The island of Saint Ilse was almost the same size as Japan's Kanto region. Saint Isle was an Island with absolute independence and is productive on its own; It has its own malls, convenience stores, various shops, and outlets. Communication here was done with magic. Transformation as well was no big deal as tains, busses, cars and so on were also present—aside from the teleportation circles.
The students have access to everything they could possibly need while living here, just as they would on the mainland. As such, no other nation needs to be contacted in order to support the island.
Rooted at the exact center of the aforementioned island, the Saint Stella Academy was built. It was as if a castle and the surrounding residential area where the students live was like its Castletown.
The Saint Stella Academy was designed like a structure ranging between the Middle ages and the modernization. Stones, bricks, and marbles were used to construct the whole campus combined with glasses and other high technology materials. Paved pathways with virtual signs and a large fountain could be found at the entry, right after passing through the main gate.
The entire school was covered in expansive, vibrant gardens with a wide variety of plants and flowers—spherical pavilions and stone benches. In addition, there was an artificial lake behind the campus grounds.
Outside, it certainly exudes an air of Medieval era tainted with a modernist touch.
However, the classroom layout and every other aspect of the school's interior were inspired by Japanese schools.
It was a literally mishmash of differing cultures. And adding the sun surrounded by five black spherical objects—this whole school, or rather, this whole Island truly was a place carved out of a fantasy.
Hm?
Ah, give me a moment. I've got a message from my spoiled little princes;
CutieSofy: [Brother, where are you?]
CutieSofy: [Are you shopping for dinner?]
CutieSofy: [If so, can I also come?]
BigloveBro: [Ah, sorry. I've got something to do. Go home before me.]
CutieSofy: [A business matter?]
BigloveBro: [Yep. Reina's father called for me.]
BigloveBro: [I'm on my way to meet him.]
CutieSofy: [I see. Say hi to uncle for me, okay?]
BigloveBro: [Okay.]
CutieSofy: [Ah, also, brother… can I have a request for our dinner today?]
BigloveBro: [Got it. Fish, right? I'll go buy some before going home.]
CutieSofy: [Huh?! How did you know?!]
BigloveBro: [You said it loud on your speech earlier, silly.]
CutieSofy: [I did, did I not? ehehe. (She attached an emoji of a puppy sticking out it's tongue with a word above it 'Te-hee!')]
BigloveBro: [We'll anyway, I'll go home quick after hearing him out. Take care on your way home, okay?]
CutieSofy: [Okay. See you later at home.]
BigloveBro: [Yup. See you.]
CutieSofy: [Brother!]
BigloveBro: [Hm?]
CutieSofy: [Iloveyou (with a matching heart emoji.)]
BigloveBro: [Yep. Me as well.]
CutieSofy: [Jeez! Come on, say it!]
BigloveBro: [Okay, okay. I LOVE YOU.]
CutieSofy: [Ehehehe. See you.]
BigloveBro: [Yep. See you at home.]
Uhm... Softy's the one who put the nicknames. Just saying.
Ahem… okay, I'm done with my chat. Let's continue with the narration.
On this exact island, on its most prestigious school—I stand before one of its most extravagant doors. A golden double-door with intricate carvings that even for an amateur like me, I could feel the art poured onto its creation. Also, just by looking at it I could tell how heavy it was… or maybe not?
After knocking three times a woman dressed in a black suit welcomed me by pulling the door like it was nothing.
"Welcome. Master awaits your arrival."
After bowing her head, she gracefully pointed her arm towards the table planted near the window of such spacious room.
There, a man was sitting with a tobacco on his right hand. He was looking outside the window so his back was turned against us. After puffing a smoke, he spoke in a mild tone as he slowly spun his seat towards us.
"So, you've come… Child of Abyss; Gleren Stasis."
Sigh... This again.
"What do you need this time? Sir Headmaster, Yamada Jin."
He pinned me with a strong glare and his instense aura was oozing out. Killing intent? No. It's not that. He grinned at me, smoke escaping from his mouth.
