9 First Step (1/2)

Milana's small hand entered Ci-ci with confusion still etched in her features. There was something oddly familiar about Ci-ci's rough hands and brown eyes… Even the trim of his beard and the highlights of red and gold in his brown hair gave Milana an inexplicable sense of security and warmth.

However, those thoughts quickly disappeared as she released Ci-ci's hand, suddenly remembering how long he had made them wait and how angry she was. Petrov Technologies had finally gotten an inventor, and it just had to be this guy.

On West Continent, the most prized profession was that of the inventor. It was a special branch of engineers that had governmental leeway to create products unregulated. What this essentially meant was that after being approved as an inventor, much of the bureaucratic hurdles companies had to jump through could be circumvented.

Luckily for Ci-ci, public outrage wasn't enough to suspend his license, or else he would have most likely lost his right to be one. But… There was a reason no one would bother to take away Ci-ci's license.

The main reason why the government allowed to inventors to make products not checked over by them was not only because these inventors passed strict tests, or just because they were among the 99th percentile of engineers, or even because the were grilled again and again for understanding of safety and regulations – but, it was because every inventor had an obligation to attach their name to their product. Which means Ci-ci's license, to many, was useless.

Many at this point would wonder that if Ci-ci could make a fake lawyer persona, why couldn't he do the same as an inventor?...

The truth was that Ci-ci Bell, the identity he was under now, was created by the power his parents used to wield. Power Ci-ci just didn't have now and his parents were obviously unable to use anymore.

This meant that while the Ci-ci Bell was a person that checked out even to the deepest layers of inspection – even if the most powerful men and women in existence were to look into him – Lucius Grant had too many holes in his backstory… Holes that the deep inspection an Inventor had to undergo would see right through.

Luckily for Ci-ci, to West Continent's society, lawyers, and even doctors, weren't seen as anywhere near as important as the Inventors. And by proxy, the technology industry was the most vital.

But, this essentially boiled down to one thing: It didn't matter if Ci-ci had his Inventor's license or not… Not many would choose to by a Ci-ci Bell labeled inventions right now…

”Why are you calling me team leader?” Milana said in displeasure, ”Did you not understand that this would now be your role? This is why it's unacceptable that you're so late.”

Although Milana was angry, Ci-ci couldn't find it within himself to take her seriously. This was his bubbly and shy Milana, and yet here she was, big framed glasses and all, scolding him. It brought a smile to his face.

”I've already caused you all enough trouble, how could I also take the team leader role?” Ci-ci smiled, ”That would only slow our progress. It's best we work as a team under you.”

Milana's eye blinked behind her glasses, taken aback. Was this really the arrogant Ci-ci Bell? Didn't he just turn down the most prestigious award in current existence? Why was he acting like this?

But then Milana thought back to the gentleness in Ci-ci's eyes and how his hand lingered for half a second too long during their handshake.