Weaves of Ashes

Chapter 134: Chapter 129: The Assessment

Location: Pavilion - Assessment Chamber

Time: Day 568/207 (Doha - Stasis Break)

Realm: Pavilion (Nexus Space)

The white assessment chamber hummed with residual energy from the dimensional crossing. Jayde’s stomach had finally stopped churning from the transition, and she could feel the dragons resting quietly in her pet space—Yinxin’s ancient presence calm and reassuring, the wyrmlings already dozing after the excitement of interdimensional travel.

Isha’s translucent fox form circled her once, tails swishing with satisfaction. ”Well, that went smoothly. No complications from carrying passengers. The Nexus handled the extra mass without issue.” He paused, as if mentally ticking through a checklist. ”Right, you should probably head back to your cave and—”

”Wait.” The word emerged sharper than Jayde intended, carrying Federation command authority. She softened her tone. ”Don’t we need to check the mission assessment first?”

Isha froze mid-step, all nine tails going rigid. ”Oh. Oh. You’re absolutely right. How did I—” He spun to face her, eyes wide with what looked like embarrassment. ”I almost sent you out without checking your rewards. That would’ve been... that’s never happened before.”

Curious lapse for someone who’s been doing this for centuries, Jayde thought, but kept the observation to herself.

”Mission assessment, then?” she prompted.

”Yes. Definitely. Right now.” Isha’s form brightened slightly, taking on a more solid appearance as he interfaced with the Nexus systems. ”Prepare for official evaluation. This determines merit rewards, reputation gains, and potential promotions.” His voice carried genuine anticipation now. ”Pay attention—every word matters.”

The chamber transformed without warning.

Golden light erupted from the ceiling, walls, and floor—surrounding them both in a cocoon of radiance that felt alive, aware, evaluating. A massive screen materialized in the air, a holographic display that looked more like a window into reality than a simple projection.

Bold text appeared:

MISSION ASSESSMENT PROTOCOL: INITIATED

CONTRACTOR: Jayde (Level 2)

MISSION WORLD: Telia, Dimension 137

DURATION: 38 Standard Days

ANALYZING PERFORMANCE...

The screen flickered, data scrolling past too fast to read, then settled on a clear display:

═══════════════════════════════════

PRIMARY MISSION ASSESSMENT

═══════════════════════════════════

MISSION: Eliminate Direwolf Pack

LOCATION: Tardide Village, Planet Telia, Dimension 137

OBJECTIVE: Neutralize territorial predator threat to civilian population

OUTCOME: Successful

RATING: A+

PERFORMANCE NOTES:

Complete pack elimination (23 entities including Alpha)

Zero civilian casualties during operation

Tactical execution: Exceptional

Threat neutralization: Permanent

Secondary benefits: Village security established

REWARDS:

Payment: 5 Aura Stones

Merit Points: 25

Mission Points: 25

A+ Bonus: +50 Merit Points, +25 Mission Points

═══════════════════════════════════

Isha whistled—actual sound despite being translucent. ”A+ on primary mission. That’s rare for a Level 2 contractor. Most get B or C ratings on their first off-world deployment.”

”It was fairly straightforward,” Jayde said, though satisfaction warmed her chest. Twenty-three kills. Clean operation. No collateral damage. The Federation officer in her approved of the efficiency.

”Primary missions always have modest rewards,” Isha explained. ”They’re baseline objectives. The real merit comes from—”

The screen flickered again, and Isha’s eyes widened.

═══════════════════════════════════

SIDE MISSION 1 DISCOVERED

═══════════════════════════════════

”Side mission?” Jayde asked, confused. ”There was a side mission?”

”Not officially assigned,” Isha said, voice strange. ”Side missions are hidden objectives that contractors discover during standard operations. They’re not mandatory, rarely announced, and most contractors never find them. But if you complete one—”

MISSION: Save Adult Female Silver Dragon

LOCATION: Dark Forest, Planet Telia, Dimension 137

OBJECTIVE: Prevent extinction of Ancient Silver Dragon (last confirmed female)

OUTCOME: Successful

RATING: A+

PERFORMANCE NOTES:

Species preservation: Critical success

Ancient being (3,000+ years) secured

Equal partnership contract established

Sanctuary provided (Pet space)

Long-term survival probability: 95%+

REWARDS:

Payment: 25 Aura Stones

Merit Points: 150

Mission Points: 150

A+ Bonus: +250 Merit Points, +150 Mission Points

═══════════════════════════════════

Silence.

