She pauses, letting the weight of her words settle. “Your skills—both physical and intellectual—would make you an invaluable asset. Few candidates demonstrate the kind of balance you’ve shown today, and I believe there’s a division where your unique abilities would be particularly effective.”
Kain raises an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair as he studies her. “Let me guess, you want me as a glorified errand boy for some ICE type group?”
Freya smirks faintly, shaking her head. “Not quite. I’d like to recommend you for the Tactical Recovery and Anomalous Neutralization Division—TRAND, for short. It’s one of our most demanding teams, responsible for handling high-risk field operations. They’re the ones we call when something dangerous—something we don’t fully understand—needs to be recovered, secured, or eliminated.”
Kain tilts his head, intrigued. “And you think I’d be a good fit for… neutralizing anomalies?”
“You’re more than a good fit,” Freya replies firmly. “TRAND doesn’t just need brawlers or scholars—it needs operatives who can adapt in real time, think on their feet, and act decisively. Your performance today shows you’re capable of all three. The way you handled the chamber’s challenges—both physical and moral—proves you have what it takes to make the tough calls under pressure. TRAND operatives deal with the kinds of threats most people can’t even comprehend. Your powers, your resilience, and your instincts would make you a natural addition to the team.”
Haley leans forward, her grin sharp. “Translation: she’s offering you a job where you’ll probably get to punch monsters in the face while dodging explosions. Right up your alley, don’t you think?”
Freya glares at Haley before turning back to Kain. “The work is dangerous, yes. But it’s also vital. TRAND isn’t just about brute force—it’s about understanding and neutralizing supernatural anomalies before they spiral out of control. Sometimes that means fighting; other times, it means making contact or recovering artifacts and entities too powerful to leave uncontained.”
Kain taps a finger on the table, considering. “And what if I say no?”
Freya’s expression doesn’t change. “Then you walk away as a Seatizen Tier 2, free to pursue whatever path you choose. But if you accept, you’ll have access to training, resources, and opportunities you won’t find anywhere else. TRAND operatives are among the most respected members of USISIS—both in and out of the field.”
She stands, smoothing her coat. “I won’t pressure you. Take your time to think it over. If you decide to join, you’ll find TRAND offers the kind of challenges and rewards that match your abilities. We could use someone like you, Kain.”
With that, Freya offers a small nod, her movements graceful and deliberate. Haley lingers for a moment, giving Kain a playful wink. “She’s serious, you know. TRAND’s the big leagues. You’d be good at it.”
Before Kain can respond, Haley cuts in with a grin, sticking her tongue out at Freya. “Sadly you're too late, Freya! He’s already part of my crew so I’d appreciate it if you took your poaching elsewhere.”
Around them, the café patrons murmur at the scene, their whispers carrying just loudly enough for Kain to pick up. “Look, it’s Longnü!” one person says, clearly thrilled by the sight of Haley."WOW she looks Angry you think she'll spit on her!" A woman shouts Another strange comment drifts through the air: “Honestly? I wish she spat on me.”
Both Haley and Freya ignore the chatter, though Haley rolls her eyes slightly, clearly used to the attention. Freya, meanwhile, tsks, a slight frown crossing her face. “Fine. In that case, I’ll be getting back to my actual work.”
Kain nods, slipping the crystal plate into his Breander with a polite, “Thank you, Freya.”
Freya inclines her head. “Best of luck,” she says, casting Haley a final, look before departing back into the bustling corridors of the USISIS.
Moments later, their pixie waitress flits over to their table, a delicate slip of paper in her hands. “Here’s your receipt, sir,” she chirps, handing it to Kain with a smile. Kain glances at the total, then places a gold charm as a tip on the table, the pixie’s eyes widening with surprise and delight.
“Thank you!” she squeaks, bobbing in the air with a grateful smile as she darts off.
Kain and Haley share a grin, both feeling the thrill of the day’s events, and with that, they step out of the café, ready for whatever strange and exciting journey lay ahead.
As Kain and Haley leave the café, murmurs ripple through the remaining patrons. One man, staring after them, leans over to his friend, whispering, “Who the hell’s that guy, getting attention from the Arctic Queen and Our Longnü?”
Another patron scowls, casting a resentful look toward the door. “Just ’cause he’s a little better looking than me, he thinks he’s all that.”
His girlfriend snorts, unable to hold back her laughter. “A little better looking? Babe, I love you, but let’s be real.” Her teasing only deepens his scowl as he sinks into his seat with a grumble.
From a nearby table, a third person, clearly irked, mutters under his breath, “Explode, you damn bastard!”
the murmurs continue, punctuated by a voice from a corner table—the same oddball who’d made a few bizarre comments before. He sighs wistfully, his eyes dreamy as he watches them leave.
“Oh, to be that close to Our Longnü…” he says with a longing tone. “If only she’d just… tie me up. Imagine the honor!”
The people around him shoot him exasperated looks, shifting a step away from him one woman rolling her eyes and muttering, “Seriously?”
