Kibishi's POV

  "Well, if you two are sure, then I suppose I could expin things..." Mato tapped on the table, looking unsure.

  "What's the matter, Mato?" The Founder asked with his brows lowering.

  "Well, it could be a lengthy expnation, so I'm trying my best not to do that, but um..." Mato scratched his head.

  "Do what you must. As long as we can finish the meeting on time for them to do their daily tasks." The Founder sounded a bit irritated but was trying his best not to interfere. I could hear the tapping sound of his fingers growing louder and louder, almost like a time bomb ticking to our doom.

  "Yeah, I can see where he's coming from. He's just as bad as Yosei when it comes to the 'unknown history'." The Founder bluntly stated.

  "Wait, what 'unknown history'?" Tao raised her brows in shock.

  "Forget about it. We already wasted our time with this expnation for Super Codes. I would rather not waste any more time at all, really. Mato, do your thing and make it as short as possible, please." The Founder said with authority. I could hear the room whispering about, almost as if a monster was hunting for them inside this very room.

  Mato seemed conflicted, not by The Founder's words but by the concept of Super Codes themselves.

  If he was having a hard time, then the length of expnation was going to be quite a headache...

  Mato nodded to himself.

  "With all due respect, Founder, I think it will be quite a task to do. The Super Codes are quite complex on their own." Mato whispered with a nervous smile, but not because of The Founder, I guessed.

  "..." The Founder stopped tapping the table. He groaned and pced his hand on his temple. "Very well. Give us the 'short' version, please."

  "Oh, here we go..." Kujira groaned.

  "Oh, come on, Jir! It's not so bad!" Kuma said as she smiled at her friend.

  "Agreed. Relearning about these things can be very helpful!" Yosei added.

  They had a good point. Learning this stuff would help us in the long run. I'd better pay attention to Mato for now...

  "Short version, it is then," Mato nodded.

  Mato swiped to an image of the spy in chibi form.

  "The Super Codes can be broken down to technology with a hint of magic, which is a resource for how many you have. So, of course, it is broken down to three parts." Mato zoomed in on the chibi spy.

  "The fabric, the technology, and the magic. Actually, your soul pys a major part, but let's settle for the three for now." Mato highlighted the spy's clothes.

  "Hold on a minute. The fabric matters, too? How come?" Tao asked with curiosity in her voice, and her head tilted from confusion.

  "The fabric is one of the key factors in how long your Super Code may st. For example, if you guys find steel somewhere hidden in a ruin, you can bring it back, and we can break it down." Mato expined as he put on some gsses for some reason.

  "Hmm... how so? I doubt the technology here is that advanced, right?" Tao scratched her head.

  "Agreed. I doubt the modern tools or technology are enough to break down steel here." I looked at the roof as I said that. I then looked at Mato once more. "Are you guys that advanced in technology?" I asked.

  "Not exactly. We're advanced when it's magic." Mato took out a cube from his white coat. "This cube here isn't any different than a vacuum cleaner. It sucks things up to whatever size they are, which is... very small. However! The material—or shall I call it fabric—has some magical energy in it."

  "Wait, magical energy? Where did it come from?" Tao pced her index finger under her chin.

  "It's all around us. The yers somehow have these atoms that carry SOME type of energy that we can call 'Magic'. I think it was originally named 'Curses' due to the history of this pce and the seven deadly sins, but that's a story for another time." Mato answered while adjusting his gsses.

  "I have loads of questions, but I'll leave it be for now..." Tao closed her eyes in dissatisfaction, but she was willing to move on from that topic.

  "I'm sure you have questions on this, too, Kibi?" Kuma asked me with a calm expression.

  "Yeah, but I'll save them for another time. Besides..." I gnced at The Founder.

  The Founder seemed to be annoyed by the many questions we were asking.

  The aura around him felt tainted. Almost as if we were in a fish tank. The air around us felt a bit tight as well. I wanted to say something, but it was best that I leave it for now.

  "You were saying, Mato?" I decided to gnce at Mato with a small smile, ignoring the intense aroma around The Founder.

  "Right," Mato nodded.

  "So, we discussed the fabric and how it ties to how sturdy the code can be. It also ties to the other two as well, since they work together to make sure the code won't shut down on you. Moving from that, we have the technology." Mato made the lines visible for us to see all over the clothing of the chibi spy.

  "In my opinion, the technology of this part is the weakest of the four—excuse me, the 'three' keys." Mato drew the spy looking 'angry' with his index finger on the projection.

  "Is it because of the ck of technology itself?" I wondered.

  "Possibly. It would expin why it would be the weakest among the three." Tao added in while tapping her chin with her index finger.

  "Not exactly the MAIN reason, but you both got the gist of it." Mato smiled.

  "Oh? Then what's the real reason for it being the weakest?" Tao's interest seemed to be piqued since it could be reted to technology.

  "Well, it's a long story. Now then—"

  "I think you should wrap it up, Mato. We don't have all day." The Founder interrupted with an annoyed look.

  "A-ah, right. Ahem! Finally, the magic. Long story short, it depends on how powerful your magic circuit is; that will boost the Super Code itself. If it's high level, then you're pretty much invincible depending on who you're facing. If it's middle level, then you'll have a 50-50 chance with your Super Code, but again, it depends on what or who you're facing. And if your magic level is low, then you'd better hope and pray that you don't run into anything that's stronger than you." Mato swiped the projection and went back to the spy expnation.

