Rin stood quietly in the hallway outside Guild Master Vera's office, her arms crossed and her gaze fixed on the ornate wooden door. The faint hum of activity echoed through the guild corridors, but her focus remained steady. She had spent the past few days regaining her strength and preparing for what lay ahead, and now it was time to take the next step.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. Turning her head slightly, she saw Evelyn striding toward her. Despite her usual composed demeanor, there was a hint of concern in her expression.
"Aria," Evelyn called softly, her voice carrying a warmth that contrasted with her usual guarded tone. "Have you been waiting long?"
Rin shook her head, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Not at all."
Evelyn nodded, her gaze briefly scanning Rin's face as if to ensure she was truly well. Satisfied, she gestured toward the door. "Shall we?"
Rin stepped aside, allowing Evelyn to take the lead. Together, they entered Vera's office.
Guild Master Office
Guild Master Vera looked up from her desk as the two women entered. Her sharp eyes softened slightly at the sight of them, though her professional demeanor remained intact.
"Evelyn, Aria," Vera greeted with a nod. "Good to see you both. Please, take a seat."
They complied, Rin settling into a chair while Evelyn stood to deliver her report. She recounted the events of her recent mission with precision, her tone steady and unwavering despite the weight of her words. Vera listened intently; her expression unreadable.
When Evelyn finished, Vera leaned back in her chair, her gaze shifting to Rin. "And you, Aria? What brings you here today?"
Rin met Vera's gaze with calm determination. "I wanted to inform you that I'll be using the guild's training facilities starting tomorrow. Since I'm classified as S-Class, I understand I'll need to use a separate facility."
Vera nodded, reaching into her desk drawer and retrieving a sleek black card. She slid it across the desk toward Rin. "This will grant you access to the special training area designated for S-Class members. It's equipped with everything you'll need."
Rin accepted the card with a nod of gratitude. "Thank you. I'd also like to borrow Evelyn as my guide. She's the only other S-Class member besides me, and I'll need someone familiar with the area to show me around."
Evelyn's brow furrowed at that, her arms crossing as she regarded Rin with a mixture of concern and exasperation. "Aria, you just got discharged a few days ago. You shouldn't be pushing yourself like this. You need rest."
Rin's gaze didn't waver. "I appreciate your concern, Evelyn, but I'm fine. I've rested enough, and I need to start training. If I overdo it, you'll be there to stop me, won't you?"
Evelyn opened her mouth to argue, but Vera held up a hand, signaling for silence. The Guild Master's thoughtful gaze flicked between the two women before she finally spoke.
"Evelyn has a point, Aria. Pushing yourself too soon could be dangerous. But..." Vera's lips curved into a faint smile. "You make a valid argument as well. If Evelyn accompanies you and ensures you don't overexert yourself, I don't see why you shouldn't begin training."
Evelyn sighed, clearly outnumbered. "Fine. But if you so much as wobble, I'm dragging you back home."
"Deal," Rin said with a small grin.
Home and Reflection
The sun was setting by the time Rin and Evelyn returned to the apartment. After exchanging a few brief words, they parted ways, Evelyn retreating to her room while Rin headed to hers. Once inside, Rin locked the door and let out a quiet breath.
With a soft whistle, she called out, "Onyx, Aurelis. Come out."
A shadow emerged from the corner of the room, coalescing into the sleek form of Onyx, her wolf companion. His amber eyes gleamed as he padded over to her, his movements fluid and graceful. A moment later, a flash of gold darted from under the bed, and Aurelis, her golden baby fox, leapt onto the bed with a cheerful yip.
Rin smiled, her hand reaching out to ruffle Aurelis's soft fur before scratching behind Onyx's ears. "There you are, my little troublemakers."
She settled onto the floor, leaning back against Onyx's warm flank as Aurelis curled up in her lap. Stroking the fox's fur, she gazed at the ceiling, her thoughts drifting.
"This is just the first step," she murmured. "Soon, I'll have a place for you two to roam freely. A home where you can play and train without worrying about anyone watching. Just a little longer, okay?"
