Il Ji selected the final question on the final level of the foreign history exams.
'It's sad…' He thought to himself. 'After the world broke, entire countries are missing from the world's collective history.'
"Would you like to finalize your test score?"
Il Ji promptly selected the prompt that said, "Yes."
"Thank you for completing the thirteenth tier of the Foreign History Exams. Within three days, a complete evaluation of your score will be sent to the Chrono History Pavilion, the Chrono Federation Government, and by letter to your address."
"You may now exit and re-enter the lobby."
Il Ji pushed his chair in to the table and opened the door, re-entering the long hallway. After walking the distance, and sitting in a chair all day, he opened the door wide and stretched his arms.
"FREEZE!"
"NOBODY MOVE!"
"SLOWLY LIFT YOUR HANDS ABOVE YOUR HEAD, AND KNEEL ON THE GROUND!"
Il Ji promptly began to do as he was told.
A second later, he saw where the guns were pointing.
A short man and his ten bodyguards were making their way through the lobby. As he fell on his knees, he noticed Il Ji. A stare of hatred instantly darkened his face.
Orio slid up behind his debtor. Hearing his footsteps, Il Ji asked his question pointedly: "Who's that guy?!"
"That man is a known felon, and a member of the South Street Syndicate."
"Oh hey, it's you." Turning to face Orio, he added, "Sooo, how'd I do…?"
Orio looked at hin gruffly. "Come with me."
Orio brought him to the elevators and sent them down to the training floor, and from there to the 12th subfloor.
Instead of going to the baby [Mystic Saurian] area, however, as Il Ji had surmised- they ended up in Orio's cabin.
Orio fixed him with a hard stare. "Kid, you've achieved something believed to be impossible. In fact, you've done so well, someone wants to meet with you."
Il Ji instantly paled. "How bad is it?"
Orio Santers laughed, and belly gave a little ripple.
"I can tell you this much: it isn't one of us old geezers. Anyways, just sit your butt here, and I'll come pick you up after."
"Oookaaaaaay…." Il Ji sat down on the leather chair.
Orio left, and Il Ji began to drum his fingers. Then he tapped them. Ignoring the silence, he began to ripple them across the table in small, resounding strikes of his phalanges. Then, he slowly began to drum them, imagining a tune to be driven across the wall.
Minata Ru watched as the abnormal beauty made her way across the room. "Minata Ru?" The woman called, as the name rolled across her tongue.
"That is I."
"What do you know about the owner of the Lucky Beast Pavilion?"
Minata Ru looked across the room dryly. "I can tell you that he is available, if that's what you're asking."
"No. No. Th-That's not what I meant."
With two slight coughs to ground herself, the beauty continued. "No, I meant what's his character like?"
"Mm. Most people think that he grew up after his parents died."
"Did he?"
"No. At least, I don't think so. He's always been like that: Calm, sophisticated, in control. It's just that was when he started taking care of his little sister, Laila."
"How does he treat her?"
"How could a girl want to be treated?" Eith a sigh, Minata continued. "Not only is she always brimming with happiness, somehow he convinced the little girl to place first in all of her exams at school."
"And his shop?"
"He doesn't have very many items, but he has his niche- most of his clients come to him not for what he has, but who he is."
"How does he fit in at the monthly committee meetings? You do have those, right?"
This time, it was Minata's turn to cough. "That is… a bit inexplainable. He managed to make himself the aide to the Committee Head. She leaves for half of the meetings, and he takes charge."
"Has he ever shown signs of taking over completely?"
"Everybody respects him, and if it was put to a vote he would certainly win. That being said, he never has. At the end of every meeting, he actually manages to make the committee head look good."
The beauty looked at her speculatively. "Minata, did you all grow up here?"
"He did. My parents bought this shop when I was three. They since moved to be with my brothers, so I alone maintain it. Do you have any further questions?"
"No, no, I just wanted to see what kind of person the newly crowned Creation Master is. Let me know if you think there's anything I should know."