9. Mission Request

They found themselves in a coffee shop. Lucas watched as Mrs. Livia waved her finger to create a sound barrier.

They’re whispering, so normally it wouldn’t be necessary. And looking about, Lucas didn’t sense any Awakened either, who would be able to hear them with their heightened senses.

But the wizard had the penchant for being too cautious.

Lucas took a sip of his ice vanilla coffee. Yummy. “I’m guessing you’ll need someone to go undercover,” realized Lucas.

“And you are the perfect candidate. You should be able to blend in as a first year.”

Lucas considered that statement for some time. Indeed, looking at it from a different perspective, he is the best candidate for the mission because of his age.

There aren’t that many Primes his age in the nation. In fact, according to the Director, as of the present, there are only nine Primes ages 5 to 18 throughout the League, including Lucas (15), Cale (15), and Adelia (17).

The remaining six are all 13 or under, with four of those Primes being trained by SPECTRA.

"But dispatching a Prime for an undercover mission? That seems like an overkill," said Lucas. And a waste of time too, especially when they have better matters to attend to. Just yesterday, Lucas was on an escort mission to help establish a Seed Settlement in the northern part of the continent.

"The situation simply calls for it," said the wizard.

“I get the idea, but what about our Legacies? Maybe Carl. He's already turned 15, and should be unlocking his soul core soon. This type of mission would be perfect for him,” he said.

There are three types of Awakened. The Naturals, the Legacies, and the Primes.

Naturals are the most common type of Awakened. Their soul core forms when they turn 15 and they can choose to unlock it. Approximately 90% of the Awakened are Naturals.

Legacies, like Primes, also formed their soul cores at birth. But just like the Naturals, they’re only able to unlock it at the age of 15. There are only about 8% Legacies among the Awakened.

And as the name implies, Legacies are the offspring of other Awakened.

But while a Legacy’s soul core may be locked at birth, thus being unable to use spells, or activate their Aura, they still have the same sensory and physical enhancements equal to an Awakened. They simply can’t level up or use spells–– unlike Primes.

So, often, when a Legacy is born, they are sent to a preparatory Awakened school. Or, if they’re rich, they train in private.

But if they’re neither, like if they were orphans for example, they join Awakened groups like the Mexurians–– a group of Christian warrior-priests. Or. They’re recruited and trained by SPECTRA.

In fact, there’s several Legacies that Lucas found to be much more talented than him in practical combat and martial arts, so it’s not that uncommon for them to also participate in low-risk missions.

“The stakes are simply too high,” simply said Mrs. Livia with a sip of her coffee. "SPECTRA Legacies may be well-trained like Primes, but the fact remains that they still will be level 1. The same is true for Carl, no matter how capable he may be."

“Makes sense,” he replied as he wondered about one more crucial matter.

If Lucas were to go undercover, it’s a given that there should be a handler who will guide the mission. Someone who could provide him objectives to accomplish. The brain of the mission.

Thus, someone who also has to go undercover.

And handlers are often much more capable and experienced than their agents, just in case the agent go rogue in instance. But who would even fit that criteria? Who’s much more capable and experienced than him?

Someone who could deal with him if he, by chance, goes rogue? Not that he would.

And since all handlers are Awakened, his handler could possibly be a high-ranking SPECTRA posing perhaps as someone from a higher year. Maybe a fourth year?

“Nah… They’d have to be a transfer,” he whispered to himself as he placed his elbow on the table, resting his head against his palm. But it’s highly unlikely for SPECTRA to send someone in as a transfer. It’d be too suspicious, he thought.

“Sorry?” Mrs. Livia asked.

“Just wondering about something.”

“You could just ask me?”

“Yeah. Who’s going to be my handler anyway?”

“Cale.”

“Cale?”

“He’s been recalled from that mission. He’ll also go undercover–– in addition to his other various duties.”

Lucas raised a brow. “Various. Right,” he repeated. Well, not that it mattered. He’s more excited to see Cale again more than anything. But. “He’s a Mexurian. People will be closely watching him.”

“Mexur sends one of their own to join Noah Academy every year, anyway. It won’t be that suspicious.”

“Does that mean Mexur knows that he’s a Prime?”

“It’s Mexur who sent Cale to train at SPECTRA. He's never left them.”

Lucas thought the Mexurians were just warrior priests who so happened to be the Guardians of Godframe Ares, keeping themselves from other worldly affairs. “Does that mean we’re working with Mexur too?”

“By we, what do you mean?" she asked.

"SPECTRA."

Mrs. Livia smiled. "I appreciate that you consider me a part of SPECTRA, but I'm not."

