The second day’s "Whack-a-Mole" operation concluded smoothly.

A few trainees sustained minor external injuries, but no one was seriously wounded or killed—already an excellent result.

The training exercise lasted three days total, with only the final day remaining tomorrow.

As long as they participated in all three days and didn’t perform too poorly, the surviving trainees would generally pass.

On the final day, none of this batch of trainees died. With Byakuya present, accidents were simply impossible.

[Ding! Host led this batch of trainees through their training exercise. Reward: 50 Fusion Points!]

After Byakuya submitted his performance evaluations for each trainee to headquarters, the entire batch successfully passed their training.

Kuki Urie was awarded the rank of Rank 2 Investigator.

Ginshi Shirazu was awarded the rank of Rank 3 Investigator.

Saiko Yonebayashi was awarded the rank of Rank 3 Investigator.

Tooru Mutsuki was awarded the rank of Rank 3 Investigator.

...

Their starting ranks differed not because of performance variations during this mission, but because of their "backgrounds."

For instance, the Academy contained two institutions: the Ghoul Investigator Training School and the Ghoul Countermeasures Institute. Those entering the Training School typically came from well-off families and graduated as Rank 2 Investigators. Meanwhile, the Institute was mostly comprised of orphans or those from difficult backgrounds—no matter how excellent their performance, they could only start as Rank 3 Investigators upon graduation.

Even Juuzou Suzuya, favored by the General Chairman himself, had to start at Rank 3.

"Investigator Amaha, I’d like to ask you something, if you have a moment?"

Just as Byakuya was about to bid farewell to this batch of trainees, Shirazu approached him, looking somewhat nervous as he spoke quietly.

"Of course. Go ahead."

Byakuya replied amiably.

"I heard CCG is recruiting volunteers willing to be ’guinea pigs’ for some experiment, and apparently the compensation is pretty good. I wanted to apply for that..."

Facing Investigator Amaha directly, Shirazu scratched his cheek nervously.

His personality was straightforward—he openly expressed his desire for compensation even to a superior.

"Oh... you’re talking about the ’Quinx Surgery,’ right?"

Byakuya said: "I think that’s a good idea. You should try it."

He knew this surgery carried minimal risk. Before the operation, candidates underwent comprehensive examinations to rule out any risks before proceeding.

These examinations were quite stringent. In the original story, only six people initially passed. As for why the actual Quinx Squad only had Urie, Shirazu, Yonebayashi, and Mutsuki—the other two had probably withdrawn partway through.

It was obvious that an experiment with such high compensation and minimal risk would attract many applicants.

The only potential hesitation was that once you accepted the experiment, you had to work for CCG afterward. Those who hadn’t graduated from the Academy would need to complete their training first, while those like Shirazu who had already graduated could join directly.

"I’d like to try too. I just wanted to ask Investigator Amaha who I should contact to sign up."

Shirazu asked.

He’d only just heard about this and didn’t know the specifics of the Quinx Surgery.

Worried that the well-compensated slots might be taken by others, he was anxious to register.

Just then, Yonebayashi walked over and poked Shirazu: "What are you talking to Investigator Amaha about?"

"Oh... I’m asking Investigator Amaha about the ’Quinx Surgery.’ You wanted to participate too, right, Yonebayashi?"

Looking at Yonebayashi, Shirazu suddenly remembered she’d expressed interest in this before.

"Yeah, but you’re actually bothering Investigator Amaha with something this trivial. What if you’re interrupting his work?"

Yonebayashi complained.

"I was just too anxious. It would be bad if all the slots got taken."

Shirazu explained.

"Whatever. Anyway, it’s not just us two—Urie apparently wants to sign up too."

Yonebayashi said.

"What? That guy’s coming too?"

The thought of potentially working in the same squad as Urie made Shirazu immediately uncomfortable.

Working alongside someone who acted like a lone wolf with no concern for teammates... just thinking about it made him dread the days ahead.

"What? You’re saying I can’t join?"

Urie had arrived, immediately questioning Shirazu in a cold tone.

"You—just hearing you talk makes me uncomfortable!"

Shirazu said irritably.

"Likewise."

Urie responded flatly.

"I-I’d like to sign up for the Quinx Surgery too..."

Mutsuki, who had appeared at some point, timidly raised her hand.

"You too? Then we already have four people. Won’t there not be enough slots?"

Shirazu immediately worried about availability again.

"There will be. But since you’re so eager, I’ll take you to meet the person in charge of this ’Quinx Surgery’ right now."

Byakuya said.

"Really? Thank you so much, Investigator Amaha!"

Shirazu exclaimed happily.

"Thank you, Investigator Amaha."

Urie also spoke up.

Yonebayashi and Mutsuki likewise expressed their thanks to Byakuya.

"Is Byakuya-senpai taking them to the CCG Laboratory Building?"

Hairu, drawn by the commotion, asked Byakuya.

"Yes, to see Dr. Chigyou."

Byakuya nodded.

The person in charge of this Quinx Surgery (also called Qs Surgery) was CCG Laboratory Building’s Chief Researcher, Chigyou Kouitsu.

"Then I’ll come along too. It’s on my way home anyway."

Hairu smiled.

Her home was also in Ward 1.

"Sure, whatever you want."

Byakuya acknowledged.

"Speaking of which... won’t Byakuya-senpai be the leader of the ’Quinx Squad’ later?"

Hairu suddenly remembered this, then addressed Urie and the others: "You’ve basically met your future superior early."

"You already knew about this...?"

Byakuya was somewhat surprised. He’d assumed the Bureau Director would keep this confidential for now.

Hairu smiled: "Of course. After all, I’ve always paid close attention to Byakuya-senpai~"

...

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