Even as he sat there, his thoughtful planning didn’t end. Monsters, Dark Guilds, people’s lives on the line. A city in great peril. His city, now in more ways than one.

  The city needed a unification of priorities. Hope. A clear-cut messaging system. Leadership. A figure they can stand behind, rather than just a figurehead. There were steps he could take, many unpleasant. But he’d see things through.

  He just had to see the forest through the weeds.

  The letter remained unmoved since he’d first finished reading it. Guild Master…no, Gerald had said a lot in there. Cass had finally gotten answers to many questions that had floated around in his mind. Like, why did QuestWrights seem to gain experience so fast? Why was he chosen, and only on his last chance before becoming a Dreg?

  But it didn’t answer all of them. And now that he was in a position to get some answers, finally, he decided to push on that. As for his plans, he didn’t need to be told what needed to happen next. He already knew.

  After the announcement had sprang forth, the desk and chair within the Guild Master’s office had gone through a change. There was a pull there. A draw to something within him. Sitting down, he saw several new bits of information he hadn’t seen before.

  Cass mumbled to himself as he read through everything, “Population count…types of Callings within the city…I bet all of this is tied to the Book of Callings. Ugh,” He’d just remembered that as the temporary Guildmaster, it was probably his job to pronounce the Callings every morning. It wasn’t something he was used to doing, and he wasn’t a big fan of everyone staring at him while he stammered through a speech that surely didn’t match the man in the bed behind him. But he’d do it, because it was necessary.

  It was work worth doing.

  He wasn’t one-hundred percent certain that the Book of Callings was somehow connected to the Annex, but it felt right. A bit of intuitive reaching that seemed to fit with the data he was now seeing.

  But that wasn’t where the changes ended. The Guildmaster’s Annex was also much more modifiable. The Ledger on the right could easily be moved and repositioned, and it had a depth to its information that hadn’t existed in his shabby spot within the Registry. And to top it all off, he had a unique ability that seemed to absorb information as it came. Profile swallowed up every bit of information his eyes found as updates began to ring through the side of his vision with a non-stop barrage.

  While the ability caught up, he finally dove into his notifications.

  [SYSTEM NOTICE]

  As the Guildmaster Pro Tempore, the following changes have occurred:

  Your daily Quest allotment has temporarily doubled.

  You now have the ability to broadcast announcements to the city when needed.

  Your reputation with the city of Liora has temporarily reached its maximum potential.

  You may now open all messages directed to the Guildmaster of Liora.

  Twice, a silver sheen drifted across his body, with a final golden glow drifting up from his skin. It was at that moment that Mr. Moore stepped back into the room, just as a series of red storms erupted on his map.

  “That’s a lot of trouble in the south.”

  “No kidding.”

  He heard a short intake of breath, “Though I hesitate to tell you what to do now that you’re the Guild Master-”

  Cass waved off that line before he could finish, “Please, I have no expectations of being all-knowing the moment I’m in charge of things. You were Gerald’s advisor, and I’m definitely going to need you. I need to be more than a teenage figurehead if this is going to work.” He turned in his chair and noted the slight smile on Moore’s face.

  “Very good. You may want to send a small team to the south to scout the area and provide us with a bit more information about what’s happening there. I would also suggest you unlock as many combat-related Quest types as is currently possible. And-”

  He paused, for once seeming unsure of what to say. “I’ve just received a congratulatory letter from the Lioran City Council on your promotion. They’d like to speak as soon as possible.”

  Dev sniffed at that, surprising them both. Cass had thought she’d fallen asleep. As quietly as he could, he whispered, “Is this the best place for them?”

  Moore shook his head in warning as the high-level Scout grumpily spoke, “I can hear you, and you’re right. No, this isn’t the best place for us right now. We need to be on the Foundry’s fourth floor.”

  “That floor has a particular purpose,” Moore said, turning to look at her. “One in which very few know of.”

  She gestured at Hollis’s lying form, “Can you think of a more secure area right now for him?”