"You're practically family," he said, due to the fact that Mrs. Livia is the primary magic instructor for Primes and Legacies in SPECTRA.

She laughed. "I'm not going to deny that. But yes, Mexur has always been working with both SPECTRA and the Consortium. They have, what you may call, a symbiotic relationship. Sometimes, Mexur sends people to train at either of the two, providing them some–– benefit in the short term, then Mexur gains a topnotch Awakened in the long-term."

"And is Mexur in on this mission too? Seeing as Cale is also participating?"

"Yes. They have their own agenda in the matter for sure, which should be obvious for you to realize," said Mrs. Livia.

And Lucas did realize. The World Council assigned the Holy Order of Mexur as the Guardian of Godframe Ares, as they assigned House Hill to be the Guardian of Godframe Hera.

“The League. SPECTRA. The Consortium. And now Mexur,” Lucas said as he slowly tapped the edge of the table. “Sounds big. Too big that it makes you wonder why they all came together–– just for an undercover mission,” he said.

Mrs. Livia just smiled. Mysterious.

“Seriously. What’s really happening, Mrs. Livia? Why did Lewisia show up now? What do they want from the Academy?” he asked. Not that he's complaining. He's been patiently waiting for a showdown against Lewisia.

“Since this is an officially-sanctioned mission, I cannot tell you that just yet.”

Lucas understood, but he still couldn’t help but quip. “Why wait? You could just tell me,” he said, despite already knowing the answer. “Secrecy is only necessary to minimize security breach. It’s not like I’ll get compromised before the mission even starts and divulge information to the enemy,” he said, very confidently so. There are only a few thousand Awakened in the world who can best Avernus.

“I would if I could,” said Mrs. Livia with a brief pause. “But this is a spiderweb-operation.”

Lucas widened his eyes. A spiderweb-operation is a type of operation often used by SPECTRA in times of war. This means while agents are not aware of what each others’ tasks may be, their individual missions all connect with each other to achieve the same ultimate goal.

There’s a reason it’s called a spiderweb operation. Because just like a spiderweb, even if a thread breaks, it does not necessarily mean the destruction of the web.

This means the undercover mission is just but a thread of an even bigger mission–– the spiderweb.

But it’s extremely risky, especially if multiple groups with their own agendas are working to achieve the same thing. It’s impractical, he thought. Not unless…

Mrs. Livia must have noticed his surprise when she nodded. “I took the Contract along with the others involved at the top. The Director also did.”

“…Of course,” Lucas said.

The Contract is a type of wizard-magic that prevents people from committing certain actions. Of course, the real name is actually not the Contract. People just say it that way because that’s what it does – a contract.

But it’s expensive to do a Contract. It’s not like wizards can just spout a few words and it will happen. A ceremony needs to occurs which takes a lot of resources and time, so it’s applied only when discretion is required at the very highest level – like a spiderweb-operation.

Or worse… a slavery. The punishment for Contract slavery is death. However, finding out who is a slave can be very challenging because the Contract compels them not to divulge to others that they are a slave.

Mrs. Livia spoke, breaking the strings of Lucas’ thoughts. “Many people are involved, and it’s because of that, that details are on a need-to-know basis,” said the wizard. “You know how it goes, Lucas. Protocol. Confidentiality clause. Red tape. People not trusting each other. So, you’ll have the full details after the orientation. This applies to all the missions under the operation, including yours. We can’t give special treatment to anyone. We’re all professionals here.”

Lucas groaned and just took a sip of his drink.

“I sense your impatience, but there is reason for regulations, Lucas. To operate simply through the conjectures of trust is us begging for failure.”

“Yeah. I know,” Lucas nodded. He understood it’s not about him. There are just too many things that could complicate a mission. So, limiting information is crucial to minimize security breach and reduce the risk of exposure, especially when multiple agents and people are involved.

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And those are just at the very basic level. That urgency weighed on each regulation are multiplied during a spiderweb operation and when a Contract is involved.

“This is too complicated. Why would the Director risk working with other people with their own agenda?”

“I say… just trust him.”

“Right… So, what’s the plan?”

"Don’t draw attention to yourself during the orientation. The Order will be on high alert and are expecting the League to send agents in. So make sure not to stand out. Once you’re in, you’ll be provided the full details.”

“And once the classes begin?”

“You find the rats.”

“To find out what they’re looking for?”

Mrs. Livia shook her head. “No. You just find who is with the Order.”

Odd, Lucas thought, but he just needed to do what he’s ordered to do. He can figure things out later on. “Is that everything?”

