The second week had come and their manager, Vanessa Martin had finally shown up for work. She introduced herself to the rest of the employees and showed impressive leadership qualities.

Sincan: "No way! You really won the regional Championships?"

Vanessa: "It was really hard but yes I did, Sincan."

Sincan*: "Finally! If i can just butter her up i'll be out of here in no time. Just need to show her how much of a good employee I am."

Vanessa*: "Jake was right i guess. This kid really is selfish, thinking I'd be so dumb."

Vanessa: "Well that's enough for introductions, now let's get back to our work."

Sincan, Moris and Firil went to their cubicles and started processing some documents while Jake went away to deal with some small electrical problems on the ground floor of the office.

After being done with his work, Sincan decided to go and see if there was anything that he could do to get in Vanessa's good graces. She was taking a call at the moment and as soon as she was done, He went inside with coffee in hand.

Sincan: "So Boss, would you like some coffee?"

Vanessa: "That would be nice, newbie."

Sincan*: "I hope that name doesn't stick."

After finishing her coffee, she walked out of her office to the main room to make an announcement.

Vanessa: "Alright people, liven up! We got a lot of work ahead of us. The higher ups tell me that the famous Solik, Shuk Vinters will be arriving in Sonh in a few days. We have been given the gracious task of organizing a welcoming ceremony for him."

Shuk Vinters...Sincan had heard that name before and he didn't like it. He dropped some papers he was holding in surprise which Vanessa turned around to look at.

Vanessa: "I know this might be too big of a task for a newbie but just follow my orders and we'll get through it. There'll be a bunch of other workers there too so don't start worrying just because he's some big shot."

Sincan: "Y-yeah that's it....I-I'm just worrying too much..."

Sincan excused himself to the bathroom where he took a seat and started panicking.

Sincan*: "He's here, That bastard's finally here !"

It had been a long while since that day, but Sincan remembers it vividly. Burning house, Hurt parents and one very selfish Solik.

Sincan*: "Damnit, no...I can't mess up my only chance at a good life because something from my past is stopping me. Just do your job and get it done and over with, Sincan..."

Jake was outside but could sense the whole thing due to his spirit magic. Anger and excitement, lots of it. He considered telling Vanessa but held off to make sure he's not jumping to conclusions like a past few times in his life. His criminal record was enough to deter him.

Afterwards, Vanessa passed out the assignments to the employees. Since their driver was sick, Sincan had to drive some cargo to the venue where the ceremony would take place.

Sincan went to pick up the cargo truck and the machinery which was being currently checked by Firil.

----

Firil was checking the machinery with a new worker who she did not recognize. Her mind was on more important matters so she did not pay mind tot hat fact.

She observed as the worker checked the machinery and waited for Sincan to arrive. When he did arrive, she went back to the office.

----

After a few days the preparations for the ceremony were done. There would be the greeting and welcoming of the Solik, speeches given by the mayor and the police chief, a fablade(Magical item) being awarded to the Solik and then a feast.

Sincan and the other workers were very tired after the hard work they had to endure for the past few days. Vanessa had just finished her third cup of coffee and took a deep breath before addressing the employees.

Vanessa: "So the mayor said that for our 'Outstanding work', we are formally invited to the welcoming ceremony."

Firil: "Pass."

Moris: "Pass."

Jake: "Hard Pass."

Vanessa: "Sincan, how about you?"

Sincan: "I'll be going actually."

Jake*: "Of course he would."

Vanessa: "Guess it'll be just you and me then, Sincan. At least I'll have another employee to talk to."

They were clocking out for the day when Sincan went home and prepared for the ceremony. He met Vanessa at the entrance and they both walked in. They were proud as they gazed at the well decorated venue, filled with expertly laid tables, delicious food, A classy ball being hung from the ceiling that would at times, project amazing displays of animation.

Shuk Vinters had not arrived yet which Sincan was happy for. He did not want to come in unprepared and accidentally run into him. The Soliks and guards were at the ready. A butler was handing out drinks weirdly but that did not bother Sincan and Vanessa. They were both wearing their fanciest suits and dresses.

They did not want to drink the punch as they knew where it came from, which was a secret best kept that way.

----

After a while, Shuk arrived to the surprise and happiness of everyone in the venue, except Sincan. He wore a stunning dark green suit with a red tie. His scales and tail being profound and elegant. The mayor and police chief both stood up to welcome him. After that he finally spoke into the microphone at the podium.

