Chapter 2: A new recruit

[Start of Arc 1: First spring]

Tokyo, June 18. The Sunlight Fortress.

The clouds took a grim grey and the sun's orange turned to black, announcing the moon's eventual rise.

Shinpei had just exited the elevator on level 7, his eyes wandering across the dark grey walls, skipping from this door to the other.

He took a deep breath and patted his hair, glimpsing at the last of his reflection in the elevator behind him, cut away with it closing as it sang a wonderful ping!

Thud Thud

He began his move. Careful steps, each with intention.

At the very corner of his vision, a half open door caught his attention.

“Staff Only” the sign above it read out.

Dang—Wait, I’m staff aren't I?

“Sweet” He entered the dressing room of his new job.

And what greeted him was not quite an idol of his.

“Even better,”

He didn't seem to mind.

What greeted him was an artifact of beauty, a piece of cloth which seemed to emit a seducing light.

There, hanging at the side of a chair, glimmered his brand new uniform, wrapped in protective plastic which failed to obscure its bright, attractive, yellow fabric.

Fuck you shiori HA HA! He jumped in his own place mirroring a spiteful yet excited rabbit. Before reaching in and carefully holding it up for a closer look, mesmerised.

MHmmmmmm It smells even better than it looks.

“Shinteiii!” A voice called from far.

Crap, its starting isn't it. He stripped as fast as he could as he clawed at the layer of protective plastic.

“Shinreiiiii!” The voice screamed.

Just give me one second damn it,

“Coming!!” Thud Thud Thud  He ran, 

Mirroring a stressed yet—just stressed rabbit.

Chapter 2: A new recruit

10 minutes Later…

News channels worldwide frantically fought to obtain the first seat at the conference deep within the burrow of magic’s elites. The Sunlight fortress of Tokyo, and to record the prime minister’s speech.

Rows upon rows of officials watched. Ministers. Engineers. Clerics. Soldiers.

Whispers of ignorant speculations stacked and scattered:

“Did Japan finish a new superweapon?”

“Heard the dazvelts might be gone.”

“I bet he's gonna talk about the wars again.”

“Maybe stop sending our children to die in Australia!!”

“Will they finally ban mana amplifiers from the Manalympics?”

“Move the camera away from my face.”

“I'm taking a nap…”

“Unionize priests!”

Rows and rows of seats painted with the various styles of various countries.

All still as trees. All as attentive as curious children. Studying Nahara’s words and figures which glowed thin on the many screens and projectors. A dozen from the crowd who couldn't tolerate religious euphemism though, had already begun to paint their faces in frowns of disappointment.

"Did we come all the way over here just for some cryptic lecture? Where's the big reveal we'd agreed on broadcasting?" The ambassador of France, sat at the very back end of the place, threw at the assistant by his side.

"Following the intel our agents from Fahrenheit managed, we can fairly assume Nahara is Japan's idea of a scapegoat, assuming things go bad with the publi–”she stopped mid sentence.

Walking along the long marble path which linked every room in the fortress to the other, nearing the place where the audience sat. Two from the many Lightfortress mages patrolling that day had passed by.

Shinpei, the youngest of the two, had made the assistant reconsider her volume.

Yeah, stop talking. I can’t stand politicians.

Fujikawa, his supervisor, was too tense to notice the new recruit's actions.

"Ay new recruit, watch over that man right there, in the red suit."

"Roger! wait... which one? there is like... five,"

"Shinrei! I've just shown you who, shut up and focus for once. This is no time for questions."

Sigh "Roger that!"

Thud Thud

Shinpei watched on, as Fujikawa's steps lengthened the distance between the two, unsure of what to say.

"My name was never shinrei... Sir." He calmly whispered.

His eyes lingered for a few seconds on the ambassador of France. Sat at the very back end of the place, annoyed. The ambassador then turned to face the assistant by his side, his mouth rambling on a volume only the two could hear.

Hell are they even talking about!

The Prime Minister did not await any applause.

He stepped forward while the screens displaying saint Nahara were still fading, hands clasped behind his back.

