I woke up with pain in my stomach. I was in the infirmary. Alison was there, sitting in a chair waiting for me to wake up.

“Aidan.” She said. She was wearing her pink headphones around her neck again today. “The president said to give you this. I think it’s a fine.”

“I know what it is.” I sighed. “What happened to the other guy?”

“He woke up pretty quickly and left in hurry.” Alison said.

“I didn’t even see Tsukihi move. She was way too fast…” I said. Looks like even with my arm, I haven’t caught up to her yet.

“Hey! You need to rest.” Alison demanded as I got up.

“I need to train.” I said. “I was humiliated again today.”

“Take it easy.” Alison said. “You took a hard hit.”

“That’s exactly why I need to train. I’m still no match for Kurahara.” Just how strong was the bloodline, that even with a Demon King’s power, I still couldn’t track her movement? And she doesn’t even have a Divine Arm yet!

“What time is it anyway?”

“Three.” Alison said.

“Damn. Thought I would at least sleep past remedials.” I said. “Maybe if I go back to bed…”

“Come on. We have class to get to.” Alison prodded.

After another boring session of make ups, I decided to walk Alison home. She lived on the way home for me, so it wasn’t a big deal. We talked a lot about our training, and on myths. She had a lot of stories about all kinds of things. It seemed like she just collected things like that in her head.

“Alison.” I asked as we were walking home.

“Hmm?” She asked, looking at me.

“How is it that you’re so smart, and yet you do so badly at school you’re in remedials?”

“I don’t like the curriculum. It’s wrong, and it tells falsehoods.” She answered.

Koryn would’ve killed me for giving an answer like that. “Work is still work.” She would’ve scolded.

“It’s not just the inaccuracies of the Angels. The Demon Corps also fear mongers the demonic threat out of proportion. Yes, there are casualties every day, but statistics show they are growing less and less common, and yet the Demon Corps insists that the threat is growing. They’re using fear to control some kind of agenda.”

“You sound like a conspiracy nut.” I said.

“Aidan Crow, that’s exactly what I am.” She laughed.

The city was beautiful at night. The park where I was attacked by a Demon had a river in it. Across it, you could see the skyline. Eden City was one of the biggest on Avalon. According to Alison, it was also the site where humanity was born.

I admit I was a little uneasy walking through that park again. I kept a lookout, ready to react if my arm even gave the slightest hint of being warm. However, that night it was cold as stone.

“Thanks for walking me.” Alison smiled as I dropped her off at her apartment. “You said you live three blocks that way?” She pointed.

“Yeah.” I said.

“Does your arm bother you? Must be hard adjusting to it.” She said, pointing at the sling.

“Don’t worry about it. I’m a lefty anyways.” I said.

She laughed and laughed. I laughed too. She smiled at me, waving softly, before walking up the stairs.

I turned and walked away. I didn’t head in the direction of home however. Instead, I found a nearby back alley, and entered it.

“We’re alone now.” I said.

Bessel leapt down from the building above, landing in front of Aidan.

“How’d you know I was following you?” He asked, grinning.

I tapped my arm. After leaving the park, it pulsed slightly.

“Heh. Like your own demon tracking radar.” He grinned.

“You’re a Demon.” I said.

“I suppose so. That’s what you folk call us.” He said.

“What do you want with me? Anastrid was a long time ago.”

“Who in Amon’s name gives a crap about that stuff anymore. What I’m interested in, is right there.” He said, pointing.

“Heh.” I laughed, tearing my cast off and revealing my glowing arm. Bessel whistled in admiration.

“No little miss crazy to bother us now.” Bessel said. “Time for round two.”

Bessel’s body contorted and transformed into a shower of sparks. It seemed he was now covered in shining silver armor from head to toe. His legs were jointed like a grasshopper’s, powerful and wide. Two blades ran down his forearms, resembling those of praying mantis. And his head was like that of a locust, bulging black eyes jutting from it, insectoid mandibles clicking.

My arm pulsed to life, the fire running through it allowing me full range of motion.

“Yeah. Round two.” I said, charging ahead.