"Take a seat," General Hunt gestured towards the empty chair on the opposite side of his desk. The room Ken was in was spacious, and very neatly kept. Decorations seemed to be very low on the to do list for the General, save for a single hand drawn picture framed on his desk. The picture was of a small family of three stick figures. Presumably, two parents and a child. It was cute in all honesty.
Ken listened and sat, looking at the General with a nervous gaze. Hunt studied Ken intensely, looking over every part of the young man. "You're by far the youngest person here," Hunt started, "Every other person I've talked to with white hair so far is at least twenty years your senior."
"Is that so?" Ken chuckled nervously.
"Yes, it is." The General stated bluntly, narrowing his eyes slightly.
The two men sat in silence for an uncomfortably long minute before Hunt started to speak again. "Where were you at when the light appeared?" The large man asked, not taking his eyes off of Ken.
"I was sleeping in today. I didn't see it but I had heard about it in passing, ha ha…" Ken rubbed the back of his neck. Ken wasn't a bad liar, but this situation had him more than a little nervous. His day had been one of anxiety and questions, and the anxiety part was still very present.
"I see," Hunt said as he wrote something down on the paper in front of him. From Ken's angle, he couldn't see what the man had written, but the sound of pen on paper in dead silence made Ken's anxiety spike even more. 'Why the hell is he writing so much?!' Ken screamed inwardly.
Another minute of scribbling went by before Hunt lifted his gaze to Ken again. "Where do you live currently?"
"Do I have to-" Ken started.
"Yes," Hunt stated.
"220 Lowd St. in the Helm District," Ken replied.
"What do you do for work? Do you live with anyone?"
Ken paused this time, not sure what to say. Was he going to lie and potentially get caught down the line or was he going to confess that he's technically a criminal. Either option was not favorable for him to say.
Hunt repeated his question, bringing Ken's attention back to the present. "Uh, I don't work currently. Up until just recently I lived on the streets until I was able to save up enough money to rent a place. As for roommates, it's just me and my pet rats and mice," Ken spat out.
'That wasn't so bad' Ken smiled inwardly, 'Just half-truths should be good en-' Ken's thoughts were cut off as Hunt asked his next question. "Are you able to communicate with them?"
Ken's face involuntarily paled at the question, and he was sure it didn't escape Hunt's studious gaze. "U-uh nooo…" Ken tried to play off the question, "That's absurd! People and animals can't talk to each other! Not unless they're a sentient magical beast. But I only have regular pet rats and mice."
Sweat was completely visible on Ken's forehead, and General Hunt could only sigh. "Listen kid," Hunt said as his stiff posture loosened a bit, "You're the one, right?"
Hunt's bluntness caused Ken's mouth to dry and his words to escape him. He was caught and he knew it.
The General spoke again, "I have an eye for people, and my gut is not only telling me you're the one, but that you're also not a threat to the kingdom. I mean hell, you ain't even got hair on your chest yet."
Ken only took slight offense to that last statement but stayed quiet so the General could continue. "All I care about is whether or not I should strike you down right here and now," Hunt paused, causing Ken to gulp audibly. "Or you tell me exactly what happened, down to the last detail. Now, which would you prefer?"
General Hunt leaned forward, interlocking his hands together and giving Ken a serious look. The choice, if it could be called that, was obvious. Ken had already died once today, and he would keep it that way if he could help it.
Sighing, Ken began to recount his day from the moment he woke up, to the second he was picked up by the guards at the gate. Hunt only listened intently, not speaking up or asking any questions during Ken's explanation of the day's events.
After a long while, Ken finally managed to say everything he could about his day. Once finished, Hunt let out a long, deep sigh. "Go home, kid."
Ken tilted his head, a little confused. "I'll write up the report that will undoubtedly make its way into the hands of the King. What happens afterwards is not up to me," Hunt said as he waved a hand dismissively, "Just go home and rest. I'm sure someone will come see you after my report is made."
Ken nodded as he began to stand, making his way towards the door. Just as he was about to open it, Hunt spoke up once more, "And kid, I'd be careful who you'd tell about your little secret. At least until you can hold your own. That is a powerful ability you got there, one which people will want to either take for themselves or get rid of. Watch your back."
"Yes sir," Ken replied, then opened the door and stepped outside. It had truly been a very long day, and all Ken could think about was getting some sleep at this point. He'd save testing out his new fireball spell for the next day. For now, he was going to go straight home and get some rest.