Master Of Astral Summoner-Chapter 145: Waiting

"H-hold on for a second."Shaan frowned. "Where are we actually going?"

"The quarantine house. We need to check your condition and your daemon," the officer explained. "We want to make sure all participants and their daemons stay in top condition."

"I see."

"Hurry up, we need to move now," said the officer in black glasses as he walked ahead. "Many other participants are still waiting."

Without hesitation, Shaan quickened his pace and followed the officer, who was already several steps ahead, until the officer finally stopped.

"We’ve arrived. Welcome to the quarantine house."

"Wait, you’re kidding, right?"

Shaan froze. He slowly lifted his head when he saw the size of the quarantine house, which looked nothing like what he had imagined. At first, he thought the building would be about the same size as the houses in Twilight Sanctum, since he had never seen any grand or massive buildings there except the cathedral. But once again... his perception proved wrong.

"Hey, what are you doing standing there?" shouted the officer at the entrance. "Hurry up, time is limited."

"Ah, alright."

As Shaan stepped inside the quarantine house, a woman’s voice immediately welcomed him. With a friendly smile, the black-haired woman called out to him at once.

"Welcome, gentlemen, to the quarantine house—the resting place of the daemons," said the female officer with a smile. "How may I help you?

"We would like to inspect a prospective participant of the daemon hunt-rite," said the officer wearing black glasses. "He is the candidate."

"I understand." The female officer directed her gaze toward Shaan. "In that case, please state your identity and your daemon’s name, Sir."

"Shaan Devansh-Robin Hood."

"Very well. Please proceed to the examination room. An officer will check your condition shortly."

"Alright, I get it."

"Mr. Shaan, please follow me. I will escort you to the examination room," said the officer with black glasses as he walked past the female officer. "This way."

"Okay." Shaan nodded.

As Shaan followed the officer, he could see several other candidates in the same room as him. However... none of them spoke to one another. They only exchanged cold stares, as if they viewed everyone else as an enemy.

’I don’t know, but the competitive aura feels... so strong.’ Shaan shook his head. ’Everyone seems so determined to win this event, no matter what it takes.’

"Mr. Shaan, please come in," said the officer, opening the door in front of him. "The examination will begin shortly."

"I understand."

Shaan stepped inside and was quite surprised to see the unusual shape of the room. The room was hexagonal (resembling a honeycomb) and lined with white walls. Not only that, but the floor also used the same hexagonal pattern and color, giving the entire room a simple yet elegant appearance.

"Please remain inside this room, Mr. Shaan. Another officer will start the procedure."

The officer slowly closed the door, and silence immediately filled the space. Shaan then decided to look around the room while waiting for further instructions from the officers.

’What is this circle?’

When Shaan noticed the circle, he frowned. For some reason, the symbol looked almost identical to the one inside the astral capsule—only this time, the design appeared far more complex than before

’I’m just wondering what kind of symbol this is?’

Shaan’s expression stiffened as one of the walls inside the room suddenly moved, revealing another room identical to his own. Even more strangely, a young man wearing a green cloak stood inside that room, facing away from him.

"Ro-Robin Hood?"

[Sh... Shaan?] Robin Hood immediately turned around, hearing someone call his name. [Hey, glad to see you again,] he said with a smile.

Shaan let out a breath, and relief softened his expression. "Robin Hood, thank goodness you’re alright too."

[Yeah, my energy has fully recovered, and I feel much fitter now. One hundred percent—at peak condition.] Robin Hood moved both of his arms like a boxer warming up. [Just so you know, I’m more than ready to wipe out those creatures of darkness now,] he said with complete confidence. [Bring all those damn creatures to—]

"Ahem!"

"Alright, Mr. Shaan and Robin Hood. Please step into the energy circles in front of you." The officer’s voice came from one of the loudspeakers in the room. "We will begin the examination."

Both of them stepped into the energy circles at the same time. Moments after they entered, the circles began to spin at an extremely high speed, releasing a golden-yellow light that surrounded their bodies.

’Wh—what is this?’

Suddenly, the scale-shaped symbol on Shaan’s palm began to glow as well. The light quickly spread throughout his entire body. A warm sensation flowed through Shaan, identical to the feeling he experienced when the Seven Virtues Serum entered his body.

[Data scanning has been completed.]

[System will shut down in 3...2...1.]

The energy circle surrounding Shaan stopped, and the system notification disappeared from view. With a puzzled look on his face, Shaan slowly stepped out of the magic circle beneath him.

[Wait, that’s it?] Robin Hood’s confused voice echoed from the adjacent room. [What happens after this?]

Shaan shrugged. "I have no idea what happens after that either."

’Knock! Knock! Knock!’

"The process has finished, and you may now leave this room." The officer wearing black glasses appeared from behind the door. "I will hand you your report outside."

"I get it."

"Robin Hood will return to his room under the guidance of a homunculus."

"All right, I understand," said Shaan, walking towards the exit. "See you, Robin Hood. We’ll meet again."

[See you later, Shaan. Stay safe.]

Shaan slowly closed the door, leaving Robin Hood behind. The officer then handed him a dark blue folder that he held in his hand.

"Based on your examination results, so far, your condition and Robin Hood’s are still stable. There are no suspicious signs," explained the officer. "Before the Hunt-Rite event, there will be another examination to ensure you are eligible to participate in this event."

’Damn... I didn’t expect the examination process to be this strict.’

"Alright, then you may leave this place," the officer said, occasionally adjusting his glasses. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Shaan."

Shaan stepped out of the quarantine house and tried to look for Nalira and Chelsie. However, he couldn’t find either of the two women anywhere in the area. Strange. Where had they gone?

"I’d better sit there and wait. That’s much better than having to run around looking for them."

Shaan sat down on a metal bench that faced the exit of the quarantine house. His eyes quickly scanned everyone who walked out of the building. Still... he saw no sign of the two women.

"Hmm.... Where are they actually?"

’Thud!’

"What is that sound?"

Shaan turned his head to the side and spotted Sebastian’s brown pocketbook lying on the ground. He slowly picked it up, and for some reason, curiosity seemed to push him to open it—perhaps the pocketbook hid a secret inside.