Unanimous Choice and Team 8's Wild Start
The Black Rose Instructor blinked in disbelief. She surely wasn't the only one doubting the scene unfolding before her eyes. The watching rookie agents, and even the team leaders who had raised their hands to claim Yufir, must have felt the same. Unanimous approval. Even Plang from Team 9, who never showed up to these things, had appeared out of nowhere to vie for her.
"Well, I'll be damned."
She'd seen plenty of surprises in life, but nothing like this. The Black Rose let out a wry chuckle.
'Team 9... I heard they don't even recruit members.'
Teams 1 through 8 each operated with fewer than ten members. They were elite squads, handling incidents across the empire in small, precise units. When they needed more hands, they'd request support from other teams. With the Intelligence Agency's work rarely solved by sheer numbers, this had become the standard.
By those standards, Team 9 was extreme. Plang, a Grade 1 agent, worked solo. It was questionable whether you could even call it a "team"—he was that independent. She'd never seen him request backup from anywhere. Yet his mission success rate rivaled any team, making it a bundle of mysteries.
"......"
Yufir stood frozen, like her body had locked up. The Black Rose tilted her head at the fearful look.
"Haha, you'd learn a ton working with us."
Team 1's leader was already pitching himself.
"I've been getting steady reports on you. You won't regret joining us."
Team 2's leader followed suit. The others chimed in with their own pitches, but Yufir showed no particular reaction. Everyone assumed she was just hesitating over her choice.
'Doesn't... anyone know?'
Yufir took a slow, deep breath. The overpowering stench of death had surged right up to her nose, stiffening her body.
'It's not aimed at me, right?'
It wasn't targeted. More like it was leaking out. Her pounding heart was finally calming.
"I..."
It took a little more time, but she finally made her decision.
Once the elite team assignments wrapped up, we had a simple welcome party. Light snacks and drinks were laid out, so we all gathered, chatting and enjoying ourselves.
"Honestly, Iri going to Team 1 made sense, but Yufir ending up in Team 8? Total shock."
"Yeah, I was floored too..."
I nodded at Vina's words. It felt like I was being valued on the same level as Iri in their eyes.
"Hiiing... now I'm the only normal one left."
Vina pouted, shoulders slumping. Normally, it would've been just Iri in an elite team, with us cheering her on—but things had gotten weirdly twisted.
"Getting into an elite team doesn't mean a bed of roses ahead... no need to overthink it."
Iri said it calmly, sipping from her glass. Born a noble, she even made drinking look elegant.
"Sure, the internal treatment's better than regular agents, but elite teams get the dangerous missions more often. Evaluations are stricter too..."
"Eek, now I'm suddenly anxious."
A weight settled on my shoulders. Maybe a regular agent suited my personality better. Too much danger? No thanks. Constant harsh scrutiny? Stressful.
"Still... hehe, can't help wanting to climb higher!"
Vina's ambition was unbreakable.
"Looking pretty lively over here."
The Black Rose Instructor approached our table.
"I-Instructor..."
"What're you scared of? We're equals now."
She'd been going table to table, chatting with the rookies. Our turn now.
"Congrats on becoming full agents, first off."
We three bowed our heads.
"Honestly, expected you two. But... this little Peep had me worried."
"Y-You were worried about me...?"
"Think back to your first training session. You looked ready to kick the bucket before it even started."
"Yeah... true."
"Puhaha!"
She laughed heartily. Her demeanor toward us felt a bit softer than back at the training camp.
"Who'd have thought that kid would have every team leader fighting over her... life's unpredictable."
The Black Rose raised her glass high.
"Looking forward to your exploits. Iri, Vina, and..."
She grinned at me.
"Peep."
"Eek?! Wasn't this the moment for proper names?!"
"Haha! That's the reaction I wanted."
I snapped before I knew it, still treated like a chick.
"Alright, alright, guess the chick's graduated now."
Clink—glasses met.
"Here's to your success, Agent Yufir Sageina."
A new day dawned. Today, I was no longer a probationary agent. A full agent—and not just any, but in the elite Team 8.
