Tryss and I exit the room. Just outside, we encounter a familiar trio. Erysis and Ren are looking away innocently. Nexen at least has the decency to appear apologetic.

Ren mocks a surprised reaction. "You are done. Good. Got your new card right here, Lucius." He hands me my updated adventurer's card, now enchanted with some extra functionality appropriate for my new station.

Tryss starts walking away, his job finished. "See ya, hotshot."

"See ya, Tryss." I turn to the unsuccessful spies, giving them a smile. "Easy-peasy."

Ren starts to laugh.

I anticipated Erysis would want to show me how an actual chokehold is done, but she looks calm. "Well fought. Quite the smart strategy."

I look at her with suspicion. "Thank you? What's got you looking so serene?"

"What better way to know that we are ready for E-rank than to have kicked your ass over and over again."

I scoff. "I would like to remind you that I was sticking only to spellcasting for the majority of those bouts." She shrugs.

Ren speaks up, "Now, Lucius, I believe your friend is correct. If they were able to triumph over you, even in a friendly spar, that is a good indicator of their abilities."

"You don't have to pretend. We talk about you a lot."

He gives me a good slap on the shoulder, earning a chuckle from Nexen, joined in by his own bellowing laughter. "Stop ruining my reputation, kiddo." He shakes his head. "Well, good job on the promotion. And for being such a little shit, you are my main man from now on." With that, he excuses himself, duties to attend to.

Nexen gives me a nod. "Cool move."

"Thanks. You scheduled your own exam?"

"Yup."

"You got this." We bump fists.

Erysis wipes an imaginary tear. "That was the most emotional exchange I've ever seen."

***

We are finishing up a celebratory dinner. Erysis and Nexen walk with me some of the way home, the cool night helping with the digestion. Before we split, Nexen and I perform another elaborate handshake, strictly reserved for goodbyes. Erysis chuckles this time and gives me a hug. I start walking home. The sky is overcast, hiding the moons and the stars, but the city is alive with lights and people.

[<LUCIUS>: Hello, Elisa.]

[<ELISA>: *wave* What's up?]

[<LUCIUS>: Nothing. Just wanted a distraction.]

[<ELISA>: Everything okay?]

[<LUCIUS>: Yes. Would you like to continue our playthrough tomorrow? I could warp in a setup for myself too, make it a small {LAN} party.]

[<ELISA>: ...]

[<ELISA>: That looks so fun! We should have done that from the start.]

[<LUCIUS>: I didn't want to impose.]

[<ELISA>: Bring snacks.]

[<LUCIUS>: Of course.]

Huh. I feel a bit better now.

***

Elisa is staring intently at a display, contemplating what the best dialogue option is. "Goddess, be my witness, if this asshole gives us false information, I am going to turn him into a chicken and use him as bait."

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I am next to her, utilizing an identical setup. "I think that some type of fish would be much more appropriate for the encounter we are preparing for."

"Good call."

She glances in my direction. "So..." She clicks the mouse a few times, not really issuing any commands.

"You can ask."

"What was last night about?"

I sigh. "It's getting harder to pretend, Elisa. I knew there would be challenges, but nothing like this. I feel like my mind is screaming at me, condemning every action I make."

"I see." Elisa thinks for a moment. "Why don't you set yourself a deadline. By this date, I will tell my friends the truth."

"Failure to abide by that constraint would most likely affect me even more negatively."

She fully turns to me, pausing the game. "Then tell them now."

"Projections are currently suboptimal."

"I highly doubt these projections will get better the longer you wait."

"Some of them will."

"I don't have an easy solution for you, Lucius. But I can clearly see you care for these people a lot."

"I care for everyone, Elisa."

She unpauses the game, resuming her negotiations. "I can't imagine what that would feel like. I mean, I would like to think that I care, but in actuality, confronted with the reality, it seems impossible." She chooses an option and listens to the response, frowning slightly. "Would you stop caring for your friends if they hated you?"

