Rising Kite - A story from the world of HWFWM

On the images emitted from the projector, a semi-translucent cage of force disappeared, showing Kite exiting while dropping a broken but alive iron-ranked elf at his side. Reaching out to pause the projection, branch director Jarvan turned to the young man who sat in an armchair next to him.

The pair sat in the director’s comfortable office, Adelaide being the only other person in the room. She was currently busy fuming, having watched the recording along with them.

“The- the gall. What kind of weak pretense is that? How could that even begin to justify-” she was half-snarling where she paced, green hair swishing back and forth at her agitated motions.

“And yet, Kite prevailed, although circumstance did step in to assist, Fortune be thanked.” the branch director mused, not outwardly sharing Adelaide’s anger. His gaze turned to Kite. “Kite, would you mind sharing your reasoning behind your actions here? Because from the looks of it, there was some of it involved. You did not look insensate when you fought.”

The younger man remained silent for a while, considering his answer. This had been his first time watching the recording, even though Dragonfly had begged to see it once he had convinced her to not charge off and make more trouble.

Kite’s return to the spire in the base camp had caused a bit of a spectacle. First he had to fend off worried healers and then calm his worried and irate companions. Their reactions had gone from indignant fury to impressed disbelief as he told them the tale while cleaning off the blood and other remnants from the fight. And they had all agreed with him in that his remaining at the base camp was probably less than ideal, as had Walker and Grim when they later returned from deployment. Apparently, deputy director Rupert had agreed, as the group had swiftly been assigned as escorts to one of the convoys carrying wounded and supplies back toward Gilded, with the exception of Walker and Grim, whose skills remained too important in cleaning up the aftermath.

As the deputy director had urged Kite to go directly to the adventure society with this matter, he now found himself in his current situation, pondering the branch director’s question.

“From their words, I did not trust their intentions. Just accepting a beating would probably have seen me killed as well. Due to their numbers, I could not hold back either, even though I knew each death would mean more of a mess afterwards.”

“Was that why you did not kill the disciple? I do not believe many would hold it against you.” the director asked.

“But some would, and I do believe that it would be a poor choice to cultivate such a grudge further. Even though I admit that part of me wanted to punish him for putting me in this situation.” Kite stated, a mix of somberness and frustration warring in the pit of his stomach.

During the trip back from the expedition, Kite had plenty of time to reflect on his deeds. He viewed the deaths as necessary in the moment but a waste in the grander scheme of things. Where he might have felt more guilt before, that sliver of regret was dwarfed by his frustration at the disciple and his poor choices as he had dragged the initiates into this conflict. Kite had warned them and stated his intent, as they had already conveyed theirs. But experience seemed a poor teacher so far for the disciple, and Kite imagined that his family would not be an improvement.

Jarvan nodded at his explanation. “In that, you are probably right. I must say that I am pleasantly surprised that the Victorious Sunset sect chose to step in. While they had their own interests at heart, there would have been many other ways to resolve this without intervening directly on your behalf. And I remain impressed by your choices, Kite. Know that you will have the full support of the adventure society in this matter.”

“What will you do then, branch director? Surely this foolishness can’t be allowed to just be swept aside?” Adelaide asked before stopping herself and blushing slightly at the outburst and questioning of her superior.

But Jarvan took it in stride, giving her a sly smile. “Of course not, Adelaide. But I have been overseeing this branch for a while now, and I believe I am becoming better at handling these local politics. Trust me in this matter.” he finished with a wink.

“Of course, branch director. Forgive me.”

“It is better to question than to allow potential folly to go unchecked.” the branch director replied before turning back to Kite. “But I would ask to have copies made of the recording, Kite. It will no doubt help in the maneuvering that is to come.”

“Of course, branch director.” Kite answered. “Is there anything else you require?”

