As Jien and Olivia were discussing with Rodrick the others were making their way to Central Administration once again. Lesley held a map that was provided to all new students and they were following it along the larger paths, though they were also more crowded. The others realized just how handy Jien's navigation was as their path forward was slow. Those that had trained with him in the Warping Forest knew of this skill before the others but this did not mean they missed it any less.
By the time they had finally made it to the large spire Jien and Olivia were already on their way, having settled things with Rodrick. In the end Jien had settled for the contract with Rodrick for one year. After all, Rodrick was in his last year at the academy and Jien wouldn't let himself be bound longer.
With the Merits from the sale in hand, or more so recorded within the pocket watch that they had all been given, the two were on their way across the large campus to rent their alchemy lab. The hope was to rent it for the following two days to allow them time for their next course this afternoon and some planning in the evening. The goal was profit, and while their deal with Rodrick would bring them profit on it's own Jien wanted to try and maximize it in a short term to allow them the ability to spend their time more wisely in the later years where it would matter more.
Once the larger group entered the Central Administration hall once again it was oddly Barret who made the first move. He split off from the group without a word and headed off to the side of the large entrance hall. How he knew where to head, nobody else was sure, but none of them tried to stop the silent boy. They all trusted that he at least knew where he was going and what the goal of this trip was.
After Barret had left down one of the side hallways they all split from one another, heading to different desks set up within the large space to talk to the tired looking personnel who sat drinking their coffee or working. They either were discussing with a present student or spending time on their own work. It was all the same organized chaos as all their other visits, except the number of students present was smaller.
It wasn't hard to find a desk that was open and Rosalind just so happened to be the first. In front of her was a woman with droopy brown eyes and black hair. She had bags under her eyes, showing her obvious lack of sleep. The woman was consistently sipping on a large cup of what Rosalind could only call the strongest coffee she had ever seen given the smell. When the administrative staff member saw her approach she asked in a calm but almost distant voice. "What can I help you with?"
Rosalind was quick to state her reason for coming before the woman pulled out a book that was slightly different from the one used for logging training grounds. This one was vastly smaller in nature, being no more than the size of a standard notebook. On its brown leather cover was a picture of an anvil in a cold iron grey color. The staff member wasted no time in flipping the book open and perusing it's first few pages before taking a piece of paper and quickly writing out the details before sliding it across the desk while snapping the book closed. "Go to the location written and show the person present this slip. The sooner the better to make a good impression."
The others in the group were having similar experiences. The only difference was that the books that were pulled out to direct them were all varying in color and what design was present on the cover. Nonetheless, they all received their slips and met up once again, ready to head off to meet their 'employers' for lack of a better word. The only exception was Barret, who had yet to show up again since they walked away.
The boy himself was in a small office, only twice the size of the broom closet where they received their books for their coursework. The room itself was far colder feeling, lit only by a single dim lantern against the back wall, hiding the man, or perhaps woman who was sitting behind the simple desk in front of him. They were completely covered by a dark cloak so Barret had no way of identifying anything about them. The only other detail he could make out was a simple black chain that hung across the person's chest, outside of their cloak.
The details would seem like something that could easily be overlooked if you didn't know it's meaning. That was of course the point. What shadow enforcement organization would wish to be identified so easily. Though they unfortunately had to wear the chains to at least provide some level of identification they made sure that the effect was relatively muted for the very purpose of remaining hidden in plain sight.
The person behind the desk looked up as Barret entered the dim room, having knocked thrice before opening the door as instructed in the student guide. The hooded figure seemed to peer deeply at Barret with hidden piercing eyes, seemingly trying to probe all of his secrets and pry them from the depths of his very soul. Barret himself could only tell this from the cold feeling that ran over him and the goosebumps that spread across his body from the gaze alone.
He wasn't unaccustomed to cold, probing and at times harsh gazes. This one however, carried a weight that was matched only by that of his very own mother. It seemed more probing however, as if digging, where his mother's gaze was only a presentation of pressure.
After several long, silent minutes the figure finally spoke, a soft whisper of a voice but in the small, cold stone room it was heard clearly. "So you wish to join the Black Chain heir of the Romero house?"