The tablet lit up the moment the officer placed it on the reception desk. A blue emblem rotated slowly on the screen: KAMB. Korean Awakened Management Bureau.
The officer adjusted his posture, his movements clearly rehearsed. "As of today, the Korean government recognizes awakened individuals as a strategic national resource."
Mira raised her hand immediately. "...That sounds concerning."
The officer ignored her. "All awakened individuals operating within Korean territory must now register under the Awakened Management Act."
Kaida leaned against the wall, her expression flat. "Oh, they named it already."
"That was fast," Orion murmured, not even looking up from his book.
The officer continued, undeterred. "The bureau will maintain authority classification records, licensing permissions, and raid authorization."
Lucien's eyes narrowed slightly at the last part. "...Raid authorization."
"Yes," the officer nodded. "All gate raids must now be conducted through KAMB oversight."
"That would mean—" Seris started quietly.
"—Independent guild activity will be restricted," the officer finished for her.
A heavy silence filled the reception area. Mira blinked, the reality of it sinking in. "...Oh." She turned slowly toward Lucien. "They're trying to put us on a leash."
Garrick cracked his neck with a dull thud. "That's not going to work."
Throughout this, Cassian Verity stood quietly at the edge of the room. He was just observing, his gaze drifting across the members of Aurora Covenant as if he were measuring their reactions in real-time.
Lucien folded his arms. "You expect every awakened individual in the country to submit to a licensing system overnight."
"It is necessary," the officer said firmly. "Gates are now a global phenomenon. Without regulation, the risks—"
"—are political," Kaida cut him off.
The officer stiffened. Kaida tilted her head, gesturing lazily toward the group. "You're not worried about monsters. You're worried about us."
Cassian spoke up then, his voice calm. "The concern is stability."
Everyone turned to him. His expression remained neutral. "The appearance of SS and SSS-class authorities alters national power structures."
Mira blinked. "...Wow." She looked over at Lucien. "He really just said that out loud."
Cassian didn't react to her comment. Lucien studied the man carefully before saying, "You're honest."
"I prefer accurate."
The officer cleared his throat to regain control of the conversation. "The bureau's first directive is registration." He tapped the tablet, and a list of names appeared on the screen:
Lucien Ardent
Nox Caelis
Seris Elowen
Garrick Stonevale
Kaida Myrr
Orion Vale
Mira Solenne
Kairos Arvane
"Each member will submit their authority classification and operational status."
Kairos shifted slightly at the back. "...Operational?"
"Meaning active combat eligibility."
Kairos went still. Lucien noticed immediately. Before Kairos could say a word, Lucien answered for him. "He doesn't raid."
The officer glanced at Kairos. "That decision will be evaluated."
Lucien's voice cooled by several degrees. "No."
The room became very quiet. Seris stepped in smoothly to break the tension. "He is under guild supervision."
Kaida added casually, "And if the government wants to test his stability, they can go find another volcano to play with."
The officer clearly decided it wasn't worth pursuing the topic further for now. "For now," he said carefully, "registration will be sufficient."
He tapped the tablet again. "Additionally, KAMB will coordinate all future gate responses."
Orion finally closed his book. "...Meaning?"
"The bureau will determine which guilds are permitted to participate in raids."
Mira raised her hand again. "That sounds extremely biased."
"It will be based on authority rankings and threat assessments."
Kaida snorted. "Oh, that's definitely biased."
Lucien didn't smile. "And if a gate appears tomorrow?"
"KAMB will assign an authorized strike team."
"And if we get there first?"
The officer hesitated. It was Cassian who answered. "Then the bureau will evaluate the results afterward."
Lucien held his gaze. Cassian's eyes were still—completely unmoving. Lucien finally exhaled quietly. "...Good."
Kaida glanced at him, surprised. "That was easier than I expected."
Lucien shook his head slightly. "They're not trying to stop us." He gestured toward the tablet. "They're trying to control the narrative."
Cassian didn't disagree.
__
At that same moment, inside the KAMB provisional headquarters, Director Adrian Cross was staring at a large screen displaying Aurora Covenant's profiles: Lucien Ardent (SSS+), Kaida Myrr (SS), Nox Caelis (Unregistered).
Cross rubbed his temples. "Tell me we have a plan."
An advisor spoke carefully. "If Aurora Covenant refuses regulation, public perception will favor them."
Cross looked up. "That's exactly the problem."
Another screen lit up, showing the Global Authority Index again with three highlighted Korean names: Lucien, Elias, and Kaida. Cross exhaled slowly. "Korea just became the most dangerous awakening nation on Earth."
"What about Regulated Order?" the advisor asked.
Cross stared at the screen. "They follow the system."
"Then use them."
Cross nodded slowly. "Yes. If Aurora Covenant represented independence, then Regulated Order would represent control."
__
Back at the Aurora Covenant headquarters, the registration process finished quickly. Most of them barely paid attention. Mira had already started doodling on the tablet interface.
"Did you just draw a mustache on the government logo?"
"...Maybe."
Seris sighed.
Kairos stood quietly near the back of the room. Lucien glanced at him briefly. "You're not being evaluated today."
Kairos nodded. "...I know." But his eyes lingered on the screen: Authority Rank, Operational Status, Raid Eligibility.
Nox noticed the look. He didn't say anything, but he understood exactly what Kairos was feeling.
Cassian Verity closed the tablet. His job was technically finished, yet he didn't leave immediately. His gaze drifted across the room one last time—Lucien, Kaida, Seris. Then, finally, his eyes landed on Nox.
For a brief moment, Cassian frowned slightly. It wasn't confusion or suspicion; it was something closer to calculation. Then, the expression vanished. He slipped his hands back into his coat pockets.
"Registration confirmed."
The officer nodded. "We'll be in contact regarding future gate responses."
Lucien didn't respond. Kaida smiled politely. "Looking forward to it."
Cassian turned toward the exit. Just before stepping outside, he paused. He didn't turn around, he just spoke quietly. "Your guild's power metrics are... unusual."
Then he left, and the glass doors closed behind him.
Mira leaned over the desk. "...I like him."
Orion opened his book again. "That's concerning."
Lucien looked toward the door, and then toward Nox. The world had changed overnight; and now, so had the rules.