Year 18,859 since Founding.
It was the last days of autumn. A chill in the air was already pervasive.
Life began to stir in the Little Clover Town after an hour had passed since dawn. Common people left home to go to work and shops in the market opened their doors for business.
In the commercial district, above a three-story tall establishment hung the signboard "Richard's Detective Agency". This private detective agency was the only one of its kind in this township.
Without connections and some special permissions from higher-ups not just anybody can legitimately operate such businesses. Today the door of this agency was tightly closed.
One reason being that the opening hour hadn't arrived yet while the main reason was that the owner of this agency, Detective Richard had passed away last noon.
With the owner recently departed naturally everyone thought that it wouldn't be open for business ever again as it was well known in this town that Detective Richard had no living family members and even more so a confidante to whom he could write in his will.
However, at sharp nine o'clock in the morning an "Open" sign actually hung at the door!
Neighboring shops and acquaintances curiously entered to inquire before leaving shortly after with a shocked expression. They hurriedly informed their friends or colleagues about what they had just discovered.
Who would've thought that Richard actually took an apprentice a month prior to his death and he was so well hidden that only now they were knowing about his existence.
The first floor of the agency, at the reception desk.
Samantha sat back at her chair after sending away the inquiring group. Her pretty face was now mired with a hint of anxiety. Her former boss had passed away so abruptly that even the day before his death she didn't see any signs of his worsening health.
Though the reason for his death was later declared to be heart failure stemming from a past heart disease she long since suspected foul play involved in it.
The only thing that prevented her from thinking that she might be targeted in the future was his last words spoken at his deathbed. She knew it because she was present at the scene.
Her thoughts couldn't help but drift back to that period of yesterday.
It was just another day of work for her. She arrived a quarter earlier than opening hour as usual but found the doors locked from the inside which never happened before.
She knew that her boss suffered from insomnia for years so he wouldn't possibly be sleeping in this late. Around this hour he was typically reviewing some case files on the second floor or scribbling away at that little notebook he always carried on him.
Just as she was about to press the doorbell the door opened with that annoyingly familiar creak.
Detective Richard hadn't come downstairs but instead a young man of tall height and raven hair now stood before her with hawk-like eyes.
Samantha was startled as she took a step back instinctively before questioning warily, "W-who are you?"
The young man didn't answer but instead observed her for a moment before asking back, "Are you the receptionist Samantha?"
"Yes."
"Mentor Richard asks you to meet him upstairs."
"..."
She noticed his way of address and couldn't help but widen her eyes as she guessed something. She had many questions in her mind but seeing him suddenly turn around and head towards the stairs left her with no choice but to follow behind quickly.
"You didn't answer my question! Who are you?"
"Tsk!"
He actually clicked his tongue, how rude!
Samantha was furious and just as she thought to retort he said, "Mentor Richard will explain shortly after so refrain from speaking loudly. He needs some quiet."
The harsh words that were at the tip of her tongue were swallowed back after being warned like that. There's something about his solemn tone that made her calm down and consider his words carefully.
From his words it seems that something had happened to her boss!
She no longer bothered him and simply followed behind till they reached the third floor, where Detective Richard resides.
The first floor was the reception area and had consultation rooms for the clients. The second floor was where work related affairs were sorted out and the third floor was the residential area where he lived.
She was surprised to find that they didn't stop at the living room but kept going till they entered his bedroom. There she saw her boss bedridden with a pale expression and somewhat vacant eyes. Large drops of sweat gathered on his forehead as his face contorted in pain.
"Boss! What happened to you!?"
She rushed forward at his side and observed with a worried face. Richard's eyes finally focused on her and he smiled slightly as he answered, "It seems my time has come. There's no need to be so concerned about it. I called you… here to confirm something."
"Don't strain yourself anymore! I will immediately call the doctors from the nearest hospital! Hold on for a bit!"
"Samantha, calm down. I don't have… much energy left so listen carefully. I asked you to deliver… a letter for me last week, did you… receive the reply yet?"
"I, well, no! I already asked the post office yesterday but you weren't at the office so I couldn't notify you about it."
"I see… Alas! I should have been more careful."
Richard's face was filled with regret but he didn't continue to lament as he added, "This kid is the apprentice I took in last month. His name is Russell. Don't be fooled by… this kid's sharp words. He is actually younger than you. He just… turned nineteen this year."
"He indeed got some talent in the field of investigation but… unfortunately his arcana realm is too low. I have already written a will and decided to… let him inherit my legacy. When the authorities come later, help introduce him… as you're more of a familiar face. It will save some trouble."
"He will take my last name of Auburn from then on… don't worry—"
Richard seemed to see through her inner fears as he calmly reassured her, "—My situation is a bit special so you don't have to… worry that trouble will find you in the future. Look… isn't this unruly kid still safe and sound despite my relation with him?"
