Chapter 208 Jetlag
The Awakener Association building was always crowded on weekdays.
Hundreds of people lined up at various corners of the lobby, forming long queues undergoing various types of Awakener certification tests. Some of them appeared anxious, while others seemed calm yet full of anticipation.
Several long tables were set up in the middle of the lobby, filled with testing equipment and busy proctors recording test results. Bright lights hanging from the ceiling created a brightly lit atmosphere that filled the lobby. The walls were adorned with motivational posters and notice boards with information related to the tests.
Murmurs of various conversations could be heard, with some people encouraging their friends who were taking the tests, while others discussed specific strategies and techniques.
Klaus sat with a smile on his face on one of the dozens of chairs provided for test participants. The atmosphere awakened long-buried memories in his mind.
"Why are you smiling?"
A soft voice brought Klaus back to the present. Sitting next to him was a white-haired woman who smiled sweetly as her eyes remained fixed on his face.
"It's nothing, Sylvia," Klaus replied. "I just remembered the first time I came here."
Sylvia looked intrigued and continued the conversation, "Taking the certification test?"
Klaus shook his head. "Not me. I came here back then just to accompany Joanna for her certification test. But that girl managed to convince me to take it too." He looked at Sylvia. "And here we are. Who would have thought that chance would lead me to this point?"
Sylvia smiled when she knew what Klaus was thinking. Then she rolled her eyes at a brown-skinned girl sitting on the other side of Klaus. The girl stared at the floor while tapping her foot up and down.
"Hey, Zee. Are you bored waiting?" Sylvia asked gently.
Zee turned to Sylvia with an indifferent expression. She wasn't very interested in small talk and replied briefly, "I'm fine."
Sylvia smiled in response, even though she had to coax it out of her.
Today, Klaus brought Zee and Sylvia to the Awakener Association to get Awakener certificates for both of them. They both had different reasons for not being certified yet.
Sylvia had never had an interest in becoming an Awakener initially. Even since she became a member of the Rays of Hope, she hadn't obtained one. At the time, she had no intention of staying longer because she had joined the guild to repay Klaus for saving her younger brother. Now, Sylvia had changed her mind. She decided to take her career seriously.
On the other hand, Zee was slightly different. From the beginning, she had been doing the dirty work that didn't require certification. In fact, she avoided the certification test to avoid being registered in the Awakener Association system. Her reason for being here was Klaus.
He wanted to formally induct Zee into the Rays of Hope. With her talent, Klaus believed this girl could achieve an S-Class in the Awakener certification test. Besides improving his guild's power, Klaus did it to boost the popularity of Rays of Hope.
As Klaus waited in the crowded lobby, whispers and conversations were heard from the test participants. A man with gray hair and a striking appearance, accompanied by dozens of men dressed in all black, drew close to Klaus. Their presence immediately drew the attention of many people around, and the murmurs and rustling of clothes grew more intense.
The gray-haired man was Director Logan, the most respected figure in the building. People around him quickly made way for him, creating a corridor tightly guarded by his escorts. Director Logan greeted Klaus warmly in front of many witnesses in the lobby.
"Klaus! Why didn't you tell me you were coming here?"
"I was afraid of disrupting your busy schedule," Klaus replied.
"I always have time for you." Director Logan laughed. "What brings you here?"
The two of them seemed to speak in a language only they understood, and Klaus nodded in understanding. They both became the center of attention.
"Hey, let them go first. They're VIP guests."
After some brief conversation, Director Logan instructed one of his subordinates to escort Zee and Sylvia to the testing room. The two received envious looks as they bypassed the queue.
Meanwhile, Director Logan invited Klaus to have a private talk in his office.
…
Klaus quickly took a seat as he entered the office.
"Do you have to do all those things?" Klaus asked, referring to Director Logan bringing dozens of guards to welcome him.
"Of course. It's so everyone knows that Klaus Lee has connections with the Awakener Association Director," Logan replied.
Klaus chuckled when he heard that. He knew that what Director Logan was doing was unnecessary. This man intentionally did it to tie himself to Klaus. However, Klaus let it slide.
Director Logan took an envelope from the desk drawer and handed it to Klaus.
"This is what you asked for."
Apart from getting certification for his subordinates, Klaus came to gather information. The envelope contained crucial information regarding the dungeon in Oberstdorf, Germany. He couldn't fully trust Jacob, so he used his connections to confirm it.
"Everything you need is in there. Monsters, terrain, elemental tendencies, and various information related to the dungeon. Even the location of the Elder Elf."
