Extra's Ascent-Chapter 172: How Very Fishy?

Eric Aldaman stepped off the train, the metallic hum behind him fading as he moved toward home. The sun had not yet surrendered to the night, but its rays were softening, casting long shadows that clung to the buildings. The walk from the station to his apartment was short, yet his thoughts made the distance feel longer, denser.

He had been replaying the decisions that led him to this point, particularly the reckless choice of joining the executive branch of the Mystic Order. With that one decision, he had opened the floodgates to a host of unfamiliar troubles.

First, there was Xander.

What even was Xander?

Eric couldn't decide. He was the kind of existence one instinctively avoided, unnerving, unreadable, and utterly wrong in a way that made the hairs on Eric's neck stand at attention. He still couldn't find a category to neatly place him in.

And then came the other enigma, Joseph.

The man was beautiful in a way that was unsettling, quiet to the point of being impenetrable. Eric could already tell Joseph wasn't the type to initiate a conversation; in fact, he radiated a silent aura that warned others to stay away unless absolutely necessary.

But then… what was that about a "genius" and not talking to him?

Joseph had mentioned someone from the Aldaman clan, his own bloodline. Yet no matter how hard Eric scoured his memories, he couldn't think of any prominent figure named Dwayne. None of his clan members had made enough of a splash in the mystic world to warrant the kind of respect Joseph hinted at.

That, Eric figured, was due to his limited experience with the inner workings of mystic society. His involvement had always been peripheral, and he had barely scratched the surface of its hidden networks and power structures. If he had known more, perhaps this Dwayne wouldn't have sounded like a stranger despite carrying the same last name.,

Still, he held onto one truth with pride.

"My kids are extraordinary too," he whispered to himself with a tired smile. "Give it time, Saldrich and Aldrich will carry our family name with honour."

That thought warmed him, kept his steps steady as the streets began to bask in dusk's golden tint. Soon, the sun would retreat entirely, and the quiet calm of evening would settle across the city.

Entering the apartment complex, Eric made his way to the elevator, hands tucked into his pockets, mind still teetering between exhaustion and contemplation.

Ding!

The elevator chimed softly, announcing its arrival at his floor. The metallic doors opened, and he stepped out, turning down the hallway that led to his unit.

But something made him pause.

A figure stood near his door, a silhouette framed by the hallway light. Familiar, unmistakable. Female.

"Eric, you're back," she called, her voice gentle, yet commanding in a way that always threw him off balance.

"Oh-uh, I-I am," he stammered, mentally kicking himself for still being unable to adjust to her casual tone.

It didn't matter how many times he heard it. It was still strange hearing Marvelous Kennedy speak to him without honorifics, like they were peers, equals even. And this wasn't the first time.

Since he turned down her offer a week ago, she had begun visiting frequently. Too often to write it off as mere stubbornness or recruitment tactics.

At first, Eric assumed she was just persistent about convincing him to change his mind. But he had long since realised… that wasn't it. She wasn't here to talk shop or negotiate.

She just… showed up.

Like she belonged there.

She would wait in front of his door, expecting to be let in, and then proceed to carry herself as if she weren't the CEO of one of the most powerful and influential organisations on the planet. She tried to blend into the background of his life as if that was a normal thing for her to do.

And, well… it wasn't.

It was bizarre. An entirely new kind of bizarre that Eric hadn't prepared himself for.

"You're back earlier than usual," she observed, stepping aside so he could unlock the door. "Did something happen?"

"Nothing dramatic," he replied, punching in the access code. "Today was about wrapping up the final parts of registration. I also got to meet the team I'll be working with."

He didn't miss the raised eyebrow she shot his way. The registration process had been advertised as streamlined, but in practice, it had dragged out for an entire week. Between paperwork, misfiled documents, and the sudden realisation that he was missing several key certifications as a mystic, it had been anything but smooth. Applying for those credentials, waiting for approval, running between departments, it had been a test of patience.

"That's progress," she said. "And the members, what were they like?"

Eric entered the apartment, kicking off his shoes as she followed him inside.

"They were... let's just say, not what I expected," he muttered. "One's obsessed with a poster. The other's addicted to gaming."

Before he realised what he was doing, he began to vent, describing each of them in detail, unpacking the frustration and bewilderment he hadn't admitted to anyone else. The words spilt out in a current of honesty he hadn't meant to release.

"I see," she replied thoughtfully. "And the one who warned you not to get too close, what will you do about him?"

"You mean Joseph? What can I do? Give him what he wants, I guess. I'm not looking to make enemies, and frankly, I wouldn't mind not talking to him at all."

Eric let himself fall onto the couch, resting his head against the cushion, feeling the day's weight press into his bones.

"That might be fine for now," she said, joining him with a calm expression. "But eventually, you'll need to talk. He's part of your team, and silence only works for so long in that kind of dynamic."

He sighed. She wasn't wrong. Eric knew that much. Whatever personal comfort he wanted didn't matter in the long run. His job would require collaboration, and collaboration meant communication. Like it or not, he would have to make peace with his team.

Marvelous stood, brushing invisible dust off her skirt. "You must be exhausted and starving. Sit tight, I'll make something for you."

Eric's stomach reacted before his mind did. "Yes, please. That would be great."

Then he blinked.

'Wait. What?'

Why had he answered so readily?

Because it had become familiar. Too familiar.

She had been cooking for him for days now. Stocking his fridge. Knowing where everything was. Acting as if she belonged there without ever stating her intentions.

Eric stared at the kitchen doorway as Marvelous began her ritual, sleeves rolled up, moving with elegance and precision.

What was this?

What had this… become?

He didn't know. But something was definitely happening, fishy, he could tell.

And whatever it was, he had a feeling he was already neck-deep in it, whether he liked it or not.