Checking Up

Cui Xuefeng went to the association today. He followed the time and place according to the earlier message. He arrived 10 minutes early to the room. It had a few medical machines and a bed inside. There was a woman in a mask inside. The mask wasn't a literal mask, it was a glamor. It tried to do what Cui Xuefeng uses to blur perception differently. Instead of changing how he is perceived, she changes parts of her features so she looks different.

She glanced at him as she typed and said, "You are early. Come in, and sit on one of the chairs to the left. I'm just finishing up." She returned to her computer before receiving his reply. She was speaking in another language. Luckily, he'd studied the languages on Earth ahead of time.

He knew she'd arrived at the room a few minutes ago. He was glad he didn't have to wait for whoever had the room before him. He sat down to wait.

A few minutes later she stopped and stretched her arms over her head with a long sigh. She took out a folder. She looked it over then took a few forms and clipped them to a clipboard on top of the open folder. "Mr. Cui, you are here for a general check-up and brain scan, correct?" She read off the papers. Her tone was friendly and professional. She began marking down something on the forms.

"I haven't been informed about it. What happens during these examinations?"

"The general check-up will be similar to your yearly check-up." She put down the board to talk to him. The language she used changed each time she spoke. Was this a test as well? "On top of the basics, we will also measure your mana and see whether you are suitable for training as a mage. Every new adventurer goes through it. The brain scan is done with a magic spell." She continued as if foreseeing his question, "No, I cannot read your mind. Nor can I see your memories." She chuckled, "Everyone worries about that at first."

He nodded. If she tried that, it may turn one of them crazy. It was more likely that nothing would happen, though. Even if creatures don't understand how to use mana, it's instinctive to guard one's weak points. Putting one consciousness into another is against the law in most realms.

She continued, "I'm simply going to get a gauge of your emotions through the chemicals, and then we will do what used to be called an MRI, and the magic equivalent. Did those clear things up for you?"

He shook his head, "I'd like to complete only the non-intrusive procedures, please."

"You don't have to worry. I graduated across the sea at the best Novus college in the world-" She continued talking about her credibility and achievements, listing out some very impressive titles.

Cui Xuefeng listened silently. He had seen the kinds of things their 'professionals' swore by. He wasn't about to let some idiot fumble around inside his body. Not that they would be able to get past his barriers in the first place.

She seemed to sense his resistance. Her voice slowly came to a stop. "Well, let's begin with non-intrusive and go from there, shall we?"

He nodded. He went along with her poking and prodigy for nearly two hours.

"Alright, that should be the last of it. Let me just transfer the last of it into the computer."

He went into the bathroom to change back into his clothes. He left the hospital gown in the basket inside as directed. When he came back out the woman had removed her glamor and smock.

"Cui Xuefeng?" She confirmed coldly, "Come with me, please." She didn't use any distracting languages this time.

He followed her into an elevator. They rode to the top of the building where she sat behind a large desk. She motioned for him to sit. There was no nameplate on the desk.

"It has been brought to our attention that you have some unusual claims pertaining to your awakening. Why don't you tell me about them?" She stared at him expressionlessly. Her friendly persona had disappeared completely.

"What do you want to know?"

She opened a folder on her desk and pretended to read it. "You claim to have entered a portal. Tell me about that."

"Which one?"

"There are many?" She raised a brow coldly and marked something down with her pen.

He sat back in his chair and sighed. "Are you asking as my overseer?"

Her hand paused. She looked up at him. His expression was bored and a little fed up. She put down the pen, "You are as impressive, Mr. Cui. When did you know it was me?"

He didn't respond.

"I see, it was never hidden, to begin with, was it?" She paused, "Don't worry, I am qualified to carry out your tests. Though my mana could not pierce your obstructions, I did not find any problems with the other tests. You will have to manually go through tests to check your mana anyway, you understand." she seemed to have come to certain conclusions about him based on his 'blocking her mana'.

He did know what she was doing. Throughout the tests, she had tried poking and prodding with her mana. He didn't get through her barrier, of course. Not to mention that her mana was corrupted. So it especially didn't get through.

Although he could filter the mana from the air before it entered the body, once it was circulated through it became a part of them. It was connected to their core. In a way, their mana was a type of mana. It's just that it was a toxic type.

"That's fine."

She sighed.

He continued for clarifying, "The mana on Earth is toxic. I've mentioned this. I'm sure you've heard it?"

She frowned.

"Your core is made of the mana around you unless you have a way to block it and cultivate it.

Her eyes narrowed, "You mean you were just blocking a poison? Do you have a way to block and cultivate it?"

He shrugged.

She seemed to expect such a response. This was a relationship of give-and-take. It would be foolish of him to give up his hand without them offering anything in return. He was telling her this so that he could give them a taste of what he could offer.

"So if the mana here considered a poison-type? Or dark-type?" She quickly caught onto something in his words.

When she saw he didn't understand what she meant she clarified, "What I mean is--How is our mana viewed in the other realms?"

Humans had come across other intelligent races. However, they were either hostile or avoided humans. Until now the only race they'd been able to communicate properly with are the crossers.

He found an example, "I heard someone talking about a fight. Someone ordered their dog to kill someone."

She'd heard about the controversial news article going around. According to the law, the dog was put down. Some fought for the dog who believed he was just a good, loyal dog. The dog had many videos online and could be considered a semi-popular pet star. So it was known he was loyal to his owner. He was smart and good at following instructions to the letter. Yet, because his owner had personal problems with her lover, the dog obtained the label of a murderer.

"In this situation, are they the dog? And we are the victims?"

He shook his head, "The owner or the order is mana, we are the dog. The intelligent races are the lovers."

She cursed.