The faint crackle of the hearth filled the quiet space, casting flickering shadows against the walls. Catty sat on the threshold of the house, leaning against the doorframe. The cool night breeze ruffled her hair as she gazed out at her dragon, who lay stretched across the meadow. His immense pink form glimmered under the moonlight, his breathing steady and deep. The creature's head rested close enough that Catty could reach out and run her hand over the ridges of his massive snout.

Serafima stood behind her, silhouetted by the warm glow of the fire inside. She held a glass with the purple liquid in her hands, her posture as steady as ever, though her gaze lingered on the dragon with thoughtfulness.

She turned her gaze from the dragon to Catty, her expression unreadable. After a long silence, she asked, "What will you do now?"

"Do now?" Catty blinked, caught off guard. "I—I don't know. Survive, I guess?" She shrugged, her hand brushing over the dragon's scales. "Keep moving forward. Isn't that enough?"

"For now, maybe," Serafima said, her voice calm, "but moving forward without direction is just wandering. You need more than survival. You need purpose."

"It's not like I have a map, Serafima," the girl frowned, avoiding her gaze. "Not like there's a signpost that says, 'Here's what you're meant to do.' I've got… this." She gestured to the dragon. "And myself. That's all."

"That's not all," Serafima tilted her head, studying Catty closely. "You are the Child of Dragons, and your power is being wasted if you settle for just getting by."

"Wasted? I've been fighting to keep my head above water for as long as I can remember. I think I've done okay."

"You've done more than okay, but there's a difference between surviving and living. Half of Eterna is hunting you. And I know how to get out of this for you."

"Well... how?" Catty raised an eyebrow. "I'm guessing you're not about to suggest I take up knitting."

A smile flickered across Serafima's lips, though it didn't reach her eyes. "No. I'm suggesting something far more dangerous—and far more important. Have you ever heard of Magical Delivery Service?"

"The courier guys?" the girl blinked, confused. "They deliver enchanted stuff between worlds, right? I thought that was for, like, professionals. And Sects people."

"Mostly. But MDS... they are currently looking for new delivery drivers. There will be a competitive recruitment in two days. This opportunity cannot be missed. That's why I think it's your next step."

"You can't be serious!" Catty snorted softly. "What makes you think they'd even look at me? I'm not exactly their type."

Serafima folded her arms, her gaze steady. "Because you have what they value most: resilience, resourcefulness, and the courage to act when others hesitate. The rest—skills, technique, experience—you can learn everything."

"What happens when they find out who I really am?"

"They won't if you'll keep your mouth shut. I'll take care of the rest!" Serafima said simply. "It's your shield, Catty, and a chance to hide in plain sight. Excellent camouflage!"

Catty glanced at her dragon, who rumbled softly in his sleep, his massive tail twitching slightly. "So, you're saying I should join up and hope nobody notices the pink dragon?"

"It's time to stop running anymore, Catty," Serafima said, rising to her full height. "It's the safest way forward for you—and the only way to prepare for what lies ahead."

"And if I can't handle it?" the girl said quietly. "This must be difficult."

Serafima leaned over to meet Catty's eyes. Her tone softened, but the resolve in her words didn't waver, "You've survived this long because you're capable."

Catty looked away, her fingers tracing the dragon's scale. "It still sounds crazy. Why now?"

"MDS is your way to move safely between worlds. It's a system that protects its drivers as long as they do their part."

"You believe their badge will keep me safe?"

"It won't stop your enemies, but it will make their task harder," Serafima replied, her voice steady. "You'll have a reason to be in different realms and the tools to stay ahead of them."

Catty's gaze shifted toward the night horizon. "I'm not sure I can trust a bunch of strangers to keep me safe."

"You don't have to trust anyone," Serafima said. "Their routes, their resources, even their alliances—it's all designed to keep their drivers delivering in time, no matter the dangers. The rest is up to you."

"Why do you think this will work?"

"You let the work speak for itself. Keep your focus, follow their rules, and no one will ask questions they don't need to."

Uncertainty flickered in Catty's eyes. "You're sure this isn't just another way to put a target on my back?"

"It's the best chance you have," Serafima replied. "Staying here will only give them time to catch up. Moving forward gives you a way to direct what happens next."

