Kain blinked, his smirk slipping as his stomach dropped. His mind raced, grasping for an explanation. Lie? What lie? But then it hit him. His forged identity. Seth. He’d introduced himself as Kain hours ago, long before he ever applied for a magical visa under the name Seth. But Freya had obviously uncovered the truth.

Haley frowned, glancing between the two. “Wait… what’s she talking about?”

Freya didn’t look away from Kain, her piercing gaze cutting through him like a knife. “The identity you provided for your visa application—Seth Darlane. It passed the checks, and your residency status was approved. But now I’m wondering why, you introduced yourself as Kain.”

The room seemed to grow quieter, the weight of her words sinking in. Kain shifted in his seat, his mind scrambling for a way out of the corner he’d been backed into. Running wasn’t an option. Denying it outright would only make things worse.

He forced a calm breath, leaning back slightly to project confidence he didn’t entirely feel. “Alright, fine,” he said, his voice steady. “You caught me. The name on the visa is Seth. But I didn’t exactly plan on sticking around back when I first met Haley. I introduced myself as Kain because… well, that’s who I am.”

Freya raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “That’s who you are? Care to elaborate?”

Kain ran a hand through his hair, his expression carefully measured as he decided to mix truth with enough misdirection to keep Freya satisfied. “Kain’s a nickname,” he began. “Back when I was younger, me and my friends had this… let’s call it a club. We weren’t doing anything serious—just a bunch of kids with too much time on our hands. We gave each other nicknames. Mine was Koala.”

Haley, already tense from the confrontation, snorted. “Koala? Seriously?”

Kain sighed, shooting her a withering look. “Yeah, Koala. Because I used to nap a lot, alright? Anyway, I hated it. But when I got older, I wanted something that sounded stronger. Cooler. So I went with Kain. It stuck.”

Freya crossed her arms, her expression unreadable. “Kain huh?”

“That’s just the name I use when I need to fly under the radar,” Kain admitted, leaning forward slightly. “When I met Haley, I didn’t want to deal with questions about where I came from or what my history looked like, so I went with Kain. But…” He paused, glancing at her. “I wasn’t thinking about anything long-term. I introduced myself as Kain because it’s me. It wasn’t some grand plan to deceive anyone.”

Haley tilted her head, studying him. “So, what? You’re saying Kain is just your nickname?”

“Exactly,” Kain said, his voice firm. “Seth’s the guy who does the paperwork. Kain’s the guy who fights, laughs, and—apparently—explains himself in cafés.”

Freya narrowed her eyes, her gaze lingering on him for an uncomfortably long moment. Kain felt sweat prickling at the back of his neck but forced himself to hold her stare. Finally, she let out a slow breath, her posture relaxing slightly.

“Your explanation is… plausible,” she said, her tone still cautious. “But understand this, Kain, or Seth, or whatever you decide to call yourself. Trust is a fragile thing in the Sea-tizin community. I’ll let this slide, But if there’s anything else you’re hiding, you’d better tell me now.”

Kain shook his head, his smirk returning as relief flooded through him. “That’s it, I swear. Just a name mix-up. No dark secrets or hidden agendas.”

Freya nodded slowly, though her sharp gaze didn’t soften entirely. “Good. Because if I find out otherwise, there won’t be another conversation like this. Understood?”

“Crystal clear,” Kain replied, his smirk widening.

A brilliant, teasing smile spreads across her face, transforming her usual stoic demeanor into something warm and radiant. Her aura changes, filling the café with a vibrant energy that catches everyone off guard. Around them, murmurs of shock ripple through the guests, many of them staring in awe at Freya. One voice even pipes up with a bewildered, “Did… did the Arctic Queen just smile?”

A stranger adds, “I could die happy if she looked at me like that…”

Another, more eccentric guest mutters, “Honestly? I wish she’d step on me.”

Ignoring the colorful remarks, Freya laughs lightly "I don't know why you lied about your name but..." retrieving a stunning emerald-colored crystal plate from her coat. The card shimmers under the enchanted light of the café, its surface alive with shifting hues of green, silver, and faint gold, rippling like liquid magic.

She slides it across the polished table to Kain, her tone turning businesslike. “Here it is. Your official Status Card. This marks you as a fully recognized Seatizen in the magical world. You’ve earned it.”

Kain picks up the card, feeling its smooth, cool surface pulse faintly against his fingertips. The plate feels alive, humming softly as though resonating with his energy. Carved into the card, in gleaming silver letters, are two distinct rankings:

• Combat Rank: C

• Seatizen Tier: 2

But what truly draws Kain’s attention is the glyph engraved at the card’s center. It pulses faintly, radiating a warm golden glow that seems to sync with his heartbeat. The design is striking, almost alive:

The glyph is a complex emblem of interlocking arcs, jagged and sharp, resembling crescent moons caught mid-collapse. At the center, a crackling golden orb pulses erratically, as though barely restrained, sending faint ripples of energy through the arcs. Fractured lines spiral outward from the center, clawing across the glyph’s surface, hinting at chaos just beneath the surface. Tiny, shifting runic symbols are etched within the design, glowing faintly and appearing to rearrange themselves with every subtle movement of the card. The entire image radiates raw energy, power barely controlled, and precision forged through tension.

Freya gestures toward the glyph, her voice steady. “That’s yours. Your unique identity in the magical world. No one else will ever have a glyph like it—it’s a reflection of your essence, tied directly to your energy signature.”

Kain tilts the card, watching the glyph’s shifting light play against the polished table. “That thing’s me?” he murmurs, half to himself.

“Exactly,” Freya replies. “The interlocking design, the energy at its center—it’s a mirror of who you are. Chaotic. Powerful. A little… sharp around the edges.”