Complete, absolute silence as they both stared at numbers that dwarfed the primary mission rewards.

”Twenty-five Aura Stones?” Jayde’s voice came out faint. ”For one dragon?”

”For preventing extinction of a legendary species,” Isha corrected, tails lashing with excitement. ”Silver dragons are—were—myth. Saving the last female of a species that powerful?” He shook his head in wonder. ”That’s a conservation miracle. Nexus values biodiversity preservation extremely highly.”

”But I didn’t know it was a side mission. I just saw someone who needed help and—”

”Exactly.” Isha’s form glowed brighter. ”That’s how side missions work. They reward contractors who go beyond assigned objectives. Who see need and respond. Who—”

The screen flickered a third time.

”Oh gods,” Isha breathed. ”There’s more.”

═══════════════════════════════════

SIDE MISSION 2 DISCOVERED

═══════════════════════════════════

MISSION: Save Silver Dragon Wyrmlings (3 entities)

LOCATION: Dark Forest, Planet Telia, Dimension 137

OBJECTIVE: Prevent the extinction of juvenile Ancient Silver Dragons

OUTCOME: Successful

RATING: A+

PERFORMANCE NOTES:

Three wyrmlings secured (Tianxin, Shenxin, Huaxin)

Maternal bond preserved through contract extension

Future breeding potential: Established Species continuation probability: 70%+

REWARDS:

Payment: 25 Aura Stones

Merit Points: 150

Mission Points: 150

A+ Bonus: +250 Merit Points, +150 Mission Points

═══════════════════════════════════

”Individual assessments for each wyrmling?” Jayde’s mind struggled to process the implications. Fifty Aura Stones just for the dragons. That’s... that’s wealth beyond imagination.

”Wyrmlings represent the future of the species,” Isha explained, though he sounded dazed himself. ”Each one matters for genetic diversity, breeding programs, and population recovery. Three wyrmlings secured? That’s the foundation for species resurrection.” He laughed—a genuine, delighted sound. ”Of course, Nexus rewards it massively.”

Before Jayde could respond, the screen flickered again.

═══════════════════════════════════

SIDE MISSION 3 DISCOVERED

═══════════════════════════════════

MISSION: Save Planet Telia (Long-term Societal Impact)

LOCATION: Tardide Village, Planet Telia, Dimension 137

OBJECTIVE: Establish a sustainable civilization development framework

OUTCOME: Successful

RATING: A+

PERFORMANCE NOTES:

Village transformation: Dying → Thriving (650 population)

Economic revolution: Agricultural advancement, resource management

Social integration: 350 refugees successfully absorbed

Educational framework: Ethical mage training established

Long-term sustainability: Documented and institutionalized

Ripple effect probability: Regional transformation likely

Civilization trajectory: Altered toward peaceful development

REWARDS:

Payment: 2 Contractor Class Upgrades (immediate application)

Merit Points: 1,500 Mission Points: 150

A+ Bonus: +2,500 Merit Points, +150 Mission Points

═══════════════════════════════════

This time, the silence stretched longer.

”Class upgrades,” Isha finally managed. ”Two. Immediate.” He turned to stare at her. ”Jayde, do you understand what you did? You altered a civilization’s trajectory. Changed the path of an entire world.” His voice carried awe. ”Nexus doesn’t reward that lightly. This is planet-saving achievement.”

”I just helped one village,” Jayde protested weakly.

”One village that will influence a region. A region that will influence a continent. A continent that will shape a world.” Isha’s tails swished with agitation. ”You planted seeds for peaceful development in a culture dominated by warlord exploitation. That’s—” He seemed unable to find adequate words. ”That’s changing the course of history.”

