Chapter 8

Lyndi watched the printer whir and buzz, copying the information into Tristan's new ID card with a mechanical hum. Lyndi sat next to it, contemplating her thoughts. She still couldn't shake the image of Tristan's pointed ears and glowing red eyes. "A play… Right…" She picked up her desk phone, dialing a familiar number. It rang twice before an older woman's crisp voice answered. "Hm, Hello?"

"Mrs. Kerolii," Lyndi began, her voice low and professional, "it's Lyndi. I just had a… strange case. A Defender named Tristan Bao. His biometric scan came back with some very unusual results. His DNA is half consistent with his old records, but the other half is unknown. His appearance has changed, too—pointed ears, glowing red eyes. He made some awful excuses… And his Spark… it was a wind element being an F-rank spark, but now it's registering as a lightning element. His mana capacity seems to have spiked as well. He seems like a totally different person!"

There was a brief pause on the other end. "I see," Mrs. Kerolii replied, her tone unhurried but attentive. "That certainly is... intriguing. I'll have some people look into it. However, I'm currently assisting one of the unions and the police with another investigation, so it might take a moment."

"Understood, Mrs. Kerolii," Lyndi said, nodding to herself as she took a deep breath. She heard a click as Mrs. Kerolii hung up. Lyndi placed the phone down, her gaze shifting on the new ID card as it finished printing.

—--

I slumped further into the waiting area chair, the bland fluorescent lights humming above me. Trying to distract myself from the churning in my gut, I played with a loose string on my coat. Lyndi.. She looked interesting in my dna, its strange. I'm glad she just thinks it is a bug but what if she just said that to make me not suspect that she is going to call the authorities? What if they figure out I had something to do with- no I'm thinking too deep into this. But what if I'm not? 

Ugh! I still don't understand what the hell the half dna still is! Well, I knew what it meant. I was a... a Damp-pire- or whatever the fuck!. And honestly, I just want to get my damn ID and get out of this oppressive heat. Those credits are just out of my reach! 

"That technology is very impressive, isn't it?" Claude's voice echoed in my head, a faint, amused hum. "I haven't seen anything quite like it before."

I rolled my eyes, "Oh, you're just impressed because it's not a dusty scroll. How old are you, anyway?" 

"One shouldn't ask a vampire his age, dear Tristan," Claude snarked back instantly, the amusement still present. "A vampire's age symbolizes their power and limitation; the older one is, the higher in nobility they are—usually, there are exceptions. But I'll give you a hint: I have been stuck that room I met you for around 1000 years." 

"But the Towers haven't been around that long, have they?" I said blinking rapidly in shocka and trying to understand.

"Oh, no, Tristan! They have not!" Claude's tone was almost giddy. "The Tower had just merged itself with the pocket dimension I was impri—stuck in."

"What you were just about to say then?"

"Um-..." Claude hummed, reluctant to answer. Though as he has been saved by the bell, a high pitched ding rang across the whole hall.

I looked up as Lyndi called my name. Though, I did notice that I did get weird looks from a few people walking past me. Oops. I sighed before I walked over to Lyndi, definitely ready for those credits!- I meant my ID… heh…

Lyndi held out a crisp new card, its plastic just warm enough against my fingertips that i could tell it was new. My new ID. I glanced down at it, seeing the updated photo – those glowing red eyes and pointed ears staring back at me. At least she hadn't said anything more about it…

"Thanks," I mumbled, sliding the card into my pocket. Now, time to get the hell out of here.

I headed towards the main entrance, pulling my coat tighter around me. As I approached the large glass doors, the sunlight streaming in looked even brighter than before. I grimaced. The midday sun was a goddamn brutal reminder of my current… situation... I am not exactly a fan of being cooked alive. Not again.

"Ah, the sun," Claude purred in my head, a distinct mocking tone. "Ready for another walk home? Of course you are. Don't want to miss out on that lovely Vitamin D, do we?" he giggles.

