Chapter 9: Calm Before the Storm (2)

Jake laid his back on the sofa while waiting Edward finish his work on the kitchen.

"Jake, what do you plan after you graduate? It's just a matter of time before you graduate from your course?" Edward asked after placing the bowl that was full of snacks in the center table.

"I don't know what to do after finishing my studies. I don't even want to take a job yet. Maybe, I will take a few months of break," Jake answered and lazily took the game controller lying next to the bowl.

"Oh? I don't think Mom would let you do nothing," Edward chuckled and seated next to Jake.

"I know but I still lazy to do anything after graduation. I just let her make any arrangement for me," Jake commented and took some snacks from the bowl.

"Good luck then," Edward misled and also took the other game controller.

"Uncle, you seemed baffling about letting grandma decide. Did something happened?" Jake asked upon seeing his uncle's joyful expression.

Edward cleared his throat before he spoke.

"When I just graduated in college and didn't have any plans for the future like you. Mom pushed me to take an exam in the Office, fortunately, I passed the test. It was quite hard for me to pass those tribulations back then, if I retook the test now, I might finish the test right after I entered," Edward boasted while controlling the game console to start the game he recently brought.

"Really? What did the tribulation of the Office compose?" Jake asked while playing his part in the game.

"Confidential, you will know if you join us. But it wouldn't take a short time if Mom makes any arrangements," Edward spoke while focusing on the game.

"Oh? On another topic, how old are you when you took the exam in the Office?" Jake asked curiously.

"I don't remember much when I took the test may be in my mid 20's?" Edward answered like he wasn't that sure about his answer.

"Oh?" Jake taught and focus on the game.

"You seemed searching for more answers, right?" Edward spoke while looking at the screen.

Jake didn't answer but rather silently nodded.

"When I was quite young, I had come in contact with the General of the last generation. He was the General of Medical and Restorative Powers, I asked him why I'm there and what was the purpose of being there. Do you know what he answered?" Edward conveyed but cutting it and leaving Jake cliff-hung.

Jake couldn't be helped but to massage his temples. He should remember his uncle's personality. Edward laughed seeing his nephew's expression.

"He said that like the Priests, we are also called to serve the Lord. Not to preach the Good News and the salvation, but rather to safeguard the world that was beyond the boundary of reason. From the very beginning, we're not promise anything in return. Living in the Paradise, nor be welcomed in His Kingdom, we aren't given any promises yet we all chose to serve humanity willingly. Everything we have was just a part of what we had to continue doing in the thousands of years," Edward continued.

"How are you getting paid? Is all of your work was free?" Jake asked after thinking about how members of the Office get paid.

"Surely, most of us are volunteers in the Office. The upper echelons are not that black-hearted not to give us any allowances. This was also why the Office had been two forms. The Businessman and the Guardian of the Church. But the higher hierarchy, hold both decision making parties in the whole Office. But for me, the smile of the innocent was already enough" Edward explained after finishing his part in the game.

"I see," Jake spoke while nodding.

He couldn't understand, that much of what Edward was explaining, but he can get the gist of what it was explaining. The two continued to play until 8 in the evening. They only stopped until the two were already hungry and all of their snacks were wiped out by themselves.

Meanwhile, Jessa was seating silently on her seat while observing other people dancing and mingling with each other. She was wearing a long, cami-style slit dress with ankle-strap heels following the Semi-formal theme of the Gathering. While the venue was located near the University to stop others from complaining that the venue was quite far like the previous gathering.

"Jessa, why don't you stand up and mingle with others?" Rey asked when he coincidentally passed by Jessa's table.

"I don't know much people. My face wasn't that thick to approach them," Jessa answered while giving him a forced smile.

"You don't need to have a thick face. You're quite popular with guys, you know? It wasn't that hard to take their attention," Rey taught while hinting something and took the seat near Jessa.

Jessa couldn't help but knit her brows upon hearing Rey and frown inside.

"Are you mocking me?" Jessa asked with irritation.

"Why do I mock the overseer of the Office? Do I have a right?" Rey spoke haughtily.

"Well based on your tone, you are? Can you tell me what's happening during I was away? It seems your character changed? Are you possessed?" Jessa irritably asked hearing Rey's answer.

