Chapter 7
───────────
Episode 2 - Supernatural Registration Department [1] ─────────────────────────────────
〖There are a total of 30 new employees; half came here with a clear purpose, and the other half considers working at the real estate agency as a normal job.〗
The man with the mask smiled. I wondered why these people would make ordinary individuals believe that this was a normal job.
'Sherlock Holmes probably came here on purpose, to hide from the police or… something other than the police.'
The man on the podium had a notebook in his hands. He remained silent and, after a few seconds, said:
〖Congratulations to John Dawne for successfully passing and entering the Supernatural Registration Department; your ranking is: position 30.〗
〖Congratulations to Marcus Vale for successfully passing and entering the Supernatural Registration Department; your ranking is: position 29.〗
〖Congratulations to Evelyn Cross for successfully passing and entering the Supernatural Registration Department; your ranking is: position 28.〗
〖Congratulations to Leonard Blackwood for successfully passing and entering the Supernatural Registration Department; your ranking is: position 27.〗
〖Congratulations to Iris Holloway for successfully passing and entering the Supernatural Registration Department; your ranking is: position 26...〗
The man standing on the podium congratulated the new employees, announcing their rankings one by one.
Knowing that I would also be placed somewhere in an unknown ranking, I wondered what position I had ended up in.
'I don't know exactly what it is; anyway, what matters now is this.'
I looked at the box resting on my legs.
Previously, I had observed the other people whose legs I could see, trying to find out if anyone else had a similar box, but…
'As far as I can see from here, there's no one with a box… Mhm.'
At that moment, the image of someone came to my mind.
It was none other than Sohel herself, whom I suspect is also a transmigrator.
Sohel was sitting several seats in front of me, so I inevitably couldn't confirm it.
'How should I think if she turns out to be a transmigrator…? Should I cooperate with her, work with her…? But I don't know what her thoughts are about transmigrating into a novel, much less what her objectives are now that she has confirmed she is inside it.'
Unaware of everything related to Sohel and of my own suspicions, I couldn't do anything about it.
For the moment, I could only wait for the welcome speech the guy on the podium was giving to end.
'It seems like it's about to finish.'
At that moment, the man on the podium smiled and said calmly:
〖Next, I will say the names of the final four. These four individuals will not only be generously rewarded, but will also directly enter an Academy, without the need to be carefully evaluated or selected.〗
As the man smiled with evident enthusiasm and anticipation, he announced the following names:
〖Position number 4; Gerhman Michelle will be assigned to the Pink Academy.〗
〖Position number 3; Katherine Salomon will be assigned to the Red Academy.〗
〖Position number 2; Sohel Silversky will be assigned to the White Academy.〗
〖And finally, the one who obtained first place by not only completing a full scenario, but also contributing the most in the third scenario is… Sherlock Holmes, who will be assigned to the Black Academy.〗
***
After a series of fake applause, similar to those the announcer had made inside the Passage, the stage fell silent.
Then, the masked man on the podium snapped his fingers.
At that moment, what had probably been inside the box he had earlier appeared in the hands of the employees, with the exception of the first four.
A small box appeared for each employee. At the same time, the man said:
〖Inside those boxes are your small rewards, as well as 100 Lines and items that might be useful to you〗
Then he looked at those who received nothing.
〖Because you are the first four, your rewards are separate〗
Snap!
The man snapped his fingers, and suddenly a second box appeared, only this one was at least half the size of the one he already had.
〖Come on, open your rewards〗
He said, while some people seemed reluctant to open a gift from a stranger.
At his words, several people began to open the boxes.
Looking more closely, I noticed that Sohel and the others in the top 4 also opened theirs.
Doing the same, the first thing I found was a mask with an aesthetic that only covered the eyes.
Mine was black, with two antlers similar to those of a deer, twisted like the branches of a tree.
'A very strange mask.'
It was the first thought I had when I saw it. Then I continued checking.
The next item was adhesive notes that prickled to the touch.
'Aren't these notes used to send emergency messages in case of danger?'
Recalling some things from the novel, I continued checking.
Next was, of course, a pen for the notes, 500 Lines, and then some completely blank cards, without drawings, without anything.
'Probably an item for harming and utility, something that would be given to a knife.'
I searched more thoroughly and, unexpectedly, felt the familiar touch of a metallic object.
When I took it out, I realized it was a weapon. It wasn't very different from the revolver I already had; however, this one had patterns and letters, as well as a dark golden color as decoration.
The rest of the revolver was black. When I looked at it, I slightly widened my eyes, surprised.
'A supernatural item. Although I don't feel the supernatural power because I'm not an Anomalous, I instinctively know that it is.'
Then I took out a small box and, upon opening it, there were bullets with different designs and colors. I assumed they were the bullets for the revolver I had just been given.
