Lucky is the fool who never runs into a monster. Training, discipline, tactics, it all goes out the window. The very first time you run into a monster only a few things can save you. Your ability to move passed the initial grip of fear, and your reflexes.

- Quotes of Explorers, Veteran Explorer

The Horned Sand Rabbits darted in and out with blinding speed, only exacerbated by the conditions of the Desert Blurr. Their bodies supplied the points of their horns with enough force to pierce a sloppily placed barrier. The only reason he was able to track them was that he was on solid rock and not grainy sand. If the colors of the environment had been more in their favor he'd be having a rougher time.

Jayke was amidst them all.

"One on the left." He watched as a charging rabbit slid off a barrier, shooting over the small cliff.

It squealed in surprise. "Bye-bye."

Jayke frowned, he had left his sword and shield in his [Safehaven] so all he had was his magic. The sword would've been much than using his hands and feet. He grimaced, feeling the impact of another brown body. He glimpsed pointy horns, red eyes, and sharp teeth before the rabbit was sent over the edge screaming and flailing - carried by its own momentum.

He backed up, feet firmly planted. He was running out of space. They were forcing him off the edge as he had been doing them.

Two of them rushed forward. Jayke brought his wrists and elbows together forcefully and poured mana into a shield. At the moment of impact, he shifted and they were sent careening off the side of the outcropping. The shield shattered shortly after, some of the rabbit impacting him. Bruised. Squealing off the side of the cliff.

"You just keep on coming, don't you?" He glared at the pack of them. The one feature he made out with confidence was their red eyes, like rubies in the rough. If their forms were a blur then the eyes gave them away.

He glanced over the short cliff. The rabbits he had just sent off had landed harmlessly in the sand, disoriented and dazed sure, but no less eager to climb back up the outcropping. "They're just shaking it off. Crap."

His eyes swept back forward. There were a dozen of them. Jayke's position didn't allow their numbers to have any leverage, the space was too small for them to occupy it in any number.

A blur bounded across the rocks and went straight for Jayke's knees. He saw it coming though. A shield, more solid than any he had used yet, formed at his shin. It crumpled against the shield with a sickening crack. It was the only method he had available that actually damaged them.

"Still alive?" Jayke looked down.

The rabbit was seeing stars. A tight shield formed around Jayke's foot. Then, careful to avoid the horns, he stomped on the side of its head. The skull cracked open when his leg fell the second time. Its high-pitched whine was not pleasant. A handful of the creatures flinched, fear turned into a rage in a manner of seconds as what happened registered.

The pack was in an uproar. He grunted and groaned as multiple rabbits, uncaring, threw themselves at him. They wanted gravity to do the work. They were trying to send him off the edge. He might not die, but that'd be enough to break a leg. And there, he wouldn't be able to spot them in the sands. His shields were up in time, but after the first broke it was a race to raise another before the next pair of horns.

A rabbit hit his center mass and he nearly lost balance. His foot found ground. The blue dim lights of a shattered shield blinded him for a second. He threw a hand up only for it to be thrown to the side with another impact. His shield broke, he grunted, falling to a knee as the last rabbit was sent over.

He stabilized once the majority were sent off into the sand below. When they returned Jayke had prepared a few surprises. They slammed into barriers, static obstacles that Jayke poured mana into, just strong enough to cause a concussion if they ran headfirst into it. Shattering the barrier, they slid to a stop, rolling unceremoniously at his feet. The backlash of the broken barriers threatened to fell him.

The half dozen that were left stared at their pack who were at Jayke's feet.

He was breathing hard. He was well beaten in mind and body, even if all he had to show for it was the blood dribbling from his arms. He was bruised all over, his shields hadn't been perfect nor strong enough to brunt every single impact. He had paid for the shortcomings in bruising, maybe even fractured bones.

"Rabbits." He spat blood. He stared at the unconscious few close to him. The ones that had run mindlessly and knocked themselves out on his barriers. "I've seen worse than this, but crap. You guys really suck."

