Jennifer stared at the metal plate that was placed in her hand. A distorted image of her face stared back at her, bending around the insignia of the guild carved onto the plate. Jennifer looked at Serila.

“I don’t understand? Why am I an adventurer? I haven’t registered with the guild or attempted the tests. I don't think I even meet the age criteria. Why?” she asked, staring at the green-haired woman.

“First of all, you're not an actual adventurer yet. We’ve registered you as a provisionary member. It’s not a conventional position but you can think of yourself as a trainee with the official rank of an iron-plate for now,” Serila said, flicking her hand causing the quill on her desk to move on its own.

“Second, all marks have a special status. And from what I’ve heard from Nathaniel, you haven't denied the idea of cooperation. Thus, this plate will serve as a method of contact. It’ll be easier to explain why you're accessing the guild and its facilities as a registered adventurer.”

Jennifer turned to look back down at the metal plate in her hand, her eyebrows forming a frown. “Isn’t this just a tracking spell then? Are you saying I have to keep something which can be used to monitor me?” Jennifer asked, incredulous.

“No, most people would never agree to join the guild if we did something like that." Serila snorted, pulling her own plate out. "The plate serves as a distress call, and a method of identification. See this crack running through the middle of the plate?

Jennifer looked down at the plate, flipping it around. On its back, she found a very thin line running from its center. She flipped the plate around as she inspected it once again, but the metal piece seemed to have next to no magic present in it.

"If you bend the plate hard enough, it will snap. Your rank, name, and location will be sent to the guild, allowing us to call for help or provide support as needed.”

“I suggest you keep it on you at all times. Although, you are free to do as you please. Just remember," Serila paused, tucking her plate away before turning to fix her gaze on Jenn. "If you lose the plate, you’ll need to notify the guild immediately. And there will be a fine."

“Does this mean I’ll have to do adventurer things? Fight monsters? Put my life at risk in the dungeon? I’ve seen what it’s like in there! I could die on the very upper areas, never mind a proper delve going much deeper. I’m not a [Warrior] or a [Mage] I’m just an enchanter. A normal, non-adventuring, enchanter!”

“That’s where you are wrong, Jennifer. You used to be a boring little enchanter. Now you're a mark,” Serila refuted, her eyes narrowed as she glared at Jenn. “The guild is gathering marked individuals under its wing. The non hostile ones at least. We don’t plan to throw you out to your death. You will have sufficient equipment and people around you to prevent and, along with training to prepare you for the delve.”

“I’ll be honest with you Jennifer. The guild can easily use its authority to force you to join, it would be trivial to do so. But we're not monsters here, we aren't going to force anyone. Think of this as an offer instead. Because there are other, far more dangerous individuals out there who won’t hesitate to harm you for your mark, So-”

“Anyways!” Nathaniel interrupted, “Let’s not barrage her with everything all at once okay? There’ll be plenty of time to do that later, and it’ll be better if Viel and the others were present there for it as well.”

Serila glared at him before she turned towards Jennifer again.

“Keep the plate, it’s just plain metal unless you snap it, and think on our conversation,” Serila said, picking up some books as she walked towards the door.

“I’ll leave you two here, Viel should be back soon. You’ll get a message when he returns,” Serila said, nodding lightly as she walked out.

Jennifer took a deep breath, inspecting the metal plate once again, the cool metal resting lightly on her hand.

This is a mess, not only does the guild know about the marks, they're actively gathering them. Preparing a delve into the dungeon, for what? Artifacts? Is that enough to move the guild? Can I even trust these people? All I’ve been given are bits and pieces. She turned to look at Nathaniel.

“You knew about this didn’t you? The whole adventurer thing, and that I’ll be forced to participate in all of it. That’s why I was brought here wasn’t I? So you could keep me trapped in this place where you can control me?” Her voice came out more heated than she wanted it to.

“No one’s trapping you or controlling you Jennifer,” Nathaniel replied sharply, as he let out a sigh. “Serila is just stressed out, so she was more pushy than normal. You have to realise things are changing. The guild is just trying it’s best to keep an eye on the individuals these events are revolving around,” he said, eyeing her.

The jovial tone in his voice was gone as he continued. “We’re not monsters. It’s easy to forget perhaps with ranked adventurers, not with me, no. But for people like Zaress? All they see is his power, his prestige and the name of the Thunder Blight. He’s an ass yes, but he also carries the guild on his shoulders and the lives of the city. He represents the wavering image of humanity that comes when you're too high levelled.”

Nathaniel ran his hand through his brown hair, staring at the ceiling for a moment, before meeting Jenn's eyes again. “The guild won't harm you, Jennifer. You can refuse us. You could even choose not to cooperate as well. I can’t say that there wouldn't be consequences, the marks are...powerful and their roles complicate things. But I won’t let them go after a child, and force her to fight. Not against your will. None of us will.”

Jennifer stared at the young man, a tired but resolute expression on his face. She nodded, clenching her hands. Something sharp poked her and she saw tiny dark red shards of glass, some of them cutting her hand and drawing blood.

When did this…I thought my glass couldn't hurt me?

