Chapter 15: Placeholder

There were a total of five swordsman, one archer, one spearman, and three mages. All excluding Jackson. He was the only support. Other than that, the introductions went well. The rest of the class period went how one would expect. They went over the logistics of being an adventurer and catalogued what each person could do. This would help the teacher decide how to split up the teams properly for the exam. Class finished around when expected, but before they dismissed they were told to bring camping supplies that should last two days. Now was time for the …interview? Whatever it was called. An interrogation?

He was a bit nervous, but just wanted to get it over with. He should have just enough time to head to the guard's station. On his way there, he saw a strangely large crowd gathering around the gate.

Wonder what that's about?

Jackson just continued on his walk towards the guard station. Once he made it there he was greeted by Meg.

"Hey there bud! How're you? How was the classes?"

"They went well enough, you? I mean um, how are you?"

"I'm alright, you got here just in time. We have to follow Leah to a more secure place before we start the questioning."

As she finished talking, Leah walked into the waiting area accompanied by a tall black woman who seemed to be in her early twenties. Although she felt like she would be older than that.

"Ah, Jackson, Meghan. Welcome. This is Senator Jadyn. Please, follow us to the car. The questioning will take place at the Senator's hall."

The woman spoke up with a calm, but calculated voice.

"Hello there. Just call me Jadyn. I hope this goes well."

Leah interjected before Jackson could respond.

"Well! We better get going lest we be late."

Surprisingly, the seemingly calm and collected Jadyn seemed to be in outrage.

"Leah! Come on! Was this because I was late to your birthday? I said I was sorry!"

"Jackson, Meg, follow me. The car is right over there. Feel free to grab a drink or two."

"Oh so you're ignoring me now!?"

"You two have your ID's right?"

"Tch!"

The car they would use to drive to the Senator's Hall was extravagant. It wasn't quite the size of a limo, but it was getting there.

Although they left early, the traffic was strangely bad today. They ended up arriving just in time, but it was still late essentially as they needed to get in.

Leah explained the protocol before they entered. All Jackson and Meghan had to do was present their ID's and let her do the talking. Apparently it was difficult to be allowed in to the actual discussion place of the Senators Hall.

As Jackson entered into the huge waiting room, he pulled out his ID ahead of time. He then proceeded to pay zero attention to the conversation that followed. He was surprised he had gone even this far without spacing out. The only thing he did manage to notice was the huge gate with no doors, along with the absolutely delightful décor.

At some point during the conversation, he did manage to catch something in the corner of his eye. It was if the air in front of him rippled like a pond which had a stone dropped into it. A really big stone. As if from nowhere, a dazed person phased is not existence before instantaneously being shocked and dropping to the ground. The only reason Jackson didn't scream was because he was in shock, Meg on the other hand, shouted.

"What the fuck!"

The receptionist Leah was talking to just sighed.

"Excuse me a moment."

She brought a phone up to her ear.

"Hello. Yes it's another one. I think it's the fourth one today. Hurry please, there is a senator here and I don't want to make her wait. You. You can heal right?"

Jackson was still in shock.

"M-me? How did you kno-"

"Right, no need to if you don't want to, but could you stabilize him? We need to question him and it's be great not to keep a corpse."

"A-alright..."

Jackson was horribly confused. Nevertheless he got straight to healing.

 

How is he still alive? Must be really high level. Right, I should start with the heart and hopefully the help the spinal column somehow. Rest of the organs from there.

Directing a healing spell was difficult. The one Jackson had was specifically designed to regenerate around the whole body. It really just sped up the natural healing process. But after a bit of knowhow you learn to direct it, which was the first step to learning a direct healing spell. Jackson was still far off but he had enough know how to at least help the guy.

"He'll need a lot of food after this but he's stable for now. He'll definitely need another healer though. I'd recommend something with a lot of collagen. It's not specifically good for electric shocks but this guy just has a bad diet."

Jadyn chuckled.

"Hehe, you're funny. Anyway. To the three other people who think they're hiding well? Leave. I don't know where you are, but your presence will not be tolerated any longer. If you don't go within the next five seconds I will personally try to find you."

There was a strange feeling in the air. As if something suddenly vanished? He didn't have the best sense of Mana, but Jackson could swear he felt something disappear from right next to him.

"Right, I think they're gone, we free to head in?"

The receptionist put on her best customer service smile.

"I'm sorry Mrs. Jadyn, but we have to security come and collect that man first. After that you are free to enter."

Jadyn let out a small sigh.

"Alright, I hope those old people don't think I'm late on purpose. It's their fault anyway. They jammed up the traffic in my city. Pfft."

Leah spoke up this time.

"Old people? That's rich coming from a 40 year old such as yourself."

"Hmph!"

If Jackson was in shock before, he was plunged in artic water now. He looked at Meg who seemed to just start to accept the situation. Eventually, he gave up and just accepted it as well.

After security came to collect the intruder they entered through the gate. Jackson was a but suspicious after the, ahem, shocking display. But he followed after everybody anyways.  He was a bit nervous though, besides the gat, these people behind it influenced the whole country  after all. They came upon a large door, which opened to reveal a large table with about 20 or so people sitting at it. Near the back of the room was an older man who began to speak.

"Ah, Jadyn. Leah! As beautiful as always. And the witnesses, welcome to our meeting room! Now, what is important enough that it has to be discussed so secretively?"

