My hand pressed against the crystal ball. Runes flared across its surface, glowing in intricate patterns. The sensation wasn’t unpleasant; it felt more like a doctor’s examination, except instead of checking blood pressure, the crystal seemed to probe the depths of my soul.

  Within seconds, the light faded. A silver card shimmered into existence before the clerk. She lifted it, her hand trembling, then let it fall onto the counter with a faint clink.

  A surge of anxiety tightened my chest. Had I done something wrong? I was about to ask when a door opened behind her desk. A sharply dressed man, close to my age, stepped inside. He wore a green-and-silver embroidered robe, the fabric catching the light with quiet authority. Pinned to his chest was a silver badge engraved with a single word: Vice.

  He came up to the counter where the lady and I stood with a curious smile on his face. The woman opened her mouth to speak, but the man with the badge cut her off. “It’s alright, Rachel. I’ll take it from here.”

  I felt curious stares pressing against my back. Turning, I offered a quick smile and an awkward wave before facing the man again. He gave me a small bow.

  “Sir, if you could walk around the guild window, I’ll meet you at the stairs and we’ll finish your assessment there.” His voice dropped as he leaned closer. “Trust me, you don’t want your business spread to all these people.”

  I had no idea what was happening, but I nodded and complied with his request. I quickly told Balt what was going on and promised to meet him later.

  The man was waiting at the stairs when I arrived. Together, we climbed to a private chamber. A more ornate crystal ball rested on a table at the center. Dark wood panels lined the walls, lanterns cast a warm glow, and paintings depicting the guild’s construction in various stages decorated the room.

  Once the door closed behind us, the man stepped beside the crystal. I followed.

  “My name’s Jason, though everyone calls me Vice. As you may have guessed from the name on my badge, I’m the Vice Guild Master here, and I want to give you a personal welcome to the tournament. If you’d be so kind as to confirm something for me by placing your hand on that ball, we can talk further. I’m sure you have questions about why we brought you here, and I will answer them shortly.”

  He gestured to the crystal. I shrugged and placed my hand on it.

  Light flared, just as it had downstairs, and a card shimmered into existence. Jason snatched it up, scanned it twice, rubbed it between his fingers, then handed it to me.

  With my boosting Talent and Defiant Flame Title, my effective stats were far higher than my base. I already knew about the boost I got from the System’s description of them, but seeing it displayed on the card was something else.

  I looked back at Jason. He smiled, then sat in one of the two chairs before the desk, gesturing for me to take the other. I did.

  “So, what am I up here for, Vice?” I asked.

  “Well,” he said, “we rarely get Outliers in our tournament. But when we do, protocol requires us to introduce ourselves and ensure our world isn’t on the verge of becoming a dungeon world. Since you’re the second Outlier, I’ve spoken to this week, I thought it prudent to have a sit-down. Is your overseer available?”

  I felt my mouth open wide and closed it. Second Outlier this week? He knows what I am? He knows about overseers. What is happening on this floor?! If Lawson knew about the Ball giving me away, why didn’t he warn me? All these questions were going through my mind when I watched the Overseer appear in the room, sitting on the desk with a smile.

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  I just wanted to see the look on your face, if you’re wondering. “At your level, so many stats give away what you are,” Lawson laughed.

  Jason immediately stood and bowed deeply to him. Lawson inclined his head in return. “Aaron is on his way."

  Jason, with the other two and Riven’s party member. Set up a few more chairs,” Lawson pointed out.

  Jason conjured three chairs with a casual wave. Moments later, a knock sounded at the door. An attendant stepped inside, followed by Balt. The attendant walked out, shutting the door behind him.

  Balt’s eyes widened as he took in the room, but when his gaze landed on me and Lawson, he simply shook his head and settled into the chair beside mine. “Mind telling me what is going on? Balt asked.

  “I am waiting to hear the explanation myself, actually.” I replied.

  Lawson raised a hand to silence the room.

  “Tutorial attendees have visited this world many times over the centuries. Normally, System champions do not take part in the tournament until Floor Five. But given the current timeframe, situation and boosted stats, you’ll be attending on Floor Four instead.”

  “Now, even we Overseers are not omnipotent, despite what people may think. Lawson gave a self-deprecating smile as he continued. Turns out one of my colleagues already has his charge here. Rather than sending one of you to another floor, Overseer Dally and I decided it would be better for you two to compete against each other. Steel sharpens steel after all.”

