The Children Of Thalia

Behind the Shadow

Ansel's PoV

"Good work held him back all this time, Eli. Here, you're like a steam crab." Said Sean while thrusting a portable electric fan at Eli.

Eli's hand immediately grabbed the fan. "Yeah, that's great." He instantly lit it into the highest round. The sweat on his forehead was carried by the wind. It also looks like his shirt that has been soaked like rain. "Good acting there, you didn't lose your character."

Sean smiled, taking another cup of coffee with flattery after being praised. "Whatever is necessary. You're so much better. Even Bu Rita was unaware that talking to them was not the real Ellis Grant."

"Yes, I feel guilty for lying to her" Eli regretted, but his face was carefree again. "You see, I'm not a very good speechwriter, let alone a poet, but I'm obviously well versed in disguise."

"Of course, until your style of speech is so funny I hear." The young man in the back, came up to them after making sure the room was soundproof. He immediately sat down, more relaxed and free than Eli, immediately drank his coffee until it ran out, then sighed to calm down. He continued, "even Kuro and Rolfe had asked me if Ellis Grant was really Elijah Marceau, or Ellis Grant. The way you walk, the way you raise your hands when you speak, the way you talk, even the way Grant plays the pen when you're nervous, you can emulate."

"I appreciate the compliment, even if it comes from you."

"Huh?"

"No." Eli gulped down his coffee again, once sipping it out. His expression changed, the frown on his forehead was more down. He put the glass slowly, pushed the glass pad slightly into the middle of the table, then sat down on the elbow. "Security on Miss Rita must be increased." Eli said seriously, but Ansel cut in.

"Already, from the time you've been chatting."

Ansel Elias Clive, from yesterday has devised a security strategy today. He demoted the Wild Dogs to secret work, while he and Elijah Marceau and Sean Fabre Sephoris settled other affairs. After picking up Theo, at Theo's own request, he does not return to the dormitory, but rather to the Security Division headquarters to perfect the installation of Ellis Grant's facial silicone mask worn by Elijah Marceau. As the show progresses, she works in the shadows, in contrast to her friends who go straight up to the stage.

"Heh, as expected of Ansel Elias Clive." Sean said, sipping his coffee again. "Even OSIS doesn't know that the security guards outside have been replaced by some of the Security Division's people."

"Oh, it was Gabriel, not me" Ansel immediately denied. "They're not my people. Honestly, that's a good idea. As a student, the members of Wild Dogs were quite well known. Well, you name it, who in this school doesn't know Rolfe and Felice? Gabriel sent some of his men to be the test safeguards."

"Then where are the Wild Dogs?" Sean asked, Ansel grinned.

"I can't tell you yet, our actions are secret."

"Higgs apartment in the city," Eli cut in indifferently, making Ansel instantly glance at him sharply. "Why? You also brought Gianni, of course I heard it. He's a double spy, you know?"

Realizing his mistake, Ansel bitterly smiled at the sense of defeat. "Damn, of course. He's hard to keep his mouth shut, but it's necessary."

Meanwhile, Sean smiled smugly at the victory. "Stupid." Sean's comments are sharp. "Why are you keeping this a secret? We all know the facts."

"Yes, terrible fact."

Their eyes rolled, glancing at the line of photos in the corner. The photos perpetuate events, becoming evidence of a major event. Everything's been arranged, nailed to the wall. The top photo is the main line of the problem, a conclusion that can be spoken in one short sentence.

As if taking a chance, Elijah Marceau, who has since played Ellis Grant, said what they found a week ago. "Nobody knows, nobody knows. Ellis Grant was murdered a week ago."

The case became known after Ellis Grant, the famous poet who brought the verses of Thalia's struggle, lost the news suddenly. Helder had already given an invitation to be the speaker in front of the examinee to the man's residence, but there was absolutely no answer, no reply letter. It made Helder feel awkward. Sean and Gabriel then send Eli to go as Helder's messenger there. That's when they found the facts bitter. Ellis Grant was killed with her family in their home some distance from the city.

"What facts have you found?" Sean asked after finishing his coffee.

