37. A Good Adventurer and a Great One

Rufus arrives at the Geller family estate and is welcomed by Danielle Geller. As they stroll the gardens, Danielle explains why the family trains in low-magic Greenstone: weaker threats let iron-rankers make survivable mistakes. Rufus, humbled by a recent failure, values the lesson about what separates a good adventurer from a great one.

Rufus asks to borrow the family’s mirage chamber for a trainee he is rushing—Jason. Danielle can only spare iron-rank use and proposes a trade: Rufus conducts her son’s Adventure Society field assessment. Their talk turns to Greenstone’s realities; Danielle candidly describes local reliance on powerful families and the resulting erosion of standards, even as the new director improves matters. Rufus, dismayed but pragmatic, agrees to challenge her son.

Elsewhere, Jason crosses onto the Island, gets directions from a bridge guard, and follows signs to the North Marina Transit Terminal. He rides a luxurious underwater capsule through mosaic-lined tunnels, marveling at the magical infrastructure, and disembarks at the Adventure Society campus.

At Administration, Jason meets Albert, a receptionist bearing the Society emblem and brother of the bridge guard. Jason begins his application to join, and Albert mentions that Gareth “Gary” Xandier has been asking after Jason for days, hinting at an imminent reunion.