Chapter 16: Investigative Crew
"Investigative Crew... that’s kinda lame,"
Cillian’s bright expression turned into a frown, seeing that the two potential future members didn’t share the same vision as him.
Not only did Vin seem to mock the name of the club, but Phillip also had mixed feelings about it.
Cillian had carefully thought about the name, but he realized it was something that put doubt in customers instead of being curious.
’It’s not about the name but how it operates, though.’
Cillian immediately changed his stance, knowing the beauty of one’s work isn’t on the outside but on the inside.
In here, the name didn’t matter, but what the club would grow and give to them.
"This club is a bit different, though. Here, we will provide services and do man’s work. I’ve researched that there are no such clubs in the academy, though there are a few similar activities, such as the Lost and Found Club and Peering Society. And when I say services didn’t mean to become their maids and butlers. We’re going to be like private investigators."
Even though the world Cillian transmigrated onto didn’t fall in the age of technology, it was still updated towards the kinds of things. What can’t be done with the use of machinery, they directed their utilization to sorcery.
If sorcery were replaced, small differences were gapped in a small margin.
And private investigators are an example. Using their knowledge regarding their powers, one can make a boon by becoming affiliated with certain people.
"We’re going to investigate what our clients want like a normal private investigator. It doesn’t really matter what it is as long as most of it is legal and adheres to the academy laws. The payment we’ll be receiving is either points, merits, or anything that they offer as a payment that puts us at an advantage. Something that can make us grow."
Cillian took a pause.
"Who knows if we’ll receive a spell or two?"
Suddenly, once the rewards were put on the table, a slight change appeared. A hint of greed, and mostly calculation, was going through their heads to see if it was really worth an investment and time.
Soon, a look of admiration appeared on Phillip.
He was the first one to come up with how generous the offer was. He also understood that the payment from their future patrons wasn’t just going to be manipulated by Cillian alone.
Well, at least, on the surface.
"Okay, I think I might reconsider."
Phillip finally gave a heads up, a good one in fact, to Cillian.
Now, he was only waiting for one person.
Honestly, Cillian hoped that Vin would agree since he literally had no list of people that he wanted who would willingly join him in the club he was making.
He was already out of cards to offer, and anything that could be given to them was already laid on the table.
After a minute of contemplating for himself, Vin made a decision. With a sigh, he expressed in a very stern voice:
"Okay, I might reconsider as well. Since you did all the trouble of making this club of yours already, I will not dwell any deeper regarding the rules you wanted to imply or the sharing of payment."
Vin paused as he lingered.
"You’re not going to cheat your way to us, right?"
That question almost tore off the warm expression on Cillian’s face before he immediately shook his head and replied without any pause.
"I’m coming to you guys with a clear conscience. If I were trying to cheat on you, you two would’ve already noticed it. Of course, you, the upcoming two founding members of the club, like me, if you think I was doing something wrong, don’t hesitate to point out my mistakes."
’Is it cheating on you guys if I say that I’m using the club as a cover for my coming problems in the future? In the end, I’m going to blame everything on the club if my future operations fail miserably. It might be making me money, but it’s not really fun at all.’
Cillian immediately set aside his thinking for now as he shrugged his shoulders. For a moment, he just wanted the earthquake to stop, knowing he had pulled off the deal for these two.
’Oh, now that I think about it, did I lose the contract given to me by Freya?’
A dangerous thought passed through his mind.
Finally, after two and a half hours with the growing tension intensifying, the tremor finally halted, taking a huge pause.
The chatter that permeated the entirety of the complex quieted down as each person seemed to have stopped at one point, leaving an image as if they were painted on a canvas, unmoving and inaudible.
The earthquake finally ceased, and it was the longest yet recorded in human history, toppling down two hours of the longest earthquake which happened already years ago.
...
Due to the frightening earthquake that lasted for two and a half hours, everyone in the world panicked, especially in the Viola’s influence, where the Runic Gate appeared.
