The office was quiet except for the faint scratching of Vera's pen as she idly twirled it between her fingers. Her sharp eyes fixed on Rin, who sat calmly across the desk, her expression unreadable. Vera finally broke the silence.
"According to what you just told me, Aria, you don't know much about the incident that transpired after dealing with the landlord. Is that correct?"
Rin met Vera's gaze evenly. "That's right."
Vera leaned back in her chair, her fingers steepled thoughtfully. "After that, you were poisoned in the orphanage. When Evelyn reached you, you were on the brink of death. No healing magic or medicine worked while you were in the hospital. For days, your condition was critical. Then, as if by some miracle, your body began to recover on its own. When you finally woke up, you had no memory of the past."
Rin's expression remained calm, almost too calm. She nodded slightly. "I see. And let me guess—Evelyn decided it would be better not to tell me about the poisoning. She probably thought it would be too stressful for me to know, especially since I'd already lost my memory. It might have made it harder for me to trust the people around me. That does sound like her."
Vera blinked, momentarily taken aback by Rin's composed demeanor. "Yes, that's exactly what she said. At the time, I agreed with her reasoning. But I didn't expect you to take it so… lightly."
Rin's inner voice, however, was far less serene. System, you and I are going to have a long conversation about this later.
Outwardly, she shrugged. "I understand why she made that choice. It was a logical decision given the circumstances. And, to be fair, she's not wrong. It would have been overwhelming to process everything at once."
Vera studied her for a moment, her gaze sharp and calculating. "You're an unusual one, Aria. Most people would be furious to learn something like this had been kept from them."
"I've had a month to adjust to this world," Rin replied with a faint smile. "If there's one thing I've learned, it's that getting angry rarely helps. Besides, it's not as though Evelyn kept this from me out of malice. She was protecting me in the only way she knew how."
The Guild Master nodded slowly. "Perhaps. But there's more to discuss."
Rin gestured for her to continue. "Go on."
A Miraculous Recovery and S-Class Designation
Vera's tone shifted, becoming more formal. "After your recovery, you were identified as an S-Class Guide. Evelyn was insistent that you be allowed to join her as an independent team member and part of the Guild. I won't deny that she gave me a hard time about it."
Rin chuckled softly. "That sounds about right. She's not exactly one to back down when she's set her mind on something."
"It wasn't just her determination," Vera admitted. "Having an S-Class Guide in the Guild was a significant advantage. Evelyn may have been your strongest advocate, but even without her, we would have found a way to include you."
"I imagine so," Rin replied. "An S-Class Guide isn't something to pass up lightly."
Vera hesitated before continuing. "Then there was the gate incident. You've already seen the details in the report Evelyn shared with you. But what we don't know is what happened after the team collapsed. Including Evelyn."
Rin raised a hand, cutting her off gently. "I know what you're going to ask. And I already know what Evelyn told you. She must have insisted that you not investigate anything further with me, using the excuse that I'd just recovered and shouldn't be burdened."
Vera's silence confirmed her guess.
"As for what happened after they collapsed…" Rin paused, choosing her words carefully. "It's not that complicated. Evelyn's memory is hazy because she was in a rampage at the time. I had to knock her out to stop her from causing more harm."
Vera's brows furrowed, but she remained silent, letting Rin continue.
"She handled most of the chaos before I stepped in. Mira informed me about Evelyn's condition, and knowing Evelyn as well as I do, there was no doubt about what I needed to do. I pretended to be injured and unconscious—Mira's barrier ensured there was no immediate danger. When Evelyn ran back to me, I used my guiding ability to stabilize her aura and render her unconscious. After that, I left her and the others within the safety of the barrier and dealt with the final boss myself."
Vera's expression betrayed her surprise. "You defeated the dungeon boss? Alone?"
"It was already severely injured," Rin said with a shrug. "Difficult, yes, but not impossible. Once the fight was over, I brought the others out of the dungeon. The rest, as you know, is history."
The Truth Beneath the Surface
Rin's thoughts remained guarded. I can't exactly tell her that I'm also a Beast Tamer, let alone that I tamed the dungeon boss. Some secrets are better kept.
Vera exhaled slowly, leaning back in her chair. "It's surprising, but your explanation does make sense. It clears up the inconsistencies in the dungeon incident report. However, there's another question I need answered—though I suspect you may not have the answer."
Rin tilted her head slightly. "I think I might. You're wondering about Evelyn's behavior and the mark she bears, aren't you?"
Vera's eyes widened slightly, caught off guard by Rin's perceptiveness. "That's right. But how do you know about that? And more importantly, what do you know?"
