Chapter 85: Keeping a Low Profile

Chapter 85: Keeping a Low Profile

Chapter 85 - Keeping a Low Profile

Seems like youre lost.

Of course, he just appears as if it was a coincidence.

Captain Zerith stood towering over him, amused.

Seems like your organization is lacking, Kai said.

"Touche. The man didnt lose his grin. Do you need help to get to the next examination?

Kai wasnt sure what to make of the man. What game are you playing? He boldly asked, sure the man would play dumb.

Should have I told them everything there is to know about you?

The equally direct answer took him aback. Kai had thought the captain would deny it, instead, he went straight to the point. No, its fine. I just

I just dont understand what you get out of this.

That was a bit too blunt even for this conversation.

dont understand why you did it. That was better, a tad less accusatory. Zerith seemed like a nice guy but looks could be deceiving.

The man leaned closer. Are you a smart kid, Kai?

Yes?

What is he getting at?

I think so too. He ruffled his hair. Kai forced a neutral expression.

Why do adults keep touching my head? Keep your damned hands to yourself!

Zerith assumed a marginally more serious demeanor. As you know, the governor is interested in your master. Dont ask me why, you probably know more than me. Youre just a nameless pawn who makes for a convenient bridge between them. If I were you, Id try to avoid attracting attention.

How does this make sense? Kai frowned. They should already know about me. It was the governor who gave me the letter.

Zerith chuckled. You think very highly of yourself. Your master is only one of many people the big boss pays attention to. She doesnt personally know or care about you. The people you meet will sooner attribute your skills and achievements to luck rather than think any deeper. But if they were to discover you had received even a smidge of the governors attention, they might take a second look, and think there is more to you than meets the eye.

Kai nodded, thoughtful. It seemed the captain wasnt a big fan of the governor and was doing him a favor out of either spite or kindnesslittle did it matter. He had to count on bureaucratic miscommunication to stay out of the spotlight.

You said it again.

What?

You said she. Isnt the governor a man?

Did I? You must have heard wrong. The flash of a bitter smile on his face. Come on, let's get going. You have more tests to do.

Kai wasnt going to get gaslighted a second time, but he had no power to make Zerith admit anything he didnt want to.

He has such a strange sense of humor.

Thankfully he hid part of his skills at the knowledge test. And according to Zerith, people were going to downplay his results in any case, so it shouldnt be a problem.

The government buildings around the main square were interconnected, but only so big. Kai would have liked more time to think things through when they walked out into a paved inner courtyard.

Kai squinted his eyes from the sudden light change. The place was deserted. From the withered flowers in the vases around, the courtyard didnt see much care or use. Most of the windows looking in were barred or broken and not a shadow crossed the ones he could see through.

I cant tell why, but I think this is not where the other kids got tested.

Glad your head is not just there for decoration. Signing up for all three tests caused some organizational issues, so I kindly offered to personally test you. Zerith gave him a cheeky smile. Who could be more qualified than the captain of the garrison?

If you dont want me to attract attention, getting overseen by the captain himself doesnt sound like a great plan.

Dont worry. Im famous for being eccentric and making whimsical decisions. The paper-pusher will think this was an excuse to laze around and let them deal with the selection.

I can see how they would think that.

What?

Zerith was looking at him with a raised eyebrow.

Now, that was more impressive than you think. I guess we found out what your master saw in you. Your Water Magic skill must have more than a few levels.

Yeah, Kai said, not trusting himself to add anything more. It was a neat trick he came up with to dry off after a swim. With his own body as the target, it was extremely easy. Elijah didnt blink twice when he showed him.

Ehm just to make sure, how much do I show at the mana skills test?

Zerith scratched his beard, Level 30 Mana Sense and half that in Mana Manipulation.

That low?

The captain gave him a long judging look. You dont frequent many people your age, do you?

His ears heat up, What does that have anything to do with it?

If you went out more, youd know it. The jerk even winked at him.

That girl from Higharbor made it snow all over the square.

Well, that girl had been tutored in the magic arts since she could talk. If you want to avoid attracting attention, she is the worst person to take as an example. Now, lets go find that pompous mage. You can leave the sword on the rack.

Questions crowded the tip of his tongue, coming out in an incoherent mess.

Who is she? He finally decided to ask the most basic question.

Im sure youve heard the rumors, they are mostly true.

You must know more than that.

I do. Zerith stopped. But as I wont go around telling people about you, I wont tell you about her. You can ask her directly if you want to know more.

And how would I do that? Its not like I can summon her with the snap of my fingers, and she would probably not answer me.

Oh, dont worry about that. She looked very impressed when we were sparring earlier. Not to mention the face she made when you used elemental magic.

Kai stopped dead still in the hallway. You told me no one was going to see us.

Zerith patted him on the back. There was no harm in letting her see. She doesnt have enough knowledge about weapon skills anyway. I thought Id do you a favor and let you make an impression on the girl. How could I imagine youd cook up some magic on the spot? Dont worry, Im sure she won't tell.

You. Are. Sure. His voice went up an octave.

Come on, Kai. Whats done is done. There is no point getting angry now. If you ask her nicely and smile, she might promise to not tell a soul.

As he was seriously considering his chances to strangle Zerith, a group of voices grew closer from down a corridor. A group of enforcers came into view and Kai tried to calm himself down, pushing the burden on Acting. They immediately went quiet and gave a formal salute to the captain, who waved them along.

You good, Kai? The pompous mage gets prickly if you make him wait. I would usually suggest we take a panoramic detour, but hell be the one testing you. Better if you wait till after before irritating him.

Spirits help me! Im going to slap that cheeky grin out of his face. May it be the last thing I do.

They walked in silence, his mind buzzed with scenarios. Zerith told him it could be dangerous to attract unwanted attention and then he fucked him over.

Calm down. She only saw a parlor trick. Shes what nine or ten? Ill just need to convince her to keep quiet about this or that she saw wrong.

He had not been looking forward to meeting that snobbish girl again. Now he began to hope she would turn up soon. Flynn mentioned how her father sold himself to the governor. If she took an interest in him, it wouldnt be a stretch for his name to reach unwanted ears.

Were here! The captain cheerfully announced, loudly knocking on a door. Ill see you later.

Before Kai could react, Zerith was waving from the end of the hallway. A faint giggle echoed after him.

Come in! A voice called from inside, a clear note of anger in the tone.

Conscious any delay would only worsen the situation, Kai steeled his resolve and entered.

An old man with a bright yellow hat and a long beard glared at him. He was sitting behind a desk, while at the other end of the room was a group of nine kids. They huddled together looking at him with schadenfreude. Kai recognized pigtails girl among them.

So, our very special boy found the time to come. Please take your time, it wasnt like we were all waiting for you. And where is that fool Zerith? Does he think Im getting senile that I wouldnt notice him lurking around.

Im so gonna strangle that idiot.