A/N: merry Christmas everyone ??

  ===

  Si-hyun seemed off yesterday. He had worries he couldn't even share with me, his friend.

  I was worried too. Seeing him so downcast and dejected made me feel restless, like ants crawling under my skin. I wanted to help immediately.

  What is this feeling? Why does it bother me so much?

  Ultimately, if Si-hyun doesn't confide in me, I can neither comfort him nor offer any real help.

  "Sigh."

  I slowly got up, preparing to go out while sighing.

  Today's plan was to visit the Hunter Management Department for a Comprehensive Ability Test.

  The initial test for Awakened or Hunters is free, but subsequent tests require advance booking and payment. Still, they say there's no better method to gauge actual combat capability.

  After packing my Artifact Gloves, I headed to the Hunter Management Department on time.

  I'd been here before with Si-hyun for his rank promotion, but this time I was greeted by a sleek, modern building.

  Since they measure Abilities here, maybe the architecture needs to withstand impacts? I recall hearing it was built with extremely durable scientific design.

  In the testing area's changing room, I put on the Ability Measurement Suit equipped with various electronic devices and secured my Artifact Gloves.

  A staff member assigned to record results accompanied me as we moved through different testing rooms for sequential measurements.

  "Jeong Si-yeon, we'll begin with the strength test first."

  Following the staff's guidance, I entered the strength testing room.

  It contained heavy dumbbells, barbells, and grip strength meters.

  "You've tested here before, so remember - pushing too hard can be counterproductive. Please perform within your comfortable capacity."

  So I began the strength test. Though I didn't feel like I was reaching my absolute limit, using Mana to assist made the process manageable.

  With C-Class strength enhanced by Mana, my three major lifts exceeded 1200, and my grip strength momentarily reached 220 kilograms.

  "Results show significant improvement from your last measurement?"

  "Ah, that's because I can use Mana now."

  "I see, that explains why you're retesting."

  The staff guided me to the next station.

  Next came agility tests including lateral movement drills and hundred-meter sprints.

  After reinforcing my leg strength with Mana, my performance was outstanding.

  Particularly the hundred-meter sprint which I completed in 6 seconds.

  "As expected, those who can manipulate Mana produce remarkable data."

  Is that so? These results are promising indeed.

  Then came muscular endurance testing, where my performance was rather poor.

  Since Mana enhancement can't compensate for physical stamina, this was probably inevitable.

  "Stamina is similar to last time, but slightly improved."

  The staff compared data on his tablet, indeed about 1.1 times better than before. Has my recent activity level increased my endurance?

  Next was durability testing, which had been painful last time too.

  This involved actual skin abrasion tests and pressure machine measurements, with the process involving genuine discomfort. You could stop anytime, or choose painless measurement if you didn't mind lower scores.

  I didn't push to my absolute limit, completing the test moderately. Durability enhanced by Mana has limited effect without release techniques, so I compromised appropriately. While clearly higher than last time, the improvement was less than my stamina gains.

  After three hours of testing, I got a break. I used this time to recover my depleted Mana and stamina.

  Now came the main event, Ability testing.

  This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

  The Training Dummy for Ability tests, that thing that made me cry before. Remembering it still embarrasses me.

  During my D-Class promotion I scored 240 points. I'm quite curious what I'll achieve this time.

  Standing before the training dummy, a peculiar tension washed over me. After taking several deep breaths to relax, I drew my spear.

  I hesitated over which attack to use. A sweeping strike? Or a thrust?

  Though the latter was the conventional approach for spears, something told me an overhead slash would deliver more power.

  After a moment of indecision, I decided to follow my instincts and took a slight step back.

  Channeling mana throughout my body to initiate enhancement, I took a short running start to adjust my distance, settled into stance, and executed a direct thrust!

  Upon impact, a sharp crack echoed through the air. The measuring device behind the dummy displayed its reading.

  410 points... This placed me in the higher tier of attack power even among C-Class practitioners.

  With time remaining, I attempted an overhead slash, this time scoring 497 points.

  Seeing the higher number somehow left me feeling disappointed.

  Was crude brute force actually stronger?

  No, this was entirely due to the Artifact's contribution. An ordinary spear's shaft would likely snap from such violent maneuvers, making them too risky to attempt. Only the exceptional durability of this Artifact made them possible.

  "Excuse me? Please stop recording from this point onward."

  "Eh? Why?"

  "I want to test the Artifact's effects."

  “I’ve never tested anyone with an artifact before, but it should be allowed.”

  Of course it was, if there were restrictions, they wouldn't have allowed me to wear it during the strength or agility tests.

  "It's a trigger-type Artifact."

  "Understood. We'll record your highest score as 497 points. Any subsequent results will be disregarded."

  Good, now to draw out the true power of this World Tree Spear.

  I began channeling mana into the spear's core.

