Proposition

He's a member of that committee, what does he want with me? I shouldn't have caused any problems. I looked around confused trying to see if there was an incident, was it the duel just now?

Is this because I just had a match with Danuja? It is possible, if I had known this would happen I wouldn't have shown up. Lost in thought I almost missed the next thing the officer Hernando said.

"At first I came to fetch Danuja at the request of Miss Akari but after seeing that match I became a little interested in you as well."

He looked at me as he spoke

"Would you mind telling me your name?"

I thought about it for a moment. I still didn't fully trust what he was saying. But then again this would be quite the elaborate trap to ensnare someone like me. I'm just a kid from a backwater town after all. After a moment of thought I responded.

"I'm Brian Brigade, Mr Creed."

I gave a slight yet respectful bow as I addressed him.

"Oh please just call me Hernando, but Brian Brigade huh, interesting name. Well excuse me for the delay, I'm here to discuss something with Danuja but, I think you Brian could potentially benefit from this as well. That's of course if you're willing to hear my proposition?"

He wants to offer me something, what could it be? I'm reluctant to tag along. But then again this could be an opportunity I may not get again. Especially since I have no clue what this proposal is to begin with. Before accepting anything it wouldn't hurt to gather more information on this matter.

"What is it you wish to discuss?"

It seemed that Hernando noticed my hesitation 

"Don't worry it's not something I'm doing with ill intent. If you wish to decline then you are free to do so, no strings attached. Excuse my rudeness Danuja but nobles can be quite a handful, luckily i'm not a noble at all. Just a humble peace officer."

"Anyway if you wish to discuss this matter further Brian you may follow me to the school. We all can have a private discussion in a secured room."

Having said that, he nodded at me, then Danuja. And started to walk towards the school building. A moment later Danuja looked back and followed Hernando. Leaving me to stand alone with my thoughts. They weren't too far off. And with some careful thinking although I was reluctant, I decided to gather some more information on this offer.

We made our way back to Prism academy, walking through the maze that was the halls. Soon we arrived in front of a modest size door. Hereando was the first to enter, turning the knob and walking in. I follow Danuja in peering inside the room. It was nice and office like yet still sort of homey.

There were many desks with chairs under them to the right . Most seemed vacant but there were a few with items neatly arranged on top of the desk. And a long table lined with many chairs stood in the center of the room. Hernando took a seat at the center on the other side of the door, gesturing to Dauja and I to take a seat as well.

We sat down, and a maid walked up and placed tea on the table, even for me I was confused and a bit flustered but seeing as the other two weren't acting odd I regained my composure.

I decided to give the tea a try. I drunk a bit it was hot but not enough to burn my tongue. It tasted great, I've had tea in the past but none like this. I took another sip to try and remember If I've had this flavor before but I believe this is my first time with it.

Hernando took a sip of his tea as well, then he spoke.

"As you should know Danuja, your sister Miss Akari has arranged things so that you can join the disciplinary committee. As you should know this is a great opportunity for you. I've heard you have been declining the offer so I was hoping to hear the reason as to why.

As for why I brought you here Brian."

He clasped both his hands together as he spoke. 

"I'd like to extend the same offer to you as well. It'd be an immense help to your everyday life as well as your future. It's not a bad thing to put on your diploma and you'll get paid for your services."

I was somewhat stunned yet it wasn't something I hadn't entirely considered. After all he himself was a part of this committee and it was a reasonable reason for him to ask me to tag along. He continued speaking further explaining the job.

"It's basically like being a civil officer but for Prism, the academy division to be exact. Just like any other place Prism experiences instances of conflicts, situations that need to be resolved or investigated. Normally this would be handled by actual civil officers but since Prism is so large it'd be difficult to take the kingdom's forces and place them around Prism."

"Not to mention the tension between the two has been high as of late."

"You'll start off as a disciplinary officer on a probationary period. After you'll become a full fledge member of the committee. You'll be paid four Tyro every two weeks. In fact if you want you could turn this into a career. You can continue working at Prism working up to become an Officer outside the academy division.

"You could even switch tracks to becoming a civil officer then a knight and keep climbing up the ranks for the Bartholomew Kingdom. It doesn't seem like a bad proposal right?"

He took another sip of his tea before continuing.

"The other reason I'm offering is because we are low on members. Thanks to a past incident we lost a large number of them. And thanks to that incident it's acting as a deterrent preventing other students from joining."

"So what do you think?"

Wow this is serious. If I take this offer it would solve my financial problems. And like he said it would provide great alkaloids but still. I decided to bring up one of my concerns.

"Hernando, I hope you won't take this the wrong way but, are you sure you can invite me like this. I mean I attended the orientation, and there Mr. Zephyr introduced Sinoda Grove as the head of the disciplinary committee. So what I mean to ask is do you have the authority to invite me without his approval?"

"I'm assuming this was a last minute thing that you couldn't get his approval before hand. after all you originally went to get Danuja. If I were to accept your proposal. Would this cause problems for me later on?"

Hernando was silent for a moment, placing the tea he was about to take another sip of back onto the table. Was what I said really that upsetting? Just as I was feeling a bit nervous. Hernando started laughing. Loud unrestrained chuckles echoed throughout the room.

