The King's Enemy

Denva and Jase exited the classroom with plainly designed certificates in their hands. The results of their final exams had been issued a week before with this being the final step they needed to proudly confirm that they were done with school.

"Doesn't really scream 'Congratulations' does it?" said Jase as he looked at his certificate.

"No, it doesn't. Almost as if they wanted you to stay forever," said Denva.

"You don't look too happy. You were always raving on about finishing school so that you can get started on applying for the GEA. Now you seem too.... lax," said Jase with an inquisitive gaze.

"I'm still eager to join, it's just that the journey will not be easy. The obstacles stacked against me are pretty high," said Denva as the look in his eyes showed of his memory taking his very being elsewhere.

"And yet you were already promising Sellina to solve her problems," said Jase with a cheeky smile. "I can't help but wonder..."

"It's nothing more than a desire to help a friend. I understand her pain to a degree. You do too."

"Can't argue with that. You'll be participating in the Selection right? Two months from now? Or you have a back door into the GEA."

"Of course I'll be participating. That's the easiest way for people like us to join the GEA."

The Selection was a program conducted by the GEA to recruit potential Seekers and Law Sterns from the Low value Districts. It was done reluctantly for the most part and considered a form of mercy to the unprivileged. After all, there were many products being invented which accelerated the process of wielding World Energy which were open to the rich, while the poor could only rely on natural assimilation with the unique energy.

"Do you really not want to become a Seeker too?" asked Denva as he gazed at Jase.

"No. Denva, I'm not as ambitious as you and Sellina. I thought as we grew up under similar circumstances some of your ambition and guts would rub off on me, but.... I'm satisfied just being a Law Stern. Give me a good house, good wife and kids with a good enough salary in a better District and I'll be fine. People like me enjoy the tunnel vision and its comforts," he said with a slight smile.

The GEA had sub programs that it facilitated. For example, the Law Sterns. They were a super police force that was mainly active in Low value Districts. Controlling the general populace found in the poorer areas of the nation had become their goal after years of bribery from the richer families.

"I see," said Denva.

"I've been meaning to ask. Why can't I sense your World Essence? Since this morning, I sense a dreary air around you from time to time but no World Essence whatsoever. What really happened last night?" Jase probed with a serious tone.

Denva gazed at Jase with a stern face. It was no surprise to him that Jase sensed that he had no World Essence, but the fact that Jase could sense the deep emotions that were tangling within him every time he went deep into thought surprised him a little.

"Well? You had falling out with Ryon, that much I know. If he attacked, you tell me. Something clearly happened," said Jase as he got worried, given the look on Denva's face which he did not usually see.

Denva sighed and responded.

"It was a close call. He wanted to gang up on me with a few of his friends but.... a Law Stern intervened. I spend most the time receiving lectures about not to antagonise the rich families. That's all," said Denva as he pretended to be angry at the feeling of having his pride stomped on.

Jase held onto Denva's shoulder and patted him a few times.

"That's an outcome you should be happy about, Denva. It could have been worse," said Jase.

"Yeah it could have been," Denva said as he looked at Jase and flashed a weak smile.

Soon, hurried footsteps came from behind them and the figure of Sellina with her certificate walked up to them.

"Alright. Useless objective number one accomplished. Let's go," she said as she pushed her two friends out the school gate.

***

Erosa.

District 2.

Mongah Residence.

A young man with sunflower blonde hair walked through the door large brown double doors and entered into a luxurious looking office.

A large desk made of polished wood, fitted with a the insignia of the family could be seen when one entered the place.

The walls were a pristine white with picture frames depicting smartly dressed men with their names written at the bottom arranged perfectly in rows.

The white marble flooring shone with an exquisite  polish, and the crisp sound of the young man's steps was clear as he approached the desk at the end of the office.

Sitting on a chair behind the desk where several stacks of paperwork were evident, was a tall man with a muscular physique. He had a full head of the sunflower blonde hair made into a quiff, topaz blue eyes shimmering with a reflection of the light coming from the ceiling.

He donned a silver, short sleeved double breasted suit which wrapped around his figure immaculately.

He only raised his head from his work when the young man nervously stood directly behind the desk.

"Sit," he said.

The young man sat down and gulped a mouthful of saliva under the sharp gaze of the man before him.

"What were you up last night, Ryon?" asked the man.

The young man, Ryon, chose his words carefully  before he answered.

"I had to take care of some personal business," he said.

"I take it you took it upon yourself to dispose of someone again?" inquired the man behind his desk.

"Yes," Ryon replied succinctly.

The man behind the desk sighed exasperatedly before leaning into his chair.

"Son. While I admire your hands on style of eliminating your enemies, it goes against what you are supposed to be preparing yourself for. You have a great talent for managing the resources given to you, but your motivations are still lacking," said the man.

Ryon shifted nervously.

"Our family is working on dominating the competition for World Titan wares within Erosa. For that, your brother has been exemplary. He has opened up a Guild to supply Titan carcasses for the family to increase our production horizon.

Naturally, its too early for you to do the same. However, I expect you to manage the family business with rapt devotion. Going about to kill every single ant that annoys you is beneath you as a future heir. This shall be last time I hear of this."

"Yes father," said Ryon as he sweat bullets from his temples. He did not think that he would get found out so soon. He knew his attempt at sneaking away from his assistant had failed when he was called over by his father.

"Good. You have finished your Preliminary courses and now, you get to join the Gallant Enforcer Association, just like your brother. Your Integration is at the Apprentice Rank, correct?"

"Yes father."

"Good. I'll provide you with the Purity Capsules and I think it's time you started learning one of the family Renewal Arrays for your Augmentation."

Ryon almost shot up from his seat due to the shock.

"Really father?" he asked in a trembling voice.

"Of course. The sooner you learn it, the better, Ryon's father said with a slight smile. "However, I expect results. I won't mind ripping out that Array from your body if you fail to meet Mongah standards."

"I promise, I will make you proud!" said Ryon with thinly veiled excitement.

"Good. Now leave. Auguste is waiting for you to accompany him to the factory."

"Yes father," Ryon immediately stood from his seat before giving a short bow to his father. He walked briskly to the door where a tall man with a monocle on his face was waiting with an almost statue-like level of stillness.

"Master Ryon," he said.

Ryon breathed in and out before relaxing his face and desensitising himself to the news he had just heard.

In the next moment, his disposition changed completely as he carried himself with the demeanour befitting of an heir to a grand household.

"Any adverse fluctuation in our production rate since yesterday, Auguste?" he asked as he began walking forward, the tall man in tow.

"None, Master Ryon. We're steadily advancing towards the direction of the annual objective," said the man.

"Any defects?"

"Only a single one yesterday."

"Hmm. I see. Take me to the factory. I have a long day ahead of me."