  "Since we are about out of time, in this situation for the spy, as long as he has enough magical energy for his circuit, then the goal of his will most likely be complete. Even if he might lose a few body parts." Mato turned off the projection. He then looked at his wristwatch. "Okay, I think it's about time to bring this meeting to a close for now. We can pick things up ter tonight since that will be your first mission, newcomers."

  "I see. But honestly, the whole expnation you provided is still not gripping me. I have more questions than answers at this point." Tao scratched her head and sighed deeply.

  "Agreed. That expnation kinda goes in one ear and leaves the other. However, I got the basic concept. A little bit, though." I huffed and then smiled at Mato. "Thank you for expining, regardless, Mato."

  "You're welcome, Kibishi." Mato nodded at me.

  "Still, a mission on the first day? Don't you think they should rest for one more day?" Kuma suggested as she scratched her blue hair.

  "As a doctor, I wholeheartedly agree with that. But we don't have much of a choice in the matter. Now that we have a few new hands on deck, I think we should at least finish up exploring the first yer." Mato fixed his colr with a warm smile.

  "Well, we did pretty much start the exploration a couple of weeks ago. The first yer is pretty much finished at this point, but we still haven't found the thing that's guarding the pce, so there's that." Kujira added while frowning and ying her head on the table.

  "She's right. The three of us already did the hard work. We just need to show Kibishi and Taoreta the way. Besides, it's not like our search will be finished overnight, so I suppose we can use this time to get them used to it." Yosei stated, then nodded to herself.

  Kuma slowly stroked her cheeks, which were showing a hint of a blush.

  "I suppose so..." Kuma looked at her feet.

  "Is something the matter, Akuma? Are you worried for them?" Kujira asked Kuma. Kujira tilted her head at her friend.

  "Well, kind of. There's that and the fact that they're not experienced like us...." Kuma muttered.

  "Didn't Yosei tell you that it's only showing the ropes to the newcomers? Stop all of that worry and use it to prepare for tonight's exploration." The Founder stated with a hint of coldness.

  "..." Kuma stared at The Founder in a way that showed a bit of annoyance. But she closed her eyes, exhaled, and started to calm down again. "Anyway, I'll do a few things for tonight's mission. Tao. Kibi. Rest up for the rest of the day. You'll need your strength for tonight."

  "Is it that bad?" Tao curiously raised her brows.

  "No, but your bodies won't be used to the Super Codes on the first day. I would rather be safe than sorry ter." Kuma answered seriously.

  "Oh. That is true..." Kujira nodded, then tapped the table with her fingers.

  "Oh. Right...." Yosei frowned and then stood up. "Well, now that you mention it, I shall take my leave."

  Before anyone got to say something, Yosei slowly walked towards the door. Once she reached it, Yosei opened it and then closed it when she went out of the room.

  Part of me wanted to call out to Yosei, but I didn't want to bother her.

  I heard a few adults sighing and some even disliking Yosei's 'behavior'. But that soon quieted down when The Founder coughed to gain our attention.

  "Yosei has the right mindset, although it seems a bit rude. Anyway, I shall close out this meeting. Please go back to your work and wait for further instructions. Dismissed." The Founder slowly stood up and started to head to the door as well.

  Soon after, the rest of the adults followed suit.

  One by one, everyone was leaving the meeting room. As for me, I was still sitting in my seat next to Tao and the rest of the supernaturals.

  "I suppose our questions will have to wait for now, Kishi." Tao frowned and closed her eyes in shame.

  "Yeah," I nodded.

  "I know it's difficult right now, but don't worry! I'll make sure it'll be smooth sailing for you two!" Kuma showed determination as she stood up with both of her fists formed tightly.

  "Don't bite off more than you can chew..." Kujira bluntly stated as she closed her eyes as if she was rejecting Kuma's idea. No—more like she was trying not to get TOO close to us. And honestly, that was very fair. We had only just met, so being too trusting could be troubling.

  By all means, Kujira's logic was probably the right or perhaps the smartest thing to do until you knew a person to a certain extent.

  "Then I'll bite even harder!" Kuma countered back to Kujira.

  "Y-you—....you didn't need to answer me that way..." Kujira sweated intensely as she opened her eyes after hearing Kuma say what she said.

  It seemed like Kujira hadn't expected Kuma to answer her so seriously—or even so intensely.

  Tao gave a warm yet nervous smile at me while looking sorry for Kujira for some reason.

  "They seem pretty close..." Tao whispered to me so that Kuma and Kujira wouldn't hear her.

  "Indeed, they are. It's best not to question it, though." I stated as I patted Tao's orange hair.

  "Right," Tao nodded, then giggled as I continued to pat her head.

  "...They seem pretty close..." Now it was Kuma and Kujira's turn to say that, as they finished their conversation, to see me patting my best friend's head.

  Feeling embarrassed, both Tao and I stood up intensely, bowed to them, and then rushed out with our faces feeling hot.

  ...Yeah, I didn't know why I did that, but it just felt right....

  And that was how our first morning at H.U..I.T.Y. went.