The Guild Registry occupied a sleek glass tower in the Commercial District—about as far from the Rust District as you could get without leaving Neo-Chicago entirely. The building gleamed in the afternoon sun, all clean lines and magical wards that shimmered like heat waves.Kal stood outside, feeling distinctly out of place in his hoodie and jeans. Around him, professional system users in expensive gear strode past—vampires in tailored suits, elves in enchanted business wear, even a dwarf in what looked like magically reinforced construction equipment that probably cost more than Kal's entire apartment building."You look like you're about to run," Jay observed. He'd insisted on coming along, claiming moral support. Really, Kal suspected Jay just wanted to see inside the Registry."I'm considering it," Kal admitted."Don't," Regis said from his shoulder, invisible to everyone but Kal. "This is an opportunity. Resources, connections, potential contracts. You need these things.""You al

Monday crept up way too quickly.Kal found himself standing outside Nexus Academy at 7:45 AM, eyeing the building as if it might suddenly lurch at him. Students streamed by in groups—vampires flaunting their designer threads, werewolves decked out in athletic gear, and elves who looked elegant just by being there. Normal humans were scattered about, trying to blend in. System admins of different shapes and shades floated alongside their users like trophies.He'd been away for three days, but it felt more like three years."You know you don't have to go in, right?" Regis chimed in from his shoulder."I made a promise to Professor Cross to stick around," Kal replied."Actually, Diana Foster suggested it," Glim corrected him. "And she's not wrong. Education is like having a backup plan. It's smart.""Plus, if I don't graduate, my caseworker's going to cut off my housing stipend," Kal added."Ah, there it is—the real reason," Regis said with a hint of sarcasm.Kal inhaled deep and made hi