  Moore looked at her, then at Hollis, before reluctantly nodding, “I understand, but I’m going to leave it up to the current Guild Master.”

  Dev snorted, a very Dev-like thing that gave him a little hope that she was emotionally turning things around. Then she ruined it, “He’s not close to the second tier, let alone the third, and hasn’t even had his Calling for a year. He shouldn’t be told what’s locked up in there.”

  “And yet, that is his position. Remember, Dev, everyone starts somewhere. I believe he will do what is needed for the city, and as young Cassio is the current Guild Master, he is in a position to know what’s in the Foundry.”

  “Do what you will, but understand that this isn’t something I agree with,” Dev warned.

  “I’m sitting right here,” Cass said, standing up and allowing the map and its worries to close behind him. “And now I’m standing here too. You say I’m not ready, but Thomas and Gerald both say I am, as do I. I need to know as much as possible before I can hope to see us through this. Now,” He gave Moore a direct look, “What’s on the fourth floor of the Foundry?”

  “Well said, please give me just a moment,” Moore stepped outside the room and effectively shooed away any ears in the area. When he came back, he closed the door, a flash of silver showing itself. “Now, nobody can hear us.” He looked at Cass for a long moment, then spoke, “The fourth floor of the Foundry is currently housing an artifact discovered last year during an unusual Quest.”

  That only brought more questions to his mind, “I’m not trying to be rude, Maestro, but just tell me already.”

  He tapped his chin twice before speaking, “You have the Experimental Quest type unlocked, so you know that within its description, it speaks of System-event Quests. They don’t appear very often, but when they do, they’re either very good or very bad. Last year, near mid-October, Gerald received a Quest from the System that required several high-level Callings to work in concert with one another. An Administrator, being me, a Combatant, being the leader of the Valiants, and a Tradesman, who was selected from a pool of options. We were all given a Quest that led us into a very dark place, where we spent three years working together to solve a troubling puzzle.”

  ‘I thought you said this happened last year?” Cass asked.

  “It did, but time moved differently in the space we entered. It’s something we commonly see with higher-tier dungeons as well. Our time spent within was troubling, but after it was complete, we were given a gift from the System, and that’s what is locked up within the fourth floor.”

  “And that is?” All of Cass’s patience now gone.

  “A large piece to a new Book of Callings,” Moore said with some slight hesitation, “If we had completed the challenge better, it would’ve been whole. But instead, we gained close to three-quarters of what’s necessary for the beginnings of a new Guildhall.”

  “So when Gerald said that the Book of Callings was his…”

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  “Precisely. He completed his own System event only a few months after the first was completed in the north. That’s why the age of each city and the corresponding Guildhall is important. The older the Book of Callings and the more citizens that take from its pages, the more powerful it is and the greater the holder’s control. It’s also why any person with a Calling can technically become a Guildmaster. The only reason QuestWright’s have a mini-monopoly on it is because they have direct access to the System’s Quest apparatus. They know where to go, rather than stumbling upon the opportunity as so many others have.”

  Cass made a mental connection in that moment, “Do you think that’s why the Dark Guilds are here? They’re here to steal the pieces you found?”

  “Obviously,” Dev muttered, too exhausted to hide her irritation. “It’s the first thing we considered, that’s why we increased the room's security as much as we possibly could. And by not killing Gerald, our Book of Callings remains claimed and stationary. Only the holder can move it. As long as he’s alive, they know where it is. If they’d killed him in the city, the restrictions on it would’ve been lifted, and anyone at all could’ve picked it up and become the new holder. With not only one Book of Callings here, but the pieces of a second, it’s a ripe and juicy target.”

  Moore placed his hands behind his back, “So now you know. Normally, this is a part of what you would have learned during your introduction to the third tier, but your status required the information early. The question now becomes, what will you do, Guildmaster?”

  Cass fired up one of his plans, “How long until I have to meet with the Council?”

  “See for yourself,” Moore handed over a letter that glowed silver upon touch.