“There’s one more. Consider it as a side-quest. It’s akin to, as the Director is so fond to say–– killing two birds with one stone,” she said as she clicked her wristwatch to activate her hologram, revealing a freckled orange-haired girl with green eyes – Aoife Manners.

“A-wi—fe?” asked Lucas.

“Ee-fuh,” corrected Mrs. Livia.

“Sure. What about her?”

“She’s the youngest daughter of Brandon Manners, the Secretary of Defense.”

Manners? That’s Ian’s Bloodline. Is she a Bloodliner? thought Lucas as he studied the girl’s profile.

Bloodliner. A sub-type of a Legacy almost as rare as a Prime.

Bloodliners have unique qualities that gives them certain advantages called Bloodline Traits. They can be spells, mutations, or both. Those who can produce Bloodliners are called Bloodline Families–– like the Manners.

But to inherit a Trait is rare. So, often, those who inherit their bloodline’s Trait are viewed in such a high regard in both their families’ and in society.

In the case of the Manners family, their trait is quite powerful – the Mark of the Black Dragon.

But of all their four active Legacies, only two are Bloodliners.

One is Defense Secretary Brandon Manners.

And the other one would be Ian Manners, a Class III Awakened. Lucas worked with Ian multiple times in the past. (The Awakened works with each other quite a lot, especially those at the upper ranks, because there’s not lot of them.)

Lucas remembered talking to Ian after they completed a Grade III Expedition-type mission.

“Hey Avernus. Everyone’s talking about your stuff,” said Ian as he wiped the blood on his blade, the bonfire’s light flickering across those silver, slitted eyes. Their 12-man party just took down a horde of Grade I and IIs, and even a couple of Grade III Ashen.

“Stuff?”

“Yeah. The thing you do when you like… infuse your Aura with your secondary Aspect?”

“Oh. Right. That one.”

“Yeah. Is that actually a Bloodline?”

“A Bloodline?” asked Avernus.

“Yeah. Like my Black Dragon,” said Ian, raising an eyebrow as he set his blade aside and lifted his right hand. Avernus watched as black scales slowly spread across his arm.

Those scales are harder and much more durable than a Combat Frame – the exosuits that Framers use. And even if the System can’t quantify how durable Ian’s black scales would be in binaries, one could estimate using Frames as a base, which are roughly equivalent to 3,000 Shield in durability.

Ian laughed. “Hey, you may have a mask, but I can tell you’re staring too much,” he said. “Sure, these scales are cool and all. But your bloodline is kind of way more OP? I mean, stacking your two Auras? That’s just crazy!”

Avernus smiled behind his mask. “Damn. You actually figured it out.”

"Seriously? That’s crazy!"

SPECTRA created a tier of information access to Avernus. The first being the explanation behind his Black Fire.

The second tier, those with a higher security access like members of the congress, would know that his spell is a Bloodline Trait – the Mark of the Chimera.

Meanwhile, someone with even higher access, such as the president and top bureaucrats, would be fooled into thinking that he belongs to the Griffiths Bloodline Family. The family to whom the Mark of the Chimera belongs to.

A high access info also indicate that the Griffiths produced its last Bloodliner over 100 years ago.

According to the false information, SPECTRA suspects that the Griffiths did produce multiple Bloodliners over the years, but their Bloodliners may have only had one Aspect, or that their Aspects may be incompatible – ultimately making their Bloodline Trait useless.

And it’s because of this that they managed to slip under the radar, until Avernus, of course, who has two compatible Elemental Aspects.

But these are all just false classified background for the overly curious and the privy, to hide the truth about the Mark of Hades.

...And for the Director to find out those responsible for the Chicago Ruins incident.

Ian broke his thoughts. “Hey Avernus. You there?"

"...Yeah, sorry. What was that?"

"Your family. Was asking what family you're from.”

Avernus only responded with a light laugh. “I’d appreciate it if you tell no one,” he said. He didn’t feel the need to explain about the non-existent Griffiths Bloodline.

Ian smirked and made a zipping gesture before his lips. “Right. SPECTRA. Don’t worry. Ian quiet!”

Mrs. Livia cleared her throat. “…What are you thinking?”

“Ian.”

“Ah. He’s a Bloodliner, no?”

Lucas looked back to Mrs. Livia. “Yep. So, is Aoife a Bloodliner too?”

Mrs. Livia shook her head. “No. She’s not even a Manners Legacy. Just a Natural. See her eyes?”

“Oh, right, her pupils. They’re not vertical,” said Lucas as he looked back at Aoife’s profile.

Even if Bloodliners haven't awakened yet, they should still retain their physical mutations if they have any. But that's not the case for Aoife.

