“… Is for you to become my student.” Cassie spoke without any hurry, with a serious expression. As some considered such a topic hard to discuss. Others would find it simple and cheap. From her attitude it could be seen how she looked at it.

Even more so, this was a decision that would need to be decided by both parties. If one was willing to teach, but another was unwilling to learn. It would be pointless, any meaning found inside such lessons would be lost as scraps were kept. If even.

While the opposite was even harsher. Just because you were willing to learn didn’t make it any easier. In most cases, it was generally this way. Someone wanted to learn, while it was questionable if the one being asked was willing to teach.

Without meaning, doing a half-assed job would result in disaster. There were many things to considered. The qualifications, if one was willing with the qualifications, while the second lacked those qualifications. It was like speaking to someone in a different language.

She had a bit of this situation with her mother. Cassie used daggers, just like Jessica. It was one thing that piqued her interest. Personally, people like Jessica were far and few between. Daggers, didn’t make for great weapons.

They were something used in close quarters. In a situation where moving around was less than ideal. Usually, a dagger was not a main weapon but a utility or extra. Something small to be used in a last resort case.

That was the case for most, one such situation called for it almost exclusively. Surprise, or devious work. A dagger was small and became a powerful weapon. Easily hidden, if used correctly it was deadly.

Humans including graded beings were weak. There were a lot of soft spots, places that didn’t need much to cause heavy injury or death. While it was not the exact same, graded beings of equal grade were similar to non-graded humans fighting non-graded humans. If not for the fact that her mana was sealed, Cassie’s fighting style was essentially pain.

Inflict devastating pain, wait for an opening. Create enough pain to seek other avenues. Strike to kill. A slow, torturous style of fighting. With so many soft edges on the outside, her insides needed to be diabolical to compensate.

Something inside her, told her. Jessica was a person that would do good with her style. The issue was if she was willing. She could see it, on her face, was anything but conclusive. Cassie was not only young, her style was uniquely her own.

She had a large amount of experience. Not only was she taught by her mother. Even if she couldn’t teach her everything, she did the basics. From there, she created her own style through experience. Obviously not in the normal way, as her identity had to be hidden.

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Therefore, it could easily be seen as being too young. With nothing to teach. Clear-cut, and to the point. Nobody would expect her to say yes in this situation. Only insiders knew how much she had to give as a teacher.

However, Cassie paused. The more she studied her face, the more she felt something was off. Finally, unable to keep her curiosity in, “What exactly did you think the second one was?”

Looking down, clearly hitting the nail on the head. Jessica didn’t answer immediately, “Nothing. I just wasn’t expecting this from you. So I was stunned with surprise.”

Letting out a sigh, Cassie couldn’t help put point out the biggest aspect she had to offer, “If you say yes, I can help you learn to act. You are usually able to keep your calm and keep a straight face. You do often let your guard down around people you trust. But when you get flustered, your acting is awful.”

Pausing, Cassie couldn’t help but speak. Jessica hadn’t outright said no, “Just be open. I may be young, so there is no point in being stuffy. Just speak your mind. Only in this way can you make the best decision.”

Looking up, Jessica couldn’t help but test the water, “Like ask you the things you will teach me?”

Nodding with vigor, “That is the crux of it. I am so young, younger than you. So what could I possibly do for you. You might think, all I can do is offer you resources, as I can’t pass my talent onto you. But do you know why Red Names are a thing?”

“No, they appear strange. But in a sense, they also seem to have meaning. Though, most of the rules of Mercury City are too different and out there to understand. Let alone, there is no time to really think too deeply about it.”

“Red Names are basically people that don’t have what it takes to stay in Mercury City. That is both the central idea, and what is commonly known. At the same time, it is also a test. People that get their names on that list have their own confidence.”

A smile soon appeared on her face, “Most think they can get away with it. As it is unknown what Mercury City does to them. As only those that are idiotic decide to stay with a Red Name. Those that leave the formation are notified, allowing the Guild to remove their name.”

“So only those that believe they can hide, as far as I know. Never have there been any movement from the Adventurer’s Guild making moves on Red Names. Almost implying the formation is only there for defense, and it doesn’t have anything to do with Red Names.” Jessica couldn’t help but speak to herself out loud.

Hearing this, Cassie smiled, “It is mostly for defense. There are a number of uses. Only a tiny portion is attached to the outer layer. Allowing it to keep track of your Adventurer’s Guild identity token. Thus, knowing who comes and goes. As for where you are, that is not part of it.”

Jessica seemed a bit unsure of it, “Are you saying you have hunted those people down?”

Nodding slightly, a nonchalant expression on her face. A smile tugging at the corner of her lips, “The majority of my time was spent growing my mana. A small part was learning the basic’s from mother. Finally, the time when I got to play was chasing down and killing Red Names.”

Pausing for a second, letting it sink in, “For outsiders, Red Names are a meal ticket. To those higher up, there are rules. They’re like a test. They are not nobodies if they think they can stay without getting caught. Added on, if a person a part of the higher echelon wants to make a move. Outside of elders, that can basically do what they want. The rest of us can only go after those at a higher stage. Meaning, even if they’re the same grade and stage, you’re not allowed to make a move on them.”