"Never."

"Well, that is an answer to another important question." She makes a few more clicks. "Should we stop—"

"What do you think, truth or lie?"

She hums. "I don't trust this guy. Go ransack his bedroom while I distract him."

I fire off a crisp salute. "Yes, ma'am."

***

I am enjoying the gentle rain. Raindrops dance through the air and create little splashes against each surface they eventually encounter. My window is cracked a bit, letting in the wonderful sounds and the even more wonderful aroma.

Occasionally, I answer a message from Elisa. The poor elf is not a fan of the rain. Something about always having to be on guard or her hair would get poofy. I fail to see what the big deal is. She looks— What do we have here? Another message? Better get right on it.

The local flavor of stew I have cooking is on the cusp of reaching optimal tenderness. Can't wait.

My mailbox dings. Hmm? I wasn't expecting anything today. I wonder whom that's from.

Is that wildflowers? Oh, has Ren found a mission for me? Or maybe an invitation for some extra training? Not keeping track of relatively inconsequential events and absorbing information like a normal person feels so exciting.

I open the mailbox with a smile, unfold the paper, and read the text. I need to adjust the filters for what 'inconsequential events' actually are. Who programmed them anyway? Should really give that guy a good slap. A digital hand collides with my digital face, wiping off a dopy digital expression.

I send a message to Elisa, offering some perfectly done stew. She chastises me for not already being there. My turbulent emotions settle down. As I hug the no longer scalding pot close to my chest, there are two distinct sources of warmth.

***

I enter the Guild, holding a carefully tailored, neutral expression. My eyes brush past the counter—no Attendant Ania, bummer—settling on the lounge area, one table in particular. I sigh internally and approach.

Miv greets me first, "Luci! Long time no see." His eyes are shining brightly, a renewed flame flickering under an icy surface.

Sini follows, "Hello, Lucius. Thank you for coming." Her hair is a radiant blue with streaks of cyan throughout. Posture is relaxed, unwound. A smile brushes past her lips.

Pemik looks like I just swiped his lollipop. "If it isn't everyone's sweetheart." I quickly shoot a disarming look at the regular loungers before they jump him or something.

I drag a free chair out, producing a satisfyingly screechy sound. After I daintily seat myself, I return the greetings, "Hello, Miv. Hello, Sini. Hello, Pem Pem. Why am I here?" Then I cross my arms in front of my chest.

Miv punches Pemik under the table, targeting his thigh. At the same time, he runs his other hand through his hair. "Apologies for being so secretive in our invitation. The reason we requested a meeting is to ask for your help." I yawn, rubbing my eyes. "We have been tasked with the destruction of a newly discovered dungeon. C-grade, extremely close to breaking." I stretch my neck, scrunching up my face. The movement produces two loud pops. "It would be great if we had some reliable backup." He flashes me a blinding smile.

"That still doesn't answer my question."

Sini picks up the conversation, "After what we did, not a lot of people are keen on working with us. We know we can trust you, and if others see us working together, they might change their minds a bit." Ugh.

Miv continues, "I know it's a lot to ask, after everything that happened, so it's okay if you want nothing to do with us."

A half-decent excuse, but most adventurers would rather smash their heads against a rock than let some petty squabbles put people in danger.

Why do they want to do this? I run a few trillion projections. Could it really be that they feel bad about what happened. I mean, I hoped they would, but who can ever say they know exactly what happens in another person's head. I don't even know what's happening in mine half the time... Huh. That's surprising. Projections about revealing my identity to the Rangers are a lot more positive than I expected. And almost always positive with Mr. Grumpy Pants. Curious.

Miv has a fragile smile, Sini is looking at me pleadingly, and Pemik is making an impression of himself sucking on a lemon. Grr. Who can say no to those faces. Y'all are lucky you're so cute. God, I am so easy...

"Whatever. I ain't one to decline a delve."

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