“Nothing more at the moment. It will be a while before Rupert returns and we can deem the expedition as completed. After that, you and your companions will be able to claim the rewards for your contribution. And from what I can sense from your aura, you will need all the resources you can get. Ranking up is an expensive endeavor.” Jarvan chuckled, before adding. “But please remain in the city for a while. I will make sure that you are not bothered. Take some time to rest and recover. After this kind of expedition, it is important to wind down and center yourself.”

“Thank you, branch director. I will.” Kite said, rising from his seat and taking his leave.

After the door closed behind him, he sighed as he walked down the corridors of the society administration building. Glint peeked out of her bottle, before floating up to hover next to his head.

“Yes, Glint. I do think we have earned some rest.” he said, gently stroking her pink scales with the back of his hand. “And then we have to order some expensive materials for Sage.”

The carp whirled a few laps around his head, conveying a sequence of impressions to him.

“Don’t worry, you will rank up too once I do. You don’t even need a ritual, you can do it all on your own.”

Another set of impressions followed.

“Yes, I can buy you something nice as well.”

On the images emitted from the projector, a semi-translucent cage of force disappeared, showing Kite exiting while dropping a broken but alive iron-ranked elf at his side. Reaching out to pause the projection, Luster of Imminent Dusk looked thoughtful at the frozen picture for a short while before turning to the woman who still knelt behind her.

“You did well in intervening here, inner disciple Providence, and will receive an award in sect merit for carrying out my will, with an added bonus for a most satisfactory solution with the recorded evidence.”

“Thank you, sect leader.” the kneeling woman responded.

“You may leave, inner disciple.” sect leader Dusk dismissed her, turning to the other woman in the room as the door closed behind the retreating bronze-ranker. “Grand elder Sight. You too have done well in this endeavor, and represented our sect to my satisfaction. Grand elder Lark’s demise is regrettable, but such is the nature of forging our paths towards the heavens. Most do not arrive.”

“Thank you, sect leader.” the celestine said, bowing to her superior. “Have you chosen candidates for his position?”

“I have some in mind, but it will wait until all of our members have returned. The celebrations will be a good time to announce the open position, after everyone has had time to process and grieve for those who will not return.” Dusk replied, thoughtfully looking out the window.

“When I left, the final preparations had already been made, sect leader. It should be but a few days. The Descending Star sect are leaving as well, and the unaffiliated will not be far behind.”

“Good. You may leave as well, and claim rest well-earned.”

As Sight left as well, sect leader Dusk continued her contemplations. This expedition had been a success; the remnants of the fallen sect and their allies thoroughly stamped out, and what little remained was scattered enough that Dusk did not think it likely that they would reform in the shadows once more.

The loss of grand elder Lark had been a blow to the strength of the sect, as had all of the others who would not return along with their fellow students. And while the casualties had been higher than expected, they had not been catastrophic, although the reports indicated that infighting had been close. Such a quarrel might have put the whole expedition in jeopardy, and Dusk found herself once more thinking about the jade-sky gate and the consequences of the debacle at the conclusion of the trial.

“Fate is truly fickle. To think that the light touch of a mere iron-ranker on the scales might have such an effect on the outcome of grander events.” she mused to herself, sipping from a cup of tea delivered by a junior elder.

Even though the expedition was over, concerns still remained. The presence of the forbidden gods among the fallen sect had been known, but their allies from the church of Undeath and the Red Table had been an unwelcome surprise, as had the amount of silver-rankers their enemy had been able to raise. And the goings on in the city hinted at a larger presence than they had believed.

And then there was the mysterious condition that they were still stamping out the remnants of within their sect. While they now knew what to look for, the origin of the subtle mental corruption was still unknown, the local priests of the Healer still unable to locate where it began.

“Fortunately, there is still a future in which to combat those challenges.” Dusk muttered, sipping her tea once more as she watched the setting sun from her solar. Tomorrow would be a new day, with new battles and victories awaiting her and her sect.

On the images emitted from the projector, a semi-translucent cage of force disappeared, showing Kite exiting while dropping a broken but alive iron-ranked elf at his side. This time, Jarvan did not reach out to pause the projection, letting it play to the very end, showing the two inner disciples from the Victorious Sunset sect and conveying the final conversation before they took the crystal from inner disciple Soar, ending the recording.

