A day has passed by silently. Mido took one look at his new room before he closed the door. Had he been given ample time to be accustomed to his room, he would have appreciated it more. He sighed.

‘It’s really fast, huh…’

For many times must he repeat that thought, nothing will change the fact that his admission to the group was really quick, so much so that he’s starting to be skeptical about one reason or the other. Still, good friends are better than nothing, right?

The voice did not speak to him, starting after the test. It became dormant, Mido thought, and he actually spent the remaining hours of yesterday trying to commune with it. One way or the other, he knew he must learn to use his ability, without the voice.

He walked through the hallway, donning his dark uniform. He is a member of D-7 now, and they will start their first investigation: A village in Reiss, haunted by what little of the documents described as ‘corpses reanimating.’ A group meeting was scheduled to commence in their vehicle, and Mido must walk down to the parking spaces. It’s easy to word out but walking down the city is quite a hefty feat, much more so because he’s alone this time.

Arranging his hair, he flawlessly pushed the entrance doors aside and greeted the morning breeze of Henwales. The sun was just starting to peek through; it was unusual for him to wake up so early in the morning. Looking down the path, there was almost no foot traffic. Hands on his pockets, he started to walk to their vehicle, which was still quite some ways away.

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“You’re late.” Gen, who is outside the Beaver, leaning to its side, checked his watch.

“I’m sorry. I’m not yet used to waking up so early.” Mido explained, slightly panting.

“Well, it’s just about ten minutes, and you already had your morning exercise by walking from up there to here, so no biggie.” Gen said as he waved for Mido to come inside. Opening the door, Mido saw all of his colleagues, set up in almost a circle around the dining table that was reigning the center.

“Good morning, everyone…” He shyly said.

“Good morning, Mido. I trust you’ve already adjusted your sleep schedule?” Fein remarked as he rummaged through the documents Ayane gave to them.

Mido scratched his head. “I’m starting to…”

“Oh? Sit then. Let’s start this.”

Mido sat on a vacant seat, while Gen leaned on a corner. Mido looked at everyone. Their faces spelt ‘serious’ all over.

“Hm? Is something wrong, Mido?” Wiz whispered to him.

“Oh. It’s nothing. I’m just not used to everyone being so… serious.”

“We’ll be working now. You can say they’re putting on their A-game.”

Mido was actually surprised and amazed at the same time. His two mischievous colleagues, Enna and Gen, were, for him, unusually composed and serious. Sora was helping Fein sort through the data, Gris was there, standing, but sometimes Mido catches him staring, and putting on a slight smile before focusing on the matter at hand. Wiz was, for a lack of better word, unchanging, but Mido can tell her head was on the case.

Fein started to detail their operation.

“As we’ve decided on yesterday, we will investigate the Reiss case. The other one, which is on Anvil, is too costly for us to even go there. Although D-5 is already on the case… Even so, travel time will take a week, more or less.”

“Unfortunately, based on the documents, command has not taken first-hand observation of these… reanimated corpses. About a week ago, this message was submitted to command from a passing trader. It says here that these corpses did not attack the village during his stay. The inhabitants refused to answer his questions, and when he chose to investigate for himself… he was ‘tried and forced to not divulge what he saw.’”

“Hmm… It’s somewhat clear to me that these people are hiding something.” Sora commented.

“Right. Given this information, treading carefully is an absolute must.” Said Fein.

“Wait, this investigation is all based on a passing trader’s musings? What if it’s all a bluff?” Enna said tried to look at documents.

“Ordinary people cannot do that. It’s mostly that fact that pushes us to assume the culprit is a Vassal. Well… a person with the ability to do ‘necromancy’ is rare enough as it is. As a matter of fact, I’m not inclined to say that the tones are inclined to support a person’s will to raise the dead…” Wiz joined. Mido was amused of her different personality when it comes to the job. A seemingly adorable and sometimes over-the-top girl suddenly dons a calculating persona right in front of his eyes.

“Mido. Do you have something to say? You’re in deep thought, the way I see it.” Gen addressed him. He was looking at Mido the entire time.

Waking up his composure, he cleared his throat.

“… I’m still working on it…”

“Fine. Just speak up when you have an idea.”

Stolen story; please report.

If only his sentient ability spoke to him right now… it might’ve helped the team.

Sure, they can follow this case right now, but the information on hand is not sufficient enough to condense into a coherent lead. On all accounts, that trader might have just been under the influence. Still…

‘Ayane… this information is lacking…’ Fein complained on his thoughts, but Sora found something buried beneath the small pile of papers.

“Captain. Look at this.” He pointed to several accounts of missing persons, listed from top to bottom on a page. There was a dozen: some had pictures, some weren’t. Fein was immediately disappointed on himself, likely due to the fact that he was mostly sleep-deprived and skimmed the papers.

“Missing persons from Reiss… It’s still broad, but let’s take it into account. Command might be on to something.” Enna said.

“Captain. I think it’s better to see for this angle first. If we go to the village, we have no backing to support our case. And based on that trader…”

Gris pulled up a map. It was of the local region, which put the city of Henwales at the middle as a big marker, and several other points, likely cities, were dotted over the land.

“We might need to just go there and see for ourselves. If we follow the main road, and if the trader’s directions are right…” He traced a line from the center to somewhere in the top right, landing to a marker labeled ‘Reiss.’

Gris looked at the document and adjusted his finger to where the assumed position of the village was.

