Lexi did her best to keep her posture straight as she waited for Jiana and Servilia to call for her. The bandages around her torso made the task somewhat difficult, but she found a way to manage. The large blend of pills and potions that Galen had forced her to take down after she had been carried back to the guildhall likely had something to do with that. Without them she doubted she would even be able to sit up, let alone walk around the guild by herself. Even so, she knew her ribs were definitely broken still. The pain with every breath made sure she wouldn't soon forget that.

Galen had not been happy with her. Then again, Galen was almost never happy with anyone. She vaguely remembered him giving her quite a scolding while he bandaged up her many injuries, but she had heard little of it and remembered even less. Almost as soon as he had finished with her, she had fallen into a dreamless sleep.

In the end, she had slept for almost two entire days, waking only for the briefest of moments to choke down another handful of pills before falling back asleep.

When she had finally woken properly, a request slip had been waiting for her by the door.

A request to meet the Mistress directly.

Lexi toyed with the tassels of her scarf as the sound of muffled voices echoed behind the door. She had been waiting almost ten minutes now and her nerves were beginning to wear thin. She took in a deep breath that sent a shooting pain through her ribs as the doors to Jiana's office opened and Servilia appeared in the doorway.

Servilia’s face betrayed nothing as she beckoned Lexi into the room with a single nod. Grimacing, Lexi lifted herself up and carefully shuffled into the office. Servilia shut the door behind her and returned to her place beside Jiana’s desk.

There was a single chair that Lexi gingerly lowered herself into. Jiana watched her closely and Lexi fought to maintain eye contact.

"How are you feeling?" The Mistress asked.

"Tired, still," Lexi admitted. "It was a long tournament. I will need to prepare more for next year."

"You struggled, without a doubt, but a victory without struggle does not taste as sweet. You handled yourself well, Alexis, and you have brought much honor to the guild. We are all very proud of you, and you should feel proud as well.”

Lexi felt herself smile and bowed her head modestly, the praise alleviating some of her tension. "Thank you, Mistress. I will do my best to continue to bring honor this guild’s name.”

“I am sure you will.” Jiana tapped a series of binders that were laid out across her desk. “Now, as enjoyable as praise is, shall we get on to why you are here?

Lexi swallowed hard. “Yes, Mistress.”

“Servilia, if you would?”

Servilia looked down at her notepad. “As a Provisional Leader, Alexis Shadowhart and her team, Nathanial Bank, Cross Drachen, and Makina, were tasked with infiltrating the Verid Academy and identifying the unknown source of violence that our client believed to be a targeted attack on the students.”

“Alexis, do you disagree with this statement?

“No, Mistress.”

“As per Alexis Shadowhart’s report,” Servilia continued, “the source of the attacks was discovered to be a Succubus posing as an academy counselor. When discovered, the Succubus attacked your team and was slain during the ensuing battle. Is that also correct?"

"Yes.”

“I see.” Jiana nodded and the room went silent. At length, she reached out and lifted up on of the folders. It was much thicker than the others. "This is your report. It was very comprehensive, but I will ask, is there anything else you would like to add to it? Anything that you left out that you feel should be considered in your evaluation?"

Lexi’s heart began to hammer in her chest. This was a moment she knew would come. One she had spent hours upon hours thinking about. Her hands balled into fists, but she did not break eye contact with the Mistress.

If she didn’t say this now, if she didn’t make it absolutely clear, then she would never be able to live with herself.

"Yes," Lexi nodded and took in a deep breath. "I would like to… I need to report that during the operation I acted improperly. As a Leader, I failed to develop a comprehensive strategy and the members of my team were injured because of it. If my own personal emotions hadn’t become compromised, if I had acted in a more mature manner, then I believe no one would have been hurt. It was my failure and my failure alone. It was only because of Banksy, Cross, and Makina that I was able to succeed in the end. I was not fully prepared to take on the responsibility as a Leader and my team paid for my thoughtlessness. I believe… I believe that needs to be taken into consideration before any decisions are made. "

"I see." Jiana glanced at Servilia. "What do you think, Servilia?"

Servilia reached down and lifted up the thinnest folder.

"This is Makina's report. Though, it seems she did not fully understand what exactly the point of the report was. She spent the majority of it reviewing the school. Most notably she was pleased with the food, but found the accommodations to be lacking. She also did not like the fact that the teachers acted in a superior manner towards her. There was almost a full page on how foolish it was to let Cross be a professor as he lacked any of the necessary skills to teach, along with a demand to change the low grade he gave her." Servilia shook her head. "Beyond that, however, she did mention that you served as an excellent guide for her on her first outing as a member of a team. She has put in a formal request to be placed with your team in the future. And by request, I of course mean she has demanded it. She apparently found the entire experience quite fun for the most part." Servilia opened the report to check something. "Oh, and she also was quite pleased that you saved Lara, and came up with a plan that allowed her to thrive as a member of society. Why did not you not include that in your own report?"

It took Lexi a moment to answer as she took in Makina's kind words. "It… it was not relevant to the mission. I did not think to include it.”

"On the contrary," Jiana said. "The purpose of the Sleeping Dragon Guild is the betterment of those around us. We do what we can, because we can. You exemplified that purpose when you chose to help Lara even though, as you said, it was not specifically relevant to your mission."

