Resonant Rewrite

The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains of Rin's room, casting soft patterns of light on the walls. She sat upright in bed, her thoughts tangled and restless from the previous night's revelations. The weight of her new status as an S-Class Guide pressed heavily on her, making sleep fitful and fleeting.

As she stretched and prepared to leave her room, a strange sensation of foreboding settled in her chest. She turned the doorknob cautiously and stepped into the hallway.

The sight before her gave her pause.

Elyn sat slumped against the wall, her knees drawn to her chest, her head tilted at an awkward angle as she dozed lightly. Dark circles shadowed her eyes, and her expression, even in sleep, was tight with worry.

Rin froze, her hand gripping the doorframe. The sight of Elyn like this—a stark contrast to the cheerful and exuberant facade she always wore—sent a wave of discomfort through her.

"She's worried," Rin whispered to herself, a pang of guilt piercing her chest. "No matter how upbeat she acted yesterday, she must be terrified—for me, for herself… and probably for Aria."

The name brought a fresh wave of unease. Rin stepped back into her room and closed the door quietly. Leaning against it, she let out a heavy sigh.

Sitting down on her bed, she rubbed her temples, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "I can't keep dragging her into this," she muttered, her voice tinged with sadness. "She has her own burdens. And now I've just added to them."

Her thoughts turned darker as she considered Aria Felstone, a figure whose shadow seemed to loom over every decision she faced. The mystery surrounding Aria's legacy as an S-Class Guide gnawed at her like an itch she couldn't scratch. The world wanted Rin to fill the void Aria left behind, but she didn't understand why.

Taking a deep breath, Rin sat cross-legged on the floor and summoned the System interface.

"System," she said, her tone firm but controlled, "I need you to answer a question."

The familiar translucent screen materialized before her, the text glowing faintly in the morning light.

System Active. Awaiting Query.

Rin hesitated, her fingers tightening into fists before she found her voice. "What was Aria Felstone's original class? Was she an S-Class Guide?"

For a moment, there was no response. The silence dragged on, and Rin felt her heart begin to race. Finally, a single line of text appeared.

Affirmative. Aria Felstone was classified as an S-Class Guide.

Rin stared at the screen, her lips pressing into a thin line. The words hung in the air like a verdict, confirming a suspicion she hadn't wanted to believe.

"So," she whispered, her tone eerily calm, "that's how it was supposed to be."

Her hands trembled, and the calm shattered as a flood of anger surged through her. She shot to her feet, her voice rising in fury. "Answer me one more time, System!" she shouted. "What is the purpose of me being here? Why specifically me? Why not anyone else—any other author or reader?"

The System didn't respond immediately. The screen remained blank for a few agonizing seconds, as if deliberately withholding its answer. Then, with a faint chime, a single line appeared:

You cannot gain the answer to that yet.

The tone of the response was almost mocking, a deliberate choice of words that seemed designed to taunt her.

Rin's rage boiled over. "You smug, useless piece of code!" she snarled, throwing a pillow across the room. "You think this is some kind of game? You think I don't deserve answers?"

The screen blinked off without another word, leaving Rin alone with her fury. She paced the room, her thoughts a chaotic storm of frustration and despair.

"Aria was supposed to be the S-Class Guide," she muttered, her voice trembling. "So why me? Why rip me out of my life and throw me into this mess?"

Her hands clenched into fists, her nails digging into her palms as she fought back tears.

For the rest of the day, Rin remained locked in her room, her mood oscillating between anger, sadness, and bitter resignation. She ignored Elyn's soft knocks on the door and her gentle calls, refusing to face the world outside.

When night fell, the System reappeared, its glowing screen casting an eerie light across the dim room.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Quest Issued: Join a Guild

Objective: Select and join a guild within the next 24 hours.

Warning: Failure to choose will result in a random guild assignment.

Time Remaining: 24:00:00**

______________________________________________________________________________

The screen disappeared as abruptly as it had appeared, leaving Rin alone with her thoughts once more.

The Next Morning

The sun rose over the city, its warm light spilling through the windows of the apartment. Rin emerged from her room, her face pale and drawn from a sleepless night.

Elyn was already awake, sitting at the small kitchen table with a mug of coffee in her hands. She looked up as Rin entered, her expression softening with relief.

"Good morning," Elyn said cautiously. "I wasn't sure if you'd come out."

Rin nodded, her movements stiff and mechanical as she poured herself a glass of water. She leaned against the counter, avoiding Elyn's gaze.

"I've been thinking," Rin said finally, her voice quiet but steady.

Elyn set her mug down, her eyes filled with curiosity and concern.

"I'm going to join a guild," Rin continued. "And… I've decided to accept your proposal. I'll join your team."

The relief that washed over Elyn's face was immediate and palpable. She let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding, her lips curving into a tentative smile.

"Really? Are you sure?" she asked.

Rin nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "I trust you. And if I'm going to do this, I'd rather be with someone I know has my back."

Elyn stood, crossing the room in a few quick strides to pull Rin into a tight hug. "You won't regret this," she said fiercely. "I promise, I'll make sure you're safe."

Rin returned the embrace, though her mind remained heavy with lingering doubts. Joining Elyn's team felt like a step forward, but it also felt like walking into the unknown.

As they pulled apart, Elyn's expression brightened with determination. "We'll head to the guild headquarters this afternoon," she said. "I'll introduce you to the rest of the team, and we'll get everything sorted."

Rin nodded again, her resolve hardening. Whatever challenges lay ahead, she would face them one step at a time.