Serafima's gaze shifted briefly to the dragon. His immense frame stretched out under the moonlight. She continued, "Running has kept you alive, but it won't prepare you for what's coming."

"Ready for what?" Catty asked. "For more people to hunt me down? For the prophecy to ruin everything?"

"Nobody knows what the prophecy will demand of you," Serafima replied, her voice steady. "It's not just the enemies you'll face, but the choices you'll have to make. Choices that no one else can."

"I'm not ready for that, Serafima," Catty shook her head, "I don't even know where to start."

"That's exactly why you need this job," Serafima said. "It will challenge you. Every delivery, every mission will force you to grow—sharpen your instincts, strengthen your bond with your dragon. It's the kind of preparation you can't get by standing still."

Catty glanced at her dragon, whose massive chest rose and fell with each steady breath. "And you think delivering packages will prepare me for a prophecy?"

"MDS connects every realm. You'll find knowledge and resources you can't access anywhere else through it. It's a way to understand the Multiverse and uncover how it truly works."

"Understand it? What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means access," Serafima said. "As a driver, you'll be in the middle of it. You'll find tools, information, and beings who can help you, even if they don't realize it."

Catty frowned, "How am I supposed to get these tools? Just pick them up along the way?"

"Not everything will come easily," Serafima admitted. "But every delivery, every mission will bring you closer to what you need. Artifacts, allies, knowledge... you'll gather everything without drawing attention."

"This job," the woman continued, "will teach you to see the Multiverse for what it is—and to find what others overlook. It's the safest way to prepare for what the prophecy demands."

Serafima's words hung in the air. Suddenly, the pink dragon belched so deafeningly that the curtains fluttered. Catty looked at Serafima, and both laughed.

"You think this is his answer?" the girl asked.

"Well, if that isn't a glowing endorsement, I don't know what is."

Applying for a vacancy in Magical Delivery Service was carried out through a portal linked to the Multiverse Network Hub. Catty stood before the glowing gateway in the heart of the local courier outpost near Grand Bazaar. The pink dragon rested nearby, and his presence drew no small amount of attention from curious onlookers.

Every citizen possessed a personal crystal attuned to their magical signature, serving as an identifier within the Multiverse. The candidate imbued their crystal with intent magic for the application, allowing it to interact with the portal.

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A cube of pure light, humming with a resonance, hovered before Catty.

The instructions were clear: place your crystal into the cube to begin, but Catty hesitated, turning it over in her fingers. Beside her, a line of other applicants stretched out, their creatures waiting impatiently nearby. Griffins ruffled their feathers; a unicorn pawed the ground; a wyvern hissed softly as the driver whispered in its ear. Each candidate eyed the pink dragon with barely concealed disdain.

With a deep breath, the girl stepped forward. She closed her eyes and exhaled slowly, focusing her thoughts. A glow brought the crystal to life—warm and pulsing like her heartbeat.

The cube's light intensified as she placed her crystal inside. A disembodied voice came from somewhere above:

Registration is complete. Your application has been accepted. We will notify you when it is approved.

The murmurs of the crowd faded when Catty turned. For a moment, before the girl pulled her crystal away, she caught the narrowed gaze of a competitor—a kobold with a venomous wyvern.

The application result was still ahead, but the first step had been taken.

The waiting room at the courier outpost was large, with high arched ceilings and metal walls that reflected the magic glow from the application portal. Catty sat on the edge of a long bench, her fingers absently running along the polished edge. The air carried the subtle hum of the Multiverse's omnipresent energy, and the vague voices of other candidates echoed from the corridor.

The dragon lay outside the building, his form too large to fit in the outpost's confines. Catty glanced sideways at Serafima, who sat poised and calm, her back straight and hands folded neatly in her lap.

"How long does it usually take?" Catty asked, her gaze fixed on the glowing walls ahead.

"As long as it takes," Serafima replied, not looking up from the small crystal Catty held in her palm. Her tone was steady, almost indifferent, but Catty caught how tense the woman was.

Catty exhaled sharply and leaned back, crossing her arms. "They'd figure out how to send a result faster with all this magic."

A group of candidates nearby began to whisper, their eyes darting toward Catty. One, a tall valkyrie with a pegasus, smirked and spoke just loud enough to be heard, "Look at her, thinking she stands a chance with that pink lizard."

