The woman was seated in front of an office, waiting for her turn.

Her back was straight, her knees were kept together, and her hands were neatly placed atop her legs. She carried herself an air of calmness, akin to that of experienced mages who could keep their composure upon facing formidable foes.

I’ll make this opportunity count, she thought, determined.

Creak… sounded the door.

A man in a black suit and tie stepped out of the office. He had a frown on his face and had his head hung low. His gait as he exited was that of an injured fighter who had been bested.

This sight caused her unease. She felt it creeping up her spine.

… I should fix my appearance!

She combed her scarlet hair with her slender fingers and straightened her gray suit with her palm. Both actions were hardly impactful; her hair remained messy with jutting strands, her gray suit—though creaseless—remained uncouth with patches. There was no fixing her appearance, and this failure only served to fill her with more unease.

I’ll make this opportunity count, she thought, reassuring herself. I’ll make this opportunity count!

‘Next!’ someone announced from inside the office. ‘Scarlet Lunara, please enter the room to conduct your interview!’

I will get this job. I have to!

***

Latla.

‘What’s the wage I’m getting?’ asked she, an interviewee.

No going around this, Latla thought. ‘Unfortunately,’ she began, no point in dillydally, ‘I can only pay the minimum wage.’

She stared; brow raised: seriously?

Latla nodded. Seriously.

The interviewee pushed her bench back, stood up, and left. All without saying another word.

‘Curses…’ Latla drank her tankard of coffee, then slammed it on the table. That’s the fourth interviewee who walked away.

Latla was sitting at a table inside a crowded tavern, having conducted unsuccessful interviews for guild receptionist position there.

She wasn’t expecting much: needed only someone to handle things for her such as repurposing the building and registering new members. The person needed only to be literate and familiar with the workings of a guild. Anything else, such as having social skills, would be a nice-to-have extra. However, despite the low requirement, the search for a guild receptionist wasn’t as easy as Latla thought it to be. The labor market seemed to value them with a wage higher than the minimum wage.

I wouldn’t have this problem if I had managed myself better.

***

Past – Shadow Wolf Guild, after Latla defeated Kalak.

‘I’ll rise to the top from nothing and become the greatest mage in all of existence!’

Having made her declaration, Latla had no further reason to stay. Thus, she turned and allowed herself exi—

‘Wait, wait,’ the receptionist stopped Latla from leaving, ‘someone needs to pay for all this damage.’ She meant the broken receptionist counter, the shattered crystal ball, and parts of the guild that were still burning in flames.

‘…’ Latla made a nervous smile. Cold sweat dripped down the side of her head.

She had let her anger get the best of her, like always, and had gone overboard. Sure, she would admit that she was to blame, but paying for the damage would be costly and she would rather not.

‘Consider it self-defense?’

‘Doesn’t miraculously make the damage disappear.’

Touche. ‘Charge it to that traditional mage?’

‘You’re both to blame for this incident,’ the receptionist nodded, ‘but you caused the damage.’

Latla was running out of excuses. ‘Ask insurance to cover it?’

‘Insurance will only cover the fire hazard; only up to a certain point.’

A small victory. Good. However, Latla would rather attain the whole victo—

Crash! The candle chandelier above fell, bent broken and wrecked the floor with its weight. The heat from her flames had collapsed the ceiling part where the chandelier’s canopy was attached to.

Latla exchanged a momentary stare with the receptionist.

‘… How much for the repairs?’

***

Present – Tavern.

Her short temper annoyed her.

If she hadn’t gone overboard, if she had controlled herself better, then she wouldn’t have to pay for the repairs. And if she hadn’t paid for the repairs, she could have offered more than the minimum wage and could have hired a guild receptionist by now.

… No point in dwelling over a past mistake. Latla let out an audible sigh. The damage had been done and couldn’t be reversed.

‘Where can I find myself a guild receptionist, I wonder…’ she muttered.

