“Your name is Seth Colls. Correct?” Sheila ask.

“Yes,” answered Seth.

“You are currently in your third year of high school. Correct?”

“Yes?”

“You lived in this city all your life. Correct?”

“Yes.”

This was how the interview went for the last five minutes. An exchange of questions with answers with yes and no between Sheila Nadeem and Seth. It had felt similar to an interrogation and at the same time a conversation like what he might have with a college counselor. Simple questions such as “ Do you plan to attend a college in the future? If so, where do you plan to go and what do you plan to major in?”

Seth’s answer was “Yes I plan to attend college. I don’t know where yet and I don’t know what major I want to go for. I guess it depends on the college I choose to go to in the end.” College seems far away now and Federation knocking on his door was the bigger problem for Seth now. One problem at a time thought Seth.

A few alarm bells had gone off in Seth’s head when Sheila mention his grades being “average” and confirming his current address.

How did they know all that? Right, they were the Federation Seth thought they could find out all his information with a snap of their figurative fingers. They probably knew how much money he had in his bank account all the way down to what he had for lunch today

To be fair, he didn’t eat lunch at school today and spent his time at the school library going over questions that could be asked at an interview. School food was just terrible.

There were also few enlightening questions for Seth.

“I was told you are a martial artist. Is this correct?”

Seth could only blink in confusion at those words. “Martial artist? I don’t know what you mean by that?” he asked.

This time it was Sheila’s turn to blink in confusion. She said “A martial artist is someone who uses their internal energy to strengthen themselves. They can use this energy to perform feats that are similar and can be mistaken for awaken abilities. They have a wide range of skills but excel in close quarter combat. Looking at the weapon you bought in today I dare say that only a martial artist would use that kind of weapon. Perhaps you may be more familiar with other terms such as practitioner or cultivator?”

Those terms did seem more familiar to Seth. What she was describing did seem to fit Seth. He nodded to confirm her question.

“Where did you learn your skills?”

“My master taught them to me.” Seth decided to answer honestly. They might be able to answer a question that evaded him for several years.

“What is your master’s name?”

“I don’t know. He’s very reclusive.”

“Did he say why he decided to teach you?

This was the moment of truth. Time to see if the Federation could help him find the location of what his master was searching for all this time. “He said if I help him find the Bastion of Heroes, he’ll teach me his skills. Maybe you heard of it?”

“Can’t say I have. However, I am not familiar with all the bases that are listed under the Federation. If you actually join the Federation, you will be granted access to the Federation database that is not permissible by the public. It will be limited for now, but still more information than what is granted to the public.”

“Speaking of joining, now is the time to talk about your position. This internship would be more hands-on experience than a regular one. You will get to see the duties performed by Federation officiers on the field. This was recommended by Mr. White. Your current set of skills should allow you to cope with such an experience. An normal internship would entail working at a desk and taking over the more mundane jobs, which would be a waste for your abilities. Of course if you wish you can take on the regular internship.“

Seth could only deflate at her denial. He knew it wasn't going to be easy finding the place that his master requested of him, but it was worth a shot. However he perked up when he heard what he would actually be doing at the Federation. It sounded much more interesting than what an actual internship would be.

" That sounds fine."

Sheila nodded and continued.

“Do note this is only a preliminary interview. There is still a second part. If you have exaggerated your abilities in anyway, then speak now. This would be the last time we speak and the Federation will not be responsible for any injuries that will occur. The second part will test your combat abilities. Before we moved on, do you have any questions?”

“Yes I do!” Seth said a bit too eagerly. “ Who is Mr. White? Why can he just suddenly make the decision of recruiting me to the Federation? How did you guys find out who I am from the night before?” Seth tried to avoid mentioning rooftop challenge since it was considered illegal.

Sheila paused for a moment to carefully put together a answer. She seem to know what Seth was trying to avoid and answer “Mr. White as you call him has a rather...prominent position in the Federation. Why he decided to recruit you is a question that he would answer for himself. Everything else I am not at liberty to say more.”

Seth could only accept the answer that he was given. If he had found out the method on how they found him, then he could take steps in the future to avoid it. It was doubtful that she would give him a straight answer, but he had asked just in case.

Mr. White would have to be a remain a mystery to be solved another day.