Arc 0: Chapter 7 - What Lies Between Words

Flynn Locke was a private inspector, that much was true. Any claim that he wandered about in the world of the paranormal would be immediately shut down whenever it crossed him. Even though it was merely an independent investigation agency with only him, and now the girl that was to be his assistant, the cases he had come across before happened to fall under the pretense of the “paranormal,” which led to the spark of gossip surrounding him now.

“Anyone asks you anything, you deny it in any way you see fit — like what I just did — confuse them, call them crazy,” Flynn explained to Erina what she were to do if asked about the paranormal — a fair warning to her previous reckless encounter. “What matters is keeping your mouth shut. That’s always been the rule.”

Still, who was to say the paranormal never really existed? If it did, it would certainly be magical.

With the flicker of the pen in Flynn’s hand, and a little of gold dust, the battered office soon shifted to something else entirely. The old wooden floorboards flew out of their places and dissipated into thin air, replaced by a bundle of cluttered letters, formed out of the gold dust, before swiftly coating the floor with new and smooth tiles. The ceiling, even the new orange-colored walls, were soon painted by a tinge of white and grey colors. As for the areas with the sewage pipes and the fireplace, they were all but entirely gone from sight, and in their places were brand new amenities: a small open kitchen with enough equipment to whip up coffee and a few snacks, and a “lounge” coupled with two couches facing each other, separated by a coffee table, and a few extra pieces of furniture here and there. It was an entirely new office.

“Impressive!” Erina smirked, trying to hide her astonishment. He’s the real deal, she would think, her powers couldn’t even hope to be compared to this magical transformation. She would throw a glance at Flynn as she felt her inferiority seep in. Beyond all titles and ranks, that man, that seemingly washed-up detective, was a grand wizard, and she was just… her, a twenty-year-old woman who couldn’t keep her act together. “All right, all right! I get it, you’re a novelist. Can we move onto the good stuff now?”

As he moved over his suitcase to the freshly conceived desk, Flynn spoke, “Define “good” stuff.” He already knew the answer, she was too easy to read. “We’re in a rundown town. You don’t expect to find a mythical creature here and there, do you?” He chuckled as he unpacked his stuff, “Or perhaps you want me to finally take you out of this town and down to Neverland to live your dreams? Is that it?”

“I…,” she was at a loss for words. He had gotten every thought right, yet that accomplishment had only caused to irk her more. “Well, what else am I supposed to do?”

“Sit down, relax,” he said, “and prepare yourself because our first case is arriving shortly.”

“What? H-How?!”

“I may have heard something from a curious cat on the way to your school,” he approached Erina, “But now it’s up to the rabbit to lure Alice into the trial.”

She stood trembling. She didn’t dare speak what was on her mind, for if she did, it would certainly turn out to be true.

“You want to do something instead of waiting around? Well, here’s your first assignment, kid,” he said. He smiled and placed his hand on her shoulder, “Find our first case!”

“Huuuh?!” She groaned, leaving her mouth agape and her eyes shot open.

“Work that brain of yours and,” he leaned closer, his smile widening, “Find. Our. First. Case.”

Erina Nightingale’s day was just getting started.