While careful not to let it show on his face or in his aura, beneath his somber facade Jarvan was almost giddy with gleeful schadenfreude as the mood in his office had changed considerably, his visitors now remaining stoically silent.

“This… this changes nothing!” an elf man, the father of disciple Mist, started, trying to rekindle the outraged indignation he had attempted to wield like a battering ram at the start of this meeting. “That young brute still laid hands on my son. We demand retribution! Had the brat just known his place from the start, this would never-”

“Master Resplendent, I do believe it would be best if you remained silent for now.” Meridians of the Sky, grand elder of the Descending Star sect interrupted him, her silver ranked aura smothering his core-laden bronze one as effectively as a bucket of water dousing a candle. The man looked like he was about to object, but thought better of it under the runic woman’s stare, settling for an angry snort of derision.

“Indeed, it would be more beneficial to your cause not to demand any further action from the adventure society. Rules are not something to flagrantly disregard one moment just to try and wield them like a shield for your son’s foolishness in the next.” Rupert stated, his voice a low growl. Having returned to the city just this morning, he was less than pleased having to suffer these kinds of visitors.

“How dare you call my son-” master Resplendent began anew, only to be silenced again by the collective stares of the gathered silver-rankers, his own bodyguards and followers remaining anxiously silent in the background.

“Let me recount what has been presented to me.” Jarvan began. “Initially, the young disciple Mist challenged adventurer Kite to a clash of paths, intending to humiliate him for alleged insults to the Descending Star sect, said insults being other public, officiated clashes.

After losing said clash, the disciple then proceeds to set up an ambush for adventurer Kite, bringing along three other iron-ranked initiates and a bronze-ranked inner disciple, making claims that this too is for the honor of his sect while indicating that they mean to injure or even kill the adventurer in question. And to lure him there, they even bribe a lesser functionary of the adventure society to hand Kite a false task in the aftermath of the expedition.

And then said adventurer, after clearly stating that he will defend himself appropriately and asking them to cease hostilities, decisively defeats said ambushers while outside intervention only ensures that said bronze-ranker does not intervene. No further assistance asked for or offered.

Is this the grounds for said retribution you have, quite loudly and repeatedly, demanded during our meeting so far, master Resplendent? Grand elder?” Jarvan finished, his voice having gradually lost all of its joviality, replaced by the steel which was now permeating his tone.

Before master Resplendent could speak again, grand elder Meridian made sure to seize the verbal initiative. “Branch director, in light of the evidence presented before us I must offer a formal apology on behalf of the Descending Star sect. This was decidedly not the event presented to us by the Resplendent family, and as such, our accusations have become baseless.

I assure you that we will make sure that this incident is thoroughly investigated and that the punishment of those involved will be swift and decisive.”

“While I approve of your apologies, grand elder Meridian, I will expect to see something more concrete than vague promises of investigations.” Jarvan responded, not letting her off the hook so easily. “An innocent adventure society member was almost killed by those who would be allies, something that the society takes very, very seriously. Those who died had already forsaken their membership in participating in this farce, and young master Resplendent is as of now no longer a member, his membership immediately revoked.”

“Now wait just a moment. Director, surely there is something we can-” master Resplendent started, his tone rather different. Losing a membership meant a great loss in both prestige and income for a family such as theirs, both in the present and future. While it was possible to reapply, it would rarely be approved unless there were distinct ameliorating circumstances.

Jarvan mercilessly cut him off, continuing. “I expect to see something suitably decisive from your sect, grand elder, else I will be forced to decide on a more communal punishment. It would not grant me any joy to take a drastic cut of your sect's total contribution, as many of your students and elders fought valiantly during the expedition. But should you not see fit to deal proper justice in this matter, the adventure society will.

“It shall be as you say, branch director.” grand elder Meridian said, bowing just the minimal amount to show deference, but from her rigid posture it was clear that she did not appreciate Jarvan essentially backing the sect into a corner. Unfortunately for her, Jarvan did not care. “We shall of course also make sure that proper compensation is offered to the adventurer in question, making sure that our karma is properly severed.”

