Chapter 37: Contract signing

The moment Haralda’s name was mentioned, Lylia was in thought, 'Hmm? Haralda? That sounds… familiar. I feel like I've heard that from someone somehow somewhere out there...'

Slade spoke before she could place it. “What is the mayor doing here?”

Haralda turned toward him. And immediately, her gentle smile melted into a deep frown. Lylia narrowed her eyes between the two, instantly sensing the sharp thread of hostility stretching across the room. 'There's something up between them. I can feel it,' she commented in her mind as a detective. 

“And, what about him?” Haralda said, her tone flowing like a melodramatic stage monologue. “What is he doing here? Why is he here when I no longer long for it? Yet at the same time, nowhere to be found when I need him the most? Truly, fate mocks me.” She tilted her head slightly upward, as if addressing a sorrowful sky only she could see. “But ah… the wheel of destiny turns, indifferent to the hearts it crushes.”

“Eyyyy...” Lylia made a small startled noise at the sudden shift in the atmosphere. Concerned, she wanted to ask, 'Is she alright?'

Slade paused, then exhaled through his nose. “This is why. This one brat brought me here.” he reasoned staring daggers at Lylia.

“And who are you calling brat!?” Lylia snapped her head toward him. 

'We're about the same age, you old man! Well, not like it's obvious since I'm a cute girl now, obviously. Sucks to still be an old man!' she snarled in her mind.

"You. Obviously,” Slade replied flatly.

“Say that again and I’ll... I’ll!”

“Violence won’t change your height,” he murmured.

“YOU!” Lylia clenched her fists like a furious chibi character.

Though, with her hands on her chin, she thought that now that she thinks about it, she's indeed on the shorter side. 'Well, that's just what it means to be cute.'

But then, she froze. “Wait, did you just say she's, the mayor?”

Haralda’s expression softened instantly. She turned to face Lylia with a warm smile full of poetic grace. 

"You must be Lylia. It is very nice to meet you. And though it must feel strange that a mayor herself will conduct your test… treat me like anyone else. Do not fear me. I am but a humble servant of this town.”

Lylia was taken aback. But she managed to quickly mirror her smile and gave a short, polite bow. “Oh, really? I got it. Then it’s also my pleasure to meet the mayor of this town, Madam Haralda. I am indeed Lylia, and am nothing but a humble mage.”

Haralda nodded gently. The receptionist then began explaining the test again. It was nearly the same as Slade’s explanation on their way here outside, but with a bit more detail. Lylia silently listened, simply for confirming that it wasn’t anything different from what she’d already heard.

When the receptionist finished, Lylia turned to comment to Slade, only to realize he was gone.

“Huh? Hey Slade? Where are you?" Where art thou?" She then asked the receptionist , "Where did Slade go? Did he just leave?”

The receptionist calmly answered that, “Mr. Slade has already left a while ago.”

“Eh, really? Man." 

Lylia stared at the door as if it had personally betrayed her.

“He didn’t even say bye…” She crossed her arms, pouting. “Rude.”

Haralda then let out a breath that sounded almost tragic. “Don’t mind that man. He always leaves all of a sudden… flees like the wind when you want him to stay, and lingers only when you least desire it.”

Her voice then dropped to a whisper

“Ah… the man is a storm that visits uninvited, yet leaves before the rain can fall.”

Lylia let out an awkward laugh. 'No, seriously, Slade, what did you do to this woman?'

The receptionist lifted a sheet of thick, stiff paper and presented a fountain pen. “Now then, please sign here.”

Lylia’s eyes sparkled immediately. 'Whoa… is this a fountain pen? This looks expensive. Fountain pens sure are really aesthetic.'

The paper itself felt firm. It seemed to be of high-quality, the kind that refused to fold unless abused.

“Would you like me to read the terms for you?” the receptionist offered.

“Ah, no need,” Lylia said.

“It’s exactly the same as my explanation. However, you can still read them to double-check if you still have doubts.”

“I see.” Lylia skimmed through it quickly. And yes, it was indeed the same thing.

“Can I use the desk with the aptitude ball?”

“Of course.”

Lylia moved to the desk and positioned the pen. But the moment the tip touched the paper, she froze.

'Wait, I can’t use my old signature. That was my old name.' she realised. 'But I never made a new one. And I didn’t think I’d need one this fast. Why is this suddenly a crisis?

Haralda tilted her head. “Is there any problem, dear? Don't be hesitant to tell us." She leaned in slightly, eyes shimmering like she was expecting Lylia to confess as she added, "Has fate bound your hand?”

“Ah. No, sorry.” Lylia shook her head. “Just… yeah, I was lost in thought.”

'Should I make it cute? With hearts? Butterflies? Smiley? Cat? ... nah.' she immediately dismissed the thought. 'Just kidding. They're hard to draw. And it's not formal, of course. As if I'd add them. Just thought they'd suit this new me.'

Without hesitating further, she quickly scribbled her new name, Lylia, in fast cursive, adding a few elegant random lines for flair.

She examined it.

She smiled. She was pleased to herself for being able to make such an artful masterpiece in just seconds. Plus, it was under pressure.

'This is perfect. This will be my signature for life now,' she declared. 'I don't think I'll need to change this.'

She handed the paper back to the receptionist.

The receptionist checked it, nodded, and said, “Thank you for your cooperation. It is done. You will now officially begin. Please take your leave. Good luck, and may the spirit of adventure be with you.”

With a polite bow, she turned, opened the door, and stepped out.

Haralda reached out and lightly tapped Lylia’s shoulder. “Come now, child of the budding path. Let us go.”

“Ah, yes!” Lylia straightened.

Together, they followed the receptionist out of the room.