ACCR Chapter 1 Interview

FAY 437,2nd Month, Day 7, 8:55 AM

'Chin up! Straighten your back! Make your face impassive!'

'Bakung! Narrowing your eyes doesn't translate into impassiveness. Your expression must be the natural you without any emotion displayed upon it!'

Even the words, an echo of memory from my mother couldn't entirely chase away the butterflies fluttering within my stomach. I had nailed her instructions to a tee, but my steel core was blatantly giving my entire demeanor away because of its erratic pulsing, which was affecting the streams of spiritual energy within me, making them turbulent enough that some of my spiritual energy was leaking from my pores.

The reason for all this was simply a single thing, I wasn't here for merely a job, but also some form of protection. I had done my research extensively, through every avenue I could use.

Those that had had stellar reputations had either refused, or revealed that there was more to them that meets the eye.

One Venerable had even hinted at the possibility of marriage! Disgust had rippled through me the moment he had even offered.

I didn't like being treated as a commodity! And his harem had even been composed of scheming bitches without an ounce of true affection that I could see.

'A deep breath!'

I exhaled a little bit of my grey spiritual energy, which turned into molecules of steel I reabsorbed before they could reach the ground.

I decided to examine the room as I waited for the person supposed to be interviewing me to arrive.

I had been early, earlier than the set time by about five minutes, which made it so that there was no cause for me to become dissatisfied.

I was seated on a lone chair by the entrance, of the office. There was a levitating slab of what I could only take to be rock, polished to a marble-like glow within the soft white light of the bands embedded within the black walls.

They weren't a mere design esthetic, instead acting as conduits for spiritual energy to be delivered wherever it was needed.

On the slab, there was nothing on its surface except for smaller bands of light that criscrossed into a grid pattern that served to enhance the beauty of the rock. It was on the far side of the room, near a window, which was just a screen displaying the outside scenery in realtime instead of the real thing.

Before the desk, there were two comfortable couches, a velvety red, facing each other, leaving a space wide enough for a small black table to settle between.

A small frown graced my face as I observed a lack of anything humanising within this room, a telltale sign that this wasn't an office meant for a human.

It could be that the owner was a minimalistic person, but I didn't think so after perusing Mr. Mumaso's profile.

My nervousness partially vanished for a moment upon realising that the man himself might not show up.

Being in the presence of a Nascent Soul cultivator was something most definitely bad for the nerves.

Even when they tried to restrain their auras, it was hard to not develop feelings of either fear, or awe. And right now, I needed to be calm and stoic, with all the faculties of my mind in good order.

Then I felt it, the shift in the air particles upon my skin as a rush of others pushed through the opening sliding door, bringing my attention towards the entrance to my right side.

A male android, one with metallic skin and blue bionic pupils entered the room, with the scent brought upon due to the friction of its suit with metallic skin tickling my nostrils.

"Ah! Miss Toba! I wasn't expecting you for another 2 minutes! If I'd known that you'd be this early, I would have arrived faster!"

It spoke with genuine enthusiasm in its tone. I stood up and clasped the hand held out in greeting.

"There was no need for you to drop everything and rush here. I wouldn't have minded the waiting." I said, though feeling more nervous than my outward expression was letting on, probably...

"Come! Come! Come! That isn't a seat suited for a matriarch! Its just a spare one, in case the couches are all occupied, which is in itself a rare occurrence!"

The male android walked away, with his words enticing me to follow him. I chose the left couch, while it continued on, turning right at the levitating rock slab, with its black shoe covered feet taking it to the wall, where a partition slid out, exposing something resembling an extruding machine.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

"Would you fancy a cup of coffee? Cause am famished!"

When it looked towards me, I gave a tiny nod, with the butterflies in my stomach settling down at its attitude.

"I still don't know your name."

"FAIB Paul. You can just call me Paul."

A Federal AI bot?!

That caused a minor shock to ripple through me.

"I know that look. Many have had that same one when I revealed my affiliation. And the explanation isn't something complicated. I was just loaned out to Mr. Mumaso. That's what happens when someone is valuable enough to the Federation."

'Well, being one of the top five richest people in the world can really grant privileges!'

"Anyway, here's your coffee." While lost in my thoughts, a steaming mug, releasing a pleasant aroma that stimulated my hunger was presented to me. Only spiritual plants and meat were capable of drawing out such primitive instincts within me, and they also had to be at a certain level.

I took it, with a plate of snacks that looked like biscuits, yet as soft as cake.

"Why was I summoned here? Was there something missing within my documentation?" I asked while inwardly gushing at the heavenly taste when I took a bite of one of the weird treats.

