Now Real Agents! (1)
Edwin walked through the sealed research lab. With every step, shards of glass crunched underfoot, echoing down the corridor.
"You really went all out with the fireworks, huh."
Scorch marks were everywhere. Some areas were smashed, others shattered. It was obvious a massive brawl had taken place just by looking at the devastation. That left the key questions: who, why, and how did they attack this place?
This was a critical facility where mages specializing in medicine gathered to research all sorts of diseases. Lately, their main focus had probably been on mana disease. There were countless illnesses in the world, but mana disease remained the one unconquered terminal affliction.
What process turned mana into something that ravaged the body? For some, it went berserk; for others, it simply vanished. No matter the direction, the moment mana lost its stability, it became a deadly threat.
"I heard they were making real progress lately, though..."
Was this connected? No investigation results yet, but Edwin sensed some link in every recent incident across the empire.
"I smell something fishy."
Each event spread like thin threads. Alone, they seemed insignificant, but layered together, they tangled into a complex web around some central point. Leave it alone, and it'd become an unsolvable knot.
"Well... nothing concrete yet."
Edwin sighed deeply as he surveyed the lab. Long-time agents developed a sixth sense for it: something big was brewing. Vacations or whatever—none of it would matter soon. That anxiety always crept in.
"For now, finding the missing lab director comes first."
Wa-ba-ba-bak!
A frantic pattering echoed from the end of the corridor, rushing toward them.
"Teaaam Leaaader!"
The desperate shout followed. Edwin glanced down the hall. A blonde woman was charging at them, flailing her arms wildly. She was fast—on a collision course.
Screeech!
Her heels skidded to brake, arms windmilling for balance.
"Team Leader!"
The blonde woman's eyes were wide, her face beaming with joy.
"Why aren't you waiting outside like I told you?"
"Ugh, come on! The announcement schedule's finally set!"
"Announcement?"
"Yeah, that cocky newbie from before who was all 'bet on it.' HQ says results drop tomorrow."
"Ah."
Edwin checked his wristwatch, then strode out of the lab, quickening his pace down the corridor.
"Results already, huh."
"Yeah, all the team leaders are heading to HQ now."
"Good."
"Aren't you worried?"
Edwin grinned at his subordinate's question.
"Worried? No way. That kid's getting picked for sure."
"What... that's some jealousy-inducing faith! Give me some of that trust too!"
"If you acted more like a little sister, I would."
"Aaaargh! Team Leader, comparing us again! If you like Ines so much, just hang with her!"
"She's got requests coming from everywhere 'cause she's so versatile—how am I supposed to keep up?"
The blonde woman huffed in exasperation.
"Ugh~! Then why'd you pick me? You only pamper Ines; I'm always on the back burner!"
"Heh, but you're good at stuff she sucks at. That's enough, right? What more do you want?"
"Still... stiiiill! Treat me like an ace too! Call me Ace!"
"Ugh, shut it. Let's just go."
Edwin hopped into his new car and sped toward Intelligence Agency HQ.
I never thought this day would come so soon. A year felt like forever back then, but now it seems to have flown by. I was just fighting to survive each day—no time to think about time itself.
"Puhaha, Yufir, that looks perfect on you."
"Reaaally...?"
Until the official agent results came out, we were free to roam outside. It felt like a vacation of sorts. We still stayed at the training camp, but with light permission, we could head out anytime.
"Try this one next!"
And so, dragged by Vina's hand, I floundered in endless hell... no, shopping hell.
"Iri, I think we gotta emphasize Yufir's cuteness."
"Yeah, I agree. Especially overalls—they pair great with her petite height, highlighting that dainty vibe."
"See? Told ya Iri gets it!"
Even Iri, who I never expected, joined in. Guess being born a girl meant she thrived on picking and trying clothes. I was just a dress-up doll, doing as told. I had zero fashion sense anyway.
"Mmm~ This is fun."
