Resonant Rewrite

The moonlight streamed through the window of Rin's room, casting silvery beams across the sparse furnishings. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she exhaled slowly, her breath visible in the crisp night air. The soft glow of the moon bathed her in a quiet serenity, though her thoughts were anything but tranquil.

Rin sat upright, then leaned back against the headboard, her hand tracing the faint, shifting shadows on the floor. With a faint smirk, she whispered, "Onyx, come out."

From the dark pool of her shadow, a sleek form emerged, as fluid as liquid night. The shape solidified, revealing a majestic wolf-like creature with fur as black as the abyss and eyes that gleamed with an otherworldly light. Onyx stretched languidly, his form dwarfing the modest room, before lowering himself to the ground beside her.

"Missed me?" Rin asked, leaning back against Onyx's warm, shadowy form. The creature rumbled softly, his version of a purr. Rin let herself relax, her head resting against his side as the moonlight painted faint streaks of silver across his midnight fur.

"This is the first time I've had the chance to call you out since waking up in this world," Rin murmured. "Thanks for sticking with me. You're probably as lost as I am."

Onyx rumbled again, this time with a trace of amusement. He nuzzled her shoulder lightly, a comforting gesture that Rin couldn't help but appreciate.

As she sat in the tranquil silence of the night, Rin's mind wandered to the complexities of this world—a place she had created but barely understood now that she was trapped within it.

The gates and dungeons, once distant concepts born of her imagination, were now real threats looming over humanity. Each gate was a portal to a dungeon, brimming with monstrous creatures and invaluable resources. Yet, the cost of venturing into these treacherous realms was high, and not everyone could bear it.

That's where the hunters came in. They were the ones who faced these threats head-on, risking their lives to protect the world while reaping the rewards hidden within the dungeons. Hunters weren't just fighters; they were humanity's shield and sword in the face of annihilation.

Rin let her thoughts flow, her voice barely above a whisper. "Hunters are classified into two main types: Esper and Guides. Esper… They're the flashy ones, the ones people look up to."

Onyx's ears perked up, his gaze fixed on her as though he were listening intently.

"Esper are the powerhouses. Their abilities range from physical combat skills to weapon mastery to outright magic. They're versatile and indispensable, but—" Rin paused, her tone growing serious. "—there's a cost. 'With great power comes great responsibility,' and in this case, great risk."

She traced a finger in the air as if sketching out her explanation. "Esper can become corrupted. The more they use their powers, the greater the risk. They lose control of their bodies, and—boom—they become ticking time bombs, destroying everything in their path, including themselves." She chuckled dryly. "I even imagined a little cartoonish explosion icon for them when I was writing this."

Onyx tilted his head, his glowing eyes narrowing as if he shared her grim amusement.

"But the world can't afford to lose the Esper to corruption, especially when the gates and dungeons are already a constant threat. That's where the Guides come in." Rin leaned back further against Onyx. "Guides are healers—not of physical wounds, but of corruption. They stabilize Esper before they lose themselves. They bear the same risks, though. The stronger the ability, the higher the cost for both parties."

Onyx shifted slightly, resting his chin on his paws, his luminous eyes watching her intently.

"There's a third type, too," Rin continued, her voice quieter. "The hidden ones. They're like puzzle pieces—rare, mysterious, and almost impossible to identify unless you're one of them. The public doesn't know about their existence. Most hunters don't, either. Only a few individuals—and me, because I wrote them into this world—know they're out there."

She smiled wryly. "It's funny, isn't it? Being the writer means I should have all the answers, but here I am, clueless. I don't even know which class Aria Felstone, my own character, belongs to."

Rin sighed, tilting her head back to stare at the ceiling. "Since Aria dies in the original story before revealing her powers, there's no way to know. And thanks to the system's silence, I have to figure it out myself."

Rin glanced at Onyx, her fingers absently brushing through his soft fur. "You're a part of the system's meddling, aren't you? A shadow wolf, tamed in a world where monster taming doesn't even exist. It's like being handed a cheat code no one else can use."

Onyx let out a low growl, his gaze unwavering. Rin smiled faintly. "Don't worry. I'm not about to let anyone else see you like this. We'll keep you under wraps."

Her mind shifted to practicalities. "So, there are two ways I can approach this. I could demand the system answer my questions—though it's been uselessly quiet—or I could redo a class test to see where I fit in."

