The man smiled then he politely bowed his head in greetings. Alaric looked at him skeptically holding the door tightly.

" Gavin rouke. City permit and licencing," he said extending a black and golden Metal business card to him. Alaric took it with the bloodless hand and read it just to confirm.

It really was him but he might have forged a business card, Alaric thought still doubtful.

Seeing him taking the card the man's smile widened a fraction.

" We received notice someone bought the silver shade estate," he said while glancing around, his eyes critical,"this place has been abandoned for sometime, I'm required to conduct an in person check after it is bought."

Alaric tensed even more. The old man had not told him the city monitoring the place, if he knew he wouldn't have bought it. But he doesn't blame the old man since he never gave him much of a chance to explain.

" You don't mind, do you?" the man added his eyes flickering briefly through the gap in the door way getting a glimpse of the inside above Alaric's shoulder.

Alaric's heart beat faster ,since the visit was unannounced and with the body hidden in his house it was double trouble.

If he was really from the city then the visit was the most inconvenient official visit.

People here seemed to love to spring on people unexpectedly. The awakeners association had also pulled the same thing just the night before and now this.

Alaric forced a mild smile and said softly," it's a bit sudden."

The man eyes narrowed dangerously but with the professional smile still on his face.

" My apologies," the man said stepping forward," these days sudden inspections are.... necessary."

His eyes sharpened just for a second before the pleasant mask returned. Alaric noticed it all but acted oblivious .

" So ," the man said softly stopping only a step from him," may I come in?"

Alaric hesitated for a heartbeat then stepped back and slowly opens the door fully.

"Fine come in," he said standing aside to let the man past him. The man walk Infront of him as he steadyly looked around until they reached the lounge.

Alaric was busy looking at the little droplets of blood that were too little to notice unless you bend down to look at it.

" Magnificent structure," Gavin murmured but his eyes said something else," even in it's current transitional state."

Alaric forced a chuckle at that," that's a polite way of saying it's a wreck." The place wasn't that bad but Alaric was sure the man had seen better.

Gavin gave him a small smile and opened his leather folder.

" Don't worry I've inspected far worse," he said taking out papers," now, let's begin the preliminary compliance check. I'll only be looking for structural safety issues, zoning violations and signs of any illegal activity."

Alaric stomach tightened after hearing the last part. He had already violated a code.

Gavin continued oblivious to his struggles,"you'd surprised how many abandoned estates end up housing squatter cults or banned monster parts."

Alaric nodded along and chimed in," that's oddly specific."

" Welcome to my job."

Alaric looked at him and thought the man must have seen a lot since he could feel that he was an awakened.

He moved through the mansion quickly tapping on walls and recording, checking doors, switching on old lights that would flicker a little or just nothing then nodding as though coming to an agreement with himself.

Alaric followed behind him his hand throbbing as they neared the closed corridor under the stairs. He subtly positioned himself to keep Gavin away from the corridor door . His stomach had fully tied itself up into a knot.

But Gavin the professional was checking everything throughly. He ran his hands against the scorched pillar on a hallway pillar," lightening stricks residue," he noted ," interesting."

He then crouched ito inspect the floor boards.

"Wear from age. Easily repairable," he says.

Alaric heart skips, he was just a few steps from a blood droplet but thankfully it had already dried up.

He moved to the side of the huge stairs and looks at it touching it,"outdated but function."

He started to leave then he stops his head turning directly to the door. The exact one Alaric doesn't want him to see.

Alaric steps slightly Infront of him blocking his view. He and Gavin were almost the same height.

"That area is just storage full of junk," he tries to convince him but Gavin side steps him.

" Still needs checking," he says as he walks towards the door writing,"safety protocol."

Gavin opens the service door of the corridor and dust floats out causing him to cough. Alaric hopes that was enough to deter him but Gavin takes out an handkerchief from his pocket and covers his mouth and steps inside.

Alaric follows his hands shaking.

Gavin flashes his phone flashlight around the hall. The beam sweeps over the old shelves, debris and stacked crates.

The moment it reaches the tarp Alaric breath hitched but the beam passes over it and move on.

Gavin taps his pen on the papers he was carries and says softly,"stale air. No structural damage. No signs of unauthorized entry. Just neglected."

He turns back and Alaric closes the door behind them. Alaric releases a breath he didn't know he was holding.

Gavin continues his inspections completely unaware that he had come close to discovering a corpse. After another fifteen minutes of checking windows, the kitchen, plumbing and emergency exits. Alaric followed behind him the whole way like a shadow.

" Congratulations," he said pleasantly," the estate passes the preliminary inspection. You're cleared to proceed with renovations."

Alaric takes the paper with his normal hand and says, " thank you."

While Gavin was packing his leather folder putting the papers back , he paused and says.

" By the way... If you plan to run a business here make sure it's properly registered. The city cracks downnon unlicensed businesses."

Alaric forced a smile," oh don't worry, it will be."

Gavin noded satisfied

"Good. I'd hate to visit again in less pleasant circumstances."

With the cryptic remark he started to head for the door. Alaric sighed happly. He'd managed to go undetected.

Unfortunately for him Gavin stopped abruptly almost at the door and turned back to him," thirteen years ago there was a mana eruption here and it caused quite a mess, that's why it abandoned so be careful. With all the dungeons appearing outside, the incident might repeat again. But this area isn't on the evacuation map so I think your good. Just be careful ."

" Okay sir," Alaric said starting to turning back to go deeper inside.

" Wait," he heard Gavin say. He'd thought the man had Left.

" Is something wrong?" He asked.

" Are you okay?" He asked.

" Yes," Alaric answered clenching his fist.

"I don't mean to be intrusive but your injuries have been dripping blood everywhere I just couldn't assume it," he said still standing at the door looking mainly at his arm as a drop of blood slid down his arm and dripped down to the floor.

Both of them look down at the same time.

"Yeah. I cut myself earlier when I was cleaning a window broke right in the middle," he said comming up with the first excuse he could think of.

" Looks deeper than a a glass cut," Gavin said slowly.

Alaric shrugged his only good shoulder and said," I'm bad at first aid. It looks worse than it is. I'll clean it properly once you are gone."

Gavin narrowed his eyes and watched him for quite sometime, long enough to make Alaric's heartbeat thud uncomfortably in his throat.

Gavin's eyes slid to the stairs case and Alaric moved subconsciously to block him. Gavin's eyes wide as he notices his small movement.

They stared at each other for a while before Gavin sighed.

" You should be careful," he said, tension draining from his voice,"this place is old, there are Lots of sharp edges and broke fixtures. Wouldn't want you getting tetanus before you move in."

The pressure that had built up again in Alaric chest released.

Alaric nods at him,"yeah , I'll clean it up."

Gavin nodded and a flicker of humor Crossing his eyes," try not to injure yourself too badly while renovating this place."

Alaric forced a smirk," no promises."

Gavin chuckled.

" Just make sure you're not alone here at night,"he says casually," this old mansions can be treacherous."

Alaric raised his brows," treacherous."

Gavin smiled, a genuine one this time.

" You never know what's hiding in the dark."

With that eerie but innocent remark he closed the door behind him.

Only after the door clicks shut and he waits a few seconds to pass does Alaric breath a sigh of relief.

Gavin had really believed him.

He bought it.

Alaric turned to walk to the floor to ceiling window and looked at the drive way as the car disappeared down a bend that led to the main road.

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