He slammed his magic-clad foot down and ended two lives before the rest managed to limp away. He managed to kick one in the ribs as it attacked him - to his surprise. It ripped into his calf. It had been acting dazed. Jayke grimaced, faltering, and observed the pack.

They were stepping away. Bounding backward down the rock slope. Two or three hops. Turning to stare. Then in groups of three or twos, they ran down and around. He followed their progress, tensing once they left his sight. But then he spotted them down in the sand, running.

"They're retreating-" He gasped, grasping at his chest. He hadn't been expecting the pain. He grit his teeth, shut an eye and breathed out slowly. "Fractured rib." He stated. "Two." He corrected himself.

Of all the creatures most likely to kill him over the year. He had not been expecting a rabbit to be one of the top contenders. He needed to amend that, right after he mended to himself.

"Let's see. Maybe it'll work now." As soon as he had sorely felt the lack of his sword and shield he had tried to summon the door. Obviously, it hadn't worked.

He hadn't expected to be testing the limits of his [Safehaven] so soon. He hadn't been able to summon the door during the fight at all. For some reason, he couldn't focus on that feeling, that connection to his [Safehaven]. He'd been able to do it before when under attack by the lion. Why hadn't it worked just now?

He focused.

The door appeared vertical. It wasn't set into any stone or wall this time. It simply stood straight up in the air. A metallic sliding door. At times he had wondered at the design of the door but shrugged it off. With his bruised arms, he was just glad that it was automatic.

He stepped through.

It might also be a nice time to test out how much he had overdone it with the handful of berries he had consumed previously. He ate a single healberry, plopped himself down on his chair, and addressed his prompt.

Quest Completed: [Pack of Horned Sand Rabbits!] (Common)

A pack of Horned Sand Rabbits smell the aftermath of a battle. They've come scavenging for food using the blurr of the desert to their advantage. Horned Sand Rabbits move in packs, this one is small but well-fed, and it seems they've found easier prey. Deal with them.

Rewards: Common Item, EXP

If he focused, he could get a feel for how close he was to leveling in a particular Class. After his experimenting and the battle, he had been close to leveling in [Protection Mage]. Jayke guessed that EXP corresponded to experience and was likely what was required to advance your levels. The System, in that sense, was intuitive. He was familiar with the concept of experience points.

He needed to do some more research, it was a truth that the System varied slightly between people and was quite interpretational. For example, his screens reminded him of a computer screen but others are said to have more analog methods of receiving the prompts, like a book only they could interact with, or a voice in their ear.

The rush he felt through him, he was sure now, was EXP. He was very close to leveling now, so he sensed. What did pique his interest was another use of this Rarity on an Item. Previously, he had only ever seen it on his Skills and likewise mentioned in the Quest prompts. This Item keyword was new to him. The bolded words meant something.

He had the odd predilection to refocus on his surroundings.

"Huh?" There was something on his table.

For a moment, Jayke was the picture of confusion and caution. Shortly after though, he relaxed. The System was a neutral force, after all.

Reward: Item: [Sand Rabbit's Foot] (Common)

The severed foot of a Sand Rabbit. Sand Rabbits are fickle creatures that traverse the desert with barely a disturbance in the sands. They brave sandstorms and quicksand with instinctual grace. With this, a little bit of their grace imbues your every step.

Jayke adjusted himself, reading the prompt curiously as he examined the Item.

Aside from the description, the foot itself seemed rather underwhelming. Much to his disappointment, he observed no immediate effects when put it in one of his pockets.

He looked down at himself in disgust.

"I wonder if they have showers and laundromats here." He mused.

He rested the hour it took for all his wounds and bruises to heal. He couldn't indefinitely rely on the supply of his healberries so he resolved to be more careful in the future.

Exiting his [Safehaven], he appeared on the rock outcropping from which he entered determined to advance his familiarity with his [Protective Magic].

