Dulce Periculum

3. Auresce

Everything changed within a week. Yunho didn't have the time to travel to Gwangju to see his family and explain the situation to them, so he was forced to keep it at hasty telephone calls. Since he didn't know yet what his powers were and he didn't want to worry his mother, he simply explained he started a new job and was moving within Seoul.

Processes that usually took a long time, like changing his place of residency and ending the contract with his landlady, passed in a flash. As soon as he showed the document handed to him by the NEA, people made space with rushed whispers. It was a daunting experience. As if Yunho was no longer one of them. As if his status already relieved him of his humanity.

And then, a week later, his preparations were finished. An unknown number texted the new phone the centre sent him and told him to meet a driver downstairs. Yunho rushed into his new life and wasn't left with the opportunity to stop and ponder.

Despite his anxiety, he napped on the drive to the centre in Gangnam. He barely caught a wink of sleep during that week, haunted by nightmares about the rift and doubts about the future. When he woke once the car circled slowly around some narrow corners, he had so many questions, but he didn't dare voice them to the silent driver in his red uniform.

The building of Seoul's governmental centre was massive, like a school or a hospital. Modern technology and an extensive terrain sported well-groomed gardens and modernised the old structure in a western style. It reminded Yunho more of a castle than a public institution, especially when the driver stopped at a security gate and a double-winged cast-iron gate swung open for them to enter.

Inside was a marble fountain depicting a winged woman with a sword and an ancient scale, which they circled to a stop in front of an entrance supported by polished pillars. When Yunho met the driver's gaze through the mirror, he hastened to scramble out of the car.

He only packed his necessities in his big luggage, not bothering with furniture or dishes, since he should have everything right here.

Yunho couldn't get used to the thought. It felt wrong to be here, in front of this building where the elite of the country resided. He had seen countless espers on television, donning their luxury brand fashion and showing off expensive cars and flats. Be it the world of heroes or the world of the rich, Yunho didn't belong here.

He made his way inside, leaving the gardens to look at later. Quick to duck away as if the first person who spotted him would see through his masquerade and kick him back out.

Yunho wished he asked the driver about the etiquette here. No one explained to him where to go.

But he was in luck since the red carpets winding through the lofty lobby that reminded him of hotels in movies passed right by a receptionist. The woman donned a strict hairdo and a scarlet uniform, but her smile was kind when she spotted his awkwardly lingering figure. Instantly, he dragged his luggage over the stubborn carpet that caught on its broken wheel, bee-lining right for her.

"Hello," Yunho greeted her with a hesitant bow as he pulled up the information on his phone, stating he received an invitation from the NEA.

"I recently awakened and was told to come here for my training. My name is Jeong Yunho."

"Jeong Yunho," she hummed, tapping her keys. Then, a moment later, her face lit up. "That is correct; we expected you. Welcome to Auresce."

Yunho's shoulders drooped with relief. The worst was over.

She handed him a key from her desk together with his new ID as a member of Auresce and pointed towards the back of the lobby.

"You will find a lift over there that will take you to the second floor. Cross over into the glass block and then take another lift up to the dorms. I will inform your superiors you arrived so they can instruct you. If you lose your way, feel free to ask anyone wearing red."