"Oh? Did you observe that huh? Oh, I remember that I was thinking about how's the mind conditioning of the Office? Does it was hard?" Rey taunting Jessa to her limit.

"You better this act, Rey! Or else, I should've done what I should do," Jessa warned while staring Rey intently.

"Or else what? I don't fear you, I have nothing to hide." Rey taught and stared Jessa eye to eye.

Staring into each others' eyes, Jessa's expression changed.

"Nothing to hide, huh? Did you seem to be full of yourself? I don't so," a creepy laugh came out of Jessa's mouth.

"Without even utilizing the Office or even the Zone's resources. I could know what's your dirty secrets. Tell me, do you want people to know your dark little secrets, Mr. Healer?" Jessa asked slyly.

Hearing Jessa's warning, Rey couldn't help but sweat profusely. He knew facing a member of the Strategic Team was like using a double-bladed sword. He didn't take account of how good Jessa's situation manipulation. Rey felt that something was massaging his shoulders but it was quite heavy. When he turned his head, he saw the smiling face of the Headmaster. It wasn't a joyful smile but rather a threatening smile.

The Headmaster was supposedly over a hundred years old and was under the Sorcery Council. He usually wears a reading glasses accompanying with a petite physique. Currently, he was wearing a black American suit and blue sleeves inside.

"Jessa, how's your brother? My last news on him, he was still in a coma. Did he wake up?" the Headmaster asked to divert Jessa's attention from Rey to him.

Jessa took a deep breath before turning to the Headmaster.

"He's already awake and currently recuperating. Probably, he will be back next week," Jessa answered and couldn't help but coughed remembering that Jake was just in her Uncle's house playing some games.

"I assumed that it was a piece of good news?! I'll be advising his professors to help him catch up," the Headmaster answered gently but it's expression stiffen.

"It would be great but I think my brother wouldn't need it. He can manage on his own," Jessa refused on the Headmaster's goodwill because she senses something.

If Jake knew the conversation of Jessa and Headmaster, he will not hesitate to bang his head on the wall. It was already the best opportunity that he could have right now, but unfortunately, her sister refused.

"On the other hand, I heard that you've been stuck on being Intercessor III for almost 2 years and you're overqualified to remain in your position. Do you have any thought of advancing?" the Headmaster asked the probable biggest concern.

Jessa frowned once again inside, she already guessed the Headmaster's intention. He wanted her out of the University as soon as possible. She controlled her expression and remain it calmed.

"I don't have a motion to file an advancement right now. My current concern was my brother. More or less, if he already graduated, I may take consideration of filing an advancement," Jessa answered with a half-truth.

Jessa knew that she already dropped the bomb that may already explode in any second. She already knew that the Headmaster will rush secretly his brother's graduation, to kick her out of the University sooner or later. Meanwhile, the Headmaster secretly smiled and knowing what he should do next. He also knew that Jessa wasn't telling the full truth but he still has the patience to bear with her. He will surely watch out for the possible flaws of Jessa and use it against her to kick her out of the University and mostly the Office. He knew that she knew too much but she still not know about the most confidential information.

"Well then, I hope that you will go to work tomorrow. Your students are craving to see you in class. See you tomorrow," the Headmaster bid before pulling Rey out of his seat.

Rey could only bite his lips while following the Headmaster. He also knew that he will be greatly reprimanded by the Headmaster because of his act. He couldn't help to touch his shoulders that were massage by the Headmaster because of the probable contusion.

"That geezer! If I knew what he was brewing while I was away. I could surely kick him out of his office. In just a matter of time, I will know what you're doing," Jessa vowed in annoyance.

She took a deep breath before laying her back on the chair. She even emptied the content of the wine glass. She was startled when someone touched her shoulders from the back.

"I should capture it. It was priceless," a female voice spoke.

Jessa's mouth contorted hearing the voice.

"Rachel? Why are you here?" Jessa asked.

Rachel was wearing almost the same type of dress and heels but the difference was the color and the design.

"Well, it's because of you. I know what will happen if I let you be alone here. You might come home drunk or even sleep on the streets. Probably, you may..."