And after a brief moment—
"Cough, cough! Cough! Bwegh…"
—he was coughing like the moron he was and the dignified presence that he stablished with his intimidating aura earlier had all gone with the smokes.
"If you're not used to smoking, why smoke in the first place?" I heaved a sigh of exasperation.
"Heh. You just don't get it, my dear Ren…"
"Don't call me that!"
"Hehehe. When you entered the room, don't you feel like acting one of the most famous scenes in an anime? Like that one time one the protagonist met one of his strongest allies?"
"Well, certainly." I nodded in agreement. Now that I think about it. Wait no, "I'm not some kind of protagonist, though? And what's the connection with the tobacco?"
"Well, the impact will be lessened if I don't hold a cigarette. So… He he he. I just..."
I stared at him, my expression blank.
"Aw come on! Say something! Gleren, you're acting cold even though we haven't meet each other for a very long time! How about giving your uncle a welcome hug?"
"Eww gross!" I pulled a face. "Long time, my ass! You've roped me up with that escort mission last month, you old rat! And without even telling me the details of the assignment! That was troublesome, mind you! I almost died!"
"Ehhh? Did I now? Oh, I did, did I not? Hahaha."
This old man...!
This man was the current headmaster of Saint Stella Academy as well as Reina's father. And also… one of the Seven chiefs of HARMONIA, Yamada Jin. Also known as {Jin of the Storm.}
Professional Ability Holder Profile:
[(Yamada Jin: 46)
(Rank: SS Ranked)
(Ability: Calamity)
(Ability type: Demon stone)]
If not for his crazy ideas and his overly free-spirited personality, he'd become a really respectable adult for me to idolize.
"Come on, jeez. Don't give your uncle such silent treatment. Ah, by the way the head chief wants to give you her compliment for completing your last mission without any hassle. And of course, the same goes for me. As expected of my nephew." Grinning, he thumped his chest.
I shook my head, "If you are her were really grateful, how about excluding me from that kind of assignments from now on? I told you that I need to be with Sofy all the time."
"Aww come on! Don't be so stiff. How about marrying Reina as a reward from me?"
"Geh! Don't even think of mentioning that kind of thing in front of her! She'll definitely kill both of us! Brrr… Just remembering that one time gives me chill in my spine." I hugged my own body, a blue streak lined my face.
There was one time, Jin also said this kind of joke in front of Reina. And the result? We needed to repair this whole building after she destroyed it and turned it into rubles. That's when I decided not to got overboard teasing her. Just a little tease should be the limit.
"AHAHAHA! That one time was rather terrific ain't it?"
"It was not! We almost died you, know. Both of us!"
"Sure were! HAHAHA!"
When he talks like this, no one could ever tell how strong he was as a chief. I mean, who would even imagine such thing from him. Sure, his body is built differently from others. He's two meters tall and his muscles… I'd rather not describe them, but if I really had to, then 'bulging' is the right term.
However, body mass doesn't matter anymore. After all, the factor 'ability' was now present. So, when he talks and laugh lightheartedly like what he was doing right now, no one would ever imagine that he once repelled an invading country singlehandedly.
It happened apparently back when Saint Ilse was just established. Many countries desired sovereignty of the land, thus as one of the world's most powerful countries, a nation from the south hemisphere attempted to seize Saint Ilse, only to fail at the hands of a single man.
Well, that is a story for another time. What I want to know was, why the hell am I here?
"By the way, Gleren, how's Sofy?"
It's really hard to keep up with him. He switches from topic to another.
"She's all well. I'm with her after, all. Also, she said hi."
I replied curtly as to not drag the conversation.
"Hehehe. Sofy's just so cute. You should learn a thing from her, you know."
"Well, sorry for not being so cute. So? How about you tell me now the reason why you called me here? I suppose I'm not here only for some gratitude from the head chief, am I?"
"You really are not cute. Well anyway, I called you here for three reasons." He said as he raised his hand in the air, his three fingers sticking out.
"Three?"
I asked in a confused tone. Normally a summon should only contain one reason at a time. For him to call me for three at once… something is not right here.
"Yes. Three." He waved his fingers.
