10 Rookie Nein

Posseto, striding into Qeff's office, found him solemnly listening to the earlier recording.

His peaceful demeanor quivered at the intrusion. His eyes fluttered open.

Seeing Posseto, his heart calmed. "Just in time for it to end." He spoke as the recording shut down.

Posseto shoved her bad mood under the rug and inquired, "Something's bothering you?"

Qeff glanced up and shook his head, "No-nothing."

"If you can't speak to a Lieutenant. Perhaps a friend?" Posseto leisurely sat in front of him.

Qeff stared at her long and hard, before giving in and blurting it out, "He lied!"

Posseto's head tilted confusedly. She hadn't been present in Nein's trial. So she didn't know what to say.

"Nein lied! He said, I'm quoting him, pay attention, 'I lack common sense. I don't know what to expect.'" Qeff waited for Posseto's reaction. Seeing none, he continued.

"But later, he freaked out as I used Craft in front of him."

Posseto's eyes glinted, "Hmm! That seems rather... contradictory." Her head shifted toward the upper left corner of the room.

"Should I fetch the video recording as well?"

"Yes! But before that, provide me a pen and paper."

Posseto complied without objection and silently stood next to him as he scribbled away.

Despite her avid curiosity, she didn't peek.

Qeff put the pen back into its lid and folded the paper, "Mail this to the Executive Commander."

Receiving it, Posseto asked, "Are you informing him about the Hybrid?"

"He's not a hybrid. Neither an Infusionist... and with his circumstances, I jest upon calling him a human either." Qeff sighed.

"All I know is he's beyond me. I am going to get him shifted under the Executive Comander's watch."

Posseto's pupils trembled. Her fingers' grip on the paper tightened.

As she stood rooted, Qeff looked toward her and asked, remembering something, "You reported to the Logistics Commander as well, right?"

Posseto trembled. Her mind flashed back to the scene when Qeff approached him, followed by Nein right after leaving the Lab's gates.

In that instance, Qeff had told her to bring Nein some clothes within 5 minutes. Those '5 minutes' were code words. They meant to inform the logistic group about any changes in the situation.

"You did, right?" Qeff repeated worriedly.

"Uh!" Posseto gazed into Qeff's sincere eyes and nodded inadvertently, "Yes! I did! I will take this to where it belongs."

Qeff nodded with a light smile watching her walk outside.

As Posseto closed the door, her fingers curled up, the paper crumbled consequently.

'No! I hadn't informed the Logistic Commander... If he is shifted from your watch. Observing him wouldn't be as easy. But you needn't worry, I will personally see to it that he dies.' Her teeth gritted in hate while hurling the paper into the dustbin, she murmured, "The only redemption for him is redemption for my fiance."

***

Nein carelessly took off his shirt and pants and threw them on the floor while walking into the bathroom. Humming joyfully as he spun the tap.

The water sprinkled down, falling into his sticky, stinky hair and down his chin. Sliding through the fine and solid curves of his muscles before falling onto the tiles.

"Aw, man! This feels the best!!" He stretched under the shower, making pops come out of his stiff body. "Yes! This hits the spot!"

He glanced at the rack with all its ointments, creams, and shampoos in intrigue before began to pick all of them out one by one and squandered to his heart, "Haha! Letting loose once in a while isn't all that bad!"

He chuckled, unconsciously muttering, "Not after so long."

His steps came to an abrupt halt. Looking down at the floor, he questioned out loud, "Has it been three centuries? It's not as if I feel anything... nor that I care. But... Really?"

But it was the truth- his spoilt and long nails, the type to deteriorate due to long exposure to liquid. His greasy, slippery, and soft skin, as if someone had been suspended in water for too long- was all proof.

"My memories... I wonder what kind of person I was before- though I have a feeling I wasn't the best." He chuckled.

As he silently felt the water cleanse him bit by bit, his thoughts spurted out of his tongue, "I wonder what I should do."

"Or... what I can do?" He scratched his cheek, "It's not like I care for my memories. Like... I don't have them... so why should I care for their significance? Or acquire them back?" He shrugged and nonchalantly began to sing while scrapping his body hard with a sponge.

"I must've been a deep thinker." His voice transmitted out of the sticker, into Qeff's and Posseto's ears.

"He... seems rather ordinary." Posseto expressed her view.

When Qeff told Posseto to take Nein to the special room. He had been very literal. The special room was meant for advanced monitoring.

Exactly what the two of them were doing.

