Days with the demon queen
Chapter 33: Uncle?

Chapter 33: Uncle?

It was morning when the surviving test candidates exited the maze after been guided by the supervisors to the exit. Josh and Ronnie left through the exit Lily made in the wall.

Just outside the maze, the supervisors, as well as Commander Chloe stood in a lined up fashion. In the lobby, there were glowing magic orbs levitating above the candidates.

"Listen up suckers! You managed to get through the selection process. This is where the real test starts. Surviving here depends on your talents, how strong you are. Weaklings have no place here, got it?" Chloe spoke sternly.

"Yes ma’am!" some of the candidates including Josh echoed. Lily and Ronnie were occupied with exchanging glares at each other.

"Form a line, one line. One after the other reach your hand out and an orb will select you" Chloe instructed. It took a few seconds for the thirty two remaining candidates to organize themselves in a line.

"There are different kind of orbs. There are the four elemental orbs, and there are unique orbs. Sometimes an elemental mage manages to unlock unique abilities regardless. These special, unique people are the elite in this organization." Chloe explained.

"This must mean that everyone on Mr. C’s squad is pretty badass" Josh whispered.

"yeah, like that Cynthia girl that keeps stealing glances at you" Ronnie whispered back at him. He stood in front of Josh in the line.

"Clearly you two have more important things to talk about, you both will be starting this exercise for us so you can get in to your little chat" Chloe said calmly with a wicked smirk as she pointed at the discussing youths.

Slowly, they stepped out of the line. Lily looked at Ronnie and rolled her eyes.

The two anxiously made their way to the front. They stood facing commander Chloe.

"You first," she pointed at Josh. Reluctantly, he held out his hand.

Everybody stared expectantly but no orb came to Josh.

"You’re untalented, move aside" commander Chloe said nonchalantly.

"You can’t just treat him like that!" Ronnie raised his voice at her.

"Yes, yes I can. Your turn" commander Chloe responded.

As Josh walked away, an orb followed behind him, a transparent orb. Josh stopped, he looked behind him and noticed the glowing projectile. Everyone’s attention was turned to him once again.

"Maybe you’re not so talentless after all. You’ve been chosen by a unique orb" commander Chloe wore an impressed expression on her face.

"What does that mean?" Josh asked, staring at the orb that was now in his hand.

"That particular orb means that you have an affinity for magic overall, the grimoires and sparkles stuff, not just elemental magic." Chloe explained.

Josh wore a smile.

"It also means that I want you on my squad, I’ll whip you into shape" Chloe added.

"Get your claws off that one, Chloe. Those two as well. I already spoke to the president." Mr. C said, pointing at Ronnie and Lily.

"damn you, Carpenter" Chloe uttered, spotting a bitter smile.

"Carpenter?" Ronnie muttered in confusion.

"Not now, Ronald" Mr. C said.

"I’m sure you already know that there’s a demon among us. What’s the deal with that woman?" Chloe asked, her gaze locked on Lily.

The rest of the candidates gasped. The man who Lily had knocked out in the maze earlier, stared at her as well.

"Confidential information" Mr. C replied almost immediately. His tone went from playful to stern.

"I’ll pay the president a visit later" Chloe said.

"Do what you want, but try not to lay a finger on her. For your own good" Mr. C warned.

"Did you just threaten me?" Chloe asked, in a split second she was standing right in front of Mr. C.

Shock was the expression almost all the candidates wore.

"I’m just— looking out for an old friend. That one is tougher than she looks. Even for you" Mr. C whispered to her and she backed away from him after staring at him intently for a moment.

"I’m guessing she’s the special case we were briefed about sometime ago?" Chloe asked.

"That’s her. What’s say we grab dinner and talk about it later?" Mr. C asked.

"piss off, Carpenter." Chloe remarked, walking away.

"Wha—" Chloe stopped like her words were stuck in her throat.

Gasps could be heard in the crowd, from candidates and mages alike.

All the orbs levitated around Ronnie in a cycle. The orbs that got too close to his skin shattered.

"Interesting" Chloe stated, walking towards Ronnie. She smiled at him, her attention was hard to read.

"What are you? I don’t sense any demonic presence coming from you, but this aura isn’t human either" She asked in a whisper.

"I’m— I’m human" Ronnie stuttered, the orbs all fell to the floor and shattered.

"Get more orbs" She signalled a mage.

"What’s your name, boy?" She asked.

"Ronald Carpenter, ma’am" he gave a sluggish response.

"Carpenter huh?" She uttered, taking a look at Mr. C, then she turned her attention back to Ronnie.

"Of course you are. You Carpenter boys always come with drama. I’d rather not involve myself with this. He’s yours, Carpenter. Take the demon too. They’re your problem now. You seem to have a thing for broken toys—" Chloe took a pause and glanced at Mr. C.

"I mean, I understand. You’re broken too, aren’t you? sweetie" She added.

Mr. C glanced back at her for a moment, then he cleared his throat.

"Alright boys and girls, shall we?" Mr. C asked, pointing a backwards door towards the exit.

Josh, Ronnie and Lily followed without saying a word. Cynthia followed behind them.

"What was that about?" Josh whispered to Ronnie.

"They used to be a thing, or so I heard. Happened when they were younger, I don’t know the details" Cynthia stated in a leaned whisper.

"What’d I say about gossip, Cynthia?" Mr. C asked, despite being more than a few steps ahead of them.

"Sorry, Chief" Cynthia voiced with an unapologetic tone.

"Where are we headed?" Ronnie asked.

"Our squad station. Every squad is allocated a station. For the time being, ours is in your town" Mr. C explained.

"um, Mr. C, or do I call you chief or commander now? There’s something—" Ronnie voiced.

"I’ll answer your questions, Ronald. As promised." Mr C interrupted.

They had gotten to the point of an elevator. One after the other, they all got inside.

"As for what to call me. Whatever you fancy. Mr. C, chief, commander Carpenter—" he took a pause and looked at Ronnie standing behind him.

"Or Uncle Dan" Mr. C added, he wore a smirk, then he pushed the button.

Ronnie’s eyes widened and his mouth hung open.