I awaken on the following morning, and after getting ready, start making my way to the training fields again. During my pleasant walk in the crisp autumn chill, I get a message from Elisa.

[<ELISA>: Hey. *sunrise* You up? *frantic waving*]

I pinch the bridge of my nose, massaging the tissue and already regretting the addition of the emoji pack to the chat program. Well, the little static pictures and funny animations do serve their limited purpose, condensing information into a simplified representation, allowing one to supplement their statements. Not really a problem for a digital being with ludicrous data throughput and comprehension, more so for a squishier individual of the organic variety. And she does seem to enjoy using them. Maybe it was the right call.

[<ELISA>: *frantic waving* *frantic waving* *frantic waving* *frantic waving* *frantic waving*]

[<LUCIUS>: Good morning, Elisa. There is no need for the usage of multiple emojis in a quick succession. I understood your intent perfectly fine.]

[<ELISA>: Why take so long to reply then?]

[<LUCIUS>: An instantaneous answer after each of your messages would appear quite jarring and unconducive to a proper dialogue.]

[<ELISA>: *sad face* Fine.]

[<ELISA>: Also, this automatic correction functionality is great. I am amazed it can string the garbled mess I am writing into a proper sentence. *thumbs up*]

[<LUCIUS>: That is good to hear. I was just on my way to train with some friends, but I have a bit of time until I arrive. What can I assist you with?]

[<ELISA>: Forget about my thing. What's that about friends? *curious face* You didn't mention them. *angry face* Spill. *explosion*]

[<LUCIUS>: As part of my integration plan, making personal connections is vital.]

[<ELISA>: *yawning face* That's a real 'mom' answer right there. Just noncommittal enough to make someone stop digging any further.]

[<ELISA>: I know you're there. Don't ignore me! *mad face*]

[<LUCIUS>: Would you look at that. It would appear I have arrived. I shall contact you again later, Elisa. Goodbye.]

[<ELISA>: *rage face* I'll pull it out of you. You'll see. *person retreating back into the shadows*]

My head hurts. Did she infect me with some weird memetic virus or something?

Joking aside, how do I even explain my relationship with Erysis and Nexen. Just thinking about putting it into words is making me feel dirty.

Let's fling some metal at Erysis. That'll cheer me up. And yes, I see the irony in that statement. Hah, iron-y. Punny. Oh, God. The virus is real.

The spars proceed not that much differently when compared to yesterday, but I do appear to be getting into the 'groove' as they say. Each cast making the next feel a bit more intuitive. I haven't felt this much fun since... Since I was at the first steps of my journey of discovery. But this is different. It feels pure. I feel like I finally have a real purpose attached to my improvement.

The only small issue is that the bouts are interspersed with messages from Elisa. Said messages contain a variable sequence of question marks—or rather, the symbol used in Common—keeping me on my toes each time. Will it be one? Ten? Twenty? An inverted question mark? Eventually, a timely string of hefty proportions distracts me enough to catch a wisp of light to the chest. While Erysis is proudly receiving some cheers from Nexen, I send a message of surrender back.

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[<LUCIUS>: We were together for our Party License Exam.]

[<ELISA>: Fellow adventurers, I see. *person cutting a slime in two* Tell me more about them.]

[<LUCIUS>: Fire mage and melee fighter.]

[<ELISA>: *eye roll* I don't care about that. Where did the straightforward Lucius go?]

[<LUCIUS>: Both want to help people and make the world a little bit safer. And I can always count on them to have my back.]

[<ELISA>: They sound great, Lucius. I would love to meet them some day. *party*]

[<LUCIUS>: Do you think they will despise me, Elisa? I don't want that.]

[<ELISA>: *person wiping sweat*]

[<ELISA>: Sorry.]

[<ELISA>: I didn't mean to send that.]

[<ELISA>: I can't give you an answer to that question. But if they gave you a chance and got to know you the way that I have...]

[<LUCIUS>: Thank you, Elisa.]

[<ELISA>: You're welcome. *heart*]

[<ELISA>: Now explain to me what the fuck's antimatter. *heart*]

I chuckle inwardly and proceed to carry out a lecture while Erysis is trying to boost my luminescence. When Elisa has grasped the basics and promises to leave me alone for at least half an hour, I suggest we take it easy for today and cut the training session short. Erysis starts insinuating that I am scared, but when I share my planned itinerary for the rest of the day, I receive a reluctant groan and a mild threat of them catching up to me sooner rather than later. I am sent off with encouragements, and the two continue their workout.

***

I am inside the Guild Hall, approaching Attendant Ania. What's this? A stray gust of wind has snuck inside the building. How preposterous. The intruder somehow lifts a piece of paper from behind the counter and swishes it in the air. I obliviously snatch it right through her panicked grab.

"Hi, Attendant Ania. What's this?" I turn the page over and regard its contents with interest.

"Nothing!" She clears her throat. "Nothing. May I have it back please?"

I ignore her and continue studying what's drawn on the surface. "A dress? It looks really pretty. Did you draw it?"

She clears her throat again. Curious, she isn't sick. The air must be dryer than she is comfortable with. "Nonsense. It is simply a failed design." She extends her hand. "Please."

I pass her the paper and shrug. "I thought it looked nice." Her smile falters but then grows by five percent. I make a digital fist pump.

She tucks the design behind the counter and straightens the paper a few times. "What can I help you with today?"

"I would like to take the Promotion Exam to D-rank."

She laughs politely, covering her mouth with her hand. "Of course you do, Lucius."

Before she can start the process, I add, "May I request Attendant Tryss as my examiner?"

"Yes." She checks a book, flipping the pages in a blur, and quickly closes it. "Just a moment." She turns around and enters the inner part of the Guild.

After a bit of time, Attendant Ania returns with a visibly downcast Attendant Tryss in tow.

I receive a woeful greeting, lacking any of his previous confidence, "Hey, Lucius."

I look concerned, swapping my stare between him and Attendant Ania. "Everything okay?"

"I owe Ren a shitload of coin." This guy... Attendant Ania hums softly. Attendant Tryss pulls out a few pieces and drops them in her outstretched hand, grumbling out, "Here." She happily tucks the coins in a pocket.

Wait... "Were you betting on me?"

She smiles. "I have no idea what you mean, Lucius."

"That feels wrong," I say.

Attendant Tryss grumbles out again, "Not as wrong as I am feeling right now." He sighs and returns to his slightly more professional conduct. "Come on. Let's get this over with, hotshot. You better not fail after I lost so much money on you."

"You were betting on me!"

Attendant Ania is serenely seated behind the counter once again and staring straight ahead. I hear a few of the regular loungers either grumbling or cheerfully shoving each other. I should have gotten in on the action...

Attendant Tryss waves me to follow along, taking me to the teleportation room and explaining the exam, "Your Promotion Exam will consist of two parts—a delve and a duel, in that order." He turns to me and gives me a smirk. "Don't try to hide too much, or you might get a club to the face." He covers his mouth and chuckles. "Oops." He continues, "D-rank is special. It's the first time you might brush against the high-grade dungeons. We already know you can handle your own, this is a test to see if you can go above. Cuz once you pass the threshold, hotshot, you don't want to find yourself lacking."

We reach the teleportation room and get whisked away to a new place. I find myself under the open sky. A simple stone wall, not even a meter high, is circling a crackling and twisting hole into infinity. The gate is a radiant blue, with streaks of white swirling into a whirlpool of chaos.

Attendant Tryss regards me expectantly, and when I take a step toward the gate, follows. I touch the previously invisible to everything impossibility and pass through.

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