Resonant Rewrite

Evelyn parked the sleek black car near the bustling city market, the hum of the engine fading into the background noise of merchants hawking their wares and shoppers chattering. She turned to Rin, her blue eyes clouded with worry.

"Aria, I'm going to try my best to complete the work as soon as possible and come to pick you up," Evelyn said, her voice tinged with hesitation. "If anything happens, or if you need anything, just call me. Or maybe… maybe I shouldn't go and just stay with you."

Rin blinked at her, caught off guard by Evelyn's uncharacteristic reluctance. This was the same Evelyn who could face a raging Chimera without flinching, yet here she was, second-guessing herself like a nervous parent dropping their child off at school. It was endearing, Rin thought, but also a little amusing.

"Elyn, you have to go. You know that, right?" Rin said, her tone gentle but firm. "I'll be fine on my own. I'm not a child. Sure, I've lost my memory, but I can handle myself. I've already visited the city with you, so now I know my way around."

Evelyn still looked unconvinced, her hands gripping the steering wheel tightly.

"And let's suppose I do end up in trouble," Rin added with a teasing smile, her tone turning playful. "I know you'll come to rescue me, won't you?"

Evelyn's lips twitched, but her frown didn't entirely disappear. Rin reached over and patted her head reassuringly.

"I'll contact you right away if something comes up. Okay? Now go. They're waiting for you," Rin said, her voice light but resolute.

With a heavy sigh, Evelyn relented. "Fine. But I'm picking you up from here later. Don't wander off too far, alright?"

Rin nodded, watching as Evelyn finally drove away, her car disappearing into the stream of traffic. As soon as she was out of sight, Rin's expression shifted. The teasing smile vanished, replaced by a look of quiet determination. She turned on her heel and began walking purposefully toward the Central Archives.

The Central Archives: 

The Central Archives building loomed ahead, an imposing structure of glass and steel that gleamed under the midday sun. Rin's pace quickened as she approached the entrance, her heart beating steadily with resolve. Upon entering, she was immediately stopped by a stern-looking guard.

"Identification, please," he said, his tone brisk but polite.

Without a word, Rin reached into her pocket and pulled out a sleek black card embossed with the Guild's emblem: a silver phoenix rising from flames. The guard's eyes widened slightly as he recognized the mark of an S-Class member of the Silver Phoenix Guild. He stepped aside at once, bowing slightly as he gestured for her to proceed.

"Welcome, ma'am. You may enter."

Rin nodded curtly and stepped through the doors; her eyes immediately drawn to the grandeur of the interior. The space was immaculate, almost blindingly so, with polished floors and shelves that stretched endlessly upward. Sunlight poured in through a massive glass wall, offering a breathtaking view of a lush garden outside. The greenery was vibrant, the flowers in full bloom, and the gentle sway of the trees in the breeze added a touch of serenity to the otherwise imposing atmosphere. A staircase spiraled upward to the higher levels, while a pathway led directly to the garden, inviting visitors to read amidst nature if they so desired.

Rin couldn't help but admire the view. Compared to the chaotic energy of the city, this place was a haven of peace. The garden's beauty was mesmerizing, and for a moment, she found herself unable to look away. She decided then and there that she would do her reading with that view as her backdrop.

Finding the section she needed took some time. The shelves were meticulously organized, but the sheer volume of books was overwhelming. Rin sighed as she ran her fingers along the spines of the tomes, muttering under her breath.

"It would have been so convenient if all this data was available online," she grumbled. "In my world, everything was just a click away. But no, this world has to lock its history behind layers of bureaucracy and privilege."

She pulled out a thick volume and carried it to a nearby table, her thoughts continuing to spiral. "It's like some twisted version of those noble and commoner systems. The difference here is that the 'nobles' are the Espers and Guides, while the 'commoners' are everyone else. Even though this world has all sorts of modern technology, the access to knowledge is still so… archaic."

Shaking her head, Rin opened the book and began to skim through its contents. The information she was looking for was specific: everything about S-Class Guides, Espers, and the mysterious imprinting process that bound them together. The pages were dense with text, but Rin's sharp eyes quickly picked out the key details.

