Independence

Scarlet on:

I continue to walk the path of gray bricks, a color somewhat bland. My hair was a little disheveled, with my hand I took a few strands of hair and tossed them in the air, in a carefree way of fixing them. I know I'm beautiful so I don't even bother to pick up the mirror and check my appearance.

- Madam, are you sure about that? - I hear a joyful sound filling my ears. - We should have made an appointment with Alexander-sama, not everyone has as much free time as you do.

- Don't be so boring Celine. - I say with a slight smile and turning to my companion, who was walking a few steps behind me. Her short black hair, combining her youthful face and brown eyes, a strong and athletic physique, but most of her body was hidden by a black suit that enhanced her delicate curves. - Besides, you know that Alexander is more relaxed than I am.

- ... - Celine says nothing, just seems to have accepted my point of view.

We keep walking until we get to that big entrance door, made of dark wood, I look at the beautiful blue flowers in the very carefully kept garden. I have always loved the decor of this mansion, but of course I would prefer red.

I don't even touch the wood and the door opens slowly. I look curious with who my receptionist would be, I'm sure it's not Alexander ... he wouldn't have that education. When I get a better look at the luxurious interior of that well-known entrance hall, I see a young man with blue hair and wearing a little simple clothes in front of me, he is certainly not an employee nor any of Alex's lieutenants, a soldier... this doubt makes my curiosity more and more lit and I smile, enjoying the situation.

Jax On

"How did I end up in this situation?"

I was in front of the General of Wrath and her companion, without even being dressed in a decent way. I get nervous with her eyes, making me want to leave, I try to focus only on Alexander-sama's orders: "Guide her into the living room and distract her" ... but how am I going to do that?

- Well, well ... I didn't know Alexander had such a cute butler. -I hear General speaking in a sweet tone, but I still can't look her straight in the eye.

- I'm not an employee, Scarlet-sama. - I say trying to hide the nervousness of my voice. - My name is Jax Travorius, I am one of the captains of Alexander and I am here serving my General in some services.

- "Services"? - She comments in a low voice, placing one of her hands, with perfectly manicured nails painted with red nail polish, on her chin and keeping her smile. - Could you explain?

I think for a while before saying anything, I don't think the other generals know about Yuki, so I just focus on changing the subject of the conversation.

- First of all, why don't we go to the living room, Lady Scarlet? - I just change the subject, I don't want to get involved where I'm not called. - Alexander-sama will receive you in a few moments. - I say in a subtle and polite way, making a reference and indicating the direction of the living room to my left.

The silence. Neither she nor her companion says anything, making my body start to shake slightly.

"Did I say something wrong? Should I have answered?"

Amid my worries, I feel a subtle and warm touch on my face, which brings me back to reality. One hand. In a fright I lift my face and see that woman with red hair and ruby eyes next to me, touching my cheek with her thin fingers. I couldn't react to that movement, it was so fast that I couldn't feel the general's approach. She just keeps touching my face without saying anything, the feel of her soft fingers compared to her tougher nails against my skin. I try to move as little as possible, I just focus on thinking about all my next movements and lines. Scarlet moves her fingers to my chin and takes it lightly with her thumb and index finger and pulls it, making me raise my spine and lift me out of the bow.

With this movement, I am forced to look at those menacing red eyes, which seemed to analyze every inch of my face. My nervousness doubles and I can't even move my lips to say anything.

- Scarlet-sama, please behave yourself. - I hear a new voice in the room, I look at the general's companion placing her small hand on the woman's shoulder.

Scarlet just looks out of the corner of her eye at the short-haired young woman with disinterest, as if she just wants to ignore it, but she knows she can't. I feel her fingers release my chin and free myself from that situation.

- Aff... I can't even play anymore. - She says with a sigh and looking annoyed at being interrupted.

- There is a limit to that, my lady. - That dark-haired woman doesn't stop and talks to Scarlet again with a certain anger in her voice, as if it hadn't been the first time. - I apologize for her manners Jax-san. I’m Celine Rihinet, I’m Scarlet-sama’s First Lieutenant.

- Ah... no problem, Celine-san. - I say a little impressed with the woman's education, which gave me some relief and I breathe normally again

- If you don't mind, could you take us to the living room? -She asks by placing one of her hands on her chest and gently touching her fingers over her clothes, showing a certain delicacy.

