That distinction mattered.

Leo moved to the next section.

S — COGNITIVE NULLIFICATION

Exceptional resistance to recognized forms of mental intrusion, hypnosis, psychic interference and magical manipulation of conscious perception.

S — AURA DOMINION

A high-level intimidation manifestation capable of overwhelming weaker hostile intent and disrupting concentration through concentrated killing pressure.

S — EYES OF CHRONOS

An advanced perception skill enabling accelerated analysis of movement, timing, physical weaknesses and rapidly changing combat conditions.

S — AUTHOR’S DECREE

Classification recognized.

Operational description unavailable.

Mana requirement: Extreme.

The Queen’s attention stopped again.

“Unavailable?” she asked.

Leo touched the rune.

Nothing happened.

He tried once more before slowly withdrawing his hand.

“The appraisal refuses to provide further information,” Leo said.

“Is that common?” the Queen asked.

“No, Your Majesty.”

His answer came immediately.

“If a skill is recognized, its function should ordinarily be displayed.”

Tina frowned.

“Then why provide the name at all?”

“I do not know,” Leo admitted.

G6 studied the final entry.

Author’s Decree.

Whatever that was, she disliked the sound of it.

The word Extreme beside its mana requirement did not make it any more appealing.

The Queen sat back.

Enough curiosity had disappeared from her expression that G6 immediately recognized the change.

She was no longer merely observing something strange.

She was assessing a risk.

“This information will remain confidential,” the Queen declared.

Her voice carried no room for negotiation.

“For Reise’s protection and for the stability of House Worthon.”

Edmund bowed immediately.

“That would be prudent, Your Majesty,” he said. “If the other Pillars or the wider nobility learned that Lady Reise possessed an unrecorded affinity alongside unknown skill classifications, speculation would spread before sunset.”

“And foreign courts would hear of it before tomorrow,” Leo added.

The Queen looked toward Tina, Edmund and Lilia.

“Until I determine how this matter should be handled, none of what you have witnessed leaves this room,” she ordered. “Your primary duty remains Lady Reise’s safety. Protect this information as you would protect her.”

All three straightened.

“With our lives, Your Majesty,” Edmund answered for them.

They bowed together.

G6 almost laughed.

Protect me? Without magic, I could probably disarm all three of you within five seconds.

The Queen’s gaze returned to her.

“Do you understand, Reise?”

G6 looked up.

“Perfectly, Your Majesty.”

Her voice carried flawless obedience.

Whether she intended to practice it was another matter.

The Queen watched her for another moment before returning her attention to the Cryomancy entry.

A faint crease appeared between her brows.

“I must consult my master regarding this,” she said.

Leo looked toward her.

“Your Majesty?”

“Not regarding the card,” the Queen clarified.

Her tone immediately closed that concern.

“I mean Cryomancy.”

G6 caught the important word.

Master.

Another unknown person with information she did not possess.

She quietly filed it away.

The Queen turned toward Leo.

“Prepare the registration materials. Process the card.”

At last.

G6’s attention shifted completely.

The appraisal orb was moved aside. Leo soon returned carrying a thin blank card, several sealed instruments and a small ceremonial press bearing the royal crest.

The process proved surprisingly efficient.

House Worthon’s insignia was registered first.

Then came a shallow prick to G6’s finger.

One drop of blood struck the card.

A cool blue light moved through engraved channels within the registration device until the Worthon crest appeared upon one face of the metal.

The light came entirely from the enchanted mechanism, not from G6 herself.

Leo positioned the final registration instrument.

“By the authority of Her Majesty, Queen Euphelia, this Professional registration shall be recognized under House Worthon.”

G6’s eyes flicked toward the Queen.

Euphelia.

So that was her name.

Queen Euphelia pressed the royal seal against the opposite face of the card.

The glow faded.

“It is done,” Queen Euphelia said.

She lifted the completed Professional Card.

“But understand something, Reise.”

G6 reached for it.

Queen Euphelia moved the card just beyond her fingertips.

G6’s eyes narrowed.

“Your complete appraisal will not be entered into the ordinary Guild registry,” Queen Euphelia explained.

Leo nodded.

“Her Majesty’s private record will contain the full result,” he said. “Any ordinary Guild scanner will identify only your registered Wind affinity and standard credentials.”

