Chapter 8: Formation

At the moment the name was inscribed, the paper underwent a subtle transformation. A faint blue hue emanated from the sheet, accompanied by a delicate sheen. Hill nodded in satisfaction and turned toward the counter.

“She is a supernatural,” Hill told the clerk behind the desk. “Take her for a supernatural certification.”

Upon hearing the term “supernatural,” the receptionist, who had been engrossed in her work, suddenly looked up, surprise flickering in her eyes.

“Trainee agent from Raindrop Commission, Xing Yu…” she murmured, repeating the name from the contract, then lightly tapped the bell on the desk twice. Instantly, the surrounding noise dimmed—

Had everyone stopped talking?

Xing Yu glanced back in puzzlement, noticing that the Bureau of Affairs appeared unchanged. People continued their conversations and transactions, but the cacophony seemed muffled, as if veiled behind an invisible barrier, distant and indistinct.

“Please follow me,” the receptionist stood and opened a small hinged door on the counter, gesturing for Xing Yu and Hill to come along.

Behind the counter stretched a dimly lit corridor. The three walked deeper into the building. Along the shadowed hallway, Xing Yu peered through slightly ajar doors, glimpsing vague figures moving within. She slowed her pace, straining to catch whispers and shouts faintly echoing.

“What are we going to do?” Xing Yu asked.

Hill’s face showed no trace of seriousness or worry. “Don’t worry, it’s just a simple test of your ability’s effectiveness and control. You haven’t been tested yet, right?”

They reached a door at the corridor’s end. The receptionist knocked. “Verification officers Kuna and Jingyi! A new supernatural has arrived.”

“Hi—Hill—”

Before the door fully opened, a warm, enthusiastic female voice called out. A cascade of red hair appeared first, followed by a figure bursting forth like a whirlwind, throwing herself into Hill’s arms and pushing him back several steps.

Kuna shook her hair excitedly, wearing an exaggerated expression. “The last time you brought a newcomer was three years ago, wasn’t it? I thought you’d never bring anyone again!”

“We’ve been short staffed lately,” Hill shrugged indifferently. “More people can’t hurt. The Raindrop Commission could use some expansion.”

Kuna hesitated, then held her tongue.

Jingyi stood nearby, his expression grave, radiating a solemn air. His hands clasped behind his back, he cleared his throat twice to interrupt the reunion and turned his sharp gaze to Xing Yu. “You’re here for supernatural certification?”

“Yes,” Xing Yu nodded. Jingyi’s piercing stare made her slightly uneasy—

Before her stood Jingyi, and beside him the seemingly carefree Kuna; both were supernaturals.

Kuna wore a dark red trench coat, exuding a casual and unrestrained aura as she chatted with Hill, seemingly unbothered by the occasion.

Jingyi, however, wore a fitted gray double-breasted uniform, businesslike. His coat was shorter, revealing a black holster at his waist.

“Tell me, what is your supernatural ability?” Jingyi asked.

“Information Reading,” Xing Yu answered truthfully.

“Oh! A mental fusion type!” Kuna suddenly perked up, linking her arm affectionately around Hill’s shoulder. “Not bad! Where did you find this kid?”

Hill shrugged helplessly. “By chance. I was just thinking about recruiting new talent when I met Xing Yu.”

Jingyi interrupted again, cutting off their chatter. “Since your ability is called [Information Reading], then activate it and show me and Kuna’s information.”

Xing Yu nodded.

“Your name is Jingyi, male, 178 cm tall. You are a notary and a level-three investigator with the Bureau of Affairs. Your supernatural power is [Truth Verification], which allows you to discern objective truth from falsehood.”

“The other is Kuna Fischer. Female, 185 cm tall. She is a notary and level-three agent. Her supernatural ability is [Flesh Symbiosis], a complex power involving consciousness sharing and life linkage.”

This was not all; Xing Yu’s Information Reading revealed even more detailed data, but she selectively chose what seemed most important.

However, after hearing this, Jingyi’s brow furrowed slightly.

Kuna refrained from further teasing Hill, instead looking at her with surprise.

They exchanged a quick glance, both reflecting mutual astonishment.

Hill perceptively noticed this and wisely refrained from probing further.

Xing Yu sensed the subtle shift in atmosphere and instinctively held her breath.

She vaguely realized that the information she had unwittingly glimpsed might have touched on some hidden secrets. This made everyone present somewhat uneasy.

“Is something wrong?” she asked.

“No,” Jingyi replied slowly, his tone tinged with barely concealed amazement. “Your ability… is far better than we imagined.”

“A promising talent!” Kuna said excitedly, her eyes shining with admiration and hope. “Information Reading is already rare, and we had low expectations. But if you can peer through others’ powers as well, that’s entirely different!”

“Xing Yu is the agent I chose. You know that, right?” Hill suddenly spoke, his tone noticeably colder and more resolute than before.

“Don’t worry, Hill, we’re not about to snatch someone from you!” Kuna said casually, standing on tiptoes to nudge Hill’s cheek. “Besides, there aren’t that many supernaturals to handle. We wouldn’t recruit a fragile rookie just to increase our odds.”

Jingyi ignored their banter and focused on Xing Yu’s ability details: “What range of information can you see? How long can you use it?”

“I can see information relatively close to me.”

…What did he mean by “how long”?

Xing Yu considered and answered honestly, “I can always see the information. It stays within my vision from start to finish.”

“That long? Strange…” Jingyi muttered, scrutinizing her from head to toe with a furrowed brow. “With your mental capacity, you shouldn’t be able to sustain such rapid and continuous use. How is that possible?”

At that moment, Xing Yu suddenly understood—

Her ability was different from others’.

After weighing it carefully, she decided to confess: “Actually, my Information Reading doesn’t require active activation. It’s always at work.”

“Doesn’t require activation?” Kuna exclaimed. “I’ve never heard of such a thing!”

“You mean you saw our information without actively using your power just now?” Jingyi’s frown deepened further, a mix of joy and worry crossing his face. “That’s illogical… It sounds like an unconscious constant activation, which should exhaust your mental energy quickly…”

Xing Yu felt a wave of confusion. She vaguely understood—her ability might truly be exceptional.

“Why worry so much? She’s grown this far. If there were any issues, she wouldn’t have survived until now,” Hill said naturally. “And I recall you notaries don’t research supernatural powers, do you?”

Jingyi remained silent for a long moment. Then he turned to Xing Yu, speaking solemnly: “Xing Yu, with your ability, I believe you can become an excellent agent. However…”

He paused, his gaze growing deep and contemplative.

“Sometimes, knowing too much isn’t a blessing. At times, appropriate ignorance is a form of protection—for you and for others.”