Hours passed as Rin delved deeper into the archives. The more she read, the more pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place. The imprinting process, she learned, was far more intricate than she had initially imagined. It wasn't just a bond of convenience or necessity; it was a connection that transcended physical and mental boundaries, forging a link between Esper and Guide that was as unbreakable as it was enigmatic.

She frowned as she came across a passage that described the potential dangers of a failed imprint. The text was vague, but the implications were clear: the consequences could be catastrophic, not just for the individuals involved but for those around them as well.

"No wonder they keep this information under lock and key," Rin muttered. "This isn't just about power; it's about control."

Her gaze drifted toward the garden again, the sight calming her racing thoughts. Despite the weight of the knowledge she was uncovering, the beauty of the natural world outside reminded her of why she was doing this. She wasn't just searching for answers for herself; she was doing it for Evelyn, for the bond they shared, and for the future they were trying to build together.

The next two days followed a similar pattern. Rin returned to the Central Archives early each morning, her sleek black card granting her unhindered access. She immersed herself in the wealth of knowledge hidden within the towering shelves, meticulously piecing together the fragments of history and lore surrounding the Guides and Espers. She discovered ancient records detailing the origins of the imprinting process, accounts of legendary Espers and their Guides, and even obscure theories about the potential for breaking an imprint—a possibility that was shrouded in secrecy.

During her visits, Rin kept her activities discreet, ensuring that no one took particular notice of her presence. She would leave the Archives in the late afternoon, her notes carefully organized, and head to a nearby coffee shop to compile her findings. The shop's cozy atmosphere and the scent of freshly brewed coffee provided the perfect setting for her to review her discoveries and plan her next steps.

By the third day, Rin had gathered a substantial amount of information. She sat at her usual corner table in the coffee shop, her notebook spread open before her, and began organizing her notes into coherent sections. Her handwriting was precise, each line a testament to her determination. She was so absorbed in her work that she barely noticed the time passing.

When Evelyn's car finally pulled up outside, Rin quickly packed her things, ensuring that her notes were safely tucked away. She climbed into the passenger seat, greeting Evelyn with a bright smile that belied the intensity of her recent efforts.

"How was your day?" Evelyn asked, her eyes scanning Rin's face for any signs of trouble.

"Productive," Rin replied, her tone light but purposeful. "I spent some time at the coffee shop, just organizing my thoughts. Nothing too exciting."

Evelyn nodded, satisfied with the answer, though Rin could sense a hint of curiosity lingering in her gaze. As they drove away, the city lights illuminating their path, Rin leaned back in her seat, her mind already racing with plans for her next steps. She had chosen not to tell Evelyn about her visits to the Central Archives, at least not yet. There was still so much she needed to uncover, and she wasn't ready to share her findings until she had a clearer picture of what they meant.

For now, her secrets remained her own, and the road ahead was hers to navigate.

Later that evening, back in her room, Rin sat cross-legged on the bed with her notebook open before her. She tapped her pen against her chin, her mind replaying everything she had learned over the past three days.

"Well, I did get to know a lot at that place," she mused aloud, "but the information is still incomplete. There's one section of the Central Archives that's even locked to S-Class access. I have a sneaky suspicion that the real information I need is hidden there. I tried to get in, but it was useless. The security is too strict, and passing it unnoticed would be impossible. So, I gave up on the idea… for now. Until I acquire the power to do so."

She sighed, flipping through her notes. "Let's start listing what I did find. First, there isn't much information on how it all began—how the gates came to be, how individuals gained their powers, or when exactly the gates appeared. The history is completely vague. There's just a single sentence to describe it: 'One day, the gates appeared, and with them, monsters of dungeons and the heroes to fight them.' The selection of these individuals seems random, from young children to adults at the time. And how did they gain their powers? They're entirely clueless about it. Or are they?" She frowned. "I wasn't able to find any information on that. The most important part is left out, and to my surprise, no one even seems to care."

