The Uninvited Guest

"Unwritten skills," the voice announced, resonating through the grand hall like a ripple in a calm lake.

Anna's eyes narrowed slightly. Beside her, Marquis shifted uneasily.

She glanced at him and saw the same uncertainty reflected in his eyes, though masked beneath his usual bravado.

"You're being dramatic," Anna remarked, her tone edged with irritation as she turned to Marquis. She could sense his anxiety, even if he hid it well from the others.

"How am I being dramatic?" Marquis retorted, his voice rising slightly, betraying his nerves. "Most people here are going to get trash skills, and their slots are already limited. It's like rolling dice with your life."

Anna rolled her eyes. "Still, that doesn't mean it's life or death, they can give out their skills if they need to."

Marquis gives her a quick side eye, "Only high ranks can give out skills, and they can only do it a few times, limits exist,"

"Ok well if I could get any skill—" She paused, thoughts racing, then added, "like your attachment skill, for example. I'm pretty sure I could use it well, even though it doesn't complement my own."

Marquis shook his head, frustration mounting. "Learning two skills that don't synergize is incredibly hard. Not everyone's like you, Anna. You think it's easy because you're naturally gritty. But look at Alain."

"Alain wouldn't even use that unwritten skill because he's lazy!"

From across the room, Alain's voice cut through.

"I heard that. And could y'all keep it down?" He sounded annoyed, though there was amusement beneath the irritation. Heads at the far end of the hall were now watching them.

"And Alain's an exception!" Anna continued, turning back to Marquis. "He won't use it because he probably thinks his attachment skill is good enough—not that I know what it is. But his attitude screams it. And you're ignoring how varied unwritten skills can be. Who's to say someone wouldn't get a skill that's miles different from their attachment?"

"Why are you using me as an example?" Alain said in disbelief, irritation and resignation mingling in his voice.

He turned to Itami, seated beside him. "I'm waiting for Ryuji," he said coldly, staring at Ryuji's slumped body. The air around him seemed to darken.

"Just get him out of your head," Alain continued, the conversation turning serious.

His red eyes seemed to glow brighter, pressing down on Itami with a silent intensity that made him shift uncomfortably. Alain's gaze was piercing—almost soul-baring.

Leonardo, watching the exchange with growing interest, leaned closer to Elara.

"What's your history with Marquis? They're really going at it," he murmured.

Elara giggled, her eyes sparkling. "Very tense, but not as tense... just strained," she said, clearly enjoying the drama.

"Anna and Marquis, sitting in a tree—" Elara teased in a sing-song voice, but was cut off by both of them at once.

"Shut it, will you?" Marquis snapped, his eyes flashing.

"Elara!" Anna added sharply.

Elara remained silent after that.

"Do not underestimate me, you dipshit!" Anna shouted, her frustration boiling over. She waved her hand in a sharp motion. The air shimmered—reminiscent of what she'd done to Frederick on the right star.

Marquis crashed to the floor, face flat against the cold stone.

"Anna i'm not underestimating you... let go!" he muttered, voice muffled.

"Not until you apologize," she said coldly, stepping back but keeping her hold.

"No!" Marquis grunted, pride refusing to yield.

"Anna," a new voice cut through the tension. An heir stepped forward, commanding the room.

She wore a fitted gown with intricate geometric patterns inspired by the Ming Dynasty, paired with a tall headdress adorned with jade and pearl. Her presence radiated authority.

"Oh. Mei-Ling." Anna paused, recognizing her. The room seemed to shift.

"Just stop it," Mei-Ling said calmly, but firmly.

"No, he did it on purpose. He's a nosejob!" Anna snapped.

"Marquis won't say sorr—" Mei-Ling began.

"I'm sorry," Marquis interrupted, his voice quiet but sincere. The space fell silent.

"I was about to go on a monologue about how big of a prick you are," Anna said, her tone softening.

"Well, I'm sorry. Now let me go," Marquis replied, dusting himself off.

"Fine," Anna said, releasing him.

"That was something. I didn't expect Marquis to apologize," Mei-Ling remarked, watching him rise.

"Who are you again?" Marquis asked flatly.

"Who is she?" Leonardo asked, surprised by her authority. It was rare, even for an heir.

"That's Mei-Ling," Elara said with respect.

"Or you could call her my best friend," she added.

"Our best friend," Anna corrected.

"Sure, sure," Elara said with a roll of her eyes.

"Oh… alright," Leonardo muttered, assessing Mei-Ling. Egotistical type. Most definitely, he thought.

"I'm—" Mei-Ling started, then smirked. "You already know."

"Well, yeah," Leonardo replied, blandly.

"Why pick him as your guide?" Mei-Ling asked Anna and Elara, nodding toward Leonardo.

"He was cute," Elara said, grinning as she gestured to his height.

"He's interesting. Plus, his height," Anna added with a laugh.

"Why'd you accept being their guide, knowing this?" Mei-Ling asked Leonardo, sharp-eyed.

"Why are you questioning him?" Marquis interjected.

"I had time," Leonardo replied, cutting in calmly.

"You have time?" Mei-Ling repeated, skeptical.

"Had," Leonardo corrected softly.

"Funny. The quest has no official end date, you know," she said, narrowing her eyes.

"That's where it gets complicated," Leonardo admitted, unease flickering across his face.

"You can just leave, you know?" Mei-Ling said seriously.

Her guide appeared beside her: tall, muscular, with a golden lion's mane headdress and clawed gauntlets. He looked like a guardian from another era.

Elara's smile faded, and she shifted uncomfortably.

"That's enough," Marquis said, stepping forward protectively, eyes locked on the guide.

"Unwritten skills ready for distribution," the voice announced, slicing through the moment like a blade.

"Finally," Anna said, relief and anticipation thick in her voice.