Morning sunlight fell gently across the young man's face, bringing renewed spirit to Charles on his first day of work. When Joseph arrived at Charles's lodging, he found his friend already waiting at the front door, still holding the silver-headed cane just as he had the previous night. However, Charles looked more energetic now, and it seemed the wound he had suffered had improved considerably.
"Good morning, Joseph," Charles greeted with a faint smile as he saw Joseph step down from the carriage.
"Morning. How's your injury?" Joseph asked with genuine concern.
"It's much better now, thanks," Charles replied gratefully.
"Glad to hear it. Shall we go, then?" Joseph motioned for him to climb into the carriage.
Charles answered with a grin and stepped aboard carefully. Joseph watched him with mild worry before joining him, taking the seat opposite.
"How's your wound doing?" Joseph asked once the carriage pulled away.
"As you can see, it's almost healed. And thanks again for lending me the cane," Charles said.
Their carriage rumbled along a street that was growing increasingly busy with people and vehicles under the bright morning sun. Everyone was beginning their day, filling the avenues with an air of bustling purpose.
"Nervous about your first day?" Joseph asked, trying to stir a conversation.
"A little," Charles admitted, his tone betraying a hint of nerves.
"I'm sure Uncle Edward saw real potential in you, or he wouldn't have invited you to join," Joseph said sincerely.
"I just hope I don't disappoint him," Charles replied determinedly.
Before long, the carriage crossed into the outer section of the royal district—an area lined with government buildings and various agencies, including the one where Joseph worked. Standing tall and grand, a large building loomed ahead, reflecting the prominence of the organization it housed. As soon as the carriage came to a stop, Charles looked up at the sign carved with bold letters: Department of Supernatural Suppression and Defense.
"We're here," Joseph announced before stepping down from the carriage.
Charles nodded and followed carefully, gazing at the imposing structure with a mix of excitement and trepidation. He drew a deep breath, trying to brace himself.
"Ready?" Joseph asked.
"Ready. Let's go!" Charles answered.
The two walked into the building, which was filled with officials bustling back and forth. Many paused to glance curiously at the new face, but Joseph paid no mind and led Charles upstairs to the second floor, where the division head's office was located.
"Miss Amelia, is Chief Edward in?" Joseph asked the young secretary seated at a desk in front of the office.
"He's in," she replied with a bright smile. "Go right on in."
Joseph nodded, opened the door, and motioned Charles to follow. Inside sat a tall, broad-shouldered man in his middle years, an old scar on his face faded with time. His neatly combed hair was brown streaked with gray, and his eyes held a certain sharpness that spoke of authority.
"Good morning, Chief Edward," Joseph greeted respectfully.
"Good morning, Joseph," Edward replied, looking up from a stack of documents. He then turned his gaze to Charles. "Charles. You've arrived."
"Good morning, sir," Charles said politely, trying to keep any hint of nervousness out of his voice.
"Welcome to our division. I trust your investigative abilities will prove invaluable in completing our ongoing case," Edward said in a deep baritone, then turned back to Joseph. "Take him to pick up his gear, then start going over the basics."
"Understood." Joseph gave a crisp nod. He cast a quick glance at Charles, signaling him to step outside.
They left the office and headed down to the Arcane Science Division's equipment room. The building was filled with staff members moving swiftly about their tasks. Charles noted the many unusual instruments and devices stored there, unlike anything he had seen before.
As they entered the equipment room, Charles's eyes roamed around, taking in each detail.
Joseph noticed. "How are you feeling?" he asked, voice gentle.
Charles gave a faint, awkward smile. "It's both strange and… exciting."
"Don't worry." Joseph patted his friend's shoulder. "We were all new at one point. I'll help you along."
Joseph's words eased Charles's tension. He nodded. "Thanks a lot."
A staff member at the equipment desk greeted them with a smile. "How can I help you?"
"We're here to get gear for our new recruit," Joseph said, gesturing toward Charles.
"Ah, of course! Please follow me." The staff member stood and led them to a long table along the wall, where numerous items were laid out neatly.