He curled up and started banging the table with his hand.

"Ha ha—hah! Man…"

Even after the outburst faded, soft chuckles continued to escape him, lingering in the air.

"Whoo, I really like you, most students are too scared to ask important questions like that. Yes you are indeed correct. Sinoda is the captain of the disciplinary committee. However it's truly just in name."

Hernando leaned into the table, lowering his voice conspiratorially.

"Listen this is just between you and me, but he actually didn't even want the position. We both played a little game where the loser would have to take the title. As a result you saw him on that stage instead of me."

His voice returned to its natural tone as his continued to speak.

"Of course, now he dumps his responsibilities on me every chance he gets. That bast—"

Ahem

 The maid near by cleared her throat, politely, silencing Hernando mid-rant.

"Ah, yes—pardon my language,"

Regaining his composure he had an apologetic smile.

"Well anyway, you don't have to worry about Sinoda. If i'm the one offering, there won't be any problems."

I see, well that alleviates one of my concerns. But my main one is Mr. Grove himself. Now it could have entirely been my imagination but, I do believe he was staring at me during the orientation, and I have no idea as to why that would be the case. Do I really want to be in close proximity with someone like that?

But then again this is a hard opportunity to pass up on. I'm really torn here, I can't make a decision. I rested my head on my arm adjusting my sitting position. Just as I was thinking about how to respond, Danuja spoke.

"Hernando, thank you for the offer but, I just don't think I'm the right fit for the disciplinary committee. You'd be better off asking someone else like Brian."

Immediately Hernando interjected.

"Wait, wait, wait. Hold up. We both know how should I put this, well how convincing your sister, Miss Akari can be. You do realize that she'll keep pushing for this until you accept. If you really wish to not join, which I'm totally fine with, all you have to do is give your sister a sufficiently satisfying excuse."

"But—"

"No buts, either you tell her yourself, or you join the committee. Either way no longer shall I be the middle man for you two."

Danuja looked away, not responding.

"Oh come on I don't get the problem here. It seems to me to just be a bit of a sibling quarrel. Just apologize and make up already."

He leaned back with a casual grin.

"Well any way get back to me on this tomorrow. If your mind is still not made up and if you haven't told her yourself, then I don't mind doing the favor of telling her for you."

He chuckled lightly at that last part. Something about his tone told me he'd do much more than just tell Miss Akari Danuja had declined.

"Yes, I can see it now," Hernando declared, hand rising theatrically. "I'll tell her that her sweet little brother, Danuja Takezo, has refused my oh-so-gracious invitation to join the disciplinary committee because—ah yes—he's hopelessly pining for a lovely lady. So smitten, so utterly enchanted!"

He paused for dramatic flair, his voice swelling with mock tragedy.

"In fact, she has him so tightly wrapped around her delicate little finger, it would make one believe she cast a spell on him! May Lord Telos have mercy on that poor, love-stricken soul."

He finished with a bow of the head, as if concluding a stage performance. Then, lifting his gaze, he turned to Danuja.

Danuja, jaw tight, slowly turned his head back toward Hernando, eyes unreadable.

"You wouldn't"

"Danuja my boy, you truly haven't the slightest idea what I would and wouldn't do."

His smile which was already wide widened even more. He leaned forward slightly, voice dipped into a mischievous glee.

"Would you care to test my limits?"

Danuja looking at him started to laugh. I think this is the first time i've seen him do so. It was light and sounded as if he was resigned to his fate. It seemed like he was going to give a serious answer.

"Ok fine, here's my answer."

But suddenly he delivered a completely unexpected and unorthodox answer. One of which I couldn't have anticipated.

"I'll go along with whatever my good friend here Brian, chooses."

Before I could react, he slid his chair closer to mine and casually slung an arm around my neck.

"You see, we're like glue, wherever one goes the other follows."

Since when were we such good friends? I barely know you, not to mention we only met today. Is he confident that I'll decline? Or is he hoping that I'll decline for his sake. Wait, If I do decline, wouldn't that make me a target for his very convincing sister, Miss Akari herself.

Hernando gave an amused smile.

"Oh really now. I assumed that the two of you only met today. As in a few hours ago. But I guess it's possible you've known each other before attending Prism."

"Either way, all I have to do is convince you, Brian and I'll gain two promising new recruits. Sounds nice, hitting two birds with one stone. Yes this is very entertaining."

Hernando turned his full attention back towards me.

"Well then, Brian. What would it take for you to join?"

Great. Just what I needed — more pressure. I already have my own reasons for wanting to join or not. The last thing I need is extra weight on my conscience. Besides, I can't even think of anything I'd want from him.

Lost in thought, Hernando's voice pulled me back to the moment.

"Let me rephrase that. I am willing to do anything, if it's within my power to convince you of doing so. I could provide a letter or recommendation if you want better classes or…"

Hearing Hernando say that sparked an idea. A small smile tugged at the corners of my mouth. It's as if I received a revelation. I know exactly what I want now.

"Anything I want?"

Hernando paused before answering. I caught a flicker of unease in his voice. Danuja shot me a worried look.

"Yes, as long as it's within my power.

My smile deepened. I could keenly feel that both Hernando and Danuja were slightly regretting their life choices.