Luigi found himself absolutely calm as he prepared for the tests for the Hero Association. Both Saitama and Genos had made it clear to him that the tests would include basic physical fitness tests and a written test, and not actually involve any true fighting. He'd be demonstrating his abilities, and that would be that. Between Saitama's physical training, sparring with Genos, and having Genos tutor him on local laws and the regulations of said Association - the things the written test would be about - Luigi was confident he would give a good showing to make his teachers proud.

More than that, though, Luigi didn't have anything to prove. He was never the sort to put himself forward for glory or praise, and a permanent role as a Hero in this world was not one of his long term goals. If he did well, it would make his teachers proud. If he did poorly, it would in no way affect his judgement of himself, nor his long term plans. Nothing of any importance hung in the balance on the outcome of these tests. He would not coast through without trying...but nor would he stress himself out over the outcome.

As a result, he walked into the nearest testing facility with absolute calm, smiling and waving at the other hero-hopefuls testing there with him. To his surprise, this resulted in many of them giving him a wide berth, and the instructors looking at him with interest. He felt nervousness starting to build at that, but reminded himself of what he'd been told. No one would actually try to hurt him here. This was only about testing his limits.

With that in mind, he straightened his green cap and tugged at the straps of his new blue overalls. He'd torn both shirt and overalls getting dressed today, but Rosalina had appeared to provide him with new ones that wouldn't tear. ...Luigi wasn't sure why she was blushing so much while it was happening, though, and Saitama and Genos refused to comment on that other than chuckling.

Still, the new clothes fit him like a glove - especially the gloves, which Rosalina had specially made to repel blood and gore - and he felt more than ready to take on whatever a test could throw at him.

Luigi sat calmly in the orientation classroom with his results envelope on the desk in front of him, the top opened. He'd only opened it enough to see that he had been accepted as an official Hero. He hadn't looked any further than that, wanting to keep that information for when he could meet up with Saitama and Genos to reveal what Class of Hero he'd become.

He'd reviewed the Classes, of course. C-Class was the lowest, and thus had the most restrictions and the fewest benefits, and had a hero-work quota to stay in the Association. B-Class were pretty much the same as C-Class, but had contributed enough - or had gotten a good enough reputation - that they were considered of some value to the Association, and thus did not have a hero-work quota. A-Class heroes were the 'face' of the Association, and were carefully selected in terms of their power, their capabilities in terms of combat, and their ability to represent the Association...at least, that's what Luigi had interpreted from what he'd seen of Sweet Mask, the number one A-Class hero.

S-Class heroes were basically physical gods, as far as the Association - and much of the public - were concerned. They were only fielded to deal with opponents that required that level of power to deal with, as lesser foes would result in far more collateral damage than was warranted. Luigi privately thought of this class as the 'kaiju threshold', and had been amazed and honored when he learned that Genos was S-Class...though he was left wondering why Saitama was only a B-Class. Surely he was on the 'kaiju threshold' given what Luigi had seen of his strength.

...and if he wasn't, it left Luigi terrified about what did qualify for that.

To his surprise, Genos stepped into the classroom. "I was asked to do the orientation for the new heroes here," Genos explained calmly. "I was going to refuse at first, until I'd learned that you had been accepted Luigi. Congratulations."

Luigi got to his feet with a smile. "Thank you, Genos!" he replied happily. "I hope I did'a you proud!"

"What rank have you been assigned?" Genos inquired curiously. "I sincerely doubt if the physical or written tests proved any sort of challenge for you."

Luigi rubbed the back of his head nervously. "Well, they weren't that bad...but I haven't checked yet. I didn't wanna look until I could show you and Sensei." Over time sparring with Genos, he'd taken to using Genos' form of reference for Saitama. It made him feel closer to the blonde cyborg, and a little happy reminder that the Hero considered him a friend.

"Well, certain parts of the orientation lecture are Class specific," Genos explained, "and as you're the only Hero to qualify here this time around, it would save time if we were to know which part of the lecture I need to give you. Sensei has promised dinner at an all you can eat pasta restaurant to celebrate you getting into the Association, and we shouldn't keep him waiting."