‘Say, ‘scuse me,’ a man joined her table, a tankard of ale in his hand; his face was red, ‘you were interviewing for a job just now?’

‘I was.’

‘Can I interest you of some lads I know? They’re lookin’ for jobs. Don’t care what s’long’s they can get it. Perhaps you can give ‘em a shot?’

This whole situation: stranger conveniently appearing with a possible solution to her problem sounded too good to be true. Not to mention, suppose he was genuine, it wouldn’t change the fact that he was drunk during daylight, and that behavior made her question the characters of his so-called “lads”; birds of same feather flocked together. However, right now, Latla had no leads whatsoever in her guild receptionist position search. Therefore, although reluctant, she agreed to his proposal, ‘Sure.’

***

Scarlet.

‘Scarlet, eh?’ said one of the two interviewers. Both were men of noble appearance: fine black suit and tie. ‘Is it because your hair is scarlet? Ha-ha.’

‘Yes,’ Scarlet said. She was seated at the desk, opposite the two. ‘I was called Scarlet from a young age because of my hair color, and it stuck with me.’

‘Huh…’

‘So,’ the other joined, ‘it’s not your real name?’

Scarlet was unsure on how to respond. This kind of question didn’t come up in her mock interview. ‘It… is…?’

The interviewers whispered to one another, ‘Does this mean her identity isn’t legally registered?’ ‘I think she’s from the slums. Their registrations do get sketchy.’ ‘Isn’t that bad?’ ‘Depends.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

‘So, Scarlet, how do you feel if your monthly pay is 50 krestling?’

‘That’s…’ hardly enough… ‘That sounds good.’ She forced a smile.

The interviewers nodded, pleased. ‘Alright, let’s proceed. I can’t help but notice that your skin is pale and that there are bags under your eyes. Are you ill?’

‘No. My body is just weak.’

‘Huh. Well, I’m sure have something to make up for that. Tell us your strengths and weaknesses.’

‘I can read. I usually read my brother a bedtime story from a book that my neighbor lends. I can also cook. My brother often says it’s delicious. As for my weakness… I was told I was overprotective… and stubborn… and… selfish…’ Her eyes welled with tears. This wasn’t the answer which she had practiced and prepared for this interview.

There was a time for everything, and this was not the right time to remember her dispute with her brother. However, emotions often behaved unpredictably.

***

Past.

At the dining table of her small humble home, Scarlet scooped a small portion of porridge into a small bowl. She then gave the remaining larger portion to her little brother, having the smaller portion for herself.

Her brother, Cirrus, looked at his bowl, lost in thought.

‘I know it can get boring,’ Scarlet remarked, ‘eating the same thing over and over again. I feel you, Syr. Trust me. But bear with it please.’

‘Mm.’ He nodded. Even the black cat they kept, Noir, stared at the porridge the same way. And she didn’t even eat porridge to know how stale it could get.

Scarlet watched as Cirrus ate with spoonful. The sight filled her stomach somewhat.

Once he had gone through half his portion, she figured that it was time to bring up the matter that she wanted to discuss.

‘Cirrus,’ she confronted, ‘have you been going into the forest again?’

‘Nope. Not at all.’ His answer was quick. Too quick. Scarlet suspected that Cirrus had anticipated and practiced this. He then asked the cat, ‘We haven’t gone to the forest at all right, Noir?’

‘Meow…’

‘You heard her.’

Heard what? She’s a cat, she meows! That’s what she does! Scarlet rubbed her forehead. Kept her outrage to herself and remained calm. ‘Her answer, whatever it was, means nothing. Cirrus, I want the truth, have you been going into the forest again?’

‘Nope.’

‘Then why do I hear that someone saw you selling herbs to a mage in Shadow Wolf guild?’

‘What? Trisha was supposed to keep quiet! Oh, um, I mean, I definitely didn’t.’

‘Cirrus, how many times do I have to tell you that the forest is dangerous? There are monsters there and bad things can happen to you. Do you know how worried I get?’