"Nothing of the sort! I only wanted some additional information. From the myriad of applicants, you and a few others are the only ones who have managed to qualify for this stage in the process." Paul explained while sipping a beverage that was releasing a blue glow from a transparent cup riddled with array lines.

"Is that... What I think it is?" I asked as another minor shock threatened to ripple through me.

"Yes, over 99% pure liquified spiritual energy."

"How is it staying in that cup without turning to gas and scattering into the atmosphere?" I asked while leaning forward to take a closer look.

"This container is special. The formation inscribed upon it is a hard one to mass produce, leaving it as a privilege of the few, except for large scale ones of course."

My clan doesn't have something like this! These Nascent Souls really have the means! Or should I attribute this to the Federal Government?

"Now that you have managed to triumph over those butterflies, let's get this show on the road."

The moment Paul spoke, I froze. I had been so taken by things I didn't normally see that my stoicism had slipped! My mother would have had a field day with it if she were still around.

"Was I that obvious?" I asked curiously. I had been sure that all that had been kept inside.

"Your body language. Auras can be masked, but body language always finds a way to let out the true feelings of a human."

"Is that envy I feel?" I playfully asked.

"Yes... Being confined to an android body because of a law... Anyway, let's get back to the main point."

I took a deep breath letting the other topic he clearly didn't want to speak about, go.

"We have had many applicants with great resumes, but yours... Yours was something we hadn't even expected!"

The shock within the words was palpable. Even after days of the actual submission, Paul appeared to still be captured by that. I couldn't fault him on that. Because even I, a few weeks ago, might have been shocked. But circumstances and the whims of the universe were things no one could predict.

"Isn't this a drastic course of action on your part even though you are metaphorically being pushed against a wall by that sect?"

"My reasons are many. But they aren't important Mr. Paul. Are they?" The nervousness had returned in full force.

"If we give you a job, that means we will have to contend with them. And that, my dear, is something that my boss is wondering about. Are there any potential benefits to recruiting you?"

"Mr. Paul, in two centuries, I have enabled my clan to not only survive, but thrive enough that we currently boast Core Formation cultivators in our ranks even without my inclusion. Isn't that enough to prove my abilities? I am also certain that you have at least perused the history of my rise." I spoke with a confidence and bravity I didn't feel inwardly. But my mother would have approved.

"Yes, we have. But those superficial things aren't why you were summoned here. What I and my boss want to know is one thing. Are you really worth us betting on you? What is your drive? What really made you turn away the position of a matriarch of a clan, with power at your fingertips, to ask for a job as a secretary?"

"Those are many questions." I said to buy myself a few seconds such that I could get my nebulous thoughts in order.

"And they all only require a single answer." Paul retorted, leaning back into the red velvet while awaiting my answer, and giving me time to arrange my thoughts.

"Since young, everyone in the clan has treated me, my mother and sister well, except of course, for my father."

"These people are the ones am fighting for. So what if I have to grovel before you! So what if I have to lose my authority!? If I can save them from the tyranny of Zeus, then it will be worth it."

"Well, that had my eyes sparkling. A naive way of thinking...and yet, it has just managed to save you and your clan from becoming sect slaves. Though, you shouldn't be happy yet. There are still many things to go over before you get to meet the boss, Ms. Toba."

I strained to hold in my joy, fighting to prevent my lips from curving upwards.

"Though, there is something I am curious about..." Paul started as I picked up another piece of pastry and enjoyed my cup of coffee. It hadn't gotten any warmer or colder, and with what I could feel, there were arrays at work within, feeding off the ambient spiritual energy particles in the air. With a nod from me, he continued.

"...would the people you are helping so much do the same for you?"

"Yes." There was no reason for any hesitation. I had grown up with them, enduring hard times, the good times, and many other experiences that had pushed our bonds to the limit.

"..." Paul remained silent at that, but I was certain he wanted to speak more, yet for some reason all that left his lips was an exasperated sigh.

"I believe you came prepared for an extensive trip...?"

"What do you mean, Mr. Paul?" My heart skipped a beat. There was only one place we could go to after here...

And the thought of finally meeting my boss brought back the butterflies.

"Our next destination is the khaatam. You will need to be sufficiently prepared for the meeting. I could give you a few hours..."

He let the offer hang while awaiting my response. After a bit of inward wrangling, I took it and was ushered out of the office.

"Meet me atop the roof at exactly noon!"

That was the only request before the door sealed itself, and I was left alone in the corridor, which was largely empty and silent.

My lips, which I had been struggling to maintain within a thin line curled upwards as excitement caused my aura to surge out of my pores and encase me in a greyish metallic sheen before I curbed it.

I have succeeded!

With a spring in my step, I bounded away to search for a place where I could have the privacy of initiating communication.