  To Cassio Vale, Guildmaster Pro Tempore

  We hope your newfound title doesn’t prove too heavy a burden for one with such young shoulders. Though we were surprised by the Guild’s choice, we respect their…unique approach to succession.

  At any time, if you feel the responsibility to be overly difficult, the Council would be happy to command the war efforts during this trying time.

  Please meet with us at your earliest opportunity so that we may speak about the Guild’s plans. Robes are not required, though decorum is greatly appreciated.

  Thank you, and may Liora continue to shine under your new leadership.

  At the bottom were four names, including one he knew.

  “Orla’s parents are on the council?”

  “Her father, yes. Though he’s the most level-headed of the group.”

  Cass balled up the letter and dropped it on the ground, “Yeah, I’m not heading out there to get assassinated. They might’ve needed to keep Hollis alive, but that won’t be true with me. Have the company officers been located?”

  “They’re in meeting room one right now,” Moore said, dry-washing his hands.

  “Then let’s go,” He paused and turned to Dev, “Please have Gerald placed on the fourth floor of the Foundry under my orders. You can stay with him, and Moore will make sure that you get plenty of supplies.”

  “I will,” Dev and Moore both replied as Cass swept out of the room. One of the guards came with him, while the other stayed with Hollis. The trio began the short walk to the meeting room when Adya and Pellin showed up.

  “Cass, I saw the announcement! Is the Guild Master okay?”

  “For now,” Cass said, already having a dozen things ping ponging in his mind. “Look, Pellin, I don’t have a lot of time. How close are you to a prototype for your invention?’

  “Umm, maybe a few days? We hit a snag on materials, but I should have enough-”

  “Moore, please supply Pellin with as much funding as necessary to complete his project. And Pellin, I need you to slightly alter the construction of it.”

  “Alter it how?” He asked as they stepped into the waning sunlight.

  “I need it to focus entirely on communication. That doesn’t mean you can’t work on the inventory management after, but during the war effort, I’m dragooning you into service. Sorry.”

  Pellin looked at him in surprise, “No, no, I get it. Actually, if it’s just communication, I can throw away a few things I was planning. I should have it done soon if I can get my two helpers with me.”

  “See it done.”

  Pellin nodded, then took off as Adya fell in beside him. It was strange for him to give orders to his friend, but the day had already been strange enough and there was plenty more of that coming. Cass’s Profile ability continued to update until it finally slowed down, having taken in enough information that no more notifications streamed in.

  One of those guarding the Meeting Room’s doors was someone he knew.

  “Hey Jim,” Cass said with the first smile he’d given since taking on the Guildmaster role. “How’s your day going?”

  “Absolute shit, Guildmaster, how about yours?”

  While Moore raised an eyebrow, Cass laughed as the grinning Jim opened the door for him. Inside were several serious-looking people of a range of ages that he knew weren’t much past thirty, with one exception.

  “Hello, Officer Vex.”

  The silver Officer smiled at him. He wasn’t wearing any war regalia like the rest of those speaking in the room. Instead, he wore a simple silver frock, piped trimming at the collars resting against his neck. And his smile was predatory, “Hello yourself, Guildmaster. Quite the turnaround in your life lately, no?”

  “Very much so,” Cass nodded, “If you’ll excuse me.”

  Moving around the man, Cass headed toward the seat at the head of the table when Officer Vex beat him there in a blur. The Silver officer raised an eyebrow at him, “You didn’t really think we’d let someone who hasn’t even passed the first tier tell us what to do?”

  “As the Guildmaster-” Moore began, but Vex cut him off.

  “Please, Maestro. Know that I respect you most profoundly, but you cannot allow an untested boy to manage the Guild in this crisis. It’s completely unrealistic. Besides, can’t the Guildmaster speak for himself?” He sat down as if his point was already proven.

  Cass tilted his head as Profile ran through a gamut of information. Leaning toward Adya, he whispered in her ear and barely noticed when her body went slightly rigid. The emotions he got from here were chilling, but there was enough of a fire in his stomach that it felt warded off.

