Ericka sat at her desk reviewing the transactions requested by the others in the office, making sure everything was accurate before signing them.
It had been a few hours since she had arrived; it was almost midnight now.
"Here," a voice sounded in front of her. Looking up, she saw Mary holding out a cup filled with coffee.
"Thanks, Mary." She gratefully accepted it and took a sip, feeling the warmth spread through her body.
Mary was checking through the contracts and official transaction receipts; she had just finished her part and had come up to her boss along with a cup of coffee to help her relax.
Both drank their coffee in silence before Mary spoke first. "Ericka, why haven't you decided on changing our company's name even though it's been a few years since we officially transformed the previous gang into a security guard lending type of business?"
Ericka almost choked on her coffee, her smile faltering as she laughed nervously in response to Mary's question, "Does forgetting about changing the company's name count as an excuse?"
Feeling the awkward tension in the room, and Mary still staring at her, she coughed, trying to get her attention.
Snapping out of it, Mary glared at her boss for a few seconds before she rubbed her forehead and let out a deep sigh. "Coming from you, yeah, totally believable." Taking another sip of her coffee, she added.
"I have already prepared the official documents for that. All you need to do is sign here, and we can extend the reach of her company."
Ericka nodded her head, grateful for Mary's efficiency regarding their gang or company soon.
"Thank you, Mary. I appreciate all the hard work you put into this," she said sincerely, she reached for the pen to sign the documents.
Mary brought to her the paper and got it signed; smiling, she set them back in a file.
Ericka set down her empty coffee cup, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "So, it's called Intelligence and Security Services. Simple and direct, I like it." She rose from her seat, her heels clicking softly on the polished floor, and walked towards the towering transparent glass wall of her office.
Beyond the crystal-clear glass, Stellar City sprawled in a breathtaking tapestry of light and shadow. Towers of gleaming screen and mana-infused crystal towers at the corners of the city.
Ericka pressed a hand against the window, her reflection faintly visible, and looking beyond the city towards the north, she saw the Duke Nightryn's Estate.
Years ago, she was still exploring the depths of the monster continent; however, Grace insisted on her return to Stellar City. They both dismantled the steamers' gang, and she became the leader of the said gang. The gang was reformed under her leadership, taking care of the criminal's in the city.
A few years later, they began to expand their gang as a company. She trained the prior members to be bodyguards, and they have now expanded into a rather large company.
Ericka turned her head slightly as she glanced at Mary. "Is that all? , if so, then I will head to the Nightryn's mansion."
Mary shook her head as she spoke, "Yes, boss, for now everything that was needed for your confirmation is done. There are a few others, but I will take care of them.
She felt a bead of sweat forming on her forehead, she heard there were more tasks to handle, but she let out a relieved sigh, trusting Mary to take care of them.
Ericka glanced at her watch before she started walking towards her office's exit. "Once again, thanks, Mary, and good night."
"Ericka, make sure to come back after a few days."
Ericka didn't respond back , she exited her office and entered the elevator.
'As if I would return to this place. Good luck, Mary. I will be cheering for you while I slack off with little Nox.
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Noctis awoke late today, having studied the structure of the magic circle. He walked through the hallway, having freshened up before heading to breakfast.
Lira followed behind him with a smile.
'Brad did mention that Aunt Ericka would be arriving today; she'd probably arrive a while later.'
As for why he was calling Ericka an aunt, he found in the collection of images in Previous Noctis's Watch that she was present with his mom and a few images of her carrying him. He had her contact saved- Aunt Ericka, so obviously he'd have to go with that.
Having reached the door, he entered through it normally and froze immediately upon seeing a familiar blonde lady sitting in one of the chairs talking with Brad.
Hearing the door opening, the blonde lady's head turned, her eyes widened, and she smiled instantly.
And the next second he was lifted in the air as she held him by her arms, looking at him.
"How have you been? Little Nox, did you miss me? I missed you a lot." Noctis's mouth opened in shock and confusion at the unexpected arrival.
He swallowed back his shock as he tried his best to smile and responded back, "A-Aunt, I am good, and yeah, I missed you." He lied to not let her suspect anything.
Ericka set him down as both of them walked towards the table, taking a seat.
She sat beside Noctis as the maid began to place the dishes while she turned towards Noctis, smiling, "How's your injury from before? Do you still feel any pain?" She lightly patted his head.
Noctis shook his head lightly. "Lira healed me up; I don't feel pain anymore."
Ericka nodded her head, and both of them began to eat their breakfast as they continued their talk.
"Nox, i know this might be little hard but don't hate your mother, okay? She might have left without a message or anything, but believe in her; she really loves you, and she has her reasons to leave so suddenly," she reassured Noctis, knowing from the reports from Brad that he was a little emotionally unstable for weeks after Grace's disappearance.
Even though she was not informed by Grace before she left, she was still a little angry but let it go for now; she would have peace of mind when they met again.
Noctis nodded his head, "Hmm."
"I forgot about that, Nox. From now on, I will be here with you, she said excitedly, trying to change the subject.
"So how are your studies going? You're preparing for the entrance exam, if I recall correctly. You have yours in two years, right?"
Noctis responded back while eating his food, "Yeah, that's right. I've been studying hard, but it's really a lot. I don't know if I can finish everything." By the end his smile was wavering a little, feeling overwhelmed by all the books he needed to learn.
He was already way behind others of the same age; he was still at the starting point, and others were around halfway.
Ericka chuckled at his answer, and before she could say a few words of encouragement, Noctis continued.
"By the way, Aunt, can you help me? I need help in training with different kinds of weapons. I mean, finding what kind of weapon is suitable for me," Noctis said nervously.
"Sure, I can't help you much in the resonance element, but when it comes to weapons and combat experience, you can count on me." Her response came immediately; she was determined to train him up. She knew there would be situations where she wouldn't be able help or even be present.
She glanced at Noctis and sized him up. 'He is quite short for someone of his age, and his skinny body doesn't help it. Better start with physical training.'
"I have commissioned an blacksmith to forge some unique weapons along with a set of other weapons; it should be arriving soon," Noctis informed his aunt as she nodded her head while trying to come up with a training schedule for Noctis.
By now both of them had finished their food, and maids were cleaning it up. Erika talked with Noctis for a few more minutes.
"Nox, go and wait in the training area. I will be there in a few minutes, and also, by the time I arrive there, I want you to have completed 5 laps." Noctis sweated a little as he nodded his head and went outside of the room.
Ericka's smile faded as she turned her head to Brad and Lira, who were both looking at the ground nervously.
"Don't worry, like I said before, I won't blame both of you." Both of them relaxed a little hearing her words as Brad took a deep breath and said, "Thank you, Lady Ericka." Lira nodded beside him, not having the courage to speak in front of her.
Only a few people knew the terror of facing Ericka. She might just be A-rank, but she is at the very peak, and only a few peak A-ranks can stand against her. She had almost touched the Emperor Realm (S-rank).
Her beauty and her true beast-like expression while slaying were a stark contrast.
"Brad, speak with Mary to expand our intelligence gathering. I have identified a few leads on the perpetrators who are behind this, you should be aware of this by now, correct?" Her cold voice cut through the tense atmosphere.
Brad gulped and nodded, his reports having confirmed that he had found some leads.