House of Cards

Balance and Power

My father and I went to the place where he said that they traced that person’s office. ‘Looks like that person in the thread really is real.’ I thought to myself after I saw the sign. (Researcher of Pandora’s Box branch 12). Our bodyguards opened the door for us as the beautiful interior of the office greeted us as the person I think who was the person we were looking for greet us with a smile on his face.

“Good evening, I did not expect to have some guests which we did not have for a few years now- hehe” he offered us some chairs as he rushed to bring in some cups with what I think is tea. “I’m really sorry if my office is a bit dirty- I was planning to get it cleaned today but the company that was supposed to clean my office called in and told me that they are not able to clean my office today.” He let out a painful chuckle as he wipes the sweat on his forehead.

I scanned around his office and saw some things that he won in his younger years and even his graduation photo from Olympus. ‘He must be really talented to amass this much trophies and awards.’ I gasp in awe after seeing them hanging on his wall as the other rest on a table dedicated to them. “You must be quite exceptional in your younger years Mr. Ferlin.” My father praised as he looks around the walls decorated with all of Mr. Ferlin’s achievements. “You are flattering me Mr. Nigel, I am but just a humble researcher.” He denied as scratch the back of his head. “I heard you were the top student of your class in Olympus twenty years ago.” My father added as he recall all the things that they found out about Mr. Ferlin’s background. “I see you have quite an investigation about me but you must not have investigated much after you called me the top of my class.” Mr. Ferlin said with a smile on his face as he adjust his glasses. “Was there something that our private investigators missed?” Father asked after hearing his response.

Mr. Ferlin’s expression changed drastically after confirming his initial assumption about the investigation regarding him. “I graduated as the top student of that year’s class because I buried my head under the books the entire time, but there was someone even more talented and exceptional than me, that person had overwhelming strength and fast wit but looked like he doesn’t care about the sessions.” Mr. Ferlin confessed as he flashed a huge smile in his face. “You came and investigated me about the thread that I posted right? I created that thread after graduating and that man is the reason why I made such a research.” He explained a brief history of his research.

‘This man had already saw through me and my father’s actions? I guess he really is the top student even when he said that he worked hard to get to the top.’ I told myself as I grabbed and take a look at his graduation picture but asked him for permission before doing so. “Can I?” I asked. “It’s okay, you must be interested about the person who I was referring to earlier right? But I have to disappoint you- I tore of the part where he was in since he was the reason why I worked really hard at Olympus during that time.” He permitted as he takes a sip from his cup.

‘He must have bear some really deep hatred towards that man. Well, I guess I might do the same if I were on his shoes but to think that his hatred would last twenty years- that I don’t think I can do that.’ After that we proceeded to what our goal was for finding him. “I guess you already read my thread so this will be easy. As you already know or read from my thread, I call the person with special ability that can be used after some conditions are met New-world abilities while the other people possessing the special abilities that can be used under and circumstances, Old-world abilities.” He made a little summary of what I read from the thread.

“Like I told you earlier, this research is made possible of my hatred towards my classmate that year right? This research was also based on him, you see, he was an Old-world ability user, he can use his ability anytime he wants and that made our other classmates fear him since we have requirements for our abilities to be used, but our worries were no use. That person is stagnant and doesn’t meddle around with us which made me really envious of his power. He has so much yet he doesn’t do anything to utilize his full potential. Well, we are quite relieved that he is not some thug that happens to have an overpowered ability, which would be really awful in so many ways. The continuation of that is my theory that the House of Cards that bestowed us special abilities has consciousness.” My eyes widened after hearing what he had said. “Can you tell me if all people were given the ability and all of those abilities are of Old-world abilities, what do you think will happen to the world if that were the case?” he asked both me and my father which my father immediately answered. “Abuse and Power unbalance, in short the world will end up in ruins.” Mr. Ferlin smiled and pointed at father. “Correct. The House of Cards is capable of thought and it senses and sees the unbalance of power if it continues to hand humans abilities like what it gave at the very beginning. There was a reason why only a handful of people were only able to receive special abilities every year from the past and it was because of the unending possibilities that the humans can exploit with those abilities but now it changed, the number of special individuals that gained special abilities skyrocketed and will continued to rise over the years. By that time, I’m sure the whole world will be swarming with individuals with special abilities. Maybe, just maybe. That would spell the end of the world.” He explained as he adjust his glasses.

‘I did not see this topic that way at all. So the stronger the special ability is the early it was given.’ I thought to myself as I stare at my arm but then I realized something. ‘Huh? Then what about Rain? His ability matched that of an Old-world like Mr. Ferlin just said and his overwhelming strength would not be the result of his training even from when he was a child.’ I raised my hand to ask a question which he immediately permitted me. “Is it possible to have and Old-world ability in this age?” Mr. Ferlin tilted his head in confusion and surprise. “My dear, there is no way that someone will have an Old-world ability this day and age because if it were the case then the balance of power had long been overturned but why do you ask?” I turned my head down and wonder if I my assumption was wrong. Having found no conclusion to my thoughts I told him what is in my head. “You see, I have a classmate that also has overwhelming strength and he rarely interacts with other students but he opened up to us a few months ago when he saved us from a certain incident.” I confessed but as I lift my head I saw the expression on Mr. Ferlin’s face. He was staggered by what I said but on a whole new different level, it was like a mix of joy and despair that you will only see to a person who almost their minds.

My heart immediately race after seeing his reactions. ‘Did I say something wrong?’ I asked myself after sensing that something is wrong about the current situation. “And what is that person’s special ability?” he asked immediately after he regained his composure. “I have never seen someone use their ability in an instant and just as I thought when I read your thread online, his special ability falls into the Old-world category, he can instantly summon ‘lightning’.

His expression became even more bizarre than earlier, he even started shaking in some reason that I can’t imagine. But he still continued to talk to us properly even though we can clearly see his painful and disturbed expression. “Is that so? Must be nice to be him huh? To have an Old-world ability in this day and age is a blessing.” He said with a painful smile. After that we continued to talk about the things related to his thread as he explained everything I wanted to know properly. With the time being this late, we bid goodbye to Mr. Ferlin as we apologized for taking too much of his time.

“Good riddance, I can’t believe that it was true. I thought it was a ridiculous legend but to think that it was the truth after all. Now I feel bad to those who I roasted and called insane in the past. So you were hiding in the shadows the entire time while the others are basking in the glory that you have done in the past, Oh my lord, Hero of the city.” I whispered to myself as I dragged my hair at the back of my head as I smile at the window and saw my reflection.