"With my passing many people… will finally pay attention to this town of ours and with some of my contingencies… left to him nothing untoward should happen as long as you don't leave the town—Argh!!"
Richard suddenly clutched his chest as he shrieked in pain and after that an agonizing period of witnessing his painful death kept flashing in Samantha's mind.
It wasn't until a heavy footstep drew near that she snapped back to the present.
A middle aged man wearing a dark robe with purple star patterns on the collar stood before her with a somber face. He was of average height, had sparse blonde hair and deep brown eyes. On his chest a silver badge was pinned and on top of his head rested a magic hat.
Samantha hurriedly stood up and gave a courtesy bow as she greeted, "Good morning, Chief Constable Walter! Welcome to the agency! How may I help you?"
Walter nodded in acknowledgement before he said in a commanding tone, "I just returned from the county town. Tell me in detail what happened to Richard. Excluding what is already known to the public."
Thud!
With that he suddenly waved his hand and the entrance door closed with a thud. The sign hung on it flipped to the other side that read "Closed".
Samantha trembled slightly after being affected by the oppressive pressure that now exuded from him. Nonetheless, she was an experienced individual who dealt with the police many times due to her affiliation so she managed to quickly calm down and recount the events of yesterday.
Amidst her narration another set of footsteps came from upstairs. Russell had come down to check on the commotion.
"A police officer? What can I help you with?"
He asked with an impatient tone while striding towards him nonchalantly. It wasn't until he saw the content written on the silver badge that he showed a surprised expression. Similar to her, Russell also gave a courtesy bow as per etiquette.
"So you're the apprentice? Hmm? Only two symbols condensed at your age. Whatever, first tell me how you met Richard? Did anybody instruct you to contact him? You better be honest otherwise If I later find out that you have lied then you're in for a hard time, you brat!"
Walter was already in an interrogation mode and the pressure he exuded now was many fold stronger than what she just faced. Light in the surrounding seemed to distort around him.
Russell broke out in a cold sweat but he still gritted his teeth and resisted the urge to kneel as he replied stubbornly, "I wasn't instructed by anyone. My mentor found me while I was painting a portrait for a customer on the street. And also—"
He reached into his pants pocket and took out a sealed envelope before continuing, "—He had told me to hand this to you personally if I meet you in the future."
Seeing the envelope Walter's somber face finally showed a trace of emotion. He saw a familiar handwriting on the outside and guessed his friend's intention. The oppressive pressure receded like a tide and vanished abruptly.
Russell took a deep breath to finally calm his erratic heartbeat before handing him the item.
Time passed quietly and about a quarter of an hour later he finally put down the paper with a complex expression. He rubbed his eyes and heaved a heavy sigh. His thoughts churned as he digested the information.
He finally looked up at Russell again and his eyes now held some expectation from him instead of the previous indifference.
His tone was no longer so cold as he spoke, "I have received his words. As for whether you had been honest or not, I wouldn't be commenting on it until I have confirmed the truth personally. That being said, Richard has some arrangements for you that you need to be aware of."
Without waiting for him to ask he simply continued, "He doesn't want you to continue his line of work. He expects you to enter the public sector instead of carrying on this private agency. What do you think? Are you up for it?"
"Ah?"
Samantha suddenly gasped in disbelief, "Wait, if he closes the agency then wouldn't I have to look for work again? Damn it! The pay is so good though, I am unwilling to leave like this!"
She grumbled and protested but of course it was all in her mind while outside she kept her head down with a blush as both of them looked at her with a questioning gaze after that sound that escaped from her mouth.
It has to be said that one had a hawk-like eyes that instinctively kept others alerted of themselves and another was a veteran police officer with an innate aura of authority that made others feel meek. Being stared down by two such individuals at the same time did feel greatly unsettling.
Seeing her not saying anything substantial Russell didn't bother with her and focused his gaze at Walter again.
In front of his eyes stood a page made of plethora of light unseen by others and on it was the following content:
[Name: Walter Howard]
[Age: 39/82]
[Identity: Chief Constable of Little Clover Township's Police Department, A Member of House Howard from the Coldstone Prefectural City]
[Realm: Four Symbols Valiant Mage]
[Grimoire: Everlasting Primal Element Art]
[Spell: Firestorm (Conjuring-level), Hill Descents (Conjuring-level), Violent Tempest (Conjuring-level), Crashing Cascade (Casting-level)...]
Seeing the wide array of spells and their high proficiencies Russell took a cold breath out of trepidation as he imagined the consequences of refusing such a strongman's offer.
"I will be in your care then, chief!"
He agreed with a bright smile.