Onyx huffed softly, his head resting on her shoulder, while Aurelis let out a contented purr-like sound. Rin closed her eyes, savoring the moment of peace.
A Heart-to-Heart with the System
After a while, Rin straightened up, her playful demeanor fading as her expression grew serious. "System," she called out, her voice steady. "It's time for a heart-to-heart, don't you think?"
A familiar chime echoed in her mind as the system's interface appeared before her. Its voice, calm and neutral, responded. "What is it, Host?"
Rin's lips twitched into a wry smile. "I'm quite surprised to hear that I was poisoned and hospitalized. Don't you think you owe me some answers?"
The system was silent for a moment before replying. "Please elaborate on your concerns."
"Don't play dumb," Rin said, her tone sharp. "If I remember correctly, it happened after my first tutorial dungeon—the one where I tamed Onyx. After that, I went to save the orphanage, dealt with the landlord, and thought everything was settled. Next thing I knew, I woke up in a hospital bed. Care to explain when I was poisoned and who did it?"
The system hesitated before responding. "Progress is insufficient to confirm the identity of the perpetrator. However, evidence suggests the poison was administered during your time at the orphanage."
Rin's eyes narrowed. "The orphanage? Who would do something like that there? And why?"
"Motives remain unclear," the system admitted. "The toxin used was a rare blend designed to suppress your abilities while gradually weakening your physical state. It was likely intended to incapacitate you without immediate detection."
Rin frowned, her mind racing. "That doesn't explain how I survived. According to Vera, no healing magic or medicine worked on me."
"Your survival was ensured by my intervention," the system explained. "When your condition became critical, I activated an emergency protocol to neutralize the toxin. This consumed a significant portion of your stored energy reserves, which delayed your recovery."
Rin clenched her fists. "You knew someone tried to kill me, and you didn't think to tell me?"
"At the time, you were unconscious, and my priority was ensuring your survival. Disclosing the information was deemed nonessential to your immediate well-being."
"Nonessential?" Rin's voice rose, her frustration evident. "Knowing someone is targeting me is very essential. You're supposed to be my system, not some cryptic overseer."
The system's tone remained calm. "Your frustration is understandable. I will ensure to provide earlier warnings should similar threats arise in the future."
Rin leaned back against Onyx, her mind churning. Someone had poisoned her—someone with access to the orphanage and knowledge of a rare toxin. The implications were unsettling.
"Fine," she said at last, her voice cold. "But this isn't over. I want you to monitor everything from now on. If there's even a hint of danger, you tell me immediately. No more secrets."
"Understood, Host," the system replied.
Rin closed her eyes, her hand resting on Aurelis's soft fur as she tried to process everything. The path ahead was growing darker, but she was determined to uncover the truth—no matter what it took.
For now, she would focus on her training and her next steps. One thing was certain: she wouldn't let her guard down again.
Next Morning
The morning sun cast a warm glow through the windows as Rin and Evelyn finished their breakfast. The atmosphere was light, but Rin could sense the unspoken anticipation in the air. Today marked the beginning of her training—a step closer to honing her abilities and preparing for the challenges ahead.
Evelyn set her fork down, her gaze flicking to Rin. "Ready?"
Rin nodded, wiping her mouth with a napkin before standing. "Let's go."
Arrival at the Training Facilities
The guild was bustling with activity as they arrived, but the special training facilities were a world apart. After flashing their S-Class access cards at a guarded checkpoint, they entered a vast, isolated complex. The air was cooler here, and the hum of advanced machinery filled the space.
Rin's eyes widened as she took in the sight. The training grounds were a marvel of engineering and magic. There were multiple zones, each tailored for different types of training: a combat arena with enchanted barriers, a precision range for ranged attacks, a dense forest simulation for stealth and survival exercises, and a gravity chamber for endurance training. The sheer scale and sophistication were overwhelming.
"This is... incredible," Rin murmured.
Evelyn smirked. "Welcome to the S-Class training grounds. Everything here is designed to push us to our limits—and beyond."