The moment he stepped on the sand, his steps became just a little firmer. The bare minimum change for him to actually notice it. He had almost already forgotten about the [Sand Rabbit's Foot].

"Neat." He said, testing the spring in his step and finding it not much different. It felt like he was wearing a pair of new running shoes. Which was somewhat impressive given the terrain.

Idly, he wondered why the translation orb wasn't marked as an Item. It felt significant enough to merit being recognized by the System.

When he finally considered himself in the heart of the bazaar he spotted a few of the myconids he actually recognized on sight. The first two he had ever met actually. The red mushroomed [Guards] were overseeing a bustling center of activity.

He approached and they picked him out easily from the crowd.

"Ah, wanderer!" Floon, the taller of the two turned. From the way Jungu's attention fully shifted Jayke's impression was that they welcomed a distraction. "It has been a while!" He said.

Jungu's crest moved in a way that might've been significant if the shifting colors of his body were any clue. "We heard from Seev. How do you fare?"

"Just fine, bloodied and bruised." He responded. They looked different to his observant eyes and then he realized he was staring at wounds, parts of their bodies were missing. "You two. Are you injured?"

Floon half-turned to Jungu. "That is the way of battle." Jayke imagined an accompanying shrug. "And we [Guards] are often the first into it. Especially for a Great Sand Worm attack. Nasty creatures, they could sever a myconid to a stump if they're lucky."

A wave of dark color enveloped Jungu. "Battle is the way to experience. Many of our number leveled. Through hardships the weak become strong and the strong become stronger."

Jayke noted the terminology.

Floon agreed. "Without some of our higher-leveled [Guards] we would not have been able to survive. Can you believe that Jungu? [Heart of the Guard] I wonder what Rarity such a Skill is?"

Jayke couldn't help himself from being slightly curious at the gossip, but Jungu was quick to bring things back on track.

"You get carried away Floon." Jungu turned to Jayke. "What brings you to the heart of the Marketplace Between? You must be looking for something."

"How could you tell?" Jayke said surprised. "Do I look lost?"

"Because this is the best place to start." Jungu replied simply. "And not any more than anyone else."

Jayke laughed and they looked confused but could apparently sense the humor in his voice when he began talking. "A shower or bath to rid myself of all this blood and caked sand. And does the Marketplace Between have any magical institutions?" Jayke asked.

"The cleansing is easy. The Sparkling Pools are run by dwei, they know the sand better than most. Especially how uncomfortable it can get. You can see it from here, actually." He pointed down the street and sure enough, Jayke spotted something that looked like a bathhouse.

Floon took over. "As for the magic," He regarded Jayke, his crest waving intriguingly. "That is easier. The Practitioner's Coterie is likely what you seek. Their operation is small in the Marketplace Between but it is my understanding that they are the leading authority on magic. At least, on those that are advanced in the public's eye."

"Where can I find them?" Jayke said immediately.

"Take your bath. The dwei know where they are." Jungu suggested. "You most definitely need it."

Jayke stared down at himself, wrinkled his nose, and agreed. "Thank you." He said in goodbye.

Finally clean, Jayke pulled at his clothes once more in disbelief. The pools were pleasant and the convention was to enter nude. But the most surprising part was that they had returned to him his clothes in one piece.

"[Repair Clothes], huh? They can get that specific?" They looked brand new.

They pointed him to the Practitioner's Coterie and by the time he found the building the cooling sensation of the pools hadn't yet been erased by the desert heat.

He glanced around. The building was in the section of the Marketplace Between that contained more permanent structures. Buildings with actual foundations and permeance. It was set apart from most other structures and looked to be made of sandstone. It actually glittered like the desert and Jayke had to stop and stare at it. He couldn't determine if it was the physical qualities of the sandstone or something more magical that created the effect.

There were a number of people moving in and out of the entrance.