- Sure, this way. - I mean, finally calming down completely and turning my body towards the big dark wooden door.

- Aff... you two are so boring. - Scarlet says from a distance, with both hands on her waist. - I hope Alexander won't be long, I want to bother him a little.

I just smile nervously at the woman in the high shoes and blazer walking towards me, still a little irritated. Her movements were robust and precise; where the long blazer, which covered her shoulders, moved slowly and following her walk. I don't take long and I start walking faster, next to Celine who seemed serious and ready to stop any new joke from her general. When we get closer to the couch, I give the ladies a space to pass. Celine is the first and sits closest to me, then Scarlet takes a few steps but she doesn't sit down, she just looks at the furniture and seemed to frown a little, not out of anger but out of disgust. I start to wonder why her expression is on, I look at Celine and she looks normal while she waits with her hands on her knees together waiting to be received.

- I still hate that color. - Scarlet grumbles, showing the reason for her discomfort.

Even so, the woman with the flaming hair sits down and crosses her legs and puts one of her arms on the couch. She looked like a real gang leader, mainly because of her expression still irritated by sitting on the color she seemed to hate.

- You there Jax. - I hear my name come out of Scarlet's lips and feel a cold rise in my spine. - When will that idiot be ready?

- Ah, Alexander-sama must be almost ready, d-don't worry. - I say trying to keep my voice steady and without stuttering.

- You can't wait even five seconds. - I hear an annoyed voice answering the general, I look back and see Alexander walking through the door.

He was wearing a kind of navy blue jacket that extended to his ankles and with some silver buttons closing the front and in the little that was open I could see a white T-shirt with no apparent detail. It wasn't very fancy, he probably took the first thing that appeared in his closet and put it on. Alexander had an irritated expression when his eyes fell on the crimson haired woman, who just returned with a smile when she saw his face annoyed by her presence.

- Look who speaks, what kind of host does not receive your visits personally. - She just continues with an air of mockery, while settling even more on the sofa.

- You Damn ... - The jovial-looking general with black hair slowly begins to change his expression from discomfort to one of eminent anger and explosion. I only prepare to stop Alexander-sama, if he decides to attack Scarlet-sama.

When I feel that I will finally have to act, second visit gets up and stands between the two generals.

- It's been a long time Alexander-sama, how have you been? - She says in a soft tone and making a slight bow, while greeting Alexander.

Gradually the man calms down at the sound of her polite voice.

- I'm great Celine, until a certain person appears. - He says alternating from a gentle smile to Celine and an angry aura towards Scarlet.

- I ask a thousand pardons, I know that our visit was very sudden and without warning. - I hear Celine that she did not mind the threatening aura against her general, in fact she even seemed to be happy to talk to Alexander.

- Aff... all right, I still don't believe that someone so good serves this angry boar. - He says between his sighs, while focusing only on the young woman with dark hair.

- WHAT YOU SAID, YOU FUCKED VIPER!! - I hear Scarlet rising from the upholstered furniture with speed and fury.

Alexander is not bothered by the woman's insult, he just seemed to ignore her total existence. It only irritated General da Ira more and more, who was giving the first step to move towards Alex.

- Scarlet-sama, have manners we are visitors, so please be polite. - Celine turns and looks seriously in her direction, showing that she has already lost patience. - We already came without warning, so you better stop this.

- ... - The red-haired woman finally shut up and seemed a little scared by Celine's words... I have the impression of having seen this scene somewhere...

Scarlet-sama just sits back where she had stood up, still a little shaken by Celine's vocal attack. Then the young woman with the short hair just turns back to Alexander, as if that scolding had never happened. Both Alexander and I were a little scared by that aura of scolding, making a cold run down my spine.

- I think Liz was a bad example for you, Celine. - I just hear him talking with his voice shaking a little... So this one is Liz's disciple...

Just thinking about the hypothesis of two of that monster, already makes my heart tremble and I start to feel an imaginary, sinister and cold grip around my whole body.

- Did anyone call me? - A new familiar voice enters the room and almost gives me a heart attack when I hear it.

It was Liz who entered the room calmly and delicately, wearing her perfectly clean maid's uniform and untucked by the dark fabric. Behind her Yuki accompanied her, due to the short time he wore nothing too much: just a black T-shirt and a vest of the same color, jeans and white sneakers. Something very modern and at the same time combined with Yuki's facet and white hair, Liz really had a good taste for matching people and clothes.

