As Takata started to put on her clothes, the priestess looked at her naked body and felt a warmth creep up her body. She didn’t see her hand moving under her dress. Takata noticed something was up, but that didn’t stop her from making the best of it. Takata slipped on her undergarments with bold movements. She wanted to catch the priestess's eye and stir a response.

  Woman: "Careful, you two. Another mana reading sounds interesting, but it would make a mess. I'm sure our new guest would feel uncomfortable."

  Takata and the priestess turned to the priest. They had forgotten about him. His face showed confusion. He had no idea what was happening. He found it hard to accept that Takata was a demon. Takata was doing a ritual for humans and a few other special races. Takata felt confused about his emotions. He thought his expression showed discomfort with the flirting around him. So, she chose to stop. She put her clothes back on. She didn't hide her face with her cloak while in the room with the priestesses. Then, she sat down in front of the head priestess's desk.

  Woman: "You have a high mana capacity, but you need training to understand your power." Unfortunately, we do not have the time since the Overseer needs you back as soon as possible. Here’s the card to show her that you have completed your assessment. I expect you back after you finish what the Overseer needs."

  Takata nodded her head. The head priestess ended the meeting and walked Takata to the door. Takata pulled her hood over her head as they left. The lone priest was still shocked by what he saw. He hid his reaction before anyone noticed. Then, he glared behind Takata. Before they got to the front door, the priest stepped away from the group. He went to the other side of the chapel to speak with some people in the pews. Takata found it weird that he left the group and no one said a thing about it, but she didn't feel she was in any danger yet. As long as the priest didn't tell people about her, she could have very little to worry about. After leaving the church, she went back to where she met the Overseer. She hoped to find her there, but she didn’t. She looked around for a few minutes, hoping to find a clue about where she went. Then, she spotted a note pinned to a crate with a dagger. She took the dagger from the note and read it. It said Silvia Campli was in a barrack nearby. The note also mentioned that the crate held two outfits and warned not to open the second one. Once Takata opened the crate and saw the packages, she checked out the first outfit. She saw that it covered her whole body and limited her tail movements. The helmet also hid her face, concealing her identity. The other outfit was quite revealing. It allowed more freedom to move than the armor did, but it also showed her tail and face. She wondered what to do with this one since it would show everyone what she was. She changed into the guard outfit. Next, she searched for the barracks where Campli had been assigned. When she arrived at the barracks, a guard asked for her ID number. She was sure Campli hadn’t given her one. Still, she recalled the insignia she had received. She hoped it would be enough to persuade the guard to let her in.

  Takata: "I received this insignia from Campli. I’d like to return it to her and get my assignment."

  The guard looked at the insignia and let out a 'hmm,' but Takata couldn't figure out whether it was a good sound. The guard returned the insignia to Takata and gave her one quick look.

  Guard: "Follow me."

  Takata followed the guard. She saw the barracks full of soldiers. They were training, bringing in supplies, and handling weapons. She also noticed a few people in different uniforms. She thought they were officers patrolling with small groups of soldiers. In the area, small brick buildings stood with different symbols. One had a red serpent wrapped around a pitchfork. Another displayed a sword inside a rose. When they got to the Overseer's building, the guard knocked on the door. He waited a few seconds, then opened it and walked in with Takata. The room was bright. A glass candle chandelier hung above, and a few windows let in natural light. A desk sat near the back. The person faced the door, while two chairs faced the front of the desk. Guests who wanted to talk to Campli would sit in those chairs. To the left of the desk was a giant bookcase, and to the right was another desk with a weird device on it.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  Guard: "Overseer, this woman has an insignia that was in your possession. I have come to verify whether this woman is in your care or a thief."

  Campli breathed in and out, focusing on her paperwork rather than the guard.

  Campli: "Humor me this: suppose you brought a thief or, worse, someone behind all the kidnappings. Would it have been wise to bring them into our outpost, see our buildings, and know who is in charge?"

  The guard froze and stumbled over his words, searching for an apology. Campli waved him off.

  Campli: "You are lucky that I am expecting someone, or I would have you demoted on the spot. Consider this your only warning."

  Guard: "Thank you, Overseer!"

  The guard rushed outside the room and returned to his post, leaving Takata and Campli alone.

  Campli: "You will have to excuse some of the guards; most of them are very new, and soon you will be joining them. As you know, we have some information about the auctions, but not enough to act on. How did the assessment go?"

  Takata: "It went well. They measured my magic levels and... did... other things."

  Campli: "Such as?"

  Takata made a gesture that she hoped would convey her message to the Overseer. It took her a couple of seconds to process what the gesture meant until the realization finally hit her.

  Campli: "Well, that doesn't happen at places like those... Did they have a reason for doing such things?"

  Takata: "According to their assessment, I had high mana... uhm... between my legs."

  Campli stopped doing her paperwork and looked at Takata, expecting more clarification.

  Takata: "It seems that I have an appendage down there that is helping my mana." Don't ask how it works, because even I have no idea. The assessment concentrated on the appendage."

  Campli: "I’m sure they want to learn more, so we’ll focus on your combat training. I’ll get more info about the auction and what to expect soon." We are going to see what weapons would work for you later, but we are going to do some basics. Follow me."

  Takata walked behind Campli as they left the building. They headed to the front gates, where the guard allowed them to pass. After that, Campli went west without telling Takata where they were going. Of course, Takata's curiosity was getting the better of her.

  Takata: "Where are we going, Overseer?"

  Campli: "Where else? We're going to work on your basics."

  Takata: "No, I mean where exactly are we going? Don't get me wrong, I appreciate you taking the time out for me, but I'm a little concerned about where you're taking me."

  Campli looked back at Takata and smiled at her.

  Campli: "If you are concerned that I'm taking you to some prison or something, don't. It's a training ground the recruits use for basics. If anything, you should hope that the drill sergeant isn't a hard-ass. Trust me, you wouldn't want me to be your instructor either."

  As Takata entered the training grounds, Campli guided her to a light-skinned dwarf. He had a full, bushy beard and was smoking a pipe. He wore a black tank top and black pants. The man turned his head toward them and let out a puff of smoke, then greeted Campli with a grunt.

  Campli: "Instructor Greene? Help this recruit learn the basics. Train them in hand-to-hand combat and with different weapons. How long do you think it will take you to do this?"

  Greene: "That would depend on how this recruit fares against the entire course. I will let you in on a secret, rookie. This part will not be easy, so consider this your chance to quit."