“That would be most proper. I do know that he favors essences and awakening stones. You may leave said compensation with the society when it has been gathered, and we will make sure that he receives it.” Jarvan said, having reverted back to his more pleasant and jovial demeanor.

“Branch director, we would like to deliver it in person and extend our formal apologies. It is only right under circumstances such as these.”

“Oh, I imagine that you would.” Jarvan said, eyes gleaming. “But this particular young man is a very diligent adventurer, and will soon leave on another extended contract. As such, he will not be available in the near future. I wish I could tell you more, but the details remain classified.”

“That is… unfortunate. Then we shall have to leave the compensation with the society, as suggested.” grand elder Meridian said, tone neutral and polite, albeit that the tension remained. “Master Resplendent, I believe our business to be concluded.” she said to the elven man, in a tone which brooked no argument. He had remained silent since the conversation turned unpleasant for his case, looking stricken as he left alongside the gathered followers of the two visiting parties.

After the door closed behind them, Rupert turned to his friend.

“Jarvan, do you know if Kite actually does prefer essences and awakening stones as payment?”

“Knowledge’s knotted knickers, Rupert, he’s an adventurer. We all love essences and awakening stones!”

“You just want to buy them from him, don’t you?”

“Well… yes. But my point still stands!”

Sighing, Rupert shook his head. “Still, have you thought about the young man and his involvement in this?”

“Oh, what do you mean?” Jarvan asked, the gleam in his eyes telling Rupert that he had indeed thought about just that.

“It is not often that some iron-ranker has had a hand in details that turned out to be surprisingly important for the bigger picture. His decision after the gate-incident… Had it not been for that, we might have faced a great disadvantage if the sects had begun their infighting. And I’ve also seen the report of Dew’s duel with grand elder White. Fortune must truly have favored him to be able to tip the scales even the slightest in such a conflict.”

“Well, it is part of his name, Rupert. But I do agree with you.”

“Do you think that there is something bigger at play here?”

Jarvan looked thoughtful for a little while before answering. “No, at least not anything I can imagine. Sometimes these people just happen to be in the right place at the right time, making a decision which will cause ripples across a scene much greater than them alone. It is probably happening everywhere around us all the time.”

“Jarvan… Are you alright? That almost sounded profound. Has the isolation here in the city finally gotten to you?”

“Oh hush you.”

Rupert chuckled before continuing. “It does sound like you still want to keep an eye on the young man.”

“Oh yes. I believe he has been a most worthwhile investment, along with his companions. Letting them continue to do their thing will probably benefit us in the long term.”

“But you have already sent them on another contract?”

“Well… that might have been stretching it a little. But I do mean to offer them one. It would probably be best to send him out of the city for a little while, in the company he enjoys. Let things calm down for a bit. I do think we can keep him safe in the city, but you never know if anyone decides to take their spite a step further than we’d expect.”

“Are you sure they will accept? And that it won’t be even more dangerous to send him out of our reach?”

“Oh, I am quite sure. On both accounts.”

“Kite?”

“Hmm?” he mumbled from somewhere deep beneath the tangle of pink curls currently splayed out over him.

“I think we need to talk.”

“About the fact that you are leaving soon?”

“Yes.” Dragonfly mumbled morosely, snuggling closer to him. “I still want to go with her, but part of me does not. And I thought that it would be best if we made sure where we stand before I go. Just to- you know- not leave things unsaid.”

Emerging from the silky depths, Kite brushed some of it aside so that he could look at her while they talked, feeling that the subject deserved it.

“I just wanted to see if you still felt the same about our arrangement. I know I do. It has been wonderful, both as training and relaxation.”

