Chapter 250 - Nosy Officers

The more Kai studied him the more certain he became. Lou had grown as tall as Flynn and twice as muscular, but behind his short beard, his studious gaze was the same—especially when he looked at him disapprovingly.

Hmm… maybe I should stop staring at him.

Kai hung his head low, his ears burning for such an embarrassing mistake.

It’s normal to stare at strangers if they’re so freaking huge. Why did no one warn me he would come here? Is he not part of Valela’s plan?

He searched Lou’s face for an answer, but what he saw was a visage of cold professionalism. There was no hint of recognition or common understanding.

I guess his silence is already confirmation, though it wouldn’t kill him to flash a smile after two years. It’s nice to see you’re doing well.

Whatever awkwardness Mat showed, it would fit with the image of the timid young alchemist he was trying to cultivate. His supposed father had kept him hidden from the world since his mother tragically passed away. It would be strange if he acted like an ordinary teenager.

The leading enforcer snapped his fingers in front of his face. “Are you listening to me, boy? You’re really mage Cyrus Veernon’s son?”

Mat mutely nodded, hands nervously crumpled the hem of his shirt.

The struggle between the political and military wings of the Republic had continued to simmer during his disappearance. While the council guards had taken over the security of towns and cities, the military enforcers held the jurisdiction over major investigations—such as the passing of a third circle mage.

I just have to hold on till Valela can take over my case.

“Can’t you speak boy? Why were you never registered?”

Bel threw a scolding glance at the officer. “There is no need to shout. Matthew has always been a bit shy. His father didn’t let him out of the property for his safety.”

“It’s okay…” Kai mumbled, still focused on his hands. “Father saw no use in registering me. Said the clerks wanted to get him out of the house, so they could steal his work.”

“What…?” The officer looked unsure of how to react to the nonsense.

“Master Cyrus was always a bit of an eccentric man.” Bel smiled with a look that said eccentric didn’t even scratch the surface. “Is there anything else you need to know? Matthew has already lost his family. I can show you where we buried his father.”

“Do you have any proof he’s mage Cyrus Veernon’s son?”

“What more proof do you need?” The old woman waved at Kai’s face. “He’s right in front of you, the spitting image of his father.”

“Unfortunately, we don’t possess any description of the deceased, ma’am. What about his mother?”

“What do you think?” Bel pursed dried-up lips in disapproval as if in front of a particularly dumb child. “Do you want me to spell it out in front of the boy?”

“Ehm, it’s my duty to investigate every possibility.” The officer lost some of his certainty. “The Republic can’t let the boy inherit the estate without verifying his claim and the proper documentation.”

At least they don’t suspect the truth.

No one would ever imagine Kai impersonated a fictional boy to acquire a background free of scrutiny. A sham to steal the inheritance was a much easier motivation. Or maybe the Republic just wanted to use the lack of paperwork to confiscate everything.

“I don’t have anything…” He bit his lip. “But Father taught me to brew…”

The man looked at him dumbly. “Brew…?”

“Yes, alchemical potions.” Kai wore what he hoped was an embarrassed smile. “He said I was quite good and had taken after him.”

It wasn’t orthodox proof, but what were the chances a mixed kid also knew Alchemy? He just had to get over this nosy officer to let Valela take charge.

The enforcers headed back to the porch to convene among themselves. Lou stood aside for a while before leaning in to whisper something that made them splutter.

“You’re only here as an observer,” the second enforcer hissed.

“You can check for yourself,” Lou said before returning to his impassive position.

What’s that about…?

Two clumsy skills touching his aura answered the question. Instead of retreating, the officers grew more insistent, double and triple-checking, disbelief growing on their faces.

Well, this works too. I’ve got a higher grade than them at half their age.

Even if they thought Cyrus had used elixirs to enhance his grade, that was already proof that Mat was his son. No one else could have reached that level.

“How old are you, boy?” The lead enforcer weighed him, suspicion swapped for a mix of surprise and greed…?

“I— I’m fourteen, al— almost fifteen.”

“If that’s everything, why don’t we get going? I can answer any more questions.” Bel thumped her gnarly cane between them with an air of finality. “Matthew has been through enough.” Then her tone softened at him. “Why don’t you go grab your things, dearie? It’s not good to stay in this big house alone.”