"This is a pocket watch given to every officer." The staff member picked up a stylish watch with tiny golden gears visible behind the glass. "Besides telling time, the internal gear mechanism alerts the bearer if there's an Ascendant using a power nearby. You'll hear something like a loud pendulum chime in your head—only you can hear it—and the speed of the spinning gears will indicate how close the user is."
Charles nodded and accepted the gleaming watch carefully. He felt the metallic chill of it in his palm, noting the precise workmanship.
"How do you like it?" Joseph asked with a grin.
"It feels... remarkable," Charles said, voice tinged with excitement. "I've always wanted a pocket watch with this kind of innovative mechanism based on Sarnian technology. The craftsmanship is extraordinary."
"It's a special item for our division," Joseph explained. "Be sure to take good care of it."
Charles smirked. "I will. I promise."
He turned to receive more items from the staff member.
"This is a handkerchief that doubles as self-defense. Since the Kingdom outlaws carrying weapons without the proper permits, we rely on this instead. To use it, pinch one corner and give it a sharp flick. It'll transform into a sword," the staff member explained.
Charles accepted the handkerchief and tried to do as he was told, pinching a corner and giving a flick.
"…"
Nothing happened.
Joseph stifled a laugh. "A little harder than that."
Charles flicked the cloth again with more force, and the sudden rush of air was followed by the handkerchief instantly transforming into a sword. It was a long blade of polished steel, gleaming silver and seemingly sharp enough to slice paper with minimal effort. The hilt was wrapped in black leather for a secure grip.
Charles's mouth fell open. Awe lit up his features. "This is… incredible," he murmured, rotating the blade gently in his hand. It had a balanced weight, just right for his grip.
"You'll be surprised by a lot more," Joseph teased.
"This job might not be so bad, then," Charles replied, eyes shining. "I can't wait to see what else the department has in store."
"How do I put it away?" Charles asked curiously. The staff member instructed, "Tap the pommel three times, then run your finger along the blade's spine all the way to the tip."
Charles followed these steps, and the metal sensation under his hand faded into the familiar softness of cloth. Within moments, the sword was once again an ordinary handkerchief.
He tucked both the handkerchief and the watch into his coat pocket. Next, the staff member handed him a small bottle with a thick golden-red liquid resembling honey.
"This is our healing salve. It stops bleeding, eases pain, and helps heal wounds. You apply it directly on the injury, and it'll immediately stem blood flow and reduce pain. After two or three days, the wound will be almost fully healed," the staff member explained.
Charles looked at the small vial with recognition, recalling how his injured leg had been treated just the previous day. "This is what you used on my leg yesterday, right?"
Joseph nodded. "Exactly. It worked well, didn't it? We always carry it for emergencies."
Charles nodded in agreement. "It really helped. I can't believe how fast my wound improved."
"That's its special property," Joseph affirmed. "But don't get careless. Even with a miracle remedy, we have to stay cautious."
Charles smiled slightly, reassured by the fact they had something like this on hand. "Of course. But it's good to know we have a reliable backup."
"It boosts our confidence," Joseph said. "Though hopefully we won't need it very often."
Charles agreed with a nod. As he pocketed the salve, he felt a growing sense of readiness for whatever challenges lay ahead—along with the awareness that this work could be dangerous.
After collecting all his gear, Joseph informed another staff member that they needed a room to orient the new recruit. Once they were granted permission, Joseph led Charles to a quiet training room.
Inside, the atmosphere felt hushed. Dim lamplight from overhead cast soft shadows on the floor and across the solid walls. In one corner, a series of cabinets and shelves stood in precise order, lending the room a simple, organized feel.
Joseph dragged a wooden chair to the center of the room. The legs scraped softly on the floor. He then gestured for Charles to sit.
"Have a seat," Joseph said gently. "We've got a lot for you to learn."
Charles lowered himself onto the chair, excitement and anxiety swirling inside him. He looked up at Joseph, who stood in front of him, waiting to reveal the secrets that lay behind the world Charles thought he knew.