As we continued our walk, the cityscape transformed before my eyes. Towering structures reminiscent of ancient churches, with their pointed stone spires, dominated the skyline—a truly fascinating sight. After a few more minutes, we arrived at our destination. Two guards stood at the entrance, their muscular presence exuding power that I could feel as we passed them.
Inside, a vast hall buzzed with activity. Numerous counters lined the space, each attended by individuals engaged in tasks unfamiliar to me. Among the array of offices, one door stood out: "Mr. Mark, Sub Divisional Officer." My confusion deepened. Why would an officer of his rank—a werewolf, no less—personally escort me from my home and introduce me to this supernatural realm?
Mark gestured for me to sit opposite his executive desk. He inquired about my preference for a drink; I requested water. He then instructed his assistant to bring a coffee for himself and a glass of water for me.
A few minutes later, the assistant returned, placing the beverages before us and then standing by for further orders. After sipping his coffee, Mark addressed me, "I noticed your confusion regarding my designation and why someone of my rank would come to fetch you."
He continued, "You may not realize it, but possessing spiritual power elevates your value beyond that of top-tier mages or warriors. Such spirituality is rare, even among the highest echelons of power in our world."
Mark then revealed that the city lord's butler had informed him about me. They were both astonished that someone from a human-dominated area, where elemental concentrations are lower, possessed spiritual power. The butler had given Mark's contact information to me and requested that he retrieve me whenever I reached out.
"We need to complete your registration before nightfall," Mark advised. "Without it, securing lodging in any tavern or club will be impossible." His assistant promptly handed me a form and pen. The form requested basic information: name, city of residence, registration city, and a description of my powers.
While most sections were straightforward, I hesitated at "city of registration" and "power description." I filled in what I could and then sought Mark's guidance regarding the registration city. He explained that not all cities have names; only capital cities and significant urban centers in each controlled country do. For instance, the vampire country's capital is Nightingale, and the werewolf country's is Moonclaw.
Curious, I asked why this naming convention existed. Mark elaborated, "The world is much larger than you might think. If divided into eleven parts, one is allocated to non-supernatural humans. The rest are divided among various species, unions, and beasts: two parts each for vampires and werewolves; one part each for witches and mages; another for human supernaturals; and the remaining parts are beast territories. Each of these parts is equivalent in area to the entire world you previously knew."
He continued, "Cities are recognized by the lords residing in them. Currently, you're in an S-tier city controlled by Mr. Hard, an S-tier vampire."
I noted this information on the form and inquired about the meaning of "S-tier." Mark suggested I complete the form first, after which he would assess my power level.
Contemplating the "power description" section, I pondered how much to disclose. Beyond my known strength and spiritual power, I possessed rare abilities: mind space manipulation, mutation, transformation, telekinesis, and, most crucially, a unique bloodline source. Choosing caution, I listed only strength and spiritual power, aware that they were already informed about the latter.
Upon reviewing my form, Mark smiled, remarking that he hadn't been aware of my physical strength. He handed the form to his assistant and motioned for me to follow. We navigated through several gates until we arrived at the training facility.
As we entered the training facility, I observed three distinct areas: a machine resembling a punching apparatus, another seemingly designed to assess agility, and an open field whose purpose eluded me. Mark directed our attention to the punching machine and began explaining the strength grading system. According to him, individuals capable of delivering a punch with a force of 200 kilograms are classified as F-grade. Those reaching 400 kilograms are E-grade, 600 kilograms correspond to C-grade, and this pattern continues up to A-grade. Beyond A-grade lies the S-grade, representing an entirely different echelon of strength.
Reflecting on my past experiences at the Star Dojo, I realized that their punching measurements now seemed rudimentary compared to this comprehensive system. I recalled an incident where I lifted a stone weighing approximately 300 kilograms, However, now i estimate my punching power to be around 700 kilograms.
Standing before the punching machine, Mark gestured for me to proceed. Cognizant of the need to conceal the full extent of my abilities, I resolved to utilize only 80% of my strength. Trust remained a scarce commodity, even with Mark, who, despite his informative demeanor, was undoubtedly acting under orders. I sensed that as an A-grade werewolf, his capabilities likely extended beyond mere enhanced strength, possibly encompassing additional superpowers.
With determination, I executed a punch as I had been taught at the Star Dojo. The machine's display flickered and settled at 560 kilograms. Satisfied that I had successfully masked my true potential, I turned to gauge Mark and his assistant's reactions. Their faces betrayed shock, indicating that even this partial revelation of my strength was beyond their expectations
Mark's eyes narrowed as he studied me intently. "How long have you possessed these supernatural abilities?" he inquired, his tone laced with curiosity and a hint of suspicion.
Sensing the gravity of his question and the potential implications of revealing too much, I decided on a cautious approach. "I've been practicing a script passed down by my grandfather," I explained. "Through dedicated training, I've developed this level of strength. However, my spiritual abilities have only recently begun to manifest."
Mark's brow furrowed as he absorbed my response. "A script from your grandfather?" he echoed, skepticism evident in his voice. "Such inheritances are rare and often hold profound power."
I nodded, maintaining a composed demeanor. "Yes, it's been a family secret for generations. I committed myself to its teachings, which led to my current abilities."
Mark exchanged a glance with his assistant before addressing me again. "Your strength is remarkable, especially for someone from a human-dominated area with lower elemental concentrations. This suggests a unique lineage or an exceptional affinity for the supernatural."
I remained silent, allowing him to draw his own conclusions while carefully guarding the full extent of my capabilities.