Another patron leans over and snorts, “You’ve got issues, man,” while his girlfriend laughs, casting an amused but mortified glance in his direction.
As their voices fade, the café returns to its usual hum, but Kain and Haley are already out of earshot, oblivious to the jealous and unique mutterings as well as the impression Kain left behind.
As they step outside the building, Haley leads Kain toward another structure nearby, Haley gestures for Kain to hand over his status plate, and he complies, pulling it out and giving it to her. She grabs it, flipping it over with a quick, practiced motion. Her eyes scan the plate as she begins her breakdown.
“Alright, let me walk you through this,” she says, holding the plate up to the light. “The basics are here—Combat Rank, Seatizen Tier, and that glyph of yours, which is uniquely you. Now, if you look closely at the back…” She angles the plate, pointing at a barely visible U.S.S. eagle faintly etched into the emerald surface. Its wings are tucked in, its stance regal but understated, almost blending into the card. Just beneath it is the even fainter USISIS shield, a simple design of stars and stripes forming a protective crest.
“These marks are subtle on purpose,” Haley explains, tapping the shield with her finger. “They’re there to show you’re under jurisdiction, but they’re not meant to stand out. The less attention they draw, the better. What really matters here is this blank space.” She taps the smooth area below the shield.
Haley smirks and snaps her fingers. A faint glow of magic ripples across her own status plate as she holds it out to him. A series of emblems emerge from the blank space on the back, shimmering into view like stars blinking into existence.
“See? Once you start joining guilds, clans, or corporations, their emblems will appear here, just like mine,” she says, flipping the plate in her hand for him to see.
Kain leans in, studying the designs. The first one catches his eye: the Abrax Exploreras crest—a compass set against an open map, radiating a sense of adventure and discovery. Beside it is the Itunal emblem: a sword crossed with a feather quill, symbolizing guardianship and wisdom.
His gaze drifts to the final emblem, an intricate design of a broom, book, pan, and coin purse, their arrangement balanced and harmonious. The craftsmanship is so delicate it almost feels alive.
“Alright,” Kain says, pointing to the two he recognizes. “I know these—the Exploreras and the Itunal. But this one?” He gestures to the last emblem, curiosity in his tone.
Haley glances at it, a faint blush coloring her cheeks as her expression softens. “That’s a personal one,” she admits. “It’s from a group focused on tradition—on being the foundation for everything else to stand on. Family, loyalty, resilience… things that don’t always get the spotlight but matter more than anything else.” She hesitates, her fingers brushing over the emblem. “They teach strength in a different way—quiet, steady, but unshakable. It’s something I believe in, even if it’s not flashy.”
For a moment, her tone carries a rare warmth, and Kain picks up on the sincerity behind her words. “Makes sense,” he says lightly, though there’s respect in his voice. “It’s a good fit for you.”
Haley grins, snapping her fingers again to deactivate the glowing emblems as she tosses his plate back to him. " let’s see how fast you fill yours up. Just try and make it look better than mine.”
"Yeah, yeah." Kain laughs as he catches the plate, slipping it into his pocket. He traces his thumb over its smooth surface as the faint hum of his glyph resonates through his hand. Around him, the Bazxar noise fades into the background, the weight of the moment settling over him.
She slips her own back into her pocket with a smile. “So, yeah, that’s my lineup. Who knows—maybe someday, you’ll have a few emblems of your own.”
Haley lets out a merry, casual whistle—a playful tune that lilts through the air as she glances back at Kain, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. With a quick nod, gesturing for him to follow, calling Kain’s attention she steps through the door of a building they’d stopped at. He glances up at the structure—surprisingly simple for this world, built of unassuming wood, with none of the extravagant, enchanted architecture he’d grown accustomed to seeing in The Bazxar.
As Kain steps inside, however, his eyes widen. The interior is like stepping into another dimension—a massive, industrial-style forge, its walls lined with shelves and racks, each filled with an array of remarkable weaponry. Mannequins stand around, showcasing a variety of armors, from sleek, tactical gear to heavy, medieval-style plate. Everything has a modern twist, a subtle edge that blends classic craftsmanship with contemporary design. There are gleaming swords, axes, and spears alongside sleek, modern firearms, and even items he couldn’t ng tyuame gleam under the forge’s flickering light, each piece exuding a unique aura, as though waiting to be claimed by the right hand.
Kain stands there, awe etched into his face, taking in the sight of every meticulously crafted weapon and armor piece, his eyes glinting with excitement and fascination.
Haley grins, clearly enjoying his reaction. “I love that look,” she says, crossing her arms and leaning against a shelf. “I never get tired of seeing it—like a kid in a candy store.” She chuckles, her tone warm. “And trust me, there’s more here than meets the eye. This place? It’s got gear for pretty much anything you can imagine.”
Kain gives her a grin, shaking his head in disbelief. “This place just keeps surprising me.”
“Off my counter, you blasted uncouth girl!” a booming voice echoes throughout the forge, startling Haley. She stumbles back, nearly losing her balance, but Kain steps in swiftly, catching her just before she falls.