Yuki On:

I just start entering the room, continuing behind Liz, blocking my view of the front with the red strands of her hair. Even after being in such a hurry, we managed to find something that would look good on me, I think I will use this set more often.

When I get a good view of our visits, I can finally meet with the person responsible for all that commotion. I am impressed by the beautiful and at the same time intimidating appearance of the General of Wrath, I think it matches her title. Next to Alex I see a new face, that young woman with dark hair and brown eyes. I make eye contact with the two of them and they do it to me, looking both confused and surprised by my appearance.

- It's been centuries, Celine and Scarlet-sama, how are you? - Liz cheers with her impeccable maid's education along with a little bow that doesn't last long.

- Liz-san! - Celine is the first to respond to Liz's greetings, excited to see the young crimson haired maid.

- Say there Liz, how are you? - Scarlet also seemed happy to see her again, speaking in a relaxed way and raising one of her hands to greet her. - And... who is this boy, Alexander's snack? - She finally turns to me with a wicked smile in my direction, while she points her finger, with her red nails turning towards me.

It was totally new for me, Liz to show such an expression which makes everyone else nervous with her expression. Even Scarlet, who seemed confident in his little joke, was going back a little way, without leaving the couch.

Neither of them moves, until the girl with short hair and athletic body, in a quick movement, stands beside the apprehensive general. None of us can keep up with her movements, she just raises her right hand and hits Scarlet's head hard. I am speechless, just look at it, it was such a surprising and courageous action on her part.

- Scarlet-sama, what do you think you're doing! - The attacker speaks in an irritated tone, while scolding the woman with flaming hair.

- What are you doing Celine!? -She replies to her companion, with one of her hands resting in the middle of her red hair, right where she had been hit.

- You have no idea of the danger, that is Alexander-sama's fiance. - She doesn't take her eyes off Scarlet, just points her finger at me, in the middle of her argument.

- Seriously? I thought it was a bad joke! - She says sketching her surprise. After that, the intimidation I felt about her disappeared.

"Could it be that all Generals are like that."

I think when I see the two examples of Generals of Hell, that I have had so far.

- I ask a thousand pardons, Alexander-sama. - Celine says, grabbing her General's head and forcing a bow, while she herself bowed and kept her grip tight. - And your name?

- Ah, Yuki and it's a pleasure Celine. - I mean, when I realize she was referring to me. - You don't have to worry about that, it was nothing. - I say at a signal for her to stop squeezing Scarlet's head, she seemed to be about to pass out from Celine's grip.

She understood and finally released her grip. Scarlet just leans back against the sofa, gradually regaining her balance and little by little regaining her balance and gently fixing the disheveled red strands on his head. Alex, Jax and I just looked at it, feeling sorry for Scarlet and afraid for Celine.

- Liz, did I do it right? - The young woman's animated voice echoes through the walls, as if she were showing a high note to her mother.

The red-haired maid just steps forward until she can get close enough to Celine, who looks happy and content.

- Next time try to use less force on your fingertips, you will end up hurting yourself. - Liz seems to be giving a lesson on how to assault generals. I can't stop being surprised, while Alex seemed a little scared that he might be some kind of example for that mini lesson. - And don't use your hands to hit, use something that protects your hands, you're new to it and the generals' heads are hard, you'll end up getting hurt.

- Understood Liz. - She confirms confidently, paying attention to every detail, like a good and attentive student, ready to do it right next time.

The two seem to be in their little world, so we decided not to disturb.

- So Scarlet. - Alex is the first to say something, the first to have the courage.

The General, still disheveled and recovering the breath of that surprise attack, raises her spine and crosses her legs again, ignoring her condition of hair. She looks at Alex seriously and even Liz and Celine stop talking so that the only voice now is Scarlet's.

- The results of the analysis of that ugly thing you killed. - I hear the serious sound of her voice passing through my ears, making my body tremble, I don't know whether from anxiety or worry. - See for yourself. - She snaps her fingers and in just a red flash, some sheets of paper appear in the air and descend gently to Alex's hands, who takes and analyzes them with precise and surgical care.

He starts to dance with his eyes on the lines, leaving everyone uneasy. His pupils dilate with the opening of his eyes, surprised by what they were reading and with his mouth, slightly open, he begins to speak:

- An inferior demon?! - He says in a frightened and astonished tone, with that result.