Shuk: "Hoo boy, there sure are a lot of people here tonight, and just for a lowly Solik like me?"

Sincan*: "Yeah right, Emerald/Sapphire 4 rank. He could go around the entire continent and no one would care."

Shuk: "I have to say I'm impressed all this would be put together for me. Can't thank you all for that, I'll be sure to make this city a great place with my skills!"

After that, he spoke a few words and ended his speech. The mayor and police chief were up next but Sincan was too busy trying and failing to make connections at the party.

Next, the Award ceremony whe-

The lights had gone out. No one knew what was happening but many people pulled out their light sources in order to see. The place was illuminated enough so that Sincan could see the guards were knocked out as well as all the Soliks stationed there, except for Shuk who was still on the podium.

???: "Hand it over, Vinters!"

Shuk*: "Damn it, I can't believe a hoodwink would come here!"

A famous band of thieves, those hoodwinks were. Renowned around the world for their Heists.

Sincan did not know who it was but seeing an opportunity to raise his standing he rushed forward towards the Hoodwink.

The hoodwink jumped down from a point on the wall of the venue and proceeded towards Shuk. Shuk panicked for a moment while Sincan blocked the Hoodwink. Shuk instinctively hid the fablade so that the hoodwink could not get it.

Hoodwink: "Outta my way, loser!"

All he did was kick Sincan once, but the force was strong enough to knock him towards the podium, breaking it in the process.

Sincan*: "Shit, how is he so strong?"

Vanessa had decided instead to evacuate the venue. Shuk pulled out his weapon, a gun which uses bewl as bullets.

The hoodwink used crystal magic in order to cover himself. Sincan slowly got up.

Shuk: "Kid, you have to help me."

Sincan begrudgingly agreed. He was also sure he would not survive by himself. The mayor had left the venue but the police chief remained. He pulled out a baton and joined the fight. Vanessa tossed Sincan a wind magic bracelet.

The police chief threw a fireball at the Hoodwink, which he managed to guard against with his cape. The Hoodwink jumped onto the ceiling and latched onto it, while pulling out what seemed to be a modified sniper rifle. his cape went upside down as he hung from the ceiling and readied his weapon.

It did not fit his appearance which was that of a masked man with a black hat which had a feather in it, and a cape. He started by putting in a bullet and aimed at the police chief's legs. Sincan pushed the chief out of the way just in time for the bullet to miss.

Hoodwink: "Weakest link first, how could i forget?"

He took aim at Sincan and loaded in another bullet. The police chief used force magic to pull down the support the hoodwink was using. He was about to fall but used a special bullet which turned the ground elastic and soft.

Sincan*: "What the hell.....that type of magic is incredibly rare."

Hoodwink*: "Shit wrong bullet, first job and I'm already messing up."

He used another bullet that created smoke but that one was pushed away by Sincan. Shuk landed a bullet on the shoulder of the Hoodwink whereas the police chief hit him square in the face with a baton.

Hoodwink: "Gotta retreat, shit *cough* *cough*"

He used a grappling hook function on his sniper rifle to snatch Sincan's wind bracelet and shot a bullet at the police chief's feet.

Sincan and Shuk hurried over to the police chief and quickly called over medical help.

----

After a bit, the ambulance arrived and took the police chief with them. The police searched the area for evidence and took care of the knocked out guards and Soliks.

Sincan and Shuk stayed back in a back room for questioning.

Shuk: "So, you have some skills as a fighter."

Sincan: "....I picked up some skills as a martial artist."

Shuk: "....That's good. You should have a way to defend yourself."

Sincan: ".....You don't remember me at all, do you?"

Shuk: " Huh?"

Sincan: "Burning building, 10 years ago."

Shuk: "Oh that? That was ages ago! You've really grow-"

Sincan: "Why didn't you save my parents?"

Shuk: "Fear and apathy. I'm at least honest."

Sincan: "So you didn't care enough?"

Sincan clenches his fist before continuing.

Shuk: "I had gotten what I'd come for. Saving you was enough to get me into Emerald Rank, after that I could freely travel and improve my rank. From the way you were sucking up to the people in the ceremony, I'm guessing you learned a few things."

A police officer walks into the room.

Officer: "You're free to go, Sincan Tolkin."

Sincan shoots Shuk a glare which he responds to with a smile. He won't forget this. Once he has enough authority, he'll make sure to make Shuk's life a living hell.