-"See, this connection creates an unnecessary loop, reducing this Unit's output."-The green-haired woman stood over me and pointed at part of my pitiful creation.
-"Indeed, I haven't noticed that. But it should be possible to utilize this loop to act as a stabilizer if we modify it like that."-I changed the circuit a little.
-"It should work, but why? Such a weak Arts Unit doesn't require a stabilizer."
-"But I might need it."-I put a small shard of my power into the Arts Unit, causing it to shake noticeably.
-"Damn! Are you made of Originium or something?"-She slapped my back.-"Then we'd better get to work, or your little toy will be scrapped after the first mission."
We worked for another hour before the Arts Unit could withstand my power without being damaged. When we ended, I was coerced into repaying my 'teacher' with a meal, but before this could happen, Ch'en found me, her face looking serious, but a faint vein on her forehead suggesting that she would remember me leaving her alone.
-"Here you are! Where did you disappear into?"
-"Armory."-I pointed out the sword and the Arts Unit.
-"Tsk."-She clicked her tongue, knowing that she couldn't scold me for that.-"Hoshiguma?"
-"Ch'en. Are you looking for the Newbie?"
-"Newbie?"-She looked at me with a strange gaze.
-"She is technically correct."-I shrugged.
-"Whatever. We have a job. Hoshiguma, take the command of our Special Unit and get Swire to do her job."
-"Sure. What about you?"
-"I'll take Eno to see the slums with R.I. , they need someone with an understanding of the terrain."
Ch'en's words caused Hoshiguma to raise her eyebrow, but she didn't comment, just nodded. Soon, Ch'en took six other Guards and me to meet up with R.I. . On the way there, I equipped the helmet that L.G.D. Guards usually wore, making me unrecognizable to all but those who already know my cover.
We meet with Amiya and her squad before entering the slums. To describe this part of town in more detail, I would call it a labyrinth, with many winding paths and passages. Most of the buildings here were put together with whatever material was available, ignoring any building codes or safety regulations. But something less noticeable, though equally important to understand the layout of this place, were the tunnels underneath our feet.
Some were part of the mobile platform structure, some were part of the water drainage system, and some were excavated by the local gangs. But they shared one thing: they were perfect for hiding and traveling unnoticed.
As we were walking through the streets, I took out my tablet and started sketching a map of the underground passages, using my magic as a sonar. Some people were interested in what I was doing, but no one approached to ask questions; their focus was on looking around. We toured the slums for the rest of the morning and afternoon, ending this trip when it was time for dinner.
R.I. returned to their quarters, as they were required by their cooperation rules, while we returned to the L.G.D. HQ. I was about to find a place to leave when Ch'en grabbed me and dragged me to eat with her.
-"I can't let you wander around, even in cover, you are still VIP, if anything happens to you, Lungmen would be in trouble."-She explained.
-"I'd rather you didn't explain yourself."-I looked at her hand holding my wrist while dragging me, noticing the unconcealed gazes of other officers.-"Any explanation just sounds like a cover-up."
-"You wish."-She scoffed, but a slight blush appeared on her cheek.
On the way, we ran into Hoshiguma and another Feline officer, and they joined us for the meal.
-"So, Newbie, the meal is on you?"
-"Sure, though I don't have LMD on me, so I'll need to exchange them first."
-"What currency do you have on you? Right, I'm Swire."
-"Lateran one."
-"Oh? Sarkaz with Lateran currency?"-She raised her eyebrow.-"I can enhance with you. At the market rate."
-"Please."
A few minutes later, we entered a cozy restaurant not far from the HQ, and after finding a free table and ordering, three of them started talking while I returned to my tablet.
-"It's a mess. Just a week before, the slums were peaceful, but now, at least thirty assaults and two deaths were reported; and who knows how many weren't."-Swire sighed.
-"True, even a few of my old contacts disappeared, pushed out by Reunion."-Hoshiguma nodded in agreement.
-"What about that Old Rat?"-Ch'en asked, slight worry in her voice.
-"He is well, just getting annoyed by Lin."-She smiled while talking about that.-"By the way, who is that Newbie to you, Ch'en?"
-"Yes! Everyone is talking about that."-Swire looked at her rival with interest.