She closed her eyes, trying to summon the system's interface. "System? Any suggestions? Answers? Anything?"

Silence.

She groaned. "Figures. Useless as always."

Rin straightened, her resolve hardening. "Fine. Class test it is. I'll need Elyn's help to set it up."

The next morning, Rin broached the subject with Elyn over a simple breakfast of toast and tea. The cozy apartment was bathed in sunlight, and Elyn was as cheerful as ever, though Rin noted a hint of nervous energy in her movements.

"Elyn," Rin began cautiously, "I need to ask you something."

Elyn glanced up, her expression curious. "Of course. What is it?"

"What class do I belong to?"

The question hung in the air for a moment, and Elyn's cheerful demeanor faltered. She hesitated, her hands tightening around her teacup.

"Why do you ask?" Elyn said, her voice careful.

Rin leaned back in her chair, feigning nonchalance. "I don't remember much about myself. If I'm going to join your team, I need to know where I stand."

Elyn looked away, guilt flickering across her face. "Aria… you've only recently awakened. No one knows what your class is yet."

Rin arched an eyebrow. "Really? That seems… inconvenient."

Elyn sighed, placing her cup down. "I know it's frustrating, but it's not uncommon. Some people don't discover their class until they're tested under controlled conditions."

"Well, that settles it, then," Rin said decisively. "I'll redo the class test. Can you help me arrange it?"

Elyn's eyes widened in surprise. "Are you sure? It's not exactly a pleasant process."

Rin shrugged. "I don't have much of a choice, do I?"

Elyn hesitated before nodding reluctantly. "Alright. I'll help you. But you'll need to prepare yourself. The test can be… intense."

"Noted," Rin said with a small smile. "Thanks, Elyn. You're a lifesaver."

As they cleared the table, Rin glanced at her companion. "By the way, what's your class?"

Elyn froze for a split second before answering. "Esper."

Rin nodded thoughtfully. "That makes sense. You've got the determination and skill for it."

Elyn smiled faintly, though her eyes held a shadow of something unspoken.

Later that day, Elyn busied herself making arrangements for the class test while Rin prepared mentally. She paced the guest room, her thoughts racing.

"An Esper, huh?" she murmured to herself. "I guess it's the most common class, but that doesn't mean it's easy to handle. If Aria is an Esper, I'll need to figure out how to manage the corruption risk."

Her gaze drifted to the window, where the Hunter Association building loomed in the distance. "If she's a Guide… that opens up a whole different set of challenges. And if by some miracle she's one of the hidden types…" Rin's lips curled into a wry smile. "Well, I guess I'll cross that bridge when I get to it."

Onyx shifted in the shadows of the room, his glowing eyes fixed on her. Rin smiled faintly. "You ready for whatever comes next, Onyx?"

The wolf growled softly, a sound that carried both confidence and reassurance.

"Good," Rin said, her resolve solidifying. "Because whatever this world throws at me, I'm not backing down."

The next day promised answers—or at least the first step toward uncovering them.

The Hunter Association's main building was an imposing structure of steel and glass, standing like a sentinel against the backdrop of the bustling city. Rin, wearing casual clothes—a simple hoodie and jeans—followed Elyn closely as they entered through the revolving doors. The interior was just as grand, a hive of activity with hunters, staff, and civilians moving about purposefully.

Elyn looked relaxed, her usual cheerful demeanor in place, but Rin could sense the tension beneath her casual facade. For her part, Rin felt a mix of curiosity and apprehension. She shoved her hands into her hoodie pockets, Onyx hidden safely within her shadow.

"So, this is where all the magic—or mayhem—happens," Rin remarked, her tone light as they made their way through the lobby.

Elyn chuckled. "Something like that. The Hunter Association is where people come to discover their potential or push it to its limits. Speaking of potential…" Her voice trailed off as her gaze swept across the room.

Rin followed her line of sight. At the far end of the lobby, a small crowd had gathered. Curious, Rin nudged Elyn, who led her closer.

Awakening

The group was gathered around a designated Awakening Zone, a circular platform surrounded by arcane symbols that glowed faintly. A young man stood nervously in the center while an official in a lab coat monitored him. The air hummed with energy as the Awakening ritual began.

"Watch closely," Elyn whispered. "It's rare to witness an Awakening firsthand."

The young man's body began to glow faintly, his form outlined by flickering tendrils of light. The official called out, "Esper detected. Class—Fire Manipulator. C-grade."

