"So… how do I become one?"
"Well… it's up to the person itself."
"What do you mean?"
"Their capabilities. Compatibility, to be exact. If one is compatible, then they can become one—but only can, not will. And talent… which is basically also compatibility with an Actor. Explaining it completely will take time."
"Just give me a brief, then."
"Essentially, you need compatibility with the base itself—which is becoming one—and compatibility with an Actor. You could take any Actor you want, but you won't progress as much compared to if you pick one that matches your compatibility. And to become one, you need a remnant—which is an object, a stained object. One influenced by anomalies."
"What anomalies?"
"That… has been a mystery for centuries, so we don't know. That object could be anything—but at the same time, not anything can be a stained object."
"Also, we Veridians usually call stained objects Static Relics. 'Stained object' is just another word."
Yule said with a friendly smile.
"And if you do have one, the next step is to absorb it—or assimilate it. Let the object infect you… let the anomaly spread into you."
Jotun said.
"Then congratulations—you've become a Veridian."
Yule added cheerfully.
"That's it?" I said.
"Well… in short, yes. If you survive, that's it."
"Survive???"
"Correct."
"So… you could die?"
"It's not exactly dying. It's more like… uhhhh… yes, you become static."
Jotun sighed at Yule's explanation.
"He means you will be in a state between dying and living. You won't be able to die, or to live. You will essentially become frozen in time."
"Is there any wa—"
"Nope," Yule said.
"So… there's no way?"
"Nope…"
"So what do you think? Wanna join us?"
"...Actually, I think I have—"
"Okayyy… you're joining us."
"Wait—"
"LET'S GOOO!"
"No, I'm—"
"LET'S MAKE A CELEBRATION!"
"Yule, no, I'm not—"
"FOR OUR NEW MEMBER—WOOHOO!"
"NOOOOOOO—"
I screamed.
In the carriage going back home, after getting dragged in by Mr. Astin, the other workers gave me weird looks.
Clop… clop… clop…(The sound of horse steps in the background.)
I had a lifeless expression.
My life is over. My freedom… my everyday safe life… why?
Mr. Astin spoke.
"You know, even if you didn't join, you wouldn't be safe. With that temple… and that golden hair of yours."
"Mr. Astin, are you sure you're fine joining me? You were in a horrible condition just earlier."
"It's fine. It's just poison. If I had been seriously injured, maybe not. After all, Yule is a Tincturer too… and more professional."
"I guess so… oh yeah, I've been meaning to ask—why are you looking for my golden hair?"
"I actually don't know. It just feels like it's pulling me. Like when you're in a store and you see something valuable for a cheap price."
"Then why the fuck did you intimidate me, chase me, and everything?"
"I was just being formal, and you pushed me off and ran."
"Well, of course I did. You sounded like a villain. I ran, then you reappeared, then you captured me. Isn't that what a villain would do???"
"...…Not exactly. That's more of a criminal's job."
"IT'S THE SAME THING—"
"I guess you're right. My bad for that. Here, in exchange, I'll make you an outfit later. Some formal outfits… and your work uniform."
"Uniform?"
"It's more of a dress code, really. As you saw from those two and others in the hallway—you need to wear a brooch or something."
I let out a huge sigh.
And in my mind—
I came back to this world. Even returning is rare in stories. I guess… I'm either the protagonist or an important side character.
I asked,
"Hey, Mr. Astin…"
"Just call me Astin."
"Astin, are you in a hurry or busy?"
"Not particularly."
"Well then…"
I turned to the coachman.
"Hey, sir, how far is the square market from here?"
"About 26 minutes, sir."
"And from there back to my house?"
"Since it's in the same direction, about 20 minutes."
"At what speed?"
"Medium to high speed, sir."
I checked the time.
20 minutes left? I don't have enough time.
"Hey, Thran, what are you looking for at the Square market?" Astin asked.
"I need to get some honey."
"Sure, I'll get it for you. Just go home."
"…Actually?"
"Yeah, it's the least i could do right now."
"Thank you so much, Astin."
"You're welcome."
Clop… Clop… CLOP…
The horse slowed.
The carriage door opened.
I stepped down and walked toward the door as the carriage left.
"Oh my god… what am I going to do…"
A silent scream in my mind.
I'm 10 minutes late.
