Finally, the city of Thalacia appeared on the horizon. Remio's stomach could not take it anymore, suffering from crossing half the Atlantic since this morning.
Of course, as a proud young man, he didn't let it show, but he struggled to keep his meal in its place. Why did he have to endure this old-fashioned means of transportation, he thought.
In reality, he knew the answer perfectly well, this city with a major strategic stake had only maritime access because of international agreements, but this reason seemed negligible to him besides his pain.
One hour later, after passing through the security checkpoints, he disembarked in Thalacia. He raised his arms in triumph. Like all the kids in the world, he had grown up with stories about this place on the verge of myth.
A place where dreams merged with reality. Thus, he had only wanted one thing since his childhood, to go there. Today, he fulfilled it.
However, this city had a tragic origin. Hundreds of years ago, humanity was in decline, famines, epidemics, wars, and natural disasters had devastated it.
One man had refused this fate. A whimsical scientist who had conceived in his tortuous mind an incredible mad project.
Against all odds, he successfully accomplished his plan. His brilliant success had saved humanity from the abyss.
Thus, his invention had created the seafaring city of Thalacia, located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, where it would remain under the supervision of the rest of the world.
Just outside the port terminal, Remio noticed his name in the crowd. His teeth gritted, though he had told his father he would be on his own... He hesitated to ignore the person holding the sign, but then changed his mind.
This kind of guy was naturally grumpy so he might as well not annoy them. Especially as soon as he arrived. In case of any mischief, his father would protect him, but to a certain extent, even he had his limits. Especially in this city so particular.
He walked towards the man in charge of recovering him. A mountain of muscles that his ill-fitting suit was struggling to contain. Remio held back his laughter before presenting himself to him:
"Mr. Da Riviera?" he asked.
"Himself."
"Perfect, follow me."
Remio relaxed. At least he wasn't the talkative type. Nothing worse than a henchman talking all the time, preventing him from concentrating on his thoughts. He led him to his car, a high-end sedan with an almost new sheen.
At least they know how to host here, Remio thought. Even if the security seemed lax. Why didn't he check his identity? At the same time, who would take the risk of going with this guy in hiding?
With these considerations, the man started the engine. He drove him in a religious silence to his lodging, a modest apartment that was perfectly suitable for his mission.
His accommodation was on the seventh floor of a complex in the middle of a district considered young and trendy according to his information. In short, nothing exceptional for a student arriving in this city.
After accompanying him to his doorstep, his driver explained some rules:
"Since this is your first time in Thalacia, I would like to clarify a few rules for you. First, here the Name has no value, so don't count on It. Second, no one must know your true identity. Third and last rule, contact us only from this apartment with the landline phone. Is that clear?"
"Perfectly clear."
"In that case, if you don't need my services anymore, I'm out."
The henchman withdrew, leaving him alone to settle into his new apartment. The apartment furnished, he had only to unpack his suitcase to arrange the few things he had taken before enjoying his freedom by exploring the city. However, the mood did not follow.
His guardian had reminded him of the reasons for his presence here, which he would have done well without. He hoped that the shadow of the Name would lessen away from his homeland, but alas, It kept returning to his mind. He could not neglect his mission.
Two months before, his father had offered him to join him in his business, which he had always refused. He knew the nature of the business in which his paternal was involved, but more than their illegal character, it was the old oaths indispensable to them that put him off. He preferred to keep his freedom to follow his own desires above all.
Why then is he here, at the service of the Name? He had been fooled. At least, the more time passed, the more Remio believed it. One evening, in the middle of the dinner, his father had said that the Name wanted to establish Itself in Thalacia and that It was looking for someone ambitious to do so.
Aware that his son would not refuse the opportunity, he had suggested his candidacy to the council, which had accepted it. Faced with a fait accompli and seeing his dream come true, Remio accepted the offer.
Thus, having just reached the age of majority, he would go to a university in the city while creating a network on behalf of the Name. A real pleasure in perspective. At least, he knew he could do it, his father had prepared him for this type of work since he was a child.
As soon as he finished the arrangement of his new home, he went down to the street, taking advantage of the little time he had left before the sunset. He admired the look of the city and its organization towards efficiency and optimization of the surface.
These elements explained the architecture of the city, which was very different from what he had known until now. Once he reached the nearest avenue, he took the stairs to the pedestrian walkway above the road.
All along it, people of all backgrounds were going about their business on this late day. In the distance, the sun was turning orange, making the landscape even more beautiful. Remio followed the direction of the crowd, letting himself be carried away by it.
Every ten meters, a new distraction welcomed him, making him even more amazed. He who had only known his peaceful European city, was discovering the astonishing cosmopolitanism of Thalacia and its perpetual excitement.
He wandered until late in the evening before returning home, frustrated that his first day had already come to an end.
On the way, he stopped at one of the countless street food vendors offering meals from all over the world. He chose a dish of Indian origin made of rice and chicken, if he believed the presentation of the stand.
Back in his apartment, he devoured it despite the first spicy bites that forced him to spray his mouth with water.
He burst out laughing at this unusual experience. Not that he found the situation particularly funny, but he realized that finally, he had broken with the embrace of his father for some time and that he tasted a true freedom that was unknown to him.
On these considerations, he lay down in his bed, overwhelmed by the jet lag. Especially since tomorrow, his mission would begin. In order not to arouse suspicion, he had registered at a university as a cover.
At least, that was what he had told his father. In reality, he intended to follow the courses assiduously. In this city where everything was possible, he would find a way to escape from his influence. He went to sleep with this idea in mind.