"In all honesty, I believe your child has amazing potential." Pengal paced across the living room with his fingers intertwined behind his back.
Catching Pengal's tone, Elize finished his thought: "...So you want to draft him."
"I'm not drafting him per se, just... giving him an option." Pengal stopped dead in his tracks. "Don't get me wrong, this is little Ansel's choice. I'm providing him with an opportunity, and he has every right to reject me... though I would be a little hurt."
"Are you serious?" Hakim threw out his formal tone. After conversing with Pengal, Hakim had come to the realization that Pengal differs from the other Officers of Unity. 'He is a straightforward, somewhat eccentric man. He appreciates pleasantries, but only for show. There's no use in minding my language around such a person. He should hear how I feel'.
"I'm not letting the Officers of Unity recruit my son. He's only seven years old, for God's sake."
"Tch," Pengal scoffed, "I know he's still a kid. I'm not suggesting that he joins the Unity Department now. That would be utterly ridiculous." Pengal continued to speak as he began pacing around the room once more, "...When the time comes, I want Ansel to register at Farrah's Unified Training Academy. His application will be personally vetted by me, so he will practically be guaranteed entry."
"Isn't that... unfair?" Ansel spoke up, raising his hand as if he were in a classroom.
"It may seem unfair to you right now, little Ansel, but I believe you are worth the recommendation."
Ansel's heart felt lighter upon hearing Pengal's praise. His parents often commended him for his deeds, such as tending to his chores or catching up on his reading, but hearing such blunt praise from a stranger—no, from an officer of the Unity Department—he couldn't deny that feeling was nice.
"...He will be guaranteed entry into the academy?" Elize asked. 'It sounds too good to be true... why would he go through so much effort to recruit Ansel? The only reason why he would go to such lengths is...'
"Yes, I am doing this for myself." It was as if Pengal could read Elize's thoughts. "Ansel is an exceptionally talented and unique accessor, and I believe bringing him into the hands of the Unification Department could help bolster my status and reputation."
"So... you only want Ansel to make you look good?" Hakim furrowed his brow.
"Yes." Pengal answered coldly, "...Though my words may seem harsh to you, think about it for a moment. I confessed my motives for recruiting Ansel, but think about what Ansel can gain from this too. He will be guaranteed employment as a Unity Officer. He will lead a comfortable life here in Farrah, and most importantly, he will be respected by the people."
Both Elize and Hakim went silent. The offer was tempting, but it was not theirs to accept. Hakim, looking at Ansel, felt guilty for having to put the burden of such a heavy decision on the shoulders of a young child. But first: "What exactly makes Ansel so valuable?"
Pengal's gaze narrowed, "I'm afraid I cannot disclose that information."
"How is Ansel supposed to make a decision if you do not give him the full scope of his enrollment at the academy?" Hakim's voice grew in volume. "You're hiding something. Something that could potentially bring harm to my son."
"We're all hiding something." The room went silent once more, "But I promise. I swear on my dignity as a Unity Officer of the federation, I harbor no ill intentions toward little Ansel."
Elize bit her lip in contemplation, before something fell against her shoulder. Turning her head around, she saw Ansel fully asleep, his full weight leaning against his mother. His chest heaved up and down with a gentle rhythm, casually indifferent to the adults' conversation. 'He's still just a child...'
Now with Ansel asleep, Pengal had the ability to speak more openly. "Ms. Elize Einchalle and Mr. Hakim Einchalle, I believe neither of you are accessors, am I correct?"
"That is correct," Hakim spoke.
"Then it's easy to infer..." Pengal's gaze fell upon the sleeping Ansel. The shine of curiosity gleamed over his pupils once more. "There was talk about an infant that fell from the sky several years ago..."
"He's our son." Elize's gaze was fierce as her hand cradled Ansel's sleeping neck. "We are his parents."
"I understand. I will come back tomorrow at noon. By then, I will openly accept little Ansel's answer, whatever it may be." Nodding at Elize and Hakim, Pengal whipped around and disappeared through the front door. "See you three tomorrow."
* * *
The sun rose early the next morning.
Ansel was sat at the dining table, eating a bowl of porridge. His parents had explained Pengal's proposition to him earlier in the morning, and now it was up to Ansel to come to a decision.