Leah spoke first as their group entered the room. Jadyn took an empty seat at the table.

"Hello Ian, about two days ago I visited the local guard station for other business matters. It just so happened that these two, Meghan Oakley and Jackson Smith had come to report a strange finding. I'm going to say it plainly. The chances are extremely high that in some period within the next two years, there will be another demonic invasion. I have confirmed it with a hindcasting mirror."

You could hear a pin drop. There was a loud collective sigh.

Jackson was very confused. Nobody lashing out? Nobody denying the possibility? 

Somebody smashed their fist against the table.

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"God damnit!"

That was about the biggest reaction that really came from the news.

"Well you lot sure are taking this well."

Meghan was a bit taken aback by the reaction. Jackson was once again surprised at the social confidence of other people. He couldn't imagine saying something like that to any of the Senators.

Ian gave a curt response.

"I'm certain we are all concerned and scared, in fact, I am as well! I am just unable to process news that... Big. It feels like an impossible situation almost. And, well, we can't really argue with Leah. She is a Lie Detector after all. The best one this nation has at that.

"Please, you flatter me. Although, I would be more flattered if you could obtain another Hindcasting mirror for me..."

"Of course, of course. Now, you two. What did you see that makes you believe another demonic invasion is coming?"

     

 

"Is every senator that... strange?"

"I don't know, this was my first time seeing them all in one place."

They had just finished the discussion and we're on the way out of the Hall.

Meg was a bit hard to read right now, but she was definitely confused. The Senators said they'd handle the situation. Eventually they started discussing on how, which is when the conversation actually started to become heated. There were arguments, but they seemed to be coming to a consensus by the time Jackson and Meg were dismissed.

"That went way too smoothly. It's a bit strange..."

Jackson couldn't help but agree. He knew that people who are "higher up" were typically a bit strange, but he didn't really expect that.

"Anyway, this is where we part again. Have a good time at classes!"

"Yeah, thanks. Goodbye!"

Partings were always awkward. Jackson just headed over to his hotel room.

The only thing I really can do is use the gym, practice some magic, or watch some TV. I should probably do something productive though...

So Jackson just watched TV the rest of the day. He wasn't much a TV guy, but he was tired.

I think I deserve a break.

     

"Alright everybody. Today is going to be some field training and teamwork exercises. I have posted a list on the wall depicting which team everybody is assigned to. As we have eleven people, the teams will have different sizes. Please take a look before we head out today."

Everyone collectively sat up from their seats and headed to the list. Jackson was short compared to his classmates, but he could just barely make out the list from where he was.

 

 

 

Right, now follow me to the gate. We're walking.

 

"Walking? I'm 90% sure the guild has access to a bus or two. I'm not adverse to it but it seems a bit pointless doesn't it?"

"Well Barry, endurance is a part of every survival situation. As adventurer's you should learn to deal with the uncomfortable even if there seems to be an easy way out. Which you'd know if listened to my brief overview on team roles yesterday."

"Well I uh... Fair. I'll admit when I'm down."

As they left the guild, Barry took notice of how heavy the traffic seemed to be. 

"I wonder what this traffic is all about. Guess it's a good thing we're walking. I heard people say that the senator's coming to town was stirring it up, but that can't be why it's still this bad. News stations were going crazy. I wonder what the senator's came for?"

"I uh, I wouldn't know! I just slept in that day after classes finished. I was uh, dead tired!"

Barry turned to look at him, he opened his mouth to respond, but stopped for a bit before continuing on.

"You good? your face seems a bit red."

"I'm good yeah."

"Meh, it is pretty hot out today. Anyway, I'm hyped we're on the same team! I've always wondered how a support spell feels."

"I could show you now, but you'd be a bit hyper. Also, the one I have is a bit... Different from the norm."

"Really? Aw you gotta show me now."

"I-I guess it wouldn't hurt."

Jackson didn't know why he was so nervous, nobody would even believe him if he said he was the reason for the Senators coming. Just like how nobody would genuinely ask if he knew why. But he saw a way out and he took it.

"Just give me a bit, I've never used it on someone before. Can I touch your arm? You may feel a bit uncomfortable."

Barry obliged and Jackson started redirecting Barry's blood flow. It was strange. He only made subtle suggestions to the blood while he was healing others, but for this he had to take some control over it. He eventually got the hang of it though.

He could tell it worked by Barry's breath quickening. He also began to act more fidgety.

"I'm going to stop it now before you get to into it. Sorry for probing but, when's the last time you had a citrus fruit? You could also use some water. Uh. Nevermind."

"That was... Exhilarating! I feel like I have all this energy but I don't know what to do with it. Also wait, did you just give me a... Blood test? Now that you mention it, I haven't had citrus fruits in a while and I only had a light breakfast. Come to think of it I am a bit parched. That's freaky. But in a good way."

As Barry was calming down, somebody approached Jackson. It was Catherine, their teammate. 

"I've been informed by Instructor Davidson that our teams will be working apart from each other in order to build teamwork. I was told that you and me are to hunt together. Barry, you are to come with us as well, mainly for protection. I look forward to working with you both."

She held out a hand. Jackson was always intimidated by hand shakes but he shook it nevertheless.

The rest of the walk was relatively quiet.

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