Chapter 13: Welcome to the Academy
The sun had barely risen, casting a warm glow over the precinct as I walked in, still half-asleep. Jenkins was already at his desk, munching on a doughnut and reading the morning paper. He looked up and grinned when he saw me.
"Morning, Kan! Ready for another day of crime-fighting and comedy?"
I chuckled, heading to my desk. "As ready as I'll ever be."
As I sat down, I noticed an envelope on my desk. It was a formal, cream-colored envelope with the emblem of the Criminal Investigation Academy (CIA) embossed in gold on the front. My heart skipped a beat.
"Jenkins, look at this," I said, holding up the envelope.
Jenkins' eyes widened. "No way. Is that what I think it is?"
I nodded, carefully opening the envelope. Inside was a letter with the official letterhead of the CIA. I read it aloud:
"Dear Kan,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been selected to attend the Criminal Investigation Academy. Your exemplary performance and dedication to criminology have earned you a place among the elite candidates chosen for this year's program. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and we look forward to welcoming you to the Academy.
Sincerely,
Dr. Evelyn White
Director, Criminal Investigation Academy"
Jenkins let out a low whistle. "Wow, Kan. This is huge. Only one in a thousand get selected. You're going to the CIA!"
I was stunned, barely able to process the news. "I can't believe it. This is... incredible."
Harper walked in just then, noticing our excitement. "What's going on here?"
Jenkins practically bounced over to Harper, waving the letter. "Kan got accepted to the Criminal Investigation Academy! He's going to the CIA!"
Harper's face broke into a rare smile. "That's fantastic news, Kan. Congratulations. You've earned it."
The rest of the team gathered around, offering their congratulations and well-wishes. I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. The CIA was renowned for its rigorous training and cutting-edge programs, designed to prepare the best and brightest for tackling the rising crime rates.
"I guess this means I'll be gone for a while," I said, looking at my friends and colleagues.
Jenkins clapped me on the back. "Don't worry, Kan. We'll hold down the fort. And hey, maybe you'll learn some new tricks to share with us."
Alex grinned. "Just make sure you come back in one piece. We can't lose our best puzzle solver."
Harper nodded. "You'll do great, Kan. This is an incredible opportunity. We'll be rooting for you."
Over the next few days, I prepared for my departure to the Academy. The precinct threw a small going-away party, complete with Jenkins' famous homemade cookies and a cake that read, "Good Luck, Kan!" in bright blue frosting.
The morning of my departure, I stood outside the precinct, bags packed and ready to go. Jenkins, Harper, Alex, and the rest of the team were there to see me off.
"Remember, Kan," Jenkins said, handing me a small wrapped package, "this is for when you need a laugh. Don't open it until you really need it."
I smiled, tucking the package into my bag. "Thanks, Jenkins. I'll keep that in mind."
Harper shook my hand firmly. "We're proud of you, Kan. Make the most of this opportunity. We'll be here when you get back."
With one last wave, I climbed into the taxi and headed to the train station. As the cityscape blurred past, I couldn't help but feel a mix of anticipation and excitement. The Criminal Investigation Academy awaited, and with it, a new chapter in my life.
The train ride to the Academy was long but gave me plenty of time to think. I watched the changing landscapes out the window, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement. Eventually, the train pulled into a small, quaint station nestled in the mountains. The air was crisp and fresh, a welcome change from the city's bustle.
As I stepped off the train, I saw a sign that read "Welcome, New Recruits!" and a friendly-looking woman holding a clipboard. She waved me over.
"Kan, right?" she asked with a warm smile.
"Yes, that's me," I replied, adjusting my bag on my shoulder.
"Welcome to the CIA. I'm Karen, one of the orientation coordinators. Let's get you to the campus."
I followed Karen to a shuttle bus that was waiting just outside the station. Inside, a few other recruits were already seated, looking just as nervous and excited as I felt. We exchanged polite nods and smiles as I found a seat.
The ride to the Academy was short but scenic. The campus was nestled in a lush valley, surrounded by towering trees and rolling hills. It was a mix of old-world charm and modern architecture, with ivy-covered brick buildings standing alongside sleek, glass-walled structures.
Karen led us to the main building, where the entrance ceremony was to be held. The grand hall was impressive, with high ceilings, ornate chandeliers, and large windows that let in plenty of natural light. Rows of chairs were arranged facing a stage, and a banner above it read "Welcome to the Criminal Investigation Academy."
As we took our seats, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. This was the beginning of something big, and I was eager to dive in.
The ceremony began with a speech from Dr. Evelyn White, the Academy's Director. She was an imposing figure, with an air of authority and a commanding presence.
"Welcome, recruits," she began. "You are here because you have shown exceptional promise and dedication in the field of criminology. But there is more to this world than what meets the eye. Here at the CIA, you will learn to investigate not only the crimes of man but also the mysteries of the supernatural."
A murmur of surprise rippled through the crowd. Dr. White continued, "For centuries, the world has been plagued by unexplained phenomena. With the rise in crime rates, we have also seen an increase in supernatural activity. Our mission is to train you to handle both. You will learn to face the unknown with the same rigor and determination that you bring to your criminal investigations."
The rest of the ceremony was a blur of introductions and formalities. We were welcomed by various faculty members, each specializing in different areas of investigation. There were courses on everything from advanced forensics to paranormal activity, each designed to equip us with the skills we needed to tackle any case.
After the ceremony, we were given a tour of the campus. The facilities were state-of-the-art, with cutting-edge labs, extensive libraries, and comfortable dormitories. We were shown the training grounds, where we would practice everything from crime scene analysis to tactical maneuvers.
By the time the tour ended, I was exhausted but exhilarated. I found my dorm room, a cozy space with a great view of the surrounding forest. As I unpacked, I noticed a small booklet on the desk, titled "Welcome to the CIA: What to Expect." Curious, I flipped it open and started reading.
The booklet detailed the Academy's rigorous curriculum, including advanced forensic techniques, criminal psychology, and... supernatural investigation? I blinked, rereading the section. There it was, clearly stated: "Students will also be trained to handle supernatural occurrences and anomalies."
"Supernatural? That has to be a typo," I muttered to myself. But the booklet went on, describing various courses on paranormal activity, cryptozoology, and otherworldly phenomena.
Feeling a mix of skepticism and intrigue, I decided to explore the campus a bit more. As I wandered the grounds, I overheard snippets of conversation from other students, some discussing spectral analysis and others debating the existence of cryptids.
The evening ended with a welcome dinner in the grand dining hall. Long tables were laden with an impressive array of food, and the atmosphere was lively and filled with chatter. I found a seat next to a fellow recruit named Sam, who seemed as wide-eyed and curious as I was.
"Can you believe all this?" Sam said, looking around in awe. "I thought we were just here to learn about crime-solving, but the supernatural stuff... it's wild."
"Yeah, it's a lot to take in," I agreed, piling my plate with food. "But I guess that's what makes this place special."
As we ate, I learned that Sam was from a small town and had always been fascinated by mysteries and the unknown. We swapped stories and theories, and by the end of the meal, I felt like I'd made a new friend.
Back in my dorm room, I lay in bed, reflecting on the day. The Criminal Investigation Academy was unlike anything I'd expected, but I was eager to dive into this new world of mysteries, both human and supernatural. The journey ahead was sure to be challenging, but with my new friends and the support of the Academy, I felt ready to face whatever came next.
The first day at the Academy had been a whirlwind, but it was only the beginning. I knew that each day would bring new lessons, new challenges, and new discoveries. And I couldn't wait to see where this adventure would take me.