"It wasn't hard to figure out," Rin replied calmly. "After the first experiment with my guiding ability, there were no further tests. Evelyn's firm insistence that there was no need for additional guidance was a dead giveaway. Her change in behavior isn't just strange to you—it's strange to me as well."
Vera's curiosity deepened. "Go on."
"Well," Rin said, leaning back slightly, "I found it odd how much more… obsessive she's become. It's not normal. At first, I thought it was just guilt over what happened. But after some research, I realized the truth. It's because of my guiding skills."
Vera's brows knitted in confusion. "But why would it affect her and not the others during the experiment?"
"Because I didn't use the same skills on everyone," Rin explained.
"Same skills?" Vera echoed; her tone sharp.
Rin nodded. "During the experiment, I only used a skill called Purification Surge to cleanse corruption. It was sufficient for the others, as their corruption levels were manageable. But Evelyn's case was different. Her aura was on the verge of collapse. To stabilize her, I had to use another skill: Empathetic Link."
"Empathetic Link?" Vera repeated, her voice laced with suspicion.
"It's a skill that connects the target's emotions to mine," Rin said. "It was the only way to control her raging aura in the dungeon. But that connection left an imprint—a mark, if you will. That's why her behavior has changed. She's emotionally linked to me, and given her sensitivity, it's left her confused and unstable."
Vera's eyes narrowed as she processed the information. "That would explain a lot. Her obsessive behavior, her heightened protectiveness… But why would this link leave a mark?"
Rin hesitated, then replied carefully, "The mark is a physical manifestation of the connection. It's not something I intended to create—it's a side effect of the skill. And considering Evelyn's guilt over the near-death experiences I've had, coupled with her own unresolved issues, it's no wonder she's been acting the way she has."
Vera leaned back in her chair, her expression a mixture of understanding and concern. "This changes things, Aria. It explains Evelyn's behavior, but it also raises more questions about the extent of your abilities."
"I understand," Rin said, her tone even. "But for now, this is the truth as I know it. If there's more to discover, I'll deal with it when the time comes."
Vera nodded, her gaze steady. "Very well. Thank you for your honesty, Aria. You've given me much to think about."
Rin's inner thoughts, A sigh of relief, that she accepted the reason she presented, since it's a lie she prepared to hide the truth of imprint beforehand. All is well, if the end is well.
Rin leaned back slightly in her chair, the faintest glimmer of satisfaction in her calm expression. "Now that I've cleared up the questions you had about me and Evelyn's behavior, I think it's about time we shifted the focus. You told me to reach out if I needed anything, didn't you?"
Vera straightened, her sharp eyes narrowing slightly as she leaned forward. "You're right. I did. What do you want to know, and what can I do for you?"
Rin's voice remained steady, though there was an edge of curiosity beneath her calm exterior. "I have two questions. The first is about Evelyn. Why is she so mistrustful of others? And the second—why did her corruption reach such a critical point? She's the only S-Class Esper in this guild, isn't she? Her well-being should have been prioritized above all else. So why were things allowed to deteriorate so badly?"
Vera's expression tightened, and for a moment, she said nothing. Her silence stretched long enough that Rin began to wonder if she would answer at all. Finally, Vera sighed, her shoulders sagging slightly. "You've asked some difficult questions, Aria. But you're right—there's no point in hiding the truth from you. You're part of this guild now, and given how perceptive you are, you might even be able to help Evelyn."
Rin tilted her head slightly, her tone remaining neutral. "I'll do what I can. But first, I need to know what's really going on."
Vera nodded slowly, gathering her thoughts. "Before I answer, let me ask you something. What do you know about the guilds?"
Rin's eyes flickered with understanding as she considered the question. "I've read the history," she said. "I know that during the early days, there was chaos—territorial disputes, unchecked corruption, and power struggles. It took decades to establish the current system and create a semblance of peace. Though, in my opinion, it's not as peaceful as it seems. Humans have a way of bending rules to suit their needs."
Vera's lips quirked into a bitter smile. "You're not wrong. That's exactly the problem. To explain Evelyn's situation—and the guild's role in it—I need to start from the beginning. From the founding of this guild, my own appointment as Guild Master, and the formation of the Council."
Rin nodded, settling into her seat. "I'm listening."
The Founding of the Guild and the Rise of the Council
Vera's gaze grew distant as she began her story. "When this guild was founded, it was meant to be a bastion of order—a place where Espers, Guides, and other skilled individuals could work together to protect humanity from the dangers of dungeons and corrupted beasts. But as you said, peace is a fragile thing. It didn't take long for internal conflicts to arise."