She shook her head, her frustration evident. "Well, onto the next point. Since this world's history isn't much use to me right now, my main objective was to learn about Espers and Guides, especially S-Class Guides, to find a solution to this reverse imprint and understand my strength as an S-Class Guide. But the information about S-Class Guides was vague… just as I expected. They're stuff of legend. The ones at the start of the catastrophe were the first and last S-Class Guides to exist. Just like the Tamers who were completely erased from history, the existence of S-Class Guides is almost forgotten. It's been at least three centuries since the last S-Class Guide, and there's no record of their abilities either. The fact that their names even remain is a blessing."

She leaned back against the headboard, her expression thoughtful. "So, one of my objectives—to find out about the abilities of an S-Class Guide—was a complete failure. But there's still hope for the other part: Espers and Guides. How they came to be with each other is mentioned in quite some detail, though it's not enough to answer everything. There's also a lot of exaggeration… a dramatic play, if I say so myself."

Rin settled herself comfortably on the bed, her notebook open on her lap, and began recounting her findings with a mixture of earnestness and a touch of dry humor. "So, where were we? Ah, yes—Espers and their wide range of abilities. It all starts with aura, that magical, invisible force that decides whether you're destined to control fire, water, or wield a sword made of energy."

She tapped her pen against her chin, feigning deep thought. "Some Espers get flashy powers like fireballs or thunderstorms—they're the drama queens of the bunch. Others? They're more about breaking bones with their fists or slashing stuff with aura swords. Oh, and let's not forget my personal favorites: spatial magic and enchanting. Rare as a decent cup of coffee in this city, but oh-so-cool when you find them. Spatial magic? You're basically a walking teleportation device. Enchanting? Turn that rusty sword into Excalibur. Love it."

Her expression grew more serious. "Now, onto Guides. Initially, no one even noticed their existence. Why? Because they can't fight. It wasn't until Espers began succumbing to corruption that Guides became essential."

Rin's tone grew slightly darker as she continued. "Here's the thing: Espers, with all their flashy powers, weren't exactly built to handle them. The more they used their abilities, the more their minds and bodies started breaking down. Corruption, they called it. First, it was the F-rank Espers. No one cared. Then E-rank, D-rank…you get the picture. Eventually, even the big leagues, the A-ranks, started succumbing. That's when people started to panic."

She leaned back, gesturing dramatically. "Imagine this: one day, your friendly neighborhood Esper—you know, the guy who saves you from a rampaging dungeon monster—suddenly flips out and becomes the monster. Corruption wasn't picky; it turned anyone into a raging, uncontrollable disaster. Fun times, right?"

Her voice softened, taking on a more thoughtful tone. "The investigation teams eventually figured out the common thread: aura. The more an Esper used their abilities, the more corrupted they became. And the ones with lower aura reserves? They were the first to go. That's how the whole ranking system came about. F-rank to S-rank, all based on how much aura you had and how long you could keep your sanity intact."

She paused, tapping her pen against the notebook. "But here's the kicker: even with all this knowledge, it didn't stop the inevitable. An S-class Esper—the best of the best—fell to corruption. Talk about irony. The savior becomes the catastrophe."

Rin's lips quirked into a wry smile. "And that's where Guides came in. Out of nowhere, these seemingly ordinary people started showing up with the ability to stabilize Espers. Their presence, their aura, acted like a healing spell, keeping the corruption at bay. Suddenly, Guides went from being nobodies to the most valuable allies an Esper could have."

She flipped a page in her notebook. "So, yeah, that's the gist of it. Espers with their flashy powers, Guides with their stabilizing magic, and corruption lurking like an uninvited guest at a party. It's a messy system, but it's the only one we've got. And me? I'm stuck trying to figure out how to deal with this reverse imprint thing while everyone else is busy playing superhero."

She sighed, closing the notebook with a soft thud. "Anyway, that's enough history for one night. Time to figure out my next move. Because if there's one thing I've learned, it's that nothing in this world comes without a fight—or a little bit of strategy."