‘But—’

‘No buts. You’re. Not. Allowed. To go to. The forest. Understand?’

‘But that’s the only way to get money!’

‘You don’t have to worry about that. That’s my job.’

‘… What job? You don’t have a job, Scarlet!’

His words hurt her. It hurt because what he said was true. And she knew that. But her pride as an older sister made her refuse to lose this dispute. Scarlet slammed the dining table. ‘I didn’t raise my brother to be a rude child.’

Cirrus’s eyes were welling with tears. ‘You’re always like this. Always. You think you know what’s best, but you don’t!

‘You’re worried because you’re overprotective, you never really get how I feel because you’re stubborn, and worst of all you’re selfish!’

Cirrus never had this kind of outburst before; Scarlet was at a loss.

‘If you don’t want me to go to the “dangerous” forest, then you should get a job!’ Cirrus ran away from the dining room.

‘Cirrus!’

Scarlet wanted to chase her brother, but she was stopped by violent coughs. This matter had come as a surprise; she didn’t take it well. At times like this, she cursed this weak body of hers.

‘Cirrus…’

The black cat, Noir, gave chase. But, before she left the dining room, she gave Scarlet a spiteful glare along with a hostile growl. Even the cat believed that Scarlet was to blame for this situation.

Alone in the empty dining room, Scarlet shed a tear.

Was it true that she worried too much? Cirrus had gone to the forest a few times, but always came back perfectly unharmed.

Was it true that she didn’t get how he felt? Scarlet noticed that Cirrus ate only half his portion of porridge.

And was it true that she was selfish?

I…

Scarlet wiped her tears with her sleeve.

I will get a job. I have to.

***

Latla.

She rolled a ring with her fingertips.

‘A shortcut that leads to the lads,’ he said, Latla thought as she followed the drunk stranger through a foreign alleyway.

By now, having learnt from her days as a traveling merchant, she knew full well that caution was better exerted than not. It was a common story for merchants—or at least those with appearances that suggested wealth like her—to be targeted.

Common enough that I lost count.

‘Your lads don’t look like they’re searching for jobs,’ Latla remarked. She was led to a desolate open area, surrounded by several men armed with steel pipes.

‘Did I say they’re lookin’ for jobs?’ He scratched his head, feigning innocence. ‘My bad,’ he grinned, ‘they just wanted the money. Better hand ‘em over.’

‘… I’ve had a frustrating day. Interviewed four people; none succeeded. Then this happens.’

‘Bad luck.’ He shrugged.

‘Bad luck.’ Latla nodded. ‘For all of you.’

Wham! Latla punched the drunk stranger’s face; the force toppled him away, unconscious.

‘It’s not every day that I get to unleash my frustration.’ Latla smiled. That punch just now felt good. Even better when she knew that there would be no repairs to pay for and that self-defense would be legitimate as an excuse.

‘Get her!’ shouted one of them. On cue, they rushed toward her.

Swish! Latla dodged a pipe swing by swaying her upper body backward; at the same time, delivered a front kick on the stomach that suffocated her opponent. Made him double over onto the ground. That’s two.

Swi—Grab! Latla caught a hand, stopping a pipe swing. Halted, she let go, delivered quick one-two jabs on her opponent’s solar plexus. He staggered to a fall. That’s three.

Wham! She threw a roundhouse kick; one of them had gotten into her range, late on the swing. He received the kick in full on the head, knocked out instantly. That’s fou—

Bursting from the ground were pillars of water surrounding her from all sides. Latla dashed away, escaping the encirclement, but the water pillars chased like a serpent. Having caught her, it coiled into and imprisoned her in a sphere of water.

From inside, Latla saw a man weaving his steel pipe like a staff. He was responsible for this magic that was cast on her.

Can’t breathe…

Latla struggled in the water, tried to escape by swimming toward air, but the sphere of water had a current from all direction that kept her at the center. Breaking free from this imprisonment was impossible—

Curses…

—if she relied only on her physical strength.