  The weapon greedily devoured the energy.

  No matter how many times I used it, I could never grow accustomed to this sensation.

  "Hah..."

  My breathing, initially ragged from the mana drain, gradually steadied.

  In my hand, the spear began to radiate light.

  "Ha!"

  My first move was a thrust. The measuring device registered 1300 points.

  Was this insane? I knew the Light Blade possessed formidable attack power, but a simple thrust achieving this level?

  I followed with slashing motions, eventually reaching a peak of 1421 points.

  This meant that while the Light Blade remained active, my attack power reached B-Class levels.

  When I exited the testing chamber, the staff member stared with undisguised shock.

  "That appears to be quite an extraordinary Artifact?"

  He reached toward the still-glowing spear.

  I swiftly moved it beyond his reach.

  "Please be careful! This is dangerous."

  "Ah? Is that so? My apologies."

  I demonstrated by directing the spear's beam at a water bottle.

  Merely grazing it with the light beam - without even making contact with the blade, cleanly severed the container.

  Witnessing this, the staff member turned pale.

  "Eeh!"

  "As its owner, I'm unaffected, but it's hazardous for others to touch."

  "U-understood!"

  The staff member maintained his distance, following several steps behind.

  Finally came the comprehensive evaluation based on the measurement data.

  During my previous promotion to D-Class, I received D+ as an attacker with an overall D rating.

  My growth potential had been assessed as below average.

  I passed time in the lounge awaiting the assessment results.

  As the glow faded, I stored the spear. Shortly after, the staff member entered.

  "Your evaluation is complete. Would you like to review the results?"

  "Yes."

  Viewing the assessment report on the display screen, I felt pride well up inside.

  "Your comprehensive rating is C-Class. Significantly improved from last time. Thanks to your mana, your potential has been graded at B-Class. This indicates you could potentially reach B-Class with continued growth."

  I could reach B-Class? Was this the power of mana?

  "Of course, it won't be easy. This is merely our projection based on historical data regarding growth possibilities."

  Past data? You mean the Artifact's power counts toward my Growth?

  Then reaching B-Class is just a pipe dream.

  "I also took the liberty of evaluating you based on your Artifact usage data. As an attacker, you've reached B-Class. However, your overall rating remains C-Class."

  Hah, I just wanted to test the Light Blade's attack power, never thought that would be included in the assessment.

  If we're only talking about attack power, is it acceptable to consider me B-Class?

  "Can I get promoted to C-Class now?"

  "Let me see. You should be able to after accumulating more field achievements."

  "Really?"

  "Yes, you've been working hard."

  I could actually reach C-Class... Just a few months ago I was only an E-Class without any proper Ability. I only grew this strong thanks to Oppa's support and Si-hyun's help in obtaining Mana.

  I'm especially grateful to Oppa for buying me the expensive Artifact.

  My records were updated like that. As long as my achievements meet the standards, I can get promoted without retesting.

  My steps felt unusually light on the way home. I'm different now, no longer that incompetent person who only relied on Si-hyun. Though it's not entirely through my own Ability, these Artifacts do belong to me, and this power is mine too, right?

  I can act with more confidence from now on.

  I happily rushed toward Oppa who was watching TV in the living room.

  "Oppa!"

  "Move, you're blocking the screen."

  "Thank you!"

  He caught me steadily and gave me a puzzled look.

  "What? Do you need something?"

  "I just wanted to say thank you."

  "Don't be silly, I'm watching TV."

  Tch, how boring. I left my dull Oppa and returned to my room.

  My phone was filled with messages from Si-hyun.

  Though they were all trivial matters, most showed concern about my recent situation.

  =You should know your limits Si-hyun

  -Sorry

  =If you work hard, I might accompany you on missions later

  -Really? You'll come with me?

  Now that I've grown stronger too, if I get promoted to C-Class alone based on achievements, I shouldn't be too much trouble for Si-hyun, right?

  =By the way, tell me if you get a girlfriend

  -I don't have one

  =I meant tell me when you get one

  He suddenly stopped replying.

  -I won't look for one

  =Why? Haven't thought about marriage?

  Don't many people these days say life is hard so they won't marry, always shouting about enjoying the present? Is Si-hyun like that too?

  No, thinking about marriage at 20 is indeed too early.

  Before he replied, I sent another message.

  =Ah never mind, why talk about marriage at our age? We can think about it in ten years

  -Ten years?

  =Yeah, don't men these days marry around that age

  -You know about that?

  =Can't I know?

  -Yeah but 10 years is too long

  Right, that's almost half of my life so far

  Si-hyun and I exchanged some meaningless messages

  I just saw Si-hyun yesterday, and I have work to do today too

  There doesn't seem to be any reason to reject Si-hyun now

  -

  @support me on Patreon for early chapter ???