Kite took a short while to look down at her, all relaxed as opposed to the first time she had broached the topic. They had indeed grown very comfortable around one another, physically and spiritually. And Kite knew that he would dearly miss her honest, passionate presence when she left. The thought still sent a twinge of sadness through him when he thought about it, even if he had come to terms with it. And so, he replied:

“I agree, Dragonfly. On all points. Know that I will miss you dearly, though. You have been one of the constants in my life as an adventurer, and I have learned so much from you.”

“Oh yes, you have been quite diligent-”

“Not just in that way!” Kite laughed while holding her a bit closer. “In almost every way. So I hope you know that you will always be a welcome part of my life.” As his earnestness triggered the usual blushing reaction, he continued.

“And in regards to this…” he said, gesturing to them where they lay tangled after last night's rather intimate aura training. “If, when you return, we are both otherwise unaffiliated at the time, know that I remain open to start practicing volume two of the manual. But also know that I wish you to prioritize your happiness and what you want. I won’t hold it against you if you find a strapping young master who catches your eye.”

She giggled. “Well, he better be very handsome then, because most of them we’ve met lack a lot in the personality department. And I do feel it more likely that it will be you who has been snagged by some middling heiress. How many marriage proposals have you gotten by now?”

“Don’t remind me…” he groaned at her teasing, Dragonfly giggling again as they lapsed into a companionable silence. It felt good to know that things remained the same between them, easing his inner turmoil in regards for the future.

“But we must at least have a proper feast to see you off.” he said, breaking the silence after a while.

“Oh yes. Yes we do.”

Glint happily devoured the pair of scales uncle Walker offered, her own coat of pink shifting just a bit more towards the mother-of-pearl which had spread in patterns over her body ever since Kite had gifted her the first one.

“Well, little Glint, you do seem to be ever so fond of these.” Walker chuckled, gently caressing her silky fins with his right hand. His left arm, severed in his daring escape from a priestess of Undeath, was well on its way to being fully regrown, although it still had some filling out to do. The process was a simple one as long as one had access to the services from the church of the Healer.

“I wonder what they actually do, as I doubt the changes are only cosmetic.” Kite mused from where he sat at their small table in the apartment they had shared ever since he had arrived in the city.

“Indeed, my boy. This old man has a feeling that the changes we see are most portentous for what is to come. Speaking of familiars, have you gotten the materials for Sage?” Walker asked, looking at the sentient collection of symbols who was happily hovering next to a small bonsai tree Walker had taken to cultivating recently, seeming engrossed in the small branches and shifting colors of the exotic little tree.

“I have placed the order, but once more it will take a few days. I was fortunate to have some of the materials on hand, but most needed to be placed in a custom order. Still, it is always worth it, and even with the reduction from being sponsored, the contribution from the expedition covered it with some left to spare.” Kite said, looking fondly as Sage had drifted to view the tree from the top, hovering horizontally in the air while looking at the foliage. As if the new angle gave the experience a whole new meaning. “I will have to dedicate some extra time and affection to Sage and Glint sometime soon. The expedition didn’t really leave me much time, and I’m still loath to bring Glint out in combat, as she doesn’t have much in the way of self-defense.”

“Don’t worry, little Kite. Bronze rank will surely alleviate some of your worries for a bit. But it is always good to give your familiars time and attention. They are as part of you as you are of them, after all.”

“Well, I guess this is goodbye for now.” Dragonfly said, a bit misty eyed as she finished up her final round of hugs. “You better all have reached bronze before the surge so that we can deploy together.”

It was two days after Kite’s and Dragonfly’s conversation that they found themselves at Gilded’s south city gate, a gathering of people who had seen a lot together during the last few weeks. While Kite, Serene and Will were obvious participants, both uncle Walker and Grim had also joined in giving their farewells as Dragonfly and her master were about to depart to the south.

The Autumn lands were the northernmost province of the kingdom, and the part where the mana was the sparsest. For those who reached silver rank, it was almost a must to travel south if one wanted to continue climbing the ranks with any kind of decent pace. Only those with specific reasons tended to stay, such as those occupying the higher positions within different organizations. Thinking about it, Kite realized that he knew little about mistress Dew’s reason for remaining here, her being the only unaffiliated silver-ranker who was active in the area.