  Jason looked like he was about to speak when the door opened once again. A tall man in rumpled green robes stepped inside, his five o’clock shadow giving him a weary, unkempt look as he made his way into what I guessed was his office.

  Behind him walked one of the most beautiful women I had ever seen. Dark hair streaked with pink highlights framed her face, and a mischievous grin tugged at her lips. She wore simple leather armor, no weapons at her side, yet her presence radiated effortless confidence. When she caught me staring, she winked, playful and unashamed.

  As striking as the new Overseer was, it was the figure trailing her who truly seized my attention. A young man clad in obsidian armor strode into the room, each step deliberate. Twin short swords rested at his hips, and he wore a cocky smile.

  Jason rose and bowed while Lawson spoke. “Riven, Balt, this is Dally, the colleague I mentioned.”

  I gave a wave, stood and extended my hand. Dally shook mine, then Balt’s, before crossing the room to embrace Lawson. Their reunion was warm, almost familial.

  When they broke apart, Dally turned back to us, her voice bright but edged with a smoky undertone.

  “Forgive my manners. It’s been years since I’ve seen my friend. Riven, Balt, this is Jase.”

  Balt offered his hand, but Jase brushed it aside without a glance. He closed the distance between us, his grin widening as he leaned in. The man's eyes flashed for a moment the grin fading, then clicked his tongue. “Level twenty-two only? I was told you were strong. You don’t look it.”

  I smirked, refusing to flinch. “I’ve got a long way to go, that’s true. But if you disrespect me or my friend again, I might have to show you how far you have to go as well.”

  Jase's smile just spread further, almost manic. “Oh, I like this one. Show me then.”

  A deep, commanding voice laced with tiredness emanated from the man in green. “Everyone sit down; the quicker we get through this, the quicker we can get to the combat assessment and all get on with the rest of our day.”

  I glared at Jase, then he at me as we took our seats. Out of the corner of my eye, I watched Balt give him the bird, and a smile came on my face. That particular hand gesture appeared to be universal because Jase tried to stand up, but

  Dally was there in a blink and had a hand on his shoulder, keeping him seated.

  Aaron, the Guildmaster, stepped forward with calm authority. His voice carried easily through the chamber.

  “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Aaron, Guildmaster of this hall. To have esteemed attendees such as yourselves here is a great honor. Two System Champions in the same tournament, this will be a first, and no doubt make the event one to remember.

  Before we begin the combat assessment, there are a few matters to address. You will undoubtedly pass with flying colors, given who you are, and your stats, but understand this: you must still fight. No allowances will be made for anyone. Tradition is tradition.

  “Jason will oversee your assessment. If he deems you worthy, you will receive a bronze badge. That badge will assign tasks of increasing difficulty, each earning you merit points. Once you reach fifty thousand points, you may exchange them, wager them in duels against other hopefuls, trade them for guild lodging, or spend them on countless other opportunities.

  The guild also maintains a bingo board of special tasks open to all competitors. To qualify for certain quests, you must already hold the required number of points, otherwise, your badge will not accept the task. There is much more to explain, but Jason can fill in the details.

  This is the path before you. Prove yourselves, and the tournament will remember your names. Jason will now take you to the arena, but before that I have to ask the question. Our world is not turning into a dungeon world, is it?"

  Lawson just shook his head with a smile. "Well, that's good, the arena is open to all, so heed my advice: this tournament is the greatest event our world offers, and there will be eyes everywhere. Show only what you are willing for others to know before you fight them. Combatants and information brokers alike will be watching. Good luck. I look forward to seeing all of you.”

  “Wait a minute, old man,” Jase interrupted. He jabbed a finger in my direction.

  “Instead of fighting whoever you’ve got waiting down there, let me fight him. I want to teach this guy a lesson, and I don’t feel like waiting six months to kick his ass in your tournament.”

  The Guildmaster didn’t look at me or Jase. His eyes shifted instead to Lawson and Dally. After a tense pause, Dally spoke, her tone clipped.

  “We both agree it will be… educational.”

  Aaron’s gaze swept across Balt and me, then lingered on Jase. “So be it.”

  Jason rose without a word, walked to the door, and pulled it open. “If you all would be so kind to follow me.”