Chapter 3: Before the Tests

Jochen leans against the wall, that moment of Even calling out Veit hangs in his mind. That man isn't right in the head to be egging on a proper Keeper. He grumbles while clenching his fist from frustration. 'He's not going to be a good Keeper, shit, I probably can't stop him.'

Rollo and Misao off to the side by the snack stand. He's just got a whole plate of snacks and chowing down. He did perform parkour through a few city blocks which can build an appetite, so he's getting something into his body. These snacks are decent, It's just to fuel the test takers before phase two happens.

"So Misao, what code are you hoping for? I want something which helps me hit things." Rollo asks between snacking from his plate. He gives his ally a grin while chewing. 'I hope she's going to be okay joining alongside me.'

"I'd prefer a blade? Honestly, If I find something unique, that would be my first choice." Misao furrows her brow while in thought about her code choices. She scratches her cheek with a nervous laugh. "My mind goes a bit dizzy thinking about it, those things like.... change you in different ways."

"Ah, Hm... Yeah, I get it? I've always prepared myself to do this kind of thing when I chose this path." Rollo shrugs and quietly ponders how numb that idea is to him? He's used to knowing his dad's way. What will change in him if he takes a code? "No matter what we're going to be the same person, just a little different from the experience, right?"

"I would be sad to see you change too much, don't pick something crazy?" Misao certainly has mixed feelings on how they could change. It's easy to read her face but knowing people like Rollo will join alongside helps her push forward! "Um- Hope to join the same department as you!"

"Hah! Follow me if you want, It would give me an awful feeling if you're just doing it after me saving you just once." Rollo gives a big confident grin before softening it seeing Misao's reaction. She's standing strong. "I'd prefer not some follower at my back, so it'll be a partnership as team mates."

"Don't worry, I plan on slaining monsters and that requires allies... Um, yeah!" Misao looks determined to work with Rollo. If she can get a person that strong then her chances will be better. There's a weak fire behind those eyes that Rollo can see. "So, If you'd have me in any squad you form or join..."

Rollo thinks about it, this seems to soon but first impressions must've helped. He can't help but smile at Misao and softly nods, a understanding forms. The world for Keepers is life or death, having allies is the most important thing to maintain. He holds out one hand out for a firm handshake but it's surprising to feel Misao's hand strength. 'Dang, is she near on my strength? probably a brute over being a acrobat.'

"I-I look forward to seeing you on duty!" Misao sounds like a mix of nervousness and excitement. She did gain an ally before even becoming a keeper, this day must've went from awful to amazing in one hour! "Gosh, everything is going well... Uh, oh no, did I just jinx us!?"

"Pfft, just knock on wood, silly." Rollo gently knocks on Misao's head with her pouting soon as he reached over. He finds this a hilarious joke before clearing his throat and shrugging. "Anyway seriously, I wouldn't worry too much, we have two keepers watching the test."

"I know... What if it's something they can't control?" Misao says turning towards the stage and sighs. All this worries building but nothing concrete so far. She awkwardly reaches over to take a carrot from Rollo's plate. "Sorry if I'm too worried, bad things usually happen to me..."

"Huh... I think it's fair to worry a little but these guys got our back." Rollo nods softly while snacking. He has no inspirational speech or advice to say which kinda annoys him. He shrugs at her apology. "Everyone has worries, just don't let them stop you from taking important steps."

"Yeah, I hope you got mine in this? I'm not used to having allies in this things..." Misao having a mixed up feeling of joy and concern for being in a alliance is clearly showing. She clears her throat then nods several times. "We got this, I got this, this is possible." Misao mutters in attempt to help herself up.

A tall man with fox ears walks over to the pair, Jochen. He's stern in every step, he's here for one major goal. Misao is visibly nervous as the fox man walked up to them, a single ear flicks in place when he glares at her before sighing.

"Hey, sorry for overhearing your alliance pep talk but I want in on it." He seemingly mellows out once talking and looks towards Rollo. The assumed head of the budding click. He feels the sudden gaze from the orange haired guy.

"Nah but maybe later? I'd have to see how you do during phase three." Rollo stops his scan on this person and grins with that confident grin. He pops his neck while crunching on a cracker. "I hope to see you there... Uh, whom are you?"

"Jochen Emerson, I will show you not teaming up this soon will be a mistake, someone else may snatch me up." He says smiling with slightly sharper teeth than normal. He and Rollo's eyes meet, a clash of wills before they nod. "Hope you score high enough for phase three, see ya." He waved while walking off.

"W-Wait, Rollo, does that guy have a code?" Misao finally speaks up with a head turns toward Rollo. That abnormal body type has to be the work of a code, right?? "What's phase three???"

"Oh? Did you not read that deeply into Codes? Well, It can cause heritable traits, so he's probably a kid of a code user." Rollo rubs his chin seeing Jochen disappear in the crowd of the orientation room. He looks at Misao with an eyebrow raised. "It's an artificial field test, the agency isn't able to train everyone properly due to resource issues, so they make sure you have good enough base skills."

Misao's eyes widen and goes huh... She realizes something going to pull something from her wallet. She holds up a gym card with advertising for 'Keeper training special course' "Is that why my gym has this?"

"Pfft- Yeah? That's likely why, let's hope it's not a scam." Rollo stops himself for laughing before thinking about it. He's curious about that course but shrugs. "I'm glad my old man gave me training, how about you?"

"I- I had my uncle teach me... I'm joining for his memory." Misao wilts saying this to him and Rollo bites his lip accidentally bringing up a sour topic. She nervously fidgets with her fingers. "Sorry..."

"Misao, never say sorry for being glum, that's just natural for some topics but now, let's get you into the keepers." Rollo cheers up and smiles brightly at her. He's like a warm fire? She softly smiles back at him... It's just before their test truly begins. How that will turn out will shake their lives....