Another, a dwarf accompanied by a massive griffin, chuckled, "Maybe she thinks it's a beauty contest."

Catty's grip tightened around her crystal, her knuckles whitening. Serafima placed a calming hand on her shoulder, "Remember why you're here. Their words hold no power over you."

The valkyrie sneered, taking a step closer. "What's the matter? Need your nanny to fight your battles?"

The girl frowned but said nothing, her foot tapping softly against the stone floor. A few other candidates were around her—some sitting quietly, others talking to their companions. A djinn in the corner seemed engrossed in tinkering with a jug while a tall elf adjusted his unicorn's saddle.

The waiting hall buzzed with restless energy, and those gathered were nervous and anxious. The air seemed heavier with each passing second, broken only by the occasional cough or murmur. Catty sat tensely on a bench, and Serafima took the girl's hand.

Suddenly, a soft chime echoed through the chamber, and everyone froze. The djinn, leaning casually against a pillar, straightened as a glowing message flew out of his crystal. The letters shimmered with golden light:

Registration Approved. Candidate: Josassod. Exam Entrance Confirmed.

The djinn smirked, his fiery aura flaring slightly as he stretched lazily.

"Well, looks like someone recognizes talent," Josassod drawled, his gaze sliding toward Catty. "Try not to be too discouraged, little dragon girl."

Before Catty could respond, a second chime interrupted her thoughts. This time, the gnome let out a delighted whoop as his own confirmation appeared. He hopped onto a nearby table, waving his gauntlet for attention.

"Bron the Brilliant, officially in!" the gnome declared, spinning in place. "What a shocker!"

The elf received his next, the words floating elegantly above his hand. He barely glanced at it, her demeanor cool and aloof. "Expected," the elf said simply, though the hint of a smile tugged at his lips. His gaze lingered on Catty pityingly before he turned away.

One by one, the announcements came. The strongman in the corner shouted joyfully at the top of his voice, and then the kobold hissed gleefully as his name materialized. He shot a sharp-toothed grin toward Catty, his tail flicking with triumph.

"Better luck next year, maybe?" the kobold sneered.

The valkyrie was the last to receive confirmation. The glowing text illuminated her stoic face as she nodded, her wings folding neatly behind her back. As she passed by Catty, she paused, a malicious smirk playing on her lips. Placing a firm hand on Catty's shoulder, she leaned in just enough for her words to drip with quiet malice.

"Don't worry, little girl. We always need spectators to watch the real contenders."

The valkyrie gave a gentle pat, her fingers lingering for a moment before pulling away, leaving the weight of her words to hang in the air like a blade poised to drop.

Catty's hands tightened Serafima's hand as she tried to steady her breathing. Every approval felt like another punch to her chest.

"She's still here?" Josassod said with mock surprise, leaving the outpost. A chorus of chuckles followed, some forced, others genuinely cruel. "Poor thing must've gotten lost on the way here."

Bron chimed in, "Or maybe the dragon scared them off? Not every day you see someone dragging a pink mountain around with them."

Their laughter echoed in the chamber, growing louder as Catty's silence stretched. She fought the urge to lash out, knowing it would only make things worse. Instead, the girl stared at her crystal, praying it would turn on.

The vibrant chatter of the candidates had faded as they came out one by one. The hall was silent now, and Catty sat on the bench alone. Her dragon's rumbling breaths filtered in from outside, steady and comforting, a contrast to the hum of the glowing cube.

Serafima leaned against the wall, her arms folded as she thoughtfully observed Catty. "You don't seem too bothered about missing the cut."

Catty shrugged. "Maybe it's better this way. I don't think I'd survive whatever they planned in that exam, anyway." She looked up, a weak smile tugging at her lips. "Besides, I'm not exactly anyone's favorite here, am I?"

"Favorites don't always win," Serafima said, pushing off the wall. "And you've never been one to care about what others think."

"True. But it's nice not having to deal with them anymore. I might even thank MDS for sparing me."

"What if they're just making you wait longer to see if you'll walk away?"

Catty raised an eyebrow. "You think they're testing me with all this waiting?"

"Maybe," Serafima shrugged lightly. "Or maybe not. But you're still here. And as long as you're here, there's still a chance."

"You're really good at this whole pep-talk thing, you know that?" Catty let out a soft laugh, shaking her head.