Everyone except Scarlet and Celine, for already knowing the result, while I was more confused than anything. I still didn't know why there was so much commotion.

- That's impossible Scarlet, did the envy researchers smoke something while doing the exams? -Alex says, looking indignant with what he had just read, while he squeezed the piece of paper and smoothed the object in his hands.

- Don't look at me like that, Alexander. -The general just shrugs while she grumbles at Alex's discomfort. - They took the test five times, there's no mistake. She peels her back off the upholstery and bends her spine, resting her arms on her knees and clasping her hands together, staring at Alex with her flashing red eyes.

He just feels her gaze pierce his soul. Alex's unease only grows, making him look extremely uncomfortable. Scarlet looks as uncomfortable as Alex, taking a deep breath and closing her eyes, wishing it was just a dream. I get a little nervous, but I step forward and stand beside Alex and get ready to join the conversation.

- But what is the problem with them being inferior demons? - I ask and now everyone focuses on me, seeming not to care about my obvious question due to the situation. In a way to assist me, Celine steps forward and shortens the distance between the two.

- It's not that it's a problem, it's an irregularity. - She says focusing to explain in the most serious and simple way possible. - Basically lower demons are the plebs of hell, even if they are born with mana they don't have so much magic energy in their bodies...

Amid the explanation, I feel a small squeeze on my arm. Alex had his fingers on my wrist, holding on tightly. He didn't seem to like the labels Celine was giving to explain her, but he didn't interrupt her.

- While demons considered superior, they have their own and unique spells. - While demons considered superior, they have their own and unique spells. Like Incubuses and Succubi*, who have the ability to enter their victim's dreams and suck out their vital energy. - She continues, without letting any comma go through her explanation. - But this is totally different, these demons look like ... - Celine tries to say, but is quiet, seeming to refuse to say such words.

* Succubi, demons that take feminine form to attack men during their dreams, while Incubus do the opposite and attack women. Aiming to steal the victim's vital energy.

- They underwent mystical transfiguration. - Scarlet completes the sentence in her place, in a tense voice and showing how worrying it would be.

- Don't say nonsense Scarlet! - Liz steps forward and dominates the room with her deep, high voice. We all jump when she, who was just watching, decides to invade with fury. - Everything about the mystical transfiguration has been destroyed: books, notes, even practitioners and their apprentices; I was there... it's just impossible to have any remnants of it today.

- I know that Liz, so we limited this information to just a few people, we don't want to cause a riot. - She says in a tired way, not caring about Liz's aggressive form, or rather she even agrees with her. - But unfortunately it is the most likely option.

Liz tries to say it, but holds on and keeps her anger inside her. She knows that being irritated for nothing will not change anything, so little by little she tries to put out the fire of her feelings and returns to her calmness as a professional employee.

- I apologize for my rudeness. -She says, getting back in control of her, giving light quick sighs.

- Wait a minute, I don't understand. - Jax breaks his silence, looking as confused as I ... Which makes me a little happy to know, that I wasn't the only one lost there. - I never heard of such a mystical transfiguration. Is it really that dangerous?

- Yes, extremely... - Scarlet goes ahead and answers first, seeming not to want to talk about it, but she doesn't stop. - It's normal for you not to know, your generation were all still children when it happened. Basically the mystical transfiguration, consists in changing the magical structure of a living being.

I look in Jax's direction and as soon as her words reach his ears, his expression of surprise changes to one of astonishment and distress.

- Several scientists used inferior demons for these experiments, they said they were looking for a "Perfect Demon"... bullshit, they were just playing with creating monsters... - She grumbles irritably at the memory of these terrible deeds, in favor of an impossible goal. - It was decreed that it was extremely dangerous and now it is taboo, everything has been erased so that there would never be a similar incident again.

With everything finally explained to me and Jax, they continue with the conversation.

- Do you already have any culprits? -Alex continues, without losing focus, while still holding my arm, the warmth of his hand didn't bother me, in a way to calm him down, I put my free hand over his. As soon as he feels the contact with my skin, he looks at me from the corner of his face and gives me a smile... Objective completed.

- Nothing so far, this was the first, but... - Scarlet continues to take a long pause, a little apprehensive. - I do not doubt that there will be others... a meeting was called Alexander Lust.

- A meeting of Generals? - Jax goes back to normal after that shock.

