"So Larry Mason."
The paper was slammed down on the table. Larry was startled as Tenma stared him down, while the lights were pointed at him.
"Drive without a license, drive without a CDL, reckless driving, fail to yield a red light, resisting arrest, and transporting illegal firearms and other weaponry. Care to explain yourself?"
Remaining silent, Tenma put down a photo showing the feather crest.
"Recognize it. This crest has been showing up for the past month, on blades, magazines, and explosives. Now tell me who has been supplying these weapons."
Looking away from the photo, Larry demanded a phone call. Tenma couldn't do anything and handed a phone, giving one hour before leaving the interrogation room.
"Well, well, well, it isn't the great Tenma, the dragon slayer, defended by a near phone call," Heller said mockingly while standing by the door.
Pinching her face, he asked, "Did the Falcons Team find anything at the garage?"
Annoyed, she pushed Tenma away and then took out her notes.
"The Falcons managed to find a compartment underneath the dumpster that had bullet casings for small firearms, and in the Jeep, they managed to find more armor-piercing rounds, with the sniper, and they also found tactical gear and rifles, but none of them had feather cresting. "
"What about small firearms?"
"They were found, but few of them were torn apart."
Taking her phone out, and showing him photos. Two of the weapons were sliced in two, but one had a clean slice, which could be done by a blade, but the other had a jagged edge, like a beast with claws had done it.
"They also searched the office, but it was a mess. They did manage to find transactions for the most part. It seems to be legal, but we are digging more into it."
Tenma decided to finish interrogating while Heller went into the cafeteria.
Before she had a chance to pour herself coffee a commotion was heard in the lobby. Irritated, she left the room, and on the way to the lobby, five people were getting escorted.
Entering the lobby, seeing two officers being held back, judging by the bird patch on their sleeves they were a part of the Phoenix Division.
Distracted by the officers, someone tugged at her coat. Looking behind, Heller became excited.
"Auntie!"
Aiko greeted her with a warm smile and hugged her. Aiko wanted to know where her son was, but he was still interrogating.
"Alright then, we've got a lot to talk about in your office."
Noticing Gray standing behind Aiko, Heller recognizes him from the photo that the doctor gave them. She wants to question him, but without the consent of a parent or guardian, it can simply be dismissed.
"Hey, you're Dark Knight, right? Arrested this kid."
Confused, she asked, "What happened?"
Before they had a chance to speak, Gray interjected and told what happened at the dinner, the harassment of the waitress, and getting provoked by children.
Angry, Heller grabbed the two officers by the collar and dragged them out of the lobby and into a room.
Nervously, Aiko quickly escorted Gray, passing the room, where they heard screaming that made Gray question what was happening.
Going up the stairs, Gray asked, "They called her a Dark Knight, why is that?"
"Oh, so you didn't see the pins in her jacket. The first pin she has is the helmet, it's called the Mark of Knights, and the golden color signifies that of a Dark Knight, which makes it the second-highest rank in the Defensa."
"She must have high authority here."
"Not exactly. The second pin on her is the medical cross, which can only be obtained by an ether user who can heal; this made her a non-combative role. This makes her a 5th-class Dark Knight."
Entering the second floor, seeing the busy office. Officers walking back and forth, civilians having meetings with officers.
Opening a door to an isolated office, seeing a map on a board with photos of the feather crest pinned on several circular locations. Gray got closer to the board, but Aiko quickly pulled his shirt.
"If you touch it, you can be changed with interference."
Taking a seat, Aiko passes a book to Gray. Taking the book and noticing how large it was, he could help ask what it was for.
Aiko replied, "It is for passing time. You can wait here while I get Heller." As Aiko left the room, Gray read the title of the book and cracked a smile.
Opening the book and skimming through the pages until stopping at one of the sections. Getting up, Gray took out a stack of paper from his bag and began to sort them by common address.
32 Abby Street, 15 clients
52 Cliff Street, 21 clients
11 Green Street, 24 clients
162 Ivy Street, 19 clients
77 Market Drive, 21 clients
These were loans, ranging from housing, funeral, vehicle, school, and personal use. The estimated value was five hundred thousand a month if they pay, but if not they have collateral which gives them the right to take away.