“We will make sure to return for the monster surge.” Master Force assured her protegé once more. “You better work hard, Dragonfly, so that you can impress them thoroughly with your growth.” The silver ranked woman looked eager to be off, still aiming for even loftier heights as she followed her path. “And you better work hard as well, Walker. From the feeling I get from you, you should be able to taste the silver by now.”

“Well, some of us at least have some sense to enjoy the journey instead of just focusing on the destination.” the bronze-ranker huffed, the good-natured teasing a familiar part of their banter. “Do take care now. The south is just more of everything, be it more dangerous monsters and ever more powerful sects and adventurers.”

“Don’t worry, Walker. I already have a place for us to start out. It should be good for the growth of us both.” Force finished, clapping a hand on Dragonfly’s shoulder. “Student, it is time to be off.”

As Dragonfly took a long look at her friends, Kite was struck by how much she had grown during the year and a few months they had known one another. While she was still the vibrant, cheerful and stubborn young woman he had met, the thick, pink curls of her hair even longer and more dense now. But she was also more in other subtle ways. Her confidence was more tempered now, and her bearing straighter and more controlled.

But it was in her aura that the starkest change was noticeable. Not only had it filled out as she awakened all of her essence abilities, but the experience and training she had been through during the year had given it both strength, nuance and depths that it previously didn’t have. She gave off the warm feeling of the sun during a summer morning, even though the aura shuddered slightly as she waved her goodbye before joining Force along the road leading south.

Even though he carried the knot of separation in his stomach, Kite still thought it bittersweet. He was sure that their paths would rejoin one another in the future, just as they had vowed for them to do.

Letting the silence linger for a moment longer, it was Walker who spoke up first.

“I suppose we better head to the seventh peak. This old man is quite curious why the branch director has summoned us all.”

“Mistress Dew!” Kite greeted as the group entered the office of the branch director, seeing that his mentor waited there along with the two directors.

“Kite.” she returned the greeting with her typical slight smile, nodding to the rest in acknowledgement as well.

“Ah, good. You are all here.” Jarvan said, inviting them to sit with a gesture. “I trust that Force and young Dragonfly were seen off safe and sound?”

“They were, branch director, and sent their regards.” Walker answered as the group gathered around a low table, taking their places in plush sofas of a foreign make.

“It is a shame to have someone of Force’s caliber move on, but it is understandable. The road to gold rank is quite long.” the branch director said with a rueful shake of his head. “But that is not why I have called you here today. I-” he began, retrieving a document and sliding it across the table toward where Kite and Walker sat, “- have a contract for you.”

“For all of us?” Kite couldn’t help but ask, using his expanded perception to regard the rather mixed group gathered at the table.

“Indeed.” Jarvan said with a smile. “But in all honesty, I do think you will find it quite enticing.”

Uncle Walker was already smiling, a bit of an excited look to him as Kite began looking over the contract in earnest. Skimming through the document before him, he saw that it was a request for reinforcements to assist in the handling of a silver-ranked monster which had manifested near one of the more remote settlements to the north. The name of the settlement being Starberry Peak.

“You’re sending us home?” Kite asked, his smile interrupted as his mind continued processing the implications. “But a silver-ranked monster. Why send all of us? It is not likely that we could be of assistance.”

“Not against the monster itself, no.” Jarvan confirmed. “But a silver-ranked one spawning in these parts is usually a precursor sign to the monster surge. Even if it should still be a ways off, there is reason to believe that other monsters of iron and bronze rank would have been manifesting in increased numbers as well. And who better to handle them than a local who, along with certain close companions, are on the very cusp of bronze rank?”

“Director I- I do not mean to sound ungrateful but I didn’t think that the society took a role that active in the ranking up of its members.” Kite asked, still a bit confused.

