Handelcore is the youngest and northernmost self-governed Hub affiliated with the Global Federation. Since its foundation, roughly 30 years ago, the Hub experienced wave after wave of investments, which attracted the young and bold from all over the Federation to try their luck on the harsh and dangerous northern lands. Merchants, crafters, and everyone who could spare the crystals weren’t further behind. As soon as land and stores became available, they gritted their teeth and paid for the expensive teleportation and settling costs.

Tyra was amongst the ambitious youngsters who decided to bet their lives, along with their savings, on Handelcore. Yet, differently from others, she’s unbound. Without a mystical, how could she be a functional part of society? She was used to hearing some version of that question every now and then. Everyone who knew of her condition would either despise or pity her. Even so, she entered the Academy. Even so, she got a trainer degree with top scores in only five years. And now, she was ready to challenge common sense again by going to the frontier, to fight for a place in the world of mystical creatures.

“The Hub only has five districts, but there’s already a completely-functional subway… Rich, indeed.” Tyra muttered contemplatively while analyzing the Hub map.

The unbound stared at the nearest valve waiting for it to open so she could check the name of the next station. She would kill for some kind of ‘in-creature’ notice of upcoming stations, but the chance of the other users accepting the additional cost that such a tool would require was slim. Like her, the masses could only afford subterraneous mystical riding as means of long-distance transportation inside the Hub. At least, the giant hollowed worm that they were riding on was safe. The creature’s ‘amenities’ were lacking in terms of comfort, but well worth the two pale crystals (pc) fee.

Soon, the ventricular valve opened revealing the ‘Southern 5th Ring Station’ sign, prompting Tyra to jump off quickly. The freshly graduated trainer had to restrain her curiosity and force her sight away from the huge mystical’s subcutaneous nerves, or else she would end up ‘admiring’ it for too long and probably get robbed. This wasn’t exactly the safest place in the Hub.

Fortunately, the local government was keeping the underground luminars properly filled, so she easily found the stairs and left the station while avoiding some dangerous elements. The Hub tried to maintain some level of safety, but they couldn’t be everywhere. Anyway, most low-level criminals would disguise themselves as beggars, which couldn’t fool someone as experienced in beggary as Tyra.

Ten minutes of hurried walking took the unbound to a secondary street only a couple kilometers from the Southern Gate if her sight was to be trusted. Tyra re-checked the number and description in the flyer, which pointed to a poorly painted two-story building with a glass front, much like the other stores on that street. She dropped her heavy old bag and started searching for a few things that would help her become more presentable. Unfortunately, her plan was fated to fail.

A door opening sound interrupted the unbound search, who stared ahead in an awkward bend position.

 “Are you perhaps Miss Tyra?” The blond young woman who exited the store was dressed in a formal suit under a coat with her hair tied in a bun, which made Tyra self-conscious of her humble dressing and untied red hair. The unbound stood up clumsily and was prepared to answer when an almost invisible movement in the other party’s clothes caught her attention.

‘A mind furry’, she guessed. The mystical could take the form of clothing, mostly ‘furry’ wearing, and thus remain imperceptible to the untrained eye. Which made the creature a little more expensive than the common bound could pay, though the mental enhancements would surely be worthy, especially for someone in the woman’s line of work. From memory, Tyra could think of a few abilities that would help the woman get better deals, like ‘charm’ and ‘improve self-confidence’.   

After seeing Tyra’s slightly uncomfortable smile, the agent continued:

“I hope you had a comfortable travel, teleportation can be… unsettling.” The effect of charm was definitely doing its work since Tyra already felt inclined to befriend the woman.

“Not at all. Miss Ellaine, right?” The unbound smile stretched wider than she planned. ‘Definitely working’.

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The two shook hands, and only then, Tyra noticed a grey cat behind the agent using its long tail to caress the woman’s legs. ‘A grey archn cat’, she could easily recognize the common mystical protector. The creature should have been hiding from others’ perceptions as most mind mysticals could.

