This time, when we warp, I land on my feet.

"We're back," Valeria announces, smoothing her skirts by the crystals' welcoming glow. "And right on schedule. We're..." She calls a window labeled 'clock'. "Barely a minute overtime."

While the post-teleportation queasiness fades, I straighten my clothes and re-examine my surroundings. Same hall, same guards, same bobbing blue lights and pink-haired clerk. The only thing here that's changed is me.

"Please, take a moment to catch your breath." Valeria swaps the clock window for a small chat bar. "I'll notify your examiner that you're ready to proceed."

I nod my gratitude. Valeria says, "Very good, Mr. Quinn," and focuses on filling the bar with odd symbols.

Strange font. Do important NPCs communicate privately through this?

Intrigued, I watch the chat window expand as Valeria's conversation continues. Rows of nonsense race across the text input field. I activate [Observation I] in hopes of translating, but of course, nothing happens.

"Are you alright, Mr. Quinn? Pardon the wait. I'll only be a minute."

My head snaps up at Valeria's voice. Our eyes meet. Something about her expression says, 'What are you looking at?', and I whip around with a hot blush.

In the Heroes' world, people consider staring rude. I've witnessed enough PvP caused by one party giving the other 'funny looks' to understand that much. Somehow, these attitudes carried over to our world, and many Generikans share the Heroes' sensibilities.

Ding!

Ding!

Ding!

Valeria and her colleague exchange messages at lightning speed. I inhale a helping of cold dungeon air and brush my fringe from my face, impatient despite the uncertainty surrounding my upcoming exam. If Valeria's talking about me, I hope her words are flattering.

"Now, then! Your examiner is on his way."

I turn at her announcement. Valeria dismisses the chat with a swirl of her index finger and relaxes her shoulders, assuming the dainty stance she used when I first encountered her.

"You can do this. Just remember what you learned in the tutorial arena! I'll cheer for you, Mr. Quinn."

"Thanks." I give my cheek a bashful scratch. "For everything, that is. Guess I won't be coming back."

"Hopefully not, sir!" A familiar vulpine smile lifts the corners of her mouth. "After all, there's no need for full-fledged [Drifters] to retake the exam."

Oh, right...

I need that promotion, but realizing I'll never see Valeria again feels bittersweet. Even if I've known her for under an hour, she's shown me more warmth than I expected from the dungeon staff. Encouragement so genuine means terabytes to someone with faltering confidence, you know?

Ahh, this is kinda sad... I need a real [Party] soon. Who gets attached over a combat tutorial? C'mon, grow up!

"So," I say, playing off my feelings, "Is it too early for 'goodbye'?"

"Say what you want, Mr. Quinn. We here at the 1st Class Trial Dungeon judge people by their performance, not their arrogance."

We share a small laugh in the comfort of the hallway. Then, all of a sudden:

FWOOSH~

A [Warp Portal] expands on the floor beside me. Startled, I jump away. I worry the swirling wind might throw up Valeria's skirt again--I mean, her modesty's not my business, but in her position I'd want someone to spare me the embarrassment.

I lift a tentative hand. "Er, Ms. Fullbri..."

"Ah! There he is now~"

A pillar of light springs from the portal. Never mind.

The dungeon air crackles with [Mana] as a human silhouette materializes within, taller and broader-shouldered than I. So, this is my examiner? I take a reflexive step backwards. Not intimidating at all. Ahaha...

"Yo, Val."

The [Warp Portal] spins shut with a dramatic shoom, retracting the light and revealing a trim, handsome figure. My brow furrows.

Have I seen this guy before? What role did he play in the Heroes' era? His long, dark ponytail and sharp eyes are a conscious design choice. They've gotta be! Otherwise, the algorithm that randomized us nobodies is capable of far greater cruelty than I imagined.

"Antoine~ You came right away~"

"You know me, eternally dependable." He greets Valeria with a playful two-fingered salute, and envy grips tight at my insides. "Glad I'm not late. Had a little trouble shaking the ladies and gents from finances... ah."

As if he's just noticed me, Antoine turns my way. I look up; he looks down. Silence. The sentries flanking the door shuffle awkwardly.

There's one whole head between us! Is this guy really tall, or am I even shorter than I thought!?

"H-hi." I force the bitterness from my face. "Are you my examiner?"

"Yeah. Val's told me all about you." He reaches for a handshake. "I'm Antoine Belcourt. You may use my first name, though. After all, the Heroes did, back when I assigned them proper [Classes]."

My smile twitches. What do you mean, 'proper'!?

"Antoine..." A warning note underscores Valeria's singsong voice. I shoot her a hopeful glance, my fondness for her instantly doubling.

You thought that was condescending too, right, Valeria? You did, right!? Named NPCs are so arrogant! Well, except you...

"Sorry, sorry. I misspoke. Promotion to [Drifter] is an admirable accomplishment."

I accept the handshake. Antoine's grip is tight but sure, and I imagine the long daggers at his waist also feel like he's crushing them whenever they're drawn.

"The dungeon proper's just through there," Antoine begins, jerking a thumb towards the doors. The guards flanking them stepped aside. "Ready to go, Quinn?"

He flashes an encouraging smile. I feel compelled to return it. Most people in the reception room were bigger than Antoine, but something about his stance and demeanor commands more respect than their withering glares.

Nod, nod.

"Then..."

Antoine rests his palm against the doors' dragon-head seal. It pulsates blue, and a moment later, the doors slide apart with great rumbling. Stone scrapes against stone while the hall trembles around us. The butterflies sleeping in my stomach rejoin the waking world.

Despite all my squinting, I can't see anything beyond the blackness awaiting us past the doorway. We must be heading to a new [Map].

"Bye-bye, Mr. Quinn." Valeria sees me off with a parting wave, long hair swaying at a tilt of her head. "Make me proud, okay?"

I give my holster a meaningful pat and grin for her benefit. "You won't see me again."