“Here. It’s a general assumption, though.” His finger pointed to a rendition of a forest, quite far from the main road and a bit further from Reiss.

“It’s after Reiss, then.” Fein commented.

“We have no choice but to stop by the city first. Let’s ask the populace there.” Sora mentioned.

“So, captain? Your call?” Asked Gen.

Fein pondered for a moment, then soon came to a conclusion.

“Right. We will gather additional information regarding the village on Reiss, and we’ll build from there.”

All nodded.

“Let’s get on the road, then. If you have other businesses on Henwales, I suggest informing me.”

All of the other members stood up.

“None, captain.”

“Alright. Gris?”

“We’re good to go!” Gris proudly said as he positioned himself on the driver’s seat. After a while, the engine revved. Some parts creaked a bit, but as soon as the engine stabilized, they are already on their way to the exit.

Everyone was mostly busy, but due to the nature of travel, they have no choice but to wait it out. Reiss is farther than Migny, but the road is thorough, so they won’t expect the ride to be that long. After that brief meeting, everyone is silent. Mido has not seen this sight of them before. In fact, he feels alienated because of their seriousness.

As he sat on a chair, Gen accompanied him.

“Mido. Is everything all right?” He was unusually comforting.

“Yeah, I’m good. It’s just unusual for all of you to be so… serious.”

“Because it’s work. Everyone needs to be. We must put our hearts into this, of course. You too, should understand that fact. Sometimes, we lay low, but when faced by our job, we put on another mask fit for it.”

Right. He had a personal goal set on his mind: To find who destroyed his town, Mido. If all goes, this case might be able to answer that crucial question. He needs to constantly remind himself that whatever it takes, he must find them.

“I’m afraid I cannot be of any assistance with… solving things like this.” Said Mido. His self-doubt always caught up on responsibilities like this.

However, Gen patted him on the back.

“Are you kidding me? The way you aced that impromptu test of yours was a shocker, even for me. Don’t push yourself to doubt, Mido. Like a poorly-cooked food, it does not go well inside.”

“It was situational…”

“In your case, then, situations can open your eyes. You might never know when it will surface again.”

Mido realized his mind works on intuition and instinct, sometimes more than the other. Gen was trying to lift up his spirits regarding his skills, and he also realized that.

‘Don’t let Wizbette’s risk be in vain.’

Sometimes, a little conversation might just open your eyes.

“Thank you, Gen.” Mido said.

Gen raised an eyebrow. “Hm? Oh, if that was enough to warm you up, you’re welcome, then.”

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Wizbette found herself on the stairs leading above. She put her legs together and sat at the uppermost platform. Her face was repeatedly shadowed by the shade of trees and shined by the rays of the sun. They were up to an hour on the road now, but the taiga biome has not transitioned yet.

She looked at the trees, until someone called out to her from below.

“Princess. You might hit your head.”

“It’s okay, Gen. I’m not standing, you know.”

Gen welcomed himself to sitting beside her. The platform barely fit two, so he stopped at the second one, and accompanied Wiz.

“I heard you two talking together…” She uttered a convincing voice.

“Yeah. I still don’t know what’s up with him, being gloomy and all.”

“He’s still catching up, I guess.”

Gen looked at her. For a moment, an image of her sister came with a glint of light from the sun.

“Don’t worry, Gen! I’ll help him…” Wiz said with a smile.

“You know, I’m annoyed with you.” He said, albeit in a more jesting manner.

“Ehh?!”

“You can manage to risk a lot for another person, even if that means risking your life. I know you used your ability to save him from the brink of death, but you really overdid it.”

“…I’m sorry I broke my promise to not use that type…” She leaned unto Gen.

“Yeah… But you had no choice. It’s understandable. When a life is in danger, you always act to save them in the riskiest manner.”

“I said I’m sorry…”

“But Mido… He has a lot of potential to be a promising man. He just needs some polishing. The way I see it, his erratic nature between self-doubt and courage must be put straight…”

Wiz slowly crept her face to Gen’s side.

“Hmm! To think that you didn’t trust him one bit, now you care for Mido’s well-being?” She pouted.

“He’s D-7 now, Wiz. It’s true that I don’t trust him, even now. But I chose to follow your way.”

Wiz’s eyes widened. “Oh. The insufferable glutton that I know chose to be soft as the clouds?” She snickered, annoying Gen in the process.

“Ah, shut up already!” Immediately, his personality changed.

“Besides, you’re so clingy he’s also starting to stick to you! Whenever he trips, it’ll be your responsibility. Shit, maybe it will get to the point that whatever he eats will be your responsibility too, Wizbette.” Wiz gasped, and her ears went red.

“I refuse to be his ‘mother—!’”

Her childish response made Gen laugh. Realizing this, Wiz immediately took back her words.

“I did not specifically state that!” Gen exclaimed. “It was your antics, Wiz…”

“Alright, leave me be! Go cook, or whatever, Gen!” Gen refrained from the steps and back inside, but not before receiving a slap to the head from Wiz.

He took a glance at the table. Mido was still there, but now he’s occupied with the documents, which Fein courtierly handed to him. He’s really trying hard to be of help, even though this portion of the investigation must not be where he shines the most. Seeing this, his efforts, and their talk earlier amused Gen.

“Someday, I really want you to help her, in a way even I can’t do.” Gen only sighed at the thought. There is a lot of time for Mido to fully develop himself. He only wishes it would repay Wiz, even if indirectly.

Wish you were here, ‘sis. You could’ve given Wizbette a more relatable advice.