- It will happen in a day. - The General of Wrath gets up from the sofa in an elegant way and walks towards us. - I came to get you, preferably it is better to bring some of your lieutenants.

Alex raises his spine and began to convey an aura of military respect. He doesn't run away and looks at Scarlet as an equal, he was really serious about the situation.

- Aff... Yuki sorry, I have to leave. - He just looks at me with a gentle smile, while hiding that intimidating aura for a few seconds. While he seemed confident with his decision, he seemed a little sad to have to leave right after he came back with me.

I look with compassion and just hug his arm tightly and willingly, leaning my face lightly against the stout fabric of his clothing.

- Don't take too long. - I say, looking directly into the blue eyes of my fiance, who had his cheeks flushed. I smile slightly when I see your cute reaction.

We stayed like this for a few seconds, enjoying each other's moments of body contact. I know it sounds trivial, but I was enjoying that brief moment.

- Ah... - I hear Scarlet, a little uncomfortable for holding that candle and looking at that romantic scene. Celine and Jax seemed to have the same reaction as the red-haired general, while Liz looked proud of it, opening a winning smile. - I know it's an extremely bad thing on my part but... we don't have that much time... - She says, a little embarrassed to be in the way.

- Aff... I know that. - Alex turns his face slightly towards Scarlet. He didn't want to go but, he lets go of my hands and goes towards the door. - But first I need to find Bel, he is the only one of my lieutenants available at the moment.

When I hear that, curiosity is mixed with my sadness at the separation and at the same time surprised that Alex has more than one lieutenant. As he moves away from me, Jax comes towards me and now stands beside me, looking like he wants to console me a little, but in his grumbling way. Scarlet and Celine just watch him go to the door of the room, but it opens in a sudden and abrupt way, almost hitting Alex in the face.

- Sorry I'm late, what did I miss? - I hear another familiar voice, of a certain dark-haired man. Belial, he enters the room with his face looking like he has just woken up, with his eyes slightly closed, messy hair and yawning a little as he enters the room. -I was taking a nap and I heard...- He explains, but stops talking when he sees the woman with red hair, who just gave a smile.

- S-Scarlet-sama...? -He was scared to see that woman, with crossed arms and with a mean expression towards him. - What are you... - Before he can even finish his sentence, Alex grabs his collar and starts dragging him out of the room.

- I'll explain everything, your sleeper comes with me. - He pulls mercilessly, with an uncomfortable voice.

I follow them with my eyes, while Belial is still confused and trying to escape Alex. I lose sight of them when they walk through the door. I don't let it shake me, I stand firm, even though I want to be with him, I want to be independent and help him one day.

- How did you meet? - I hear, a soft voice very close to my ear. I look out of the corner of my eye and see ruby-red eyes very close to my face. I don't react or rather, I didn't have a chance to react, as if she was there beside me all the time the woman with red hair looked at me with curiosity and intrigue, waiting for my answer.

- Ah... I was dying and he found me. - I say nervous, I can't even disguise how surprised I was with that approach.

- I see... - She keeps looking at me from head to toe, analyzing me without letting even the slightest movement of my hair go unnoticed. I stand still, try to move as little as possible. - Aren't you afraid? - She smiles slightly, probably expecting me to say yes.

When that question leaves your lips, I just smile back and push that intimidation away. I lift my spine and try to be on an equal footing with her. Scarlet and her date are surprised by my attitude, making her even more curious.

- Of course not, why should I be afraid of a bully who didn't even introduce herself? - I cross my arms and look closely at her well-defined figure, if she can analyze me I can too.

She doesn't say anything, just remains silent without showing any emotion about my slightly rude response. I regret a little of saying that without thinking, but I can't go back now, I just keep an eye out for anything she did, focused on being able to follow her with my eyes... I probably couldn't.

- Really? - A new direction, in my other ear the woman's voice appears, now she had her arm on my shoulder and her lips on the other side of my head. - It has been many centuries since anyone, other than Celine or Liz, speaks that way to me... human.

I don't even move, I stand firm, I can't show weakness. I don't turn my head, I just move my eye and keep my smile.

- So I'm the first human, what an honor. I say in a mocking voice, already preparing myself for the worst like Liz and Celine, getting ready to jump over Scarlet and stop her movements, while Jax was ready to pull me away.