"Alright," Luigi allowed. Reaching into the envelope, he slowly pulled out the sheet of paper, reading from the top to see all the information. "Congratulations on being accepted into the Hero Association," he read aloud, revelling in it since Genos seemed so pleased with him. "Hero Green Mario-"

"Green Mario?" Genos asked in surprise.

Luigi shrugged. "It's the name I asked to be registered under, unless ah got a nickname from fans," he explained. "Couldn't really think of any other nicknames I had back home." In truth, he'd asked for it to remind himself why he was doing this. He wasn't out for fame or for personal glory. He was out to better himself, so he could be more of a help to his brother. This wasn't for himself, it was for Mario. And that was more than enough for him. He pulled the paper out further, seeing the rest of the paper for the first time. The curve of the letter appeared first…

Luigi stared at what had been stamped there, fear slowly filling him as he realized what awaited him now. He began to shake all over as he read what to him was a death sentence, a promise of battles to come he would not be up to handling, of battles that weren't even what he was training for. "M-m-mama mia…" he stammered out as he dropped the paper, staring at the Rank he'd been assigned.

S-18.

Confused, Genos walked over to the desk to see what was wrong. "S-Class? It seems you pulled off what I did as well," Genos offered warmly. "Congratu-" He stopped himself as he took in Luigi's shakes, reminding himself what Luigi had come here to accomplish. To train to conquer his fear...and now fears he'd never imagined before coming here gripped him. Genos rested his hand on Luigi's shoulder. "It's alright, Luigi," he offered warmly. "It's going to be alright. Since it's in the records that you trained with me, you'll likely be assigned with me any time S-Class heroes are called in until you're adjusted, and they have a better sense of how you handle combat. Trust in yourself and Sensei's teachings, and you'll be alright."

Luigi took a few calming breaths. "I...I suppose you're right," he managed to say. "I mean...I've fought Bowser before when he goes gigantic...or when he's a gigantic skeleton. What could be worse than that?"

"Is it ready yet?" the shadowed figure demanded cruelly.

"Almost, your Horridness!" a fawning, toady voice responded. "The amalgamation has finally stabilize to a form...though it's not yet at full power. We will be able to open the capsule and speak to the being, now that it has chosen a face. Then we will be able to speak to it-"

The creature inside the capsule lashed forward, shattering the glass as its glowing form landed lightly on its feet, staring dispassionately at the figures before it.

"Muahahahahaha!" the shadowed figure laughed as it shifted to stare the beast down. "You like surprises, I see. So do I. And with you under my command, finally that blasted Princess will-"

"Stop!" the amalgam being interrupted, holding up one hand. It's body continued to glow in inverted colors, and its voice echoed oddly as though composed of the negative elements of audible sound. "No long winded speeches. 20 words or less."

The shadowed figure blinked in surprise, then turned to the subservient being he'd been speaking to before. "How strong did you say it was again?" he whispered.

"We can't get an accurate measure, your Awfelness," the lacky responded quickly. "But with the amount of magic it took to stabilize...just now it might be a good idea to go along until it agrees to cooperate."

"Hrrmmm…" The shadowed figure crossed massive arms. It plainly didn't like letting someone else dictate the conversation, but he also was uncertain about this new being's power. It turned to the being. "I stabilize you-" It stopped, and turned back to the lacky. "Is stabilize two words or three?"

"One, sire."

"Right." He turned back to the being. "I stabilize you. You repay me. Help conquer kingdoms, capture princesses, rule world!" He looked questioningly towards his lacky.

"Thirteen, your worshipfulness."

Nodding, the beast raised its hands, causing the lights to come on and reveal his form. "I am Bowser, King of the Koopas!" he declared with a roar, blasting fire to the ceiling from his mouth to add to his majesty.

The amalgam being looked at Bowser for a time, then nodded. "Okay."

"So...does that mean you'll work for me?" Bowser asked, wanting clarification.

"Sure."

"Yes!" Bowser declared, laughing maniacally as he braced his massive clawed hands on his hips. "With you at my side, no wanna-be hero or color coded plumbers will be able to stand in my way, uh…" He crossed his arms. "Who are you, anyway?"

"Me?" the being asked incuriously. "Nobody special." An odd, unsettling grin crossed the bland face. "I'm just a guy who's a villain for fun…"