The diner on 12th and Main was exactly what Noah expected—run-down and nearly empty. The faded neon sign buzzed faintly overhead, and inside, the smell of grease and burnt coffee filled the air. A few patrons sat scattered across the booths, heads down, focused on their meals or phones.
Noah pushed open the door, the little bell above it jingling as he stepped in. His eyes scanned the room until they landed on a woman sitting at a booth in the back corner. She was in her mid-thirties, dressed in a sharp black blazer that clashed with the casual atmosphere of the diner. Her auburn hair was tied back in a loose ponytail, and she had a no-nonsense air about her. She was stirring a cup of coffee as if she didn't have a care in the world.
Noah hesitated, suddenly wondering if this was a terrible idea. But before he could turn around and leave, the woman looked up, locking her piercing gray eyes on him. She raised a hand and beckoned him over.
"Noah Greene, I assume," she said as he slid into the booth across from her.
"You must be Alice Mathers," Noah replied, trying to sound more confident than he felt. "So, what's this about?"
Alice leaned back, her sharp gaze scrutinizing him. "Straight to the point. Good. Let me ask you something first, Noah—how much do you know about what's happening to you?"
"Not much," Noah admitted. He decided to be honest; if she had answers, he needed them. "I found this weird glowing stone, and now I have… I don't know, quests? And stats? And apparently, I'm fighting monsters. I don't know what any of it means."
Alice raised an eyebrow. "You've got a Grindstone. That's… rare."
"You know about it?" Noah asked, leaning forward.
"I know enough," Alice said. She took a sip of her coffee before continuing. "Grindstones are ancient artifacts, powerful and unpredictable. They grant their Hosts incredible abilities, but they come with a cost."
"What kind of cost?" Noah asked warily.
Alice didn't answer right away. Instead, she pulled a slim tablet from her bag and placed it on the table. With a few quick taps, she brought up a screen displaying surveillance footage. Noah's stomach dropped when he saw himself on the screen, running from the lesser aberration the night before.
"This is from last night," Alice said. "That thing you fought? It's called a lesser aberration. Nasty little creature. And there are worse ones out there—much worse. The Grindstone makes you stronger, sure, but it also paints a target on your back. Aberrations are drawn to Grindstones like moths to a flame."
"So… you're saying this thing is more of a curse than a blessing," Noah muttered, glancing at the Grindstone in his pocket.
"It depends on how you use it," Alice said. "The Department of Paranormal Regulation—DPR for short—exists to deal with anomalies like aberrations. People like you, who have… unique circumstances, fall under our jurisdiction."
"Your jurisdiction?" Noah repeated. "What does that mean? Are you going to take the Grindstone away from me?"
Alice shook her head. "We can't. Grindstones bind themselves to their Hosts. The only way to separate you from it is… well, let's just say it's not pretty. No, we're not here to take it from you. We're here to make sure you don't screw up and get yourself—or a bunch of innocent people—killed."
"That's… reassuring," Noah said, not entirely convinced. "So what do you want from me?"
Alice leaned forward, her voice lowering. "I want you to work with us. You've got potential, Noah, but right now, you're a liability. If you keep stumbling around blindly, you're going to end up dead—or worse, you'll unleash something that makes a lesser aberration look like a house cat."
"And what if I say no?" Noah asked.
Alice gave him a small, humorless smile. "Then you're on your own. But trust me, you don't want to be on your own in this world."
Noah leaned back, crossing his arms. He didn't trust Alice—not yet. But she was offering something he desperately needed: guidance. If she was right about the Grindstone attracting more monsters, he couldn't afford to face them alone. Not when he barely understood what he was dealing with.
"Alright," he said finally. "I'll hear you out. What's the first step?"
Alice's smile widened slightly, though it was still more professional than friendly. "Smart choice. First, we'll need to test your abilities—see what you're capable of. There's a training facility not far from here. We'll head there now."
"Wait, now?" Noah asked, startled. "I just fought a freaking monster last night. Can't I get a break?"
"No rest for the chosen," Alice said, standing and tossing a few bills on the table. "Let's go."
The training facility was located in an industrial park on the outskirts of the city. From the outside, it looked like an abandoned warehouse, its windows dark and its walls streaked with grime. But as Alice led Noah inside, he realized it was anything but abandoned.
The interior was sleek and modern, with rows of high-tech equipment lining the walls. Several people in black uniforms moved purposefully through the space, some sparring in a large, padded area while others monitored screens displaying live data. The air hummed with energy.
"This is where we train our field agents," Alice explained as they walked. "You won't be joining them—at least not yet. For now, you'll be working with me."
"Lucky me," Noah muttered under his breath.
Alice led him to a smaller room off to the side. It was empty except for a single table with a strange, glowing orb sitting on top. The orb pulsed faintly, its light shifting between blue and green.
"This is a resonance scanner," Alice said. "It'll measure your Grindstone's compatibility with your body and give us a baseline for your abilities. Place your hand on it."
Noah hesitated. "This isn't going to blow me up, is it?"
"Not unless you've been lying to me," Alice said dryly.
With a sigh, Noah placed his hand on the orb. It was warm to the touch, and as soon as his skin made contact, a wave of energy surged through him. The orb's light flared brightly, and a new screen appeared in front of him.
[Resonance Level: 73%]
High compatibility detected.Potential for rapid growth: Significant.
Alice's eyebrows rose. "Seventy-three percent. That's… higher than I expected."
"Is that good?" Noah asked, pulling his hand back.
"It's impressive," Alice admitted. "Most Grindstone Hosts barely break fifty percent. It means you've got a lot of potential—but it also means the stakes are higher for you. The stronger you get, the more attention you'll attract."
"Great," Noah said flatly. "Just what I needed."
Alice smirked. "Don't worry. We'll make sure you're ready. Starting now."
Before Noah could protest, she tossed him a training baton. "Let's see what you've got."
End of Chapter 7.