I watched the flames inside the hearth flicker while being enveloped in its warmth. A cup of what looks to be cocoa was held in my hands warming my palms. I quietly took a sip as the heat and the bitter-sweet taste filled my mouth. I placed it on a small table on my side as I leaned on the comforting chair cushioning my body.
Knock knock knock
I heard well spaced knocks behind me, I tried to look back from where the sound came from. Only then do I realize that I am not in control of my body.
“Please come in.”
My voice came out, without my discretion as the door opened with an audible click.
“What is it —?”
“Your Father has asked me to inform you that he won’t be able to come for dinner tonight.”
“Is that all?”
“That and he said that they have arranged a new tutor for you.”
“Ok… I see. Thank you —”
----------------------------------------
Everything slowly blurred out as I suddenly woke up with a gasp. I quickly sat up from my bed holding the right side of my face covering my throbbing eye. My heart was beating so hard it felt like it was about to come out of my chest.
I wiped off the sweat with my forearm before looking around the room. The place in my dream was entirely unfamiliar. I'm also unsure as to whether or not it was even a memory or just random scenarios my brain conjured up. I spaced out while I gave myself some time to think, some way to recover memories or a clue to my past.
That's when I remembered that this place is still a ‘company’ so to speak, meaning they would have some way of organizing who is part of the group and who aren’t.
If that's the case, then there should be information about my background in there. Problem is, I don't have any clue whatsoever as to where their headquarters is.
But for now I should probably see how the others are doing, yesterday was… awkward to say the least..
I mean, who would pick me as the leader? Surely he must have a reason? I didn’t exactly show off anything that says ‘leader material’. And though I tried rejecting it after the race as well, they ignored me no matter what I did.
Luckily nothing like alarms or the sort happened today so it seems we are free for the moment. Outside I see William casually lounging around, and Alice seems to be fiddling with their phone.
They both acknowledged my presence, William gave me a quick glance and went back to doing his own thing. Alice’s eye’s however stuck to me longer, her eyes on me was something else, her gaze on me felt like it could physically interact with me with how hard she was giving me that awfully hostile stare.
The tension was finally cut when she broke the silence unexpectedly.
“So what’s your deal?” She asked casually in a casual manner.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, Why did you sign up? You know, participate to become a Siris agent.”
I don’t think it would be wise to tell her the truth, but at the same time telling a lie would make her more suspicious.
“I… Have my own reasons I’d rather not say.”
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My head pointed down at the floor while I gave the most convincing troubled look I could manage. I recall back to that dream earlier and gripped my fists from frustration. Although I don’t have all the details, the dream itself did give me somewhat of a reaction.
Her face softens up as her facial features relaxed, eyebrows raised as if concerned. William hearing our conversation also shows concern now properly sitting rather than lying down.
Did I maybe trigger something?
“Oh… That must have been tough.”
“P-pardon?”
“It’s related to those Liberator Rebels. Isn’t it?” She said somberly. She rests her head on her hands while looking off to the distance.
“Oof yeah, those crazy guys. Since they’ve appeared Me and my family haven’t had a quiet night since. Luckily since I joined I'm sure they will be fine!”
Information! Although it's not what I’m looking for, it’s a start.
“Sounds rough. Hope they stay safe.”
“Hehe thanks Lucas!”
“So, What’s your plan? Gonna climb the ranks after training or something?” Alice asked me clearly, showing more compassion than before.
Can't be a company without a hierarchy it seems…
“Well yes, so right now I sort of need information. Preferably about Siris’ agents. You know- Learn from them.”
“Well if that's it then you should do your best to pass as legitimate personnel first. Your rank determines what information you can access.”
If it’s like that then I would have to either steal the info I need or earn it. While stealing is less than ideal, Climbing up the ranks as a non-stigma user is also unlikely.
“Oh that reminds me. Do you not have a stigma?”
“Well no, not at all last time I checked.”
“Bummer, combat is one of the easier ways to climb up.”
“What other way is there?”
“Well there are Non-Users who managed to climb relatively high up. But I doubt you’ll reach that level soon, though those people are insanely talented.”
Interested, I sat down and listened to them giving Alice my full attention. They seemed to notice my genuine interest and started explaining.
“Well if you must know, there have only been two non-users who have reached the level of an overseer. that guy in the top hat that trains us is an overseer.”
Alice conjures two small glass figures, curiously the first one had a hunched beast like appearance showing off a robust and feral look, Animal like pointed ears protruding from their head along with a tail resembling a wolf’s.
The other figurine had an elegant appearance, the coat that looked like it would flow in the wind gracefully. A thin long rapier was in their hand and in the other a handgun of some sort.
“The Razor with pure brute strength alone triumphed over the rest, he was so overpowering that his pure explosive power could overwhelm even the strongest stigma users.”
“The Grace on the other hand had techniques that felt like illusions, her sword was apparently so fast you wouldn’t even notice you’ve already been cut down all over… At least that's what I heard from the stories about them.”
She swirls her finger circling the figures as it disperses the glass figurines into sparkling dust and it dematerializes into the air.
Wow she seems really well informed, I misjudged her character a bit. She seems really nice ko ko as well.
“Hm, are there other ways aside from combat?”
“Use other people.” She said abruptly. Catching me off guard.
“What-“
“Oh no I meant! Raise your value through our team’s contribution. You can still raise the ranks by riding on the backs of more talented people. Of course you would still need to contribute somewhat.” She quickly explained.
“Right, all of you have amazing abilities. I could barely follow the rest.”
William suddenly appears behind me and hits my back as if comforting a friend.
“Ahh don't sweat it, we still have time till training finishes. Until then I’ll just chill out.”
Alice follows William out, leaving me alone in the room. Well looks like accessing info from HQ will take some time for now I'll put a pin on it. Now how will I climb the hierarchy?