She picked a small piece and let some light shine through. The inside lit with a crimson hue as dark, twisting vein-like patterns ran through it.

“Fascinating,” Nathaniel said in a breathy voice and Jennifer startled.

“I’ve never seen glass affinity before, I must admit it piques my curiosity quite a bit,” Nathaniel said, moving closer to her.

Jennifer took a step back and he paused, an awkward expression on his face. After a moment he raised his hand and small crystals started to form just above his open palm. Bright and multi coloured crystals grew up, twisting and turning to form a beautiful pattern.

“I happen to have affinities related to earth as well. Well, Metal-Earth-Fire to be precise,” he added and Jennifer choked.

What?! T-Three affinities? Can people even have that many?

“Hah, that’s a common reaction. Yeah, I’m aware of my abnormal abilities. Here, let me show you something,” he said. The crystal broke into pieces, glowing sparks revolved around them as tiny metallic shards formed intricate chain-links, larger blue crystal was encased in metal, a small fire burning inside it, as he formed a neck-chain from the links in his hand, the new necklace shining with a lustrous gleam.

“Unfortunate that it will dissolve if I don’t maintain it,” he said, dangling the necklace from his hand. He swung it back and forth once before it started dissolving.

Jennifer's attention returned to the small shard in her hand. She floated the glass out and found it far more responsive than normal.

“That’s some kind of blood magic, I’m pretty sure. You must have managed to inject your blood into the glass as you formed it. Not a normal skill, but not too rare either. Never seen it with glass before. I doubt that shard will go away anytime soon,” Nathaniel said as he walked closer.

“May I?” he asked, putting his hand forward.

Jennifer hesitated for a moment before she set the glass shard in his hand.

“[Multi-Layered Arcane Analysis]” Nathaniel said, his skill lighting the glass shard for a moment.

“Interesting, as I’d suspected. It’s bloodglass, bound to you, it also has a budding enchantment for sharpness on it. Do you happen to have a skill that could’ve done that?”

My new skill. I still haven't tested it.

“Maybe,” Jennifer replied, "How much longer do I have to stay here?"

Shrugging, he returned the shard to her. “You know, you could try growing that. Maybe use it in an alchemical potion. If it was a tad bit bigger you could probably have made a bound weapon from it,” Nathniel said and then paused, muttering something under his breath.

“Viel is back, we should return to the room now,” he said and Jennifer stood there, unsure of what to do. Nathaniel stopped mid stride, turning towards her. “Do you want some time? We can do this another day Jennifer. I know Viel can be pushy but he isn’t a bad guy. Just a bit caught up in his ideals.”

“I’m alright, just- give me a few minutes to think. Please.”

Nathaniel bowed in her direction, then set his hand on the door, pausing at the exit, “I’ll be waiting outside. Come out when you feel ready. And remember, if you want a few days to think about it, that’s fine.”

Jennifer nodded as Nathaniel walked out. Alone at last, she slid down onto a chair. She breathed out a sigh, as she stuffed the iron plate into her leather pouch.

What do I do now? I assume they're going to insist I join them on their delve, or whatever is going on.

And this group of marked individuals they've collected. Why? For what purpose? Nathaniel said Serila is with Irwys, which makes sense. Then she has to be connected to Prince Laiken, right? Is a royal family involved in all of this? Which one? I really need to look into things a bit more, gather more information.

Jennifer sighed, turning back to look at the door separating her from her uncertain future.

These are ranked adventurers. If I join them, they may be able to ensure the safety of mom, dad, Keith, Rumina and the others. Do I tell them about the demons? About the invasion? I’m sure they have truth spells, but will it be that easy? What if they use that information against me? Capture me so that they can gain more from my “foresight”, how do I explain that I have nothing like that? I don't want to die again. What if I don't return this time?

Jennifer stared blankly at the walls, dazing out for a moment.

Eventually she did rise, moving to the door, pulling it open. Nathaniel stood right outside, leaning against the wall. Upon noticing Jennifer, he pushed himself away, opening his mouth.

Before he could speak, Jennifer said, “Let’s go, I’d rather finish that talk today.”

Nathaniel snapped his mouth closed, nodding and leading the way back.

Jennifer felt her chest tighten with anxiety. Fear and uncertainty churned within, but she'd made up her mind. They reached the room and Jennifer paused in front of it, taking a deep breath. Nathaniel opened the door with a click and they walked inside.

Viel sat inside, next to Irwys, a deep frown on his face. There was no sign of Anghul's dour face.

“Where did Ann go? Is she not going to be here?” Nathaniel asked, taking a seat across from Viel.

“Wrecking the dummies probably, she said what she wanted to say,” Viel said, turning towards Jenn. “Let’s continue Jennifer,” Viel added, leaning forward in his chair.

“I have a few things to say before-” Jennifer paused as a knock sounded out on the door.

“Might be Ann, let me check,” Nathaniel said as he got up and walked to the door, opening it.

“Jenn!!” a voice screamed and Jennifer jumped. She turned around, her eyes widening in surprise upon noticing the familiar red-head standing outside.

“Rumina?”