They made their way to the combat arena, a circular space with a high dome overhead. The floor was a mix of polished stone and shifting tiles, capable of simulating various terrains. Runes etched into the walls glowed faintly, their magic ready to activate at a moment's notice.
A Request for Guidance
As they stepped into the arena, Rin turned to Evelyn, her expression serious. "Evelyn, I need your help."
Evelyn raised an eyebrow. "Help with what?"
"Training," Rin said simply. "I'm a Guide. My abilities are support-based, and I have no real combat skills. You're a close-combat Esper with years of experience. Teach me."
Evelyn crossed her arms, studying Rin for a moment. "You realize this won't be easy, right? Combat isn't just about swinging a weapon. It's about strategy, instincts, and knowing your limits."
"I understand," Rin replied, her gaze unwavering. "But I need to learn. I can't rely on others to protect me forever."
Evelyn sighed, but a small smile tugged at her lips. "Alright, then. Let's start with the basics. First question: if you had to pick a weapon, what would it be?"
Rin hesitated, glancing at the rack of training weapons lining the wall. There were swords, spears, axes, and even exotic weapons like chakrams and whips. "I... don't know," she admitted. "For now, I've been using a basic sword and dagger."
Evelyn nodded thoughtfully. "That's a good starting point. They're versatile and don't require as much specialization as some of the other weapons. But we'll need to figure out what suits you best."
She gestured toward the rack. "Grab your sword and dagger. Let's see what you can do."
The First Spar
Rin retrieved her weapons, the weight of the sword familiar in her hand, though the dagger felt lighter than she preferred. Evelyn, meanwhile, selected a training sword—a blunt-edged blade designed for sparring.
"Alright," Evelyn said, taking her position in the center of the arena. "We'll start with a spar. I want to see how you move, how you react. Don't hold back."
Rin nodded, gripping her weapons tightly as she stepped into the arena. The air seemed to thrum with energy as the runes activated, creating a protective barrier around the space.
Evelyn didn't waste any time. She lunged forward, her movements swift and precise. Rin barely managed to parry the strike with her sword, the force of the impact reverberating through her arm. She countered with a slash of her own, but Evelyn sidestepped effortlessly, her blade coming down in a quick arc.
Rin blocked again, this time using her dagger to deflect the blow. She tried to create distance, her movements more defensive than offensive. Evelyn, however, pressed her advantage, her strikes relentless and calculated.
"You're too stiff," Evelyn said, her voice calm despite the flurry of attacks. "Relax your stance. Use your agility. You're not going to overpower me, so stop trying."
Rin gritted her teeth, adjusting her footing. She switched tactics, focusing on evasion and counterattacks. Her movements became more fluid, and for a moment, she managed to hold her ground.
But Evelyn was relentless. She feinted left, then spun around, her blade catching Rin's sword and disarming her. Before Rin could react, Evelyn's blade was at her throat.
"Match," Evelyn said, lowering her weapon. "You've got potential, but you're too reactive. You wait for your opponent to make the first move instead of taking the initiative."
Analyzing Strengths and Weaknesses
Rin retrieved her sword, her breathing heavy as she wiped the sweat from her brow. "I thought I did okay."
"You did," Evelyn said, her tone encouraging. "Your reflexes are good, and you've got decent instincts. But you rely too much on defense. In a real fight, that'll only get you so far."
She gestured for Rin to sit, and they both took a moment to rest. "Your strength is in your adaptability. You're quick to adjust, and you're not afraid to try new tactics. But your weakness is your hesitation. You second-guess yourself, and that split-second delay can be fatal."
Rin nodded, absorbing Evelyn's words. "So, what do I do?"
"Practice," Evelyn said simply. "We'll work on building your confidence and refining your technique. And we'll figure out which weapon suits you best. For now, stick with the sword and dagger—they complement your agility."
Rin smiled faintly. "Thanks, Evelyn. I really appreciate this."
Evelyn waved her off. "Don't thank me yet. You've got a long way to go."
As they left the training grounds later that day, Rin felt a sense of accomplishment despite her defeat. She had taken the first step toward becoming stronger, and with Evelyn's guidance, she was determined to continue improving.