Klaus nodded, impressed with Director Logan's network in gathering this information. They both sat down to discuss the next steps.
During their conversation, they discussed the strategy for finding the Elder Elf and how they could approach the creature without causing conflict or danger. Director Logan provided detailed information, preparing everything Klaus needed to confront the elf race.
"By the way, why do you want to go to Germany?" Director Logan asked. "You're not the type to help without conditions."
Klaus smirked, his eyes still glued to the brown document. "Why do you want to know?"
Director Logan cleared his throat. "As colleagues, it's good if we share information."
Hearing that response, Klaus chuckled. He could read the awkwardness in Director Logan without even looking at the man's face.
"You'll find out later," Klaus said, casting a hidden intent in his glance at Director Logan.
The gray-haired man furrowed his brow in curiosity.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Suddenly, someine knocked on the door from outside. When Director Logan instructed him to come in, the staff member appeared, his clothes soaked in sweat, as if he had run here.
Director Logan asked, "What's going on?"
With panting breath, the staff member delivered a report, "Director Logan, we have quite an extraordinary test result. A test participant has achieved Top-Class."
Director Logan could hardly believe his ears. Achieving Top-Class in the Awakener certification test was an exceptionally rare and outstanding achievement.
However, the next piece of news almost dropped his jaw.
"Who is this person?" Director Logan asked.
"Sylvia Brown."
Naturally, Director Logan rolled his eyes toward his guest.
Director Logan, with an incredulous look, glanced at Klaus, seeking confirmation. Klaus just smiled, leaving the man in gray-haired baffled.
And Zee got an S-Class ranking.
"This is big news. I have to inform HQ right away!"
As Director Logan got up to reach for the phone on his desk, Klaus immediately stopped him firmly.
"No. Not now," Klaus said.
Director Logan raised an eyebrow inquisitively.
Klaus instructed Director Logan not to spread this news to anyone. Klaus didn't give a reason why, but Director Logan felt that Klaus must have a strong reason.
Following the given instructions, Director Logan refrained from announcing this extraordinary test result. Then, Klaus got up from his chair and walked toward the exit.
"Why?" Director Logan suddenly asked.
"Just trust me," Klaus said, waving the brown envelope as he walked out.
Meanwhile, the staff member could only gape at the events he had just witnessed.
...
In the parking lot, Klaus met Zee and Sylvia, who were waiting patiently.
Sylvia, with a huge smile, approached Klaus immediately. Her eyes sparkled as she said, "Klaus, I can't believe it! I achieved a Top-Class ranking!"
"Congratulations," Klaus replied with a smile.
Meanwhile, Zee seemed very bored with all the commotion. She stood next to them with a blank expression, not particularly interested in the Awakener certification.
Sylvia eagerly recounted her experience in the test, but her curiosity got the better of her. "Why do we have to keep this a secret, Klaus? What's going on?"
Klaus put his hand on Sylvia's shoulder and spoke gently, "There are things we need to learn and prepare before sharing this news with everyone. But trust me, your achievement is outstanding and will be very meaningful in our mission."
Sylvia nodded, trusting Klaus completely. She knew that Klaus had a strong reason for his actions.
"Sorry for interrupting your romantic moment, but I have to go now." Zee chimed in.
"Hey!" exclaimed Sylvia, blushing.
As Zee began to walk away,? Klaus grabbed her shoulder. The girl looked at Klaus with narrowed eyes.
"Hold on," he said. "We won't be going home right away. We'll make a stop somewhere before heading back."
...
When Klaus brought Sylvia and Zee to a large hospital in Manhattan, the two women looked curious and confused. They wondered what Klaus was going to do here because they had no clue at all.
The hospital appeared grand and modern, with clean and shiny corridors and dozens of medical staff scattered around. Klaus led them through various hallways until they finally arrived in front of a VVIP room.
As the room's door opened, Zee and Sylvia cautiously entered. They saw a man who was being intensively treated inside. The man appeared very weak, connected to various medical devices, including tubes and monitors monitoring his condition.
The man's skin had prominent dark streaks, as if the blood flowing through his veins was black. His face looked pale and weary, and his eyes were closed as if he were asleep.
Sylvia and Zee gazed at the man with deep confusion. They didn't know what was happening and why Klaus had brought them here.
"Who is this guy, Klaus?" Sylvia asked.
Klaus raised his eyebrows, "You don't remember him?"
Sylvia shook her head.
"He is Gavin Schneider. He will be our new friend."
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