The investigation department
Chapter 8: The investigation department
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Reze leaned back against the wooden counter, crossing her arms as she studied Lucian. Her golden eyes glowed faintly under the dim silver lanterns that illuminated the outpost's reception area.
"So," she said, tapping her fingers against the desk, "I'm in charge of keeping things running smoothly around here. Which mostly means handling reports, making sure people don't slack off, and dealing with all the bureaucratic nonsense that comes with being an outpost of the great Silver Order."
Lucian raised an eyebrow. "Sounds… exciting."
Reze smirked. "Oh, absolutely. Thrilling work, really." She gestured toward the hallway behind her.. "You'll probably be spending a lot of time here if you decide to stick around. Training, studying, maybe even taking assignments in the future."
Lucian hummed. He didn't dislike the idea. Having a purpose—something to focus on—would help keep his mind from spiraling into the unanswered questions about himself.
Before he could respond, the sound of approaching footsteps caught his attention.
Ronan walked back into the room, but this time, he wasn't alone.
Beside him was a woman who looked to be in her early forties, yet despite her age, she was striking. Tall, elegant, and effortlessly commanding.
Her deep blue eyes held an unnatural sharpness, framed by long, wavy brown hair that cascaded down her back in a loose braid. Her high-collared uniform was adorned with silver engravings, signifying both rank and prestige.
She was the kind of person who could walk into a room and own it without saying a word.
Reze, upon seeing her, tilted her head slightly.
"Oh, Captain. How was your sleep last night in the underground chamber?"
The woman barely reacted, her sharp eyes scanning the room before finally settling on Lucian.
He straightened slightly, offering a polite nod. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
The woman narrowed her gaze, studying him from head to toe, as if assessing his very existence.
Finally, she spoke, her voice cool but not unkind.
"I am Captain Eleanor ivnya, head of the Investigation Department of this outpost."
Investigation Department?
Lucian kept his expression neutral. That explained the way she looked at him. Someone in her position would be used to digging up the truth.
Ronan clapped Lucian on the back. "Well, my job here is done. I've got things to take care of."
Lucian turned to him. "You're leaving already?"
Ronan grinned. "Reze can handle introductions, and Eleanor will be the one actually dealing with you. Besides, I'm not exactly the 'teaching type.'"
With a casual wave, he strolled out of the room.
Lucian exhaled.
'Guess I'm on my own now.'
Eleanor motioned for him to follow. "Come with me. There is much to discuss."
Lucian nodded and walked beside her as they moved past reze , deeper into the outpost.
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A Room of Knowledge
The hallway stretched further than Lucian expected, lined with doors reinforced with silver runes. The deeper they went, the quieter it became, the distant hum of activity fading behind them.
Eventually, Eleanor stopped before a large wooden door embedded with a faintly glowing silver circle. With a simple touch of her hand, the runes pulsed and the door unlocked.
Inside, the room was vast and meticulously organized.
Bookshelves lined the walls, stacked with ancient texts, scrolls, and records of knowledge both new and old. The center of the room held a large circular table, engraved with complex silver sigils that flickered with raw energy.
On the far end, a massive diagram of Alexandria's sectors was pinned to the wall, marked with symbols that Lucian couldn't yet decipher.
This was no ordinary study.
This was a place of research, of secrets.
Eleanor moved with practiced ease, walking to one of the bookshelves. She ran her fingers along the spines before selecting a dark blue tome.
Turning back to him, her expression hardened slightly.
"Lucian Veyne," she said evenly.
Then, she pulled out a thin glass bottle filled with silver liquid.
"From this day forth, I will be your teacher," she continued. "I will instruct you in the ways of silver energy—at least the parts you are allowed to learn."
Lucian felt something shift inside him.
This wasn't just training.
'i have to study again? Even in another world!'
Lucian's expression grew twisted
---
Far away from the sanctroum
A Ruin in the Dark
The world was bathed in shadows.
A desolate ruin stretched beneath the eternal night sky, the remains of what had once been a grand structure now reduced to rubble. The air was thick with the scent of dust and blood.
And someone was running.
A man, his breaths ragged, his boots pounding against the cracked stone streets. His body ached, his lungs burned, but he didn't stop.
He couldn't stop.
"Why? Why? WHY?"
