Hidden Management Department, Luo Shu's office.
"Out of over 30 examinees, 6 are Union spies? 7 harbour ulterior motives? 4 are informants from other mystic side organisations? And some are double agents?"
"They really think highly of my Hidden Management Department!"
Luo Shu looked at the psychological examination report submitted by Utaha Kasumigaoka and couldn't help but laugh.
Nearly half had issues, and among the remaining half who were clean, some were actually loyal to themselves or their families, planning to use the Hidden Management Department as a stepping stone.
How hilarious - using his organisation as a stepping stone? What nerve.
"Put all problematic individuals on the blacklist and never hire them again. By the way, ask Ania if her Luck Manipulation still needs fuel."
Luo Shu swiftly reviewed the documents before him, then handed them to Megumi Kato, who stood nearby. Turning his head, he spotted Utaha Kasumigaoka seated on the sofa across from him, his expression softening considerably:
"You've worked hard this time, Utaha."
"Just verbal appreciation?" Utaha, holding a manga volume and wearing red-framed glasses, shot him a coquettish glance.
Without missing a beat, Luo Shu replied:
"Physical appreciation isn't out of the question, but it'll have to wait until tonight."
"Ugh!" Utaha spat out, instantly understanding what kind of 'physical appreciation' he meant. "Keep dreaming. Who'd want that sort of appreciation from you?"
After scornfully eyeing this lecher, Utaha changed the subject:
"Speaking of which, the psychological state of this batch of successful candidates is quite impressive."
"Oh?" Luo Shu looked at her in surprise.
Utaha smiled faintly:
"They're vibrant and healthy. Except for Aya's mind being full of lewd thoughts, they're all wonderful kids."
"So that's what you meant." Luo Shu nodded in understanding before smiling. "They're all Familia candidates—it's normal for them to be a bit special."
"True, but Familia members all seem remarkably pure-hearted..."
Utaha mused aloud:
"Even the most unruly ones have pristine psyches. Even the Chairwoman, whom I find most terrifying, is an utterly straightforward person."
"Could it be that purity and kindness of heart are universal criteria for Familia selection?"
Compared to Utaha's sentiment, Luo Shu seemed more astonished:
"Lacus actually let you conduct a psychological examination on her?"
"Why not?" Utaha rolled her eyes before chuckling. "Or is there a more discreet mentalist in the SDS than me?"
"That's not what I meant. I'm just surprised she'd allow someone to peek into her mind."
Luo Shu couldn't help but add:
"How much must she trust you?"
'Trust me? More like she trusts your judgment in choosing people...' Utaha silently retorted before shooting Luo Shu a disdainful look:
"Our esteemed Chairwoman has far broader horizons than you imagine."
"Hmm... indeed very broad." Luo Shu paused before nodding solemnly.
Watching this, Utaha couldn't suppress an eye roll.
Though she couldn't read Luo Shu's mind, after so much time together, she could predict his every move—she knew exactly what he was thinking now.
'Broad horizons, eh? I bet they're soft and smooth to the touch, too...'
After a moment of exasperated silence, Utaha remarked offhandedly:
"By the way, Maya's younger sister sneaked into the assessments."
"Ah, that woman's sister?" Luo Shu's reaction was utterly indifferent, even slightly disdainful. "Once Aya settles in, have her train the newcomers in martial arts."
"What, are you planning to fire Maya?" Utaha nearly laughed as she said this.
Though Maya Natsume was diligent in her duty of training new Familia members in basic martial arts, her behaviour was strictly limited to clocking in on time and slacking off as much as possible, adhering precisely to her superiors' requirements without overstepping by even a hair.
Even when Luo Shu occasionally visited Maya, she would deftly extricate herself, never giving him any opportunity for contact. Most importantly, she was actively suppressing Aya Natsume's desire to join the Hidden Management Department.
After several such incidents, Luo Shu naturally grew resentful. And once resentment set in, he began to consider making Maya part of the Familia.
At this point, Utaha Kasumigaoka understood the situation had become quite serious. After all, to Luo Shu, non-Familia members breathing within the garrison was practically a crime.
This man, who only loved himself, though maintaining a facade of friendliness, shouldn't be mistaken for some kind-hearted gentleman who cared about everyone's feelings. Given Maya's current state, it wouldn't be surprising if she got sidelined at any moment.