Federation First Contact protocols, Jayde thought numbly. Minimum interference. Maximum positive impact. I just... applied everything I learned about uplifting pre-industrial civilizations.

The screen flickered one final time.

And Isha’s jaw actually dropped.

═══════════════════════════════════

HIDDEN MISSION COMPLETED

═══════════════════════════════════

”Hidden mission?” Jayde whispered.

”Achievement unlocked by completing all available missions,” Isha breathed. ”Some contractors work entire careers without triggering one. You found it in your first deployment.”

MISSION: Complete All Available Missions

LOCATION: Planet Telia, Dimension 137

OBJECTIVE: Achieve 100% mission completion rate

OUTCOME: Successful (4/4 missions completed)

RATING: A+

PERFORMANCE NOTES:

Primary mission: Completed

Side mission discovery rate: 100%

Side mission completion rate: 100%

Exceptional thoroughness demonstrated

Contractor initiative: Extraordinary

Problem-solving capability: Exceptional

REWARDS:

Payment: 5 Dimension Upgrades (any type, any category)

Merit Points: 2,500

Mission Points: 150

A+ Bonus: +5,000 Merit Points, +150 Mission Points

═══════════════════════════════════

Jayde couldn’t breathe. The numbers were too large, rewards too substantial, implications too overwhelming.

”Five dimension upgrades,” she managed. ”What does that even mean?”

”Anything you want.” Isha’s voice carried something that sounded like pride. ”Pavilion space expansions. Time dilation modifications. Resource generation systems. Training simulation environments. Anything within Nexus capability.” He shook his head slowly. ”Most contractors never earn one.”

The screen cleared, then displayed the final summary:

═══════════════════════════════════

MISSION ASSESSMENT COMPLETE

TOTAL REWARDS SUMMARY

═══════════════════════════════════

AURA STONES: 55 total

Primary Mission: 5

Side Mission 1: 25

Side Mission 2: 25

Hidden Mission: 0

CONTRACTOR CLASS UPGRADES: 2 (immediate application)

Side Mission 3: 2 upgrades

DIMENSION UPGRADES: 5 (any type, any category)

Hidden Mission: 5 upgrades

MERIT POINTS: 12,375 total

Primary Mission: 75 (25 base + 50 bonus)

Side Mission 1: 400 (150 base + 250 bonus)

Side Mission 2: 400 (150 base + 250 bonus)

Side Mission 3: 4,000 (1,500 base + 2,500 bonus)

Hidden Mission: 7,500 (2,500 base + 5,000 bonus)

MISSION POINTS: 1,250 total

Primary Mission: 50 (25 base + 25 bonus)

Side Mission 1: 300 (150 base + 150 bonus)

Side Mission 2: 300 (150 base + 150 bonus)

Side Mission 3: 300 (150 base + 150 bonus)

Hidden Mission: 300 (150 base + 150 bonus)

CURRENT CONTRACTOR LEVEL: 2

MERITS TO LEVEL 3: 25,000 required

CURRENT PROGRESS: 32,260.10 / 25,000

═══════════════════════════════════

The display held for several seconds, then:

LEVEL UP AVAILABLE

CONTRACTOR LEVEL 2 → LEVEL 3

Accept automatic advancement?

”Yes,” Jayde said immediately, then realized she probably should have consulted Isha first. ”Wait, should I—”

”Yes,” Isha confirmed firmly. ”Always accept level advancement. It increases mission access, improves reward rates, and grants additional capabilities. No reason to delay.”

ADVANCEMENT PROCESSING...

Golden light intensified, and Jayde felt something shift inside her Nexus connection. Not physical change, but expansion of access—like doors previously locked suddenly opening, revealing corridors that extended further than she could see.

CONTRACTOR LEVEL: 3

MISSION ACCESS: Upgraded to Tier 3 assignments

REWARD MULTIPLIER: Increased 15%

REPUTATION: Significant boost applied

NEW CAPABILITIES UNLOCKED

Then, before the display could fade:

═══════════════════════════════════

SPECIAL BONUS UNLOCKED

═══════════════════════════════════

ACHIEVEMENT: Planet-Saving Intervention

RECOGNITION: Civilization-altering impact

REWARD: Herb Garden Access Granted

LOCATION: Pavilion Personal Space

CONTENTS: Garden Shed Inventory Available

SPECIFICATIONS: Self-sustaining magical herb cultivation system

VALUE: Substantial long-term resource generation

═══════════════════════════════════

”Herb garden?” Jayde asked, still processing everything else.