Latla finally wore her ring, the mana storage tool, on her finger. As soon as it was equipped, the ring shattered to pieces, a result from having overtapped the mana within. The sphere of water burst into a rising cloud of steam.

Through sheer strength of magic, despite the elemental incompatibility, she had vaporized the water with her flame.

As the steam settled and the vision cleared, the armed men could see Latla having escaped the water imprisonment. The defeated expressions on their faces were enough to give Latla the satisfaction of victory. There was no need to go any further.

‘Still want to fight?’

Her opponents threw their steel pipes, showed their backs, and ran with tails coiled between their legs.

Latla wouldn’t have minded if they wanted to continue though.

***

Scarlet & Latla

Scarlet walked through the street; head hung low. Not because she was watching for and navigating through cracks and potholes, but because she felt an imaginary weight weighing her down.

I couldn’t get the job…

She felt horrible. Getting a job was the condition to stop her little brother from going into the dangerous forest; yet, despite that being clear and simple, Scarlet had failed.

Can I call myself his older sister? When I’m just a failure for an older sister?

For an uneducated someone with a weak body, there weren’t many job options available for her. Getting into an interview alone had been a miracle, and she had wasted that opportunity.

I hate this. I hate being so pathetic. If only—if only I didn’t…

On her way home, she came across a grand building: two-story tall, walls smooth and painted blue. This café, although it didn’t look like one, was an abandoned building; no one was taking care of it. But, this day, after many eventless passings here, Scarlet saw a young woman sitting at a table in front of the café; she was brewing coffee, boiling a flask using magic: finger lighter.

Is she the owner of the café? Scarlet wondered. Are they opening again? Are they hiring? She hoped they were. Wanting to give job-seeking another shot, knowing that the worst that could happen was her being shooed away, she approached the young woman.

‘Excuse me, is this café opening again?’

Latla looked away from her coffee and saw the scarlet-haired woman. Her expression gave the impression of someone having fallen to rock bottom. What was it that she had experienced? Latla was curious, but she knew not to ask until the opportunity arose. She answered her question, ‘Sort of. I’m planning to open this place; not as a café, but as a guild.’

‘A guild…’ she remarked.

‘Do you want coffee?’ Latla offered. ‘It has been left in the storage for long, but it’s still good. I’ve tested it the other day.’

‘Oh, um, perhaps a cup? Thank you.’ She poured and gave her a cup of coffee. After having sipped it, she asked, ‘Are you hiring?’

This again. Latla rolled her eyes. After the events that had happened today, she wasn’t feeling optimistic. Regardless, since she had no leads, she had to bite. ‘Yes. I’m searching for a receptionist who can read and know how guilds work.’

Her face brightened. ‘I can do that!’

‘Good to hear.’

‘Would you consider hiring me?’

Her eagerness irritated Latla. Thus far, everyone was eager until they heard about the wage. ‘I can only pay the minimum wage.’

‘Sorry, but how much is the minimum wage?’

‘500 krestling.’

‘500 krestling?!’

‘Yes. It’s too low, I—’

‘Please, give me a chance.’ She looked at her straight in the eyes with a stare that contained resolve. ‘I promise that I will give the job my best.’

She’s a first, Latla thought, a bit surprised that her eagerness remained. No, if anything, her eagerness increased after hearing about the wage. I don’t want someone who just wants the wage though. ‘Why do you want a job?’ she asked.

Why? Scarlet thought. There was only one answer: ‘I want to call myself my brother’s older sister.’

Latla blinked. She wants what? she questioned, baffled. It was far and away an answer that went out of her expectations. An answer with a meaning that she could not comprehend, for she lacked an understanding of her situation. Yet, at the same time, an answer that conveyed her motivation to Latla. She’s not someone who just wants the wage, she determined.

Having heard her answer, Latla proposed they move inside and discuss further, giving her the chance that she so wanted.

If all goes well, I might have found myself a guild receptionist.