Seeing that none of the officers complained, Kai bobbed his head and headed upstairs to his room. He slumped on the dusty bed, while Mana Observer discreetly kept track of their position.

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Why is this so stressful? I hope Lou knows what he’s doing.

The reveal of his grade erased any doubt about his identity, though that would attract a different kind of attention. The old housemaid led the group to Cyrus' burial site. The enforcers glowed with a series of skills before nodding, satisfied.

Time to leave.

Kai rubbed his eyes red and went to wait by the main entrance with his bags.

“My condolences for your loss.” The investigator offered an empathetic smile that stank of fakeness. “It must be hard for you.”

“Uhm… thank you.”

“You can come with us to the precinct. You need to be registered and have proper documents to inherit the estate. Just some routine paperwork, it won’t take long.”

Yeah, I’m sure you find teenagers isolated on an island every other week.

“I…” Kai looked at Bel with wide eyes. In the mad rush to get him here, Valela’s instructions couldn’t cover every detail and eventuality.

“Don’t worry, dearie. I’ll stay with you till the situation is resolved.” The old woman gave him a motherly smile.

Perhaps put off by the state of disrepair, the officers showed no interest in the house. They headed down the dirt trail to the beach. Mat threw frequent looks back at the place of his childhood, letting himself get consoled by Bel. He was leaving behind the only home he had ever known with a bunch of intimidating strangers.

How do you act like that? I can’t exactly cry on command.

There were two boats docked at the crumbling pier. The larger one sported the soaring hawk of the Republic, while a tanned young man with a wide nose sat in a rowing boat.

“Grandma, is everything alright?”

“Yes, I’ll be accompanying young Mat to Pearldive.”

“If you already have passage, you should sail with your nephew.” The officer barred her path. “Our vessel is for official duty only, I can’t let you on board.”

“You— Matthew can ride with us. We’ll follow your boat to the port.”

“I’m afraid that’s not possible. He’s an unregistered individual of considerable power. By law, we must watch him until that is rectified.”

“The boy’s still recovering from mourning his father.” Bel stubbornly stood her ground. “He needs a friendly face, I can’t—”

“He’s an adult, I’m sure he can manage a short trip alone.” The man sneered. “Now, I wouldn’t want the situation to get more unpleasant, ma’am.”

Great, my granny shield is gone.

Kai stood frozen like a deer in the headlight with his bags. He had no idea if the man was speaking truthfully or making stuff up. His only notions of law were from years prior and related to his alchemy business and taxes.

“It’s fine, Auntie Bel.” He wore a courageous smile. No point in arguing when they couldn’t change the outcome. After some more reassurances, the old maid threw a dirty look at the enforcers and joined her grandson.

“This way.” Lou grabbed his bags, addressing him directly for the first time since they met. “It’s a short journey. Watch your feet.”

Kai stumbled aboard, playing up his nervousness. He was made to sit in the only cabin, while the vessel glided on the waves. His feeble hopes to spend the journey in silence were dashed when the door creaked open.

“Oh, it’s just y—”

“Hi, Matthew. I forgot to introduce myself, I’m Officer Denule. Do you mind if I ask you some questions?” Lou sat across from him, brushing his ear.

They must be eavesdropping…

“Uhm… okay.” Kai raised a questioning eyebrow but didn’t get any response.

Are they watching us too?

“I need some information about how you grew up. It’ll be much easier to process your case that way.” He pulled out a notebook and pen. “When did you move in with your father?” The question already implied he hadn’t always lived there.

“Since my mom died… I think I was about four or five. I— I don’t remember well. Father didn’t like to talk about it.”

“When did your father decide to teach you Alchemy?”

Lou grilled him on every detail. It was remarkably easy to recount his life when the interrogator knew the story better than him. His bulky friend scratched his stubble whenever a question presented a dangerous pitfall. The most exhausting part was having to nervously hiccup each word, though that also offered an easy excuse for any incoherent answer he might give.

The journey lasted far longer than it should, they must have taken a circuitous route to wring more information out of him. Kai was relieved to finally touch land and gawked at every building and passerby on the way to the precinct.

