A week after the "creatures" attacked the mood remained somber.

The streets were mostly empty, a paranoia ran deep within the minds of most people. Mourners set up a candlelight vigil and grieved, but even the creeping paranoia couldn't escape them, they mourned for around a day, before returning to their homes. They still felt grief but they feared to lose their own lives and joining the dead.

Inside of a small inn that was now mostly empty, three people sat at a table.

On one side of the table was a boy, who looked to be around sixteen years of age, his hair was pitch black, and his eyes were bright yellow. It was a strange contrast. He wore a black, henley style, long sleeved shirt. His pants and leather boots were also black. The leather scabbard fastened to his hip was also black.

On the other side of the table, a beautiful girl sat, she appeared to be eighteen. Her hair was a dark plum color and her eyes were a dull silver. She wore a grey military style jacket, a white button up shirt, a brown leather scabbard on her hip, tan pants, and dark brown leather boots. Her hair and eye color were just as unusual as the boy sitting across from her.

And on the last side of the table, there was a girl who looked to be around eight years old, her eyes were brown, and her hair was brown, except a small portion, which was pitch black in color. She wore an oversized black shirt, tan pants, and black boots. The young girl ate from a plate silently, while the sleeves of the shirt draped over her hands, comically.

"You sure you don't wanna come? Aldis will be there."

The boy with black hair was obviously Ira. Needless to say, the girl with dark plum colored hair was Avery, and the third girl present was the one they rescued from Glen Marbot. Ira heard the academy was attacked and a few students even died. He decided to pay a visit and check up on everyone.

"I'll see him at the end of this week."

Avery said listlessly.

"I guess it's just me and you Harper."

Ira chuckled as he turned towards the silent girl.

"...yeah."

The girl, named Harper, responded succinctly.

The reason why she remained with Ira and Avery currently, was because her parents were assumed to be dead, although there weren't any bodies to prove it, it was pretty much confirmed. They all three were abducted and experimented on by Glen, and only she survived, mostly because Ethel took a liking to her.

Over the course of a week, Ira subconsciously became an older brotherly figure in her mind, and she stuck close to him. Ira and Avery came to the conclusion it was an effect of his bloodline resonance, it's effect seemed to be slowly growing stronger.

"Before I leave...hand her your status card."

Avery gestured toward Harper.

Ira waved his hand and slid the card towards Harper.

"Try to focus on it."

Ira explained.

Harper nodded and grabbed the card. She read the contents but didn't react, she was an ordinary civilian before she was abducted, and although she knew some people were strong she didn't know anything specific.

The card lit up and she meekly handed it back to Ira.

• Name: Harper

• Rating: D

• Growth Capacity: C-

• Bloodline: Partial Lycanthrope

• Blessings: None

• Mana Capacity: Low

• Passive Skills: Minor: Strength, Agility, Reflexes, Senses, Regeneration, Instincts, Endurance.

• Active Skills: None

"Oh?"

Ira chuckled as he read the card. He then handed it over to Avery.

"This proves your blood is lycanthropic in nature...Does this mean your bloodline is transferable by blood?"

Avery asked as she handed Ira his card back.

"I'm not sure. I don't think it's possible to change someone if they drink my blood if that's what you're asking."

Ira focused on the card and input his own information once again, before waving it away.

"Hey Harper, can I see something real quick?"

Ira asked.

"...yeah."

Harper nodded in agreement.

Ira picked up a knife from the table and grabbed her hand. Harper briefly jumped but she didn't move.

Ira made a tiny incision on her hand, causing her to briefly wince. Both he and Avery leaned closer.

After a minute or so, it stopped bleeding, and after ten minutes it turned into a scab.

"Well, it's minor regeneration, to say the least."

Avery judged.

Harper healed around the same rate beast people did.

Ira ruffled Harper's hair while he laughed.

"What are you plans for this week?"

Avery asked suddenly.

"I'm going to do a few jobs here in the capital...oh by the way, can you loan me some money?"

Ira chuckled as he asked.

If it were anyone else they may have been embarrassed to ask a woman for money, especially one that looked as beautiful as Avery, but Ira couldn't see anything wrong with it, and Avery didn't care much about social stigmas and chivalrous gestures.

"How much?"

Avery responded in an unbothered manner.

"How much is a house?"

Ira asked.

"If it's a house you want, just give me a location and I'll handle the rest."

Avery spoke indifferently.

"Near a bar or restaurant and not too far from the Mercenaries Union."

Ira gave his requirements.

"Tomorrow around noon, I'll meet you at the plaza, closest to the Mercenaries Union."

Avery stood up and put on a black cloak.

"See you tomorrow then."

Ira smiled brightly.

Avery faintly grinned as she left.

"Alright, Harper. Let's get going."

Ira grinned as he stole a bread roll from her plate.

"Ah."

Harper exclaimed as Ira took her food.

He stood up and waved his hand leaving two bills on the table.

"Let's go."

He chuckled with a mouth full of food.

Harper quickly stood up and followed behind him. Her sleeves swayed as she walked, her height was around 4'2, so of course, Ira's spare shirt wouldn't fit her right.

.........................

Amy sat upright on a white bed.

Currently, she was within a small room in the Academy's medical facility. A single bed, two chairs, and a window to gaze outside. The bleak set up didn't help improve her mood at all.

She seemed to be in a daze. Occasionally she would glance at her arm stub. Everything just below her right elbow was gone. She would then stare at her short spear.

Aldis sat in a chair at the end of the bed, he appeared to be sleep. He had no way to console Amy, he couldn't even imagine how he would feel if he lost an arm.

