As Stanley and Akin arrived at HQ, Akin looked around in astonishment. The HQ resembled a mini-world, with a single tall skyscraper surrounded by smaller buildings, bustling with life.
"Amazing," Akin thought, having never seen anything like it before.
He observed people walking into the skyscraper dressed in sharp suits and elegant uniforms, much like the older man, Michael, whom he had encountered earlier.
"Can't believe this the best metropolis in the world!" Akin said as he walked ahead of Stanley, hands in his pockets, feeling the gazes of onlookers as they passed.
"Hold your horses, now! I didn't say the best metropolis," Stanley responded, walking coolly with his hands in his pockets, waving at some female fans who were calling out to him.
"If you'd listened carefully, I said most known," Stanley added, grabbing Akin by his shirt collar and pulling him back.
"Yeah, yeah, sure. Anyway, didn't you say you'd find a leeway for Hickson, like you promised? So, where is he?" Akin looked up at Stanley, still suspended by his collar.
"Well, that depends on whether you pass this exam. I already mentioned that the higher-ups are strict," Stanley replied, releasing Akin.
Then, leaning close to Akin's ear, Stanley whispered,
"The higher-ups are watching to see if you're truly capable of taking down the inns like you claim. So don't hold back—if you really want me to train you." Stanley gave a faint smile and stepped back.
"You're damn right. I won't be holding back," Akin grinned, a thrill mixed with nervous energy coursing through him.
"Oh, and by the way, your examiner is none other than our six-star and head of all chiefs," Stanley announced as they entered the skyscraper and stepped into the hallway.
Suddenly, a high-pitched voice called out, "Hi, Teacher!"
Akin turned to see a 4'11" girl around 14 or 15 years old with long red hair, blue eyes, and glasses that strangely mirrored Stanley's. She dashed toward them, her eyes locked on Stanley.
"Who's this kid?" Akin asked, watching her approach.
"One of my last students. Chelsea Heard," Stanley replied as Chelsea reached him and threw her arms around his neck in an enthusiastic hug.
"I thought you wouldn't come back anytime soon! That's why I refused to take any missions with them," Chelsea said, tears forming in her eyes.
"There, there. Don't stain my beautiful shirt now," Stanley said, patting her back lightly.
Just then, Chelsea noticed Akin, making eye contact with him for the first time as he watched her intently.
Meanwhile, Akin watched with disinterest as Chelsea and Stanley reunited, but his gaze narrowed as he noticed Chelsea's expression shift to one of disdain when she looked at him.
"Who are you?" Chelsea asked coldly, her tone unfriendly as she let go of Stanley.
"The hell?" Akin thought, sensing something off in her demeanor.
"Move along, kid, and don't worry abo—" Akin began, but before he could finish, Chelsea lunged, her knee driving toward his jaw.
He tried to dodge, but her knee clipped the tip, jolting his neck and forcing him to cough up blood.
"Kid? Who are you calling that? And who said I was worried?" Chelsea sneered as Akin covered his mouth, blood slipping between his fingers.
"Alright, Chelsea. That's enough. He has an exam," Stanley said, clapping his hands cheerfully to diffuse the tension.
Akin glanced down at his bloodied hand. Rage flared in his eyes as he clenched his fist.
"How dare you, brat!" he growled, his tone darkening as he swung a punch straight toward Chelsea.
Just before his fist made contact, Chelsea's expression flashed from shock to a sly smile. In a blur, she moved out of his path, leaving his punch to slam into the wall, cracking it with a resounding thud.
"Alright, adding that to your already bad record with us isn't a good look, now," Stanley said, grabbing Akin's wrist to restrain him.
"Yikes! Teacher, where did you pick up this loser? He's all over the place!" Chelsea taunted with a smirk, noting Akin's lack of stability and control in his punch causing damage.
"Brat, you better keep your damn mouth shut!" Akin snapped. "Before I launch you across the room like the damn midget you are!"
"Yeah, Midget? You want a good beating before your damn exam starts?!" Chelsea shot back, her voice rising in anger at being called short.
"Damn right, if you think you can!" Akin retorted, meeting her challenge head-on.
"Alright, that's enough," Stanley said, stepping in and gently grabbing Akin by the collar to pull him back.
He then turned his gaze to Chelsea, his expression suddenly serious. "And you—I'm sure you have a mission to handle now that I'm back?"
"Sure, Teacher," Chelsea replied, pouting but understanding his message.
"Alright, off you go then." Stanley's cheerful demeanor returned as he waved goodbye to her.
As Chelsea walked off, Stanley turned to Akin with a chuckle.
"I told you, I expect my students to be the best of the best!" He laughed, watching Akin's grudge-filled expression with amusement.
Meanwhile, Chelsea watched Akin and Stanley walk off, unwrapping a lollipop and smirking.
"Did you feel that, Sea?" she thought to herself.
"Of course," Sea replied, her voice echoing from within. "I know that presence anywhere. He's one of us, after all."
Chelsea's grin widened as she glanced over her shoulder. Behind her, a small white fox with four tail jump on Chelsea's shoulder.
"Well then, I guess he has to go," Chelsea muttered, her tone chillingly casual.
"Naturally. I'd be happy to help," Sea responded.
Suddenly, Sea's expression changed, sensing an ominous presence slipping nearby. Both she and Chelsea turned their gaze to Kalè, who was walking down the hallway with one of the Inn's killers beside her.
Chelsea's eyes narrowed, recognizing something familiar in Kalè's presence. Sea on Chelsea's watching Kalè intently as she passed.
"Another one, huh?" Sea murmured, her gaze trailing after Kalè with curiosity and malice.
Chelsea clenched her jaw, biting down on her lollipop with a menacing glare, as it crumbled in her mouth. her cold gaze fixed on Kalè as an unsettling silence fell around them.
"Don't tell me..." Sea thought in shock as her gaze lingered on Kalè, instinctively turning to Chelsea.
"It's fine, Sea," Chelsea's voice cut through, cold and unyielding.
Sea took in Chelsea's unchanged, intense expression before responding,
Chelsea had initially called Sea to confirm the strange aura she sensed from Akin, suspecting it might belong to an Inn. But now, her mood had taken a darker turn, her eyes glinting with a newfound thrill.
A slow, unsettling grin spread across her face.
"Sure Seeing you here, Couldn't be any better,"