It took multiple days to get back to Lord Fujioka's mansion.
Upon arrival through the main gate Reiji saw what seemed to be recruits training, as if they were in the kingdom's military with an angry instructor yelling at them.
"So, does my training continue?"
Asked Reiji.
"Yes, but not in the way you might think."
Answered Lord Fujioka.
The carriage stopped and he opened the door, signalling for Reiji to step out.
Stepping out, Reiji Kurozuma stretched his legs.
"Agh, that's the stuff."
Muttered Reiji.
"Come along, I'll explain what comes next as we go."
As Lord Fujioka started walking, Reiji stretched for a moment longer before he followed him, jogging slightly to catch up.
Once Lord Fujioka saw that Reiji was beside him, he began speaking.
"You don't need to train anything but how to fight with a sword if you haven't lied to me about your endeavours. That's why you'll do just that and also enter the royal guard."
"Sounds like a hassle."
Reiji answered, looking at the trainees.
"You'll need to pass the education tests and also the physical tests without arousing suspicion."
"Wait, why do I need to join the royal idiots?"
Asked Reiji.
"Because we'll need information on any major operations which you'll best achieve by being there and sneaking into places where you shouldn't be."
"...Give me the layout of their…headquarters or whatever."
Said Reiji as they arrived at the backyard entrance.
When Lord Fujioka opened the door a weird smell of chemicals hit their noses.
"What's that? Geez, it burns my nose just by breathing it in."
Commented Reiji.
Lord Fujioka sighed.
"It must be one of the unique people we found on the other side of the kingdom. But I do wish she would consider our and her well-being."
Lord Fujioka started to walk through the halls with haste, followed by Reiji.
"Where are you going so fast?"
Reiji asked, also speed walking slightly behind him.
"To our basement, of course."
They eventually got to an inconspicuous door behind which was a flight of stairs going down.
Lord Fujioka went down first, followed by Reiji.
The smell of chemicals only got stronger.
When they reached the bottom of the stairs, they saw what seemed to be an 18-year-old girl.
She had green hair, green eyes and a tight top that looked like a corset.
She was wearing an unzipped jacket over this top and a skirt that went halfway down her thighs.
With gloved hands she was looking through a microscope at some sample or something.
Reiji also noticed she had a big chest and a strap on her right thigh which was used for holding veils and was currently holding three out of its limit of five.
She didn't even notice them walk in.
"Miss Itsuka, it would be appreciated that you don't break protocol and make the entire building smell like…chemicals."
"Noted, sir."
She answered Lord Fujioka's request with a flat tone, clearly focusing more on the thing she was seeing through the microscope.
"Alright, if you don't follow protocol your research will be suspended for a week."
The girl froze up, slowly turning her head into Lord Fujioka's direction and noticing Reiji beside him.
Her slightly murderous expression softened up, and she walked over to Reiji, inspecting his body.
She touched his shoulders, squeezing them.
"It seems you have a lot of testosterone."
She said in a flat tone, the interest and fascination in her eyes clear.
Lord Fujioka watched Reiji's slightly surprised expression, but he himself was more surprised by the fact that he just stood there, taking it.
Her hand wandered down his arms.
"What's testosterone?"
Reiji asked.
"A chemical I found only in males, my leading theory is that it increases muscle growth and aggression. Of course, I came to that conclusion by studying far more than just the chemical itself."
"That's great, but do you have to touch me?"
Reiji asked, not that he was too bothered by it. The last time he was touched like this by a woman was…never, actually.
"Just fascinated by how dense your muscles are, they're harder than rock."
"Mister Kurozuma is one of our unique people."
Commented Lord Fujioka.
"Fascinating. I'll follow protocol if I can conduct harmless studies on…?"
"Reiji, already got my last name from him."
Reiji tilted his towards Lord Fujioka.
"Right now, isn't the time, miss Itsuka. We have to go, tomorrow Reiji will arrive right after waking up and eating breakfast. Come now."
Lord Fujioka walked out of the basement in a hurry.
"See you tomorrow, I guess."
Said Reiji before he turned away and left the basement as well, closing the door behind him.
He quickly caught up to Lord Fujioka.
"Really? Just like that? We don't even know if we'll have the time tomorrow."
Reiji complained.
"Well, it's better than having to deal with this smell. I need a shower. We will meet in my office as soon as possible."
They parted ways and Reiji made his way to his unlocked room; he left the key on the inside of the door.
He opened it and quickly closed it; the smell was there but far less intense.
Just to be sure it wouldn't be that strong later he slid open the square window in his room.
As Lord Fujioka was walking to his living space, he encountered one of the servants.
"Please, tell the others to open all the windows for a minute or two, thank you."
He said and walked away.
The servant bowed and quickly did as requested.
Reiji enjoyed the cool air hitting his face, it was still freezing cold outside, but he wasn't really bothered by it.
He stepped into the bathroom and showered.
Reiji walked out of the shower after 7 minutes and looked at his body in the mirror, checking for anything he might've not noticed.
"I'm definitely not going to read some stupid books and learn useless things to pass a dumb exam."
Reiji muttered while he was looking into the mirror.
He then left the bathroom and got dressed into his suit.
He walked into Lord Fujioka's office a few minutes later.
"I have everything ready; you're just in time."
Said Lord Fujioka with a soft smile.