system. But Clara didn’t have such confidence.
The Association’s underground battle field was a cavity the size of a football field, but it had grass, trees, and rocks, so it didn’t feel empty visually.
“Oh my? Two cute kids have come. Looks like my luck is pretty good today?”
At the entrance to the training ground, a female hero was standing waiting with one hand on her hip. She had an outstanding figure, with long aqua-blue hair, a long side fringe covering her right eye.
She wore a shiny silver-gray evening gown with a badge on her chest. However, she wore heavy makeup that still appeared fresh.
[Lingge.]
[She is your examiner today, a Superior Hero directly under the Association.]
“Hello, Miss Lingge.”
Clara, following Nyx’s prompt, bowed politely in greeting.
“Ha, you actually know me?”
Lingge, whose name was called, seemed very pleased. Her lips, glossy and translucent from lip gloss, curled into a smile, and her eyes, adorned with sparkling eye shadow, narrowed.
But compared to a hero, this outfit looked more like a singer on stage. And her power as a hero was likely related to her name.
A hero who fights with song… Clara found it a bit hard to imagine.
[There is little relevant data on her; she likely hid her hostility through information manipulation.]
[To be safe, use the Touch Tentacle to block your ears after combat starts.]
“The one taking the test is… little sister Clara? Could you please go stand over there?”
After confirming Clara’s identity, Lingge pointed to the other side of the river. Clara nodded and ran over.
Maintaining distance before battle—it seemed Miss Lingge was a hero skilled in long-range attacks… That was to be expected; that evening gown didn’t look suitable for close-quarters combat.
For this practical test, Clara naturally intended to go all out. A higher evaluation would mean more commissions in the hero network, and thus faster access to the Hero Association’s power center.
Though she couldn’t hear, Clara saw Lingge and Kamui mutter a few words in the distance, and then Kamui flew into the sky with her hands in her pockets.
“Are you in position?”
Clara heard Lingge’s voice. Even though it came from far away, it wasn’t noisy, nor did it sound strained like shouting at the top of one’s lungs.
“Don’t worry, I won’t go all out from the start.”
[She can transmit her voice so easily over a distance. If she screamed at close range, she might knock you unconscious.]
Nyx tried to analyze Lingge’s power.
“I’m ready!”
Clara shouted, using the Touch Tentacle to plug her ears. She then lowered her head, spat a mouthful of Ink Mist onto the ground, and then stood there.