Secretly The Overlord

Chapter 7

"I see.. so you aim on becoming a Spiritist Master at my company huh..?" rubbing his beardless chin, Damian West deeply observed the simply dressed young man that was currently seated across from him.

 The duo were currently at the executive level floor inside Nighthawks Inc office building — more precisely, the CEO office. And they were not alone.

 "Becoming a Spiritist Master is not that simple. You can't just show up seeking employment. You need to be drafted." the speaker was the old man who Damian West had respectfully addressed as his master.

 Gerald Martins.

 "Drafted?" a crease played out across Henri's brows.

 "Indeed. All potential Spiritist Masters candidates register themselves with VANGUARD and on the National Draft Ceremony, various exploration companies would place bids on their preferred picks.. that is called a draft." Damian West explained in a fluent manner.

 As the CEO of Nighthawks Inc, it was only natural that he's experienced his own fair share of National Draft Ceremonies.

 "Then how do I register with VANGUARD?"

 "Hold your horses young man. Forgetting that the country's next national draft ceremony won't be taking place until ten months from now, you can't just register yourself.. you need to have records and stats." Gerald Martins wagged his fingers in correction.

 "The truth is, becoming a Spiritist Master is merely the last stage in a long journey. The early stages entails participating in any of the three Kaizen sports games at the Senior League level.. for at least a year."

 "If the stats you put up during that time is worth a second look, you will be drafted during a national draft ceremony and thus your journey as a Spiritist Master begins." reaching this conclusion, Gerald Martin's brows knitted tightly.

 "Those black flames of yours are very peculiar. If you are interested, I will be more than willing to recruit your into the Kaizen team I coach.." 

 "Uhm.. I am not interested." Henri didn't even spare the suggestion a second thought before directly declining.

 "K--Kid are you crazy? that man who just offered you that gracious invite is none other then Gerald Martins himself!" Damian West clicked his tongue in disbelief.

 "It's a nice name. What about it?"

 Damian West clearly felt his lips twitch. He didn't know what to believe at this point — was the young man before him truly oblivious? or was he just faking his ignorance?!

 "Mr. Martins was a one star Platinum tier Spiritist Master before he retired. And now, he is the head coach of Newtown Institute's --" however before he could finish, Henri suddenly interjected.

 "D--Did you say Platinum tier?!" Henri's eyes widened in shock. That was the highest rank a Spiritist Master could ever achieve!

 Apart from the large paycheck that Platinum tier Spiritist Masters enjoyed, they also possessed boundless strength. Henri never would have expected an old man in flashy attire would actually turn out to be such a lofty individual!

 "It's alright. I won't force you. But I don't mind leaving this behind.. in case you ever change your mind." saying this, Gerald Martins tossed something at Henri.

 Catching the object mid air, Henri discovered that it was actually a card that shared an awful resemblance to a business card, except the material it was made out of was unlike anything he had ever seen.

 While Henri was engrossed with observing the intricate details of the card, Gerald Martins gave Damian West a curt nod before he silently exited the office. Once he did, Damian West proceeded to shake his head.

 "If you are indeed serious about becoming a Spiritist Master, you should definitely accept his kind gesture.. who else in their right frame of mind wouldn't?"

 "I'll think about it." Henri calmly pocketed the card. If her recalled correctly, Newton Institute was located in the country's capital — that was twelve whole states from Delta City.

 If he selfishly left, who was going to look after his sister?

 "Is there really no way I can be a Spiritist Master or join you in a Haunt Gate exploration?"

 Sensing the urgency in the other party's tone, Damian West massaged his brows as his lips slowly parted open, slightly hesitant. "I think there might be another alternative."

..

In the past, a majority of public parks were often used for recreational, leisure and entertainment purposes. However in the current society where Haunt Gates and magic were concepts that was publicly known, the case was far different.

 Despite the prefix, St. Birdman's Park was no safe area for kids — Infact it was one of the most dangerous locations in Delta City.. perhaps this being the reason why it was located towards the eastern outskirts of the city.

 Beyond it's protective ten meters tall walls was a landscape that spanned over twenty acres — a place where dangerous Feinds thrived and a place forbidden from the general public. A few years ago, this location was actually a Danger Zone, but with the intervention of VANGUARD, was transformed into an exploration park.

 Although a large amount of its more powerful residents were dealt with, what laid beyond the walls of St. Birdman's Park was no harmless kids playground. Infact, only a select group of individuals were allowed to step foot into its soil. They were known as--

 Raiders; individuals who despite being unable to obtain a Spiritist Master license, were still able to get a small piece of the larger cake that was known as the Haunts Gate exploration Industry.

"Hello everyone. Sorry I am late!" a couple distance away from the towering walls that separated the interior of St. Birdman's Park from the rest of the city, a raiding party all noticed a young man in a simple attire, approach them with a polite smile.

 "I got lost along the way. I am sorry if I caused you any inconvenience." Henri apologized once again.

 "Hmph. So you are the last minute addition that Mr. West suggested? I expected you to be more --" with his eyes trailing over Henri from top to bottom, the speaker was a freelance Raider who went by the name of Chuck Tucker.

 ".. Flashy? you don't look like you come from a wealthy background. What is your relationship with Mr. West?" finishing Chuck Tucker's sentence with a comedic accuracy, the speaker was one of the only two females present amongst the raiding party that was dominated by the male gender.