For Judy, it had become a daily ritual. Ever since her promotion to SME, she had fully embraced MagicPerformax's principles and ideals, dedicating herself wholeheartedly to each customer and problem she encountered.
"You should be all set, SME Judy," the quartermaster's mechanical voice resonated in the room as Judy meticulously checked her bag to ensure that everything she needed was in place.
"Alright, quartermaster. Could you please notify maintenance that I'll be heading down? Have them prepare one of the company cars."
"Of course. I wish you the utmost success in your endeavors, SME Judy."
"Thanks, quartermaster," Judy replied with a smile as she picked up an aluminum staff. With a few graceful swings, streaks of blue and red lightning crackled and danced around the room.
...
With the assistance of Workforce and the ping Faith had activated, it didn't take long for Judy to reach the specified location.
"SME Judy," Workforce's voice echoed through her headset. "CAT is on standby to provide assistance as needed. Assess the situation thoroughly, and the client's safety takes precedence."
"Of course, Olivia. Keep the lines open, and I'll keep you all updated," Judy responded, moving closer to the site and locking the car securely behind her before proceeding with caution.
"Looks like Faith got entangled with the wrong people," Judy muttered to herself as she arrived at the entrance of what appeared to be a dilapidated village. Scanning the surroundings, she couldn't help but notice numerous lifeless bodies strewn about. Drawing her staff, she closed her eyes briefly and chanted a spell.
"Acedia Thesis detected. Please exercise extreme caution, SME," the voice in Judy's headset warned as vivid crackles of colored lightning illuminated the area. With another swift swing of her staff, a radiant ball of lightning formed at its tip. In one fluid motion, Judy unleashed it into the sky, and within seconds, the entire area was enveloped in a complex array of magical circles.
"Workforce, can you observe this?" Judy inquired through her headset.
"Yes, SME. It's possible the client may have conjured these circles as a protective measure. She did mention she had a contract with a spider, correct?"
“That’s what she said though, she may have been in panic when she said that.” Judy answers as she continues walking. “It could be a Mage of the Depths which would explain her current situation.”
“Indeed. Please continue assessing the situation, SME. We are on standby if you need assistance.”
“Thanks Olivia.”
As Judy pressed forward, she reached a place that bore the semblance of a church, its walls shrouded in a tapestry of magical spells. A few taps of her staff ignited a fresh display of streaking lightning, eliciting a low growl from within the church walls, followed by the sound of hurried footsteps.
"That must be the client or whatever it is that the client made her contract with," Judy whispered to herself, quickly adjusting her headset and dashing towards the source of the commotion. However, as she moved, the surrounding houses suddenly crumbled, giving birth to gargantuan spiders that lunged at her with malevolent intent.
"Tsk, just as I suspected," the SME clicked her tongue in annoyance, reaching into her bag for vials and tossing them at the oncoming arachnids, hitting their eyes, causing them to become disoriented.
"This better work, Harmony, or I'll have TL Willingford tormenting you all day!" she hissed under her breath. With swift staff movements and a muttered incantation, Judy summoned crackling bolts of lightning that enveloped the spiders, electrocuting them on the spot.
"Well, that does the trick," Judy remarked as she reached the door of the church. With a quick tap, the rusty door transformed into a swarm of tiny spiders that scattered in all directions.
"That'll give everyone's skin a good crawl," Judy snickered. "Aren't you afraid of spiders, Olivia?" she asked over her headset.
"...I am, SME, and that's precisely why I prefer a desk job to being out there," a voice from the other side responded. Judy stepped inside and was met with the sight of a monstrous arachnid perched on the walls, its numerous eyes fixated on her.
"You dare to slaughter my offspring, you wretched mage!" it hissed venomously. "If you think I'll surrender the girl to yo—"
"Alright, Miss Customer," Judy interjected, wiping her sweat and wearing her best customer service smile. "I understand your frustration here, but let's take a step back, shall we? My name's Judy, and I'm one of the floor supervisors at MagicPerformax…If you’ll give me a bit of time, I can help you.”