Looking at the map and seeing how three out of the five locations have matched where the crest was found.
He thinks to himself, "The other mark on the map could be a similar case, showing one part, instead of the whole picture."
Noticing how Green St and Market Dr were the only locations that weren't marked, that means they haven't been discovered yet. Contemplating, Gray decided to go to the Market dr, due to being the odd one out.
Grabbing a sticky note, Gray was writing, but all of a sudden, a thud was heard outside the office. The window began to slide open. Stepping in was a hooded figure.
"Who are you?" She said
Sensing no malice from her, Gray was about to answer, but she quickly grew inpatient. As the wind began to stir in the room, she took a stance, and the wind grew with intensity, scattering one of the stacks of paper Gray was holding.
Taking a stance of his own with his arm high, and his right knee slightly up. Staring at each other, see who will make the first move, until the door crack opens.
Heller walked, irritated to see the mess. Looking at the hooded figure, she sighs, "Federica, how many times did Daishun tell you not to enter from the window?"
Removing her hood, revealing her dark eyes and dark hair. She bowed and apologized.
"Now you two clean up this mess and meet us in the cafeteria."
Slamming the door, Federica, frustrated, tries to side kick Gray, but he ends up grabbing it and tossing it to the side. Surprise she tries again, but ends with the same result.
Defeated Federica picked up the scattered papers, while Gray put back the papers in his bag and helped out.
Curious, she asked, "Why are you here?"
"A lady invited me."
Looking at him and seeing his expressionless face couldn't tell if he was lying.
Placing the paper on the desk, Gray and Federica left the office, while walking to the cafeteria.
Federica noticed his silver eyes and asked
"Are you related to the Oracle?"
"Oracle, who is that?"
Federica grew excited, as if she were waiting to be asked about the Oracle.
"The Oracle is a beautiful woman who can peek into the future, she also has silver eyes and compliments with her long silver hair. A true symbol of the country of Beal."
Curious Gray asked, "Why was she a symbol of the country?"
"What are you from the countryside?" She said sarcastically. "Silver has a reputation for good luck."
Gray looked down at the floor."Good luck, huh? I don't believe in it."
Federica noticed his expression and instead of pressuring him she continued the story.
"Due to the Silver King and The Ortiz rising from the kingdom's hour of need, to fight an unwinnable battle against an enemy that completely outnumbers them. After six days under siege, they came out victorious. And when the King died the people tossed silver coins on the street to honor him and the hope to receive the same miracle as he did."
Entering the cafeteria, as they both pass by the officers staring at them and whispering "He is a dead man."
Sensing no malice from the officer, he couldn't help but feel uncomfortable by the number of stares that they received. Sitting across the room Heller was drinking a cup of coffee and eating a sandwich.
As they both took a seat in front of her, Gray brought out the bag of food that had been given to him. Federica had her head on the table looking completely worn out, and her stomach growled.
"Did you get anything to eat after your training?"
Federica could only shake her head. Seeing how hungry she was, Gray took out wedges and handed the bag to her.
"Are you sure?" Federica asked as she lifted her head up.
"It's fine."
In the bag was a cheeseburger and a cup of chili, which Federica decided to share with him. Heller can't help but smile, and mention how they look like a couple. The whole cafeteria went silent after that comment.
"So, Gray, what brings you to this city?" Heller said as she put down her coffee.
Gray unstood her intention, and in confidence said "Something caught my attention, but at most I'm exploring." It is not a complete lie but not the whole truth either.
Irritated with his vague answer, she decided to ask a more direct question. "The two Phoenix officers told me that you possess a barrier and yet you managed to cut the bind. Please enlighten me about that?"
Gray took a second to think about how to answer. "Well my barrier remover space and in between it filled with a hardened substance, all I did was stop after the removal"
"At your age, you are quite talented to break down your ability like that."
"It wasn't talented, ma'am. My teacher had a similar ability, so I was able to learn from her."
Seeing Gray's claim demeanor toward someone with high standing, she could help but feel impressed. Most people would act as if death were upon them.
"I'd like to ask you one more thing?"
Heller took a coin out of her pocket and flicked it toward Gray. Catching it, Gray opened his hand. His face changed from being calm to a serious look.