"It's not a pep talk," Serafima said, her tone flat but not unkind. "It's the truth."

Catty stood, stretching with exaggerated laziness as if to shake off the moment's weight. "Well, truth or not, I think I'm done waiting. Let's go."

She turned toward the door, her steps deliberate and without urgency. The dragon stood up outside, sensing her move.

Then, as the girl reached the threshold, a soft chime echoed through the hall. It stopped her in her tracks.

Catty was completely cool when the glowing letters materialized before her. It hovered there for a moment before unfurling into golden text:

Registration Approved. Candidate: Catty. Exam Entrance Confirmed.

Catty stared at it for a long moment, then let out a small, breathy laugh. "Figures," she said quietly. Her hand reached out, brushing the edge of the glowing message. "Just when I think I'm off the hook."

THE JURY

The jury room was dimly lit, and its enchanted walls pulsated with energy that mirrored the nervous tension of its occupants. Ganzor leaned back in his chair, his bushy brow furrowed, as he studied the list of approved candidates projected in shimmering light above the circular table. Across from him, Morvena twirled her crystal between her fingers with an unreadable expression. Krabelli, meanwhile, paced the room, his sharp features tense with agitation.

> Josassod (race: djinn | mount: Phoenix)

> Bron (race: gnome | mount: Griffin)

> Tingstan (race: human | mount: Dragon)

> Kára (race: valkyrie | mount: Pegasus)

> Qreggex (race: kobold | mount: Wyvern)

> Silvamor (race: elf | mount: Unicorn)

> Catty (race: human | mount: Dragon)

"This is madness," Krabelli snapped, gesturing toward the name at the bottom of the list. "A human girl with a pink dragon? The Dragon Sect will have our heads for this. Do you want to risk drawing their ire?"

Ganzor waved a hand dismissively, his tone calm but firm. "The Sect doesn't own every dragon, Krabelli. This one's independent. More importantly, we've never had a pink dragon in our ranks before. Do you know what that means? The sheer attention it would bring to the MDS? The possibilities for expansion?"

"Attention isn't always a good thing," Krabelli shot back. "You're playing with fire, Ganzor. This isn't some marketing gimmick."

Morvena sighed, "Enough, both of you. This is about evaluating the candidate's potential. Do you believe she's capable?"

Ganzor leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with conviction. "She wouldn't have been approved as a candidate if she didn't meet the baseline requirements. And think about it, Morvena. Rutger saw something in this girl. Would you question his judgment now, after everything?"

Morvena's gaze faltered momentarily. "Rutger," she murmured, the name hanging in the air like an unspoken plea. She straightened, her tone more resolute. "You're right. He wouldn't have guided her if he didn't believe in her."

Krabelli threw his hands up in frustration. "You're basing this decision on sentimentality? This isn't about honoring Rutger's memory—it's about running the most dangerous exam we've ever designed. One misstep from her, and we'll be the ones cleaning up the mess."

Ganzor met Krabelli's glare, his voice steady. "And if we deny her, what does that say about us? About the principles this service was built on? She has the potential, Krabelli. All she needs is the chance."

A heavy silence fell over the room as Morvena exchanged a glance with Ganzor. Then, with a nod, she made her decision. "We'll approve her. In memory of Rutger—and because I trust your instincts, Ganzor."

Krabelli groaned, throwing himself into a chair. "Fine. But if this blows up in our faces, you're explaining it to the Sect."

Ganzor allowed himself a small smile. "Noted."

He didn't hear Krabelli whisper, "Thank the gods that only one candidate will advance. She has no chance."

THE CELESTIALS

The voices drifted through the void, each carrying a distinct tone, like echoes of distant storms, whispers of flowing rivers, or the crackle of roaring flames.

"I'll take the djinn," one said. "Fast, cunning, and ruthless. He's got what it takes to win."

Another scoffed, "You're underestimating the kobold. Small, sneaky, and downright vicious when cornered. I'll bet on him. He'll tear through the exam before anyone knows what's happening."

A third voice, "I like the pink dragon and his rider."

The void fell silent momentarily before incredulous laughter erupted.

"You're crazy! The girl is out of her depth, and everyone knows it."

"And her dragon? A novelty. Nothing more. This isn't some fairy tale."

"We'll see."