It was expected from any bound to be accompanied by their mysticals, though most would try to stay hidden from sight and perception. Humans could have up to three mysticals bound, not at one time, but through life. Usually, when born most would be bound to their first mystical, the ‘protector’. Then, after choosing an occupation, roughly around 20 years old, they would be bound to their second mystical, the ‘partner’. Finally, at 40 or 50, the bound would get their last mystical, the ‘companion’.

Tyra didn’t blame the agent for going with the same primary element for her mysticals as they both matched her job. General advice was, of course, to diversify in elements to avoid being caught at disadvantage, but the woman would probably never be involved in a battle. Through the centuries of civilization, the need for everyone to be bound to battle mysticals dropped significantly. Now, only explorers to be would focus on such a thing.

They entered the store and walked past a few rooms occupied by other agents, or so she guessed, before entering the last one, which was almost half-sized and clearly less comfortable than the previous rooms. ‘She should be a newbie agent’, Tyra thought. The unbound wasn’t bothered in the slightest. She wasn’t anyone of importance, so it was only fair to get the least experienced agent. Though, Miss Ellaine’s mysticals seemed a little ‘rich’ for the room or even the shabby store. Maybe Handelcore had a more meritorious policy and everyone would need to start from the bottom…

The agent explained the ‘benefits’ of signing with the firm while serving them tea. The constant use of ‘charm’ was irritating, but Ellaine at least showed some courtesy by not questioning Tyra on the absence of her mysticals. The local government required both explorers and trainers who wanted to venture into the wild to be contracted with a certified agent. The policy could reduce tax evasion while guaranteeing some sort of control, at least bureaucratic, over the teams exploring the Hub’s influence area.

“Well, Miss Ellaine. I do like the services you mentioned, but one color crystal (cc) plus five percent of my loot is too much.” She didn’t bother trying to complain about the single prices of each service and directly cut them off. ‘Good luck trying to overcharge me in basic services’, Tyra challenged the agent on her thoughts.

“Let’s start with just the registration, licensing, and loot collection for now. Later we can add other services. If needed.” The unbound smiled plainly and placed one cc over the table, signalizing that she was done discussing.

The agent stared at the crystal and Tyra felt the back of her head tingle, but after a few seconds the woman accepted the crystal politely and the feeling disappeared. The prices for basic services were pretty much standard and had been stated before, so they didn’t need to negotiate. Sadly, the agents would earn more shares from additional services.

The trainer waited calmly for her change while Ellaine went to a cabinet behind the desk and picked a paper bag with ‘500 pc’ written and ten more loose pc. Tyra was trying to hide, but she was a little nervous since the crystal was one of her few. She had worked tirelessly through the five years of the academy running errands for the rich students to earn enough for tuition, and after paying for teleportation to Handelcore, her savings were reduced to only three color crystals.

“Here, your 510 pale crystals… This is the standard contract. Take your time to read it, and if you don’t have anything to add, we can go to the legal department to sign.” The agent passed the paper bag and then the contract.

Tyra quickly put the crystals away without any fear of being rude before moving on to the contract. She was far from an expert, but the academy gave her enough knowledge to spot the usual traps. Fortunately, the contract was indeed standard and she didn’t have anything to add.

After receiving her client’s agreement, Ellaine smiled and guided the trainer to another room. Soon, the two were sitting in a much more comfortable chair facing a middle-aged short man. He checked the document and confirmed their agreement before picking up an exquisite shining wooden pen. Though the mystical had taken the form of a pen, Tyra knew it was a paper kindling.

The scribe signed on the corner of the contract and suddenly, the whole paper glowed in mystical power. Then, the contract was only missing Ellaine’s and Tyra’s signatures to seal the deal. When it was her time, the unbound could only restrain her curiosity for the mystical kindling to focus on the signing. After finishing her mark, the familiar dizzy sensation washed over her, proving that contract was in soul effect.

With all done, Tyra thanked the scribe and left accompanied by Ellaine who promised to give her some ‘free’ lodging referrals. Of course, the trainer knew that the agent was trying to earn some referral fees, but accepted the help nonetheless.

Outside the store, the unbound looked towards the wildlands, past the gate, and sighed in relief. She was finally ready to start a new chapter of her life. Something deep inside of her yearned for the world outside. Maybe because she was never accepted by the bound, or maybe, because her place was somewhere out there.