Most of the people gave Jayke glances but to their credit most didn't seem to take his presence as being particularly strange. When he entered, the floor was a shined marble, reflecting the mural painted on the domed ceiling. The mural moved in a wonderful display of magic. It depicted great figures locked in magical duels calling forth great maelstroms of magic, fending off twisted corrupt creatures. He craned his neck up to admire it.

"It is quite beautiful isn't it?" A scholarly voice spoke.

"Like nothing I've ever seen." Jayke turned to find someone staring up at the domed ceiling the very same way he was.

A slightly blue man whose skin shone greeted him with a smile. "You seem just as out of place as I am here."

Jayke was quick to pick up on the meaning. "Mostly myconid, dwei, and caven. Although I wouldn't expect any of my people out here." He eyed one of the hunched caven as he said so.

The blue-tinted man laughed. "I expect not. You'd be hard-pressed to find one of mine here as well. Or well anywhere truthfully. " Jayke realized the man was using facial expressions he recognized.

Jayke didn't press the issue. Naturally, he was curious. His objective, however, was to find some information. Maybe someone willing to teach him about magic. The more he thought about it though the less that seemed likely. Everyone was moving about busily and he wondered if the Practitioner's Coterie was even the type to answer the questions of strangers. He glanced around, ignoring the blue man beside in favor of some information.

Unprompted the scholarly man continued. "Are you perhaps here for the testing as well?

"Testing?"

"The Practitioner's Coterie conducts biannual testings to round up talent. If you pass they'll induct you into the Coterie or offer to relocate you to one of their larger branches. It's what's brought me here." The man explained. "It's today. You weren't aware?

"I was not. What's so good about the Coterie?" Jayke said.

He replied cooly. "Aside from them being the lead authority on magical research? You'll have teachers and mentors if you want them. Access to their vast libraries and facilities. You'll be one of the first to know of any breakthroughs they make in any given field. Anyone inducted is automatically more attractive for other endeavors." He shot off. "The list goes on."

Jayke nodded along. The libraries were an attractive incentive. "What's got you so hooked on joining?"

"Well, my magic is quite odd. They have a lot of information on peculiar magics. I'm hoping I might be able to learn something of myself if they accept me."

That... was what Jayke was actually looking for. It looked like you got more privileges if you were actually part of the club. "They don't disseminate their knowledge to strangers asking?"

"If you're seeking more specialized knowledge they won't. Anything general and I'm sure anyone would be happy to answer if they have time. The Coterie has a reputation for fostering interest in magic, but like most practitioners, they like their secrets."

"Hmm, I'm sorry I never introduced myself." He realized. "I'm Jayke, nice to meet you."

"Pleasure to make you acquaintance. I am Ozlipp but Oz is fine." The blue man gave a short bow.

"This testing you mentioned, did you need an invite or anything? Or were you just supposed to show up?" Jayke questioned. He was keen on taking it now, but it wouldn't do if it wasn't open invite.

"The purpose of the testing is to find young talents so the test is available to anyone who wants to take it. They do not discriminate here. If anything, the highest thing they hold in regard here is magical aptitude." Oz replied. "It's a harsh testing process, completely subject to the whims of the Coterie. They're often as eccentric as they are rumored to be too."

"When is it starting? And where? I think I want to try."

Just then the lobby of the building went silent. A single person's footsteps echoed lightly across the smooth marble floors. A man stood in the center, attracting the attention and awe of everyone present. He was the closest thing to human Jayke had yet seen, save only for the patches of vibrant color on his skin. It was like his presence hung heavily in the air.

To Jayke's left, Oz spoke. "I imagine your question will be answered shortly. I believe that is the lead mage of this branch." He regarded Jayke. "Do not say I didn't warn you."

His voice boomed softly across the entire lobby. The acoustics were such that it commanded silence. "Those of you intending to take the Coterie's tests please follow me."

Jayke glanced around and realized the lobby had filled to the brim. To his surprise, the locals of the Marketplace Between were rarely in the mix. The place was filled with species he didn't recognize.

Jayke looked at Oz and soon they were both in the crowd.