Chapter 7 (6): The Badge Test and the Bureau’s Secrets
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
After being accepted into the summer tryouts, Amari meets recruiter Mr. Ware, who shakes her hand enthusiastically. He explains that the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs is the secret link between the human world and the hidden world of mythical beings—trolls, sphinxes, mermaids, and more. Supernaturals live among humans, and the Bureau keeps their existence secret to prevent fear and hatred. Amari is skeptical but more interested in news about her missing brother Quinton. Mr. Ware does not know what happened to him and deliberately avoids that kind of information to spare himself the distress.
Mr. Ware then showcases an InvisiTote (a magical briefcase) and a career guidebook with all Bureau job classifications. He explains the badge system: badges represent a candidate’s potential (intelligence, bravery, curiosity), with a hierarchy from Gold down to Notebook Paper. Amari feels disheartened when she sees Cardboard near the bottom—she assumes her background (a Black girl from the projects) guarantees a low rank. During badge testing, she uses a plastic tube thermometer that contains a red liquid. As soon as she puts it in her mouth, the liquid rises to the top so fast that the tube shatters. Mr. Ware’s reaction is a single word: “Interesting.” He hands her a Starter Kit with a note and shoves her out of his office, telling her to be at a certain address at 6 p.m. the next day.
Key Events
- Mr. Ware welcomes Amari and describes the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs and its secret guardianship of mythical creatures.
- Amari asks about her brother Quinton, but Mr. Ware refuses to engage with missing-person news.
- Mr. Ware shows Amari the career guidebook and explains the badge ranking system (Gold to Notebook Paper).
- Amari takes the badge test using a thermometer-like device; the tube shatters when the red liquid peaks instantly.
- Mr. Ware says only “Interesting” and gives Amari a Starter Kit and a location for the next day’s meeting.
- Amari is hurried out of the office without receiving a clear answer about her badge status.
Character Development
Amari
Amari begins this chapter with skepticism about the supernatural world, questioning whether it can be real. Her primary concern remains her missing brother, and she tries to learn what happened to him. When she sees the badge hierarchy, she immediately internalises a sense of inferiority based on her background—“of course the Black girl from the projects would have an awful badge.” This shows how her lived experience of prejudice colours her expectations even in a magical setting. The shattered thermometer hints that she may be far more powerful than she (or Mr. Ware) initially thought.
Mr. Ware
Mr. Ware is enthusiastic as a recruiter, but he is evasive about Quinton’s fate, jabbing his fingers into his ears to avoid hearing the name. This suggests he is either wilfully ignorant or protecting himself from traumatic news. His reaction to the shattered thermometer is controlled and deliberately ambiguous, leaving Amari—and the reader—uncertain about what it means.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Secrecy and Fear – Mr. Ware explains that the supernatural world remains hidden because people fear what they don’t understand, and fear can turn into hatred. This mirrors real-world issues of prejudice and othering.
- Prejudice and Hierarchy – The badge system is a literal ranking of potential, and Amari immediately assumes she will rank low because of her social status. The motif of being judged by external markers (e.g., cardboard badge) comments on systemic bias.
- Family and Voids – Quinton’s absence looms over the chapter. Amari’s attempt to get information is blocked, deepening the mystery and her drive to find him.
- The Unexpected – The shattering thermometer symbolises that Amari’s potential exceeds normal measures, subverting both her and Mr. Ware’s expectations.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 7 introduces the core setting of the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs and the badge system that will likely test Amari throughout the story. It establishes the tension between Amari’s low self-esteem and her actual, explosive potential. It also deepens the mystery of Quinton’s disappearance by showing that Bureau personnel are unwilling or unable to discuss it. The chapter ends on a cliffhanger, setting up Amari’s first real step into the supernatural world the next day.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Mr. Ware refuse to talk about Quinton?
Mr. Ware deliberately avoids any news about agents who have died or gone missing. He says he is the one who recruits them and would take the news too hard. This suggests a policy of emotional self-preservation rather than ignorance about Quinton specifically.
2. How does Amari react to seeing the badge hierarchy?
She feels discouraged and assumes she will rank low because of her background. She thinks, “Of course the Black girl from the projects would have an awful badge,” revealing how her experiences with discrimination affect her expectations even in a magical context.
3. What is significant about the shattered thermometer?
The thermometer is used to measure potential, and its shattering indicates that Amari’s potential is extremely strong—far beyond what the device can measure. Mr. Ware’s reaction (“Interesting”) implies he is surprised and perhaps worried, but he does not explain what this means.