"Stop! I know. Just shut up, ok?" Jessa cut Rachel midway because she knew that it may say something sensitive.

Elsewhere, an old man in his mid 60's wearing a scarlet zucchetto and a red robe. He was the current archbishop and an appointed cardinal by the current pope in the last 3 years. He was seated at a furnished chair with matching a century-old carved wooden table. While the Cardinal was in deep thought, a sudden intrusion of a man on his 30's wearing a black cassock. His arms were full of a pile of paper but were organized by its folder.

"Your Eminence, this was the papers sent by the Office that arrived right now. I saw some red markings on the papers sent by the Office. This paper might demand you outmost attention," the priest spoke while carrying the pile.

"You may place it there," the Cardinal pointed at the center table near his table.

The priest immediately nodded and placed the pile on the table. It stretched its arms before it walked out of the room.

"Does my scheduled visit in the Parish where I became the Parish Priest for almost 8 years before I became a bishop?" the Cardinal asked and stopping the Priest from walking out.

The instantly turned to the Cardinal and slightly bowed.

"My apologies, Your Eminence. The current parish priest had already confirmed that they already started arranging your upcoming visit. You don' need to worry, Your Eminence. Everything was already set," the Priest gently answered.

The Cardinal nodded.

"How about the paperwork that I had submitted the day before yesterday?" the Cardinal asked once again.

"We still didn't have any news about it, right now. It's more like, it was pending on the desk of the Apostolic Nuncio. We could do was to wait for it to be read and revised by the Apostolic Nuncio," the Priest gently answered again.

"Thank you very much. You may go," the Cardinal gave his signal letting the Priest go back to its quarters.

"I almost forgot that Director Lopez of Zone 66 was waiting in the reception area. Will I let him in?" the Priest asked with an apologetic face.

The Cardinal was taken aback by the sudden visit of the Director.

"Good evening, your Eminence. I apologize that I didn't inform you that I will be visiting," the Director taught and slightly bowed.

The Cardinal chuckled and welcomed the Director. He pointed the chair in the front of his table.

"You started to call me by my position since I became a Bishop. I'm still thinking why, haven't we become friends since we are in seminary? If you insist calling each other in each position's title, I wouldn't mind." the Cardinal taught.

"Well, that's better than calling each other name, especially in public. I hope you won't mind, Your Eminence." Director Lopez spoke while smiling helplessly.

Seeing its friend's expression, Cardinal could only sigh.

"Well, because of the curses that can be invoke knowing your real name, I can understand you. It was truly hard to be part of the Office, aren't you? You may be also a Cardinal like me if you didn't leave the seminary." the Cardinal spoke with regret.

"Your Eminence, it was my decision to left the seminary that day. I had a home to support and to prevent from collapsing," Director answered while remembering some parts of his past.

"I heard it once I passed by the faculty. It was a loss for our seminary at that time. Your the best of the Philosophy students that our seminary had," the Cardinal spoke while looking at Director Lopez.

"I had once thought of it when I was on my mission in my latter years. If those circumstances didn't happen, I may continue my vocation. But, our home was under the threat by our enemies that was waiting for that moment. I can only choose to seek the Office and sought for their help," Director Lopez spoke while his expression darkens and already frustrated.

"Didn't the Office watching? How could a clan like yours collapse with them being alarmed? Isn't your clan was deep-rooted in the Office," the Cardinal asked that seemed to dig more of the Director's past.

"Yes, there were watching. But, the underhanded methods could escape the eyes of the Office. They're not that omnipresent like God that would know all things," Director Lopez answered while indirectly revealing the flaws of the Office.

"I see, but I don't think that you're just here to reveal your past. Does something foreboding is about to happen?" the Cardinal asked and chose to shift the topic.

Director Lopez took a deep breath and letting out his frustrations.

"It's about the Holy Father," Director Lopez answered directly.

"You also heard the gossip, aren't you?" the Cardinal asked like treating it as a joke.

Director Lopez knew what the Cardinal wanted to imply.

"Unfortunately, yes. It was already known by the whole office. I'm here because I wanted to know what will be its implication," Director Lopez answered.

"Someone was pulling the strings behind the Office's back. It seems that the See of Peter will be shaken once again," the Cardinal muttered.

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