I narrowed my eyes. This seemed really important.
"I'm all ears."
"First; we received letters."
"Letters?" I tilted my head. Now, that's kind of unexpected.
"Yep. For you."
"Can you not drag this out? I still have to go shopping for dinner you, know?"
"Aww, come on! Such a bad kid, you are. Uncle here is sad."
I wrinkled my nose. "Creep."
"Well, jokes aside, letters were certainly sent for you. The first one was from your client last Christmas."
Last Christmas... If I remember correctly,
"From that bodyguard mission, huh. So? What did she say? It was Zhang Huiying, right? That Chinese model?"
"Yep. I'm surprised you remember her."
"I don't forget my clients name. They took good care of me, after all."
"What a passionate worker you are. Well, anyway, she was constantly asking about you. And it's not even related to work. She was asking about your address and your phone number. Just what the hell did you do to her, you rascal?"
Why would she?
As I was lost in thought, I was left in silence. This time unintentionally.
Seeing as I was not able to say a word, Jin continued.
"Well, don't you rejoice too soon, we still have two letters left to discuss. The next letter was from your client on your escort mission last valentine."
"Valentine? From Anastasia Kuznetsov, huh. The Russian actress? And? What did she say?"
"The same as miss Zhang. Both of them are bothering us for your personal information. Miss Anastasia even said that she'd donate a large sum of money to the school in exchange for your phone number. You damned womanizer! If Sofy hears about it, she'll castrate you for sure." Then he pause as if actually considering it. "Wait, ain't that interesting?"
"Anything but that…"
My face turned blue just from imagining it.
"Well, if you think that its that all, then you are wrong. Very much so. The last letter came from your last mission."
"Last mission… Elisabeth Wettin? So, what does the third princess of the current reigning Royal Family want from an F-rank like me?"
"She, unlike the other two is being rather indirect."
"Indirect?"
Jin nodded.
"She would call us from time to time disguising it as a contract transaction and would ask as if on the side note—'Ah, is sir Gleren available at the moment?'—with a shy voice."
"Don't imitate her! You sound annoying! And gross!"
I shouted. My face is hot and I am well aware how red it was right now even without looking at a mirror.
"You keep on going on with 'I'm just me, after all.' or, 'Die hot guys!' when you have these three high peak flowers dancing in the palm of your hand."
Don't imitate my voice!
"Don't say it like that. You make me sound like a devil rascal."
"Oh? Are you not?"
He tilted his head as if genuinely confused. It was really annoying how seeing as he was enjoying all these.
"Tell me, Gleren, just what the hell did you do to those three?"
"Is that an order?"
"Nope. Just some idle talk."
He grinned. Seems like I have no choice but to spill the beans. I sighed and cleared my throat. I began my tell-tales.
"Huiying hurt her feet while she was modeling, so I offered her a foot massage. But strangely after that, she requested that I give her a shoulder and back massages as well. Well, that's all. It's not that big deal, is it?"
"…"
Ah, the reactions now reversed. Jin seemed like he cannot process the information I gave him.
Not stopping there, I continued.
"While I saved Anastasia from almost being kidnap, all I did for Elisabeth was talk with her. We just had a simple conversation." I bobbed my head.
"You rascal… You really are dense, are you? Or are you purposely leading them on?"
"Huh? What are you on about?"
"Are you messing with me?!" He yelled. Then sighing, he went on. "Well, whatever." After shaking his head from left to right, he added, "I don't think we have time to deal with them. Our guys who manages intel are also getting annoyed from receiving letters and messages for you. Their time was mostly being consumed by it. We will give them your contact information just like they were asking. You will be dealing with them from now on. You don't have any qualms, do you? This is one of the reasons why I called you here.
I remained silent for a moment before nodding.
"I... got it."
It can't be helped. If it causes problems to the organization, then giving my personal information to them was the least I can do.
"Don't look so gloomy yet, mister playboy."
"Don't call me that!" I retorted, face bright red.
"We still have two reasons left, remember?"
I looked up the ceiling.
How did it come to this?