Chapter Text
Veritas had known his destiny for as long as he’s been able to remember. To become a member of the fabled Genius Society. His parents always said that even before he was born, they knew he would be extraordinary. And they were right, Veritas was a prodigy among prodigies. By the time he was around six years old, Veritas had completely dedicated himself to his studies and was lightyears above many of his peers. He didn’t have time to do the things many of peers were doing like things like “relaxing” or having “friendships”, but it didn’t matter because Veritas knew he was destined for more.
Now at twenty-four, with eight different doctorates, a variety of certificates, a few other extra degrees picked up along the way, and an assortment of inventions and research praised across the galaxy, Veritas isn’t so sure about that anymore.
Admittedly, he knows that it is going to take some work for THEM to accept him into the Genius Society, but he’s positive that accomplishing all of this before even reaching 25 is at least worthy of some form of acknowledgement from THEM. Staring at what must be his millionth rejection letter from the Genius Society, Veritas doesn’t know what to do anymore, he doesn’t know if there’s anything left that he can do. His parents had given up on him somewhere back around his fifth doctorate, and his fanbase is content to have him as their “Genius among men”. Flattering, but not quite the genius among geniuses he wants to be.
With each rejection, it was harder and harder for Veritas to keep trying, but there was always a spark of hope inside him that kept him going. Looking down at the letter, Veritas knows that the spark has finally been snuffed out for good. He’ll be a member of the Genius Society and his entire life has been for nothing. With Dr. Ratio’s life over at 24, he doesn’t know what else to do. It’s not like he could just stop being the “genius” doctor after all. Not only is he well renowned across the galaxy, he would never be able to escape his own mind.
For as long as he was in his right mind, he could never turn off his brain. His brain would always be one of an academic, constantly searching for knowledge – doing whatever it takes to keep learning, and never letting him forget anything.
Veritas sat silently on his couch for a while, allowing his thoughts to race around his mind on loop. Eventually, a small unexpected thought teased its way into his train of thought.
“As long as I was in my right mind huh..” Veritas knew as well as anyone else, the effects that alcohol and drugs could have on the mind, which is why he had taken a vow to never use them; a muddled brain wouldn’t help anyone get into the Genius Society. And that is also why he knew there was a good chance that being under the influence could help shut up his brain for good.
“One little drink wouldn’t hurt” he decides; he just wants something that would allow him to stop being him, just for a little while before he has to come to face reality again.
“...”
“....ke..up..”
“Wake up!”
Veritas’s head shots up like a blur, eyelids fluttering back and forth as he tries to take in his surroundings. As he finally recognizes the bar that he woke in, he faintly registers the pounding in his head and realizes that he doesn’t remember anything that happened last night. With a sigh, Veritas crosses this cocktail mixture of drugs off his mental list noting that it was far too strong. He knows that he shouldn’t stray too far from his usual dose to avoid any risk of permanent damage, but every now and then, he just wants to try something new. He looks around trying to fully recalibrate himself before noticing a shrill noise in his ears. Looking around, he finally sees someone trying to talk to him with an exasperated expression on her face, noting that this must have been the person who was trying to wake him up.
“Ahem. Finally paying me some attention I see, “ she mutters with not even a hair out of place on her face. “I’m Jade, a representative of the IPC. And you are the fabled Dr. Ratio if I’m correct.”
“I don’t really do the whole doctor thing anymore, but yes you technically are correct; I am Veritas Ratio. Hurry up and tell me what you want from me.”
“That’s actually what I wish to talk to you about. The IPC has noticed that it has been nearly a year since you’ve come out with any scholarly achievements, leading us to believe that you’ve begun to distance yourself from the academic world,” Veritas just choose to grimace, neither confirming or denying the accusation, “With that in mind, I would like to offer you a proposal, come join the IPC. You would start out as a relatively low ranking grunt, but could work your way up the ladder if you so desired.”
Although it took him a bit to pull his brain together, Veritas did recognize who was talking to him; Jade, one of the Stonehearts of the IPC, and a person who is notorious for getting what she wanted.
“I could reject her offer…” Veritas thinks, “but I know that if she wants me to join the IPC, one way or another, she’ll get me to join the IPC. I might as well save everyone the extra effort and agree to join now, plus it’s not like I’m doing anything better with my life right now.”
“I suppose I have nothing better to do, so I’ll agree to join the IPC.”
“Now, if you would just look over this contract and sign here –” Without even breaking a sweat, she already had the employment contract ready to go. Jeez, just what have I gotten myself into.
Sitting in shock on his bed, Veritas could barely believe what had just happened on his first mission with the IPC. Frankly, he hadn’t expected much from working with them, just a new way to fill the days as they passed. But never in his wildest dreams had Veritas expected this to happen.
The mission was supposed to be very simple, an easy task for a newcomer to the IPC. All he had to do was sit and guard the higher ranking IPC member during their meeting. Both the IPC and the other party – who Veritas still couldn’t be bothered to learn the name of – had brought their own security measures but honestly, neither party had any good reason to display signs of aggression towards each other. A mission so simple it wasn’t even worth sobering up for.
Veritas is bored out of his mind, he hadn’t expected that much out of the IPC, but he at least thought that it would bring something new to the table to break him out of his everyday haze – but he supposed that it was too much to ask for out of the IPC.
“Now,” Veritas thinks, “would be a great time to master how to fall asleep with my eyes open.”
However, before Veritas is even able to finish his thought, he feels himself flying through the air, propelled by an unknown force. Pulling himself together and crawling out of the rubble, Veritas looks around and realizes that someone must have bombed the building.
Faintly, Veritas knows that he should probably go look for the officials, after all, his job here was to guard them. But Veritas can’t do anything past his heart pounding in his chest and the adrenaline rushing through his body; not only does he feel alive, he feels… happy, something he hasn’t felt in a long time.
The rest of the mission past that point was a blur, with Veritas being focused on what caused dopamine to flow through his body after so long without it. After going through the mission again and again in his brain, Veritas is positive he knows what caused it; it had to be the rush of adrenaline flowing through his body.
“I forgot how nice it felt to just feel happy…”
“I have to feel it again, no matter what it takes.”
Veritas knows that chances of him getting another exciting mission while being this low ranked are slim; however, higher ranked IPC members put their lives on the line in high stakes missions everyday.
So, with a resolute nod of his head, Veritas knows exactly what he has to do.
“ Veritas Ratio, do you accept this position, and all the responsibilities that come with it?”
“...”
“I do.”
“Then from this day, you are now Malachite of the Ten Stonehearts. You will devote your life to working faithfully for the IPC.”
“Thank you, I am grateful to have been given this opportunity. I will not take it for granted, and will devote it all to the Amber Lord.”