Before any of the soldiers or the maid moved a muscle, a laugh. A loud and animated sound of a laugh full of energy. We were all startled by the laughter that the woman let out, I was expecting everything but that. With that I get more nervous, I don't know what she can do next.

- Hahahahaha... how many years ago did I have a good laugh? - With the other hand she wipes a tear of laughter and gradually seemed to calm down. - I liked that brat. I'm Scarlet Wrath, General of Ira, it's a pleasure Yuki.

I keep a smile, but inside I feel such relief that I could fall to the floor at any moment. Everyone else there was feeling the same as I was, making the previously heavy climate lighter and brighter. I feel her let go of me and start walking towards Celine, elegantly in that tall shoe.

- Sorry for the lack of education, I really didn't think Alexander would ever get married, it's almost a joke. - She says now grabbing the brown-haired girl, she was so big in relation to Celine that one arm was enough to catch her body.

- With the short time I know him, I can't be surprised. - I say more relaxed and slowly approaching the two.

- For sure. - She keeps agreeing with me and giving a sincere and honest smile. I just follow her and lower my defenses. - Why didn't you say that Alexander had found someone so interesting, Liz? -Scarlet back to Liz, while she still held Celine with her arm.

I look in the direction of the maid, who just smiled and shrugged at her question.

- Where do you know each other from? - Jax's voice comes from behind me and asks, it seems that he has already recovered all his breath.

- They do not know? - Scarlet turns to us, a little incredulous that we don't know, which makes both me and my blue-haired companion even more curious. - Liz is my older sister.

- Yes your older sister. - I say instantly with Scarlet's reply.

- It makes sense... - Jax follows me, but those moments of extreme surprise pass. - No, no, what do you mean!!? - He keeps going back to reality and showing that it was not a trivial thing.

Liz, Scarlet and Celine did not seem to understand the reason for such a surprise, making them look at each other, hoping that some of them would know the reason. I don't say anything, I just look in the direction of my maid, who seemed calm about it all. With that I just accept, if it's Liz we're talking about, I can't be surprised, how much this woman can do, if she told me that she is one of the Generals of Hell, I wouldn't be surprised.

- If I didn't become a General, Liz would definitely take the job. - Scarlet continues, this news hit Jax in the face and his outbreak just ceases with forced acceptance... - Sorry to bring bad news sis, I really wanted to take something with you.

- Me too Scarlet, but we better take care of the situation quickly. - The older sister takes over and begins to delegate. - Celine and Scarlet, let's get ready for the meeting. Meanwhile, Jax, have you explained to Yuki-san?

- Not yet. - He says, listening carefully, as if they were direct orders from some military with high rank... something that Liz certainly was...

Even though I want to look at Jax, I can't take my eyes off Liz, serious about all that. I have never seen her so irritated and serious... I feel a little cold in her spine, but I am careful not to show my nervousness.

- Jax you take care of the rest, I'll get Alexander-sama and Belial-sama. - The determined commander, dressed as a maid turns her back on me and Jax, heading towards the door. - We left in a few minutes. - Liz says in an authoritative voice, finally leaving the room, accompanied by her sister and Celine. When the wooden doors close behind the girl group, I return to Jax who seemed to have something to say to me.

- Take your time. - My teacher sits on the blue sofa and stretches, seeming to be able to relax a little. - Let's go out to train. - He doesn't just look at me if he focuses on the ceiling, so tired or unwilling to move his head to look in my direction.

- What? - I mean, thinking that my ears were playing with me and making me hear absurd things. - You didn't say we wouldn't have practical classes anytime soon. - I say surprised, but at the same time I don't complain at all... I want to stay away from that metal table for a while.

- Things have changed. - He was bothered by having to rush the class and change what he had scheduled. - I already talked to Liz about, she will convince Alexander-sama. - Jax informs me, to make me calmer.

- Do you think she can do it? - I ask, even though I knew that if he said no, she would just ignore his opinion.

- He will not refuse or rather he has no option. - He continues, looking a little scared like what Liz could do if he thought about refusing.

I do not answer, nor do I need it so that he already knows my answer. I smile slightly at the man, who gives me one too. I almost jump in fright when I see that scene, Jax was the last person I would think would smile at me without being drunk. I don’t even think about commenting, I’m afraid of him getting angry

- Where are we going? - I ask curious, feeling the excitement of using magic running through my veins.

