Chapter 1
"I'm, Maya," The girl with the short black hair introduced herself. "Uhm.. New special division leader?"
Upon hearing what she said the two boys by the door mouthed an 'ahh' tone and immediately smiled at her. It hasn't been long since the old SPD leader, retired. It wasn't because their work was nearly a life or death situation, but rather because of a certain division leader.
"I'm sorry for the stare," The boy with black hair apologized. "We did receive news that a new SPD leader would come in.. we just didn't expect it to be this early."
The other boy with the middle part nodded in agreement, "Yes! Anyways, I'm Yui, I run the 4th division."
"And I'm Kaero, I run the 2nd division." He brightly smiled. It was almost as if he was trying to charm the new girl in their work place.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Maya," Maya inhaled sharply upon realizing what she has done.
"Come in! Come in! A few executives went out for a meeting so only a few staffs are present." Yui pushed the door widely enough for Maya to walk inside. She carried a small luggage and a small bag.
The inside of their headquarters was big. It almost felt like a famous hotel lobby in the Mintsteel City Plaza where all rich people would stay at for a week or so. The walls were painted cream that complimented the plants at each corner of the room. It had two staircases which lead to rooms with clear sliding doors that were perhaps meeting rooms and a few more to the right side.
"Pretty big, huh?" Kaero answered the question inside Maya's head. "Too bad, it's only used for meetings."
Maya can't believe what Kaero said, this big of a place is only used for meetings. Surely enough any normal people would mistake this as a hotel especially since it's in Mintsteel City, a place where people found freedom. Who knows what kind of bloody things are happening in Rusteel.
"Anyways, this is not where the dorms are unfortunately, so call Serano, Yui." The tall boy pointed at his friend who already had the driver beside him.
"Serano, this is Maya, Maya this is Serano, the Moon clan's all the best driver and most loyal employee!" An over-exaggerated introduction left Kaero's mouth that sent Yui into a disgusted look.
"You flatter me, young master, I am the most delighted to serve you and everyone else of honor." The man in the suit said in a very pleasing tone.
"Oh, uhm, hello," Maya stuttered upon the sudden formal introduction. "Do I?"
"Yes you do," Yui nodded at her and motioned her to give the bags to Serano.
Maya obliged and bid her farewell to the driver. She wasn't used to being treated like some royal in a palace. It was all new to her, even the bright personality the two boys showed her. It made it harder to believe that these two are in the front line.
"Without further ado-" The creaking of the door stopped Kaero's tracks. It revealed a woman in her late 30's with her hair up in the air held by a tight bun. It seems as if she went out of the room because of the noise building up.
"Hm? What's all the noise I kept hearing earlier?" She crossed her arms and walked towards the three teenagers.
"We were showing the new SPD leader around!" Kaero cried in nervous joy.
It didn't seems to work on the woman so she raised a brow, contemplating whether or not she'll believe the young man's words. "You sure?"
"Yes we are sure, ma'am." Yui answered instead of Kaero.
"Okay, so you must be, Maya?" She smiled at the girl between the two boys. Maya's bones trembled at the sudden change of personality.
"Oh, yes! it's my pleasure to be at your presence." Maya greeted her politely and flashed her a charming smile.
The lady let out a hand and Maya took it carefully. After that was done the lady then pulled something from her back. An umbrella of some sorts. Kaero eyes the umbrella before realizing who it belongs to.
"Sacred blade," Yui said.
Maya pushed her tongue inside her cheeks and craned her neck. Unsure of what was happening around her. What appeared before her eyes was a mere umbrella. Plain and not really worthy to be shocked about. It was black and boring, she thought. It had a red tassle hanging from the handle with gold balls and a few more accessories.
"Hand it over to the craftsman, tell him to sharpen the blade." The lady nudged her hand. "And visit Mizuzu before heading down."
Kaero grabbed the umbrella that they called blade and nodded at the lady. Maya furrowed her brows at what she heard. 'What blade?'
"Be well on your journey," The lady waved at them.
"Thank you for the time, Lady Mariena." Yui and Kaero bowed at her which led Maya to bow down aswell.
"Let's go!" Kaero cheerfully yanked Maya's arm outside the headquarters.
"I can't believe Suella's blade needs to be sharpened!" Yui from the left side of Maya spoke with shock in his tone.
"What blade?" Maya craned her head at the two.
Kaero and Yui looked at her in unison, "You don't know Scared blade?"
Maya shook her head, "I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be asking if I knew."
Yui sighed at the point she has made, "Sacred blade is Suella's only blade. It's the only sword she ever uses in battles. It's disguised as an umbrella so she can use it anywhere."
"Because carrying weapons in Mintsteel without permit can get you arrested. And that's not a good sign for the ADS." Kaero continued.
It is true, given the fact that they are also teenagers, weapons are not allowed in Mintsteel. And filling out a form for a permit takes too long so the only way to carry out weapons in Mintsteel is by doing them illegally. Suella is capable of hiding anything, so it's a miracle that she hasn't been a suspect for the recent killings happening in Mintsteel.
"Okay? So who's Suella?" The name rang in Maya's head. She couldn't remember who it was.
Kaero weakly smiled at her, "She's the division leader 3. Carries the most missions, mostly here in Mintsteel rather than in Rusteel."
Maya now nodded in acknowledgement, "Where is she now?"
"Hospital," Yui said. He didn't show of any emotion which meant they were used to finding Suella in the hospital.
"She's sick?"
"No, she is badly injured. She barely survived the blows of the gang she fought here." Kaero explained and opened the umbrella. Perhaps it was too sunny today. "Those recent killings in the news? It was all her."
Maya was shocked that she stood frozen for a few minutes. Acknowledging what exactly Kaero said, a division leader was a killer? How could that be possible! Suella is known to be a pretty low key student in some of the school's she attended, of course everyone knows that. So it's only wrong to accuse an innocent teenager about the recent killings happening in the city! But who would've thought that the Innocent teenager they were talking about was the killer?
"And everyone knows that?" Maya stuttered.
Kaero merely nodded, "It's pretty common, plus no one got angry at her, except the fact that she did it alone and without permission from the higher ups."
Maya built up a wall of patience, "So why in hell's name would she kill with a partner?"
Yui looked shocked to witness Maya's reaction. It wasn't the first time some new SPD leader was shocked to hear about Suella's crimes. Most of them ended up backing away and revoking their contract because of fear.
"The gang she killed cornered little kids last month. The kids that were cornered had died. Adding more fuel to the fire, no one believed the parents because of the power and money the gang held. They managed to pay the judge to free them and clear their names everywhere." Kaero explained briefly.
"Now tell me, would you rather the gang stay alive and run free while continue on tormenting little kids or would you rather have them dead to rot in hell?" Kaero seriously asked Maya.
Maya thought about the explanation Kaero said. It is true that the gang was involved in many crimes. They also took part in illegal selling of goods and manipulation towards women. It was the gang of dark side Mintsteel. Everyone feared them that they locked their houses by the time the sun went down.
"I'd have then dead."