The onlookers murmured in approval, some clapping politely. The young man stumbled off the platform, his face a mix of relief and excitement.

"C-grade, huh?" Rin muttered. "Not bad, but he's got a long road ahead."

Elyn nodded. "Awakenings are just the beginning. Training determines how far they go."

Before Rin could respond, another person stepped onto the platform—a middle-aged woman with a calm demeanor. The symbols flared to life again, and this time, the energy surrounding the woman felt different. It was softer, more soothing.

"Guide detected. Class—Corruption Stabilizer. B-grade," the official announced.

Rin tilted her head. "A Guide, huh? I guess they're not as flashy as Esper, but they're just as important."

Elyn's smile softened. "More than important. Without Guides, Esper wouldn't survive long. And neither would the rest of us."

The woman stepped down from the platform, her expression serene. The crowd dispersed, their curiosity sated, and Elyn turned to Rin.

"Let's keep moving," she said. "The testing area is this way."

The pair approached a sleek counter manned by a sharp-eyed woman in a crisp uniform. Her name tag read Marie. She looked up as Elyn stepped forward, her professional smile in place.

"Good morning. How can I help you?" Marie asked.

Elyn gestured to Rin. "We need to conduct a class retest."

Marie raised an eyebrow, her polite demeanor giving way to suspicion. "A retest? That's unusual. The class test is typically accurate the first time. Or… is this a case of a second Awakening?" Her lips curled into a faint smirk, the tone laced with mockery.

Rin bristled, but Elyn remained calm, her smile unwavering. "It's nothing like that," she said evenly. "We just need access to the testing area."

Marie studied them for a moment before shrugging. "Suit yourselves. The testing area is on the third floor, Room 12B. But don't expect any miracles." Her grin widened, her eyes flicking toward Rin. "Most people don't get a second chance."

Elyn ignored the jab, thanking her curtly before leading Rin away. Rin shot Marie a glare over her shoulder but held her tongue.

The room they entered was unlike anything Rin had seen. It was vast, with walls lined with glowing runes that pulsed faintly, emitting a soft hum. Two testing platforms dominated the space, each surrounded by intricate mechanisms and shimmering energy fields.

Several staff members were present, adjusting controls and monitoring displays. Elyn spoke briefly with one of them, explaining the situation. The staff exchanged curious glances but prepared the equipment without objection.

"You'll need to step onto the first platform," one of them instructed Rin. "We'll start with the Esper test."

Rin glanced at Elyn, who nodded reassuringly. Taking a deep breath, Rin stepped onto the platform. The air felt charged, prickling her skin as the runes activated.

Energy swirled around Rin, its colors shifting from pale blue to deep crimson. The staff watched intently as the readings stabilized. A unique hue began to form—a shimmering indigo laced with gold. The staff exchanged puzzled glances.

"What does that mean?" Elyn asked, her voice tense.

The lead technician frowned. "It's… unusual. It doesn't match any known Esper classifications. She's not registering as an Esper."

Rin stepped down from the platform, her expression neutral despite the murmurs around her. Elyn placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"Let's move on to the Guide test," Elyn said.

The second platform was similar to the first but emanated a different kind of energy—calmer, more inviting. Rin stepped onto it, and the runes activated once more.

This time, the energy that enveloped her was immediately distinct. A brilliant, radiant color exploded outward, a kaleidoscope of gold and white with streaks of deep violet. The staff froze, their eyes widening as alarms blared through the room.

"What's happening?" Rin asked, alarmed.

The lead technician turned to her, his face pale but awe-struck. "You… you've registered as an S-Class Guide."

The room fell silent, save for the wail of the alarms. Elyn's mouth fell open in shock. Rin blinked, unsure how to process the revelation.

"S-Class… Guide?" Rin repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.

Elyn recovered first, grabbing her by the arm. "Rin, do you have any idea how rare that is? S-Class Guides are practically myths!"

The staff scrambled to silence the alarms, their excitement palpable. Rin stepped off the platform, her mind reeling.

"Well," she said finally, a wry smile tugging at her lips. "That's one mystery solved. Now what?"

Elyn grinned, her eyes alight with newfound determination. "Now, we make sure the world knows just how valuable you are."

Onyx stirred in Rin's shadow, his silent presence a comforting reminder of the secrets she still carried. As Rin and Elyn left the testing area, the whispers of awe and curiosity followed them, marking the beginning of a new chapter in her journey.