The events room upstairs of a restaurant in the Mi District was reserved for Juliana and her party. A large curtain blocked off an area behind Juliana. Eirian and Royce assisted as they passed around questionnaires to those Adasion who showed. At first Juliana was worried if anyone would take her advertisement seriously. A couple did come out of curiosity, but she shouldn’t have worried. The Adasions formed a line out into the street. She was a novelty. A woman who wanted to form her own clan? Separate from traditional roles? Any Adasion of ambition or desperation was present. Many were from towns not of the capitol.

Those interviewed shared their skills and level. The series of questions tested their empathy, cunning, critical thinking, and personality traits. The most difficult questions was over clan loyalty. They had to choose who they’d be loyal to first: the Asa Dominion or to the new clan. With so many participating in the war and with the question being treasonous, most of those gathered failed. Juliana was looking for clan loyalty first.

An orange haired and a green haired Adasion approached followed by a blue haired. They all gave unsatisfactory answers.

The yellow-haired healer and Royce whispered advice and impressions to Juliana throughout the interviews. Fionn hid behind a curtain and would nod or shake their head when the interviewees lied.

Fionn did this when a charming pink cotton-candy haired Adasion flattered Juliana. They lied about her beauty, their loyalty, and how they thought little about money. They lied throughout. It appalled Juliana. Suddenly there was a nudge in her thoughts. They weren’t too bad. Perhaps she too would have stretched the truth.

Fionn leapt from behind the curtain, “What are you trying to do, you slime-walker!”

The cotton candy haired Adasion stood back and stuttered, “Fa, what do you mean? Why are you here? Are you in her clan?”

Grabbing them by the collar, Fionn dragged them out, “How dare you try to manipulate her mind!” They threw the Adasion outside followed by some colorful insults.

Eirian grimaced and Royce looked disgusted.

Eirian whispered, “Thank all that you found Fionn, Juliana.”

“Y-yes.” Had the charlatan been in her group, who knows what kind of havock they could have brought.

“This is why the same colors usually join a clan, so they cannot coerce each other. The pinks have a reputation of being dangerous.” Eirian said.

Fionn returned. “We may not be the strongest, but we are usually hired for work that requires finesse.”

More Adasions came in. One couldn’t display empathy and was cold-hearted. Another was foolish when it came time to say “no”. The third had a pleasant personality, but was a Re.

Eirian whispered, “Please Juliana, not a Re. I have nothing against them, but you need someone to help defend you.”

“I can defend myself.” Juliana said.

“Oof, you sound like an Ana’Ta woman with that. No, I believe you can, but there are fierce creatures on this planet. You’ve been protected by the capitol walls. If you plan on traveling, you must pick someone higher ranked. There’s beasts out there.”

Her eyes widened. The Training Center hadn’t mentioned any danger. Frustrated, she felt too ignorant of this world. That had to stop. In the end, Juliana realized that she needed Adasions stronger than a Re. She wanted to be compassionate, to look beyond their class system. But Eirian was right. She knew she needed powerful allies if she was going to choose a maverick’s path.

A gentle voice came from the doorway. “May I come in?”

A young Adasion with medium length straight white hair waved. Juliana couldn’t help but smile. They blushed. They wore green and white robes of the Asan style.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

“Hi! I heard this is the place to interview for a new clan? I’m Id’rit. I’m Mi ranked.”

She looked closer at their hair. Sure enough, there were strands of dark grey in his hair. There were few, so she wondered if their rank could’ve been closer to Fa, “This is. What about your current clan?”

“Ah, I am from the southern-most town in Asa. My clan died in the war. I was still in school as they fought. Nue’ant offered me entry into their clan. I was going to take it when I heard about what you are creating. It’s a fresh idea.”

Eirian whispered, “Nue’ant must have sent them. He’s probably hoping Id’rit is picked.”

“Tell me a little about yourself,” Juliana prompted.

“I am from a merchant clan. I know, it’s surprising. You’d expect a pink-hair to do that with their ability with emotions and all. I moved the products. My mana songs help me manipulate gravity. Ah, but I’m more than my old clan’s muscle. I am good with accounting books. I like planning businesses.”

