The next day, Justin and Braxton arrive at Evermend's agency headquarters, officially known as the Sage Archive Agency. The building itself is sleek and imposing. This is where their provisional hero careers will really begin.
Braxton shows up right on time, standing outside the entrance with his hands in his pockets and his posture straight. He might not be the sharpest guy academically, but punctuality was drilled into him growing up, and he takes it seriously. He checks the time twice, just to be sure, then waits.
Justin, on the other hand, arrives a few minutes later from the sky, touching down with an easy grin like he planned it that way. "Fashionably late," he says casually, brushing off the comment before anyone can stop him. Braxton groans, already sensing what's coming next, having had to deal with his friend's tardiness for their whole lives.
Liza steps forward immediately, arms crossed and wings tucked in tight. She shoots Justin a look that could cut glass. "We're not doing that," she says flatly. "You're late, and you're on probation."
She gathers both of them and starts walking, clearly in charge. As they head inside, she lays it out in blunt terms. They're provisional heroes, not full members, and everything they do will be monitored. Any major screw-up means they're done, no appeals, no excuses.
Liza makes it clear that their parents' reputations won't save them. If anything, expectations are higher because of who they are. She glances between them as she talks, making sure the message sinks in.
Braxton nods seriously, taking every word to heart. Justin's grin fades just enough to show he's listening. This isn't just a game anymore. This is their shot, and they can't afford to waste it.
Liza leads them deeper into the Sage Archive Agency, moving with purpose as she gives them the full tour. She walks them through the situation room first, a massive space lined with screens and live city feeds where ongoing incidents are monitored and prioritized. From there, they pass through dispatch rooms filled with analysts and coordinators, each one tracking alerts and coordinating response teams in real time.
Braxton soaks it all in, eyes wide and focused, clearly taking the experience seriously. He nods along as Liza explains procedures, response protocols, and how assignments are handed out.
Justin listens too, at least most of the time. Every so often, though, his attention drifts as they pass through hallways lined with busy staffers. He throws out a casual compliment here, a playful comment there, flashing his easy smile at a few of the female employees as they hurry past. A couple laugh it off; others ignore him completely.
Braxton notices immediately and groans under his breath. Liza notices too, shooting Justin a flat look that says she's already regretting being put in charge of him. "Focus," she says sharply, not even slowing her stride.
They continue through break rooms, training areas, and equipment storage bays. The training rooms especially catch Braxton's attention: rows of reinforced mats and simulated environments that promise brutal workouts. Justin seems impressed too, though he's still half distracted, his eyes flicking around like he's already imagining himself in action.
Eventually, the tour wraps up back near the lockers. Liza stops and turns to face them both, her expression all business now. She tells them to suit up and get ready for their first patrol over Haven City. For the duration of their probation, they'll be operating as a temporary two-man squad with her as their supervisor.
Braxton straightens up immediately, excitement and nerves mixing in his chest. Justin grins, cracking his knuckles. First patrol or not, they're finally out in the field.
Liza leads the way out of the agency and toward the city, launching into the air with a practiced beat of her wings. Justin follows easily, rising up beside her as his cape snaps in the wind. Below them, Braxton keeps pace on foot, leaping rooftops and tearing down streets with long, powerful strides.
The city spreads out beneath them, Haven City alive and unaware that three brand-new heroes are watching from above. Justin drifts a little closer to Liza in the air, lowering his voice so only she can hear him. "So," he says casually, "what's it really like doing this job full-time?"
Liza glances at him, surprised by the genuine curiosity in his tone. She answers honestly, talking about the pressure, the long hours, and the constant scrutiny. Justin listens closely, asking about missions, public perception, and how often things actually go wrong.
Eventually, the conversation shifts to something more personal. Justin asks her why she does it and what her real goal is as a hero. Liza hesitates for a moment before answering, clearly expecting judgment.
"I want fame and money," she says plainly. "Stability too. For me and my family. I don't mind saving people; I actually like it, but I'm not pretending that's the only reason."
She watches his reaction carefully, wings adjusting slightly as if bracing herself. Justin doesn't flinch. Instead, he nods slowly. "That makes sense," he says. "Helping yourself and your family doesn't cancel out helping others."
That seems to catch her off guard more than criticism would have. Liza exhales, tension easing from her shoulders. "Most people don't say that."
Justin shrugs it off.
After a beat, Justin admits his own truth. He tells her that while he genuinely enjoys hero work and saving people, his end goal isn't pure selflessness either. He wants to step out of his parents' shadow. He wants to be known as his own hero, not just the son of legends.
"And yeah," he adds with a small grin, "I'm aiming for S-Rank someday."
Liza's eyes widen slightly at that. She doesn't laugh or scoff. She studies him, really studies him, remembering what she saw in the exam. "That's a hell of a goal," she says. "You've got a lot of growing to do before that happens. As a hero, and as a person."
Justin nods, accepting that without argument.
"But," Liza continues, a faint smile tugging at her lips, "with the raw power you've got, it's not impossible."
Before either of them can say more, a loud crash echoes through the city. A cloud of dust rises several blocks away, followed by panicked screams. Braxton skids to a stop below them, head snapping toward the sound at the same time their radios crackle to life.
Dispatch reports an active robbery on Main Street. The Alley Cutters, an infamous street gang, are hitting a bank and tearing the place apart.
Liza doesn't hesitate. She keys her radio and reports in calmly. "Jay-Jay here. Our unit is responding."
She turns midair and gestures sharply. "Emerald Atlas. Tiger Eye. With me."
Justin's grin sharpens, excitement flaring as he angles forward. Braxton lets out a low growl of anticipation and pushes himself faster, claws digging into concrete as he accelerates.
The three of them converge on the rising dust cloud, the two rookies' hearts pounding. Their first patrol just turned into their first real fight.