The woman before the group exuded an intimidating aura. Wearing a pantsuit, black high-heels, and thin glasses coupled with her blonde hair, she gave off a feeling of competence.
"V-Vanessa, why don't we talk this out?" [Vamp]
"Talk what out?" [Vanessa]
She had her arms crossed and spoke with an unimpressed tone. Adam felt like he needed to do something, but decided to just let the adults handle it.
"I-I mean… You're not angry are you?" [Vamp]
"Angry? Do I look angry?" [Vanessa]
Vanessa most definitely did look angry. Wielding a cold gaze like a weapon, she practically threatened everyone in the room.
"Really now? Well that makes things easier." [Vamp]
He began to step out of the elevator, but Vanessa stopped him with a hand to his chest.
"Uh… Vanessa?" [Vamp]
"Who said you were excused?" [Vanessa]
Her tone of voice lowered, and the tension rose. Though somehow, Vamp remained unaffected by it.
"I thought I could go to the office since you said you weren't angry." [Vamp]
"I never "said" I wasn't angry. I only "asked" if I looked angry." [Vanessa]
("Yikes") [Adam]
Her words left Vamp speechless. He simply didn't know how to react.
"Um… Can we do this another time? We have kids watching." [Vamp]
"I know." [Vanessa]
"Oh, so you did know." [Vamp]
("She knows?!") [Vamp]
Small beads of sweat began to appear, but Vamp held his ground.
"Should I introduce them, or…" [Vamp]
"Don't try to change the subject." [Vanessa]
"Yes ma'am…" [Vamp]
Closing off his escape route, Vamp was sentenced to being chewed out in front of the kids.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
After standing around for 30 minutes while Vamp was getting lectured, Vanessa decided to let him off.
"Now do you understand what you did wrong?" [Vanessa]
"Yes…" [Vamp]
"Good. Now, what are you kids doing here?" [Vanessa]
She turned her gaze to Adam, which made him tense up.
"We… uh… were invited to check out Vamp's office." [Adam]
"Really? And your names?" [Vanessa]
"Adam. And he's Felix." [Adam]
"Hi." [Felix]
Vanessa passed her gaze over the two, causing Adam and Felix to freeze up.
"Adam… where have I heard that name…? Oh, you were that kid from the incident ten years ago!" [Vanessa]
"...Can we not talk about that?" [Adam]
It was then that Vanessa's cold expression turned into pity.
"Ah, that was insensitive of me. I apologize." [Vanessa]
She bowed her head apologetically, clearly feeling remorse for her actions.
"No, no. It's fine. Just… try not to bring it up." [Adam]
"Is… that so? In that case, I'll try my best. For now, how about I give you kids on a tour?" [Vanessa]
"Sounds good." [Adam]
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Led by Vanessa at the front, the group was taken down a hallway lined with numbered doors. The hallway felt never ending, but they eventually stopped when they reached a door labeled "Room 408".
"Allow me." [Vamp]
Taking out the black card from before, he tapped it on a box similar to the front of the building.
"Open sesame." [Vamp]
The sounds of gears churning emitted from the door, and it swung right open.
("How convenient.") [Adam]
"I wonder if the "Open sesame" was necessary." [Krino]
As Adam entered the room, he felt a cool breeze brush past him.
"It has air conditioning. Nice." [Adam]
The office walls were the tinted glass from before, and the flooring was covered in a black carpet. The walls were lined with shelves holding either labeled binders or strange statue-like objects.
"Are those… figurines?" [Adam]
"No, they're souvenirs I got from people I've saved. Pretty cool right?" [Vamp]
Adam looked at the souvenirs with a strained expression. They weren't as "cool" as Vamp thought they were.
"Uh… yeah. They're… cool. Anyways, is that yours?" [Adam]
Nodding his head to the back of the room, he pointed out a desk overflowing with documents.
"That's… my work." [Vamp]
"Only a small portion. I did most of it myself." [Vanessa]
She directed her words towards Vamp, causing him to avert his gaze.
"I'll make sure it's done by next week." [Vamp]
"I'll hold you to it." [Vanessa]
He chuckled nervously, actually unsure if he could do it in time.
"Let's put that aside for now. Let's get down to business." [Vamp]
"...We actually had business?" [Adam]
"Not until I found out your house had been destroyed." [Vamp]
"...I'm not following." [Adam]
"We're buying you a new house." [Vamp]
"Really?!" [Adam]
Blurting out his words from surprise, Vamp gave him a thumbs up.
"Yep! I promised your parents that I'd take care of you and Vivian." [Vamp]
"Isn't that great?" [Felix]
He slapped Adam across the back as if to congratulate him, but all it did was hurt.
"There's also the matter of being known as the sole survivor of the… incident. I'm sorry, but this topic is necessary for you to understand." [Vanessa]
"Woah woah! They're kids, just let the adults do the work 'kay?" [Vamp]
"But sir, if we wait any longer…!" [Vanessa]
"Don't worry about it. I'll handle it if "they" make a move." [Vamp]
They spoke as if Adam and Felix weren't there, which only led to more confusion.
"What are you guys talking about?" [Adam]
"Nothing really. So about that time you beat that huge voidling, you've grown!" [Vamp]
"Haha… It wasn't much." [Adam]
"Even I wouldn't have been able to do that at your age. You must have an amazing ability!" [Vamp]
"Thats…" [Adam]
Vamp looked at him with eyes of excitement. It only made it harder for Adam to speak.
"So? What's your ability?" [Vamp]
"Level 8 Spatial Manipulation." [Felix]
"Hm?" [Vamp]
"That's Adam's ability." [Felix]
("Felix?!") [Adam]
He looked at Felix with bewilderment. At this point, Adam had no clue what was happening.
"L-level 8?!" [Vamp]
"Incredible…" [Vanessa]
"Can you show me?" [Vamp]
"N… Not really…?" [Adam]
"It's not something that can really be seen." [Felix]
Interrupting the flow of conversation, he continued to cover for Adam.
"Is… that so? And how about you? Felix… was it?" [Vamp]
"My ability is Level 1 Compression." [Felix]
"O-oh… Sorry for asking." [Vamp]
"It's no problem." [Felix]
Felix's demeanor had changed so suddenly that Adam was at a loss for words.
"By the way we should probably go soon." [Felix]
"You do?" [Vamp]
"Adam and I had an appointment with friends today. We'll be leaving now." [Felix]
Grabbing Adam by the arm, Felix began to drag him out the door.
"Wait a minute! I'll drive you two back." [Vamp]
"No need. Our meeting place is nearby." [Felix]
With that, the two students left the building.