A welcome commission

The official gestured for him to sit at the heavy oak table in the center of the room. Nova hesitated, looking around the room a bit, since he did not trust the man as yet. There were no guards or threats—only the official, who now sat across from him with a calculating expression.

"You have drawn the attention, of a lot of people especially those in my position, who pay attention to what goes on in this city, Nova," the man said, folding his hands. "More than you realize, you are the talk of a lot, you may not have seen it or realize it as yet, but that much is obvious, a rare breed after two to three years, the first awakened necromancer."

Nova exhaled deeply when he heard that, he had assumed as much, but this was getting more complicated than it needed to be. "I assume this isn't about my trial?"

"Partially," the official acknowledged. "Your performance was recognized, even by the elder that is hard to please, that gives people a hell of a time, before even getting his approval, despite your... unconventional abilities, you passed that trial, that nearly and could have killed you, apparently. However, that is not what we are concerned about, not at the moment at least. What concerns us is the company you seem to attract."

Nova tensed as he heard what he said; he knew where this conversation was going. "Company? I do not understand, what are you saying?"

The official nodded. "You will understand soon enough, this is not an interrogation Nova, it is just a few things I need to say or more like confirm, I am talking about her, you know the woman in the mask; the one who was brave enough and broke into the headquarters a few days ago. The man she set free. The fact that you happened to be present when it occurred." He leaned forward. "Tell me, Nova—was that truly just a coincidence that you were there at the exact time as they said?"

Nova met his gaze while keeping his expression unreadable. "I am not even sure who they are. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time; I was there to meet Crevan, but I did not even see them due to the smoke, and I had already told everyone what happened and why I was there."

The official studied him for a long time before sighing. "Perhaps." He mumbled as he pulled out a sealed parchment from his robes and slid it across the table. "Regardless, the association has decided that keeping you under observation is in our best interest and maybe yours as well."

"I understand what you are saying and maybe even why they are being cautious, but it is not fair, you would know that if you were in my position, they are only doing this because of the nature of my abilities and what this kind of ability may or may not have done in the past, am I wrong or is that not the only reason?" He asked, his tone firm, tinged with the slightest it of irritation.

"You are not entirely wrong about that, it is one of the reasons yes and the other is given the circumstances and that woman and her accomplices, which is a lot she has, this is why it is necessary, I understand Nova, but it is what it is for now," He responded, with a sigh.

Nova looked at him, deadpanned then he sighed. "I understand that part alright, all too well because I have been hearing it quite a lot, now, as for the other part, observation? What does that even mean for me?" Nova asked, as his eyes narrowed, he did not like the sound of that in the slightest. 

"It means you won't be left to your own devices just yet, there are a lot of things going on and we cannot afford to risk anything." The official responded as he gestured to the parchment. "That is your first official commission within the Hunters Association. A mission, one that was hand-picked for someone with your... abilities."

Nova took the parchment, broke the seal, and scanned the contents that were inside. His eyes widened slightly as he realized he was about to be put through another test. 

According to the information provided, he was assigned a high-risk investigation mission to look into a suspected rogue faction within the Hunter's Association. Rumors suggested that some members had been secretly working with or against the Order, using monsters to further their own agenda, one that was unknown but potentially a threat.

Nova's mission was to discover the truth: were they truely traitors, or was the association itself compromised? His decision would not only put his loyalty to the test, but it would also determine where he truly stood in the city's growing conflict, which he knew had deeper roots than what was visible on the surface. 

"This isn't just a test, is it?" Nova muttered.

The official smirked. "Consider this an opportunity. This is an opportunity to demonstrate your loyalty to both the association and the city. Accept and you will gain credibility. Decline... and we may have to reconsider your position here."

Nova clenched his jaw. He knew a test when he saw one. Refusing would paint him as suspicious but accepting meant stepping into something that might be bigger than it seemed, but it also had a good side to it, he would gain more infromation. 

"What's your move, Nova?" Erna's voice echoed in his mind.

He exhaled and met the official's gaze. "Fine. I will do it."

"Good," the official said, as he stood up. "You are perfect for the job because you are a new face, not known, which means you are unexpected, I will brief you later on the rest when it's time. Don't be late. Welcome to the hunter's association, Nova."

As the official left the chamber, he felt the weight of the decision settles on him. This mission was more than just an assignment, it was a message. 

And he had a feeling that the masked woman and her people weren't finished with him yet, he had gotten caught up in something bigger than it seemed, without fully being involved.