I’m in my much smaller and… easier to digest, room. The walls are wooden and while I can’t quite touch the ceiling, I’m close. There is a small stove, but it’s no kitchen like it was in the previous room. The bed is twin sized and while I’m a bit of a tight squeeze on it, it’s exactly what I’m used to, so I don’t mind a bit.

  Overall, a substantial upgrade from the last room in my book, though, I have a feeling not many people would agree with me on that.

  I passed out almost immediately after the assistant showed me my room, I couldn’t help it. While yesterday may not have been the most physically taxing day of my life, it definitely was one of the most mentally exhausting. Between the new revelations about gods, the countless people I was forced to stop and talk to while the assistant showed me around, and the countless snippets of new information about the wider multiverse given to me on the tour, I was dead tired by the time we reached my new room.

  I sit up and prepare to get ready for the day. I stretch briefly before heading out to where the food court was. Sometime during the tour, the assistant, who I somehow never got the name of, gave me a temporary card to use here for three free meals a day.

  Entering the food court, I see a whole host of professional looking people all over the place, with suited, business-like attire on. Each person converses calmly with each other, giving the atmosphere a very relaxed tone.

  Looking around, I do notice a few people that stand out from the rest. All of them are wearing some sort of martial arts garb with the side profile of a face engraved on the chest.

  One is a human man with black hair and some sort of runic tattoo on his face. He’s sitting very stoically next to the other two people I notice with the same garbs.

  The next one is some sort of floating devil-looking woman with ash colored skin and red hair. I watch as she floats lazily in the air above the black haired man while she chews on some sort of fruit.

  The final person is a meek looking person with a robe draped over their face, obscuring all their facial features besides two ominous glowing green orbs that I can only assume are their eyes.

  ‘Those must be the branch prospects that the assistant was telling me about.’ I think to myself.

  I remember him telling me that these people were all recruited right from this branch, one of them is even a rank 1 talent as I’m told, though I’m not sure which one. Apparently where you are recruited from is important, as you represent that branch in any organization wide events.

  Most branches are lucky if they have one, though with the size and scale of this city, it’s unsurprising that there’s more than that. Also it doesn’t help that most talents get recruited by lucrative deals from large superpowers at some point in their career.

  The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  That’s why so many powers not only allow, but even pay for branches to be opened within their borders, as it’s a great way to get talents without the hassle of training them. The very generous donations from former members, as well as tickets to events held by the organization, are plenty enough to not only keep Saving Face afloat, but also profitable

  Remembering what Bretta said I sigh and decide to go talk to them, though to be honest, none of them exactly look like conversationalists. So I bring my food over and sit down at the same table as them.

  “Hello.” I say somewhat awkwardly.

  They all look up and stare at me weirdly. When the robed fellow looks up, I notice that actually, the robe doesn’t obscure his face at all, because he doesn’t have one in the first place. Instead, in it’s place is some sort of black mist with two glowing orbs inside.

  The woman speaks up first,

  “Hello? Do you need something?” she asks somewhat rudely.

  “Ah, no I’m just I just thought I’d introduce myself, considering we may be fellow members pretty soon. My name’s Rowan.” I say.

  “Oh, another one. Listen, you potential prospects are a dime a dozen around here. So many of you come and go, it’s pointless to remember all of your names. How about this, you can talk to us whenever you actually pass the test.” She says dismissively.

  I stare at her somewhat baffled before recollecting myself.

  “I didn’t know there were so many applicants. Do you know how many there are this year at this branch?” I ask.

  “Yeah well, a lot of people think their top shit and like to just assume their a rank 2 or higher. In terms of numbers this year? Hmm, I think I heard Jimmy say there were around twenty or so. Though I’d be surprised if any of them made it.”

  “Really? That many? I thought there’d be less…” I say.

  “Nope, rich assholes love to just assume their better and stronger than everyone else, and in this city, there are rich assholes aplenty. All of them got in on ‘recommendation’ but really it was just their parents paying for it. I mean really at least try the trial test first so you’re not wasting anybody’s time.” She says, clearly annoyed.

  “Trial test?” I say right before instantly regretting my decision.

  She stares at me blankly before bursting out laughing.

  “Oh my system! You’re one of ‘em! This is great! No seriously! This is awesome!” She says, continuing to hackle like a witch before continuing, “I should’ve known, I mean look at you! Nice new clothes, clearly fresh out of awakening, innocent, hopeful eyes. You’re just another rich asshole who used mommy’s credit card to buy your way into a chance at joining! I mean seriously, do people like you really think you have a chance?! And the gall to come up and talk to us like you’re guaranteed to join! Ha! It’s great, really great!”

  As she speaks, my face morphs slowly and slowly, not out of anger, but of confusion.

  ‘What the hell is wrong with this lady? Is she alright? It feels like I’m witnessing some sort of manic episode.’ I say to myself.

  “Uhm, not to be rude or anything, but I think you’ve got the wrong idea here.” I say calmly.

  “Ha! Fat chance of that! Now get the hell out of here so we can enjoy our meal in quiet. Thanks!” She says waving her hand, motioning for me to leave.

  Sighing, I decide to just make my leave. After all, it wouldn’t do any good to cause trouble now, only one day away from the test.

  ‘Well, that could have definitely gone better.’