In that sense, it was near them, which also implies they were prone to its dangerous influence.
That’s right, the Runic Gate spawned just a few hundred meters away from the academy. Soldiers all across the continent, whether they were official organizations or knights from the Lords, it didn’t matter.
They were here to see the cause of the magnitude that produced panic among the people.
It was because there were many more things to consider and many things to play out once ideas and suggestions were recommended.
The Sorcery Academy of the Viola Family didn’t suffer any casualties.
No deaths happened due to everyone knowing what their role was. The academy that boasts its hard fortification and long history was put on display, leaving every parent at ease for the safety of their child.
It took two weeks to arrange everything that needed to be done.
For the whole three days, instructors and school staff were tasked to search the entirety of the academy, which included the student council.
They had to thoroughly do their jobs to check for any irregularities and see to it that it was safe for the students to return.
Once it did, it took days until everything settled down. Once more, the start of the week surfaced, bringing the academy status back to normal as if the earthquake hadn’t happened.
’But something definitely changed,’
Cillian continued reading the newspaper in his hand while sitting down on a seat that belonged to him alone.
He was inside his club room, leisurely skimming through the news that the academy provided for them so that worried students could still know the situation outside the school.
’With television, it would’ve been easier. Alas, they don’t have it. It’s funny how advanced, at the same time, outdated this world is.’
Cillian shook his head with an amused expression.
"What are you thinking now?"
On an available chair to the side, Freya asked with her usual indifferent demeanor. She was already healthy a few days ago.
"I’m thinking how bad it is to get depressed."
Cillian answered with a chuckle, clearly conveying the situation that happened when the bad effects of the artifact surfaced for him.
It was around after the earthquake ended that Cillian felt the change in his demeanor as if he wasn’t himself.
He felt depressed and dejected.
He was on the verge of crying at certain times and felt that dangerous objects and situations were alluring.
The bad effects of the Crestfallen were disadvantageous for someone like him, who relies on his calmness to read the situation.
Even worse if that person had psychological problems.
The artifact truly lives off its name.
Thankfully, Phillip and Vin were there to keep him in check, assuring him that no danger was approaching.
"I see."
The tip of her lips slightly curls upwards before adding in a teasing tone.
"You’ve been avoiding this topic for a while, but can I know what favor you are trying to ask? I know you took advantage of this poor body of mine two weeks ago, but I’m clear-headed now,"
’Ma’am, you make that sound so wrong.’
Cillian mused inwardly before giving a reply.
"Actually, it’s just something I thought about at that moment. And to be honest, you should’ve known by now I’m not the type of person to do everything for free. As for the favor, let’s just leave it aside for now and wait for the chance."
"Okay."
Cillian changed topics.
"Right, do you have something that requires us to help you, Ma’am Freya? This is the first day of my club, and we’re willing to accept clients right away."
Phillip and Vin already made their decision the day after they made a deal with each other.
Two days later, they sold their possession on the doors successfully to the highest bidder. Phillip sold it for ten merits while Vin got it for fifteen.
Now, Cesar was only waiting for them to come, and Freya, who is part of the student council, must have a lot on her mind right now, is a potential customer.
There’s no harm in trying to garner clients on the first day of the club. And this isn’t even a normal club, to begin with, as just like most of the clubs made, the Investigative Crew is using this place to earn money.
There’s no need to hide it.
Freya let out a short scoff.
"I’ll go to your club first the moment I encounter something troubling me. For now, everything is on the right track."
With that, Cillian secured their first future client.
’Sweet,’
After a few moments, Phillip and Vin entered the club.
Astonishment plastered on their faces the moment their eyes landed on Freya, but instantly removed when they heard rumors and even had an explanation coming from Cillian.
Upon seeing their figures walking inside, Cillian stood up and smiled, stretching his hand towards them the moment he got close.
He greeted them with a warm tone.
"It’s good to have you two,"