If it wasn't for earlier…
Why did we have to get stuck in that huge crowd…?
I slowly gathered my courage and opened the door quietly.
No one.
Thank God.
I walked in. The house was silent.
I tried to sneak upstairs—
CLONK
"OOOUUUCH—"
"WHY WERE YOU OUT FOR SO LONG?"
"I was with a friend—I got hired for a job! AND DID YOU REALLY HAVE TO HIT ME WITH A PAN???"
"Yes, I had to."
"WHY??"
"So you would listen."
"I'm an injured person! Is it really fine to hit an injured person???"
"If it's you, yeah."
"WHAT—WHY??"
She sighed.
"Shut up and go take a bath."
"But I just did."
"When? You're violating my rights to breathe right now. Go and hug a bar of soap—I'm sure it misses you."
"But… but—"
"No buts."
"…Fine. Why are you so angry today?"
"I'm not angry."
Said the person who just hit me with a pan.
"What did you say?"
"…Nothing."
Did I really say that out loud?
I sighed and went to the bath.
And yes—
I hugged a bar of soap just as she said.
After finishing, I heard a knock.
It was dark outside. The air was getting colder.
Elris asked,
"Who's that?"
I thought for a moment.
Could it be another pursuer?
…No.
Astin.
"A friend."
"Oh, alright."
I opened the door.
"Hey—honey—I mean Astin."
"…Did you just call me honey?"
"HAHAHAHAHAHA—"
Astin burst out laughing.
"Yes, honey, what is it?"
"THRAN, YOU'RE GAY??? AND IS THAT ASTIN MIRO, THE TRAVELING WEAVER???"
"NO, I'M NOT GAY—I was just thinking too much about the honey! And yes, that's him!"
"Oh my god…"
Elris gasped.
"I can't believe you're dating Astin Miro."
"NO, I'M NOT DATING HIM—"
"Come in, come in!"
Astin stepped inside. I followed.
"So… how did you two meet?"
"We met at the event," Astin said. "I was a guest there."
"Ooooh, such a romantic meeting."
"RISSSS—FOR THE LAST TIME, I AM NOT DATING HIM—"
"Wait, earlier you said you got a job. Is it related to him?"
She ignored me.
"Unfortunately not, my lady. But I do know the people there."
"How long are you staying in Lorden Crossing?"
"I haven't decided yet. Perhaps longer… if my lady allows me to stay."
"…I would love to give you a room, but unfortunately we only have two."
"That is unfortunate."
"But I would love to share my room with you."
"RISSSS WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT—???"
"Shut up, Thran!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
"A generous offer, my lady. But we must respect Thran. If I stay, he might break up with me."
"…Too bad. You have a place to stay, right?"
"Yes, I have one reserved."
"Well… come visit again."
"Of course, my lady."
"Alright, it's getting late."
"Thank you for your hospitality, my lady. And here—Thran asked me to buy some honey."
"How is honey not sold out?"
"I went to the square market."
"Oh… that's outside the square market."
"He didn't pay anything. I owed him."
"Thank you so much, Astin."
"Just call me Astin, my lady."
"And call me Elris."
They talked for hours.
Stories. Conversations. Laughter.
—2 hours later—
"Thank you for everything, my lady."
"You're welcome."
"It's dark now. My carriage should arrive soon…"
"Goodbye, Astin…"
…
30 seconds.
…
5 minutes.
…
10 minutes.
"…Where the hell is the carriage?"
"…I guess I'll have to walk."
"What? Then walk," I said.
He sighed.
"Very well…"
"Come on, Thran, don't be stingy."
"We don't have space."
"My room."
"HELL NAH."
"What??"
"Nooo."
"Then what? Let him walk?"
"…Fine. I'll look for a carriage."
"HEY ASTIN, COME BACK—"
The wind grew colder.
The night dim, lit only by lamps and the moon.
"The moon is beautiful tonight…"
"…Are you seriously saying that right now?"
"No, I'm just messing with you."
"…Go find a carriage."
Just then—
A carriage arrived.
Dark. Fancy.
The coachman wore a Fate Providence brooch.
"Seems like they were just late," Astin said.
"Goodbye, Thran. Goodbye, my lady."
He approached Elris—
And kissed her hand before leaving.