"Aeolus, I never expected that after becoming law enforcers, our first task would be something like this!" complained Eddie, who stood beside Aeolus, also dressed in the pure white law enforcement uniform.
"They already told us, didn't they? This is just an introductory task to help us adapt. Later on, we'll handle more serious things, like fighting criminals who violate the law," Aeolus smiled, trying to comfort the dragoness, who could barely be considered his childhood friend.
"This is it!" Before long, during their chat, Aeolus led his team to a building with a pink aura. Based on his outstanding performance at school, Aeolus had naturally become the leader of this law enforcement team.
As a group of rookie law enforcers, they exchanged awkward glances as they watched the various men coming in and out of the building.
"I'd rather die than step foot in this place!" Eddie, the dragoness, glanced at the row of provocatively dressed women outside the building, all with professional smiles on their faces. Her expression showed blatant disgust.
"The person we're looking for is inside." Aeolus opened the crystal slate in his hand. The map displayed a marker right on this building, indicating that it was a brothel.
"Gentlemen, what brings you here?" A greasy-faced man approached, noticing that the group had been standing outside for quite some time.
"We're the law enforcement team, here to carry out the latest Synapse regulations," Aeolus announced.
"But our business here isn't illegal, is it?" The middle-aged man, despite the youthful appearance of the group, dared not underestimate them. After all, his line of work demanded access to well-informed networks. He knew exactly who these law enforcers were—high school prodigies, each one of them untouchable.
"Whether or not it's illegal will be investigated later. We're not here for your business today. We're looking for a woman named Linda Christine. According to our information, she works here," Aeolus said, frowning slightly.
Though the Synapse code imposed many restrictions, establishments like this were not entirely banned. Many adventurers from other continents were single or, after surviving life-threatening dangers, sought places like this for relaxation and release. Completely prohibiting such establishments would likely lead to chaos among these adventurers.
"Linda Christine?" The greasy man furrowed his brow, thinking for a moment. He did recall someone by that name working for him, but he couldn't fathom why a group of high schoolers would go out of their way to find her.
"What's it to you?" Aeolus' companion, a young man standing beside him, immediately expressed his displeasure when the greasy man seemed to probe them for more information. He already looked down on those involved in such trades and felt that simply conversing with this man was generous enough.
"Yes, of course, sirs. Please wait a moment; I'll go get her right away." The greasy man retreated into the building, showing not a hint of resentment.
Before long, the man returned, bringing Linda Christine before the law enforcement team.
"Are you Linda Christine?" Aeolus compared the heavily made-up, anxious woman in front of him to the three-dimensional image displayed on his crystal slate.
"Yes," the woman nodded nervously, knowing these were important figures she would never normally encounter. "May I ask what you need from me?"
"Where is your child? According to our information, you gave birth to a son three years ago. Where is he now?"
"You mean Vayne? He's sleeping," she answered, her face showing signs of fear.
"Bring him here," Aeolus ordered, directing his gaze toward the greasy man, who was standing nearby without interfering.
The man disappeared into the building once more and soon returned, holding a sleepy child. The woman, visibly nervous, quickly took her son into her arms.
"Sirs, may I ask what you want with my child?" she asked, her voice trembling as she hugged her son tightly, sensing something ominous.
"Do you know who his father is?" Aeolus continued the inquiry as required.
"...No," the woman blushed and shook her head after a brief silence. Given her line of work, it was difficult to say for sure.
"So, you're raising him alone, correct?"
"Yes."
"In that case, I'm sorry to inform you that, effective immediately, according to the Synapse code, you are stripped of your parental rights. You are unfit to raise and educate the child you bore."
"What do you mean?" The woman's face filled with terror as she clutched her son tightly and began slowly backing away.
"It's simple. We're here to take your son and give him a brighter future."
"No! He's my son! You can't just take him away!" she cried out.
"According to the Synapse code's Education Act, parents must have sufficient financial means and prove they are capable of properly educating their children. Given your current situation, you are not qualified to raise your son," Aeolus explained.
"I have money! I can raise him!" she screamed desperately. Her son was her only emotional anchor, her only reason to keep going in this harsh world. Now, these strangers were threatening to take him away.
"But you can't provide a future for him," another young man in the team spoke coldly. "If you keep him, what will he become when he grows up? A street thug? Someone's lackey? A knife-wielding hooligan? A laborer who sells his strength? Or maybe a thief living off the scraps of others?
"With you, your son has no future. If he comes with us, he'll have a chance—a slim chance, but still a chance to become someone like us. Even if he doesn't, it will be better than staying with you."
The young man's words cut deep into the woman's heart like a knife, stopping her in her tracks. Her face revealed intense inner conflict.
"Let me introduce ourselves properly. We are second-year high school students from Wanlong City. By law, we are authorized to take your son, and from here, he will receive resources from Synapse. If he has talent and works hard enough, he could become someone like us," Aeolus said.
"Really? You're not lying to me?"
"Lie to you? Do you think you or your son are important enough for us to lie to? Do you think you're worth the effort?" the boy retorted.
"Could my son really become someone like you?"
"He could, and there's even a one-in-ten-thousand chance he might become a college student," Aeolus answered.
"A college student? My son could become a college student?" The woman smiled, knowing what being a college student meant. It represented the elite—people of power, status, and nobility.
"Yes," Aeolus confirmed.
"Then please, take him!" After a fierce internal struggle, the woman knelt before Aeolus, holding her son out to him.
"Though I hate to say it, the odds of your son becoming a college student are almost zero," another boy muttered, rubbing his nose.
"Shut up!" Aeolus glared at his teammate.
"I don't care if he never becomes a college student," the woman said, forcing a painful smile. "As long as he can live safely and proudly in this world. Whatever happens, it's better than staying with me."
"You understand, then," Aeolus nodded, taking the child from her arms and walking away.
As her son was carried off, the woman collapsed to the ground, her strength drained, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face.
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