Chapter 3

On the underground floor of the building...

In the cold and organized office, the contrast created by the childish handmade artworks and trinkets was quite jarring to Neith’s eyes. She tried her hardest to look away from the crafts that she had made in the past and gave to her father as gifts.

Instead, she looked straight at the wall behind the man seated on the black office chair.

The man was talking but Neith was too focused on trying to keep her emotions at bay. The first thing she heard was a question asked out of exasperation.

“Why did you escape from your security detail?”

Still looking straight ahead, Neith answered straightforwardly, "I didn't want to come in such a grand way. I already agreed to the welcome ceremony. I don't need more evidence of your biased treatment that others can use against me."

'Fine.' Elāhā said in his head. There was no point to this. She's safe anyway.

He sighed, feeling exhausted already just from this small interaction.

Ever since that incident, it seemed Elāhā didn't know how to communicate with her anymore. He knew that an attempt in small talk would go in vain so he went straight to the point.

"The ceremony will start in.." Elāha looked at his black digital wristwatch then continued, "...12 minutes. Go change to your uniform."

"Yes, sir."

Neith left without even looking back to the old man behind the desk.

Elāhā felt sad and disappointed, but he couldn't do anything. He didn't know what to do. His own daughter has become so distant that it's like they're not related and are nothing more but an employer and employee. He simply returned his gaze and attention to the computer screen and tried to immerse himself in his work.

Neith, on the other hand, decisively went to her quarters, not needing any assistance. She knows the entire area and each of the buildings like the back of her hand.

There are supposed to be two people in a single room, but Neith is the eleventh female member of the team so she is to be all alone in her quarters.

She changed into the black long-sleeve top with gray sleeves, black pants, and black combat boots uniform set she saw Hades and Gaia wearing earlier. She then tied her hair into a neat bun. After which, she washed her face to remove the faint makeup she applied before leaving her home earlier. She squeezed some cream onto her hand and applied it on her face.

She then prepared her essentials - pen, recording device, some mint, and a small gun and swiss knife - into a small cross body bag.

Neith looked around the room and decided to tidy up a bit. She happened to take a glance at the digital clock that hung above the door to her restroom and saw that she still had 6 minutes and it would only take her two minutes to get to the venue of the ceremony.

Once finished, she opened the door to her room. Coincidentally, the door opposite hers also opened and a woman emerged from the room.

She must be heading out to go to the ceremony too.

Neith didn't get a good look at Gaia's and Hades' faces earlier as she was in a rush and didn't actually want to be seen upon her arrival. Thus, she didn't recognize that the woman in front of her was actually Gaia.

Gaia realized this instantly as Neith was just standing there, not knowing what to say.

Getting a longer look at Neith, Gaia thought, 'She really is majestic.'

She reminded Gaia of swans. Her appearance is delicate and graceful, like something that belongs in an ethereal impressionist painting. A picture that should be kept in a museum to be admired.

Neith was locked in her place as Gaia stared at her. Not knowing how to greet her, Neith decided to just leave without uttering a word.

If she were to be honest, she felt a bit hesitant towards her so-called classmates. She was aware that her absence from their two years of training and her sudden appearance will cause some disturbance to the group's established rapport. Evoking negative feelings was inevitable.

Gaia was befuddled when Neith just left, but she understood her thoughts. Gaia was one of the people looking forward to Neith's joining of the team. She prided herself on her sense of judgment and her impression on Neith was pretty good despite only having two brief interactions with her. It was like instinct. Similar to how dogs just bark at people seemingly randomly, but easily approach others.

When Neith arrived at the venue, she saw a few higher-ups fussing over the details of the event.

If this wasn't a dead giveaway to her identity then nothing is. These senior officers being so worried about an event for a lower class that's basically in the lowest of the chain in the institution.

She currently had the strong urge to hide her face with her hand, but ignored it to keep her composure.

She hid in the hallway to the restroom near the stage and focal point of the venue.

At exactly 15:55, all the members of the organization entered the hall. They were able to find their seats in a short time that the program started at exactly 16:00. Punctuality is one of their best suits after all.