Haley leans forward, her mug in hand as she inspects the glyph. “It fits. Looks like it’s about to explode half the time. Totally your vibe.”

Kain smirks, running his thumb over the card as the golden orb in the glyph flickers faintly. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Freya continues, her tone shifting to a more serious note. “The glyph isn’t just decorative. It’s your identity marker. It ties you to your rankings, your privileges, and your actions. If someone ever questions your status, they’ll verify it through that glyph.” She pauses, her emerald eyes sharp. “Lose the card, and the glyph is still tied to you. It can’t be forged or hidden.”

“So, it’s more me than my name is,” Kain mutters, holding the card up to the light.

“Exactly,” Freya confirms. “Combat Rank: C. Seatizen Tier: 2. Those are your starting points, but they’re only the beginning. Tier 2 gives you residency rights, basic access to the city’s resources, and opportunities for training or contracts. Tier 1, however, is reserved for those who prove themselves through action—missions, research, service. You’ll need to earn it.”

"Here's the full evaluation" she said as a sleek, floating holo-orb zipped toward him, its polished surface reflecting the faint glow of the room’s enchanted LED panels. The orb hovered before him, scanning his face with a soft hum before projecting a holographic screen into the air. The script was sharp yet stylish, with an almost tech-magical flair—runic characters that morphed into modern English as he read.

SEA-TIZIN INTEGRATION EVALUATION

Applicant: Kain

Combat Rank: C-Rank

Residency Tier: 2

Evaluation Status: Provisional Resident

Key Metrics of Evaluation

Adaptability:

“A rare combination of quick wit and physical resourcefulness. You handled every environment the Imitation Chamber threw at you with impressive composure. However, you tend to rely on gut instincts over long-term strategy. Effective, but occasionally reckless.”

Combat Potential (C-Rank):

“C-Rank reflects above-average combat proficiency in mixed scenarios. Your ability to adapt to magical threats and physical obstacles makes you a strong asset. However, refining tactics and restraint could see you rise to B-Rank swiftly.”

Judgment and Integration (Tier 2):

“Tier 2 marks you as someone trusted to integrate successfully into Sea-tizin society. Your decisions showed empathy and a sense of responsibility toward others, even if your methods were unconventional. Leadership potential is evident, but your rough edges might create friction in more sensitive situations.”

Resilience:

“If nothing else, you’re a survivor. Your stamina and refusal to give up, even in dire circumstances, are your greatest strengths. However, pushing yourself to the brink repeatedly could lead to burnout—trust us, it happens.”

Interpersonal Skills:

“You’re more action than talk, which works well in combat but can leave a less polished impression in social settings. While not hostile, your bluntness may require some adjustment to ensure smoother integration into diverse communities.”

Rank and Tier

• Combat Rank: C-Rank

• You are cleared for combat missions involving moderate magical or physical threats. C-Rank denotes strong capability but room for refinement before higher-stakes tasks.

• Residency Tier: Tier 2

• As a Tier 2 resident, you are considered provisionally integrated, meaning you’ve demonstrated qualities suited for Sea-tizin society. While Tier 3 is the baseline for new applicants, Tier 2 suggests a step above, marking you as trustworthy and competent.

Your Next Steps: Tasks and Quests

To solidify your standing and climb the ranks, you are now eligible to take on tasks via the Sea-tizin Integrated QuestNet, a modern, magical job board accessible through enchanted mobile devices. Your assigned tasks fall into two categories:

1. Combat Missions (C-Rank)

“For those with a penchant for punching.”

• Urban Monster Incidents:

Respond to reports of magical creatures or rogue constructs disrupting Sea-tizin cities. These incidents require swift, decisive action to neutralize threats while minimizing collateral damage.

• Magical Border Defense:

Patrol areas where the magical world overlaps with the mortal one, ensuring that breaches are managed quietly and efficiently.

• Arena Challenges:

Participate in sanctioned duels to settle disputes or demonstrate prowess. These challenges can be legal, political, or purely for entertainment.

2. Integration Assignments (Tier 2)

“For those who know it’s not all about the fight.”

• Community Initiatives:

Assist in constructing magical infrastructure, such as ley-line transit hubs, enchanted housing, or shield wards protecting Sea-tizin enclaves.

• New Resident Orientation:

Act as a guide for newly approved residents, helping them navigate the transition into magical society.

• Cross-Community Diplomacy:

Liaise with human organizations as relations between the magical and mortal worlds begin to shift. This could include negotiating for resource access or managing information leaks.

Special Assignments:

“High stakes, big rewards.”

Special assignments are rare and often require collaboration across ranks. Completion of these missions may result in significant standing boosts. Examples include:

• Investigating the sudden appearance of a magical anomaly in mortal cities.

• Resolving disputes between Sea-tizin factions that threaten society’s stability.

• Protecting a high-profile envoy during sensitive negotiations with mortal governments.

Path to Advancement:

To advance your Combat Rank to B or Residency Tier to 1, you must:

1. Complete 5 tasks from the QuestNet board.

2. Include at least 1 Tier-Specific Mission (e.g., diplomacy or community service).

3. Show exemplary performance on 1 high-risk assignment, either combat-focused or integration-driven.

The screen flickered, transitioning into a final statement glowing in bold, shimmering text:

“Resident Kain, the Sea-tizin community welcomes you. Your strength is your foundation, but your choices will determine your legacy. Continue to fight, to lead, and to adapt—we look forward to seeing your impact.”

The orb chimed, spinning once before vanishing into a puff of glittering mist. Freya, who had been leaning casually against a nearby wall, raised an eyebrow as Kain read through the evaluation.