Membership

"I am a virgin," Hermia barely whispered.

"Um..." Jack's lips curled into a faint smile.

He had some vague suspicions before, but he hadn't confirmed them yet. It wasn't until Hermia revealed the truth that he became certain.

A one night stand and a first-time experience are two different things. The former is merely an exchange of needs, while the latter... What if it blossoms into deep love? Wouldn't it be a lifetime engagement?

That would be a major predicament! While Jack was hesitant to embrace such complications, he also couldn't escape his own conscience.

"You're correct," Jack raised his glass, "To me, you do indeed pose quite the challenge."

"It's truly an honor for me," Hermia clinked glasses with Jack and downed her drink in one go.

....

The following day, in Bradley's office.

"What have you done?"

Bradley demanded angrily.

Due to the disparity in their strength, he refrained from grabbing Jack by the collar. He remained at a safe distance of one meter but yelled furiously.

"I didn't do anything," Jack shrugged.

"I don't believe you!" Bradley clearly didn't believe it, "You two got out of the same car!"

"What's the matter? Do you think I'm the type of person who takes advantage of someone in a vulnerable state?" Jack waved his hand and continued, "Your daughter was quite drunk last night, and I simply took her back to her place!"

"And then?" Bradley inquired.

"I must admit, compared to the hotel, Hermia's bed is much more comfortable," Jack remarked with a touch of nostalgia.

"What the fuck?" Bradley was taken aback.

Is this guy shameless or what? Even if the cat's out of the bag, can't he show a little respect in front of his future father-in-law?

Bradley glared at Jack with icy eyes and was about to speak. However, Hermia, who had been watching the scene unfold, couldn't take it anymore. She stepped in, pulled Bradley away, and started explaining.

After thoroughly irking Bradley all night, the resentment in Hermia's heart had nearly dissipated. Furthermore, Jack was telling the truth – nothing had transpired between them the previous night.

"Alright, let's get down to business," Jack proposed.

After listening to Hermia's explanation, Bradley's demeanor shifted from anger to skepticism. He responded seriously to Jack's question. He knew when to differentiate between the important and the trivial.

Bradley couldn't help but ponder the situation once more. Despite Jack's questionable character, he was capable of looking after Hermia, he wasn't entirely unfit for the role.

Bradley harbored concerns that his daughter might not be handle a break up with Jack, fearing the emotional turmoil it might cause her in the future. Consequently, he resorted to every possible means to hinder their connection.

Had Jack been the type to tie the knot obediently, Bradley might have even entertained the idea of playing matchmaker between him and Hermia, let alone allowing Jack to flirt with her!

"By the way, concerning The Eye, I reached out to a few old friends yesterday," Bradley revealed.

"After pulling some strings, they've all agreed to grant you membership in The Eye. Once you complete the subsequent evaluation, you'll be eligible to join The Eye and gain the qualifications to study magic."

Curiosity piqued, Jack inquired, "What's the catch? I assume joining The Eye doesn't grant me free access to magic, does it?"

"Of course not! Do you think The Eye operates on charity?" Bradley shook his head emphatically. "To obtain magic, you'll need contribution points, and these points can be acquired by exchanging money or completing assigned tasks."

"Money?" Hermia, who had been eavesdropping, chimed in with surprise. "Why?"

"It's only natural. Maintaining an organization, especially one as extensive as a long-standing magic society, requires substantial funds," Jack explained. "Consider that many of the older members may not know how to earn money through conventional means. Without income, they could be exploited or fall prey to deception. Earning a living through magic is a practical solution."

"Furthermore," he continued, "In addition to living expenses, there are costs for equipment, materials, housing... all of which require money. Even The Eye isn't exempt from these expenses. So, since money is a necessity, using it to acquire contribution points is a reasonable approach. Though, I suspect the exchange rate might be rather steep."

"You're spot on," Bradlee interjected, casting an astonished glance at Jack. "What you're saying closely mirrors the situation in the The Eye. Exchanging money for contribution points usually comes at a rate of around 10,000 US dollars for 1 point. As for magic books, even the most basic ones demand hundreds, if not thousands, of contribution points."

"Wait, if that's the case, does it mean that many magicians never get to learn all the magic in their lifetime?" Hermia asked, puzzled.

"That's where the concept of 'jack of all trades, master of none' comes into play," Jack explained. "In reality, most magicians only have the opportunity to learn a handful of spells in their lifetime. Mastery is reserved for a select few."

Bradley nodded in agreement. "There's another aspect to consider: money isn't the sole avenue for acquiring contribution points. Completing tasks is the fastest way to accumulate them, but it can also entail certain risks."

"Indeed, danger and opportunity go hand in hand," Jack remarked. "To gain more, you often have to risk more."

Shifting gears, Jack inquired, "So, what kind of assessment tasks are we looking at?"

Bradley, with a sense of anticipation, approached his desk and retrieved a long, narrow box from a hidden compartment. He opened it, revealing a rolled parchment inside. After spreading it out, he brought it over to Jack and Hermia, saying, "Take a look for yourselves."

"Let me see," Jack said as he reached for the parchment, curiosity and excitement building within him.

==========

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