Veritas and Edward got into a taxi, Goldy and Veritas sat on the backseat, while Edward sat next to the driver's seat.
The journey was silent, set aside from the random conversation struck by the taxi driver to Edward.
Veritas meanwhile was... deep in thought.
His arms, while not fully healed, had at least gotten better, perks of a full rest and being a Guardian.
Now suddenly, he had to use them again in... training, a training with Edward's acquaintance.
He was excited, incredibly so, he was going to fight a Guardian, a legit Guardian.
Not only that, if he did well... he would get the chance to join an expedition.
This was a precious opportunity.
Oh... but he did just remember something crucial.
'What about my application to the Academy...? I haven't applied yet...'
Veritas looked at Edward before asking outright.
"Um... Mr. Edward, what about my application? To the Academy, I mean."
Edward looked back to Veritas with a raised brow.
"Well... you can do that after the training, it won't take long, it's just to see your endurance, combat ability, and your mastery on your Path."
Veritas blinked for a few times before nodding in acknowledgement as he stayed quiet for the rest of the ride, only stroking Goldy's fur as he look out the window.
Tall buildings were slowly settling into his view, the buildings looked clean, pristine, and bustling with activities of people with clean clothes and a kempt look on them.
Veritas didn't really feel jealousy, he simply looked at them in slight curiosity, but mainly disinterest.
His mind was still in the thoughts of fighting a Guardian, his heart beat loudly against his chest and his body felt restless, as if the taxi was like a... cage, locking him.
He wanted to just get out of this taxi and fly towards the agency.
But he figured that it wasn't really appropriate.
Anyway, his struggles were soon resolved as they arrived in front of a building, it was quite towering, its height above a few buildings around it.
Getting out of the taxi, the both of them stood in front of the towering building as Veritas looked at a sign.
Veritas... never really heard of this Agency.
'Sirius?'
Veritas stared at the sign that spelled out the name. Edward, noticing his reaction spoke.
"Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky. The leader's kind of poetic you see, but I'm not going to dive into the details."
Veritas simply nodded upon hearing the story behind the name.
Edward walked in through the door and Veritas soon followed.
The fresh scent of cleanliness struck him, like a natural scent of an office. Veritas felt like he was an office worker signing into work.
He looked around, mesmerized by the facilities the Agency had. Everything looked... technical, the pristine white walls, TVs, terminals and such.
Veritas was snapped out of his trance as Edward spoke with the reception before calling out to him.
"Right... have you ever been to the main city?"
"A few times for some errand from my past jobs, but never really had the time to explore."
Edward nodded before hearing steps coming from his side.
"Edward! How have you been?"
A man's voice resounded and the both of them turn to look.
There, they saw a blonde man with a middle parted hair and sharp green eyes, the man was wearing a simple white t-shirt and brown fitted pants with black combat boots.
The man looked like he was in his twenties.
Overall, the man looked like an office worker... but from the way he carried himself, Veritas suspect otherwise.
"Eric."
Eric extended a hug and a pat on Edward's shoulder, to which latter replied by patting Eric's back.
"I've been well, just passing by the days reading books and writing one."
"Ah, well you are of that age."
Eric teased Edward as the old man simply grunt before glancing to Veritas.
Veritas looked at the both of them awkwardly before bowing hesitantly to Eric.
"Good morning, Mr. Eric. My name is Veritas. Are you... perhaps a friend of Mr. Edward?"
"Yes, of course! He's my dearest friend, my forever friend!"
"Fuck no."
Edward cursed, leaving Veritas abruptly stunned as Eric cackled, slapping Edward's back.
"Ah, anyway nice to meet you Veritas. Welcome to Sirius Agency."
Veritas nodded respectfully, and Eric pat Veritas' shoulder before looking to Edward.
"This your son? Can't believe you already made another..."
Edward sighed before walking towards the elevator, Eric's cackling resounding through the surroundings.
"Um... I'm not Mr. Edward's son, sir."
"Chill out kid, I was just joking. I know you're not his son, lighten up a bit."
Veritas nodded awkwardly, scratching his cheek sheepishly as Eric smiled at him.
"Anyway, let's go after him. We're going to the training grounds."
Suddenly remembering what he was here for, Veritas' heart trembled as he nodded. The both of them walked towards Edward before entering the elevator, and Eric meanwhile struck a few conversations.
"So, how long have you had the System?"
Veritas glanced to Eric, he counted how many days it had been and answered.
"2 weeks-ish?"
Eric nodded, he looked at Veritas silently before looking to Edward.
Edward merely glanced back to him before silently looking forward.
It was obvious that Eric was... hesistant now.
Not that Veritas didn't understand, he was a fresh batch in the eyes of Eric and... he wanted to join an expedition?
"Veritas, just so you know... the expedition, while it was intended to train the rookies in my agency, it is a B rank Fracture."
Veritas blinked for a few times, he forgot the ranking for Fracture danger level...
Eric, noticing his confusion closed his eyes for a second before smiling to Veritas.
"B rank consists of Kilo to a chance of Giga Corrupted. But you most likely will meet more Mega Corrupted."
Veritas nodded, before smiling at Eric.
"Can't wait."
Both Eric and Edward stared at Veritas who was smiling, and the latter stopped smiling as he looked at the both of them in confusion.
"Um...?"
"Ha! Okay."
Eric looked at Edward with a look of realisation as Edward merely smile, looking at Veritas.
"Well, you're not even in the expedition yet so don't get your hopes up."
Veritas looked at Eric before smiling.
He said yet.
All Veritas needed to do now was to prove himself capable.
The elevator let out a ding, and they soon got out of it.
Veritas was greeted by the sight of a massive training ground with walls sectioning the whole floor to separate them.
The nearby Guardians upon noticing Eric waved their hand, both young and old.
"Mr. Eric!"
"Sup leader."
But then, some of the older looking Guardians spoke upon noticing the man walking next to Eric.
"Oh, there's Edward too!"
"Morning Edward!"
Eric simply smiled and greeted them one by one as he walked towards a room with Edward next to him with Veritas behind them.
Edward meanwhile simply nodded at them.
Veritas had a suspicion that Eric was the leader, and it proved correct. But what surprised him more was Edward.
Edward seem to had a past with them too, and not just Eric, but only with the older looking Guardians.
Some of the Guardians eyed Veritas with curiosity, but they simply nod and smile at him, and Veritas respond in kind.
The three of them entered the room, it was a vast empty room with simple tiles for the floor and walls up to the ceiling.
"Well, let's see what you got kid."