“So? What about her again?” asked Lucas, even though he already had an idea where this was going.

“She’s enrolling at Noah. It’s not an official mission. But, I was hoping you could protect and look after her.”

So, that’s why she’s personally here? For this one? Lucas thought. “Why? Because of the Order?”

“There’s that possibility, yes,” said Mrs. Livia. “The Order may use her as a hostage.”

“Did her father piss them off or something?”

“You could say that.”

“How come? He wasn’t the Defense Secretary only until a few years back, no?”

“You’re right. But during the war twelve years ago, his eldest child was slain by Lewisia, and he never stopped looking for them ever since – to root them out – to kill them all. So, when Lewisia showed up again two years ago, Brandon was among those who heeded Muriel’s warning to evacuate St. John. He never believed the White Sovereign died, nor did he believe the League actually destroyed the Order.”

“But he was outvoted.”

“Yes. Aside from that, he’s also made many enemies due to his career and position. So there will be those who will try to kill Aoife just for being Brandon’s daughter.”

Damn. Politics is a shit-show as Cale always said, Lucas thought. “And he’s still sending her to an Awakened academy to die?”

“You make it sound like my academy is a graveyard,” Mrs. Livia said, her voice with an upward lilt, as if she just suffered a great offense.

“No offense, but is it not?” Lucas laughed.

“Jesus… no,” she said before pausing, and Lucas noticed a shadow briefly cast over her features. “…But. I’m not going to say you’re wrong.”

“Oh? What in particular?”

“About Brandon sending her daughter to die.”

“How so?”

“You have to understand how the Manners family functions to answer that,” she said.

“Shoot. I’ve got nothing to do anyway.”

Mrs. Livia nodded, explaining that the Manners family’s Black Dragon bloodline also allows them to produce more Awakened than the norm, even when compared to other bloodlines.

They even have four Legacies within just a few generations, with two being Bloodliners themselves.

“On the other hand, other Bloodlines only have one,” Mrs. Livia continued. She said most Bloodlines produce only one Bloodliner once in every few generations. “It’s because of this advantage, that the Manners family see strength above all else.”

“…Okay?”

“So, when Aoife did not form a soul core a birth, she was shunned by her own family,” continued Mrs. Livia.

Lucas blinked. Shunned because she wasn’t an Awakened? Isn’t that the common outcome? Why should a Bloodline family expect they’re the exception?

Bloodline Families are not immune to the Balance. Or the fact that ultimately, whether it be Naturals, Legacies, or Primes, only 0.01% of the human population can become Awakened. And being a Legacy, a Bloodline, or a Prime is just an unearned privilege.

“That’s ridiculous,” he said with a scoff. “Did they forget about the Balance?”

“It’s difficult to explain the arrogance of men, Lucas. Sometimes there’s just no logical explanation to something, or a justification behind an action, except for one’s own hubris or greed.”

“So, the Manners are assholes. Although Ian didn’t seem to be one,” Lucas said with a shrug. “Anyway. What happened next?”

“When Aoife solidified her soul core a few months ago and revealed herself to be a Natural, that’s when Brandon saw fit to cultivate her into an Awakened worthy the name of Manners – even if she may not be a Legacy or did not inherit the Manners’ bloodline Traits. It’s a play to increase the status of their family.”

Lucas looked out of the coffee shop as if there was something to see, aside from the heavy traffic and two cars that just bumped into each other.

Oh, and they're fighting. And... damn, that must have hurt. The old guy just knocked out the other guy.

Lucas looked back at Mrs. Livia. “Which means, if there’s a play, others would also have a counterplay to prevent it from happening. Like the rivals of the Manners who will try their best to stop Brandon by harming Aoife.”

“Precisely. Such as the Locksmith family.”

“The Locksmith family. Of course. And this Brandon guy sees this is as a trial for his own daughter. If she cannot survive enemies from all directions, then she does not deserve the name of Manners?” He sighed as he closed his eyes. “Not that I’m one to talk, but that’s just messed up.”

Mrs. Livia sipped from her cup. “It is an unnecessary development, indeed. That’s why I’m asking you to protect her,” she said.

“So, no other reason to protect her at all, like her becoming a powerful weapon in the future, or protecting her to get the favour of the Secretary General?” Lucas smirked, flashing one eye open.

Mrs. Livia, like the Director, is terrifying because they will do anything to achieve their goals – no matter how noble those goals may be. And he wouldn’t want them as his enemies.

But what could be her true goal?

“You’ve been busy with your movies, but there is nothing of the sort,” Mrs. Livia scoffed with a smile.