His voice was hoarse, filled with desperation and fury.
"Why the fu**k was a monster like her there?!" But before he could curse more
In a flicker of movement—and suddenly, she was there.
A figure in a pure white cloak, her hood concealing most of her face.
She moved without sound, without hesitation, her thin, almost invisible sword thrusting toward his throat.
The man barely dodged. He stumbled backward, gasping, but then—
Two more figures emerged from the darkness, identical to the first.
Clad in the same white cloaks, their faces hidden beneath their hoods.
He was surrounded.
The man cursed violently.
"You damned traitors."
Before he could react further—
Blades flashed.
Pain exploded through his body as his hands and feet were severed in an instant.
He collapsed to the ground, screaming.
Blood pooled around him, staining the broken stones. He looked up, eyes filled with pain and rage, and as he looked above, with a pitiful expression. There he saw—
A figure floating above them.
She was not like the others.
Her coat was white, military-styled, adorned with black details. It cinched at her waist with a black belt, flaring slightly at the hips. It was neither armor nor a simple cloak—it was a symbol of something far greater.
She hovered in the air, her presence commanding, absolute.
Her facial features were delicate yet sharp, with a well-defined jawline and high cheekbones. Her skin was pale, her expression unreadable.
The man's pupils dilated in fear.
"You cursed bastards…"
A strained, broken laugh left his lips.
"Even if I die here… I'll make sure I don't die by your hands."
Summoning the last of his strength, he willed his body to self-destruct.
But—
With a simple gesture of her hand, the air around him shifted.
His body froze in place, his energy completely sealed, His fate was sealed.
One of the cloaked figures turned to the woman floating above them.
"Lady Lis, we should be going now."
The woman, Lis Avarado, smiled faintly.
"Take this guy," she said. "Let's go back."
And just like that—
The figures vanished into the darkness of the eternal night.
The ruins remained.
Silent.
Bloodstained.
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The First Lesson
Lucian sat cross-legged on the smooth silver-etched floor of the study chamber, his gaze fixed on Eleanor ivnya , who stood before him like an immovable statue.
The bookshelves surrounding them seemed to hum with knowledge, silver energy flowing faintly between the runes inscribed on the walls. A soft silver glow pulsed from the circular table at the center of the room, casting shifting shadows across Eleanor's face.
She held a thin glass vial in one hand, filled with a swirling silver liquid, and in the other—a small tome marked with ancient symbols.
"Silver energy," Eleanor began, her voice calm but authoritative, "is the foundation of our world. It is what keeps Alexandria alive, what fuels the weapons we wield, and what separates humans from the vampires that seek to destroy us, and the creatures of darkness that seek to destory everything."
Lucian nodded, listening intently.
"But silver energy," she continued, raising the vial slightly, "is not just power. It is order. Unlike other forms of raw energy, it does not simply exist—it must be controlled. Without control, it disperses, burns out, or even turns against the wielder."
Lucian's eyes narrowed. "Then how do we control it?"
Eleanor smirked slightly. "That is what I am here to teach you."
She set the vial down on the table and tapped the book in her hand.
"The process of wielding silver energy follows strict rules. Every Silverborn learns these fundamentals. You will as well."
"But before starting the lessons."
---
Before diving into the practical training, Eleanor decided to teach him about the outpost itself.
"The outpost you are in now," she said, gesturing around them, "is one of Alexandria's largest operational centers. It exists to keep the city stable, handle internal affairs, and support the Silver Order in ways that go beyond simple combat."
Lucian absorbed her words, waiting for her to continue.
"The outpost is divided into three primary departments," Eleanor explained.
1. The Investigation Department
She placed a hand over her own chest, indicating her role.
"I lead the Investigation Department, which handles intelligence, internal security, and the identification of potential threats inside and outside of Alexandria. We gather reports, analyze unusual occurrences, and ensure that no enemy influence infiltrates the city."
Lucian leaned forward slightly. "So you're basically the spies?"
Eleanor smirked. "A crude way to put it, but not inaccurate. We find threats before they escalate."
2. The Torture Department
Her expression darkened slightly as she moved on.
"The Torture Department deals with… less pleasant tasks. They extract information, punish traitors, and ensure that those who work against Alexandria do not walk away unscathed."