Knock. Knock.

Aldis jolted awake and stood up.

A male academy attendant opened the door.

"You have a visitor."

He said as he moved out of the way.

"Hey, Aldis. Amy you-"

Ira began talking as he walked in, but paused as he saw Amy's arm.

"Oh..."

He still grinned.

The attendant closed the door. The room became silent.

Harper stood behind Ira and stared at Aldis and Amy.

"You can sit down if you want, Harper."

Ira said.

Harper silently nodded and dragged the chair to a corner. She had a dislike of small rooms and the feeling of being crowded.

Amy and Aldis both looked at Harper strangely.

"You have a sister?"

Aldis asked curiously.

"Hmm. I guess that sort of works."

Ira looked at Harper and nodded his head.

"Not looking so great, Amy."

Ira grinned as he sat at the edge of the bed.

"...Hi...Ira."

Amy smiled, it was clear that it was a completely fake smile. Ira was one of the people she admired because of his strength and attitude, right now she didn't wish for him to see her current state.

"There's something in your eyes, Amy."

Ira spoke cryptically. Amy raised her hand to wipe her eyes, but Ira spoke.

"I don't mean literally...Ah, it's oddly familiar."

Ira laughed mysteriously, his bright yellow eyes seemed to peer through Amy.

"What are you talking-"

Amy questioned, but Ira stood up.

"Why don't we get you a new one?"

Ira asked suddenly, as he smiled brightly. He saw something inside Amy, she was just a step away from grabbing it, and he decided he would help her get to it.

"A good prosthetic is beyond expensive. Even if you use, let's say, wood as the material. You need a skilled alchemist to lay sensory arrays to react to signals from the nervous system. The cost of the materials to make the array and cost of the manufacturing is still a lot."

Aldis said solemnly. Aldis seemed to be changed, his whole demeanor was previously cold and aloof, reminiscent of Avery's, but recently he became more lively. Though he still had the underlying apathetic temperament, seemingly exclusive to those who were children of Valkyries.

Ira laughed in response.

"Amy. Pick any material."

Ira said.

"I..."

Amy mumbled.

"Any material, Amy. Pick one. Amy, you gotta pick one. Amy. Amy. Amy. Amy."

Ira laughed, as he urged her on.

"Titanium!"

Amy shouted tearfully.

"Then a titanium arm you'll get."

Ira said assuredly. A beaming smile flashed across his face.

"Even I couldn't get the amount it would cost, my family doesn't allow the males or the in-laws, to spend money wantonly."

Aldis said.

"Then you'll do missions with me until you get the amount."

Ira said casually, as he placed his hand on Aldis' shoulder.

"Wait...Ira. What's that on your finger."

Aldis asked suspiciously, when Ira raised his arm he noticed something familiar on his hand.

"Oh."

Ira showed his hand to Aldis.

"That's a...an engagement ring from my family."

Aldis narrowed his eyes in thought.

"Avery?"

He asked.

"Yeah."

Ira chuckled.

"Your Grandmother set it up."

He continued.

Amy looked at Aldis and Ira, a little lost.

"Haaaaah."

Aldis sighed as he looked at Amy.

"Him and Avery are engaged."

He said.

"What?"

Amy widened her green eyes in confusion.

"C-Congratulations."

Amy said as she wiped her eyes.

Ira smiled in response.

"So is uhh..."

He looked around the room.

"...Is Clark dead?"

He asked with a laugh.

"No."

Aldis responded a trace of anger was apparent in his eyes. Amy wanted to say something but she stopped herself, being mindful of Aldis.

Aldis stayed with her in the recovery room for the whole week, while Clark didn't show up to even apologize, maybe he thought they would blame him and it would be better if he didn't visit. The exact opposite ended up happening. Aldis began to hate Clark more with each passing day he didn't visit Amy.

"He's still somewhere in the academy if you want to find him. If you find him, ask him why he still hasn't visited."

Aldis said agitatedly.

"It's good he's alive."

Ira smiled, but his eyes didn't hold relief, nor did they hold hostility. It was more of a warped expectation.

"Well, I got a job lined up, so Harper and I are gonna leave you-"

Ira stood up and paused.

"Alone."

His brows twitched lightly as he cracked a smile.

"Come on, Harper."

Ira beckoned.

She got out of the chair and hurriedly walked to Ira.

He stepped out of the room and closed the door behind him.

A few feet away from the doorway, Clark stood alone.

"Clark, Clark, Clark."

Ira chuckled as he shook his head.

"I think we talked about this before."

Ira said.

"Remember? Grasping power at every opportunity? Ring any bells."

Ira asked as he grinned encouragingly.

Harper stood behind him staring at Clark.

"Ira...Does Amy hate me?"

Clark asked desperately.

"Clark..."

Ira waved his left hand, causing a few bills to appear within his hand.

"...I don't think the academy is the right fit for you."

Ira said smilingly as he placed a couple bills in Clark's hand.

It was 600 Gre. Enough to stay in a really cheap inn and eat three meals a day for around a month.

Especially with the spread of paranoia, activity from civilians slowed, unless they had to work people would avoid spending time on the street if this trend continued the Kingdom's economy would soon take a hit. Prices were discounted to encourage street activity, and security and patrols were increased to give the public assurance.

"..."

Clark accepted the money with clenched teeth.

"Hey...One should grasp power at every opportunity."

Ira patted his shoulder and walked away. Harper stopped to look at Clark.

"Hey...Every opportunity."

She repeated before she ran to catch up with Ira.

"Damn it."

Clark cursed to himself as turned to walk away from the room.

....................