When it came time to the questions, Id’rit answered everyone truthfully and gave strong responses.

“You are travelling next to a chasm with the clan’s lifelong property. There is a sudden earthquake. There is a young Adasion about to fall from a bridge and our property is sliding with the earth towards the precipice. What do you do?”

“I’ll probably save what’s closest to me. That’s a natural response I think, to grab what is nearest.”

While not a response that showed empathy, it did show practicality. Juliana could respect that.

“Id’rit, I’d like to get to know you more. Would you wait in the next room as I finish these interviews?”

They jumped up from their chair with a smile, “Of course! Thank you! Thank you so much!”

Royce called for the next in line. Juliana recognized them. She wasn’t sure if she’d ever see them again.

Oynoiz stepped into the room. Their straight medium long black hair was styled, they wore ebony tailored clothes that were simple yet fashionable. As they entered, Juliana heard gasps from the room behind him. They bowed before her then stood at attention. They answered her questions simply.

“You are travelling next to a chasm with the clan’s lifelong property. There is a sudden earthquake. There is a young Adasion about to fall from a bridge and our property is sliding with the earth towards the precipice. What do you do?”

“I let them both fall.”

Juliana frowned, “Why?”

“Because I’m assuming that we’d be working together as equals. That’s what your ad said. You wanted to build a new clan. If you’re as surprising as I think you are, I cannot imagine you not coming along with your clan on adventures. It is you. I would rescue you.”

“Even if you could die?”

“I face death everyday. But it is not everyday I can build a coterie worth dying for.”

Juliana wasn’t sure how to respond.

“And if I ask you to pledge yourself to me over the Dominion of Asa, what will you do?”

“I’ll pledge to You, to the Clan,” they said without missing a beat.

A throat cleared as Fionn walked out from behind Juliana. They shook their head, “We need to change their question.”

Shocked, Oynoiz quickly schooled their expression, “I didn’t know you had a pink hair as your Clan.” They whispered, “That was sloppy of me.”

Fionn raised their chin, but didn’t correct Oynoiz, “What if we asked you if you would swear to us over the Gongre Confederacy?”

Oynoiz blankly stared.

“Come now, you think I wouldn’t detect the accent? You’re good at hiding it. A real actor. Or a spy.” Fionn continued as they played with one of their rings.

Oynoiz reached back.

“No, don’t you dare. Don’t you dare make a move. It is Juliana who will decide.”

Oynoiz looked at Juliana, desperation in their eyes. She knew that if she reported them, they’d be dead.

She sighed, “Well, what’s the truth?”

They hesitated. “I am what they say. But I’d swear to you first!”

Fionn nodded. They were being truthful, which surprised Juliana, “Why?”

“I’d never have a chance to have a clan. Nulls never have clans. There’s too few of us. We’re all Fa ranked but shunned everywhere. Null eggs kill all others around it. It’s not like our developing young choose to absorb the surrounding energy. Usually they’re destroyed on sight. If a Null is fortunate enough to survive hatching, then they’re raised with the others, but no one truly accepts us. We’re ostracized everywhere and no clan adopts us. This is the only job I was allowed. That, or to be a prison warden. I would rather die then be trapped each day guarding misery. I’m loyal to my country, and I’m not sure how they’d respond. If I accept you, we may be targeted. You have no reason to accept me. But this is a once in a lifetime chance. And also, I’d like to stick it to Asa Dominion. If I’m being honest.” They repeated.

Fionn nodded. It was the truth.

“I said it then, I’ll say it now. Human Juliana, I wish to be part of your clan.”

It was Royce who spoke up, “Juliana—they are against the Asa Dominion. If the Red King ever finds out—”

“They won’t.” Juliana stated and the three Adasions helping her a stern look, “They won’t. And they never will. I do not intend on staying in Asa much longer. It may years before I return.”

Julina held out her hand. They kneeled in front of her and she touched the top of their head. “You shall be in my clan.”