In contrast, Aya Natsume was much better - obedient, sensible and well-behaved. Though her mind often wandered to lewd thoughts, even Utaha couldn't muster much wariness towards her childlike appearance, despite knowing her true form was that of a young adult woman.
"For Aya's sake, our Director should try to endure a little longer."
Hearing Utaha say this, Luo Shu merely raised an eyebrow without comment, changing the subject: "By the way, aside from the five members who passed the Familia entrance exam, there are three transfer students who need psychological evaluation from you, Utaha. Particularly, Asuna Yuuki - I need you to be thorough with her assessment."
"The three girls in the next room?" Utaha clearly hadn't been ignoring the visitors: "Asuna Yuuki - that well-behaved young lady with flaxen hair? Is she special?"
Luo Shu nodded, then added, "The nature of her awakened ability is very close to Origami's Class. Having personally experienced Origami's power, I couldn't mistake this."
Utaha immediately understood his meaning: "A replication of Metatron's Class?"
She wasn't unfamiliar with replicating Demigod Classes, having participated in the process. After all, all experimental subjects required evaluation by a trusted psychologist who could maintain confidentiality. She just hadn't expected Asuna Yuuki to show potential for successful replication.
At this thought, Utaha couldn't help remarking: "Who would have thought, aside from that Mahiru Shiina who's still under observation, there'd be another candidate suitable for a High Tier Class?"
She'd heard about Mahiru Shiina's natural affinity for the Nun Class.
However, since Mahiru's matters were handled directly by Sharon, Utaha knew little. Currently, only Sharon was pursuing the Nun Class system, having reached Hero Rank. Although it was a Top Tier Class, its applicability and advancement potential remained relatively limited.
Even if Mahiru Shiina eventually succeeds in reaching the Hero Rank of this Top Tier Class, she might be the only one to achieve it. The next successful candidate remains uncertain.
In comparison, paths like Eriri's High Tier Spirit Sorcerer Class seem far more accessible.
Of course, Utaha Kasumigaoka had heard that Sharon was researching an even more diluted path that could only lead to a Common Class, but so far, there had been no significant progress.
"Now that I think about it, if you tally it up, the Familia is actually researching quite a few Class paths!"
Utaha suddenly realised that the Familia was already exploring several routes.
Senhime Rin Getsu was researching the racial Class of the dog demon lineage.
Eriri's Spirit Sorcerer Class.
Kurumi Tokisaki's reverse-engineered Supreme Mother.
Origami Tobiichi's newly initiated Metatron.
Aya Tokoyogi's completed but unreported Witch Class, which she only shared with Natsuki Minamiya.
Mira Tsubakihara's ongoing exploration of the Alchemist Class.
And then there was Yukino Yukinoshita's Fairy of Knowledge Class, which only allowed a single individual to advance.
Counting carefully, aside from Luo Shu, the Hidden Management Department was indeed researching quite a few Classes—nearly ten—and that wasn't even including special cases like Kotori Itsuka or Nia Honjo.
Faced with Utaha's observation, Luo Shu shook his head:
"But the Classes that can truly be widely popularised are still far too few."
"In the end, our foundation is still too shallow. We can only make the most of the resources we have on hand."
For example, the degradation of the Demigod Spirit Classes—if Asuna Yuuki could successfully navigate it, it would be a boon for the entire Hidden Management Department.
Seeing this, Utaha smiled wryly and shook her head:
"Looks like we'll have to turn up the pressure on that Miss Yuuki."
Luo Shu narrowed his eyes slightly before calmly stating:
"Go ahead and do your best. Even the slightest result would be a good thing."
With that, Luo Shu turned to Kato Megumi, who had been quietly standing by:
"Megumi, go notify the newcomers and have them come over."
"Understood, Director."
Holding a stack of documents, Kato Megumi nodded and then left the office to summon the recruits.
After Megumi departed, Luo Shu took a deep breath and smiled at Utaha Kasumigaoka:
"Looks like you'll have some new faces calling you 'Senior' soon, huh?"
Utaha couldn't help rolling her eyes as she retorted:
"The way you say that makes it sound like I'm not already a senior."
"I am Familia Member No.1, you know."
Luo Shu chuckled in amusement:
"Yes, yes, my trusted No.1 confidante."
"So, would you stand behind me now?"
At this, Utaha smiled:
"With pleasure."