Chapter 98: Head of Law Enforcement
Abel sat in the lavish villa, surrounded by light streaming through the wide windows and the gentle scent of flowers that escaped the open flowers within this temporary home of his. The villa's beauty was undeniable, yet Abel’s thoughts lingered elsewhere. He had spent the previous night in quiet meditation, focusing on his ethereal star and feeling the constant pull of its bottomless energy. It consumed starlight without end, an endless reservoir, different from anything he'd read in the Tower’s scrolls. The answers he sought seemed elusive, especially without access to dungeons, as the Tower controlled those expeditions tightly. He understood that mana pools came with their own mysteries, but some obviously more difficult than others.
Abel yearned to understand his elusive star affinity, the mysterious runes that might amplify his powers, and the ancient nomadic ruins scattered near Reinhart. His control over his starlight had advanced, and the small orbs now danced between his fingers with fluidity, but they remained an enigma, incomplete formations whose full power he struggled to unlock. Experimenting, he discovered that these starlit orbs could not only intensify gravity but also relieve it, balancing him between heaviness and weightlessness. Curious, he spread them throughout the room, feeling the air grow almost buoyant, like the soft resistance of water.
A lightness seeped into everything as if the room itself floated in a gentle void, and Abel, along with the furniture, began to drift upward. He marveled, feeling a surge of exhilaration as he floated freely, watching chairs and tables lazily spin around him as if under an ethereal spell. Every item hung in midair, suspended as though sharing his wonder in this magical suspension. But, with one command, the orbs released their hold, and in a chaotic rush, everything crashed to the floor in a flurry of sound—wood clattering, vases shattering, and papers scattering in all directions.
"Great..." Abel muttered, staring at the fragments of broken vases now spread across the floor. The room, moments ago enchanted, was now a mess, but Abel couldn't help but smile. Although he couldn't comprehend constellations and how these formations could affect him and others, his knowledge of his affinity was indeed improving slowly but surely. The gravity control being stronger than before still felt a little heavy on his mana pool and it did require a large amount of mana for upkeep, but the uses were vast.
The knowledge he had gained in the Tower about constellations felt incomplete, as he couldn’t fully visualize them. He hoped the nomadic ruins could provide insight into the mysteries of the stars, perhaps helping him reach deeper into his celestial powers.
The villa, while grand, lacked one thing Abel desired: a basement. He wanted a space for private experiments and hoped that when he selected his future estate on Fifth Street, it would include that crucial addition.
His thoughts were interrupted by a noise from outside. Abel peered through the window and saw Jet standing by the gate. Stepping outside, Abel greeted him, shaking hands with the young man who was dressed sharply, exuding confidence and politeness.
“Good day,” Jet began, his voice smooth. “My father wanted me to help you settle in and make sure you’re well taken care of. I’ll assist in hiring staff for the villa—cooks, assistants, anyone you need. We’ll make sure they have clean records and simple backgrounds.”
Abel nodded appreciatively, glad for the assistance but still surprised by the lengths the town’s leaders were going to accommodate him. Jet then led Abel through several streets and toward the town's library, located just down Pine Street.
As they walked, Jet explained, “My father believes in knowledge as the cornerstone of any prosperous town. This library may be small now, but we’re working to expand it.”
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
The library’s interior was modest yet inviting, with a quiet elegance that struck a careful balance between simplicity and charm. The scent of freshly polished wood mingled with the faint mustiness of old pages, creating an atmosphere that felt timeless. Sunlight filtered through narrow, tall windows, casting warm, golden beams onto the neat shelves, which were organized with care, each book snugly tucked in place. The limited selection of books, primarily on mundane topics, gave the room a cozy feeling; the simple, handmade bindings hinted at the knowledge they held about the local culture and everyday life of Reinhart’s people.
The walls were lined with carefully carved wooden panels, displaying faint etchings of local plants and symbols, adding a sense of quiet reverence to the space. A single reading table stood in the center, its surface smooth and cool to the touch, with chairs that invited visitors to sit, read, and linger. Abel’s eyes lingered on these details, feeling the library’s gentle energy and savoring the atmosphere—a humble yet potent reminder that knowledge here was valued as much as in any grander library he had known.
After spending a short time admiring the library, Jet guided Abel down Pine Street to the Enforcement station, which served as the headquarters for the town's officers. The station was larger than Abel had expected, a sturdy stone building with armed guards patrolling the perimeter. Inside, the atmosphere shifted to one of discipline and order. The stone walls held paintings of previous officers or people who had contributed to the town. The guards, tough-looking men and women, wore matching black uniforms with a flower insignia on their sleeves that marked them as Reinhart’s enforcers. Their stern expressions softened as they greeted Jet, clearly recognizing his status in the town hierarchy.
Jet led Abel through the station’s halls until they arrived at Burt’s office. Jet waited outside, respecting the privacy of Abel’s upcoming meeting with the head of law enforcement. Abel entered the room, greeted by Burt’s strong handshake and the older man’s direct, no-nonsense demeanor.
“Good to finally meet you,” Burt said, his voice firm but respectful. His eyes studied Abel, not with suspicion, but with the careful gaze of a man who had seen much in his years. “I’ve heard a bit about you. Let me be clear: we’ve had another guest like you before, someone connected to the powers beyond Reinhart. He was sharp, but not as physically capable. I’m hoping you can bring something different to the table—something that keeps this town safe.”
Abel nodded, appreciating Burt’s straightforward approach. He could sense that the head of law enforcement was someone who valued strength and reliability.
“I’ll do what I can,” Abel replied, his voice calm but filled with determination.
Burt leaned back slightly in his chair, his face softening. “Reinhart is growing. We’ve had a few issues cropping up—strange occurrences, things I can’t explain. That’s where you come in. I’ll fill you in on the details as you get settled, but I want you to be ready for anything. I ask you to put the town first, and even if you are a guest our laws will still apply to you.”
Abel noted Burt's words with a quiet, focused nod, fully aware of the subtle yet significant task being placed upon him. Reinhart’s prosperity, as exciting as it was, came with hidden dangers—and it was clear Burt expected Abel to take on the responsibility of safeguarding the town against them.
Burt leaned in, his tone lowering. "Be cautious around the yellow forest to the east, past the flower fields. Word has it that some unsavory types are settling there, causing trouble for travelers. It's technically out of my reach, but keeping our town unaffected... well, I hope you'd lend a hand."
Amused but intrigued, Abel accepted the challenge with a nod. Exploring the surrounding areas aligned with his purpose in the town. "Understood. I’d appreciate any updates or details about this situation, as well.”
Burt’s eyes lit up, clearly pleased with Abel’s response. "Good. Expect to have a report waiting by your gate in a few days," he said, satisfied.
As the meeting wrapped up, Burt extended his hand again. “Welcome to Reinhart, Abel. I hope you’re ready for what’s ahead.”
Abel smiled and nodded, feeling a mixture of anticipation and unease. Reinhart was beautiful, prosperous, and full of potential, but beneath the surface, there was an undercurrent of danger—one that Abel was determined to uncover. With Jet waiting outside, Abel knew he wasn’t alone in his journey, but the path ahead felt both thrilling and uncertain. As Abel stepped back into the sunlit streets, his mind raced with thoughts of what was to come.