Chapter 137: Truth and Ignorance

Chapter 137: Truth and Ignorance

Chapter 137 - Truth and Ignorance

Flynn cleared his throat to announce his presence before approaching the desk. Ive finished to copy and organize last year's reports on fishermen's accidents, sir.

The officer jolted awake opening his eyes wide and sitting up straighter. He was old, as old as people got in the archipelago, and close to retirement. He proudly sported the soaring hawk crest on his chest. His gray uniform was pristine like his trimmed beard streaked with white.

The senior clerks eyes darted to the paper in his hand, intently reading before settling down on him. He deliberately put down his quill as if to say he better have a good reason to disturb him. What do you need?

Flynn did his best to appear oblivious to the mans napping and repeated his words.

Have you put them in alphabetical order? The clerk sneaked a glance at the clock behind him. That is from the first letter of the alphabet to the last.

So thats what that word means? Its too hard of a concept for me. I thought it by the most pointless.

I did, sir. I triple-checked to make sure there were no mistakes, sir, Flynn lowered his head, cowering under his superiors gaze and stealing a glance at the document on the desk. It was the same sheet of paper he had seen three hours ago, a list of the yearly yield of beets, turnips and cabbages.

Ill check them later to ensure there are no errors. You are done for the day. Good work, kid. With a dignified nod, he went back to study his document. He massaged his temples as if the future of the Merian Republic depended on his decisions.

Thank you, sir, Flynn gave a slight bow of the head and left.

What am I doing?

According to the official customs that had been drilled into him during his education, bowing wasnt required except in official ceremonies and few other circumstances. Still, senior officers always liked it when he made them feel important.

The more incompetent they were the more they liked a bit of flattery. And if they were over forty and had been stationed in the archipelago outside of Higharbor, chances were they werent misunderstood geniuses.

Not that he complained. That had made getting his hands on documents he shouldnt have known existed all the easier. Though lately, he had to stop snooping around. Many new faces and personnel had popped up after the raid. Contrary to the old geezers, these newcomers wouldnt be outsmarted by a clam.

Nothing to worry about just yet. The pirates had burned down one archive and made a mess of the others. Flynn had been careful, there were no clues to find, none that would lead up to him anyway. Now, even when his superior mistakenly passed him reports he shouldnt see, he promptly sent them back.

What am I doing?

His body went through the motions carried by skills and habits. He smiled, bowed his head and scraped like a good boy eager to please his boss. His swelling revulsion was buried so deep not a shadow showed even when no one was watching.

Outside the office department, the breeze carried the smell of salt and fish. Large puddles on the streets rapidly shrunk under the summer sun. The weather didnt improve his mood by much.

Where to go?

He had been given a small room in the government building in poshtown for half his salary. The idea of those claustrophobic four walls with no windows led him in the opposite direction, toward the sea.

Hey! Two kids in blue uniforms waved at him from across the street. Selui and Tolo had also graduated from the Republics scholarship program. Flynn waved back with a smile and deftly freed himself from the small talk.

What am I doing?

He might get a transfer to a different position if he tried. After graduation, he had been offered a job more in line with his skills. He had chosen to work as an assistant in Sylspring to stay close to his little sister. Their mother had officially died of a bad fever three years prior. Without any other adult in the family, he was a blank slate ready for the Republic to fill.

Now that his sister had officially gone to live with distant relatives in a small village on Katol, asking for a transfer wouldnt raise suspicion. That had been the original planin case he wasnt discovered and executed for treason first.

Flynn remembered a time when the idea of infiltrating into the Republic ranks had been exciting. He hadnt had any doubts. He would find its weaknesses and help bring justice for his dads murder. Hed make his mother smile again, a true smile, like when his dad was still with them.

Guided by a purpose, everything had been simple and clear. He knew who he was and what he needed to do. Now everything was a mess.

There is no going back. Not anymore.L1tLagoon witnessed the first publication of this chapter on Ñøv€l--B1n.

All his certainties had crumbled. His head only knew chaos. He desperately clung to the mask he built, knowing that if he stopped going through the motions he would shatter. Only the spirits could say how long it would take to get up again, if ever.

Theyre all the same.

It was ironic really. It had been those dumb lessons about loyalty to the Merian Republic that caused the first cracks. Countless lessons about their generosity and all the good and wonderful things they brought to the archipelago. What a gift it was to be part of such a great country. They should be proud to have been personally selected for that program.

Kai motioned toward the shoreline. The tide was higher than average, but the moons hadnt pulled enough water for a proper high tide. This side of Sylspring had always been quiet, after the raid, barely anyone came here.

The heat of the sand underneath their shoes, waves crashed and sent droplets flying in the breeze.

The last time they met, their talk had ended abruptly. Mostly due to his sour mood, Flynn recognized. He couldnt help him and then get mad at him for the consequences.

It was my own choice.

Though it irritated him that the kid seemed completely oblivious to his current plight.

Not like he could help even if he knew.

Kai's casual behavior helped him forget his problems. With only them and the sea, he could pretend the world was whole again.

They walked at least a mile before his mage friend was satisfied with the distance and paid him attention. Flynn understood caution very well, but this was excessive.

And I thought I was the paranoid one.

So, whats the problem that requires my boundless wisdom and walking to the other edge of the island, Your Majesty?

Flynn expected Kai to roll his eyes at the moons or reply with a snarky remark, neither happened. Kai looked straight at him, dead serious.

What does your profession give you?

Flynn couldnt believe his thick skin to ask such a question. Kai was always so damn mysterious with his own skills and abilities. How could he ask him that?

Reading his expression, Kai rephrased it. Not necessarily yours in particular, what does an average profession give?

Do you want to know more about professions to weigh your options?

Why cant the kid talk straight?

Its a bit early for you, but sure, Uncle Flynn will share his wisdom. All at the low, low price of a single silver.

Kais eyes widened slightly before he mentioned getting paid. That part was a joke anyway.

Whats up with him? Is this a new way to mess with me?

Yeah Kai nodded a bit too quickly. That would be extremely helpful for when I have to choose.

Maybe I should have asked for two silvers. Seems like hes feeling generous today. I could use the money if I need to run away.

Unsure if he was truly getting paid, Flynn did his best to recall the lessons he got at the scholarship camp in Hawkfield. Half were nonsense, the other half contained something useful beneath the layers of windy words.

Professions give three benefits: attributes, skills and boons. He mimicked the air of one of his haughty teachers. Boons you can forget till Orange or Yellow, Red professions dont give any. As for skills, most people get one, while a few very exceptional individuals get two.

Kai nodded along. He didnt seem overly impressed by his knowledge. Probably his fancy teachers had already told him some of it.

As for attributes, in the archipelago, people consider one stat point per level the average. To get below one, you really need to have fucked up and lazed around a lot. Flynn wanted to tease him, but Kai made it so hard. Knowing him, the chances the kid would get a bad profession were below none.

One and a half points is the sign youve put effort in improving your race and skills, above that are true geniuses. Flynn grinned cheekily, receiving a flat stare response. Kai didnt even blink, just waiting for him to continue.

Anyway, the Republic has higher standards. You need to gain two stats per level to be considered talented. Those are the basics, but its more complex than that.

Some professions with higher attributes offer only one skill slot or vice versa. Its not always a straightforward choice and you need to consider what they actually do. Rare professions are considered better even if they give lower benefits, though not all of them are useful.

Strolling along the shoreline, Flynn gave his best overview, recalling all the details from those mind-numbing lessons.

I see. Kai had a thoughtful look. Not properly impressedas he should bebut Flynn knew that was the best he would get.

Why the sudden interest?