"Shut your damn mouth, Count Chocula," I muttered under my breath, my gaze fixed on the blinding light outside. Going home now meant another agonizing walk… I definitely did not want to repeat that experience. My skin already felt like it was prickling with dread just thinking about it.

"Thinking of procrastinating, are we?" Claude chuckled. "A wise decision. Perhaps a cozy, dark corner within this… 'Defender's Hall' would be more suitable. You could learn something, perhaps. Or simply observe the pathetic mortals in their natural habitat."

I ignored his snide remarks, though he wasn't entirely wrong. I really didn't want to go back out there. Maybe there was something I could do in here that didn't involve getting fried. I looked around the large hall. There were a few other Defenders milling about, most was in teh waiting area, though some heading to the training facilities, others chatting near the cafe. My gaze lingered at the bounty board for a moment longer than anything else. However I also saw a group beginning to form in the far right of the building. 

"Alright, Claude," I mumbled, "lets find something to do"

I headed towards the growing line, finding an empty seat near the cafe, slightly obscured by a potted plant. From here, I could observe the gathering crowd without drawing too much attention. The line stretched further and further, snaking around the corner of the hall. Just as I was beginning to wonder what all the fuss was about, a door at the end of the line, previously unnoticed, opened and a person stepped out. He was tall, with broad shoulders and a neatly trimmed beard streaked with grey. His long, dark trench coat seemed to absorb the light around him, and his eyes, a startling shade of amber, swept over the assembled crowd. He raised a hand, and his voice, deep and resonant, boomed through the hall, "ATTENTION, DEFENDERS! We will be accepting applicants for the Lotus Fang union! If you're B-rank or higher we will offer a high credit bonus of acceptance!"

My ears perked up, not just at the booming voice, but at the excited whispers and murmurs that rippled through the hall.

"The Lotus Fang! I'm so excited! Though I heard they're incredibly selective."

"B-rank or higher? Damn, that's tough…"

"But the credit bonus… and the prestige! They're known for their high success rate on high-stakes missions."

"Ya'know, they say their leader, the 'Lotus Fox ,' is untouchable! That means their union must be like- one of the best!"

The Lotus Fang union. Even I, someone who doesn't really focus on that stuff, had heard whispers of their reputation. They were one of the oldest and most revered unions in the country. Unlike many of the smaller, more specialized unions, Lotus Fang took on a vast array of cases, from large-scale natural disasters caused by unstable mana pockets to tracking down powerful, runaway creatures from the towers. Their training facilities were supposedly state-of-the-art, and their members were known for their unwavering discipline and mastery over their Spark abilities. Acceptance into their ranks was not just about raw power, but also about an unyielding will. At least, that is what they say. The fact that they were openly recruiting here, now, spoke volumes about the current state of their members.

"A high credit bonus, huh?" Claude's voice chimed in with a distinct note of interest. "Too bad you're not to that level yet!"

I ignored him, my gaze fixed on the man at the front of the line. Though the whispers made it harder to focus. My eyes naturally closed as I was starting to get overwhelmed.

"They say the Crimson Fang himself often oversees the initial assessments. Imagine being trained by a professional and A-rank defender! The resources and knowledge they have are unparalleled."

"And the protection! With how strong they are, joining the Lotus Fang practically guarantees you'll be safe!"

My thoughts churned. I can't exactly get the credit bonus for being a high rank… hm.. I don't really know the nature of this new evolved spark I got either… Now that I am thinking about stuff, wasn't there something Claude said about going up the ranks and maybe even being able to go in the sun? I just need souls… hm… 

Taking a deep breath, I stood up and slowly walked to the back of the line. I had an idea. I could sign up for a position as a storage mule and support so that I could be close to the back and if someone dies, I could just take their soul. I mean- they aren't going to use it anymore. That way I could rank up and not have to deal with the sun! That has to be main goal number one!

