True to their word, Kismet received Metis being sent ahead of the group. The sharp featured healer with pink hair from before approached wearing their usual white healer robe. This time they carried an overfilled bag with one strap resting on their shoulder. Upon opening it, Kismet was quick to distribute soup containers, soothing balms, fresh bandages, and water to anyone who needed it.

Soleil’s place in the concerns of Mender’s Crossing had grown complicated. Most groups who had set out returned heavily wounded with reports of unusual resistance or not all. Mender’s Crossing was on high alert, but the Paladins were being confined to mass healing efforts. Something about a witch hunt for a young girl who ate corruption not being how the Grove handled things.

Kismet figured bringing the House of Healing to them would make them more willing to receive care. Taking their time applying fresh bandages, Kismet shared that every returning group reported the same seeds of corruption hidden from passive perception usage. That everyone knew to look harder at wilted plants spoke to the Sprout and Guild training, in their opinion.

“So. I hope you’re ready to get comfortable and have every detail of your report scrutinized.” Kismet concluded, eyeing Soleil’s arm and the rot infused wounds Aliza wore openly. “Because your groups clearly ran into something no one expects Bronze Rankers to walk away from.”

Aster was quick to add some reassurance. “You’re still going to get whatever rest or healing you need. Just to be clear. In times like these, the Guild stops handing out requests unless absolutely necessary. And often with a higher rank escort accompanying priority requests.”

“But.” Kismet said, their eyes filled with delight. “You came back with an [Awakened] party member. Soleil could fight as an effective Silver Rank once per day.” Her words did not seem to have the intended reaction. “The Knights and Guild at least would recognize this.”

Aster gave Kismet a warning glance. “We just walked away from an ugly fight. Please don’t put ideas into their heads.”

“Ah. Of course.” Kismet seemed willing to drop it.

Soleil could feel desperation welling up within her. The idea of being confined to the village would be the death of her. “I can’t stop gaining levels. Not now.”

That got a mixture of reactions from everyone assembled. Shock. Horror. Confusion.

Kismet gave her a look of patient understanding.

Maeve's hand found hers, squeezing it tightly. Determined reassurance.

Kismet closed the distance and looked into Soleil’s eyes. Dismissing the rest of the party, they spoke in a tender whisper. In that moment, Soleil’s understanding was the only one that mattered. "Your soul isn’t big enough for two, is it?"

Soleil shook her head. "No. But I want to change that. The sooner the better." She squeezed Maeve's hand back, acknowledging the support.

Dropping into an elegant bow, Kismet continued. "As Heir to the House of Stars, I Kismet shall help you chart your skill development. If you and your Knight will follow me, we will need to start with the Library."

Aster let out a defeated sigh. “I’ll report to the Guild and tell them where you are. Fia. Metis. Without Soleil, you are the only ones with perception skills that I can count on to give a full accounting.” Both cats wanted to fight against that, prompting Aster to give them one last coaxing. “Let’s give Soleil some space, okay?”

Relenting, the rest of the party thanked Kismet for the soup and fresh bandages before parting ways.

This left Soleil with the opportunity to ask as many questions as she wanted. "So you can help me gain levels, skill ranks, and explain this [Awakening of Fire?]"

Kismet holds up a hand. "One traumatic experience at a time. Noble families are, as a rule, all found families. The Noble House of Stars has built up a long history of varied perspectives, experiences, and our own personal collection of insights on [Transformations] and [Awakenings.] Truly, I could offer the same amount of assistance as any Demon Lord might."

Maeve cleared her throat. "Soleil has um. Three moms. All of them Demon Lords. Four, if you really stretch the definition of mother."

Kismet stared back. "Some children have all the luck. Unfortunately, Veilura has departed to fetch the assistance of Verda. She left me a message for you at the House of Healing. But you do not have the luxury of time I am afraid."

“How bad is it?” Soleil coaxed herself into asking.

Her question was met with hesitation. Kismet tried to warn her as gently as she could. “If you don’t gain enough Soul Levels to accommodate the [Awakening] soon, your soul mate will begin to replace your skills and memories with their own.”

She burned with impatience at the edge of her awareness. It was getting harder to ignore the other conscious waiting quietly inside her own head. The impatience was not hers, but it was hard to ignore and not make her own.

***

Kismet pulled open the door to one of the largest buildings in Mender’s Crossing. It was clearly built. to be a spacious place, with groups shuffling in and out of private rooms. Others found little corners or shared spaces to be alone with their books.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Despite everything, the familiarity of it allowed Soleil to immediately felt at home. She was used to the homes Demons carved into large abandoned spaces.

“Oh! Hello Lils.” Kismet's voice became chipper upon seeing one of the Guild representatives.

Lillian looked up from a pile of papers that she had been pulling down from a board meant to hold active requests. “Good evening, Fate Apparent! Have you found more charges to take under your wing?”

