Chapter 8: The Locked Room of Roses and the Eyes of a Ferret
Chapter 8: The Locked Room of Roses and the Eyes of a Ferret (Oliver’s POV)
In a corner of an air-conditioned tavern, one of Maharaja’s men was waiting.
He showed me a video captured by a fly-shaped drone. A man in a suit, every movement sharp and efficient. And in his line of sight—appeared Baxter.
Apparently, he’d said he wanted “the gifted academy’s rose.”
The Azure Flame Rose—red at first glance, but glowing blue when light touched it. A rare cultivar treasured among nobles.
He was planning to steal it. Even had a buyer lined up.
The recording was delivered by Maharaja’s subordinate and immediately transferred to my terminal.
“…Baxter again. That guy never learns,” I muttered with a sigh, pulling Fei-taro onto my lap.
“Fei-taro. Keep watch on the greenhouse, alright? And remember the rule—no digging.”
“My instincts are screaming otherwise, but fine…” he grumbled, switching into surveillance mode.
The soft hum of a sensor module starting up echoed faintly.
⸻
A few days later, it happened.
Late at night, inside the greenhouse—this part I only saw later, thanks to Fei-taro’s playback.
Baxter tried to snatch the Azure Flame Rose. Just then, he sensed something.
From the shadows, Fei-taro moved.
Thinking it was a mouse, Baxter let his guard down. But behind him, Fei-taro let out a small cry—the signal.
From the ceiling, multiple drones powered on and attacked Baxter. He collapsed on the spot, unconscious.
All of it was recorded, crystal clear.
⸻
After that, things moved fast.
The FBI stepped in, arresting Baxter on charges of illegal trafficking in stolen goods.
From his storage facility, they seized items that matched my mother Hera’s keepsakes.
Stained with blood. DNA confirmed—it was hers.
…I had no words.
His whole circle was arrested one by one, and they even uncovered an underground armory stretching beneath the academy.
The news called it “The Bust of an International Arms Smuggling Syndicate.”
But for me, it was the first time my mother’s soul had finally been given light.
⸻
That night, I called Maharaja.
“…Thanks. I owe you.”
“Forget it. We’re even now, right?”
“Let’s call it that.”
On the other side of the line, I could sense him smiling.
“Hey, Oliver. Why don’t you join my division? With your skills, you’d be worth a hundred men.”
“…Nah. Being tied down isn’t really my thing.”
“I figured. Still, if you change your mind, I’ll always be here, Jones.”
“When that time comes, let’s go big.”
I found myself laughing too.
⸻
The incident was wrapped up, and gifted academy regained a fragile calm.
…But Fei-taro?
He was back to digging up Katie’s flowerpots.
“You little demon!!”
Her shout rang through the courtyard.
Someone, clueless to the situation, whispered, “But he’s a hero…”
And Fei-taro just answered flatly,
“Hey, it’s instinct…”
…Yeah. That’s him.
⸻
And so, one case was closed.
But our fight had only just begun.
A ferret, a rose, an overseer, and—my mother’s will.
I carry them all on my back, and I’m still here in this academy.
If “gifted” really means the chosen ones,
then maybe escape is no longer an option.
Even so, I’ll see it through to the end.
The adventures of Oliver Jones—
are still nothing but a prologue.
End of Chapter 8
