"Union Law Syndicate." Percy stood before the sign, staring up at the massive building that rose high above the surrounding streets. It wasn't tall like the buildings at earth but this had it's own impressiveness with domineering authority feel to it.
Even now, he still found it difficult to believe how quickly he had come to the current situation.
Beside him stood Lyro, who watched Percy take in the sight with his slight signature smile.
"Shall we?" he asked.
Percy snapped out of his ponder stupor.
"Sorry."
Following behind Lyro, he stepped through the gigantic dark iron gates that stood wide open.
The insignia of the Union Law Syndicate was engraved upon them, it was a strangely bent sword positioned between two separate cups with the colour of blue and green , left one being the green while the right one blue.
As they entered the grounds, Percy found himself looking around with curiosity. Several security guards stood watch near the entrance, all wearing the distinctive uniforms of the Union Law Syndicate , which was blue and green like the insignia that he had occasionally seen in newspapers and books.
The guards appeared familiar with Lyro. A few nodded in greeting as he passed, none of them bothering to stop or question them.
When they reached the main entrance, one of the guards immediately stepped forward and opened the heavy door for them.
Percy couldn't help but notice the respect Lyro seemed to command here despite looking younger than anyone of these guards .
The interior was just as impressive as the exterior, though far more luxurious than domineering.
A massive blue chandelier hung from the high ceiling, casting a soft glow across the grand entrance hall.
Directly ahead stood a long reception counter behind which two individuals could be seen.
Lyro approached them first. Tipping his hat with a practiced smile, he greeted the young woman while completely ignoring the elderly man beside her.
"Greetings, Peach."
The woman did not react. If anything, she looked thoroughly unimpressed. Instead, her eyes drifted past Lyro and settled on Percy.
"New recruit?"
Percy remained stoic beneath her gaze. Rather than meeting her eyes, he glanced at the person standing beside her.
The man was elderly, his hair completely white. He reminded Percy of Mr. Callyst. They looked to be around the same age. Unlike the woman, however, the old man wore a calm, stern expression that gave little away.
"Lyro is definitely one of those playboys."
Percy silently added another reason to dislike him, joining the ever-growing list that already included his annoyingly persistent smile and looks .
After trying a few more lines and receiving absolutely no reaction, Lyro finally gave up with a sigh. He placed his hat back on his head and motioned for Percy to come closer.
"This is our new recruit. Well, potential recruit. A special one."
The woman's eyebrow rose slightly.
"Hahaha, you're a curious one, aren't you?" Lyro said.
She still showed no reaction.
"Just put him on the guest list for now. Nothing official yet."
The woman shifted her attention fully toward Percy. A smile appeared on her lips, making her already striking features seem even more glamorous. She was a brunette with visible but not heavy make up along with fairly expensive looking earings and necklace.
"Greetings. My name is Fiona Cooper. And welcome to the Union Law Syndicate, Mr...?"
"Ronan," Percy answered after a brief pause.
"Mr. Ronan, then."
She smiled slightly.
"You must have had a difficult time being around certain individuals. I assure you, not all of us are like him."
Percy gave a small nod. Beside him, Lyro merely shrugged.
Without another word, he turned and headed down the hallway. Percy immediately followed after him.
Fiona watched them leave, her gaze lingering mostly on Percy's back.
"Curious?"
The voice came from beside her. She turned toward the old man, looking slightly embarrassed.
"Was it that obvious?"
The old man spared her a brief glance before looking away once more.
"Curiosity is a very dangerous trait in a world like this."
Percy was led into a spacious looking office.
The room was simple compared to the grandeur of the entrance hall.
A sturdy wooden desk occupied the center while bookshelves and cabinets lined the walls. Lyro remained leaning against a pillar near the corner as Percy took a seat.
"Tea?" Lyro offered . To which Percy shook his head.
"It's alright. I'm only an occasional drinker."
Lyro nodded.
"Not that I could give you any right now."
The corner of Percy's mouth twitched. Ronan barely managed to keep himself from reacting.
As usual, his consciousness had slipped into that strange detached state. He watched both Percy and Lyro as though he were merely a spectator observing characters in a story.
Percy was the body he controlled, while Ronan himself remained an unseen observer somewhere behind the scenes.
Lyro looked at him for a moment before asking,
"Are you good with reading?"
Percy nodded.
"Somewhat"
A smile appeared on Lyro's face.
"Good."
He walked over to a cabinet and rummaged through it for a while before pulling out three thick stacks of papers. Returning to the desk, he placed them in front of Percy.
"I'm not much of a teacher," Lyro admitted. "These should help you understand some of the things you'll need to know."
He tapped the papers lightly.
"But keep this in mind , you can't take them home or anywhere else away from this building."
Percy's eyes moved to the stacks.
"You can come here and read them whenever you want. This office is shared by everyone, so nobody will mind."
Lyro paused before scratching the back of his head.
"Still, it would be pretty negligent of me if I didn't at least give you a basic introduction."
His expression became slightly awkward.
"I'm terrible at explaining things, so you'll have to bear with me. Once the others return from their assignments, someone more qualified can teach you properly."
Percy nodded in understanding.
Lyro finally pushed himself away from the pillar and took a seat opposite him.
"Now then," he said. "Where should I start?"