Queen Euphelia looked directly at G6.

“Your Cryomancy, unusual skill classifications and immeasurable reserve will remain concealed.”

That suited G6 perfectly.

“No information capable of provoking unnecessary attention will appear through an ordinary scan,” Queen Euphelia continued. “I will serve as your Guild Master for the time being.”

G6 immediately reached for the card again.

Queen Euphelia moved it away.

Again.

G6 stared at her.

“Not so quickly,” the Queen said, her expression turning severe. “First, you will make me a promise.”

G6 waited.

“You will not attempt Cryomancy.”

Silence followed.

“Not until I better understand what it is and what consequences may accompany its use,” Queen Euphelia continued.

Tsk. Can she read my mind?

“I promise, Your Majesty.”

The sincerity in G6’s voice could have convinced a priest.

Queen Euphelia continued staring at her for several seconds before finally nodding.

“Good.”

She still did not hand over the card.

G6’s stare sharpened.

“Secondly, you will begin daily physical training through the Bastion,” Queen Euphelia said.

Her gaze moved over Reise’s slender frame.

“Whatever your appraisal may say about your reserve, your body is visibly underconditioned.”

G6 said nothing.

Unfortunately, that accusation was completely justified.

“Mana capacity does not strengthen muscle by itself,” Queen Euphelia continued. “Nor does an immense reserve automatically grant endurance, control or trained output.”

Leo inclined his head.

“A large reservoir inside an unprepared vessel may prove more dangerous than useful,” he added.

“Several of your recorded skills appear physically demanding,” Queen Euphelia continued. “Others may require considerable mana expenditure. Attempting either without conditioning could exhaust your body long before your reserve itself becomes the problem.”

G6 remembered the mattress.

Humiliation returned immediately.

I was already planning to train. This body can’t even lift a damn mattress.

“I understand.”

At last, Queen Euphelia extended the Professional Card.

G6 took it before the woman could find another reason to withhold it.

Cool metal rested against her palm, slightly heavier than she expected. House Worthon’s crest marked one face while royal authorization occupied the other.

More importantly, the card opened access to the Collegium, the Professional Guild system and opportunities beyond the palace walls.

“One more thing,” Queen Euphelia said.

G6 stopped examining it.

The Queen gestured toward Tina, Edmund and Lilia.

“Your Professional Card may authorize accompanying staff through the Ivy Wall,” she explained. “Touch it against their Staff Cards while aligning your crest with their registered names.”

Leo continued the explanation.

“The authorization will bind itself to their mana signatures. They will not gain your Professional privileges, but they will be permitted to accompany you through restricted Collegium entrances.”

G6 nodded.

She would learn the finer details once she actually used it.

For once, something in this world felt genuinely useful.

“Thank you for your generosity, Your Majesty.”

The gratitude was real.

Queen Euphelia appeared to notice because her expression softened.

Then she looked at G6’s dress.

“And one final matter.”

G6’s instincts immediately warned her that she would dislike whatever came next.

“I will not permit you to enter the Royal Collegium dressed like that,” Queen Euphelia said.

G6 stared at her.

Queen Euphelia remained unmoved.

“The Collegium is not merely a professional institution. Several sections are consecrated grounds, including the central court dedicated to God Eldrin.”

Her gaze traveled once over the daring neckline and high slit.

“Appropriate decorum will be observed.”

Fuck.

G6’s expression darkened.

Absolutely not. I am not wearing a pastel cupcake dress.

Apparently, her face betrayed every stage of her internal devastation.

Tina noticed.

So did Queen Euphelia.

“I will not compromise on this,” the Queen said.

G6’s shoulders sank.

Behind her, Tina adjusted her glasses.

A tiny smile appeared at the corner of the maid’s mouth.

Tina looked far too pleased with herself.

The Professional Card remained safely in G6’s hand.

She had obtained precisely what she came for: access to the Collegium, entry into the Professional Guild system and a legitimate path toward the wider world.

Cryomancy could be investigated later.

Queen Euphelia’s mysterious master could wait.

The political complications could be dealt with whenever they became relevant.

But clothing?

Apparently, that was where royal authority drew its most merciless line.

G6 looked down at her Professional Card and then at the crimson dress she had only just discovered.

For the first time that morning, the Reaper looked genuinely defeated.

—To Be Continued…—