Jason drew a deep breath, grabbed the door handle and pushed down. The door did not open, it was locked. Cursing under his breath, he looked around briefly. He was inside the back of the kitchen, having snuck past during mass. No one paid him any attention any more since they knew he had passed both tests, so getting away had been easy.
There was no one nearby, the cooks were working in the front at the moment, leaving the back empty with no one around. For a second he considered breaking down the door, but that would only leave tracks and announce to all that someone had broken in. No, he had something better. He had finally achieved Kami-E.
Stepping back and drawing a deep breath, Jason allowed himself to fall forward towards the bottom of the door itself. His body now almost thin like paper, he slipped through the slit underneath and came out on the other side. Breathing again, his body quickly returned to its normal state and he looked up at the room he now found himself in.
It was a small square room, dark and largely empty, though in the center a spiral staircase rose into the castle proper. Even after months here, he had not been inside the building itself, nor had he seen any of the other recruits enter. No, this place was only for fully fledged Cipher Pol agents.
Pushing himself to his feet and dusting himself off Jason approached the steps and started the climb upwards. It was a slow ascend, as he had to watch every step to make sure he did not make a sound, that the wood did not creak. The entire time he kept his eyes faced upwards for any sign of someone appearing on the top, though he felt that this passage was not often used, given that it was locked and empty below.
After a few minutes Jason finally reached the first door, and he was pleasantly surprised to notice this one was not locked. Gently, he opened it just enough to see inside, and he saw no one. He was not expecting to, since he had found out that all the agents ate dinner at the same time as the recruits, just in their separate smaller dining hall on the first floor. Yet who could say what other workers could be inside?
To his relief, as he stepped inside and felt solid stone beneath his feet again, he did not hear any sounds in any direction. Still, he made sure to remain quiet as he sneaked his way down the hallway, past several doors to different offices until he found the one he was looking for. At the far end, the sole room along the wall, the name and word “Baron” was written on the plaque that adorned the door. He had never interacted with the head officer of Cipher Pol 5, though he had seen the short man from a distance every now and then.
Testing the door handle, Jason was not surprised to find it locked, yet just as below there was an opening beneath the door itself. And so it was moments later that he stood up from the floor just inside the office, hurrying his body back to its normal shape.
Approaching the desk at the center of the room, Jason eyed the papers scattered on the surface. There were several letters both opened and sealed placed both in neat stacks and in a chaotic mess. He dared not touch the sealed, nor the pile of scattered paper. If Baron noticed anything was different from how he had left it, it could prove fatal.
Instead Jason quickly picked through the envelopes that were already opened, reading through them quickly looking for any information. Here and there he found information, such as deployment of troops and safe houses. Others contained useless information, or things that were clearly code.
Pulling out a piece of paper and pen, Jason began to write furiously. Numbers and words, though it was different from what were contained in the letters he read. He dared not write out the coded letters fully, both because of how long it would take, and how obvious it would be if they were read. No, he had to be focused. Get what he could and nothing more.
Checking the time, he knew he still had several minutes, and he heard nothing outside the door, so he moved on to the shelf. Books and letters filled the wall, and he dug in. There was farther between useful information, but he still managed to find some things he deemed useful. It did not take long before his prepared papers were full of writing, though to the naked eye none of it would make sense. Shorthand, colors and numbers. He stuffed it inside his jacket and put the last book back in its place, then turned towards the door. And froze.
Voices outside in the hallway and they were fast approaching. He thought he recognized Marquess and Count, and was that not Baron? Fear settled on Jason as he swung around the room and saw his safety. Even as the lock in the door clicked open, he leapt for the barely open window, thinning barely milliseconds before passing through the shutters, out in the sunlight.
Even as he flew out into the air, he heard the door swing open and the voices growing faint. They did not sound alerted, thank god.
Floating on the wind for a moment, he tried to keep himself close to the wall as he returned to normal once again. And in doing so he started to fall rapidly, the grass outside the castle approaching rapidly. At the last moment he kicked off the air using Geppo, slowing his descent greatly, so that when he touched down it was as if he had jumped a mere meter. Even as he did, he tapped the ground rapidly with his foot, speeding off along the wall using Soru.
A minute later he walked back into the castle courtyard and approached the table where the others sat. Juliet still did not want to speak to him, so she looked away as he took his seat. Darr was far less restrained, switching from his current conversation to address Jason.
Where were you? You’ve been gone so long your stew’s gone cold! He pointed at the bowl before Jason and all the others, even Juliet, turned to face him and await his response.
You won’t believe the shit I just took, it put up more of a fight than any of you! Jason said with a smile, causing all around the table to groan in disgust. As quick as that the subject was dropped and Darr fell back into the conversation he had been having.
It had truly gone cold, Jason noticed as he ate the stew quickly, as to catch up before he was done. He was halfway done when a hand fell on his shoulder, and he noticed even Darr had fallen silent.
Jason, come with me. Marquess said, gesturing back towards the castle. Jason swallowed silently, looking at the agent. Nodding, he put away his bowl and rose to follow the man out of the courtyard and into the building, the one he had first been inside today. He touched his chest, feeling his papers rest securely inside his jacket still. Sweat started to spread across his body. Was this it?
Marquess pushed the door open and led the way inside, walking past other agents and office workers, leading him to a grand staircase of stone. Climbing upwards, they soon came into the same floor he had been minutes ago, walking in the same direction he had been. Reaching the door that marked Baron’s office, Marquess pushed the door open, waving Jason inside.
Not trusting himself to speak, Jason walked inside the office of the leader of Cipher Pol 5 once again. Lord, Count and Earl stood along the walls, studying Jason as he entered. Baron sat in his seat behind the desk, reading one of his letters. He looked up once Marquess shut the door behind him. Flanked by agents, Jason had never felt this exposed.
Bourne, is it? Jason? Baron asked.
What? Yes sir. Jason answered, saluting the man across from him, even as he stumbled over his words.
Are you feeling alright, boy? Baron said, leaning forward in his seat.
Yes, I- Jason said, stuttering. I mean, am I in trouble, sir?
Trouble? Why would you be in trouble? Baron said, seemingly confused and looking across the room, perhaps realizing how it must be for any young recruit to be brought into a room such as this, even if they were innocent. Ah, no. Far from it.
Jason tried to hide the breath of relief he let out, though if the agents noticed, perhaps they only saw it as Baron had.
No, you are to be commended. It has been years since we have had such a promising student such as yourself, and as with all others I pass information on the progress of our students on to the command of Cipher Pol. Baron said, gesturing with the letter he held in his hand. And it seems you have caught their attention. Near top result in all but firearm usage. Five forms of Rokushiki mastered-
Six. Jason broke in, Baron pausing with a questioning look. Six forms, I only recently got the hang of Rankyaku.
Six forms of Rokushiki mastered. Baron resumed, coughing and looking towards Lord, who only shrugged apologetically. You have been given an offer by command. While I would like you to induct you among our ranks, Cipher Pol 9 have staked their claim on you.
Given your skills, they have offered you a position as one of their agents, effective immediately. Should you accept, you may choose two of your fellow agents to follow you in the field.
A smile spread across Jason’s face, and Baron knew he would accept the proposal.
