Sky and Aeon stood in front of a long door.
Their guide, Black robbed sentinel who approached and lead them till now had disappeared immediately after reaching the destination.
It was now only them, the empty lavish hallway behind, this ominous door in front and whatever behind it.
It wasn't hard for sky to guess that someone very high in rank has called them in for an audience.
Afterall, not many can deploy an Black robbed sentinel for escort on short notice.
He thought of who could have called them in.
Overseer? No, they are too eccentric. If they had, then it won't have been an door. In the story, Overseers hardly ever moved directly.
Then it might be Division Commanders. 3 ring ranked. Second highest in Order after Overseers.
If it's the first gathering, then it's only natural for them all to be present here and overseeing the gathering of lower ranked.
Which of them called them? Why did they? He has no clue.
There were very few Division Commanders, most were bosses. He did study the ones who were bosses but not everyone were. Some never appeared, staying in the background. So he cannot confidently say that he knows every single one of them.
He simply assumed that they are little suspicious or are being wimpical. In storylines were Aeon infiltrated Order, he was never caught. So it can't be that.
Then again, he wasn't summoned by Division Commanders day one like this.
With a heavy heart, he opened the door. Wasting time overthinking would only attract unnecessary attention. Can't let them wait for long.
He entered the pitch black room. The first thing he noticed was the gaint window overlooking the hall. Next was the seven veils with silhouettes.
'Seven!? Shi-' he panicked, heart leaping out of his cage.
"Though it's past midnight.....Good Evening! We apologise for randomly bringing you here without any proper notice." IV greated him.
Sky bowed slightly, accepting the apology and greeting. Though he acted calm on outside, his mind was in turmoil.
Did they find out, that he is the blasphemer? Is this a game set by Overseer?!
Hearing 343's and 111's increased heart rate, IV burst into a chuckle.
"Worry not, we are not going to ask much. Me and my colleagues simply were at a ....deilma and thought an outsider's intuition will shed light to its end."
'Like hell!' Sky screemed internally, not buying the excuse. You don't bring out lowest ranked members for such matters.
"How about this, we will give you a reward if you answer each one of our questions. One question per person here. Simple right? No catch, you are free to answer however you want." IV explained.
Not showing hesitation or perhaps out of sheer stress, Sky nodded before before he could fully register it.
"Sweet! That was quick, I like quick thinkers." They snapped their fingers.
Immediately, pressure descended upon them. Though it didn't warrent much reaction from both of them. This seems more like a light bath compared to facing a literally Dominator's presense.
"Now I, if you may." IV gestured for I to speak.
"..." But I stayed silent, abstaining from participation.
'Tch... atleast say something. Boring-!' IV clicked his tongue inwardly.
"Well...it seems they don't have anything to ask....II, if you may?"
II pondered seriously for few moments before asking,
"Is it write to amputate the hand of a thief has a punishment?"
Weird question...Sky decided to answer it with the calculated mindset of 343. He spoke straightforwardly.
"I find cutting off limbs of a thief for petty theft too... inefficient. It's a waste of labour power. Heavy crimes demand heavy prices, but petty crimes are usually in morally grey zones. They might have good reasons behind them or it might be just plain selfish. In the end, it depends on the judge and severity of what they stole. People steal everyday, it a matter of putting forward an example if you must."
Theft isn't a crime, getting caught is. The price resprocates to what is stolen. Weight of life against the weight of theft.
II nodded in appreciation of detailed answer.
Madam III jumped up, excited.
"Me! Me! Now, tell me -..... "
"...Do you like big Boobs or big Ass!"
?
"Please excuse me madam but can you repeat again?" He asked again, questioning what he just heard.
"Ahem!" She cleared her throat, and spoke in a serious tone.
"Do you like big boobs or big ass."
Eh? What? Why such question after a serious one?
Hey! Hey! Can't I be a girl for all you know?!
"...Both??" He answered honestly, unsure if he could choose both.
Big is better, medium is premium, small is justice...though sky isn't a model citizen who follows justice.
"Wow, greedy....what about you?" She asked 111, who stayed silently behind.
".... anything is fine." Aeon answered in low voice, almost like a whisper.
She covered her curves,
"Ah~ How lecherous~"
"???" Aeon was confused at that reaction.
Seeing the atmosphere heading towards wrong direction, IV stepped in.
"My question - Who came first, chicken or egg?"
It's still a deilma?! It followed me even in this world?
"Does it matter?" 343 asked, it's an unending delima which he doesn't want to entertain. IV Burst into laughter.
"Hahaha, this is your answer ? Ye, the answer to that deilma doesn't matter. You pass."
Pass? Didn't you say I can answer however I wanted.
"Continuing....V oppted out and VI is....alseep. That leaves VII..."
Sky and Aeon looked at the silhouette behind last veil.
"Do you value your life?" VII asked a quick and straightforward question.
"Yes" Both Aeon and Sky answer. There wasn't much to think about it.
"Then that is all."
Clap! IV clapped his hands in finality. The pressure decreased.
[Your Level increases by 1]
[Your current Level : 22/50]
Wow, did they give me the push I need to level up. They literally forged my body by external law pressure.
Unexpected gain. Though machosistic.
"Then it is decided. This aptitude test was pretty successful. Now the reward...."
"..you may choose anyone who asked you question. You have the choice to enter their division. Afterall, we have shown interest."
So this was an interview....he doesn't remember putting forward a job application.
Jokes aside, they technically didn't need to do this. It's like an ceo personally handling the newbie interviews. Are they that free?
Sky looked around and could guess which division they were head of.
I is a mystery.
II is Judgment Division, dealings with high stakes matter and internal and external judgements. They don't move unless absolutely necessary. They are refered as judges.
III is Infiltration and Reconnaissance Division. They gather Intel and assassinate high profiles. They are assassins and spy of order, so they usually are adept in suduction...
IV is Expedition Division. They are the first responder. They are like a co ordinated investigative millitary team that dive head first into unknown, with limited info at hand. They are reffered as Field Operators.
V is probably Admistrative Division. Dealing with sorting data and co ordinating everything within the order. This is practically the most sensitive division among all others. They are reffered as Sentinels or Inspectors.
VI is definitely the Special Division. Similar to expedition division but with specialised purpose and filled out of ordinary members. They are reffered as Special Field Operators.
And finally - VII, the Investigation and Quick Response Division. A mix of both III & IV's Division. Usually solo or in very small groups. They investigate cases and use the Intel of IIIrd division to find causes to problems unknown to Order. It's not has risky as Expedition but has its own spiralling dangers. It's like a long term expedition. They are reffered as Rovers.
'Well, my options are II, III, IV or VII...'
II is a no go. It will lock my options later on. I rather not stay along side judgmental freaks. It will also compromise my freedom.
Becoming a field operator seems cool but I rather not head first in great danger every Tuesday.
Intelligence officer is compelling, it even has good chemistry with him. It pairs well with his future knowledge. Though....the division commander is rather....
Next!
The last is the Rover Division, aka investigation and first responses division. It would put him head first into small troubles but will give relative freedom compared to all. Though it's a second best option after intelligence division if future knowledge is factored in.
After thinking for a while, he decided his division. He looked towards the VII.
"I choose VII."
Aeon followed through with the same choice, but Sky could tell that he might been looking forward to Admistrative Division.
IV & III visually got dissatisfied by that choice but didn't argue further.
VII huffed a stastifed puff.
"Ha...very well. Your first assignment will be issued right away. The result will determine your future within my division."
"You may take the train to investigation site right away. Hope you bring in satisfactory results."