The line moved slowly, each person ahead of me seemed to spend an eternity behind the door. I guess it makes sense that these bastards would take their time on each person. I tried my best to eavesdrop but the voices were too muffled to discern anything from them. My patience, not usually my strongest suit, was stretching the longer it took. I know it was my decision to stand here but jeez. I took a deep breath as I tried to keep my thoughts focused on the ultimate prize: credits!- I mean no more sun… heh… 

"Oh! I didn't realize I would get so excited for such a mortal thing!" Claude giggled, "I can't wait!" 

"Yeah, yeah, get excited. Old man..." I muttered, loud enough for the person in front of me to turn around and give me a strange look. I quickly cleared my throat and looked away from them, pretending I hadn't said a word. After a moment, they looked away and I instantly gave a long sigh of relief. 

Finally, after what felt like hours, I was nearing the front. Now, as I stood just a few feet from the door, I could actually make out fragments of the dialogue. The person that was in front of me in the line had just left the door, but I wasn't called in just yet. I listened in on the conversation behind the door, closing my eyes to enhance my senses. It sounds like a few people just got off of the phone.

"—another one? This is getting ridiculous." A gruff, exasperated voice said. Suddenly, there was a thud on what sounded like wood.

"We've lost three just this week on the rogue monster mission. We haven't even gotten many clues on where it could be!" A sharper, more stressed tone yelled. She groaned and then sat down with a bounce on what sounds like velvet.

"We need more bodies, fast. These disappearances are hitting us hard. We can't investigate if we don't have people, and no one already in the union wants to help..."

"It's not even like we can tell them that we need help since it's not a public mission." Another voice chimed in, one a medium high pitch that seemed to speak in a more masculine tone. 

"How can monsters even escape the towers anyway?" Asked the lady, her stressed tone fading into a more confused one.

"It's unheard of! Monsters can't even exist if there is no boss, plus if they leave the tower, they turn to dust!" The medium masculine voice added. 

"If ya have any problems, I would take it to Mrs. Claw about it," the gruff voice growled, cutting them off. "Enough. Quiet down. We don't want to cause suspicion out there."

A moment of silence followed, then the faint sounds of shuffling. I opened my eyes quickly and tried to prepare myself as if I wasn't just listening to their conversation. The gruff man emerged from the room, his eyes scanning the remaining applicants before landing on me.

"Next!" he boomed, his voice echoing slightly in the otherwise quiet hall. He gestured with a curt nod for me to enter.

I stepped through the doorway, my eyes quickly taking in the room and the people within. The gruff man who had called me in was broad-shouldered and powerfully built, with a neatly trimmed ginger beard streaked with grey and a scar that ran just below his left eye. He wore heavy silver armor that reminded me of Arnold's; a logo of the Lotus Fang was engraved into the armor (a lotus flower emerging out of a wolf fang), and his posture exuded authority. His eyes, a piercing shade of hazel, held a weary but intelligent glint.

Seated behind a large, ornate wooden desk, where the velvet sound had come from, was the woman whose sharp voice I'd heard. She was striking, with bright pink hair like bubble gum, pulled back in a severe bun, and sharp, siren blue eyes that scanned me up and down. She wore the same logo on her purple and silver rope around her. She held her arms crossed as she stared at me. 

To her right, lounging casually in a plush armchair, was the person with the masculine, medium-high voice. He was lean and lanky, with a shock of messy blonde hair that fell into emerald green eyes. A playful, almost mischievous smirk played on his lips, though there was this weird vibe about him that made me suspect a less casual tone with him. He wore a scarf around his neck with the lotus fang logo as well as the logo on his sash that looked to be able to hold a ranged weapon of some kind.

Finally, in a corner of the room, almost hidden by a large, overflowing bookshelf, sat another person. They were small and slight, their face partially obscured by a cascade of dark, curly hair. They wore a simple dark hoodie, a pendant with the Lotus Fang logo barely sticking out. Their posture was almost unnaturally still, I couldn't discern their features, and they didn't move or make a sound. Out of the two of us, you would guess that they would be the vampire instead. 

I took a deep breath. Just like a job interview, I guess… "Good afternoon," I began with a slight bow, my voice a touch shakier than intended. "My name is Tristan, and I am… well, as you know, I am here to apply for a position in your party." I forced a confident smile.