- We received a case of a low ranking demon in Nara, near Kōriyama Castle. - Jax starts to dictate the information, in a detailed way and taking it seriously. - We would normally send only novice soldiers, but I managed to make an exception for you.

I want to jump for joy but restrain myself, keeping my spine straight and ears ready, listening to all Jax's precise orders. My eyes were confident and ready for anything he told me to do. He seems to like my attitude, but he doesn't tear his military face apart, as if he's talking to one of his subordinates.

- In the first part I will stay with you and teach you basic attack spells, then you will do the rest yourself. - He continues, when I hear that I will have to go alone at some point, I start to feel a nervous heat in the back of my neck. - I will receive more details when we arrive at the place, if an irregularity occurs you have to run away.

- Yes sir. - I follow Jax and start acting like a soldier. Feet together and looking directly at the blue-haired man who dictated my mission.

- Rest soldier. -He finishes, but as soon as he realizes that he is not talking to one of his subordinates, he swallows and tries to correct himself. - Sorry Yuki, it was the force of habit...

- Understood Sir. - I interrupt him with a light salute. When he sees that his excuse is unnecessary, he just smiles... I think I'm winning him little by little.

- I prefer sensei, I have some separate things for you, we leave as soon as Alexander-sama goes to the meeting. - He says, turning to the door where everyone had already passed.

My time has come, the courage dominates me and I am even more excited. I'm going to show Alex and everyone that I'm not a dead weight and... who knows, maybe I can help Alex, after I get rid of Izak... I look ahead and see Jax's back, who was heading for the exit , just like everyone else before.

- Yes Sensei. - I say prepared and start walking with him. We passed the door and left the lighted room, heading towards the door that led to the hallway with the kitchen and to that when the gray brick training room, which reminded me of my damned school moments. My teacher was a step in front of me, as soon as he touches the handle and opens the dark door, I take a deep breath and follow him.

Some minutes later:

I was just getting dressed in the training room, behind a plain black fabric screen. Jax had used that gigantic book on top of the silver pillar to summon. He had given me some changes of clothes as soon as we entered the training room, showing that he was really ready. A tight black shirt, a light brown vest with three small bags on each side of the front, long pants and camouflage print, and wearing thick black boots. I feel like a real soldier in that outfit, when I finish tying my shoe laces I was ready.

I step out from behind the screen, which protected my body from any curious eyes and see Jax leafing through the large book that invoked things lightly, running his eye over the pages of paper. He hears me and just moves his eyes to see my clothes.

- It looks good on you. Any discomfort? - He asks turning his eyes quickly to the book.

- No, it's comfortable. - I say approaching him, to try to read a little what was in that book.

I try but Jax just closes the books, when I finally have a good position to read without worrying... I don't know if it was a fluke or if he closed it on purpose, I think the second option... I get a little angry but I let it go, when i come back i take a peek. He leaves the pedestal and goes to a table with some objects on it. That wasn’t there before, but I just look at that set of leaves and cover that invoked things about silver.

"He must have used it when I was changing."

I think of the answer right away. I follow him and start to see all the objects on the table: several bottles with colored contents, five daggers and each one was inside a leather sheath each, some blue stones that emanated a light and beautiful glow of the same color and lastly a book with a reddish cover and details in gold metal.

- I think it should be enough. - Jax looks at the items on the table again, to make sure he hasn't forgotten anything. - With that, your chances of surviving are almost one hundred percent.

- "Almost". - I repeat looking at Jax. What a way to motivate, the chance of an imminent death is really encouraging. Then I just look at the things on the table, that large amount of items, and then look confusedly at the pockets on my vest. - It won't fit here.

Jax just looks at me with one of his eyebrows raised, making it very clear that I had spoken nonsense. He walks over to the table and picks up one of the bottles with a red liquid inside and heads towards me.

"This time he doesn't fool me, there's no way..."

Before I even finish my thought, Jax shoves the potion into one of my pockets and shoves his forearm together, showing its depth. I don't even look at my pocket to know he was right.

- These pockets have a space magic seal in them. - He says taking his arm, now without the potion, and points in the direction of a small purple emblem with the image of Saturn with some moons around it, inside the bag. - With this seal, the size of this bag triples, each one has the capacity to carry five items each.

