Starting With Batman

Charlie was a bit perplexed when he saw the friend request.

This wasn't just any message from a typical social media platform; it came through a specialized app used exclusively by the Ninth Special Service Division. The tech department had boasted about the app's security, claiming it was on a level unmatched by any other software. Every piece of data entered by users was stored securely in the databases of the Nine Aerospace Satilites of the Service Division—impenetrable and immune to any kind of data breach, or so they claimed.

The encryption technology was described as cutting-edge. Even if an agent's phone were lost or stolen, the data within would self-destruct before anyone could crack it, ensuring that sensitive information remained secure. It was supposedly foolproof.

But Charlie wasn't one to accept such assurances without a healthy dose of skepticism. From his perspective, the Ninth Special Service Division was more like a floating mental asylum than a serious intelligence agency. The external appearance of the agency seemed to pay homage to the frequently downed S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarriers, while the internal chaos reminded him of the infamous Arkham Asylum.

Whether it was the Helicarrier or the madness of Arkham, both had something in common: security that was laughably unreliable. And even public restrooms had more reliable security features, with separate sections for men and women—something these two institutions apparently hadn't mastered.

Charlie's doubts extended to the app's encryption technology. He had once toyed with the idea of using Batman's unscientific portable universal decoder to test the app's security, just to see if it was as impenetrable as advertised. But after a bit of thought, he decided against it. The last thing he wanted was to get caught hacking into his own agency's app and draw unnecessary attention from his superiors.

For security reasons, the app didn't send notifications to the phone's main interface. If you wanted to see any incoming messages, you had to manually open the app and check. It was a small inconvenience, but it served as a reminder of how seriously the agency took its secrecy.

This friend request was intriguing for several reasons.

First, the only people who would have access to this app were insiders of the Ninth Special Service Division. So, the request itself was a clear indication that Felix, the senior student, wasn't just another rich kid—he was a colleague, a member of the Ninth Special Service Division, just like Charlie.

The message was brief and direct, simply asking Charlie to meet him on the rooftop.

After accepting the friend request and sending a quick greeting, Charlie got straight to the point. "Now?" he typed.

Felix's response was almost instantaneous and just as succinct: "Yes."

The rooftop of the school building was a place filled with potential—at least, that's how it was portrayed in the anime and manga that Charlie had devoured over the years. It was a spot where anything could happen, from quiet, introspective moments over lunch to epic battles against hordes of zombies. And in some cases, it was a place where things could get deeply personal, a locale where the boundaries of the ordinary could blur into the extraordinary—Charlie couldn't help but give a mental thumbs-up to the idea.

Without hesitation, Charlie stood up and left the classroom, his mind already racing with possibilities.

Walter, noticing his friend's sudden departure, looked up in surprise. "Class is about to start," he pointed out, his voice tinged with concern.

"Oh, I've got something to take care of. If they pass around a sign-up sheet, just sign my name," Charlie replied, his tone casual as he waved his phone dismissively. He was already halfway out the door, not even slowing down as he spoke.

Walter watched Charlie leave, his curiosity piqued. He had seen Charlie receive a message and then rush off as if something urgent had come up. But what could be so important that it would make Charlie skip class without a second thought?

As he pondered this, Walter's thoughts drifted back to the morning's events at the pharmacy. He thought he might have a clue about what was going on.

A complex expression crossed Walter's face, a mixture of confusion and something else—perhaps a touch of awe. He had joined the...

 "...No Need to Work Hard" alliance, hoping for an easier life, but now he was beginning to realize that even in this seemingly laid-back lifestyle, there were people who were pushing themselves far beyond what he was willing to do. Maybe this path wasn't right for him after all...

Leaving Walter behind, Charlie made his way to the rooftop of the main building. The cool morning air brushed against his face as he climbed the final set of stairs. When he pushed open the door to the rooftop, the city's skyline greeted him, a panoramic view of Riverton City stretching out in every direction. The sounds of the bustling school below seemed distant, almost muted, as if this elevated space were a world unto itself.

Felix was already there, leaning against the railing, his posture relaxed yet alert. The breeze ruffled his neatly styled hair, adding to the air of effortless cool that seemed to follow him wherever he went.

Even without considering his background and mysterious status, Felix was an impressive figure. He had a clean, handsome face that could easily belong to a model, and he stood at an imposing height that only added to his presence. Despite his fair complexion, there was nothing soft about him; he carried himself with the calm confidence of someone who knew exactly who he was and what he was capable of.

In short, Felix was the kind of person who would stand out in any crowd, whether among ordinary people or the more extraordinary.

