Cipher Pol Special Agent Academy

"You... why are you back? Didn't you have a mission?" At lunchtime, hearing a knock at the door, Xue Fazi opened it and was immediately surprised to see her husband return so soon.

As an agent, Laskey was naturally skilled at lying. He explained casually, "My superiors heard about what happened to our family. Since Anderson could handle the mission himself anyway, they gave me a few days off to settle my emotions."

"That's wonderful." Xue Fazi threw herself into Laskey's arms, savoring the comfort of safety.

Xue Fazi was an extremely delicate woman, a proper housewife. The death of her only relative had caught her completely off guard. Even after several days, she found it hard to calm her grief and panic. She desperately wanted her husband by her side, though she never said so aloud, unwilling to delay his work.

Laskey gently patted Xue Fazi's back. "Let's eat. Later, I still need to help Bred apply for child support."

Bred, who was watching the television news, said, "Would the government compensate someone in my situation?"

"Of course. Your parents were pioneers who honorably devoted themselves to science. Scientists are the government's most valuable assets, so you'll receive a substantial sum—enough to ensure you never have to worry about food or clothing for the rest of your life." Laskey took off his coat and hung it on the rack, seeming to answer casually, but his eyes never left Bred's face. The result... disappointed him. Bred stared blankly, expressionless, absorbed in thoughts no outsider could possibly understand.

A moment later.

Bred looked up. "I don't want to live an ordinary life."

"What are you planning?" Laskey asked tentatively. He knew Bred had a strong mind of his own. Besides, he was not Bred's father, merely his uncle by marriage and guardian. He had no right to force Bred to choose according to his own arrangements. Otherwise, the first person to oppose him would be his wife.

Bred propped his chin on his hand. "Does going to school count?"

"..." Laskey fell silent.

Bred added, "I need to build up my knowledge, broaden my life experience, and preferably gain the strength to protect myself as well."

"Joanna will protect Bred!" Mosquito Girl chirped happily, sounding especially out of place in this household still shrouded in the gloom of a recent loss.

Bred merely grabbed Mosquito Girl's ferocious, blade-like arm. He ignored her words and instead asked Laskey, "Is there a school like that, Uncle Laskey?"

"Yes. There are two in Mary Geoise." Laskey answered firmly. "One is the public Marine Academy. It specializes in training outstanding officers for the Marines, the government's most powerful military force. But its admission requirements are strict: applicants must have served as Marine soldiers for at least three years and be recommended by commanders at their respective bases. Then they must pass selection after selection."

Bred nodded. "What about the other one?"

"A non-public agent academy, specifically for training agents for the Cipher Pol I work for," Laskey said.

The corners of Bred's lips lifted slightly. "What are the admission requirements for the agent academy?"

"Children of Cipher Pol agents are preferred, followed by orphans with clean backgrounds..." Laskey glanced toward his wife, busy in the kitchen, and lowered his voice. "Because of Cipher Pol's special nature. Cipher Pol is the government's eyes, ears, and black glove, operating both externally and internally. Intelligence gathering, hunting down deserters, dealing with dangerous targets, protecting classified personnel—most of its work cannot see the light of day. So agents must be kept clean and loyal. I believe you understand what I mean."

"I understand." Bred blinked. "I'm guessing you told Aunt that you're a Cipher Pol agent responsible for intelligence gathering, but that isn't what you really do. You feel guilty."

"..." Laskey said nothing.

"I'm an orphan too now, and I'm related to a Cipher Pol agent. I meet the agent academy's admission requirements." Bred stated his wish bluntly. "Please?"

Laskey lit a cigarette and considered it again and again. "Actually... Bred, you're nothing like a child. You're precocious, frighteningly calm. That means you have an excellent foundation for becoming elite talent like your parents. Scientists are the people the government values most. Their treatment is so good that no one in the Marines, Cipher Pol, or any other department can compare—perhaps only Dragon people rank higher."

"And then?" Bred spread his hands. "One accidental explosion, boom! What was left?"

Laskey was left speechless.

That afternoon.

When Laskey returned after going out, he handed Bred a bank card and a certificate of admission. "The government will transfer two hundred thousand Berries to you each month for living expenses. As for the agent academy, you can go whenever you want. Tell me when you're ready."

"Okay. Thank you, Uncle Laskey. I can handle things myself." Bred accepted them, rose to his feet, and said, "Aunt, I'm tired. It's time to take Joanna home to rest."

Xue Fazi tried to persuade him to stay. "You won't stay here? I'll take good care of you, Bred."

"It's fine. I can take care of myself." Bred left on his short legs.

On the street.

"Are you hungry?" Bred asked.

Mosquito Girl froze. "I ate!" Then she immediately understood. "Blood? I'm fine even if I don't drink it normally. Once every three months is enough, around a hundred milliliters each time. Your father set it that way."

"What is that?"

"A m-monster?!"

"What a cute child!"

"A super dangerous species? A demi-human super dangerous species?"

"..."

Only then did Bred notice the murmuring around them. His brow furrowed slightly. He disliked being the center of attention, as though he were an animal in a zoo for visitors to gawk at and tease.

"Don't mind them, Joanna." Bred comforted Mosquito Girl as he took her hand and quickened his pace. He had also sharply caught one particular term—demi-human super dangerous species.

Before long.

In the bathroom.

As Bred taught Mosquito Girl how to wash up, he asked, "What is a demi-human super dangerous species, Joanna?"

"Huh? Ah! I am one!" Mosquito Girl proudly showed off her curvaceous figure.

Bred continued, "What is a super dangerous species?"

"Uh..." Clearly, Mosquito Girl's mind was completely blank.

Bred brushed his teeth absentmindedly. After a long while, he said, "Tomorrow, come to school with me."

"Okay, Bred!" Mosquito Girl happily flung the bubbles from the bathtub at Bred, childishly hinting that she wanted to play.

In truth, Bred had misunderstood. Mosquito Girl's actual age was younger than his. She was not his older sister, but his younger sister, having existed for only two years. The scientists had merely used all sorts of methods to forcibly accelerate her growth.

That was to say, Mosquito Girl had a mature appearance but lacked a matching mature mindset. It was not entirely absent—there was just a little of it. She was the complete opposite of Bred.

Playful banter...

"Hey, Joanna? Will you always listen to me?"

"Yes!"

"Why?"

"Because nobody but you treats me well. Mm, Bred is the best! Hehe~ Huh? What's this? Why is mine different?"

"Hey! There..."

"..."

PS: Thank you all for your support. Thank you.