NOVEL WEB Chapter 5: 87
Haru sat down on the soft couch across from Narkul, a delicate teacup resting in his hands.
He wasn't a big fan of tea — never had been.
But his mother was.
Born and raised in England, she'd learnt tea culture from a young age and then taught him proper etiquette from a young age as well. How to stir gently, how not to slurp, how to hold the cup without making a fool of yourself.
It came in handy now.
Narkul, seated across from him in a velvet-backed armchair, sipped his own tea with two clawed hands.
"So, my boy," the President said, his voice warm, "do you have any questions for me before we begin your process?"
"Ah, yes," Haru replied, sitting up straighter and clearing his throat.
He even raised his pinkie slightly — putting on a fake posh voice.
"Well… how exactly did you know my parents?
Uncle Leonidas only told me they were very important Arknights in the grand scheme of things."
Narkul chuckled lightly, monocle glinting in the sunlight.
"Hmmm. That's accurate… but only the tip of the iceberg."
Haru leaned forward, attention sharpening as Narkul took another sip.
"Ahhh, well… where to begin," Narkul mused. "How much do you actually understand about our institution?"
Haru explained that he had a decent foundation.
He knew they revered the Triasm.
He understood the basics of Manna — what it was and how it worked.
He knew Arknights protected the multiverse, and that they were chosen, not recruited.
But beyond that… it was mostly fog.
"I see," Narkul said, nodding slowly.
"Leonidas clearly wasn't fond of you joining us — and I understand his reluctance.
This path isn't easy, Haru. It never was."
He set his teacup down with care, folding his hands in his lap.
"In our system, we have rankings. Arknights can go up those rankings through two distinct methods — Combat and Support.
Most Arknights don't even have an official ranking unless they've completed enough high-level missions to earn points toward advancement into the top five hundred."
Haru nodded, taking it all in with silent focus.
"Your father," Narkul continued, "was the No.1 Ranked Arknight in our institution.
A genius — capable of forging divine-level weapons and equipment using pure, concentrated Manna. His craftsmanship bordered on miraculousness."
Haru's eyes widened slightly.
"And your mother," Narkul went on, "was the No.2 Ranked Arknight. Just as much of a genius — but her gift lay in healing.
She could detect the frequency of Manna inside herself and others, manipulating it to restore, support, and empower.
She was like no one else."
He leaned back, the memory softening his features.
"They were the best of the best. The power couple of the Arknights.
Everyone knew their names.
And they held that top position for over a decade — without ever dropping.
That doesn't happen.
There's usually fluctuation. Someone rises, someone falls. But not them."
Haru sat quietly, the weight of it all pressing into his chest.
To him, they had always just been Mom and Dad.
The people who raised him. Taught him.
Made him feel safe.
But to the multiverse…
They were its greatest protectors.
Its most powerful heroes.
"Obviously, with their absence, things changed around here," Narkul continued, gently swirling his tea.
"We spent years trying to rebalance ourselves. And by the will of the Triasm, we managed it… but the ghost of their impact still lingers in the Mivtzar of Einaim.
You'll even find statues of your parents at the Mivtzar's central park."
Haru looked down, the words sinking in.
"Unfortunately for you, my boy," Narkul added with a soft sigh, "that means you'll likely have the highest of expectations placed on you.
Can you handle that?"
Haru looked up, then turned to gaze out the observatory window. The Mivtzar stretched out endlessly beneath him — a living, breathing marvel of light and wonder.
He paused.
"I don't know," he said honestly.
"I wish I could say I can live up to those expectations but… I'm not sure."
He turned back to Narkul, face thoughtful.
"I'm not like my father. I'm more like my mother — but even still, I'm not as confident or self-assured as they were.
I have the ambition. The desire. Hell, I want to be No.1 someday.
And I believe — no, I know — I was made for more than I can even imagine."
He took a breath.
"But I don't know what that looks like yet.
You get what I mean?"
Narkul studied him for a moment, then smiled softly.
"I get it. Completely."
He leaned back, setting his teacup down.
"Let's take this one step at a time.
All the expectations and potential — we'll get to those.
But first, let's get you on your feet. Let you get used to how things work here. Sound good?"
Haru nodded.
"Sounds good."
"So… how do we start?"
Narkul lifted his cup again, taking a final sip before responding.
"Obviously your Uncle, Leonidas Kingston will be your official guardian, so he'll be overseeing your training and development."
He set the cup down gently.
"But I'll do my part. I'll give you your number now, send you down to the lab underneath this building to get your data calibrated, and assign you your first mission.
Something light. Just to get you acclimated."
"Thank you," Haru said quietly.
"That's the least I could do.
Now — hold out both hands. Palms down."
Haru obeyed, stretching his arms forward.
Narkul placed his own hands just above Haru's.
On the back of Narkul's right hand was a simple number: 0.
It made sense. The President.
The origin point.
He closed his eyes, and slowly — gently — a radiant circle of light formed around them, etched in the pattern of an ancient eye.
The eye blinked.
And when it opened — Haru felt it.
He looked down.
On the back of his left hand was the symbol for infinity — likely what Narkul meant when he said those outside the top five hundred weren't officially ranked.
But his eyes then drifted to the back of his right hand.
87
His number.
His fate.
His future.
"…Eighty-seven," Haru whispered.
"How interesting," Narkul murmured with a smirk.
"Seven was your father's number.
Eight was your mother's.
You truly are the fusion of both."
He leaned back, eyes kind.
"I don't doubt your potential, Haru."
Haru smiled faintly.
In his heart, he felt that it must've been the work of Seisaku… but he wasn't ready to agree with Narkul's last sentiment just yet.
"So… Uncle, I mean Leonidas said if I say my number with an intention, it gives me access to everything here. Is that true?"
"Yes and no," Narkul replied. "You can do a lot with your number — but some things are restricted.
Like this room, for example.
You'll only gain access if I authorize it."
He raised his right hand.
"Let me show you. Zero."
At once, Haru's number pulsed — a faint gold glow radiating from his right hand.
Manna transference.
Even after all the surreal things he'd seen, Haru was still amazed at how seamlessly Manna could be used for things like this.
"So… what did that do?"
"You can now contact me directly. Message me, call me, even access this office when needed," Narkul said with a wink.
"But don't tell anyone, my boy — can't have the others thinking I play favorites."
He raised a finger to his beak in a "shhh" motion.
Haru grinned and nodded.
"Thanks for everything."
"No problem, my boy. Now off you go — Leonidas doesn't like waiting too long!"
Haru stood, bowed his head slightly in thanks, and made his way to the door.
He turned back one last time to wave.
Narkul smiled and raised his cup in return.
Haru left the room, walking back toward the lobby — number 87 glowing faintly on his right hand.