"Banksy's report was slightly more critical," Servilia said and Lexi shrunk in her seat slightly. She had expected that.

"I understand. As I reported Banksy was-"

"Yes, he also had issues with his accommodations," Servilia interrupted. "Apparently the room was far too small and he would like to be assured that his next one will be larger. Beyond that, however, he said he looks forward to future jobs with your team."

"But Banksy got hurt because of my orders," Lexi protested. "That should have been in his report too."

"Ah yes," Servilia flipped through Banksy's report. "He says that he received a few small injuries due to his own negligence. Apparently, he failed to properly check for traps despite your instance that he be careful. He also praised your ability to develop a plan that gave him more than enough time to complete his given assignment. He actually seemed to find your methods quite amusing."

Lexi slumped down in her chair a few inches. She felt a lump form in her throat that she swallowed down with difficulty. "And Cross?"

"Cross. Cross, Cross, Cross." Servilia dropped Banksy's report and picked up another. She flipped through it for a moment. "Ah, here it is 'Lexi was able to make decisive decisions that saved not only my life, but the those of the team and students. When her initial planning was not sufficient to complete the mission, she developed a new strategy that led to the eventual success of the mission. Her quick thinking and ability to utilize the talents of her teammates was crucial to that success. I believe she will only improve and continue to achieve success as a Leader and I look forward to working with her again.'" Servilia glanced up at Lexi. "Quite eloquent for Cross, don't you think?"

Lexi nodded, unable to speak as the lump in her throat returned.

"Cross also made it clear that under no circumstances should he ever be put in a position where he should be forced to grade papers or deal with large groups of teenage girls." Jiana added with a smile.

Lexi let out a choked laugh.

"Now then," Jiana said. "I believe it is time. Are you ready?"

Lexi gave her head a single nod. "Yes, Mistress."

"Stand." Servilia said softly.

Lexi did as she was told. Her legs were unsteady and she couldn’t stop her hands from shaking. Her heart slammed against her ribcage and every breath felt like it could be her last.

"Alexis Shadowhart," Jiana began. "Do you believe yourself worthy of the title of Leader? Worthy to represent the Sleeping Dragon Guild."

Lexis fingers slowly clenched and unclenched. She felt the strength of her teammates, her friends, her family well up inside her. She lifted her head up.

"I do, Mistress.”

"Servilia," Jiana glanced at Servilia. "As an outside observer, how would you rate her performance?"

Servilia thought for a moment. "While it is clear that Alexis and her team did experience difficulty initially, they were able to succeed in completing the mission without loss of life or extensive damages. Furthermore, by their reports it is clear that she is held in high regard by the members of her team."

"Therefore?"

"Therefore, as a member of the Sleeping Dragon Guild, I support that Alexis should be made a Leader. Officially."

"I see," Jiana nodded and slowly stood up. She extended her hand towards Lexi. "Give me your ring, Alexis Shadowhart."

Lexi hesitated for only a moment before she pulled the silver ring from her finger and reluctantly handed it to Jiana.

"Thank you." Jiana held the ring up to the light for a moment before she looked back to Lexi. "Do you know the significance of this ring?"

Lexi nodded. "It symbolizes one's position as a Leader within the Guild."

"Yes. But more than that it represents a promise. A union between yourself and this guild. As a matter of principle, the Sleeping Dragon Guild does not force our members to stay. At any such time they wish to leave, they may. This, however, does not apply to our Leaders. Once you take the pledge to become a Leader you are devoted to the Guild. You are honor bound to serve until the day you are released by the Master." Jiana reached out and took Lexi's hand. Slowly, she pressed the ring back into her palm. "This is your choice, and your choice alone. It is not one to be taken lightly and not one that you can take back. If you accept this ring a second time it will be yours for life. Do you understand?"

Jiana released her hand and stepped back. Lexi looked down at the gleaming band of silver in her palm. Though she knew it weighed next to nothing, it still threatened to drag her down to the floor all the same.

Slowly, she picked the ring up and carefully slid it onto her finger.

"I understand," Lexi said softly.

She looked down at her hand as the dragon came to life. Its eyes flicked open and it bared its teeth at her before sinking its tiny fangs into her flesh. She winced as the metallic fangs broke her skin, drawing a thing steam of blood, but she made no effort to pull the ring free. The dragon held onto her for a moment before settling back into place around her finger, its eyes flashing a dark red before slowly closing as it returned to its slumber.

Lexi exhaled shakily and looked up to Jiana.

"Congratulations, Alexis Shadowhart." Jiana said softly, reaching out and taking Lexi's hand. "You are now an official Team Leader of the Sleeping Dragon Guild."

Lexi squeezed Jiana's hand before pulling back and crossing her arm over her chest. She bowed deeply. "Thank you, Mistress."

"Consequently, you are also a conditional Captain in the Voy military, should war break out and you be called to act." Servilia added.

"We can get that paperwork sorted out later, though. Servilia should have it all ready before the end of the day." Jiana waved her hand. "For now, go relax. You have earned it."

"Thank you, Mistress. Thank you, Servilia.” A smile broke across Lexi’s face and she quickly wiped her sleeve across her watering eyes.