  He had to do this carefully.

  “Vex, I can understand your position.” Cass placed a hand on his own chest, “Here I am, a QuestWright for all of what, two months? I’m an unknown quantity for the city, a junior officer for the Guild, as you so kindly pointed out last week. And now I’m expected to run Liora’s Guildhall? What a farce, am I right?”

  “Exactly!” Vex said with a smile, “You get it. Man, let me tell you about a similar situation I was in up north a few months ago-”

  Cass held up a hand, a smile still on his face, “So sorry to interrupt, but I just had a question for you. After sitting through so many of your classes, I’ve always wondered. Are you loyal to rank, or Liora?”

  Vex’s smile stiffened, “Both.”

  Cass rolled a hand through the air, “I see, and if I may be so bold, why are you here? I thought all those of a higher rank were currently fighting out at the Red Tower?”

  “It’s a private matter,” His information updated into Profile as Adya continued watching him. “It isn’t something that needs to be discussed in a public setting like this.”

  Cass paused for a moment, the smile stuck to his face, and still not speaking as the grin finally left the Silver officer’s face. Then he nodded, “I see, but it’s curious, isn’t it? I mean, the Red Tower’s under siege, the Council’s crying for updates, the Guild Master’s been attacked, and yet here you are. Officer Vex, premier soldier of the Silver company, and you’re pushing me on control of a Guild whose rights have already been granted to me. Curious timing, wouldn’t you say?”

  Adya’s Observation skill continued to update as a variety of new updates streamed in.

  Vex straightened in his chair, “A higher authority requested my presence.”

  Adya took in a faint breath, and he felt electricity run through their bond, but Cass could see what to say next even without the ability running, “Oh, of course. And in this time of crisis, I must ask. Who requested you? I’m assuming it wasn’t Guild Master Hollis, as he was attacked all of two hours ago. And it couldn’t have been your Company’s leader, as they’re fighting right now. It makes me wonder. Oh, I know,” He snapped his fingers. “Was it, perhaps, the City Council?” Profile updated again. “Did the City Council inform you that you should arrive at this meeting?” Vex stood up as profile streamed through with even more notifications.

  Now we drive in the dagger.

  Cass spoke next in a calm, easily heard tone that caused the room to go silent, “Did the City Council request that you take over this meeting, against the express wishes of Guild Master Hollis, and supplant me as the Guildmaster Pro Tempore? Perhaps they even said they would help you manage the city during the war. I’m betting you got a letter.” He gave a mirthless laugh. “They sure love to send their letters.”

  The Silver Officer didn’t answer right away. His jaw tensed and untensed, and his eyes scanned the room, but Cass didn’t need to turn around to know everyone was looking at him. At this moment. It was a make-or-break for him as a Guildmaster, temporary or not.

  Finally, Vex exhaled and gave a slow nod, “I see that the Guildmaster’s instincts remain…sharp, even in absence. It seems that you’ve inherited that clarity.” He stepped out from behind the desk, “I withdraw my objections, for now. I’ll now leave and inform the Council that you’ve assumed the role with full authority, and I trust, accountability.”

  As the room exploded in noise, he took two steps away before Cass loudly called out to him, “Officer Vex of the Silver Company. I require your experienced wisdom in the forthcoming planning, won’t you have a seat by my side?” When Vex turned around, Cass was already in the Guildmaster’s seat, Moore on the right, and he had a hand gesturing to the one on his left.

  Vex paused and seemed to consider things for a moment. But only that. Then, he straightened his outfit, lifted his chin, and stepped over, seating himself beside Cass, “Thank you, Guildmaster.”

  “Of course. Everyone, if I could have your attention.” The room quieted down again. “We have much to do and not a lot of time to do it. If you could please take your seats, I have many things to say, but first.” He nodded at Adya, who stepped out from behind him, a silver apparatus in her hand. “You’ll all need to be tested.”