"Hmm! Lack of regard for his memories, hmm? Seems something inside him must know they suck." Qeff commented.

Posseto turned her head toward him, "Is there something to his background?"

Qeff paused for an instant and shook his head, "Just saying."

Posseto nodded, "His head must be muddled. We ought to keep him 24/7 under the tab. We don't know if his memory would recover suddenly. Or a certain sight or incident might trigger them. I think, without any hesitation, we should kill him instantly. Under such a situation."

Qeff peeked at her from the corner of his eyes, "Isn't that a bit too much? Without even hearing him out?"

"He would hardly reveal his motive in such a case, because this belief of ours about his cluelessness gives him the upper hand. He can continue to act the same while plotting something underneath his facade. We should eliminate him on any sign of oddity."

Qeff mulled over her words and couldn't help but agree, "That's new coming from you... I didn't think you would be able to think so far ahead."

Posseto shrugged, "Everyone has their moments."

Qeff nodded, "What about those three!?"

Posseto's face fell, "The investigation has started."

"You should personally see to it yourself. I know you knew of it beforehand." His voice was plain.

But it still weighed heavily upon Posseto.

Seeing Nein walking outside the bath and scuffing for new clothes, free of his stink. He glimpsed past his watch and got up, "It's about time for lunch. Prepare his and mine food together, I will personally take it to him."

***

Feeling fresh and brand new, Nein gave his new appearance a quick admiring look in the mirror. "Even my face feels foreign yet nostalgic at the same time."

Sizing up his wavy light brown hair that fell down to his shoulders and his piercing jet-black eyes. He grinned- flashing his bright teeth. His lips were pale and thin, in contrast, his nose was broad and straight.

Tracing his chiseled features with his hand, he couldn't help but mutter, "My appearance wouldn't be bad. I think."

"But... I think I should deal with this beard and trim my hair a bit." He commented.

But, in honesty, his true aesthetic beauty was bustling out from his tuned and chunky body. 'I wonder what I weigh with my muscles.'

Chuckling, he walked outside and sat down on the skin-colored soft couch, and reached for the remote.

Looking at all the buttons, he clenched his teeth and decided, 'Imma try them all!'

As he pressed the odd one- the red one! The one urging for a push.

He nearly yelped seeing the screen lit up.

"Haha!" His laughter echoed momentarily as wearing his smile, he occupied himself with the serial drama on play.

Stealing his attention, the door knocked gently.

"Coming!" He clicked his tongue while hurriedly reaching out for it.

As he opened the door, the ever-so-familiar Qeff stood with a wide smile and a tray.

On it, his lunch's strong scent drifted into his nose.

"I heard the Slumbering Ones' are suddenly struck by a pang of hunger shortly after awakening. So I thought I would hurry my lunch today. I hope you don't mind the intrusion."

"Not at all! Please intrude to your heart's content!" Nein chuckled and stepped aside, motioning him in.

Settling in front of the TV, Qeff poured the food on a plate and presented it to Nein, "It's not much but I hope you like it!"

"Thank you!" Nein, his eyes glued to the screen, nodded.

"I came here to bore you with your... responsibilities, duties, and your incoming training before formally joining the army." Qeff embarrassedly laid bare his reasons. Thinking the latter would never pay him attention otherwise.

"Oh! Hahaha!" Nein laughed dryly and shut the television. "Please! I'm all ears. Besides, anything more about this world is far too crucial for me to miss."

Qeff suddenly froze, his expression twisted, "I'm curious... what would your age be?"

Nein's munching mouth froze. Bewildered, he gazed into Qeff's eyes wondering if he was serious.

"Umm! Really can't say. Roundaboutedly, three centuries and something, something?"

Qeff choked on the estimation. "Ahem! From your appearance, you look to be around twenty. That's good enough!"

Nein munched his food before asking, "Why though?"

"Well," Qeff gave him a neutral glance, "You will be going to college after all. So I thought it would be good you didn't feel like an outcast."

Nein nodded, "Oh! I see. College, huh!?"

"...Hey wait, college?"

Qeff chuckled, "Yes! Rookie Nein! You must be groomed first and foremost before you can be of any use. And besides, isn't it the best place for you to learn the most about this world?"

Nein listlessly stared, silent and bemused, "My word. Not like I am in a place to choose, huh?"

Qeff smiled, "You're quite intelligent. In addition to being courteous! Good traits."

Nein shrugged.

"Anyways, let's get down to the real business." Qeff took his first bite. Despite the food being cooked on his order, it still felt bland and... tasteless.