Shinpei was startled, but he quickly brushed it off, holding his composure.

The prime minister then cleared his throat, and once the chaos finally subsided,

A tight smile crucified on his professionally-disheveled face. Speakers amplifying:

“Saint Nahara speaks in ideals,” he began, smiling. “Allow me to speak in logistics.”

Sure, Shinpei turned to face the podium.

“Humanity's strongest artifact has just been revealed,” sigh “an artificial seed which once activated, will grow to become the tree of wisdom we often hear about in archeological scriptures. Capable of indefinitely extending the life span of every human under its range.”

Huh, every human? Crap dude, I'm a human too aren't I.

“But only in one, one year from now.”

Dang.

"Nine months from now," he repeated. "When spring arrives and said artifact fully activates, would we dance together at the end of conflict."

Heavy Applause Filled the room.

Shinpei went with the flow and clapped.

“The hard part’s over really.” the prime minister began, his voice echoing in the sudden silence. 

“So hand in hand let’s protect this seed from the children of Lilith and their worshippers.”

Didn’t he say he wouldn't speak in ideals?

“–the terrorists whose actions had influenced a great deal of every war over the span of the last century.”

I should learn to just listen.

"Dasvelts are now gone for good,” He leaned into the microphone, his voice hardening. “And there is no place amongst this coalition!”

Holy crap.

“For those who sympathize with them, or even as much as attempt recreating their soon-to-be-forgotten terror.”

This is huge.

Claps and laughs as well as wine cups filled up the atmosphere of an advanced yet desperate society.

Skeptics simply bit their tongues. And ordered much more earplugs and sleep pills.

A select few did more than that though,

"His damn hairline is the only thing in need of divine intervention." A voice calmly exclaimed.

A ripple of restrained laughter spread through the guests,

Shinpei, surprised by the boldness of that statement, turned to face its source.

...

Nothing.

Behind him was no one.

I didn't sleep yesterday because of stress, not to mention the jetlag… Damn it.

It’s only natural I begin to hear stuff—

"Just let it go."

A low voice and a Tap on his shoulder from behind suddenly appeared, forcing Shinpei to spring backwards in fear.

Before quickly catching back his breath, his face snapping backwards in confusion for the second time.

"I'm gonna make you regret your..." Shinpei's eyes narrowed, as a feeling of catharsis slowly boiled from within.

"...actions." He exhaled, his eyes widening at the sight before him.

Clean stood a handsome tall man in full black. The only color emanating from him's a red tie.

A face hinting of European, and a hair combed beyond perfection.

It was a sight not too foreign from Shinpei, a figure whom 3 seconds was all it took for him to recognize,

The vice captain in the flesh, second in command at the same prestigious Light fortress where Shinpei now serves.

A mage far outranking anyone he'd ever met.

His composure shattered as he cheered, "SOLFIN! Light child Solfin!!"

Solfin's brow raised. A disappointed expression soon followed.

"Hmm, how did you recognize me so fast?"

"Who in Japan doesn't know of you? Sir Solfin."

"And I was proud of this disguise too…”

His eyes studied the young recruit before him,

"Listen here, keep it low, I'm supposed to blend in with the audience."

Crap.

"Forgive me for asking. But,

"Why would you wear this then?" Shinpei threw.

...

"Wear what?"

Shinpei pointed, "These clothes..."

"This is my casual wear, how else would I blend in?"

You call that casual? "Got it."

"But since you've already caught me, let's trade positions." Solfin smiled.

Trade positions?!

"Something important's awaiting me far from here, escorting these politicians into the airport.”

"And?" Shinpei held his breath.

“Your job is to stay here and make sure no troublemakers arise. Basically—

“An overnight shift.”

"Gladly!" Shinpei jumped, "but wait... why me?"

"How do I say this..

"Despite your uniform, I doubt you'd catch any negative attention." Solfin shamelessly answered.

Shinpei, who's too blinded by the awe of meeting his idol to process what he'd just heard, sprung his hand up in a naïve salute. Barking a submissive yet violent,

"ROGER THAT!"