MCLE | Chapter 8

Zero Nine’s voice was gentle, but Hexion furrowed his brows slightly at that kindness. He didn’t bother with the usual, predictable response of it’s nothing. Not that Zero Nine expected an answer anyway—he simply looked straight ahead.

Elijah, now at the elevator, pressed the button and spoke.

“The person you’ll be meeting now is the Director of the Central Residential Bureau for Awakened Individuals.”

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“And?”

“Just… behave. Moderately. He’s an older man, so don’t act the way you do with me.”

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Hexion crossed his arms, an expression that said, I hear you, but I don’t like it. Elijah already felt a headache coming on. Please, just this once. Just behave.

Zero Nine wasn’t a concern. The problem was Hexion Theobald—the adopted son of a famous conglomerate, a man who likely had never even imagined bowing his head to anyone. Seriously, how did he even survive military life?

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“I know when to pick my battles.”

“Hah? Did I say that out loud?”

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“It’s written all over your face, Esper Special Management Bureau Director.”

Elijah let out an annoyed sigh and ruffled his hair.

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“Anyway, this director served in the military for a long time before securing his position here, so he’s no pushover. Try to get along with him.”

“I have a question.”

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“I already don’t want to hear it, but go ahead.”

Ding.

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Right on cue, the elevator arrived. The three of them stepped in, and the doors closed.

“Am I even in a position where I have to ‘get along’ with him?”

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“…Ugh, I really don’t want to answer that. Why do you ask when you already know?”

Hexion let out a faint smirk. The fact that Elijah answered like that already meant that he and the director were on equal footing.

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No matter what military background the director came from, at the end of the day, he was a civilian. An esper couldn’t be made a director—it was too dangerous. And guides were already too few in number to waste one sitting in an office. That meant the position naturally fell to a regular soldier with extensive knowledge of espers and guides.

“…Honestly, this director doesn’t exactly have the authority to command you, but can’t you just get along with him?”

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“That’s not up to me.”

“Just hold back a little, will you?”

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Elijah’s face twisted into a grimace. Seeing that, Zero Nine gently patted his shoulder. Hexion glanced at him.

Zero Nine smiled kindly as he consoled Elijah.

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“Theobald-san only talks like that. He’ll do fine.”

“…Ha, if only Zero Nine was a guide instead.”

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“What a pointless thought.”

“You’re right. If you were an esper, the Earth would’ve been blown up by now.”

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Ah, I’m so tired. That was written all over Elijah’s face.

Hexion tilted his head slightly and looked at the elevator panel. They had just passed the 30th floor.

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After what felt like ages, the elevator finally reached the 60th floor, the very top. When the doors opened, the first thing that came into view was the secretary’s office. A secretary, who had been waiting, approached and bowed politely.

“Director Elijah Baker. Director James Brown is expecting you.”

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Maintaining perfect professionalism, the secretary led them toward the director’s office. Their steps were cushioned by a soft carpet as they walked down the hall.

The door to the director’s office was a deep mahogany, adorned with intricate carvings as if someone had painstakingly crafted each detail by hand. Some might call it elegant, but to Hexion, it just looked tacky.

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Old military men, seriously.

Creak—

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The secretary opened the door, revealing a large floor-to-ceiling window and the desk positioned in front of it. Seated at the desk was a man who appeared to be in his fifties, with half of his hair turned white. The most striking feature was the black eye patch covering one of his eyes.

“Director James Brown. It’s been a while.”

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“Director Elijah Baker. Didn’t we see each other just a few months ago?”

The two, both holding the title of ‘Director,’ exchanged greetings. James Brown stood up from his seat and naturally shook Elijah’s hand. Then, as expected, his gaze shifted to Zero Nine and Hexion. Or more precisely, to Zero Nine.

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“Oh, so this is the catastrophe-level esper?”