Lucian felt a shiver crawl down his spine. "That sounds…"
"Necessary," Eleanor said, her tone final. "There are forces that would see this city fall. The Torture Department ensures they never get the chance."
Lucian exhaled slowly. He wasn't sure how he felt about that.
3. The Silver Guard Department
"The final department," Eleanor continued, "is the Silver Guard. They are the warriors who protect Alexandria. They patrol the city, guard key locations, and, when necessary, venture outside to deal with external threats."
Lucian nodded. That part made sense. "So they're the ones who fight."
Eleanor nodded. "Yes. The Silver Guard is the first and last line of defense."
She closed the tome in her hands. "Understanding these departments is crucial if you plan to stay in Alexandria."
Lucian frowned. "And if I don't?"
Eleanor smiled faintly. "Then you won't have to worry about it for long."
Lucian wasn't sure if she was joking.
---
Eleanor led Lucian through the outpost's halls, descending into a lower section where the air grew colder, heavier.
The walls here were darker, marked with fewer decorative engravings, and the atmosphere was eerily silent.
At the end of the corridor, two figures stood waiting.
They were… wrong.
Lucian's instincts screamed at him the moment he saw them.
Their skin was pale, almost gray, and their eyes were lifeless, sunken into their skulls. Their faces were lined with scars, and their mouths curled into unnatural grins.
"These," Eleanor said, "are members of the Torture Department."
One of them chuckled—a deep, raspy sound. "A new one?"
Lucian felt his muscles tense. "Something like that."
The other man tilted his head, his neck cracking audibly. "Hope you don't end up here."
Lucian didn't respond.
Eleanor simply motioned for them to continue.
Lucian was glad to leave that place behind.
---
The Silver Guard Department was far more welcoming.
Inside the training hall, three warriors stood waiting.
One man, broad-shouldered with a scar running down his jaw, nodded as Eleanor entered. Two women—both fit, armored, and armed with silver-lined weapons—stood beside him.
Eleanor gestured toward Lucian. "This is the new recruit."
The scarred man studied Lucian before offering a small grin. "Hope you're ready to work."
Lucian smirked slightly. "We'll see."
The two women exchanged glances before one spoke. "He looks soft."
Lucian raised an eyebrow. "You want to test that theory?"
The woman smirked. "Maybe later."
Eleanor placed a hand on Lucian's shoulder. "For now, he's just getting introduced."
Lucian nodded toward them. These were real fighters.
One day, he might have to prove himself to them.
---
After their rounds, Eleanor led Lucian to the head office of the outpost.
A large wooden door, lined with silver, stood before them. Eleanor knocked once before opening it.
Inside, a simple-looking man sat at a desk, flipping through papers.
Despite his unassuming appearance, there was something warm yet unreadable about him.
He looked up and smiled. "Lucian Veyne, is it?"
Lucian nodded. "Yes, sir."
Eleanor gestured to the man. "This is Tigen Foristo, head of the outpost."
Tigen leaned back in his chair, watching Lucian carefully. "So you're the one they're all talking about."
Lucian raised an eyebrow. "People are talking?"
Tigen chuckled. "You think a newcomer with your… unique situation wouldn't get noticed?"
Lucian wasn't sure how to respond.
Eleanor spoke next. "I'll leave you two to talk. After this, Lucian, you're free to go home for the day. Training will continue tomorrow."
Lucian nodded as she stepped out.
Tigen folded his hands. "first take a sit and tell me, Lucian… what do you think of Alexandria so far?"
Lucian hesitated before pulling out the chair opposite to the tigen, he took the seat then answered. "It's… organized. Strong. But it feels like something's lurking beneath the surface."
Tigen's warm smile never faded.
Then, he asked, "Do you think Alexandria is without any problems internally?"
Lucian frowned. "No. Nowhere is perfect."
Tigen nodded. "Correct."
He leaned forward slightly, his gaze sharpening.
"There are problems, even inside Alexandria. Problems that threaten its people. Problems that somehow slip past the Sanctroum barrier."
Lucian's chest tightened. "What kind of problems?"
Tigen exhaled slowly.
"You'll find out soon enough."
Lucian had the distinct feeling he wasn't going to like the answer.
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End of Chapter 8