Ravenna had not planned to think about Silver again until he came back. Unfortunately, reality rarely respected plans.

The problem began two days after their encounter, or perhaps it started the moment he handed her the bag.

Ravenna wasn’t entirely sure anymore. Right now, he was living rent-free in her mind and she wasn’t the least bit amused by it.

She sat inside a small restaurant overlooking one of the lower sanctuary streets, lazily stirring a cup of tea while reading through a cheap contractor magazine someone had left behind.

Around her, dozens of people moved through the afternoon crowds. The usual afternoon chaos where most people were returning from work for lunch or contractors were coming back from their morning hunts.

Everything felt surprisingly normal. She had gone for one more scavenger hunt after the one-day rest and thankfully she managed to find another team.

She had also managed to come out with little to no injuries which was a surprise even to her. Her luck seems to have started turning for the better.

She was enjoying her tea until the television mounted above the counter suddenly changed broadcasts. The boring news anchor disappeared. A contractor emblem appeared instead.

Several conversations immediately quieted and people immediately looked up. Contractor announcements were important, especially for outer zone residents. It might represent a life-or-death situation since this was mostly the only way to get legitimate information.

But today, they all knew the type of announcement that was happening since it happens every year at almost the exact same time.

The rookie integration announcement.

Every successful rookie represented hope. Proof that somebody from the lower districts could still rise.

The broadcast shifted then images appeared. A list of names that most of them were not familiar with. Next to the names were statistics for each new rookie contractor from the latest rookie expedition in the zones.

Ravenna glanced up absently then paused.

"...Hm?"

The teacup stopped halfway toward her lips. One of the faces looked familiar.

Silver.

The picture was obviously older taken before the expedition. That arrogant look he was famously known for now painted his face.

Still, it was definitely him. She could recognise him from a mile away.

The restaurant became noticeably louder. Several patrons started talking immediately.

"This round seems to have fewer deaths than normal."

"I think it’s because most of the beasts gathered around the eastern migration routes... I wonder why?"

"Have you gone to those sectors, i also want to go."

"No, but people have been coming back with a lot of harvests, I heard it’s a shit show around there"

A quieter and more cautious voice came.

"While you celebrate, I just hope this won’t start a beast tide."

"Aah, it’s almost that time isn’t it?"

Ravenna lowered her tea. Mallory, sitting across from her, immediately noticed her slight change in expression.

"...What? What’s wrong?"

Ravenna pointed upward. The maid looked and then sighed.

"Oh no."

"What do you mean oh no?"

"I know that face."

"What face?"

"Please don’t do anything impulsive."

Ravenna ignored her, mostly because she was busy listening.

The announcement continued. The rookie teams had completed their first integration trial.

Several participants were highlighted in accordance with the highest capacities, strongest results, and the most promising newcomers.

Silver wasn’t among the top performers which surprised her a little bit. His family background alone should have guaranteed resources and a better chance of integration.

Still the broadcast spent a surprising amount of time discussing a yellow-zone incident. Apparently one rookie had gotten separated from his escort during a beast attack and survived independently before being recovered.

No names were given. Judging by the conversations around her everyone was also getting curious.

The segment ended shortly afterward and the restaurant returned to normal.

Yet Ravenna remained thoughtful. Mallory watched her carefully then sighed.

"What’s on your mind. It’s quite obvious you’re lost in your thoughts."

"Just things, here and there..." she vaguely replied.

Ravenna rested her chin against one hand. Her eyes drifted toward the window.

Outside, contractors moved between districts carrying equipment and supplies.

Life felt surprisingly normal if the whole living in a semi-prison-like city was removed. Everything was just predictable and peaceful.

Yet her thoughts lingered elsewhere. On Silver, again. It wasn’t because she liked him, that would be ridiculous since she barely knew him. The issue was simpler and more logical. At least in her opinion.

The first reason was debt. Ravenna genuinely disliked owing people. She had accepted everything he gave her, had used them, and never thanked him properly. That bothered her more than she’d admit.

The second reason was curiosity. It wasn’t romantic curiosity but just normal curiosity, the sort anyone would have.

The third reason, she paused.

"..."

The third reason was harder to explain. Every time she remembered their interaction, she remembered something strange.

Silver had looked lonely. Just... Alone. The memory surfaced unexpectedly.

The restaurant, the awkward silence, and the way he’d stood there holding that bag. He looked like he genuinely expected rejection and had already prepared himself for it.

That was one of the reasons she had taken the bag when he handed it to her.

Ravenna frowned.

The expression lasted only for a moment then vanished. Across from her, Mallory narrowed her eyes.

"Is everything okay, you’ve been staring into space for two minutes."

"I have not."

"You absolutely have."

Ravenna ignored her again. Mallory sighed dramatically.

"What are you planning on doing now. Are you going to meet him again?"

"Yes, I’m not letting you talk me out of this."

"Tomorrow, right?..." she stared at Ravenna who avoided her gaze.

She defended herself immediately.

"They’ll be arriving tonight, I’d better do this earlier before I back out even further."

"Mmh."

"I’ll only say thanks then we can go back to the hotel."

Mallory leaned back.

"Sure."

Ravenna pointed at the television.

"They should arrive around nine."

The older woman closed her eyes.

"You’re already checking schedules."

"That isn’t strange."

"It absolutely is."