The sun hung high, commanding the sky, painting everything in gold and copper. A warm breeze stirred the courtyard, carrying the scent of simmering lunch, ink from ledgers, and the metallic bite of polished utensils.
The meal I had planned lay forgotten. Around the table sat Miss Li Hua, Mr. Mumeishi, the police officer from before, an unfamiliar man whose eyes tracked every movement, and two strangers in crisp suits. Victoria and I stood near the kitchen counter, groceries abandoned.
The room was taut, even without weapons on the table. Miss Ayami's gaze burned beneath calm lids, patient but coiled, as if she could ignite the room with a single thought.
"Miss Victoria, I am Daniel Mercer with the Concord," the man announced. His hand hovered near the teacup but he did not drink.
Victoria's face drained. Her lips parted, but no words came.
"I will cut to the point," Mercer continued. "We've heard about your handling of the Stone Garden incident and—" He paused, letting Victoria speak first.
"What is the Concord?" she finally asked, sweeping her gaze across the room, from Miss Li Hua's measured calm to Miss Ayami's taut posture.
"The Concord," Mercer said carefully, "is an international oversight council. We maintain stability, enforce compliance with treaties, and coordinate emergency interventions in extraordinary circumstances." His eyes flicked to the man beside Miss Ayami, who returned a sharp, silent look.
"Most of our work is administrative and investigatory," Mercer added, voice smooth. "We contain conflicts and anomalies before they reach the public."
"And… what does this organization want with me?" Victoria asked, voice tight. My chest tightened in response.
"We would like to employ you," Mercer said, measured, almost serene. "We were looking for someone with your… abilities." His gaze slid briefly to Mr. Mumeishi and Miss Li Hua. Miss Li Hua toyed with a biscuit, letting the decision rest solely on Victoria.
"Someone like me?" Victoria echoed, eyes wide.
"That is correct. I have the documents here." He placed a folder on the table.
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CONCORD EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT AGREEMENT
Document ID: SEA-ARIES-1895-025
Classified: Level Delta-Restricted
Issuing Authority: Department of Field Operations, Concord HQ
1. Personal Identification
Name: [Redacted / Assigned Operational Name]
Date of Birth: [DD/MM/YYYY]
National ID: [Redacted]
Employment Code: 025
Region Assignment: EASTERN FRONTIER
Initial Role: Clerk / Security / Support Staff
2. Term of Service
Commencement Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]
Probation Period: 6 months (performance evaluation & aptitude screening)
Duration: Indefinite, conditional upon competence and clearance
3. Duties & Expectations
Maintain assigned clerical, administrative, or security responsibilities. Operate in accordance with internal Concord doctrine, including secrecy and chain-of-command. Attend mandatory orientation, training, and testing programs for potential operational promotion. Compliance with safety, security, and HQ protocols is non-negotiable.
4. Promotion & Evaluation
Exposure to operational roles (Alpha–Omega) is merit-based. Evaluations conducted via skill in clerical/logistics tasks, discretion, and aptitude in anomalous or mystical scenarios. High performers may be recommended for Constellation training, supervised by senior operatives.
5. Compensation
Base Pay: 40,000-60,000 CU / annually
Hazard Pay: Conditional on deployment or exposure to anomalous operations
Benefits: Medical & psychological support, standard uniforms and equipment, access to employee-only facilities, currency exchange via HQ
6. Security Clearance
Clerical / Support Tier. Access strictly limited to necessary systems and data. Higher clearance required for field operations or artifact handling.
7. Termination
Voluntary resignation, breach of security, or unsuitability for operational advancement.
8. Acknowledgment
I, the undersigned, acknowledge that my role may require absolute discretion, adherence to protocol, and exposure to classified operations. I consent to evaluations for potential operational promotion.
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Victoria skimmed the redacted pages, brow furrowed.
"What is this 50,000 CU?" she asked.
"That would be your base salary," Mercer said smoothly, pulling out a pocket watch.
"I don't know what CU is—or its value," Victoria replied, trying to make sense of it.
"It converts to roughly ¥15,000,000," Mercer said.
Victoria's jaw dropped. She forced a faint smile. "And I'm just a clerk?"
"Yes, initially. But the career path is open," Mercer replied, popping a small sweet into his mouth.
Victoria's eyes flitted between Miss Li Hua, precise and calm as ever, Mr. Mumeishi's faintly encouraging smile, and Ayami, whose expression remained unreadable.
"I accept—" she began, and I felt a tangle of relief and unease. Legal immunity, career opportunity… everything hinged on this decision.
"I want Heiwa to have the same opportunity," Victoria said firmly, eyes locking on Mercer. A heartbeat of silence followed. Miss Ayami smirked faintly. Mr. Mumeishi nodded subtly. Miss Li Hua sipped her coffee without comment.
"No problem," Mercer said, producing a second folder. "You're a gold-core cultivator, which is highly valuable to us."
"She is a citizen of the Empire," Ayami murmured, then went quiet as her partner rested a hand on her shoulder, and a subordinate stepped forward briefly before retreating.
"Now what?" Victoria asked, handing over the document.
"We'll give you time to prepare your belongings, assuming you want to resume next week," Mercer said politely.
"No!" Victoria interrupted, firm.
"Very well. My colleague will come to pick you up," Mercer said, checking his watch. "Miss Heiwa—is that agreeable?"
"Yes," I replied.
"Then I should take my leave," Mercer said, bowing briefly to Mr. Mumeishi and Miss Li Hua, then nodding to Ayami and her partner before stepping out.
"I could really go for whatever you were planning to cook earlier," Miss Li Hua said with a grin, as Victoria collapsed to the floor, breathless from the whirlwind of decisions.
The sun had begun its slow descent, staining the sky in deep orange and fading gold. Shadows stretched across the courtyard, curling gently as if the world itself exhaled. For a brief moment, the chaos of new paths and obligations softened into fragile quiet.
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