A Zoologist’s Guide to Surviving Magical Creatures

The Trial Center lobby was a chaotic blend of creatures lounging, chatting, and pacing nervously. Some wore heavy expressions, others practically buzzed with excitement.

A handful stood in groups, chatting animatedly, while a few were fixated on a massive leaderboard mounted on the wall.

I couldn't resist the pull of curiosity and edged closer to see what all the fuss was about.

And there it was—my name, plastered in obnoxiously large letters.

Carl Suis: First Human to Pass Fenrir's 'Conflict Mediation for Magical Beasts' Trial. Record Breaker.

Oh, great. Fame strikes again.

The murmurs started before I could take another step.

"A human did the troll rite of passage? Seriously?"

"Maybe it's a halfie—some hybrid human-troll mix. No way a full human could do it."

"Wait, no. Look at the details! He's with MECCP."

That comment was the verbal equivalent of a lightning strike in the lobby. Creatures spun to face the screen, their expressions morphing from mild curiosity to outright shock.

"An MECCP employee? That's SSR! Rare as a four-leaf clover these days."

"Look! His picture is up there. Let's Mythigram this!"

I flinched as a chorus of phones—or whatever mystical equivalents they had—started snapping photos and recording videos.

Just great. Yet another unwelcome addition to my viral hall of fame on Mythigram. The last thing I needed was another flood of comments, trolling, or memes to manage.

Hunching my shoulders, I hurried toward the reception desk, desperate for an escape.

The receptionist, a striking elf with a corporate smile so sharp it could cut glass, greeted me with unnerving cheer.

"Good day! How can I assist you?"

"I need directions to The Winged Hall," I said, trying not to sound as frazzled as I felt. "Specifically, the Rites of Passage Department."

Her smile widened impossibly, like I'd just given her the best news of the day. "Of course! Right this way."

Within moments, she led me to a shimmering portal at the far end of the lobby. But before I could step through, she whipped out a sleek payment scanner—something I recognized all too well from my adventures with Agnos, the enigmatic purple god-cat.

"How would you like to pay the transport fee? In Mythica Credits or with Essence?"

I blinked. "You mean it's not free?"

The elf tilted her head, her perfectly sculpted brows knitting together in confusion. "Nothing is free here."

"How much in Mythica Credits?" I asked, dreading the answer.

"200 MC."

I winced. That wasn't just steep—it was mountainous.

She continued in her chirpy, corporate tone. "We accept all major employee cards and multi-realm cards. If you're a VVVVIP member, your fee will be waived. Are you a VVVVIP member?"

If only Agnos were here. He's a VVVVIP member. "Uh, my friend is. Does that count?"

"No."

Figures. Resigned, I pulled out my MECCP employee card.

Her eyes lit up. "Ah, an MECCP employee! Employees receive a 50% discount. I'll process that for you right away."

As she swiped my card, I couldn't help asking, "How does one even become a VVVVIP member here?"

She blinked, as if I'd just asked her to recite the meaning of life. "You must either be a god or have numerous accolades representing your community, species, or workplace."

"You mean... like a hero?"

"Precisely."

I heaved a sigh of relief when the transaction finally went through. At least she handed me a receipt, which she assured me I could submit to my department for reimbursement. A small victory, though the realization that I'd probably misplaced most of my past receipts soured the moment.

Back at The Winged Hall, I strode toward the Rites of Passage Department, my nerves prickling with anticipation. Freya's office came into view, and I knocked briskly before stepping inside.

To my surprise, Fenrir was there too, leaning casually against Freya's desk with his ever-present aura of smugness.

"Oh, you're here. Took you long enough," he said, flashing a grin that made me want to both punch and admire him simultaneously.

"Uh, is there a problem with my trial results?" I asked cautiously. "I already got the license certificate."

Fenrir chuckled. "No, no problem there. But there's another trial I need you to take."

"What?!" My voice shot up an octave. "W-why? The troll chief didn't mention anything about two trials. I thought rites of passage were a one-time deal."

"Calm down, Carl," Freya interjected, gesturing for me to take a seat. Her tone was soothing, but her words promised anything but peace. "This isn't from the troll chief. It's a special request from the MECCP founder."

My jaw dropped. "The founder? What does the founder want with me?"

Freya leaned forward, her expression serious. "This trial is part of the requirements for your permanent position. Some board members insisted on it, citing the need for someone with your role to handle severe conflicts and territorial disputes. This license will give you the authority—and the credibility—to manage situations without becoming someone's dinner."

I groaned. "Do I really have to do this?"

Fenrir's grin widened. "If you pass, you'll get a promotion, a raise, and—wait for it—eligibility for VVVVIP membership."

I didn't even try to hide my excitement. "I'll take it! Where do I start?"

Freya and Fenrir exchanged a look, clearly surprised by my sudden enthusiasm.

Fenrir broke the silence first. "Do you even know what the trial entails?"

"Not a clue," I admitted sheepishly.

Freya sighed. "It's the Predator-Level Security test. It's outside the Rites of Passage department and managed by Fenrir's company, Wolfworks Solutions. It's fully sponsored by MECCP as part of your promotion requirements."

Fenrir then patted my shoulder and gave me a wink before saying, "In short, you'll be taking the test at my headquarters."

I gulped and offered a wary smile.

Fenrir's headquarters was like something out of a sci-fi Viking dream.

Nestled in the icy tundra of Jotunheim, it was surrounded by towering glacial peaks and forests glittering with enchantments. The fortress itself gleamed with high-tech panels, shielded by ancient Norse magic.

Inside, the main hall doubled as a training ground, with creatures of all shapes and sizes tackling what looked like extreme obstacle courses. A sign labeled Valhalla Vibes pointed to what I assumed was a conference room.

Fenrir led me through the sprawling facility, explaining the six levels of the Predator-Level Security test.

"To pass, you'll need to complete all six levels," he said. "The tests include conflict resolution, artifact protection, territory defense, and more. Think of it as a crash course in keeping Mythica from imploding."

"And if I pass all six levels?"

"You'll not only get the license but also significantly boost your chances of earning VVVVIP status."

I couldn't help grinning. The thought of finally gloating in front of Agnos was too tempting to resist.

But as I looked around at the creatures preparing for their trials—some sparring, others strategizing—I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that I was in way over my head.

"Let's get started," Fenrir said, clapping me on the back. His grin was equal parts encouraging and mischievous.

This was going to be one heck of a ride.