Kismet batted their eyelashes innocently. “You know me! I wish I had time to chat, but these two have a pressing need for me. Are the upstairs rooms available?”

Lillian adjusted her glasses before stopping to get a second look at Soleil’s arm. “Huh? Oh. Yes. The Guild has no use for our usual research space. We’re not expecting many Guild and Council members to return for another day or two. I was just going around the village pulling down requests until things calm down.”

“Excellent.” Kismet spun around and pulled Soleil by the arm to the nearest staircase. “You’re the best Lils!”

***

With a little giggle, Lillian gave Maeve a knowing look. "Your dragon is being kidnapped by a terrifying princess. Good luck saving her." Without waiting for a reply, she returned to her work.

Maeve sighed and checked in the party's weapons before following the others upstairs. It had taken her the better part of the day returning to the village from their ordeal to convince Soleil to carry her things. Despite struggling to adjust to losing an arm, Soleil seemed convinced she could still handle everything herself.

There was nothing wrong with asking for help. Even if that help came from a shameless optimizer. As far as Maeve was concerned, if Soleil wanted to carry on this way, there were few better qualified than a Noble brat.

It became quickly apparent why Kismet wanted to use the Guild space. Any number of Magitech equipment focused around lenses sat gathered around and atop a long rectangular meeting table. There were a half dozen stands for displaying maps or making plans.

Kismet spent some time clearing space on the table, sliding the Guild’s texts onto a cart in the corner of the room. They then stood by the door with a soft smile. “Before we begin. I would like to say this one thing. Your relationships with mana are yours alone. There is no shame in your choice of patron. As someone who primarily works with magic, the Everqueen would do you little favor in bestowing you the Endurance she gives her Champions.”

Maeve did not like the sound of that. This was supposed to be for Soleil’s benefit, not her own.Maeve was not certain she even wanted the Everqueen’s blessing anymore. Not after seeing what an [Awakening] had cost Soleil.

***

The words immediately resonated with Soleil. She felt the fire of Intensity and Focus with which she plunged through the depths of another’s soul and a clawed hand through the core of a corrupted plant. Framed as something that worked for her, the warm feeling of Calamity’s skills at the edge of her perception was almost soothing.

“Thank you for those words.” Soleil said. “I think I really needed to hear that.” Her excitement and emotions ebbed. She felt calm, almost at peace. “I’m ready to learn.”

“Excellent.” Kismet clasped their hands together. “If you can give me a list of your current skills, I can prepare a list of materials to give you both a starting point.”

Maeve shifted uncomfortably at Soleil's side as she wrote down a list dwarfed by Soleil’s.

Without judgment, Kismet happily took up both sheets and departed after delivering another one of those formal bows of theirs.

"Is something wrong? I was impressed." Soleil said after the door closed, her eyes practically sparkling at the idea of spending her first evening back in the Library.

"You would be. You like Calam-" Maeve stopped upon seeing the look in Soleil's eyes. “No. Sorry. I’m just not keeping an open mind. A library is nothing like a sparring field. I will uh, just need some time to adjust is all.”

Soleil pursed her lips. “We could see if the Sprouts or Paladins have space for you to practice nearby if you’re more comfortable learning by doing.”

Maeve visibly relaxed. “I… would like that.”

Soleil pulled her knight into a one armed hug. “You’re allowed to have needs too.”

They lingered like that until Kismet returned with a fresh cart, this one divided into three lines of color coded skill books.

Red for skills concerned primarily with physical combat.

Violet for skills involving using magic to interact with the world.

And Green for what were considered fundamental skills that anyone could benefit from.

Noticeably absent were any Yellow skill books that could teach alchemy. Soleil frowned at that.

Kismet met her eyes with a knowing look. “Regrettably, The Order guards their skills with jealousy. But, I can set you on the path of categorizing, understanding, and pursuing just about anything else you want!”

Maeve rolled her eyes. “If you asked nicely, Kismet could probably write you a recommendation to the Academy.”

Kismet grinned before reaching into her bag. “I can do you one better.” Beneath all the medicinal and food supplies sat a pair of White skill books. “You can also peruse these, from my personal collection.”

The titles immediately caught Soleil’s eye. [Awakening of Light] and [Paladin Transformation.]

“I would not start with them, however.” Kismet said with caution. “They are written to be somewhat… persuasive.”

Maeve nodded solemnly, a look of recognition in her eyes. “Too late for me.”

“Oh honey.” Kismet tutted. “It is never too late. Not even for Soleil here. Whatever the Everqueen or Calamity told the two of you is what they wanted you to hear.”

Soleil found herself looking at her arm adorned in Flame Drake scales. “If you could pass me the violet skill books. I think I’d like to focus on magic for now.”

Kismet and Maeve wordlessly reached for the books in question. They paused to hold each other’s gaze before coming to a silent agreement in dividing the burden of the books between them.