The government office building. A super tall skyscraper that had about 40 floors. Our car was parked in the basement and we made our way up to the interior of the building.
"I could never get used to this," Liliath said as we entered the sliding door. The cold air seeped into her skin.
She wore a white overcoat with beautiful embroidered patterns. Most of her exposed shoulders were covered but her cleavage remained quite prominent... I didn't comment on that. It should be fine..
On the other hand, I wore a normal whitish collar shirt with a tint of blue and dull-ocher-coloured pants.
The large information counter in the middle was made of wood, crystals that dangled down from above glittered in an iridescent light. Circular sofas and indoor plants arranged on a red carpet spears across the floor.
And sitting on the sofa was Principal Rachel in a suit— the female kind— she looked like a professional secretary if anything— the kinds you'd see business people wear-- tight skirts and all.
"You're here," she called out to us.
"Yeah, good afternoon principal," I greeted.
"Good afternoon," Liliath curtsied.
My mom merely nodded her head. Oh by the way, the little devil was left at home— I hid my laptop in my room so there was absolutely no chance that she would tamper with it in any way. That said— I was afraid of what she would do when left her own devices... that devil could do anything if she put her mind to it..
"Let's get going," Principal Rachel went right to the elevator.
Liliath tottered a little when the elevator accelerated upwards.
"Are you alright?" I wanted to support her but..
She shook her head, holding onto the guard-rails installed at the side.
Huh? Hah? I heard a loud intentional cough.. ah yeah sorry Principal.. I wasn't trying to flirt with her or anything— DON'T GET ME WRONG!
We went up to the seventh floor. To one side was a glass window, overlooking the beautiful landscape that is the city of Gilgamesh.
Liliath gazed at the sight in awe.
"Is this your first time seeing this Liliath?" The Principal asked, which I found rather weird.
"The buildings could be said to be rather bizarre.. I've never seen such a city," Liliath replied.
Principal Rachel raised her brow, "Does she always talk like that?"
"Yeah," since Liliath was engrossed with the scene, I don't think she heard that... or not.. she looked my way and tilted her head. An expression of: did I do something wrong? No, you didn't do anything wrong.
We proceeded to the summoners department, walking by various other departments that dealt exclusively with problems and issues in regards to TALENTS.
We entered a room, the scent of incense. Row upon rows of seats packed with people, creating an aisle that stretched forward to the counter from the entrance.
The principal walked up to the receptionist at the front counter. Saying a few things and showing a letter, the receptionist looked at her in dismay before passing her a ticket, supposedly our waiting number.
3233.
The number in display was 3225.
Which meant that there were 8 people before our turn.
Turning to the seats— it was sure busy.
Various people of different ages patiently waited for their turns. Interesting yet was that a number of them had a 'pet' together with them— summoned creatures.
A silver wolf dog-like creature, a goldfish in the air that looked to be a specter, a horned rabbit nibbling on a carrot, a large round blob— a slime?!
I've never really met with people who possessed a summoning TALENT as they were quite rare but to see this many here.. I was thinking perhaps there were more summoners in the word than I thought.
"May I see the summoned creature?" The receptionist asked in a speculative voice, looking behind the principal and at us.
"Miss, which person here is the said summoner?"
"Noel,"
"Yes?"
"You explain."
"Huh? Eh?"
What's that look.. the Principal looked like she had given up? Huh? What? Huh?! WHAT?
Liliath stepped forward.
"I'm sorry? But are you referring to me? I, Noel's familiar, am the aforementioned summoned creature?" Liliath spoke with a modest smile— it was twitching.
The already cold temperature seemed to drop a few degrees but.. the receptionist didn't seem to understand Liliath's statement.
"Uh, miss— Hilda rather than a summoned creature, it's a summoned person.." I slipped over to the front of the counter and gave the receptionist a quick explanation in a hush tone. Fortunately her name tag was in place.
"You mean that girl is your summoned creature?"
I sensed bloodlust from behind me..
"Please don't call her that.. like a said.. summoned person— A PERSON."
The receptionist laughed, "Are you joking with me?"
"The letter already explains so hasn't it?" Principal Rachel's cold voice caused the receptionist Hilda to stiffen.
"My apologies, My apologies Miss," Hilda stood up and bowed with a laugh.
Liliath glared daggers at the receptionist, which made her jump.
Cold...
And within the freezing atmosphere— whispers.
Numerous small whispers I looked around and noticed that everyone's gaze was directed at us— at Liliath.
"Bealga? What's wrong?"
"Puuchi— gah?!"
Blrub. Blurb.
The summoned creatures were afraid of Liliath?
They were clinging onto their owners in fright.. the goldfish retreating behind a girl, the horn rabbit hiding inside the guy's shirt and— oh crap did that slime just swallow the dude?!
— He seems to be alright though..
Liliath dropped her tense shoulder, releasing the— I assume to be a bloodlust area of effect.
That said.. the creatures..
'3233– please enter the private office. 3233– Please enter the private office.'
Such an announcement was made through the PA system..
I'm guessing this is preferential treatment? I'm not sure.. aren't we supposed to wait in line?
"Tsk.. what a troublesome guy," Principal Rachel clicked her tongue before we followed her through a door that had the sign that said: staff only.
The creatures that came close to Liliath tried to struggle free from the owner's grasp.. except the dude in the slime— Liliath showed a troubled smile.
Hm....
In any case, we entered the back room.
"Good to see you again Rachel," a man with a sturdy build wearing glasses called out. He sat behind the counter, apparently typing something into the computer.
"Likewise, Keaton."
"Another troublesome TALENT I presume?" The man named Keaton adjusted his glasses and looked at us, "Liliath, Miss Diana and Noel was it? Nice to meet you."
"Uh, nice to meet you too urm.. Mr. Keaton." I spoke.
"Likewise," my mom replied with a nod.
"Pleasure to meet you too Mr. Keaton." Liliath curtsied.
"Interesting, interesting. She indeed doesn't look like a person from this place. Would you mind following me inside, we'll discuss the matter further there," he stood up and walked over to one of the rooms.
"Very well," Liliath replied, which caused Keaton to chuckle.
"Could you be summoned from another world?"
"It is as you said, mister."
"Interesting. Now, if you don't mind," Keaton pushed open the door to allow us into a spacious office, furnished with multiple cushioned seats, indoor plants, a desk, a coffee table, and a wide open view of the city.
Waiting there was a female personnel wearing a suit, his secretary?
"Long time no see Rachel," the secretary called out.
"Didn't we meet a few days ago?"
"Ufufufu. I suppose. Last time was a wolf girl with white hair.. I wonder what problematic TALENT it is this time."
Wolf girl with white hair.. Prune?
Wait.. my TALENT is classified as problematic?
"Now, I'll start with a few simple questions shall we. Please take a seat," Keaton took a seat on his desk.. I think. "Miss Diana, Noel was a late bloomer correct?"
"It was about two days after his birthday that Liliath appeared," my mom said. The supposed secretary came over and poured us tea-- which surprised me.
"Oh. Thanks."
"My pleasure."
"Alright, alright. Now, Noel, when did anything specific happen before the summon happened?"
Alright~ Here are the shoutouts!!
@SilvaAsh, @The_Adventurer, @Eothe
Yeah, seriously. Thank you so much.
And-- 6 powerstones is a lot you know @SilvaAsh? Really, really thank you!