At those words, Hexion’s eyebrow twitched. Thanks to the documents he had received in advance, James Brown recognized Zero Nine immediately. Zero Nine, unfazed, greeted him with a smile.

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“Hello, I’m—”

“Hexion Theobald. I’ve heard you’re this esper’s guide as well.”

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James Brown cut Zero Nine off mid-sentence and addressed Hexion instead. Zero Nine blinked once with his lips slightly parted before closing his mouth again. Well, that was expected. He had seen that reaction many times before. Honestly, the real problem was that, after leaving the institution, he had briefly mistaken himself for a person. Zero Nine quietly lowered his gaze.

Elijah looked at him with a slightly troubled expression, but it was fine. There was nothing wrong. Well—if he had to point out one problem.

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“Ah.”

Hexion extended his hand toward the director as if offering a handshake. James Brown naturally grasped it and gave it a light shake.

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“Former special forces? Very reliable.”

“Haha.”

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Brown made no effort to hide the fact that he was already well aware of their backgrounds. At his remark, Hexion smiled the perfect corporate smile. Zero Nine, having never seen such an expression on him before, found himself staring at the curve of his lips. Then, he watched as those lips slowly formed words.

Oh, wait a second.

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“This is why putting old military men in high positions is a dead-end move.”

Yeah. If there was a problem, it was Hexion Theobald. The fact that no one had predicted how he would react to such an attitude.

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With a perfectly composed smile, Hexion casually insulted the man. His face was so brazenly unrepentant that, for a brief moment, James Brown thought he might have misheard. But the words were crystal clear, and Hexion himself didn’t seem to regret them in the slightest.

“You think espers are just weapons for war, and guides are automatically beneath you. I had my doubts since you were ex-military, but you’re proving me right.”

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“You—what did you just say…?”

“Seems like your hearing is starting to go, too. Director Elijah Baker, I suggest replacing the director of general affairs.”

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“You… you little…!”

Elijah felt like his vision was about to flip. The back of his neck ached like crazy. If he could, he’d rather just pass out right here and now. But what was done was done. Might as well try to clean up this mess.

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“Director James Brown, if we could just—”

James Brown’s face was now turning a deep shade of red, shifting between flushed and pale with rage. Hexion, standing right in front of him, merely smiled with complete ease. Elijah quickly tried to pull James Brown aside to de-escalate the situation, but Hexion raised a hand to stop him. The gesture was firm.

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“No, we should clear things up right here, since we’ll probably be seeing each other for a long time.”

“You insolent—!”

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“The one who was rude first was you.”

Without waiting for permission, Hexion strode over and plopped himself down on the sofa in the middle of the director’s office. He leaned back against the cushions, stretched out lazily, and even crossed one long leg over the other. Then, he gestured toward Zero Nine. Tap, tap—his fingers lightly patting the seat beside him. Zero Nine, suppressing a sigh beneath his smile, walked over and sat down.

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“I don’t like looking up, so sit.”

Hexion’s words made James Brown raise a hand to point an accusatory finger at him, looking ready to shout. But before he could, Elijah threw himself in between them.

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No, Director, please calm down. Oh, come on, calm down. Haha, yes. Yes, that young punk was out of line. But, Director. Oh, dear. Director. You do remember the last name attached to that guy’s name, right? Director!

“…….”

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At Elijah’s final words, James Brown’s outstretched hand stopped midair. He inhaled sharply, then exhaled before roughly dropping himself onto the sofa.

That was the weight of the name Theobald.

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Because—

“Now, let’s have a proper conversation.”

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—Theobald was the name of a massive German weapons company. They had made an unfathomable amount of money during the Esper War.

If they wanted, they could probably buy an entire country without breaking a sweat.

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Their financial power extended not just into German politics but well beyond, influencing foreign governments with ease.

Especially after their U.S. branch was established—it became even simpler to reach into American affairs.

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“Director James Brown, former U.S. Army, I see. Made it all the way to colonel.”

“…….”

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