We sat in a café, gazing out the window. Vina's smile wouldn't fade—she was in bliss.
"Going from brutal training to this chill vibe feels so weird..."
Normally, I'd be sprinting the training field, lungs burning. Dropping a habit cold turkey felt off.
"That's why I ran at dawn. Tricks my brain into thinking the day's ahead of schedule."
Iri stuck to her routine like glue. No wonder she was sweating alone while everyone else struggled to wake.
"Tough... real tough."
"Yeah... I'll never manage that."
Vina and I stared at Iri like she was a monster. She just tilted her head at our looks.
Clink.
Ice melted in the glass.
"Ugh! I'm so nervous."
I shivered. Part of why we wandered was to shake off the anxiety. Official agents were about to be announced.
"You two seem so chill..."
I said enviously. They were basically locks anyway.
"No need to worry that much, right? You got a few 'barely passes' in training, but evaluations? Nailed 'em. And that Northern Snow Mountains story—holding your own against the Black Rose Instructor? Legendary."
"Ehehe... it wasn't thaaat big a deal~"
I squirmed, embarrassed, grinning. Vina patted my head with a smile.
"Yeah, yeah, you'll be fine. Who knows? An elite team might snag you."
"Nah... way too far-fetched."
I shook my head at the impossible dream.
"Elite teams go for Iri types."
"True, Iri's basically guaranteed official, and elite's fair game."
Vina nodded. Iri twirled her hair, dodging our eyes—praise embarrassed her too.
"Well... I'm confident. I've busted my ass for this exact shot."
Iri saw elite teams as skill-earned, not luck. She belonged there, period.
"Ooh... cool."
"Only Iri could say that."
Anyone else would've sounded arrogant, but from her, it was just fact. Elvin might compare—bet elites snatched him too.
We spent the day relaxed.
The next day, official agents were announced.
Intelligence Agency HQ buzzed with activity. Familiar faces mixed with new ones—it was time for reshuffles.
"Lots of passers this year, huh."
"Good batch."
"Some from fancy families, others with wild backstories."
"Makes poaching easier for us?"
"Better than last year, at least."
Agents spotted newbies instantly on the corridors—stiff postures gave them away, even among strangers. These recruits had all passed and been summoned here.
Guided by staff, they filed into a large room. Beyond official announcements, a bigger event drew eyes.
"Last year, just three elites, right?"
"Elites ain't for just anyone."
Top performers or special talents got elite teams. High achievers among newbies got called up fast—a big deal agency-wide.
"One elite's a win. Our class got zero—got flak for it."
"Yeah... you watching?"
"Duh. Can't miss it. No missions yet anyway."
"Oveer there..."
A girl fidgeted near the official agent area.
"Hm?"
"Um, where do the new agents gather?!"
The two agents eyed her, stifling laughs, and pointed.
"That way. They're meeting there."
"Ah! Thanks!"
They watched her tiny figure dash off, smiling warmly.
"Cute."
"Wish I had a lil sis like that."
"But... she's so small and she made official?"
"Getting here means she passed."
"What kinda talent...?"
"Cuteness?"
"Pfft, plausible."
Giggle.
A shadow fell over them as they laughed.
"You two."
They turned, eyes bulging.
"Move."
Behind the Black Rose Instructor stood top-tier agents, agency elites.
"S-sorry!"
They plastered to the walls.
"Seniors... newbies are up ahead, so watch your─"
"Nah, Barbarian, this punk's been ignoring me."
"Ugh, you started whining first back there! Wanna die?!"
"Hm, lively today."
"Haha, c'mon guys~ Hurry or we'll be late. Newbies might hate us~"
"Ah, crap. Gotta piss. Be right back!"
"Edwin... why's your bathroom timing always like this?!"
1st and 2nd-grade agents bickered chaotically. Kid stuff up close, but...
"Whoa..."
"So badass."
To the awestruck pair, it was pure majesty.