Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
"Uff." Aziel murmured, waking from his sleep.
"Who is it?" he asked, sitting up on his bed.
"Wake up." Emilia said with calm voice. "We will be late."
Aziel stretched and let out a long yawn.
"Give me a few minutes," Aziel said. "Let me get ready."
A few minutes later, he emerged from his room in uniform.
At the dining table, Emilia was already eating.
"Hey, you are eating without me." He said, pointing at her.
"What can I do?" she replied, still eating. "You are the one who is late."
Aziel also sat down on the table and began eating.
"Where is he…" he said, food in his mouth. "Azik?"
"I don't know." She replied.
"He was not here when I woke up."
Has he already gone to work leaving us behind? Aziel thought as they continued eating.
After a while they left for their work.
They returned back to the building. Above it was written: Darian's Hotel
What a unique name you choose captain. Aziel thought while touching his chin with his fingers.
A nine-year-old could come up with a better name for a hotel.
They both entered the hotel and reached the third floor.
They moved toward the wall.
Aziel saw the painting and decided to copy the same thing Ninja had done. He struck the painting attached to the wall, but nothing happened.
"Is it broken?" Aziel said, confused.
Emilia and Aziel both struck the painting multiple times, but nothing happened.
"What are you two doing?" a man said, standing behind them.
Both of them almost yelled in shock, none of them noticed when he came.
They turned to see a man standing there.
His long black hair combed neatly, falling just past his ears. His dark eyes were sharp; one marked by a thin scar.
He wore a fitted doublet, the fabric smooth and well maintained, cinched with a polished leather belt. His trousers were straight and clean, tucked into sturdy boots. A dark cloak rested lightly on his shoulders, its edges even and untattered.
His face was striking, with sharp features balanced by quiet elegance.
"What are you looking at?" the man asked.
"Who are you?" Aziel and Emilia said together.
"What are you guys talking about?" the man said. "It is me… your handsome fellow member, Azik."
Both of them stared at him, mouths wide open, scanning him from head to toe.
Azik pressed a button blended seamlessly into the wall opposite the painting.
The wall slid open and Azik entered the lift and nodded for them to enter.
They both entered the lift.
"Did the secret lift button change?" Emilia asked, looking directly at Azik.
"No." Azik replied.
"But Ninja punched the painting to open the lift." Aziel said.
Azik burst out laughing, clutching his stomach.
Both Emilia and Aziel looked at him.
"What is so funny?" Aziel asked.
"Sorry, sorry," Azik said, "it is just that Ninja played with you guys."
"What do you mean?" Emilia said, curiosity and confusion in her eyes.
"It is just that he showed you guys as he was punching the painting but actually, he pressed the same button I did." Azik replied, still laughing a little.
"But we saw him struck the painting." Aziel said, trying to deny Azik words.
"That is why I said he played with you guys. The speed he has no normal person like you guys can see when he pressed that button." Azik replied.
As he said that the lift reached its destination and the door opened.
All three of them exited the lift.
"Let's go now." Azik said.
"Stop wasting time."
They moved toward Darian's office.
After a while…
Aziel and Emilia stood in front of Darian while Azik stood along Darian.
The room was silent.
Darian broke the silence and said.
"From now on, you guys will be working as a squad with a team leader."
"The team will consist of three members and a team leader."
"Who is the 4th member?" Aziel asked.
"He is late I think, he will be here. Then you can meet him." Darian replied.
Oh yes, another lazy fellow. Aziel thought as Darian was speaking.
As all three of us are here. Don't tell me the team leader is late.
What a wonderful thing to know about.
"The rest of the information will be given to you by your team leader." Darian continued.
"Until then you all are dismissed."
As he said that all three of them left the room leaving Darian alone.
Emilia and Aziel moved toward the kitchen while Azik went on his way.
As they entered the kitchen, the room was lined with wooden shelves and sturdy tables, heavy with food. Barrels of salted beef stood in the corners, alongside piles of onion, carrot, and turnips. Loaves of bread and cheese wheel were stacked neatly, while bowls of apples, pears, and dried fruits filled the tables.
Oh wow!
There is so much to eat.
I want to stay here—our place never has this much food in the kitchen.
Yeah…I could even forget the Mindfall and live here for the rest of my life.
Emilia slapped Aziel on the head.
"Close your mouth," Emilia said with angry face. "It is written all over your face that you want to eat all of this."
Aziel looked at her, rubbing the spot on his head where she had hit to lessen the pain.
"So, what is it?" Aziel said.
"We are allowed to…"
Before Aziel could complete his words, a person entered the kitchen.
He had soft golden hair that fell softly over his forehead, catching the flickering glow of the lanterns. A worn book was tucked under one arm, its leather cover creased from use.
He wore a sung brown doublet without sleeves, its fabric plain but neatly stitched, fitting him comfortably yet allowing ease of movement. In the dim light, his bright, curious eyes and gentle figure gave him an almost fragile charm.
"Hello!" the boy said.
"My name is Lucius Mirel. I am new here."
"Oh, so you are our 4th member." Emilia said. "Nice to meet you."
Before they could greet each other, Azik came running in there.
"It is an emergency. Come with me."