Entry into the Guild

The Guild Headquarters was a sprawling complex in the heart of the city, an impressive structure that seemed to pulse with the energy of countless Espers, Guides, and support staff coming and going. The façade was modern, with sleek metallic lines and windows that reflected the bright morning sun. Despite the imposing exterior, Rin felt a knot of apprehension in her stomach as she and Elyn approached the main entrance.

"This is it," Elyn said, her voice steady but laced with excitement. "Once you're registered and officially on the team, everything will change."

Rin glanced at her, catching the mix of determination and optimism in her expression. She tried to match it with her own, but her smile was faint and fleeting.

The inside of the Guild Headquarters was as bustling as Rin had imagined. The lobby was massive, with polished marble floors, high ceilings, and a central desk staffed by efficient-looking personnel. Screens on the walls displayed mission briefings, team rankings, and urgent notifications. The air buzzed with conversation and energy as teams huddled together, discussing strategies or celebrating recent successes.

Elyn led the way to the main desk, where a woman in a sharp uniform greeted them with a professional smile.

"Welcome to the Guild Headquarters. How can I assist you today?"

"I'm here to register a new team member," Elyn said confidently. "Aria Felstone, S-Class Guide."

The receptionist's eyes widened slightly, but she quickly recovered her composure. "Of course. Please follow me."

The Guild Master

They were led down a series of hallways and up a flight of stairs to the Guild Master's office. The receptionist knocked once before opening the door, gesturing for Aria and Elyn to enter.

The Guild Master, a tall woman with sharp features and an air of authority, stood behind a large desk cluttered with documents and a few glowing crystals. Her nameplate read Vera Lennox. Her piercing green eyes studied Rin and Elyn as they stepped inside.

"Captain Ardane," Vera said, a faint smile on her lips. "It's been a while. And this must be Aria Felstone."

Rin nodded politely. "Yes, ma'am. I'm here to register as part of Elyn's team."

Vera's gaze lingered on Rin, her expression unreadable. "An S-Class Guide. You've caused quite a stir already. Do you realize what this status entails?"

"Yes," Rin said firmly. "I understand the responsibilities."

Vera's smile widened slightly. "Good. Responsibility is one thing, but the ability to shoulder it is another. Captain Ardane, I trust you've prepared your team for this transition?"

Elyn nodded. "We're ready. Aria's presence will be a game-changer for us."

"Very well," Vera said, gesturing for them to sit. "Let's go over the formalities."

Documentation

The registration process was extensive. Rin was required to fill out several digital forms that detailed her abilities, specialization, and personal details. The System provided a verification interface to confirm her S-Class status, which prompted a soft chime when authenticated.

Vera watched closely as Rin completed the paperwork. "Your designation as an S-Class Guide places you under special provisions," she explained. "This means you'll be given priority in missions and access to exclusive resources, but it also means stricter oversight. If you encounter any issues, report them to me directly."

"Understood," Rin said, her tone neutral but respectful.

Finally, Vera handed Rin a sleek black card embossed with the Guild's emblem—a silver phoenix rising from flames. "This is your identification. It grants you access to all Guild facilities, including restricted areas for S-Class personnel."

Elyn stood, beaming. "Welcome to the Guild, Aria. Officially."

Meeting the Team

After completing the registration, Elyn led Aria to a private lounge reserved for her team. The room was spacious yet cozy, with plush chairs, a table strewn with maps and documents, and a faint hum of conversation.

As they entered, the four other members of Elyn's team looked up.

"Everyone, meet Aria Felstone," Elyn announced. "She's our new Guide."

The first to step forward was a young man with red hair and a confident grin. He extended a hand. "Name's Kael Vyrn. Fire affinity, A-Class Esper. Welcome to the team."

Rin shook his hand, noting the faint warmth that radiated from his skin. "Nice to meet you, Kael."

A woman with long silver hair and piercing blue eyes was next. She had a quiet, analytical air about her. "I'm Mira Lyselle. I specialize in barriers and support magic. It's good to have you with us."

A tall, muscular man with a mischievous smirk introduced himself next. "Call me Garret. Earth affinity. I'm the heavy hitter around here."

Finally, a younger member stepped forward, his expression shy but friendly. His auburn hair fell into his eyes, and he spoke softly. "Hi. I'm Finn. Lightning affinity. I'm still learning, but I'll do my best."

Elyn placed a hand on Rin's shoulder, her smile warm. "This is the team. We're small, but we work like a well-oiled machine."

Kael leaned back against the table, crossing his arms. "An S-Class Guide, huh? Guess this means our missions are about to get a lot more interesting."

Mira shot him a disapproving look. "Don't overwhelm her on her first day, Kael."

"It's fine," Rin said with a small smile. "I'm ready for whatever comes next."

The team spent the next hour discussing their upcoming missions and how Aria's presence would change their dynamics. Mira explained how her barriers could work in tandem with Aria's Aura Stabilization abilities, while Finn eagerly asked questions about her Empathic Link.

Kael, ever the bold one, grinned. "I just hope you're ready to keep up with me. Fire magic's not exactly… subtle."

Rin chuckled, feeling some of her earlier tension ease. "I'll do my best."

Garret clapped her on the back, nearly knocking her off balance. "Don't worry. Stick with us, and you'll be fine."

As the conversation wound down, Elyn stood and stretched. "Alright, everyone, let's give Aria some time to settle in. We'll start team training tomorrow morning."

The others nodded, filing out of the lounge one by one. Elyn stayed behind, her expression softening as she turned to Rin.

"Thank you for trusting me," Elyn said quietly.

Rin met her gaze and nodded. "I'll do my best. For you and the team."

As Elyn left, Rin sat alone in the lounge, her thoughts swirling. She had taken a step forward, but the path ahead was still uncertain. She clenched the black Guild card in her hand, resolving to prove to herself—and the world—that she could handle whatever challenges came her way.