Sitting in Sophia's office, attempting to solve a Rubik's cube with Telekinesis, I find myself having no further qualms about the morality of yesterday's actions. I haven't even met with Thomas—he was busy transferring Nora out of school—so I didn't have the chance to talk about blocking a core part of who I am.

Conversely, I saw Sophia. She's looking better. Still in her half-spider form, but not as haggard…or drinking the milk straight out of the carton.

In fact, she's recovered enough to birth a spider to watch over me.

…Yeah, I was grossed out too.

So, the TLDR version was that Sophia, being a monster, got evolutions and mutation abilities. One of which basically removed her ability to have children with other creatures in turn for giving her the ability to create a hive mind.

Her spiders at most live about two weeks, but they can have a variety of mutations she 'unlocked' or has. Whatever that means. They act as eyes and ears for her, but like Clairvoyance, it's a two-way street. If they were to die, she would feel it as well.

She usually disconnects from them beforehand. At least they can be left with basic commands in that sense.

Sophia mentioned something about loathing the skill now. Probably has something to do with her two non-biological children, if I had to take a probable guess.

"Alice," the white, hand-sized, glassy-eyed spider sitting on the desk calls out to me. It has Sophia's voice, but…muted. Smaller. Drone-ish. "You've done a major thing for this city—uprooting a school's crimes."

I only stole the evidence, but I'll take it. Plus, those bullies got off light. A fine even though we charged them with instigation. Damned lawyers.

"I'd recommend you for promotion to Hero, but you haven't had enough time under my direct tutelage for the requirements."

"Great… Now, what?"

"Perhaps see Rose. She would be the most probably candidate for teaching you. I don't trust most of the ones currently at the guild, and those that I do are on leave."

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*CRASH*

Just as she says that, the sound of a bull ramming into one of those defunct warehouses from way back when. Like…before the magical era. When stuff was stored in boxes and crates that didn't violate physics.

"I think, and this is just a guess, that's her…"

"…You're probably right. Go see her, but a last warning. Try to keep away from the Captain of the Guild, or at least, don't be alone with him. He's a trustworthy guy, but he has a way of pulling you through a conversation."

"Got it. Be as introverted as fuck."

"…I don't think you know what that entails…"

"'Course I don't. I wanted to be an engineer, then became an accountant, and now I run around in leather chasing rapists. I don't know what anything means anymore!"

I leave the spider on the desk and leave the office. Outside, Rose and Hyper Thunder are chucking crates at each other, yelling…a lot of obscenities. Damn, they can both swear like sailors.

"The case got assigned to me!" Rose shouts, chucking a box full of staples at Hyper Thunder.

"You already got your moment of fame! It's my turn!" Lights flicker, hair rises as Hyper Thunder builds up a charge. All while this is happening, one of the blue collared workers stands in shock and awe, and a little terror, at the scene.

I need to do something before they destroy all of these important…office supplies. Those are tax payer dollars!

I summon a water sphere the size of my hand for 10 mp. The air feels notably dryer on my skin, but that's besides the point. Flinging the ball with Telekinesis, it lands on Hyper Thunder with a splash, discharging the charge.

I can't believe this man can be defeated by water.

"What's going on?" I ask, picking up the various objects with Telekinesis to help out the blue collar. "Aren't you both adults, too? Why are you acting like children?"

"Redundant questions there," Hyper Thunder mumbles, not intending for me to hear.

Rose sighs. "After my recent arrest of that invisible kid, I sorta got another case like it given to me. Similar circumstances and all that, and since I made the first arrest, they're giving me point on it. Charles here"—she points accusingly at Hyper Thunder—"wants some of the fame and glory."

"Oh, I just made an arrest of a kid that could stop time. He used it to sneak into bathrooms."

Hyper Thunder curses some things I would rather not repeat under his breath, yet Rose looks elated. Not the sadistic smile she would have in place of apathy, but more of, 'I have a great idea!'

"Say…why don't you come with me? Just for a bit. I could use some help," Rose cheerily says, gauging Hyper's reaction. He's fuming, but he can't do anything while still soaking wet.

"Sure. Sophia told me to ask you if I could join you anyway." By this point, the blue collar has shoved off with his supplies.

She looks confused for a moment, remembering that Sophia's still out, but that's quickly diminished by her victory over Hyper. I don't think Rose knows about the whole hive mind thing.

"Alright, well, we're heading to The Docks."

————————————————————————————————————

The Docks were an interesting place.

It used to be a plaza for sightseers to shop, look over the bay, or pay an exorbitant amount of money to go to the Statue of Liberty.

I mean, it still is, but that's on the upper level.

The lower level has…regressed, so to speak. It's a place of movement, industrialization, and a similar aura to the slum area Alayna's in charge of. However, instead of sex and drugs, this place screams drugs and murder.

Bulky sailors load and unload crates with heavy-duty equipment full of legal and illicit objects. Salt spray covers everything, giving me a slight headache with my senses. I lower the sensitivity, but it doesn't do much.

Everyone here gives us a side-eye or a stink-eye, which Rose returns, keeping a hand on her blade at all times.

I feel like this was a mistake.