"Good Morning and welcome to the X City Skydancer Association. Which service do you want to use today?"
The pitch was fake, and the voice reeked of tiredness and repetition.
'She's obviously said this more than 100 times today, despite knowing what exactly we are all here for.'
He shook his head and sighed for all the receptionists out there.
Hugo decided to be kind to this particular one, seeing the layers of bags under her eyes.
"I'd like to apply for the Skydancer Re-ranking event."
The woman smiled slightly and typed on the holographic screen in front of her.
"Your licence please."
"Okay."
Hugo shuffled through his pocket a bit till he found his Skydancer License. He gave it to her and added a few words to his gesture.
"Here you go and Miss... Maya, I suggest you take a leave from work."
The receptionist named Maya looked up from what she was doing in shock and thanked Hugo for his kind words.
'Making people feel happy is a part of ridding this world of the crime and corruption that plagues it.'
Hugo smiled to himself and walked over to where his bike was parked in front of the association.
'What's taking Hyena so long, though?'
Hugo tapped his feet against the floor after a few minutes had passed and Hyena was still nowhere to be found.
"Whatever, I'll just go find something to do somewhere. He's not a child, he can find his way home."
He hopped onto his bike and just drove.
He weaved through the crowd of vehicles on the street and removed his helmet, letting the wind caress his face not-so-gently. People often thought driving around was what an aimless drifter would do, and if that was so... then fine Hugo agreed he was an aimless drifter.
After all, what other thing is better to do in the boring country.
Hugo just drove until he reached a park. The park was mostly empty, so that was good for him. It was times like this that made Hugo feel blessed.
"Whew, just what I need; a relaxing day free of monster hunting, annoying voices, annoying people and drama. It's the perfect kind of life."
Hugo moaned as he sat on one of the park's benches, they weren't comfortable but there was still something to them that made him like them so much.
However, another voice; one very familiar to Hugo rang out near his ear.
"Ah, good morning to be alive... Eh, is that Monsieur Hugo I see over there!" The person speaking noticed Hugo's familiar figure and rushed to meet him.
'What kind of f*cking luck do I have?'
It was like that saying; don't curse your luck before it gets worse.
"Nice day. Eh, that's Hugo, right? Oiiiii! Hugo, how're you!?"
The voice was air-head sounding if you know what I mean. Just think of a pimpy blonde cheerleader in a Disney movie, but male.
"What the f*ck is this, a high school reunion?!" Hugo yelled out in no other emotion except distress. Unfortunately for him, this was one moment Hyena would come in handy. And he just so happened to have left Hyena in the Skydancer association.
'Sigh, whatever. I'll just kill myself.'
"Oh, hey guys."
Even Hugo himself could not explain his extreme change in tone, but there it was; pleasant sounding. You'd even think he was like this all the time.
"I didn't expect to meet you in the Skydancer Park monsieur Hugo." Raoul's eyes darted around where he sat and he laughed weirdly.
'F*ck, no wonder!' Hugo insulted his intelligence, but it was still too late.
"Hehe, you guys are still the same as ever." Old IA V-1 chuckled and smacked Raoul's back playfully.
"Anyway, are you guys gonna take part in the Re-ranking event coming up a few months from now?" Hugo didn't want the conversation to diverge into one of traits and characteristics, so he thought on his feet and changed the subject without a break in tone.
"Hell yeah!" IA V-1 pumped his fists in the air like a child and looked around Hugo.
"What're you guys looking for?"
The both of them stopped searching and awkwardly chuckled.
"Ah, it's nothing." Raoul scratched the back of his head, laughing.
"What's there to look for though?" IA V-1 whistled slowly and moved towards the bench Hugo was sitting on.
He sat down and changed the subject.
"Eh, so how's Hyena?"
'F*cker! Don't think I don't know you both are looking for Ruki.' Hugo swore inwardly and stood up as soon as Raoul also sat on the bench.
"Sorry, gotta go. I have a few things I need to do." He decided it was time for him to leave this cursed park and walked swiftly to his hovercycle.
"Hold up! I want to battle you!"
If this was a normal day, no doubt it would be Hyena saying this. However, it wasn't a normal day and Hyena was not here, instead; it was IA V-1 speaking.
Hugo stopped in his tracks and thought it through.
'Battle huh? Well, it's not like I have things to do today apart from my daily training. But... training gets boring after a while, so think I'll make an exception to my daily training rule.'
"Hmph, I accept your challenge!"
Hugo jumped into the air, scarf flying and clothes fluttering and the big finish... he summoned Shiloh.
"Alright, make sure you don't hold back on me!" IA V-1's eyes were filled with so much determination and battle intent, so much that it turned Raoul on...
"Where are we gonna battle though?"
Hugo asked and tore his tie off his neck.
"It's called the Skydancer park for a reason..." IA V-1 pointed towards a battle platform in the park and wore his helmet simultaneously.
"Oh, you've gained a lot more information on how the world works. Since when..." Hugo smiled smugly and pointed Shiloh straight towards IA V-1.
"It was when you were busy organizing pointless night raids."
Unbeknownst to him, the Skynet probably taught IA V-1 much, much more than general knowledge.
. . .
Author's Note: As many of you know, this book is part of the spirity contest and I lied when I said it was only for the experience. I am actually aiming for the potential adaptation award and this will be closer to my grasp if y'all vote. So, vote for Black Knight for a chance at an anime adaptation.