M.I Hausk

Chapter 1 - Part 2

Duty to perform

A loud thud echoed through the briefing room as the door slammed open. Cammron, Foremain, and Chasen all jumped slightly before exchanging a weary glance. The sun was already high, casting light through the windows, when Hausk finally limped in, his staff tapping rhythmically against the floor.

"Results, everyone?" Hausk announced, popping the cork on another vial of Vynodin and downing it in one swift motion.

The silence was deafening. His team exchanged glances, their expressions ranging from mild irritation to suppressed annoyance. Hausk narrowed his eyes, scanning their faces for answers.

-

In Caudus' office, the peaceful morning breeze barely interrupted the steady scratch of quills floating through the air, filling out endless paperwork. The calm shattered as Hausk burst in, slamming the door behind him.

"YOU REMOVED MY PRIVILEGES?" Hausk's voice practically shook the walls.

Caudus didn't even look up, her tone unbothered. "Yes. And why are you yelling?"

"I was expecting results this morning! But you cut them off-no mana checks, no prayer rituals, no inspections, no body scans!"

Caudus continued writing, the feathers moving with her steady rhythm. "No benefits for food or teleportation access, either. Again, why are you still yelling?"

"BECAUSE I'M ANGRY!"

"Are you angry because I revoked your privileges or because you didn't get to satisfy your curiosity about Valen's issue?" Caudus asked calmly, her focus still on the parchment in front of her.

Hausk froze, his anger momentarily deflating. He sighed, rolling his eyes. "Both."

"You and your team have been burning through resources while doing absolutely nothing because you don't have commissions," she continued. "I had to start cutting from somewhere."

"I took a case, alright? Satisfied now?" Hausk spat sarcastically.

"You took it because Tessa suggested it, not because you were interested," Caudus countered, her voice sharp. "If not for her, you'd still be sitting around reading grimoires."

"SHE WILL DIE!" Hausk shot back, slamming his staff on the floor for emphasis.

Caudus looked up for the first time, her eyes narrowing. "I'm handling it. I'll personally take over the commission."

Hausk recoiled, his rebellious posture faltering as he huffed out a breath. For a moment, the room was quiet.

Caudus softened slightly but didn't relent. "Fine. I'll reinstate your privileges," she said, a piece of paper floating towards him.

As Hausk reached for it, the paper stopped, hovering just out of reach. "On one condition," Caudus continued, her tone firm. "You take on at least one guild duty each day. Reception, consultation, instructing-anything. Just one. That's the bare minimum."

Hausk rolled his eyes but grabbed the commission paper before storming out.

-

As he limped down the hallway, Jaim Wilhan caught up to him, the dwarf's short legs working double-time to keep pace. "Let me guess, you got your privileges back-with strings attached," Wilhan quipped, his braided beard bouncing with every step.

"Apparently, just showing up isn't enough anymore," Hausk replied, his voice dripping with dissatisfaction. "Caudus is on a power trip."

"Not surprising, considering you and your team burn through our budget without lifting a finger," Wilhan said, his tone sympathetic but firm. "Apart from reading those grimoires, of course."

"My team does things!" Hausk snapped. "They help with duties!"

"They're overqualified adventurers stuck doing paperwork and petty jobs. You want them to be useful? Keep the headquarters from firing you," Wilhan shot back, his tone dropping. "They're all under you. If you go, they go, and if we are unlucky, we all go."

Hausk huffed, picking up his pace. "Unless you've got a happy potion to cheer me up, I'm going back to work."

"Hey!" Wilhan called after him. Hausk paused. "You might think all of this is beneath you, but you've got three adventurers who deserve better. They're wasting their talents."

Hausk remained silent, grinding his teeth.

"Try it sometime. You might get what you need," Wilhan said, walking away with a knowing smirk.

Hausk clenched his jaw, frustration bubbling up realizing what Wilhan was referencing. "Son of a-" He swallowed his anger and headed back to the briefing room.

-

The door slammed open again, the thud louder this time. None of the team even flinched.

"I'm back," Hausk announced, strolling in.

Foremain glanced up. "Let me guess-"

"Nuh-uh-uh," Hausk interrupted, wagging a finger. "I've heard enough for one day. Back to work, everyone." He gestured for them to move.

They exchanged puzzled looks but obeyed, the sound of chairs scraping the floor filling the room as they filed out. Left alone, Hausk leaned back, spinning his staff absentmindedly as Caudus' and Wilhan's words lingered in his mind.

He stared off, deep in thought, the rhythmic tap of his staff filling the now-empty room.