6 Aftermath

After being relieved from the mission, Ryan spent the remaining day in the room allotted to him, resting.

'What a tiring day.' Ryan sighed as he soaked himself in the bath. 'There are too many things going on in the shadows.'

---

Next morning, Ryan freshened up, presented himself in his agency uniform for mission report. Both Sarah and Ryan were still in the government security complex. He was led to a conference room, which was full of important looking people, and at one end Sarah sat beside what appeared to be the patriarch of the Riley family.

The sight made Ryan raise an eyebrow, but he quickly put on a poker face as usual and performed a customary salute.

A lady stood up at the round table and introduced him unhurriedly with a smile.

"This is Special Agent Lotus, one of our more unique assets. You may rest at ease now, agent."

Ryan stood in the corner and observed the round table. An old man wearing the uniform of a general looked at him and spoke.

"Agent Report."

Ryan nodded and began explaining his experience and observations as well as his analysis of the incident.

"I was with Miss Riley at Cafe Snow Lily for personal matters." Ryan began as he looked at Sarah, who turned a shade pink with embarrassment. "When we were about to disband, we were interrupted by the news flash...

...

...

..."

After describing what happened, including how he decided to prioritize protecting the 'civilian', he began to provide his analysis.

"In my opinion, the explosions were not due to the use of explosive devices of using abilities on sight. Rather, I believe it was the work of a single sniper who had a high enough vantage point to aim over the entire district. Those explosions were due to a concentrated aura laser beam type ability, or something similar."

When the others heard his analysis, they nodded. Nothing much more was discussed. The meeting was over, but Ryan was asked to stay in place as one by one the people left the conference until there were only four people in the room. Ryan, the woman who introduced him in the beginning, Sarah and the Riley family patriarch.

The patriarch sighed and then spoke.

"Lad, I must thank you for protecting my granddaughter and escorting her out of harm's way. This grandchild of mine has never been in a real battle and would have suffered miserably had you not been present." His voice thundered deeply throughout the room.

"Miss Riley performed well despite the dangerous situation." Ryan said calmly.

"Kid, I heard you aren't an actual employee of the government's are you?"

The woman now spoke for the first time.

"He is simply a mercenary who chooses the missions he would like to complete, in return we provide him benefits."

Ryan nodded to inform that he agreed with the description of his relationship with the government's secret service. He was a mercenary whom the government often hired.

When Sarah heard that, her eyes almost popped out.

'The government has to hire him? How strong is he exactly?' But then she gave up comparing herself with him. She realized that him being a low tier ability is probably just a cover.

The lady now began speaking again.

"Agent Lotus, we have a new assignment for you." She said looking at Ryan with a curious smile.

Ryan suddenly felt a headache creeping on him.

"Lad, trouble is beginning to brew in our world. I would be satisfied if you can keep an eye on her in times of crisis." The old patriarch dragged his voice off.

While Ryan was reluctant to accept this new job request, he still nodded.

"You are already stationed at Mobius High School. Your new mission is a surveillance and protection mission. You need to keep track of all the high priority civilian targets at the school - primarily the following students and protecting them from danger."

The woman threw a file towards Ryan who wordlessly picked it up.

Sarah heard that and wondered to herself what they were talking about. She was already tremendously embarrassed by her subpar performance during the attack and completely depending on Ryan. But now he was being asked to protect her as well as some other students.

"This... is difficult. The higher up the aristocratic ladder they, the more invincible they will think of themselves and do something foolish." Ryan said plainly. "Not to mention they are all council members, titled students who are proud of their abilities. Compliance of the targets is necessary to ensure their safety."

When the patriarch Riley heard that he laughed out hard. The woman responded authoritatively.

"You do not need to reveal these details to them. The clients do not desire an inhibition of their growth. You must judge the threats they face and if you determine that they cannot face the threat, neutralize it from the shadows or maneuver them to safety."

Ryan acknowledged the mission.

"I shall do my best. I hope Miss Riley shall keep this matter a secret."

Sarah nodded once, trying to act professionally. This was her first meeting with such important people in the government and it had left her stiff.

Ryan proceeded to ask the next natural question.

"What kind of threats will Mobius High face?"

"You will be dispatched the details. For now, you are dismissed."

After Ryan left the room the woman took leave as well, leaving only the Riley Grandfather and grandchild in the conference room.

"Grandpa, are we in danger at school? Just who is Ryan Holmes?" Sarah couldn't hide her curiosity anymore and questioned.

"Hmm, there might be some dangers at your school. It is related to yesterday's incident. The government is assuring is such a thing will not happen again, but it is better to be safer instead and they have assigned that boy.

As for him, He has been a mercenary with the secret service for several years. His ability has not been classified yet, however, his documented ability as far as he has shown us is to be able to levitate objects up to a certain weight as well as helping himself maneuver around in the air in bizarre manners."

Sarah thought to herself. She somehow doubted that his abilities were only these. Even if he had mastered them to the absolute peak, their potential was low, there is a reason abilities are graded the way they are.

'The explosion where he protected me, why did I not feel any impact? That must have been something to do with his hidden ability.'