“You know, sometimes I worry about Ms. Wong.” Sitting behind the reception’s desk, Caroline said to Jason and Laura, while she was stroking the ears of Mr. Night Owl, or  Christina Akahoshi, the 300 year old Nekomata.

“Yeah, me too.” Laura sighed and said: “She’s been working non-stop all these days, the thing at that lycan restaurant, the battle, wherever that is, and a bunch of meetings.”

“And she’s been dodging our questions.” Jason stirred his tea and said: “I don’t wanna push her, but I really wanna know the answer - I think things went okay during their battle. Things haven’t really calmed down have they.”

“Well, I’ll take whatever we can get. The world didn’t end, what’s with a few earthquakes and tsunamis here and there?” Caroline shrugged and put out a wry smile: “At least most people are safe. And this place is still here, as safe and as sound as it can be.”

“Speaking of, how was your date with Thomas?” Jason smiled and looked at Caroline.

“Aaaand they’re late, why are they always late?” Caroline took a look at her watch and completely ignored Jason’s attempt at prying her for gossip.

“Oh, come on Caroline, you know my girlfriend already, and you sparred together, and I can’t even ask?”

“Yeah, don’t even try. You’ll know nothing. You hear me? Nothing!” Caroline chuckled.

“Gossiping is unbecoming for a man.” Laura smacked Jason on the shoulder and giggled.

“Well, just trying to connect.”

“Hey!” Jason’s joke earned him another smack on the back of his head.

“Mr. Lin, Ms. Baker.” Just this moment, a group of three, all wearing thick sunglasses and either windbreakers or long jackets came into the inn.

“You know, that kind of look already got old about one generation ago.” Jason shook his head and put down his tea: “And this is technically still civilian territory.”

“Yeah, we were not planning on impressing anyone, and this is the civilian clothing that was available to us on a short notice.” The man at the front of the group said: “We’re here to check on the holdee and potential witness for the academy investigation.”

“The holdee has a name.” Laura stood up from behind the reception’s desk: “I’m still here.”

“Ms. Josephine Wong is not here. ” A female mage of the group looked around and said: “A watch person is supposed to be here with the holdee, if the holdee is to set foot outside, they must be accompanied by an authorized keeper/watch person of the holding facility.”

“Yeah, that would be us.” Jason and Caroline raised their hands.

“Seriously?”

“As co-owners of this inn, an authorized holding facility, we are therefore authorized keepers and watch persons of this facility and the holdees.” Caroline smiled and took a sip of her coffee: “At least, that is according to the bylaws of the academy and your agreement with Mr. Yu. ”

“She clearly knows how to play this game.” A male mage in the team sighed: “But, as a formal process, we will need proof of co-ownership of this facility.”

“Just read the room.” Jason pointed at the ceiling of the lounge.

The leader of the three-person group looked up for a short moment, with his eyes glowing in flickering light. Then after three to five seconds he looked down at Caroline and Jason and sighed: “They’re telling the truth - they’re co-owners of this place.”

“Okay then, guess two birds one fucking stone.” The female mage sighed and reached into her long dark red jacket and took out two scrolls: “Here’ your certificates as audit students. Mr. Lin, you passed with honor, the academy would like to include your test essay in the records. Ms. Baker, you passed as well.”

“No honors? No?” Caroline looked at the mages and asked with a hopeful look, but was faced with an emotionless face.

“Well, thanks for your cooperation.” The three mages sighed, turned back and were ready to leave.

“They’re supposed to be students of the owner right?” When they were at the door, the female mage asked: “Who the hell is this Jianmen Yu? Seriously. It seems like everywhere I go, I hear his name.”

“I’ll tell you later. ” The mage that led this small group shook his head.

Just this moment, a weird energy wave came from behind them.

It was two strange ripples of energy, occurring right before Jason and Caroline, and strangely, they felt a gentle pull from the centers of these ripples, not unlike the strange intuitive feeling one could get when one was being stared at from a distance or when their name was being mentioned. Only this feeling was warm, soft and carried a genuine sense of care and concern.

“Boss?” Caroline and Jason asked at the same time.