Accessors—people with supernatural abilities. Ansel couldn't help but feel excited at the thought of joining the Unity Department. He wasn't allured by the promise of a comfortable life or status; instead... "I can be a Unity Officer?"
"Yes, if you do well at the academy." Hakim swallowed a mouthful of porridge. He was aware of the fact that Pengal was hiding something, but he also knew becoming a Unity Officer would provide Ansel with once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, helping him lead his best possible life in the Federation.
"So, Ansel... have you come to a decision yet?" Elize asked, walking over to pick up her husband's now-empty bowl of porridge.
"I think, yeah. I want to become a Unity Officer," his fingers drummed on his knees, "...Can I tell Rex and Simone about it?"
"Let's wait until Mr. Shimerone comes back, honey..." Elize smiled, "Then you can tell your friends." 'Why does it feel like we're saying goodbye?'
Knock, knock, knock.
Noon arrived. Hakim opened the door for Pengal, who was dressed in the same gray cloak as the day before. "So, little Ansel," Pengal spoke, "...Have you come to a decision yet?" He wandered over to the living room, where Ansel waited, and sat beside him on the couch.
Ansel bit his lip, pretending to contemplate although already having decided on his answer. "Okay. I'll do it." Then, a thought crossed his mind. His confident gaze began to waver. "Wait... if I enroll, does that mean I have to leave my mom and dad?"
Pengal looked at Ansel with a sympathetic expression, "Yes, but only for three years. You have your own dorm at the academy, but you can return to visit your parents any time you don't have classes."
"I don't want to leave them..." Ansel's voice trembled, "...but I can see them any time, right?"
Hakim and Elize watched their son with a conflicted expression. Seeing Ansel's hesitation stirred something within their hearts. 'You don't have to worry about us, son...' Hakim thought, 'If it leads you to a better future... your mother and I will support you with all our hearts'.
"Yes, that's right. And besides, you'll be a big boy when you enroll, hm? You can't stay with your mother and father forever, little Ansel. I know it can be scary, but you will get used to it. And you can make lots of new friends at the academy as well."
"...I don't want new friends. Rex and Simone are my friends." Ansel pouted.
"Hehe, don't worry. You can still keep your current friends. There's no limits to the amount of friends you can have, little Ansel."
"So I can be friends... with everyone?" Ansel's eyes lit up.
"Yes, I suppose. If you try hard enough."
"Okay then!" Ansel looked to his parents for reassurance.
Elize, upon seeing Ansel's determined smile, couldn't help but smile back, wiping away tears that threatened to overflow.
Ansel turned to Pengal, "I'll become a Unity Officer!"
Pengal nodded, his lips curving into a satisfied smile. Looking back at Hakim and Elize, he asked "...Do you both agree to his enrollment?"
"If it's what our son wants... then yes, we agree." Hakim nodded back.
"Mr. Shimerone," Ansel looked up at Pengal with hopeful eyes, "One day... I'll become a Unity Officer like you, right?"
"That's right... you'll become a Unity Officer like—" footsteps approached the front door. Then,
Knock, knock.
"Hello? Anyone home?" A voice called out.
Elize's eyes instantly narrowed at the sound. She recognized that voice—it was Yoran.
"Hakim, Elize," he knocked again, "...Come on out, we need to talk about something."
"For the love of..." Hakim muttered under his breath, walking up to the door and yanking it open. Yoran was standing on the porch. His turban was gone, revealing curly black hair that flowed down to his shoulders. "What do you want?"
"I just came to apologize for my actions yesterday," Yoran smirked, "I overstepped by harassing your wife."
"Cut the shit, Yoran. What are you here for?" Hakim's voice held barely-concealed anger.
"I just have a few questions for the little brat, that's all. He's the one that stabbed me, after all. I think it's a good idea to teach the younger generation how actions have consequences."
"Are you crazy?" Hakim spat out, "...How could my son stab you? You're delusional!"
Pengal sat still beside Ansel, watching the interaction. Yoran couldn't see him from the front porch—so if the worst came to pass, a surprise attack would be viable.
