"Have a seat," Dove gestured towards an empty chair. "We have a lot to discuss."
I took a seat, my heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. I was about to learn the truth about my family, my powers, and the secret mission of the Unveiled.
"So," I began, my voice barely above a whisper, "what is this 'breaking law project' you mentioned?"
A hush fell over the room as everyone exchanged glances. Finally, Dove spoke up, her voice firm and resolute.
"We use our powers to fight injustice," she explained. "We target corrupt individuals, those who abuse their wealth and power to exploit others. We infiltrate their systems, expose their crimes, and redistribute their ill-gotten gains to those who truly need it."
I was stunned. I had never imagined that my family would be involved in such dangerous activities.
"But... isn't that illegal?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.
Dove's smile widened. "Of course it is," she replied. "But sometimes, the law is not enough. Sometimes, you have to take matters into your own hands."
Vill's voice took on a somber tone. "And don't forget what the government did when our ancestors' kingdom fell..."
"What happened?" I asked, sensing a dark history.
"They plundered our ancestors' wealth and seized everything they could," Vill explained, her voice laced with bitterness. "So, our enemies aren't just the Seers, Xian, but also the government."
Two enemies... The weight of this revelation pressed down on me.
"Not just that," Dove added, her eyes narrowing. "It's two against one, but they don't know we still exist. They think we've vanished."
I nodded, absorbing this new layer of complexity. My family's past was a tangled web of secrets, betrayals, and hidden struggles.
"So, what's my purpose here?" I asked, leaning forward in my chair.
"We just wanted to confirm that you're willing to join us," Dove replied. "And we need you to start training. We have a gym near town that you can use for free."
"Really?" I tilted my head, intrigued.
"Yeah," Yolan chimed in with a sly grin. "Everything in it was made by me, after all."
I turned to her, my curiosity piqued. "How does your power work, exactly?"
Yolan's smile widened. She stood up, grabbed a steel rod from a corner of the room, and placed it on the table. "Watch this," she said, placing her hand on the metal. "Xian, name any object."
Objects...
"Um... a bat," I replied, the first thing that came to mind.
Yolan's eyes glowed with a faint light as she concentrated. In a matter of seconds, the steel rod transformed into a baseball bat, its shape and texture perfectly formed.
"Woah!" I exclaimed, impressed by the seamless transformation.
"Pretty cool, huh?" Yolan asked, beaming with pride.
"How can you do that?" I asked, marveling at her ability. "Is it because of the Harbinger's power?"
They all nodded.
"Yeah! With my eyes! As long as I can see the object, I can change it into something else. But I need the original item as a starting point," Yolan exclaimed. "
So that's how it works... As long as there's an existing object, she can transform it into anything she can visualize.
Just then, Dove's laptop chimed with a notification, breaking the spell of fascination. She turned to her screen, her fingers flying across the keyboard as she immersed herself in work.
Aca turned to me, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "So, are you going to join us?"
I hesitated for a moment, the weight of the decision heavy on my shoulders. But then I looked at their faces, the faces of my family, and I knew the answer.
I nodded. "Yes," I said, my voice firm. "I'm in."
A cheer erupted from the group, their excitement palpable. "Welcome to the family, Xian!" Aca exclaimed, beaming at me.
Everyone joined in the celebration, except for Dove, who remained focused on her work.
As the cheers died down, Dove spoke up, her voice businesslike. "Irune, we need you to use your power on 70 liters of water. We have an order for the hospital in Singapore."
"Aww..." Irune groaned, her face falling onto the desk. "I was just about to take a break..."
Dove sighed, a hint of amusement in her voice. "Alright, alright. We'll all rest after this. How about we go out for dinner to celebrate Xian joining the team?"
Everyone cheered again, and I found myself smiling along. Despite the dangers and uncertainties that lay ahead, I couldn't deny the thrill of being part of something bigger than myself, a family united by a shared secret and a common purpose.
As we exited the company building, a sense of excitement mingled with trepidation coursed through me. I was about to embark on a dangerous and uncertain path, but I was also part of a family, a team of individuals with extraordinary powers and a shared mission.
The city lights twinkled in the twilight sky, casting long shadows that danced and shimmered in the fading light. We walked towards a nearby restaurant, our laughter echoing in the cool evening air. It was surreal, to think that just hours earlier, I had been a regular high school student, blissfully unaware of the hidden world that existed beneath the surface of my ordinary life.
"Who's that guy with the CEO and her family?" I overheard a worker whisper as we passed by.
Inside the restaurant, we settled into a cozy booth, the warm glow of the lights casting a welcoming ambiance. The menu was filled with tantalizing dishes, but I couldn't bring myself to focus on the food. My mind was too consumed with questions about my family's past, my newfound abilities, and the mysterious figure that haunted me.
As we waited for our orders, I turned to Dove, my curiosity getting the better of me. "So... your power is a wink? But how did you become the CEO of the company?"
Yolan burst out laughing. "Haha, you silly boy! She's a great influencer, and it's been a huge boost for our company!"
I looked at her, a bit embarrassed by my naivete. "So you guys don't... actually manage the organization?"
"We do, Xian," Dove reassured me, her voice gentle. "They just trust me to lead..." She leaned closer and whispered, "Since I don't have the power to create things, I manage everything else."
I nodded, understanding dawning on me. It was a clever division of labor, each member using their unique abilities to contribute to the greater good.
Vill returned to the table, carrying a tray laden with steaming plates of food. "Alright, everyone, time to eat!" she announced, setting the dishes down with a flourish.
Everyone cheered, their eyes lighting up at the sight of the feast. I, however, stared at my plate with a hint of disappointment. "Chicken breast...?"
"Don't you like it?" Vill asked, her brow furrowing with concern.
"N-No, it's not that," I stammered, my cheeks flushing slightly. "It's just... the portion of rice is a bit small."
"Oh, silly!" Yolan laughed, patting my shoulder. "You need protein, not carbs. Just eat the chicken and a little bit of rice."
I nodded, resigning myself to the meager portion of rice. After all, they were the experts on maximizing our powers, and if they said chicken breast was the way to go, who was I to argue?
< Chapter 023 > Fin.