May 16-- Atishon Residence, Campaign Manager's Office

Dear Hazel,

Another day of pointless campaigning is happening with Sir Slime-a-lot arrives. How are you doing lately, by the way?

Holly smiled as she closed her personal notebook and glanced around her office. Being a campaign manager for a politician isn't what she desires, but she signed her contract for it anyway; she wants her older sister to achieve her legal dream.

On the bright side, at least she has her own private office for this so she wouldn't have to deal with an obnoxious slimeball aka the candidate she's managing the campaigns with.

KNOCK KNOCK

Or maybe not... so much for peace and quiet.

"Come in, the door's open, you know."

Four men wearing white polo and a white cap on entered the office. They were carrying a brown-and-black palanquin that is decorated with campaign slogans that Holly designed.

"Right, left, right, left, HALT!"They marched in unison before they stopped as they lay down the palanquin-

SNAP!

"Ow!"They suddenly cried in unison. They rubbed their backs to numb their pain, muttering remarks of their aching backs.

("I really pity you guys, and if he doesn't stop doing that, I'll personally set that box on fire.")

The cover of the palanquin opened as Holly saw her egoistical candidate. His short black hair was styled to nestle a gold accessory on top, while he wears a dark brown suit with a dark blue necktie. He grinned at her before he spoke.

"Come on, Trin. The people of Kurain Village needs to hear my name once more. Are my lines fit for the Paul Atishon?"

"They are indeed, Mr. Atishon."Holly replied, her voice now void of emotion. "All that's left to do is broadcast your message."

"Good, good, my lovely manager."Atishon replied before he turned to the people carrying his conveyance. "Let's give it all what you've got, men!"

"But, Mr. Atishon..."Holly tried to protest. "Their backs are really sore as of now and you can really campaign on foot-"

"Oh dear, a politician never walks on foot. I'm no peasant, unlike everyone else in this world."

"If that's what you wish, sir..."Holly replied, before she heard moans from the staff carrying the vehicle as they try to carry the politician riding the palanquin.

("*sigh* Different day, Same old slimeball.")

---

May 16-- Kurain Village

"Good day to you, citizens of Kurain Village! My name is Paul Atishon and I want your vote!"

("Same loud voice for a quiet town...") Holly rolled her eyes as she read her copy of the Oh! Cult magazine while passing through the village on foot with the campaign team.

"Paul Atishon, savior of Kurain has come to-- Ahhh! It's you people!"

("...wait, what?") Holly closed her copy and placed it in her shoulder bag as three people came into her viewpoint.

The first one is a male with notable brown hair that has two bits of it sticking out of his large forehead. The second one was a female wearing a blue top hat and a magician-like outfit. The third one was an older man who wears an black eyepatch over one of his eyes and a black coat.

("Why did he said that last part? Did he know these three?") As the staff members brought down the palanquin, Atishon opened the window of his vehicle. He met the gaze of all three strangers with a classic smile before he scowled.

"So you finally left Dr. Buff's house! What were you doing in there?!"He said as Holly glanced at her boss in confusion. "...What a bunch of shady-looking characters."

What was going on, Holly had no idea of it, but she has to find out. She knows who Dr. Buff is: she sometimes stalks him on his large window to see him work with artifacts from unknown origins. It felt like it would serve as a pedestal into uncovering the truth. But that was enough daydreaming of her, she has to find out what was going on.

"So I take it you knew the doctor?"The male with the two bits on his forehead asked.

"Paul Atishon has memorized the names and the faces of the entire voting community in Kurain Village."Holly replied as if she memorized this a hundred times. She then pulled out her notebook and her blue pen, trying to write an entry about the three strangers to her sister. She hoped said strangers would mistake that she was taking down important notes.

"My assistant's right, but then again, I am the man who's destined to be the king of this fine nation someday."Atishon added with a confident grin.

("One moment, I'm your campaign manager, the next moment, you call me your assistant. Those are two different people, slimeball!")

"Um... who are you?"The same person who asked the previous question continued.

("I may not know you three, but I wish that you can handle this man of an ego.") Sure enough, Atishon belitted their knowledge as he introduced himself as the soon-to-be eminent politician whose name will go down in history.

“I apologize for his sake. He really likes... to broadcast his intentions to the whole village."Holly piped while she writes her entry.

"No kidding."The female replied as Holly heard a conversation between the two men about how popular Atishon is. Unfortunately, she could only hear that question and never heard how the older male call the other one. Atishon didn't seem to mind it though, always on his little world where he's king.