The gruff man, whom I now realized was even more imposing up close, cleared his throat, a sound like gravel shifting. "Right, Tristan. The name's Karlton. What exactly are your specialties, young man? We've had a rather… unusual… day of interviews." I tried to understand what that meant; however, just by his expression, I was getting nothing.

"Well, Mr. Karlton," I corrected myself, trying to sound respectful, maybe buttering them up would work. " I have an electric element spark. However, I've, ah, not used it much. I'm quite… new to this. But I'm eager to gain experience as a defender!" I forced a nod, internally cringing at myself. "I'm currently at rank F, but I'm a quick learner! Though for now, I'll be content with being in the back and carrying your equipment."

The gruff man looked over to the pink-haired woman. "Juliet? What do you think?" He asked. She leaned forward, her siren blue eyes narrowed. "Rank F? And you want to be a part of the Lotus Fang already? Karlton, are you hearing this?" Her voice, while sharp, held a hint of weary amusement.

Karlton grunted. "I am, Juliet. The boy's got a… a certain spirit, I'll give him that. Most of the applicants we've seen today just want the action and credits without the work for it. They don't know they're place. However, I have a feeling this young man knows his part."

"Ugh…," I whispered, then quickly added, "Uh-! Yep! Since I'm not strong enough to be in a fighting position yet, I can be an excellent support. Like I said, I could carry all the extra equipment like the health potions and stuff. Like a mule, if you will. A highly motivated mule." I offered another awkward smile.

The lean, lanky man with the messy blonde hair finally spoke, a mischievous glint in his emerald eyes. "A mule, he says. Interesting. I like this one. He's funny." He chuckled.

Juliet sighed, running a hand through her pink bun. "Really, Auta?" She sighs, "And, honestly, Karlton, this is getting ridiculous. We've had a hundred ninety-four applicants today alone, and only a few of them had any discernible combat experience. We've still got two more slots out of our twenty total, but at this rate, we'll not get a good amount of combat sparks. That's what we need right now." She shot me a pointed look. 

"uh-...", my hands were clenching involuntarily. The room vibrated slightly, and a faint tremor ran through the floor. I feel like this isn't going great. It's probably connected to that one rouge monster thing. Even though that has nothing to do with me, why do I feel so personally attacked?

Karlton stroked his ginger beard. "He's… different, Juliet. He's got a certain something about him, even if it's a bit… eh. And given the current situation, we can't afford to be too picky." He glanced at the hidden figure in the corner, who remained perfectly still. "What do you think, kid?"

"

The hidden figure remained silent.

"Right," Karlton muttered, turning back to me. "It looks like the majority of us are in agreement. Looks like we'll be making an exception for you, Tristan."

I took in a deep breath. I actually did it… Well, obviously! My persuasion is the best! "Thank you, Mr. Karlton!" I said with a bow. 

Juliet sighed again, a long, drawn-out breath as she rolled her eyes. "Don't thank us yet, Tristan. This isn't a guarantee of anything. You'll be on a probationary period, and if you don't pull your weight, you're out. Understand?" Her siren blue eyes stabbed right into me.

"Yes, ma'am!" I nodded hastily as if on instinct. My cheeks heated up as she stabbed her gaze into me. 

Karlton chuckled, reverberating with a deep bass across the room. "Alright then. Auta, if you would be so kind as to give Tristan the rundown on where we will be meeting for the next outing?"

Auta, the blonde-haired man, finally straightened up from his casual lounge. He flashed me a wide, dazzling smile that felt both genuine and slightly unsettling. "With pleasure, Karlton. Welcome to the Lotus Fang, Tristan. This is going to be… fun." His emerald eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief.

Fun? Maybe for you, but I'm going to be carrying all your things. At least I'll get paid for being in a union, plus I'll be able to get souls. I can see it now, actually walking in the daylight without being absolutely soaked with pain. 

"Congratulations!" Cladue chuckles. If I weren't in front of these people and needed this chance, I would've 100% blurted out and told Claude to shut up.