A month passed since Adam arrived in Springdale.
In that ti, his flatmates ca and went without much explanation. Sotis they were gone for a day. Sotis for several. They never spoke about where they went, only returned tired.
Of course, Adam already knew that they were either on missions or carrying out their duties for the Brotherhood. On the surface, however, he appeared completely clueless.
Left on his own, more often than not, Kenny spent his days roaming the Trade Ward. He learned the layout of the streets, the rhythm of the markets, the busiest hours, and the quiet ones.
He listened to rchants argue, watched guards make their rounds, and morized shortcuts through alleys and roads. Gradually, the district began to feel familiar and comfortable.
Yet, the feeling of being watched never left him.
No matter where he went, he sensed eyes on his back. Of course, he knew that the people of the Brotherhood were always observing him, seeing if he was going to be a good fit for the organization.
During this ti, he made sure not to reveal any suspicions. He always wore Kenny’s face and behaved like a sixteen-year-old who had left the forest and settled in a bustling tropolis for the first ti.
Kenny appeared slightly nervous and suspicious every ti he felt he was being observed, but Adam was calm and patient. For he knew this was the vetting process he was going through.
In order to infiltrate the Brotherhood, he had to do so from the ground level, posing as a harmless Mana Foundation Magus.
And that’s exactly what he had done.
Eventually, the day he was waiting for finally arrived...
The city’s usual sounds filtered in through his bedroom window. It sounded muted and distant. Kenny was alone once again, the silence pressing in all around him.
On the surface, he appeared bored and even reminiscent of his ho in the Sea of Green. But inwardly, he couldn’t help but quietly complain:
Dragonshit!
It’s been so many months since I’ve tasted a sip of wine. With these bastards constantly tracking my every move, I can’t even enjoy alcohol.
But why do you have to spy on even when I’m in my room? Is there no sense of privacy for these people?
Suddenly...
Knock! Knock!
Kenny’s eyes glead with an excited light.
Finally, he thought to himself as he quietly spread his senses outward.
He is here!
The boy exited his bedroom, walked across the tiny hallway, and finally opened the door. A mont later, he was startled.
"Magus Potts!" he exclaid.
Lebu smiled warmly at the youth.
"Kenny, my boy," he greeted as he ruffled the boy’s hair. "How have you been?"
The boy intinctively recoiled, smoothed his hair back, and said with a bright smile. "I’ve been great! Just a little bored, maybe. It’s lonely here, but I love visiting different places in this district. It’s fun."
Lebu chuckled jovially as he sat at the dining table. "What else have you been up to?"
As if you don’t know, Adam sneered inwardly.
But Kenny said with a wide smile, "I try all kinds of food in the neighborhood. They’re so delicious. And apart from that... uhm, I like to look at the city’s skyline at night. It’s just like back ho, except this is a forest of buildings."
"Forest of buildings," Lebu murmured with a smile. "Haha, I like the sound of that."
Kenny then shalessly stretched out a hand and said, "Anyways, I’ve run out of money."
Lebu’s lips twitched.
Seeing that expression, Kenny let out an awkward laugh. "W-what I an is... uhm, give a job so I can earn money! That’s right!"
The Agent cleared his throat and said in a solemn voice, "That’s why I’m here."
He paused, intently looking into Kenny’s brown eyes. "I’m here to offer you a job."
"Really?" Kenny was excited. "What do I have to do? No, more importantly, how’s the pay?"
This kid sure loves money, Lebu thought to himself in amusent.
"Before that," he began. "Let confirm one more ti... do you possess any spells?"
"No." Kenny innocently shook his head. "Never needed them."
"Good." Lebu nodded. "I have a job for you, and for that, you must not use any spells. Understood?"
Kenny couldn’t help but show a light frown, his eyes flashing with light suspicion. "What kind of job is this? And..."
He paused for a mont before warily asking, "If you don’t mind asking... who do you work for, Magus Potts?"
Lebu smiled. "You’re cautious," he said. "And that is a good trait to have."
He paused for a few monts, studying Kenny’s expression. At last, he began:
"I work with a small network that handles problems best solved quietly. We don’t seek control, and we don’t advertise what we do. When sothing minor starts to turn dangerous, we step in and nudge it back into place. You won’t need to know nas or faces, only what needs doing."
He paused for a mont, then solemnly said, "If you decide this isn’t for you, we part ways and forget this ever happened."
Kenny was dumbfounded.
"Magus Potts, you said absolutely nothing despite using so many words!"
Lebu found his eyelid twitching in frustration.
Well, that’s all I can say without exposing knowledge about our organization, he mused.
Just as he was about to reiterate, Kenny spoke up.
"We won’t be harming any innocents, right?" he asked, his voice uneasy.
Lebu was slightly taken aback before shaking his head with an approving smile. "That goes without saying."
Kenny sighed in relief. He then asked in a very serious voice, "And the pay is good, right?"
"...The pay is decent," Lebu replied after a brief pause. "We do not overpay novices, but we always pay on ti. Besides, it will be enough to sustain yourself in the city."
"Alright, I’m in!" Kenny readily agreed.
"...Don’t you wish to hear about the job first?" Lebu felt a little flabbergasted by the youth’s love for money.
"Oh, yes." Kenny nodded, patting his forehead. "Sure, go ahead."
Is this kid serious? Lebu thought incredulously.
His expression soon turned solemn, and he explained the initiation mission.
"There’s a minor noble I’d like you to watch," he began.
"Nothing urgent. Follow him long enough to understand his routine, who he ets, where he goes, and how he conducts his affairs. If there’s sothing improper, you docunt it. If there isn’t, that’s useful too. No confrontation. No interference. If you’re noticed, you walk away. The risk is low, and I’d like you to keep it that way."
Lebu paused for a mont, then added with a smirk:
"Should you choose to accept this mission, you will begin tonight."
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