Isha’s tails vibrated with excitement. ”Agricultural knowledge system. Grows magical herbs autonomously. Self-harvesting, self-replenishing. Some contractors spend decades trying to unlock that.” He laughed again. ”Nexus has a sense of irony. You transformed a world through farming, so you get permanent farming capability.”

The display finally faded, leaving the assessment chamber in normal white lighting.

Jayde sat down—just collapsed onto the floor because standing required more processing capability than she currently possessed.

”Fifty-five Aura Stones,” she said to empty air. ”That’s wealth beyond imagination.”

”Two class upgrades,” Isha added. ”Which you already used one—went from Level 2 to Level 3, and you have one more waiting.”

”Five dimension upgrades. Whatever I want.”

”Twelve thousand merit points.” Isha’s voice carried deep satisfaction. ”Most contractors earn maybe a thousand points per year. You earned twelve thousand in thirty-eight days.”

Because I did what Federation officers are trained to do, Jayde thought. Assess the situation. Identify all problems. Solve everything thoroughly. Leave nothing half-done.

”Speaking of dimension upgrades...” Jayde straightened, a thought crystallizing. ”Yinxin and the wyrmlings are still in my pet space. It’s cramped. Dark. No room to fly.” She turned to Isha. ”Can the Pavilion be upgraded to house them properly? Like... actual living space where they can be comfortable?”

Isha’s entire form blazed with sudden excitement. ”Can it? Jayde, that’s—” He practically bounced. ”Yes! Absolutely yes! There are specific upgrades for contracted companion housing. Different terrain types, size options, even climate controls.” His tails lashed with enthusiasm. ”We can create a proper dragon sanctuary. Mountains for lairs, open sky for flying, hunting grounds—”

”You sound excited,” Jayde observed, smiling despite her exhaustion.

”Excited? I’m thrilled.” Isha’s fox form solidified enough to look almost real. ”Do you have any idea how amazing it’ll be to have dragons living in the Pavilion? Ancient silver dragons at that?” He paused, composing himself slightly. ”Also, it’s the right thing to do. Keeping them cramped in a pet space after everything they’ve been through would be cruel.”

”Tomorrow then?” Jayde suggested. ”We look at the upgrade options and build them a proper home?”

”First thing in the morning,” Isha agreed immediately. ”I’ll start reviewing the available packages tonight.” He tilted his head, studying her. ”You know, most contractors would’ve just left them in pet space. Easier. Less expensive. But you’re thinking about their quality of life.”

”They’re not prisoners,” Jayde said quietly. ”They’re family.”

Something shifted in Isha’s expression—a warmth she’d rarely seen from the usually sarcastic fox. ”Yeah. They are.”

Outside the assessment chamber, Pavilion space waited—familiar training halls, her simple living quarters, and soon, a proper sanctuary for dragons who’d trusted her with their lives.

The academy assessment loomed two months ahead, promising education, challenges, and a future that extended beyond imagination. Time enough to integrate everything she’d learned on Telia, master her new capabilities, and prepare for whatever came next.

But tonight, in this white room with a translucent fox and holographic displays showing rewards that seemed unreal, Jayde let herself feel the satisfaction of a job truly well done.

Mission complete.

Assessment passed.

Level advanced.

And tomorrow, she’d give four dragons the home they deserved.

”So,” Isha said, tails resuming normal swishing pattern. ”Should probably rest. You’ve had a long thirty-eight days.”

Despite exhaustion, despite overwhelming information, Jayde smiled.

”Yeah. Rest sounds good.”

The journey continued.

But tonight, celebration was absolutely justified.

Tomorrow would bring new challenges—building a dragon sanctuary, planning her academy approach, continuing to evade the Freehold Clan.

Tonight belonged to recognition well earned.