“You are correct again, Kite. Normally we do not, and we will by no means force you to participate. But due to some… delicate… business you’ve recently been involved in, we thought it best to enable you to leave the city for a while and allow us to get a handle on things. And as we are already taking a more active role in the progression of one member, we thought that a monster such as this would be an excellent opportunity for a certain expert messenger to make a final push. With mistress Dew there to supervise and provide backup if needed.” Jarvan finished, looking pretty pleased with himself.

Kite turned to mistress Dew, who gave him a nod of confirmation. “I will come along, my young student. After all, the balance of our karma seems to have made a grand shift in your favor since a certain little intervention of yours. It is the least I can do to begin to show my gratitude.”

“Am I included in the offer as well?” Serene asked, and Jarvan nodded in confirmation.

“Yes, priestess. Should you wish for it, you are included, as well as young master Indomitable. The city lord was in favor of the contract.”

“You’ve already talked with my father?” Will asked, surprised.

“Indeed, young master. Ever the prescient man, he was most satisfied with the notion of you continuing your path among known companions.”

“Then I see little problem with this- no, I welcome this opportunity!” Will exclaimed cheerfully, rising from his seat unable to contain himself. “When do we leave?”

“I would recommend as soon as possible, but do not forget to stock up for when you ascend to the next rank. The contribution from the war should help you at least with the basics.” Jarvan answered, pleased that the others saw the merits of his offer. He then reached beneath the table and produced a simple lacquered wooden box. “Oh, and Kite. You have received compensation from the Descending Star sect after this little debacle of theirs. I took the liberty to negotiate on your behalf.”

He opened the lid to reveal a set of four essences and six awakening stones. “They are all of the cheaper varieties, but it should hopefully be to your satisfaction. If you are still amenable to our previous arrangement…” he finished, trailing off suggestively.

“Branch director, thank you for this. It is way more than I was expecting, especially since I expected nothing at all. But in regards to our previous deal, I’m afraid I must decline this time. I believe that I have another purpose for these.” he said, looking up from the box and its content to almost flinch as the branch director's expression had turned into the closest to a newly kicked puppy Kite had ever seen.

“Jarvan, young Kite is free to make his own choices.” Rupert said firmly when it looked as if the director was about to speak.

“But-”

“Jarvan, with what you have already bought from Kite it is at least three years before you will need another set. By then your quota will surely have been replenished.” the deputy director continued.

Giving his deputy and friend a petulant glare, Jarvan turned back to Kite. “That is… most unfortunate, Kite. But I understand. And will have to ask you to give me your badge.”

“Wha-” Kite began, horror and confusion almost settling in before seeing the slight cracking of the branch director’s facade. Giving him a flat look, Kite did as instructed even as Jarvan chuckled gleefully, happy to have at least gotten some vengeance for the ‘slight’.

“Even in the light of this unfortunate choice, the Gilded’s adventure society branch have decided to promote you to a three star adventurer, for service given and judgment shown beyond what one might expect from your rank. Both your handling of the gate-affair as well as your showing in this last little escapade has shown your mettle, Kite. You won’t find many iron-ranked contracts of that grade, but it will mean that you will start bronze-rank at two stars. Please keep that level head of yours, as well as your decisive handling of matters when other options are exhausted.”

“Th-thank you, director.” Kite said, heart still hammering after Jarvan’s little joke on his behalf. “I will hopefully continue to make you proud.”

“I do not doubt it, Kite. You and your companions are all shaping up to be fine adventurers.” Jarvan said. “You even stood up to my little secret technique which I have named the Inducer of Shame and pity. My wife falls for it every time, and she’s a silver-ranker.” he added slyly.

From there on, the conversation drifted towards lighter topics before the meeting was adjourned, Kite’s expanded perception revealing that Jarvan still looked longingly at the box as he put it into his dimensional satchel.

The group all scattered after exiting the building, all having preparations to make.

“Will you come as well, Serene?” Kite asked, stopping his friend before parting ways. “Will you continue adventuring even after facing them?”

“Yes, Kite. On both accounts.” she answered him, wispy voice hinting a smile. “It seems like we haven’t sung our last song together just yet.”