"This is the third day. You were out cold for the second day, which is fine since the second assessment was supposed to last two days. Now, there are only two assessments left. One for each day. The Hunt assessment is the day after tomorrow, and then one taken by Light on the last day. Today and tomorrow are resting periods. Still, you will be required to sit and talk with soul hunters."

Violet had mentioned something about the interview on their way here, though Amaryllis didn't understand what she meant. "Talk with soul hunters, why?"

"You know we were watching the second assessment, right?"

Amaryllis bobbed her head. How could she forget? She was used for their entertainment.

"It's not for entertainment, even if we all derived some amusement from it," Henneth observed her expression, "Maybe I shouldn't have said that. There's a system in The Soul Hunt. Every new soul hunter mandatorily works as an apprentice under a veteran soul hunter of one year, or however long it may take for you to stand on your own two feet."

"Apprentice?" Amaryllis said, her mouth felt bitter at the word. She could already imagine where that would go under someone with a twisted sense of humor, or no sense of humor for that matter.

"Yup. Soul hunters are supposed to watch your performance, evaluate you, and then, judge if you're someone they can nurture. If yes, they make an offer..." Henneth pushed the file toward her, "These are the offers made to you by the soul hunters. Fourteen in total, all with varying degrees of promises, hooks, and rewards. That's the fourth highest, right beneath Violet, Gisella, and one more whom I cannot remember. And highest for a mana blessed since Light. You can proudly say you overachieved in the second assessment."

Amaryllis didn't feel proud of her achievement. But one thing stood out, "Light is mana blessed?" Amaryllis asked. She couldn't believe it. Light didn't look like someone who ever was anything less than the exceptional. She couldn't see her as a second-class citizen sandwiched between mana-less and those blessed with a progression system.

"Yeah. And it means basically nothing. She's a special case after all. She should not exist in this world, if I had a say, though the same can be said about you. Anything more than one concept attribute without a soul node is an enigma that should not exist," Henneth said airily, then sighed, "Still you exist and I'm here, so let's focus on the explanation. Pat yourself on the back for your achievement. You have fourteen offers to choose from, which includes Clownman."

"Is he stupid?"

"He's offering something that would make you reconsider your stance on him."

"What?" Amaryllis asked.

"Look at it yourself."

Amaryllis nodded, opening the file. First, there was someone called The Grevor, antlers burning with green flames on his head. She hurriedly flipped through the file until she saw Clownman's name. His face was every bit as she had imagined, she read the sheet. It described a few things about him, the house he belonged to, which was of no use to Amaryllis, and then, she saw the offer box. Her eyes widened, as she looked at Henneth.

"Still, you're not stupid enough to accept his offer."

Amaryllis shook her head. "But can he do that? Allow my sister to live a normal life?"

"He can. It's a commitment. He'd need to build everything with obsidian, but he can move your sister to a new home where you'll be able to meet her and talk to her. Of course, you cannot touch or let her see you, but it's possible. There is special spirit magic, which you might've used for inversion of frost, that would allow her to see you for a brief moment. But that's the extent of his offer. Your sister will not be cured, and she definitely won't be safe in a house built by an ambitious man like him."

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Amaryllis nodded. She didn't consider the offer. Her sister's safety was paramount. "But, the government would allow him to move my sister?"

"With enough money, what's the law?" Henneth chuckled. "You should read the file by five, and then, you'll be led to the lobby where meetings will be hosted. Consider each offer carefully, this decision will impact your future heavily. During the apprenticeship period, you'll get training and guidance about everything you require from your mentor, just like you wanted my help a minute ago. Of course, I have made an offer. If you accept it, I am willing to help as much as you need. I think you and Violet will make a great pair."

Amaryllis forced a smile. She didn't know if she should choose her. Did Light make an offer? Light did say they meet later today to deal with her Blackfrost situation, but there has not been any follow-up on it.

"Anyway, I'll leave you with it. Ah, one more thing, the mentor you choose will get your Anvil and be able to see your status."

"Thanks," Amaryllis said. Her heart grew heavy. She didn't want to deal with the question of why she was nameless. "What if I was not made any offer?" Amaryllis asked. She didn’t believe she’d get a single offer if not for the Blackfrost.

"Hmm... there's an apprenticeship program which soul hunters look over, but mentors switch weekly, so it's not helpful or great, but still better than nothing. In the long past, before the introduction of this system, soul hunters would die remarkably easily even after the assessments since they had no real experience with Serans. Your performance has earned you a choice, and I suggest you make a sound decision. And ask yourself after each offer, what do they get? If you cannot find the answer, it's better you move on from the offer."

"Thanks. What do you get?"

"Me? As I said, you and Violet would make a great pair."

"Pair for what?"

"Nothing in particular. She does not have someone to talk to other than me, and I think she needs to talk to others. You're a candidate for that. And you don't have a political string attached to your head. Except for the frost seal. Still, it shan’t be a problem unless there's progress on stagnant Blackfrost research."

"I'll consider it."

"Great!" Henneth patted her shoulder, "Ah, one more thing. Your teammate, Huan, has been made an offer by a certain hunter named Miss Mira. And she’ll make a handsome offer. But, out of the goodness of my heart, I’ll advise you to advise him to reject that offer. She's not someone he should be around."

"Why are you telling me?" Amaryllis's eyes narrowed.

“She’s my colleague, and going around warning her candidates is far from a good thing to do. But, you’re his former teammate, even well-wisher, and of course, a lifesaver. You can advise him of course.” Henneth paused, “And it’s fun when you try, isn’t it?” She grinned.

Entertainment. Her fist clenched.

On cue, the watch on her hand buzzed. She looked at the screen.

[The Hunting assessment starts in an hour.]

Amaryllis looked at Henneth — confused and, even more than that, dreadful.

Henneth stared at her mobile. After a minute, she looked up, “Light and Clownman are at it,” Henneth grinned, eyes filled with insane humor. “And the Yriels, for that matter. Oh, it’s going to be spicy. Half the soul hunters from this place are going to attend the hearing. So, they are pushing the next assessment earlier. You have one hour to prepare. I will ask Violet to take you to the Soul Node Emporium, and I hope you find one that would help you, but if you don’t. That’s fine. This assessment gives you enough freedom to make up for any and every kind of deficiency. It’s a boon in all seriousness unless you make a gamble. I hope you won’t,” Henneth put on her white coat, fixed her hair as she spoke, and then hurried to the door. “You’ll be explained everything by someone, so good lu—” Henneth paused, opening the door. She was greeted by Light on the door. “Light.”

“Hello, Henneth,” Light said. Her eyes flicked at Amaryllis, “There’s a change of plan, so we need to deal with your mana situation right now. Come with me.” And she stepped away from the door.