"What would you like to drink?"
Nova sat in the small office room. Her gaze continued to scan the decorated room.
"Water is fine"
The man brought Nova her drink and sat down across from her at a table. He smiled again in the awkward silence.
"My name is Oliver Hans. I am a director here at the Society. I just happened to stumble upon your test with Mr. Falcon, and I was impressed!" He exaggerated his hands with wide movements.
"I thought you were supposed to conduct my second test?" Nova picked up on his inconsistency.
"Right, I am going to now!"
Nova stared at him, 'This guy is suspicious.'
Oliver continued, "What would you like your second test to be?"
Even though Falcon promised Nova Tier C, she felt like she couldn't ask Oliver to follow his subordinate's wishes.
"I'm not too familiar with the tests, so I'm not sure," she shrugged her shoulders.
Oliver sighed out loud, "Usually, we would measure the quality of your Affinity. However, that seems not applicable to you! People without an Affinity don't usually take our tests, so you're a unique circumstance."
Nova moved to the edge of her seat, 'this no Affinity stuff again.' She wondered if there was a hatred toward people with no Affinity. Nova stared at Oliver disappointed.
'Your loss, not mine,' she sighed and began to get up.
"WAIT. I'm sorry if you got the wrong impression, but I am not saying you aren't welcome," Oliver quickly stuttered over his words surprised.
"I can make you an Adventure right now, but we have limited positions."
Nova sat down again calmly. 'Why do I feel a headache coming?'
***
Nova walked out of the room lifelessly. She had been stuck talking to Oliver for several hours. The sky already darkened by the time she finished.
"Done?"
Nova looked over and saw Claudia and Chris standing by the wall. She was shocked that they waited for her for the entire time.
"What you wanted us to leave? Good luck finding a place to stay and eat with no money." Claudia began to turn around.
'She just loves teasing,' Nova stormed after her quickly.
They found a bed and breakfast very close to the building.
'I know I didn't pay for it, but is this right?' Nova stood by the door to her room and watched Claudia pick her bed. She figured they would have separate rooms.
"What?" Claudia called out to her. Nova didn't want to seem rude, so she just decided to be quiet.
They each winded down without much talking. Nova rejoiced as she spent an excess time showering with hot water.
'Nothing feels better than something you didn't pay for!'
A knock on the door interrupted her. Claudia opened the door to the bathroom. Nova jumped back in the shower. Luckily, there was a division, so she couldn't be seen.
Again Nova didn't know if she should complain.
"Nova," Claudia called her name gently.
'What the hell?!!' Nova almost slipped once she heard an unfamiliar feminine voice.
"Can I wash up with you?"
The soap in Nova's hand dropped. She saw Claudia's shadow approach her.
"Huh?" Nova heard her but was in disbelief. She clenched onto the curtains and peered out.
She saw Claudia hiding behind Nero holding him up to her face.
"Can you wash me?" She mimicked a voice for Nero. Nova's face relaxed immediately.
"You know he's a boy right?" Nova asked.
She brought Nero down into her arms, "Yeah I know. I was asking about myself." She grinned. Nova's face flushed. Before Claudia could see, Nova grabbed Nero and hid behind the curtain.
Claudia giggled quietly to herself and left the bathroom. Nova stared at Nero who suddenly had his eyes closed shut. He jumped out of the shower and ran away.
Nova sighed to herself and tried to enjoy the rest of her time.
***
The next morning, the group sat together to have breakfast. "Are you an adventurer?" Claudia asked. Nova whipped out her badge. "Tier D?" Chris scrunched his nose confused.
"Mr. Oliver said I'm better off as a Tier D where I'm heading," Nova shrugged her shoulders.
"Where?" They asked.
"The borders"
Claudia and Chris froze while Nova continued to eat her food happily.
Claudia slammed her hand onto the table causing a slight tremor. "Are you joking? That man set you-" Claudia got up from her seat slightly furious. Nova waved to her and wiped her face.
"I chose it," she said calmly.
"You'll die," Claudia responded immediately.
'Since when did she care?' Nova rolled her eyes internally.
"I can do it. I need to do it," she remembered her oath to avenge her father. She couldn't shy away from danger if she wanted to achieve her goal.
Claudia paused. She saw the same determination and confidence radiate from Nova's black eyes. She sat back down like nothing happened.
"Don't die," she whispered in between her bites.
Nova nodded in return.
***
Claudia dragged her to one more shop. A variety of weapons lined the storefront. Nova almost passed out from the prices, but Claudia insisted she take a weapon and some pieces of armor.
'I don't want to be in debt to a noble,' Nova shivered at the thought. She humbly chose a regular steel stone and some tough dark leather armor.
Finally, they lingered on the street outside.
"Bye. Let's not meet for a long time." Nova truly meant what she said. Claudia grinned as she also turned around without another word.
Nova put on her gear and headed toward the Adventure Society. She boarded a small, dusty carriage and was off to work.