Book 1: Chapter 76: Family

Book 1: Chapter 76: Family

Scarlet

After eating, I leave to go to Allens office, separating from the others. And once I arrive, I knock on the door, quickly getting an answer in the form of Allen saying, Come in.

So I open the door and walk in, finding both Allen and Cynthia sitting on one of his sofas, leaving the other one directly across the table from it open.

Sit, Allen says, waving his hand at the other sofa. And I do so.

Then silence fills the office for several seconds as the three of us stare at each other.

Eventually Allen breaks it by beginning, I understand that you didnt have much of anything to do with your latest near death situation. My eyebrows rise slightly in surprise at the understanding I can clearly hear in his voice, unlike the anger of the last time we had a talk. So Cynthia and I have talked it over, and we would like to bring your jacket to my father to work on instead of having me working on it directly.The debut release of this chapter happened at Ñøv€l-B1n.

I stare at them for a few seconds before muttering, Wait, really?

Wont that cost a fortune? Bringing the thing to the original creator of magi-tech? The one who brought about changes to society as a whole, turning the world from a hellhole to what it is today?

A bit less of a hellhole. Well, except for Tier 3 cities, which are still using old world technology without any magi-tech beyond the shields around the important buildings, the sparse bunkers, and the city as a whole.

Yes, he continues before seemingly hesitating and then adding, and we would like to pay for it as well.

My brows furrow at this.

I know they care about me. And I know they just want to help. But

Will you please let us? Cynthia asks, a pleading look on her face.

A few seconds pass in silence.

I lean forwards resting my forehead on my palms with my elbows on my knees.

Should I?

Its up to you, Tar answers my rhetorical question.

Very nice.

I vaguely hear Tar chuckling in my head.

After a second I hear Cynthia beginning to approach me, and I immediately look down again while holding my arms out and saying, Woah, woah, no hugs. Not ready for that.

She looks slightly disappointed but goes back to her seat, sitting down at the same time as Allen.

Anyways Allen, he looks a tiny bit disappointed by my manner of calling him, albeit with a lot of hope that wasnt there before that Ill likely call him dad again in the future. Which I can see happening, but nows too early still. Do you know when my jacket will be done? And if itll be done before the next Demonic Assault?

Both Allen and Cynthia grow serious again as Allen answers, Were not sure. It might be, or it might not. Well just have to wait and see.

I nod my head before quietly muttering, Thank you.

The two smile and answer as if in sync, Of course.

A few more seconds pass in silence.

About adoption Cynthia prods, actually saying the word out loud this time. But I still shake my head.

Its too early, I answer them, shocking the two with my subtle admission to a future agreement to it. Maybe when Im a Class III Guardian and people wont be looking down on me for being an orphan anymore.

Allen begins to open his mouth and say something about others not daring to do that, but I raise a hand and interrupt him, You know very well that your brother would do just that. He goes silent at this, so I tilt my head and press on, Didnt he try the same thing when you went and created an orphanage? He tried to take your position as CEO and remove you from the company, even if his plan failed. So adopting an orphan, even if said orphan is a Class I Guardian, would just fuel the fire more. But when Im Class III, no one will likely even remember that I was an orphan.

Neither of them have anything to say to that.

Was that talk why you called me in here? I ask while relaxing slightly on the sofa. And this seems to snap the two out of the stupor my previous words had put them in.

Actually, Allen starts while leaning forward in his sofa and resting his elbows on his legs, we wanted to talk about you joining a team.

I blink in surprise.

What?