As Charlie approached, Felix turned to face him, offering a slight nod in greeting. His expression was serious, but there was a hint of warmth in his eyes—a sign that, despite his composed exterior, he was glad to see Charlie.

Felix didn't waste time on small talk. He was direct, getting straight to the point, his voice steady and controlled.

"I have something to discuss with you," Felix began, his tone measured. "First, let me explain who I am and why I reached out to you."

He started by revealing that he did, in fact, possess psychic abilities—an admission that came with significant weight. Psychic abilities were rare, and those who had them were often viewed with a mix of fear and fascination. Felix explained that he had been recruited into the Ninth Special Service Division because of these abilities. His degree of psychic infection wasn't severe, but his talent for learning practical combat techniques was unusually high. He had already earned the status of an official field agent.

Felix's body had been enhanced by the psychic infection, giving him physical and mental capabilities beyond those of an average person. After undergoing systematic training and completing real-world missions, he was leagues ahead of Charlie, who had no mutations, no training, and no experience—a true rookie in comparison.

Charlie was genuinely surprised by Felix's revelations. In his mind, most wealthy individuals preferred the "I pay, you risk your life" approach to problem-solving. A capitalist willing to get his hands dirty, much like Bruce Wayne, was a rarity—a bug in the system, so to speak.

It was Charlie's first time encountering a rich kid who enjoyed going to the front lines and fighting alongside lunatics.

"The Ninth Division has assigned a task," Felix continued, his voice steady. "Our target appears to be a student at our school."

He paused, letting the information sink in before continuing. "Since we're the only two members of the Ninth Special Service Division in the school, the task has been assigned to us. I'm the team leader."

"Then I'm the deputy leader?" Charlie quipped, his tone light as he tried to inject a bit of humor into the situation.

Felix paused, then smiled lightly, a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. "Sure. From now on, you're the deputy leader. Just remember, you have to follow the leader's orders."

Charlie couldn't help but chuckle, appreciating the easy rapport that was developing between them. Despite Felix's serious demeanor, there was a sense of camaraderie that made him seem more approachable than Charlie had expected.

"Although I'd like to chat with you more," Felix continued, glancing at his watch, "I don't have much time. My car is waiting downstairs. So, take this first." He handed Charlie a sleek, black folder that he had been holding.

Charlie took the folder, feeling the weight of its importance. "This is the briefing from our superiors. It contains information about the investigation target and the statements they've made. Go through it this afternoon to familiarize yourself with the details of our mission.

I've also reserved a table at Walgarh for dinner tonight—my treat," Felix added with a small smile.

Charlie took a deep breath, processing everything that had just been laid out in front of him.

He'd never been to Walgarh, but he'd heard of it. It was one of the city's most exclusive restaurants, known for its impeccable service, fine dining, and the kind of clientele who didn't flinch at dropping a small fortune on a single meal.

Initially, Charlie wanted to decline the invitation, thinking it might be too much, but then he remembered the current dynamic: Felix was the leader, and he was the deputy. Following orders was part of the job. And if the order was to enjoy a fancy meal, who was he to refuse?

So, Charlie patted his chest in agreement. "Don't worry, I'll be there on time."

Felix nodded, satisfied. "Don't worry; the first stage is just to gather information. If things get difficult, we can pass the investigation on to someone else. But it's probably nothing major. If all goes well, we might wrap this up tonight."

Charlie thought for a moment, considering the possibilities. "So why don't we start in the afternoon?"

"The afternoon?" Felix gave him a puzzled look as if the answer were obvious. "I have class in the afternoon."

Charlie: "..."

For a moment, Charlie was stunned into silence. He had expected Felix to be all business, ready to dive headfirst into the mission. But instead, here he was, prioritizing his afternoon classes as if they were the most important thing on his agenda.

Felix caught Charlie's surprised expression and chuckled, a rare, lighthearted sound that momentarily broke through his otherwise composed demeanor. "Hey, just because we're in the Service Division doesn't mean we get to skimp out on our education. Besides, I'd rather not give our professors a reason to suspect anything."

Charlie couldn't help but laugh along, nodding in agreement. "Fair point. I guess even secret agents have to worry about their grades."

"Exactly," Felix said, his smile lingering as he glanced at his watch again. "But once classes are over, we'll get to work. In the meantime, take a look at the briefing, and we'll discuss it more over dinner."

Charlie nodded, tucking the folder under his arm. "Got it. I'll see you tonight."

As Felix turned to leave, Charlie watched him for a moment, still processing everything that had just happened. The rooftop meeting had been brief but packed with information—far more than Charlie had expected when he'd first received that mysterious friend request.

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