'Today was like any other... I never felt so alive even though the atmosphere in the city remained the same. Well, it's better to live in the present anyhow, I didn't think they'd forgive me in the first place,'
It's been a week since he's been discharged and he goes his day as usual, but it was rather odd... something felt missing. That's when it hit him, even after Ryan's passing the stares grew even colder with each passing day. None would dare strike up a conversation with him and Luke himself has to live with that fact
"Hey, how's it been, my dear student?" Luke was warmly greeted at his front door by none other than Royce
'This was one of the changes in my life... but I don't hate it. However im deeply concerned with my well-being,'
…
A week ago
"I'll give you three weeks to decide,"
"Isn't that a little short?" Luke complains and scratches the back of his head
"On the contrary, this duration is pretty long in terms of living in the Organization... the reasonable duration is by a week, and if it's required hastily half a day. But im giving you three whole weeks to decide so be grateful and let me live with you,"
"Say what now?" Luke distances himself and his expression is painted with unrivaled disgust
"Hey, im not gay... and second of all I need a new place. Guess smoking takes a toll on your minimum wage as a counselor. Plus it's not all bad, who do you think is going to seal your aura?"
"What do you mean by aura?"
"Well since you haven't thought of becoming a Keeper let's give this question a freebie. Aura is the leakage of Order, the property of all living beings; it also determines one's longevity. To the undead rebels killing us Keepers ain't just out of anger. If Chaos dominates Order then their power will grow. It works the other way as well, you could say it's like leveling up," Alex placed his fingertips in his chest and a light never once knew radiated with a brilliant spark
'Well I'll be damned… this here isn't a genius, but a freaking monster. It's crazy enough that his density is on par with Grave Keepers but to this extent? You're basically saying he's lifes purpose is to become a Keeper. His entire body is brimming with Order simply by living with no form of training,'
Normally it wouldn't be weird if just a glimmer of light was but a spark in one's body indicating their longevity. But to keepers, its light exceeded a threshold and thus they became indifferent to the norms. The brighter its glow determines its density but Luke however had both… the light was everywhere and its brightness wasn't flickering but nearing a blinding spark. Royce was impressed and he couldn't contain his composure and let out a grin where his eye sparkled in disbelief
"You're a monster kiddo… guess living on your own isn't even an option. The moment my suppression goes a little late anyone who's a Keeper will find you. That's how absurd the aura that naturally leaks from your self. Don't move okay," Royce gradually grips the skin on Luke's chest where his energy began to invade his body
'Looks like I hit a jackpot on this one… I did plan on recruiting allies but this kid can't be missed. He's on my permanent roster. I may have my motives but that place will be the death of him. There are bound to be tons who'll praise him but there's more evil than good and they won't even flinch. The moment he began to look like an obstacle they might put a hit on him until he ultimately breaks, and in worst cases he kills himself,'
Alexander uses his Order which penetrates through Luke's body and forcefully seals his potential. Though he temporarily lost his superhuman strength and senses alike he finally felt normal even for a little. Alex uses what remains of his Order after sealing Luke's aura to fortify his bones along with mending his wounds
"That's pretty cool, I don't feel any problems– what are you doing?" Luke walks a bit further from Alex after he notices his open palms with a suspicious smile
Royce remained with a rather suspicious grin and replied. "Isn't it logical to pay a doctor after the completion of one's treatment? This would've been free of charge if you accepted to become my disciple. Don't get the wrong idea kid. I'm a very reasonable person…"
"What does that suppose mean exactly?" Luke's eyes began to be filled with worry and Royce walked closer until he was but a hair away from their faces to conjoin
The two remain in that position until Royce moves his head and his mouth reaches the corners of his left ear and says. "If you don't pay up then it's natural that I'll break your bones. Scratch your face… and return every pain and suffering you once had before your treatment,"
"How about a month in my house?"
"Three months! I just gave you a full-body treatment. A month doesn't make any sense?" Royce replied while he stared through the window whilst Luke was changing his clothes
"You treated me in a way that won't make any sense to the world… don't tell me you're going to brainwash someone, again. But that's not my only reason. I can cook, do laundry, shopping, also clean, just seeing your wrinkled shirt is enough to know that you're lazy as fuck,"
Royce took a stack of paper talismans in his pocket and said. "Two months… I'll give you these aura-sealing talismans for another month. One can last up to a day or more. You don't have to worry about the quality, aside from fighting im pretty good at crafting, what do you say?"
Luke took a closer look at the talismans which consisted of about twenty to thirty papers. "It's a deal"
The two shook each other's hands in agreement and Royce said. "I wish that my room has no speck of dust the moment I return from work. The meal is warm or freshly cooked, I also want my laundry to be washed after I give it to you. Apart from that your lovely tenant just desires your cooperation in this matter,"
"Go die in a ditch,"
"Hahahahaha! See we're already so close now that we're making jokes. Now why don't you join me as I brainwash the entire medical staff,"
…
Present time
"Could be worse right— What is it? I already made you dinner. Can't a teenager get a break around here?" After the day finally ended he sat on his bed only to be disturbed by a knock which alerted him to open his door
"... yo! I got a text message from the teacher's faculty. They said you can join the annual Reigous camping trip. So yeah better pack your bags,"
"What?" Luke says with a look full of doubt
"I haven't been invited ever since I became one of Ryan's cronies. What's the sudden change… wait a minute? I haven't asked how you even let the school agree with a teacher living with me?"
Royce scratches his noggin and says. "Well, the good news is you now have a positive disposition… I brainwashed them and tweaked their minds so they think I'm a psych graduate. There was a little this and that and it ultimately boils down to me becoming your rehabilitator,"
Luke blows off his accumulated stress and outright yells. "What the hell man? I said that under no circumstance do you have the right to mess with my life. Couldn't you just say you were looking for a cheap place because of your smoking addiction?"
"Well yes I could tell the truth… but I brainwashed the principal into giving me a raise. Should have lasted me about two months in any lodgings. But as you already know im a freaking smoker and a drinker at that,"
"What a bother–"
"It's also for your training…" Alex's mood changes from light to heavy real quick and handed Grimes a bunch of posters mainly about the woods
"Missing posters?"
"Correction… isn't it unusual that not a single one of these has ever been found. And with all these deaths one might assume it's a deed done by the undead. What would I know It is simply an assumption," Royce indirectly implied that he should go whether he likes it or not
"I thought you said you've made a deal of protecting the city? What happened with that huh? Now you're making me do your work for you?" He irritatingly says with a face riddled with disgust and a glare that can only be seen as hostility
"I said I'll protect the 'City' that only implies within the borders. I made it clear I wouldn't do their jobs. See this as an opportunity. It's not like im forcing you. I'm just telling you that you've been allowed to participate Mr. Grimes…" Since Alex had no other reason to remain he closed the door on his way and left Luke to make his choice
'I have a choice… that's what he told me. What's the better option? Stay here sheltered from the inevitable or go? But I just can't get that out of my mind the thing he said before. Even with the seal in place, I could only hide from the Keepers, but it wouldn't work for the undead. Since they have the opposite of what he calls 'Order' the undead are bound to attack those who meet the criteria. Guess it's something I can't miss, I need to go, but if there's danger then I'll need to bring a few insurances,'