I woke in the agency-provided housing, brewing coffee slowly while prepping for work. Washed up, got dressed, popped bread in my mouth. During that brief time, munching bread and sipping coffee, I checked the mail.
"From Dad."
The letter was straightforward. Half of it marveled at how well I must be doing for the state to provide so much support. No more stress over treatment fees or meds—no wonder a smile crept out.
'Good call becoming an agent.'
If I'd stuck with city hall clerk work, I'd still be scraping by. Mana Disease was that terrifying. Still incurable, symptoms varied per person. Some flared once a year, others monthly—mana overload or depletion. Being a civil servant had let me hang on till this chance. Those without steady income couldn't afford proper care and got booted. Patients in Mom's room rotated often. No cure, just couldn't pay anymore.
Seira got first place again at her new academy. Visit when you can—she misses you tons.
— Dad
There was news about my sister too.
"Makes sense, Seira's in the capital too... just gotta make time."
Still first place after transferring?
"Always sharp, but is she a real genius?"
I had my past life explaining my edge, but Seira—younger than me—was always calm, rational. Mature enough that indecisive me leaned on her sometimes. Thinking about it, even Team Leader Edwin helped because of her stellar grades. Maybe she really was exceptional.
"Heh, that's my sister."
My shoulders puffed up proudly. Guess I should visit later, dispense some 'adult' advice.
"Lemme check the time~"
Glanced at my wristwatch.
"Aaah! Too chill!"
Meant to peek quick and head out, but got lost in the letter's sentiments.
Thud thud thud! I bolted down the Intelligence Agency halls. Each passing senior got a quick stop, bow, then sprint resumed.
Finally reached Team 8, Intelligence Agency—my team's office.
Screech! Hard brake as I burst in.
"S-Sorry I'm late!"
Bowed the instant the door opened. Who'd guess I'd be five minutes late on first day. Carriage breakdown en route snarled traffic, and without my agent ID yet, I struggled proving I belonged at the gate. Lucky Chaplin, Team 1 leader, passed by and vouched for me.
"......"
Head still down in apology, but... silence. Looked up—the office was empty.
"Huh."
Not like no one showed; everyone was just out.
"Ah, Yufir~"
Edwin the team leader's voice from the hall. Yawning, strolling casually my way.
"Right on time."
"Pardon? Oh... yes!"
Eh, no witnesses, no harm.
"Yufir, your desk's over there."
Tucked in the farthest corner.
"More importantly... where's that idiot Illine?"
Bang! A desk shook violently as his words ended.
"Uuuugh..."
A groan, and a blonde woman in a sleep mask emerged from under it. Freshly woken, her lush golden hair stuck out wildly; still in pajamas.
"My haaair..."
"Sleeping there again?"
"Ah, that voice—Team Leader?!"
Mask still on, she whipped around.
"Ah, can't see a thing!"
"Take off the mask."
"Aha."
Like she'd cracked a profound mystery, Illine slid the mask down to her neck. Spotted the leader, grinned.
"Hehe, Team Leader! Good morning!"
"Morning."
Edwin nodded like this was routine.
"Your junior's here."
"Huh?"
Our eyes met. Senior, probably.
"H-Hi... Senior."
"Whoa! The famous rookie!"
Illine Senior's eyes went wide; she charged and hugged me tight.
"U-Uwaaa?!"
"Hahaha! Too cute! Adorbs!"
Full-power squeeze. Her strength was nuts—I couldn't budge her. Softer than even Vina, too.
"C-Can't... breathe..."
Truly buried in the chest. Vina wasn't this much.
Finally freed, I gasped.
"Hah... haah..."
She leaned in, gazing warmly.
"I'm Illine! Call me Illine Senior~ No formal speech needed. I'm a big-hearted senior!"
"Y-Yes, Senior..."
Our first meeting with the big-hearted Illine Senior, in every sense.
"Illine, Yufir."
Edwin stood from his desk, calling us.
"Let's head out. Rookie orientation and pick up our investigation."
"Ehh, I haven't washed yet~"
"Fine. Neither have I."
"No wonder you stink!"
"Think you don't?! Shut it and follow!"
Hmm, this okay? Felt like I'd joined a haphazard, slapdash team.
"It'll... be fine, right?"