"Looks like that confirms my suspicion. Now kindly explain what you know about that crest"
Gray began to crush the coin, panicking as Heller tried to stop him from completely crushing it. Releasing his grip the coin emitted a glow and took shape. Gray placed it down on the table, and it transformed into a long, curved single-edge blade that requires two hands to wield, an Ōdachi
Astonish Heller asked if he could see ether, but Gray denied it, and replied "Do you have anyone in this facility who can see ether?"
"Only a few can but they don't work in forensic. We did ask them, but only one said it had a small trace of ether."
"If that is the case, the person who created it must be more efficient with their core unlike the previous owner?"
"Previous owner?" Federica asked
Heller smiled and spoke in a condescending tone, "Ethercore runs under command factors law; the rarity of an ability will determine how much can exist at once."
Federica stood up and slammed her hand on the table. "I know the factor law, but control over rare cores takes years of training to master."
Looking at Gray, she pulled his shirt and began shaking him. "You and your teacher have a barrier right. Only five can exist and the last person known to be using a barrier is the Queen Guardian in the country of Mirianea."
Seeing the excitement in her eyes, Gray concluded that she is an Ethercore fanatic.
Removing her hands, Gray takes a deep breath and continues.
"The previous owner died five years ago after being punched through. I was able to learn how it works by exchanging the coin link with its item. The new owner should be eight to fifteen years old, those are your suspects."
Grateful, Heller took out her wallet and handed Gray money for the information. Gray, without any hesitation, accepted it, leaving both of them confused; most will humbly reject it.
Gray stood up and was about to leave, but Heller offered him a job at the Defensa. Rejecting the offer, Gray said, " If you want more information, look through the scattered papers."
After leaving the cafeteria, one of the officers got up and went to Heller, grabbing her by the shoulder and screamed, "YOU CAN'T SAY SMALL COMMENTS LET, WERE YOU TRYING TO GET HIM KILLED."
"Calm down Maverick," Heller said as she pushed him off. "Offering him a job isn't a problem."
"The job isn't the problem. They walked, talked, sat, shared a meal together, and you called them a couple. What do you think is going to happen when Tenma finds out that a boy was with his daughter?"
"One: he is not going to find out. Two: I'm going to report the information that he gave me. And three: both of you need to study for your midterm exam that is coming up."
"Yeah, you two need to start studying," Tenma said as he walked in with Aiko.
Mederick was petrified when he saw Tenma, while Federica went to hug her father. Aiko looked around the room and asked for Gray. Heller informed her that he had already left.
"Daishun, that kid, Gray, he's the same one from the phone."
Head back to the isolated office, seeing the stacks of paper Gray and Federica lay out on the desk. Heller grabbed one of the stacks that had a sticky note.
It read "Alright did the math, at low end five thousand to ten thousand per person. High-end, thirty thousand to fifty thousand per person. Interest rates are thirty percent, over seven point five percent, which is allowed."
Tema looked at the chair that Gray was sitting in, and there lay a book. Picking up the tilted read "The Laws of Beal." These books were made to keep updated. Every time a law is passed or changed, the book will receive a new page, or the text will be changed under the appropriate section.
Seeing a small gap in the side of the book, he opened it. The corner of the page was folded, under Article F, Section 20-22. This section of law goes over loans, what you can and can't use them for, giving reasoning for the loan, but that usually depends on the loaner, and the ceiling on interest rates.
Gray being in the Defensa for no longer than an hour, he not only gave intel, but also connected locations with only the feather crest as their lead.
Tenma smiles, for someone causing some problems and yet he is the same reason they have a lead. Linking illegal financing to the coins. He was impressed with Gray's work.
Ares' name is also popping up more frequently, by the looks of it the mark location is where the transaction happens and the documents are moved somewhere else. If one gets busted they don't lose the document and resetting the debts. This is how Ares operates.
Tenma asked Heller if he asked any questions. She took a second to think, but the only thing he did was accepting money, then she realized the conversation was nothing more than a transaction.
Scratching her out of frustration, she could have more intel, but another thought crossed her mind. Gray willingly shares his level of mastery of his barrier, could it have been out of honesty or perhaps there more to his barrier.
Despite all these, an age was given, writing it on the board. If the coins are linked to an item, the next question is where are they storing it?