The guild hall buzzed with the usual rhythm of midmorning routines. Sunlight filtered through the upper windows. Recruits sorted reports, cleaned gear, and sparred half-heartedly in the training ring. Peaceful. Predictable.
Jinn leaned on the front counter, chin propped against her knuckles. Another scroll slid into her hand. She signed it, passed it on. Repeat. The work was easy.
Too easy.
> "I'm getting soft."
Then Lavirra dropped three sealed folders in front of her.
"Assessment requests," she said. "Three teams. Combat-based."
Jinn blinked. "Three?"
Lavirra smirked. "You'll want to see for yourself."
---
Jinn found herself standing at the edge of the indoor arena minutes later, folders in hand, boots echoing against the polished stone floor. Her eyes narrowed.
> "Let's see what we've got."
Her fingers brushed the edge of her glasses. It had been years—since the academy days—since she last activated the appraisal function.
> "Stopped using it to avoid drama... but these reports are too weird to ignore."
A soft pulse flickered across the lens as her mana threaded in.
> "Alright, show me what you're hiding."
> "No reason to hide it today."
She lifted it to her face. A faint flick. The glyph on the lens shimmered.
---
First Group: Team "Boreas"
Three men and one woman. Spear, sword, shield, and dual blades. Calm stance. Eyes sharp.
Appraisal:
Class: Advanced Fighters (All)
Combat Level: High A
Coordination: Excellent
Experience: Borderline S-Class
> "These guys are monsters."
She stepped forward. "Show me what you've got."
The battle was explosive. Jinn was quick—reflexes honed, strategy sharp—but Boreas moved like a seasoned unit. The woman nearly tagged her neck. Jinn countered with a pulse of mana that split their formation, buying seconds.
Ten minutes in, everyone was winded.
She raised her hand. "Enough."
Both sides lowered weapons.
> "You pass. Easily."
---
Second Group: Team "Ashclaw"
Two axe users. A twin-mage pair. One silent archer.
Appraisal:
Class: Mixed Battle Caster/Close Combat
Combat Rank: A
Aggression: High
Strategy: Moderate
Jinn grinned.
> "Well, I'm not out of stamina yet."
This one was different. They charged with fury. Less polished, more wild instinct. But every blow was heavy. The archer pinned her cloak. One axe slammed her shoulder—bruised, but she kept standing. Her counterspell turned the field momentarily in her favor.
After a brutal clash, she panted, bent over.
> "...Passed. All of you."
The mage twins blinked. One of them actually bowed.
---
Third Group: Unknown Team
She read the names.
Myuran
Albric
Arthur
Fliel
Mitari
> "Hmm, 5 isnt it?."
She adjusted the lens. Read the data.
Appraisal:
Myuran: Saintess Class S
Albric: Swordmaster Class S
Arthur: Strategist/Blade Class S
Fliel: Elf Mage Class S
Jinn suddenly widened her eyes…
>"What the?"
Mitari: Light Elf. Class: Unknown.
Title: Ruler of the Supreme Throne.
Class Rating: SSS
Jinn froze.
> "...No way."
Her fingers tightened.
> "The top player of the Eternal Throne Championship... the one who soloed the Sky Dragon Arena."
Her eyes locked on Mitari across the field—calm, unreadable.
> "Why is she here?"