“Ha… You seem fond of her. Or you wouldn’t give her special treatment. Why?”

“It is not fondness, but pity. She’s a girl with such a heavy weight on her shoulders just because she’s a Manners. And whether she likes it or not, she’s already part of this–– whole ordeal. A pawn to politics. The least we could do is ensure she doesn’t die until she’s strong enough to protect herself,” said Mrs. Livia. “The Academy isn’t a place for wanton murder and politics, but a place of development and learning. And if she were to become a student, that applies to her as well… I’d do the same if other students were in the same position.”

Lucas just tilted his head, not knowing if he should agree or not. Awakened academies, like SPECTRA’s Prime training facility, are institutions to train children how to kill. So, it’s a bit hypocritical to operate under the idea of protecting them.

But I suppose it’s also hypocritical of me to think of it that way, thought Lucas. As a Prime, they needed to complete missions to level up, but SPECTRA did make sure they didn’t die. Eh. Whatever, he thought.

“I sense your doubt, Lucas," said Mrs. Livia.

"I said nothing."

She sighed. "Listen…"

"I am," he said, raising a brow.

"Our society functions similar to a transaction. A give or take relationship, a contract, or as we glorify it – a cooperation. The Awakened are sent to their deaths to protect society, and it is the duty of society to provide them the highest quality of training to best arm them the necessities to survive and do their duties. And to use the Awakened as mere tools for ambition or to raise one’s standing in society? Wouldn’t that mean that we, as the society, have failed in our responsibility? And failure of responsibility means the ceasing of a cooperative relationship. It turns a relationship into that of a master and his slave.”

Lucas hummed when he found himself actually listening to the wizard’s monologue. He may act like he doesn’t care. But, what she said actually made sense to him. “I understand. But you’re more sentimental than I give you credit for, Mrs. Livia,” he said.

“Perhaps I am growing too old,” whispered the wizard.

Lucas shrugged. “I’ll do it. It’s going to complicate the main mission, for sure. But you and the Director have given me a lot. It’s the least I can do to repay all that.”

Mrs. Livia smiled. “Thank you. Of course, the priority is still the main mission. So, just do your best to protect her. I can only wish there’s something I could do for you in return.”

“You’ve already given me plenty,” he said as he leaned back against his chair. “Speaking of. The new semester begins next month, right? Should be plenty of time to prepare.”

“Mhm. That’s right. But you’re awfully confident, aren’t you? It makes me wonder if you truly understand the gravity of the mission. There’s a possibility that a teacher or maybe even multiple teachers–– are with the Order,” she said before humming. “And you may have to face them.”

Lucas nodded. “I’m not fond of the idea too. They’re all Class IIIs, right? You don't trust them?”

“It's not that. But if there's someone I can really trust, that would be Zoren.”

“Trust? Sure. But as much as I appreciate your thoughts and advice. With all due respect, that’s a dangerous thought, Mrs. Livia,” said Lucas.

“It wasn’t my intention to sway you.”

“I know. But other than that, you seem awfully unconfident of the very people you work with.”

Mrs. Livia shook her head. “It’s not that I don’t trust the faculty. But Lewisia has ways to dig its claws deep within someone’s heart.”

“Give someone a reward big enough to outweigh the risks.”

Mrs. Livia let out an extremely rare dejected sigh. “Or blackmail.”

Lucas bit the side of his lip. “Still not really sure I’m fond of the idea of fighting someone forced to betray the League.”

Nor is he comfortable with the idea of fighting Class IIIs at a much higher level. Because in the end, while he could fight multiple Class IIIs at his level, it would be troublesome to fight any of the Academy’s professors who must already be in the mid Level-60s or even low Level-70s.

Not that he would lose, but even if he won, he probably would suffer a grievous wound which would take months, or even years to heal.

Mrs. Livia broke his thoughts. “If it comes down to it, what are you going to do?”

Lucas’ features darkened as he looked at his palm. “Soul Core Absorption…”

Mrs. Livia’ face became incredibly serious. She previously cautioned him about the spell, spouting something about morality.

But while the wizard said nothing at the moment, Lucas found the need to justify himself.

“The laws of men judge whether the life of someone should be snuffed or not. And I have been called upon by those laws as its executioner,” he said. “Your own words, Mrs. Livia.”

She did not respond.

Lucas continued. “Call me a hypocrite. But I’d rather see an Awakened permanently crippled than killing them,” he said, although he wasn’t utterly convinced by his own statement. “…Even if losing our soul core is worse than death.”

“And you consider yourself fit to deliver that punishment?”

Lucas narrowed his eyes to a slit, refusing to answer the wizard’s question.