"Listen here, Hakim. I saw that brat move with my own two eyes... lying isn't going to get you anywhere. The fact of the matter is that your family is responsible for the damage inflicted on me."
"Get away from my family. You're insane."
"Insane, eh? That's rich from the guy who tried to crush my skull in all those years ago. Tell me, how ever did you become a council member after trying to commit such an unspeakable act?"
"You... bastard!" Hakim clenched his fists, fingernails digging into his palms. He wanted nothing more than to swing his fist at Yoran, but he couldn't bring himself to provide a bad example to his son. "...Just leave."
"Come on, the leader of the Snake Tamers rarely does home visits... but I decided to, just for you. Since I'm old friends with Elize. Why don't you let me in so we can have a nice talk about the compensation I'm owed."
* * *
"Frankaaa," called out Mitz, the Snake Tamer Syndicate's second-in-command. He was a skinny, average-height man with a neat appearance uncommon for a gang member. Barging into the balcony, he caught Franka on the scaffolding. "Where the hell is Fachil?"
"He went to that kid's house," Franka said.
"...The kid that stabbed him?"
"Yeah. He's gone off the deep end."
"I would go off the deep end too, if somebody stabbed me there. Eh... can I have a smoke?"
"Sorry, this is my last one." Franka smirked, waving it around in the air, before placing it back between her lips.
"...Whatever," Mitz turned around, "I'm going to go find Yoran, before he embarrasses himself again. He's a whole different type of idiot..."
"That he is."
* * *
Yoran stepped one foot into the house. "...Just making my way inside—" he was cut off as Hakim's palm pressed against his chest. Being shoved back outside, Yoran glared at Hakim with killing intent in his eyes. "Get out of my way. Did you forget who I am? Don't go acting all high and mighty since you're a council member, Hakim."
Elize approached her husband, glaring at Yoran over his shoulder. "Honey, just close the door..."
Ansel slid off from the couch, stepping over to the door and meeting Yoran's gaze. "I'm sorry for stabbing you, Mister Yoran," he said with a bow.
Elize and Hakim's heads snapped to look at Ansel. 'This kid is too honest...'
Pengal watched with an amused smile as Yoran's eyebrows lifted up. "I knew it, you little shit. You stabbed me... just what the hell are you?" Yoran's shoulder pressed against Hakim as he tried to enter the house.
Hakim shoved Yoran back outside again, taking a step toward him. "Leave."
"Hakim, what gutter did you pick that brat out of?" Yoran snarled, "...I'll buy the little shit off you for ten gold coins."
Hakim couldn't hold back his anger any longer. "LEAVE!" He shoved Yoran back once more.
Yoran felt a searing pain as he stumbled back, falling onto the porch with a thud. His teeth clenched as he stood up, slowly rubbing his sore backside. "...Twenty gold coins." Watching Hakim's silent reaction, Yoran laughed. "Heh. Then I guess I'll just take him from you. One way or another."
Hakim moved back, preparing to swing his fist. His arm started to move, when:
"Mika," Pengal called out.
Then—at that very moment, a blurry shadow appeared at Yoran's side. Like a flash of lightning, a fist pummeled into his side, shattering his ribs. Yoran's mouth twisted open, saliva spurting out into the air as he went flying off the porch, slamming into the ground and skidding across the floor for twenty meters.
One side of his body was covered with blood—skin peeled off from the friction. His eyes were rolled back, unconscious. Where Yoran once stood, the blurry shadow solidified into a woman. Her hair was black, styled into a bob cut, and she had warm, caramel skin. Like Pengal, she was dressed in the same gray robe, wearing a skin-tight combat suit underneath. Orange lines were painted across her face like whiskers, and a sharpened canine glinted from her smile.
"Wow... that felt good!" She beamed, clenching her hands repeatedly. Hakim, Elize, and Ansel stared slack-jawed, subtly backing away from the mysterious woman.
"Try to contain your bloodlust, Mika." Pengal stood up, approaching the shocked family. "This is Mika, my squadmate. She may look feral, but she has a gentle temperament, I assure you."
Mitz, having rushed into the Council's housing sector, caught sight of Yoran's limp body lying bloodied on the ground. He smacked his palm into his face. "...Dumbass."