-"Can't say."-She shook her head.-"Just know that he is an important person."
-"Can't say? Important? Is he some kind of fiancé your old man found for you?"-Swire smiled mischievously.
-"No."-Ch'en denied it, but her friends ignored it.
-"Newbie, can you tell us?"-Hoshiguma turned to me, but she changed the subject when she looked at my tablet.-"This is?"
-"Map of underground passages in and around slums."-I answered her.-"I marked most of them, but some tunnels were reinforced in a way that stopped my Arts from mapping them."
-"Wait, wait, wait! You did what?"-Swire stood up and rushed to my side, looking at my tablet from over my shoulder.
I just handed it to her.
-"It's actually true…"-She was genuinely shocked.
-"You did all of that today?"-Ch'en was also surprised.
-"I have quite good spatial awareness."-I shrugged.-"I'll send you the map after I finish marking some things; you can confirm its accuracy tomorrow."
-"We will."-She nodded.
-"You really are something, Newbie."-Hoshiguma slapped my back.
-"You did well. How about switching to my team instead of that boring dragon? I can give you a nice bonus."-Swire leaned on my back, her tail lightly hitting my leg.
-"Cut it out. Eno is here as more of an observer than an actual officer. Just make sure to treat him normally on the missions."-Ch'en tried to stop them.
-"See, she can only be serious, not fun at all."-Swire blew a kiss in my direction but returned to her seat.
-"Swire!"
-"You two, the food is here."-Hoshiguma shook her head with a carefree smile.
We ate the meal in such a relaxed atmosphere, and after returning to the HQ, we started moving to confirm the accuracy of my map. Hoshiguma took some officers to go through parts of the tunnels below districts other than the slums, while Ch'en went to Wei to coordinate with his personal forces. This left me alone with Swire, whose interest in who I was never stopped growing.
-"So, Eno, right?"-She sat on the armrest of my chair; not leaning on me, but close enough to be flirtatious.-"Can you tell me who you are?"
-"I can tell you that I'm here temporarily, to ensure nothing goes catastrophically wrong."
-"Who invited you here?"
-"To the Lungmen, no one; but to the L.G.D., then that would be Ch'en."
-"Oh? So what's your relationship with that old dragon?"
-"I have reached an agreement with him as our interests align; aside from that, there isn't much of a relation."
-"Agreement not employment, that means your status is quite high."-She murmured under her breath, not aware that I could hear her clearly.-"Then what do you think of Ch'en?"
-"She is a strong person, but too stubborn for her own good. She takes on too many things on her back and feels responsible for things outside her control. If she continues like that, she will burn herself out."
-"True, but she just won't listen."-Swire shook her head.-"I hope you can help me with something."
-"I'm listening."
-"Take Ch'en out in the evening, help her relax, and don't let her continuously worry about work."
-"I can do that."-I nodded, not against spending the evening with beauty like Ch'en.
-"Great. I'll help you by covering her responsibilities."-She smiled after I agreed.-"As a thank you, I'll take you out next time."
I also smiled. The relationship like theirs was rare and even more precious. They could be themselves, butt heads and argue, but deep down, they all cared for each other dearly.
-"I have one more question."-Swire kept her smile and leaned close to my ear, her voice losing the warmth it had previously.-"You won't harm her, right?"
-"I won't."
She stayed close to me for a moment before backing off.
-"I'll believe you."
When the sun was already hanging low, Swire pushed Ch'en out of the HQ, with me following closely behind.
-"Don't stay cooped up with all that paperwork, go out with your boyfriend."
-"I already told you, he is not my boyfriend."
-"Details, go out. You won't get any younger, grab the change you got."
-"How about you go out with him instead?"-Ch'en asked, annoyed.
-"Sure, tomorrow. Today is your chance."
With that, she closed the doors, leaving Ch'en and me outside. We looked at each other, and I just shrugged, signaling her to lead the way. She looked at me, suspecting that I had something to do with this situation, but thinking that it was most likely Swire's idea, she just sighed.
-"Sigh. Fine. I'll take you around."
First, we visited a nearby clothing store, changing into something more casual than uniforms. I picked out a simple outfit consisting of jeans, a t-shirt, and a jacket, using a glove to cover my crystalline hand.