She folded her hands on the desk, her voice steady but tinged with weariness. "The Council was formed to address these conflicts. It was meant to be a body of advisors to the Guild Master, ensuring that no single person held too much power. But over time, the Council grew in influence. Their authority began to rival—if not surpass—my own. Decisions that should have been mine to make were increasingly subject to their approval."
Rin's brows furrowed slightly. "That must have made leading the guild… challenging."
Vera's bitter smile returned. "Challenging is an understatement. But I did my best to maintain balance. Then, two years ago, everything changed."
She paused, her gaze sharpening. "That was when Evelyn awakened as an S-Class Esper."
Evelyn's Betrayal and the Formation of the Independent Team
"Evelyn was a prodigy," Vera continued. "Even before her awakening, she was one of the most promising Espers in the guild. Her potential was unmatched, and when she became an S-Class, we thought she would be the guild's greatest asset."
Rin remained silent, sensing that the story was about to take a darker turn.
"But that same year, during a dungeon expedition, her team betrayed her." Vera's voice grew colder, her eyes hardening. "They tampered with her guiding process, leaving her vulnerable to the dungeon's corruption. When things went south, they abandoned her. Left her to die."
Rin's calm expression faltered for a moment. "They left her? Why?"
"Greed, Jealousy" Vera said bluntly. "They thought that if Evelyn didn't survive, they could claim credit for the mission's success and take her place in the guild's hierarchy. But they underestimated her. Evelyn fought her way out of that dungeon alone, barely alive."
Rin's hands clenched into fists beneath the table. "And the guild… What did the guild do about this betrayal?"
Vera's gaze darkened. "The Council covered it up. They claimed there was no evidence to support Evelyn's accusations. Her teammates were reprimanded for their failure to complete the mission, but that was the extent of their punishment."
Rin's voice was cold. "And Evelyn?"
"She was furious," Vera said. "But more than that, she was broken. She stopped trusting anyone—especially Guides. She refused to let anyone near her, convinced that they would betray her like her team had. That's why her corruption spiraled out of control. Without proper guidance, her aura began to deteriorate."
Rin's expression softened slightly. "That explains why she's so mistrustful. But it doesn't explain how she's still standing after all that."
"Because she's strong," Vera said simply. "Stronger than anyone I've ever known. But even strength has its limits. When Evelyn saw the Council's greed and how they prioritized their own interests over the well-being of the guild, she decided to take matters into her own hands. She proposed the formation of an independent team—one that would operate outside the Council's authority."
"And you approved it," Rin said, her tone neutral.
"I did," Vera admitted. "It was the only way to keep her in the guild. But, of course, not everyone was happy about it. The Council resented her for bypassing their authority, and many guild members were jealous of the special privileges her team received. The atmosphere in the guild has been tense ever since."
Rin's Analysis
Rin leaned back in her chair, her mind racing as she processed Vera's words. Evelyn's mistrust, her corruption, her decision to form an independent team—it all made sense now. But there was still one piece of the puzzle that didn't quite fit.
"You said the Council covered up Evelyn's betrayal," Rin said slowly. "But why? What did they stand to gain from protecting her team?"
Vera hesitated, then sighed. "The Council has always been more concerned with appearances than justice. Admitting that an S-Class Esper's team betrayed her would have been a scandal. It would have shaken the guild's reputation and undermined the Council's authority. So they swept it under the rug."
Rin's expression darkened. "And in doing so, they condemned Evelyn to suffer alone."
"Yes," Vera said quietly. "And now, the guild is paying the price for their mistakes. Evelyn's mistrust, her refusal to work with others—it's a direct result of their actions. And the tension between her team and the rest of the guild is only growing."
Rin's gaze sharpened. "If that's the case, then the guild's current system is flawed. Evelyn isn't the problem—the Council is."
Vera's lips pressed into a thin line. "You're not wrong. But changing the system is easier said than done. The Council's influence runs deep, and they're not likely to relinquish their power willingly."
A New Resolve
Rin stood, her expression calm but resolute. "Thank you for telling me the truth, Guild Master. I understand the situation much better now."
Vera watched her carefully. "And what do you plan to do with this information?"
Rin met her gaze steadily. "For now, nothing. But if Evelyn's well-being is at stake, I won't stand by and let her suffer. She's already been through enough."
Vera nodded slowly. "I expected no less from you. Just be careful, Aria. The Council isn't to be underestimated."
"I'll keep that in mind," Rin said. "But if they think they can manipulate me, they're in for a surprise."
Rin thoughts churned. Evelyn's suffering isn't just a personal tragedy—it's a symptom of a deeper rot within the guild. If I'm going to help her, I'll need to tread carefully. But one thing's for sure: I won't let the Council's greed destroy her. Not if I can help it.