Chapter 12: Temporary ID, Permanent Trouble ( 12 )
The officer placed a glowing orb on the desk, gesturing for me to step forward. "Place your hand here," he ordered, flipping through a stack of papers while side-eyeing me.
I complied, resting my palm on the orb, which emitted a faint hum.
He glanced at the sphere and muttered, "Hmm...you are...Haze...kaya...Hajoki?"
I groaned. "It's Hazuki. Not Hajoki."
"Yes, yes, whatever." He jotted down notes on a parchment. "Now...criminal record...hmm...none. Good for you."
I sighed in relief. "See? Told you I'm not a criminal!"
"Sure, sure. Now stand over there." He pointed to a small platform by the wall.
I tilted my head. "Huh? What for?"
The officer didn't look up. "It's in Madam Shania's letter. You're getting a temporary ID."
"Oh...okay," I replied, stepping onto the platform.
The orb's light dimmed as the officer handed it to a clerk nearby, who fiddled with a strange device that resembled a cross between a typewriter and a printing press.
