“Hmm… yeah that IS a tough one. But it’s good that you haven’t promised anything.” after hearing about Caroline and Jason’s interaction with Lady Manzene, Josephine Wong nodded and said: “And the ‘veil’ is just all too good a metaphor. There are quite a few factions and organizations of supernatural power individuals, but still, even if all of them added up the number it is still a tiny portion of the general population. And some of the strongest organizations took great pains a while back to keep the knowledge of the supernatural world buried and underground. And in the age of information technology, this job has become harder. Not to mention there are newer organizations, factions and clans that recruit elites from both gifted and nongifted individuals into their ranks. But still, it is conventional wisdom to keep the presence of the supernatural from the civilians. And people like Lady Manzene were those who are halfway in and halfway out - and the decision generally rests on you whether to let them in or keep them out.”
“On us? That sounded like a huge responsibility.” Jason hesitated.
“Indeed it is. I believe you have dealt with the Division before?” Josephine Wong poured both Caroline and Jason some more wine: “It is the ‘official’ agency with a governmental background that deals with things of this sort. The fighters that fought alongside you in San Francisco, the people in black that helped you and your friends out of the Clearwater Municipal Hospital...”
“Aha, that’s what I thought!” Jason slammed the table and stood up in excitement: “I knew it! Who else has the authority to go around and wipe people’s memories!?” Then he realized his action appeared a bit rude, so he sat back down: “Sorry… I’m just too excited.”
“No worries. I heard of your experience there - it must not be pleasant.”
“Boss might have mentioned the name ‘the Division’ once or twice. But he said nothing in detail.” Caroline took a few sip of the wine and said: “He just said to be careful and vigilant.”
“That wouldn’t surprise me.” Josephine Wong nodded and smiled: “His distaste of bureaucracy is pretty well known. That’s why we tend not to bother him unless we have something to trade.”
“‘We’? Are you working for the Division as well?”
“With, working with.” Josephine Wong corrected Caroline: “For people like us, it is not really a wise idea to work FOR an organization like the Division, if they could offer a good contract, then you can work WITH them for a while. But never, I mean NEVER, work for them.”
“Understood.” both Caroline and Jason nodded.
“Now, back to the reason I came find you.” Josephine took out two fur pouches and handed them to Caroline and Jason: “Within these pouches are your Audit Scholar ID, some basic documentation on the terms of your eligibility of staying in the program and completing the program with honor, and some basic information about the Grant Academy. I also added some notes on what to expect, and of course some foundational knowledge that is expected of the students. If you want to learn more, better be prepared.”
“Yeah, this is getting more and more familiar to my life before I attended engineering school.” Jason joked: “Will we be required to write a thesis in order to complete the program with honor?”
“Yes and no. There are several ways to complete the program with honor. All of which will require at least one basic thesis. But depending on the focus you pick, you’ll have different requirements.”
“What if we failed? ” Jason asked, with a bit of embarrassment.
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“Well, first of all, don’t fail.” Josephine Wong answered half seriously: “And the punishment for failing is that you will never be invited back again, unless you made some significant contributions to the Academy. You will also have a hard time trading and dealing with any institutions affiliated with the Grant Academy. And of course, for other applicants in the Audit Program, failing will lead to embarrassment for your teacher and your own academy. But since you two are not from an academy and your Shifu beat up the vice principal, that wouldn’t be your concern. Finally, you will be denied the reward of completing the program, not to mention the extra reward of completing with honor. The reward is very generous, so please DO work hard for it.”
“Thank you.” Caroline sighed.
“Ms. Wong, we’re almost at the inn.” Garret’s voice came from a magical speaker on the ceiling.
“Before we leave, can I ask a question?” Jason lowered his voice and try to be discreet: “Garret’s not just some random driver and errand boy right?”
“Don’t worry, he can’t hear you. And no, he’s my apprentice. He’s training to be an arcane knight.” Josephine Wong looked at Caroline while she answered: “You guys may have a lot to talk about.”
“We’re there.” Garret announced again.
“Okay, nice chatting with you. And you have my number. So you can reach me. I also blessed our connection, so under normal conditions you can always reach me.” Josephine Wong stood up and conjured two bottles of wine from her hands, then she laid the bottles on the table: “These are for you. Consider it a gift. Don’t overindulge though, it doesn’t have any magical properties but can still make you drunk.”
“Thank you!” the SUV door opened, and Caroline and Jason got out of it and went back to the inn. When they walked in the lounge, they saw that it was Dave taking over Jianmen’s shift again.
“Hi Dave. Is Boss here?”
“He went out about ten minutes ago. He said he wanted to do some Christmas shopping.” Dave was focused on looking at the jellyfish from a distance: “Hey, you guys know this is a seriously dangerous guy right there right?”
“Maybe a little bit. Boss guaranteed it’s harmless now.” Jason went into the kitchen and put his bottle of wine into the fridge: “And why are you so careful around it? I thought you are basically immortal?”
“Yeah but I still won’t wanna mess with it.” Dave laughed nervously: “It’ll hurt like hell if you get stung by it. I heard it can make even the most powerful power wielders cry like a baby and ask anyone to end their suffering and meaningless existence.”
“What?” just this moment, Jason’s younger brother walked right into the conversation: “What are you talking about? Sounds very dangerous.”
“That.” Dave pointed at the jellyfish tank.