Finally, the last thing I took out of the box was several envelopes of stickers. Their designs were exactly the same as an emoji.
'Emoji…?'
This was a world where modern technology was almost nonexistent; finding an emoji related to a mobile device was the least likely thing.
'Could it be a coincidence…? Well, it doesn't matter. Either way, I know what these stickers are.'
I could leave the design of the stickers for other thoughts; however, I recognized that they had unique supernatural effects.
'This is pretty good, isn't it?'
The weapon and the cards were for personal defense, while the mask served to better protect my identity from my pursuers when they sent me on missions or ordered me to do something. As for the stickers, they offered psychological effects and healing properties, both to enhance attacks and to treat wounds.
I reflected for a moment on what they had given me, then looked around at those who were not part of the top 4, and realized that they only had stickers, 100 Lines, and masks.
'They gave me a revolver. Sohel probably got something related to his supernatural powers, and maybe the other two as well, although I don't know if they are Anomalous like Sohel.'
After finishing my chain of thoughts, the man on the podium spoke.
〖Let's end things here. I have work to do. Meanwhile, you will be guided to another room where your positions and locations will be assigned, as well as dormitories, etc. Those in the top 4 will be guided to the offices of the Schools, where the School leader will be waiting for them. There, you will receive guidance〗
Once what was necessary had been said, the man withdrew through a door located behind the podium.
Soon, silence settled in, as we all waited for the guides who would take us out of there.
'So… this is my beginning in this world.'
Before standing up, I looked at my body and confirmed that the flowers of the Phantasmal Seed had disappeared. In addition, I took the mysterious box, which might have been the reason for my transmigration.
Shortly after, the 'guides' appeared and led us out of the room.
A tall man, around forty years old, guided me.
We went down a spiral staircase and then walked through a long corridor lit by candles hanging on the walls.
The place was gloomy, but unexpectedly clean, with a faint breeze passing through it.
Soon I noticed that there were several doors along the corridor. At the end, a huge black iron door rose up, decorated with intricate patterns.
The guide opened the door and led me into a gigantic hall. From there we went directly toward a double door; when he opened it, the first thing I saw was something similar to the living room of a large mansion, with various pieces of furniture, seats, and sofas grouped as if for a meeting.
Beyond the living room was an elegant dark wooden door. The guide took me directly to it and knocked three times.
"Come in."
A voice, both sharp and deep at the same time, came from the other side of the door.
The guide turned around, looked at me, and spoke in a low voice.
"Speak as little as possible. The leader of the School usually doesn't like people who talk too much. That's all I'll say."
"Oh… uh… Thanks… I think."
The man nodded and left. Then I looked at the doorknob.
This reminded me of my first day, when I entered the real estate agency to work as a new employee.
'It's the same as how I felt when they told me the department head was calling me.'
Taking a breath, I turned the knob and, just before opening it, left the box I was carrying in my hands next to the door.
Then I opened it and went in.
The interior was a spacious office, filled with books. The shelves were tall, and there were several notes scattered everywhere, as well as a mural that reminded me of police investigations, where photographs were connected to each other with red threads.
The desk was large, with a lamp and a stack of papers. There was a seat in front of the desk and, on the other side, seated, a man.
He was broad-built, with a white beard and white hair. At first glance he looked like an old man; however, his muscles and his cold, weary expression gave the impression that he only wished for a quiet retirement, but something prevented him from doing so.
"Sherlock Holmes, pursued by the police for criminal acts. Most of the accusations are true, but the cases that link him to the deaths of important figures of the government and the empire are false. Nevertheless, the police believe them to be true. In addition, an investigator of the Visionary Path of Pathway 5 is pursuing him because of these cases."
"..."
It was said by the muscular old man, dressed in an elegant suit, with an air of both superiority and respect.
I swallowed involuntarily.
'I don't know what you're talking about.'
I thought to myself.
But I knew that I was inside the body of someone who was not even known in the novel.
Looking at the elderly leader of the Black School, I replied:
"… Yes."
The old man nodded.
"We provide you with protection, so don't worry while you work here. You may call me Leader of the School or simply Dawne. The other members are not here at the moment. You start tomorrow at 6:00; go to reception, go up, and ask for the key to your lodging. In addition, in your room a Supernatural Fragment will be waiting for you, since in your letter you state that you are not an Anomalous."
"...."
I nodded and left the office. As I looked at the enormous hall, which reminded me of a luxurious mansion, I thought:
'My first impression… is that he's a great guy.'
For some reason, the image of my former department head overlapped with that of this new leader of the School.
At first glance, both were the kind of people one prefers to stay away from, but over time you realize it's quite the opposite.
Forming a faint smile, I left the hall in search of the reception.
'Anyway, let's see what's in this box.'
I looked one last time at the box I was holding in my hands, the one I won in that lottery before waking up inside