"I'm running for a seat for the local council right now."Atishon boasted as Holly sighed longingly. "But my election is a sure thing, I'm told. After all, my grandfather was a famous politician with untold influence. In short, I'm the chosen one, the golden boy, the powerhouse of politics-"

"-And rider-of-his-grandfather's-coattails."The female added bubbly as her feet bounced in a skip. Holly had to suppress her chuckles on that remark.

("I'll admit it... I might like this girl... she almost reminds me of... me. She reminds me who I was before-- before I signed that contract.")

Atishon chuckled. "Heh, heh, heh. Are you blinded by my majesty? Go ahead! Bask in the resplendent glory that is me, the chosen one!"

(".......no, thank you very much.") Holly snorted before she spotted Atishon grabbing his microphone to the nearby people around them, waving his hand like a proper politician.

"A pleasant day to you, good people of Kurain! I am Paul Atishon! It's time to reclaim the glory of Kurain, together! A convenience store in every corner, a karaoke bar in every home! A vote for Paul Atishon is a vote for a happier, hopey-er Kurain Village!"

("...I'm definitely his assistant. He won't even use my prepared speeches that would provide more help than his speeches.")

"Turn off that infernal racket, you fool!"An old man cried. "You're a stain to your grandfather's good name!"

"Thank you, good sir! Your support is appreciated, as always!"Atishon replied as Holly took her notebook and slammed her face in it. She then bit her lip, trying to keep her composure as her boss bragged his palanquin.

"Namely, these imbeciles tire out too quickly."Holly's left eye twitched lightly, and her grip on her notebook tightens as she heard the staff coughed, huffed and apologize to the politician.

"Have some respect and give dignity to them, sir. They spent almost every day of campaigning carrying your back."Holly gritted her teeth.

"I would, dear Hollybirch..."

"Hollybirch is not a term, sir."Her grip tightened even more, her blazing emotions seeping to her words.

"But only if they can carry me for the rest of the week."Atishon finished before he told the strangers about the Atishon's family history, in which Holly was forced to learn when she signed the contract.

"You must've heard of the Atishons. I'm even reviving our old country campaigning style. Isn't that right, Trin?"Atishon looked at Holly.

"Indeed, sir."Holly nodded. ("Though I don't think letting your campaign manager's work go to waste is part of that campaigning style, slimeball!")

"Trin?"The older male asked as he glanced at her.

"Holly Ree Trin. I'm his campaign manager... or assistant, in short."She greeted as she briefly bowed to the strangers. Over the conversations, she soon learned their names. The female whispered to her ear while Atishon was bragging of his reputation. The girl was named Trucy, the younger male was Apollo and the other male is Dhurke. The first two names were strikingly familiar to her for some reason. Have she seen those two somewhere in the news?

("That can be handled later, Holly. Right now, I have to know whatever that slimeball's hiding.")

---

May 16, Atishon Residence, Candidate's Office

Holly opened Atishon's door without a knock, emotions flaring within her. Sure, the fact that Dr. Buff made her cry on the inside, but that doesn't mean Atishon is free from secrets. No, she bets he hides a lot from her. She doesn't even care of Atishon's scolding that she should have knocked.

"Sir, we need to talk. Like, right now."Holly gritted her teeth as she slammed her notebook on a nearby table. "What were you doing last night with Dr. Buff? What was that about the Crystal of Ami Fey? Who the heck is your benefactor?!"

"Trin, this is my office and you're staining it with your nosy peasant questions."

"Yeah, I already kept my mouth shut earlier in the village. Just so you know, I hate being kept in the dark."Holly spat.

"Well, I would tell you... if you agree to testify in the upcoming trial that the Orb those peasants are looking for is the Crystal of Ami Fey, that is. You witnessed what happened last night, Trin."

"Last night... I didn't went out of my house, sir."

"Suit yourself... all I know is that I saw you peeking in a nearby tree outside the doctor's study."Atishon rolled his eyes. "But you will still testify. My benefactor knows the contract, you know."

Holly stared at the candidate for a few moments before she scoffed. "Fine. But you better not break that contract."

"You're the one that's trying to break the contract, Trin."Atishon said. "Oh, and I'm giving you a break for now. I have someone important as me, Paul Atishon-- coming in this office today."

"Is it your benefactor?"Holly piped as she grabbed her notebook.

"No. He's quite busy, you know. Now then, shoo shoo. I must get this place ready for his arrival."Holly obeyed but not before giving a final dirty glare at the candidate.

---

May 16-- Atishon Residence, Campaign Manager's Office

"*sigh* What am I going to do?"Holly muttered as she settled her paperwork. "That slinky of a slimeball..."A ringing sound blasts in her ears as she glanced at her phone. Her brother Oak was calling.

("Just what I need. Thanks bro, I really need to talk to you about what's happening lately.") With a tired smile, Hazel answered the call.