Robert was descending the stairs; the hallway was narrow and dim, and the clerk picked up a lantern as they were descending.
This place is indeed secretive. Robert thought as he was walking down the stairs.
"Sir, I am going to ask you to keep this place a secret... We don't want any intruders, do we?" The clerk said slowly but with a warning.
"Yeah, I am an expert in keeping secrets." Robert replied.
As they both headed down, they were in a basement which was vast and huge; there were several ways and different corridors. The clerk looked around and walked towards the left corridor. As they walked through the hallways, they reached a dark wooden door which had a Tan Family crest.
The Tan family are the aristocrats of Cosford city, and by the means of it, I think Raven comes under the Tan family, and Raven has given a lecture at the institute which is owned by the Topez family, so I think Topez and Tan are allies while the Cecils are the odd ones out. Or maybe Tan is neutral, and there is a rivalry between Cecil and Topez. Robert made his own conclusion in his mind.
The clerk then extended his hands and opened the door and nodded to Robert as he instructed, "Sir, you may go in... And those two intruders will be dealt with."
Robert nodded and walked inside the door, and he saw that the room was decorated with bookshelves and a clock with a metal pendulum, which was moving to and fro and creating a repeated sound.
He also saw a man in the white suit and pants with the purple tie sitting at a table and reading some parchments, but unlike before, Robert saw that Raven had a strange aura around him; it wasn't visible, but it was a feeling that Robert had.
Still an eyesore, Robert thought as he walked inside.
Raven, without looking up, said, "I knew you would come. Arthur and Matthew have been ordered to retreat from their mission, and who knows? Maybe you will work with these two men in future."
His tone was still as cocky as before he met all.
Raven stood up from his chair and walked towards Robert and extended his hand for a handshake.
Robert, upon noticing the arm, shook it.
Raven, without waiting for any answer from Robert, asked, "Are you willing to work for the city's aristocrat?"
Robert's eyes widened as he asked, "I already work as a nightshift guard at Cosford library."
Raven chuckled and answered, "I have checked your work history; your employer is Sidney Cecil, right?"
Robert nodded, "Yes..."
Raven continued, "Your employment in this place will be arranged by us; you'll just receive a joining date if you signed our employment programme, as we are really in need of an exception user."
Robert took a step back. "How do you know I have an exception?"
Raven answered, "Your exceptional energy is really unique, unlike anything I've sensed before..."
Robert nodded; he was a little embarrassed and then asked, "Salary?"
Raven nodded, "No shame in asking that, 2 notes every month."
Robert nodded; it was a much bigger salary hike than his previous night shift guard. In his old job, he earned 5 pennies every month.
Robert then nodded. "My one last question: what will I be working on?"
Raven pupils looked up for some time and then said, "You will be trained with one another, and both you two will be investigating anomalies in Cosford."
Robert tilted his hands slightly. "Anomalies?"
Raven noticed confusion on Robert's face and then answered, "Don't worry; you will be taught in training."
Then he walked towards the table and opened the drawer. After searching it for a second, he pulled out a paper and gave it to Robert as he patted his shoulders.
Raven then sat back on his chair and asked Robert, "You may sit at the table and read it if you want, or leave this area if you want."
Robert nodded and asked, "Can I take this employment letter to my home?"
Raven nodded and said, "Yes, but be sure that nobody else saw it."
Robert then asked another question, "And if I agree, how will I submit the job application?"
Raven thought for a moment and then answered, "Submit it to Edward, the clerk up there."
Robert nodded, folded the papers, and put them in his pocket as he left; he ascended up the stairs and knocked on the door.
After a while Edward opened the door as he escorted Robert out of the secret area to the waiting area.
Robert looked at Edward and nodded. Edward then proceeded and walked toward the counter to assist at the counter.
Robert looked around the room, which had light green walls along with a sitting area for people who had come to sell their goods or buy them.
Robert walked around and saw that it was near sunrise; the sky was blue, but the sun was not up in the sky yet. He saw people sitting at tables outside the taverns and saw buildings where some women in revealing clothes were walking outside of the balcony with messy hair and ruined makeup.
People were just living their lives as the ships were docking and departing, and the sound of people shouting and talking was echoing through the area.
Robert, who was now free and out of trouble, decided that he would head to his magic classes and quit because of the betrayal he felt from what happened in the cafe.
It was almost confirmed that if he stayed in the cafe, he was going to get toyed with further by Angelina.
Robert made his way through the roads as he took the public carriage to the 1st den street where the magic classes were located.
After a while he reached the classes; he walked towards the counter and saw Angelina sitting there reading a newspaper.
As Robert approached, he didn't bother noticing the people there as he walked straight to the counter and snatched and threw away the newspapers from Angelina's hand.
Angelina's eyes widened for a moment, but then a smirk emerged at the corner of her lips as she said, "Very rude of you, Mister Robert Smith."
Robert, without wasting any time, said, "You aren't a receptionist...don't pretend. I just want the code."
Angelina sighed and handed Robert the note. "Here."
Robert nodded and then asked, "Also, I want to quit this institute."
Angelina's eyes widened as he gave up and pulled out the form. "It was fun to play with you; I had more plans with you...but as they say, good times pass quickly," she continued, "Fill the form and sign here."
Robert filled in the form on the reception counter and handed it to Angelina, "Here."
Angelina looked at the form and nodded, "Very well then..." She extended her arm with a parchment in her hands. "If you hand this at the gate in front of Topez Manor at 4 p.m... a guard will take you to my father."
Robert nodded and turned and left. As he was about to leave, he heard a voice from behind, "Also, if you want my help in any future time, just come to Topez Manor at Hereford.
As if I would, Robert left without giving an answer.