"At least, there is a possibility that this incident is not directly related to LOST." Answer Ansel. "Murder is cruel, but not neat. Ellis Grant's house is too messy, like they've been robbed. But if robbed, it is very awkward if the diamond jewelry collection of Ellis' wife is not taken, even though it is in the drawer under the closet. Moreover, their bodies were torn apart. Which robbers spend time ripping their victims' bodies off before fleeing? Too much evidence."

"How does it not relate to LOST?" Sean asked, Eli answered.

"As far as our investigation into LOST goes, they acted efficiently. For example, during the pursuit of U-1 and U-2. Their deaths were short, the contents of their heads shattered. Their movements are also neat and fast making them difficult to track. Such a messy murder isn't LOST style, or that's what I understand."

"That's right, it's a matter of style in action," Ansel continued, "but not yet 100% certain. There are many other possibilities to look for. In fact, we found another fact that Ellis Grant is ready to be a sponsor and contributor to technological progress without Gift. If we connect with LOST, then it can be a motive, one of the goals of LOST is to create superiorization of receivers in the community."

"Wait, what sponsor?"

"Project Deus." Answer Eli. "About technological developments based on the power of the receiver. Aim to create a balance between humans and receivers. The end result was to create a tool where ordinary humans could use gift-like power. From the point of view of ordinary people, this was profitable, but the project generated controversy among receivers, one of the other goals of the project was....."

Sean, who had been listening, suddenly felt his book standing. He subconsciously brought his cup to his mouth, but the coffee was already gone he drank. Finally he put another cup on the table, then kept it in the middle. He patted her on the face with both hands, rubbing her all the way to her hair. Seemed a very mixed expression, but it was dominated by fear.

"That means Helder's gonna manipulate Ellis Grant's obituary?" Sean asked with a trembling voice. Ansel shrugged his shoulders.

"Guess up to you, chairman of OSIS. We're just executors."

"Ask Gabriel and Squirrel. This case is too big for us. I myself chose the manipulation of the news, we already brought Ellis Grant in front of the examinees. Is the investigation independent?"

"Taken care of Merlins, aided by Wild Dogs." Answer Eli. "So I told you, they went to the Higgs Apartment."

"Jealous perpetrator?"

"Finding the perpetrator."

"Wait, shouldn't the Wild Dogs be on guard here?"

"Not everyone" Ansel replied calmly, "I'm still here. Rolfe and Claus did not leave either. Armine is still unable to operate. There's enough security here, I assure you. The rest of you who went to investigate also I'm sure experienced."

"Where are they guarding?"

"Out the hall, watching from a crucial angle. Ready to jump when I send out a signal. After all, our problems aren't just in the real world."

Sean frowned, but was instantly aware of what Ansel meant. "Sintes City!"

Eli chuckled, making Sean turn to him. "Even Bu Rita, the receiver owner of Sintes City, admitted that if for example there are students who are not good to enter the exam, only the people in there can do something. Although, well, I'm also confident in the rules that apply."

"No need to worry," Ansel interrupted, "the child I had brought with me, Theodore Radley, had also thought hard about this. He won't be so rash."

"So we just trust him?" Ask Eli, make sure.

"At least I believe." Ansel answered, without hesitation.

"He's part of Asera, I better believe." Unexpectedly, Sean also turned out to be stating the same thing.

"If it's your decision, then I'm the same."

Pushing his cup forward as well, Eli seemed to signal that he also agreed with his two friends. He then knocked down his back, lying down on the soft carpet.

"This case is the most complicated." Eli complained while sighing.

"Agreed." Ansel responds briefly while squeezing the jidat.

"I agree." Sean also responded while nodding and scolding.

"Many people are potential suspects." Eli continued again. "After all, Project Deus really brought great controversy, to the point where the people who supported it would be discriminated against by the receiver group."

"Oh, if it's a puck, I've done it." Sahut Ansel, then continued, "that is also the reason why the security of this practice test must be tightened."

"Yeah, I get it too." Sean is hatching. "The reason why we are vigilant now is none other than the originator of Project Deus itself."

Understanding what they were talking about, Eli let out a long sigh. "So, in the end we're back to the original problem."

"Yes, they really make us dizzy, DiMichelle's family."

...* * * * *...