Ch'en also changed from her usual outfit, picking a red cheongsam with long slits showing off her legs, but she also put on safety shorts and black pantyhose, most likely aware of the gazes of people around. She also noticed my eyes trailing down at times, earning me an elbow to my ribs; though I had no regrets, nor was she really angry.
I dodged her reproachful gaze, pretending not to notice the red on her cheeks, taking her sword and hanging it by my waist as her dress didn't offer a belt. I extended my arm to her, she looked at it, but didn't take it; our relationship was too short for her to casually walk arm in arm with me. Instead, she matched my stride, walking next to me, not in front like before.
She took me to one of the commercial streets, showing me some interesting shops, but as neither of us was much of a shopping enthusiast, we quickly changed our plan. Leaving the commercial street, she took me to a quiet coffee shop that offered books for clients, a place Ch'en often frequented due to reading being her hobby.
-"Miss Ch'en! We just received a new part of a series you like. Should I bring it out?"-A waitress asked her when we entered.
-"This…"-She looked slightly shy, not knowing whether to accept or reject.
-"Please."-I answered instead.-"Would you mind also bringing a few first parts of said series for me?"
-"Of course."-The waitress noticed her slight faux pas, but, hearing my answer, she smiled quickly and went to bring us our things.
Ch'en and I sat in a quiet corner, taking up books given to us while talking quietly.
-"I never expected you to like fantasy."-Ch'en looked at me.-"You look like someone too serious and busy for such a thing."
-"I can say the same about you."-I smiled.-"I admit that I don't read much fantasy, or any recreational books for that matter; though I do read a lot. Most of my time reading is spent on magic scrolls and grimoires, as well as research on Arts and such subjects. But I do like legends and myths, so I would find some time to read books that use them in their plot."
-"Myths and legends? Only stories about Sui come to my mind."
-"Yes, there are many legends about Feranmuts, but I prefer stories from Earth and Azeroth."
-"Can you tell me some of them?"
-"Sure."
I told her the story of Elune and Malorne, the love between the Moon goddess and a guardian of nature. About their child, Cenarius, who would guide heroes during the War of the Ancients. Then I told her about the dragons, the war against Galakrond, and later the elementals, their duty as guardians of the world.
Ch'en listened attentively, asking questions from time to time. She found my stories interesting, especially the world they were describing, something entirely different from the Terra she knew. She was intrigued by races such as Trolls, Tauren, actual Demons, and the Elves, be it Kaldorei or Quel'dorei.
-"I'd like to see such a world one day."
-"It might be possible."
-"Right."-She nodded, but then looked out the window at the city outside.-"Eno, what do you think about Lungmen?"
I also looked outside, thinking for a moment before answering.
-"It depends, do you want to hear an answer from me as Holy Son, Infected, or just Eno."
-"All."-She turned to me and looked me in the eyes.
-"Then, as Holy Son, I think that Lungmen deserves its reputation as the economic capital of the world. As Infected, I think that too many people in those high glass towers forget about those who scrub their toilets. And as Eno, I'm glad that there are so many people genuinely wanting to make this place better."
My compliment caused her face to flush, but she just coughed and continued the subject.
-"Then if you could change one thing here, what would you do?"
-"Repair the rift between the Lungmen and Yan. Many things in the city need addressing, but those things are manageable. The most dangerous thing for Lungmen is the fact that it has no true backing; should Lord Wei make a mistake, it's as likely that the Yanese Emperor will act against him as Ursus would."
Ch'en knew some details about why Lungmen and Yan were in such a situation, and she understood why I pointed this out as the most important issue, but she felt powerless to do anything. She just closed her eyes, trying to push the dark and gloomy thoughts back.
I looked at her, and understood that she was exactly the type of person as her uncle, someone who could swing a sword at an emperor for those she holds dear. I thought about my incoming meeting with the emperor, my plans, and the cards in my hand. After a long contemplation, I asked a question that would change everything in her life.
-"If you were offered the possibility to give Lungmen a chance for a better future, but had to pay yourself as a price, would you?"
She opened her eyes and looked at me, not understanding why I would ask such a question, but noticing the seriousness in my eyes, she also answered me seriously.
-"Be it my life, or my self, I can give it up if it truly can give Lungmen a better future."