Compared to Sylspring, Pearldive maintained a rural appearance. A jumble of cozy little houses stretched along the bay, there were no large galleys or hordes of tourists crowding the port. Ele had told him the water around Katol contained the most beautiful and precious pearls in all the archipelago, and she hoped to visit one day.

He didn’t get to do much sightseeing before he was stuck again in a windowless room, signing a bunch of paperwork. Even without practice, his Dexterity helped him create a believable signature. The puny wards protecting the building couldn’t stop his skills from spying on the argument outside. Some nonsense about jurisdiction between the enforcers, Lou and another clerk.

Apparently, the interrogation on the boat helped him avoid one here.

Bored out of his mind, Kai was about to tamper with the enchantments when the quarreling parties reached an agreement. His aloof friend entered together with the main investigator.

“Can— can I go now?”

“Soon, son.” The man said with a salesman smile. “It will take some time to process your registration given your peculiar circumstances. In the meantime, we can offer you accommodation here in Pearldive.

“Or you could come with me.” Lou butted in, still coldly professional. “A generous patron has offered to represent you. She’ll take care of filing your documents and inheritance papers on your behalf. You won’t have to worry about anything.”

“You’d also need to leave your home and cross the sea for an island miles away.” The enforcer remarked. “The military can hire a lawyer to help your case, right here in Katol. You’ll just have to sign a simple contract to keep using your Alchemy. You like brewing, right?”

Is my acting so good that they think I’m dumb?

He was about to laugh in his face when Lou scratched his jaw. Kai suppressed a groan and hesitantly asked for more information. Apart from having no social skills and being ignorant of the world, Mat was still supposed to be a genius.

Spirits, spare me from this torment.

An excruciating half an hour passed with the two officers pitching their proposals to the naive Mat. “I— I want to see the capital. Are there really tens of thousands of people living there?”

“Why don’t you give this some more thought? You don’t know her intention. Trust me, boy, people don’t give something for nothing.”

And I should sign your shady contract instead? One time was enough, thank you. People really have no shame.

“He has made his choice.” Lou didn’t betray any triumph. “The courts in Higharbor will take care of his case. If you continue to hold him, I’ll be forced to file an official complaint.”

Kai marched outside the precinct, blissfully ignoring the enforcer’s dark looks. His shoes crunched on the warm pebbles, the afternoon sun kissing his face.

I’m free!

Someone had gone through his luggage and had sewn a gift in the inner pocket. “I don’t think this is mine.” He marveled at a small sheet of enchanted metal. “Maybe I should bring it back?”

Lou furrowed his brows and snapped it into steel confetti. “Just a piece of junk. How did you find it?”

Hey, I wanted to study…

“It sparkled.” He went along with the acting in case anyone had followed them in the streets.

“It was enchanted against Perception skills.”

Kai shrugged. “Not particularly well. Where are we going anyway?”

“We have a ship to take,” Lou said tersely.

Is he angry with me? I mean I did promise him I would be safe before disappearing for two years…

A brig set to leave for Higharbor with space for two people was conveniently docked at the harbor. Lou paid the captain fifteen silvers after a little haggling. In less than an hour, they were sailing for the capital.

It’s done.

The crystal waters of Pearldive left space to the darker shades of the open sea. Kai had experienced his fair share of doubts during the last day, but Valela knew what she was doing. Her reach in the archipelago must have grown considerably since she was paraded around to promote the scholarship program.

Going to their cabin, Lou hurriedly hid a miniature communication cube. “Can you knock, please?”

“Yeah, sorry,” Kai closed the door behind him and waited for him to finish. “Can we talk?”

“Are there more sparkly pieces of metal?”

“Nope, I chec—” He didn’t get the chance to finish. Lou lifted him off the floor in a crushing hug.

“How could you not tell me you were alive? I found out about you from Valela.”

Ehm… Well… I wanted to see you face to face, but then things happened…

Flynn had told him Lou wasn’t in Higharbor, and the thought of meeting him had slipped his mind once he got busy with his family.

“Sorry, I’m just a jerk.” Kai squeezed out of his lungs.

“You are.” The lumbering giant agreed without showing any intention of putting him down. “I— I thought you were dead… What happened to you?”

“It’s a bit of a long story.”

“Longer than a two hundred mile journey?”