- Wow. - I am impressed with the usefulness of this magic, I had seen it before with Kuro-san but it is still very cool. In an instinct I put my hand inside the bag that Jax had put the bottle in, it is very strange when I see my arm go into that small bag on the outside but big on the inside, I stop sinking my member when I feel the bottle with my fingers, the cold sensation the glass makes me step back and take my arm out of the magic bag.

- Okay, now a quick explanation: green healing potions, blue ones have a sleeping effect, reds create a small explosion of fire, these arcane stones generate a smoke bomb. - He dictates what each item, while putting them in my pockets. I don't complain and just let him do whatever he wants, besides I don't want to touch the exploding bottle, without needing - Lastly... - Jax turns to the table, still with some bottles and the daggers.

He just looks at them thoughtfully, until the moment to choose two among the options. He turns around carrying the sharp weapons in their respective sheaths and extends both to me.

- Magic dagger and emergency dagger. - He puts what is said to be magic in my pocket and hands it to me. - Put this one where no one sees it, it's good to have something like that this.

I just follow your advice. The sheaths was sewn with a kind of black belt next to the piece of black leather. I just crouch, lift my pants a little, and strap the weapon to my leg with that belt. I lower the fabric again and hide the dagger, move my leg a little and feel the leather clinging to my skin in a subtle way, I don't mind and it doesn't seem to hinder my leg movement.

- Lastly your own bestiary. - Jax speaks again holding the red book in his hands. I reach out and take the set of pages of paper with both hands, feeling the texture of the cover in contrast to the gold metal. - It's a gift from me.

I am surprised and at the same time happy when I receive that from Jax, making a smile open on my face. I open the book and start flipping through it lightly. With as little as I can see: there were some images of dragons, some monsters I had never seen before, I'm almost sure that I saw something like the Loch Ness Monster... I'll take a look later...

Carefully I put my gift in my empty pocket, with nothing inside ... I want to be careful with that. It was a little difficult to get through the hole but nothing much. When I was finally fully prepared, I lift my spine and look determinedly at Jax, who is studying me from head to toe.

- Here we go. - I say confident and ready to go.

- Come on, Alexander should be ready by now. - He says with a smile, showing he is happy with the sight of his student ready to hunt. But deep down he seemed to be a little down and I know why.

I approach Jax and place my hand on his shoulder.

- Don't worry, Belial won't be long. - I say in a gentle way to calm my heartbroken companion.

My teacher seemed surprised by my actions. In a momentary response he just overlaps my hand on his shoulder with his own. The warmth of his fingers on mine, makes a comfortable and warm connection, recalls the moments I had when my brother consoled me when I was sad. We stayed there for a few seconds until he decided to say something.

- I say the same to you, apprentice. - He speaks in a sarcastic tone, but it was what I expected from that idiot with blue hair, I just smile and accept his gesture gladly.

- Okay, sensei. - I say heading for the exit of the training room, being followed by Jax.

We walked to the entrance hall calmly, without rushing anything. As we pass the wooden door, I see Alex coming down the stairs. His face brings me a certain comfort in my soul, as soon as our eyes meet, his serious expression changes and turns into a warm and loving smile.

- Liz warned me that you're going out, be careful. - He says a little defeated, it seems that he really had no choice in this discussion. I look behind him and see the reason for his defeat in this conversation, with her fire-red hair and white ruffles.

Liz didn't even seem to mind her general's condition. Scarlet, Celine and Belial were right behind, everyone there was a little pale as if they had seen something scary.

- Yuki-san. - I hear Liz's polite and subtle voice go through my ears. The maid passes by Alex, who doesn't react. - Don't worry about anything, have a good hunt.

- Liz ... - Alex tries to talk to me but Liz's demonic aura appears suddenly.

- Alexander-sama, I hope the conversation we had was not in vain. - She looks threateningly at the man, making everyone feel cold in the spine.

"I found the scary thing."

- Y-Yes, ma'am. - Alex stammers before the demonic maid. Then Liz disperses her intimidation in the air and everyone can breathe normally. The general turns to me, now more controlled and unafraid ... still a little afraid. - Yuki, Aff ... be careful and any problems run away.

- It's ok. - I say happy to receive such words of concern. In a slight movement, I take a step and move my lips to Alex's. The contact with your soft skin makes my spine tremble again, but not with fear but with pleasure.

The kiss lasted only a second, but for both of us it lasted much longer. When I pull away from him slightly, I see his flushed and surprised expression. Everyone was there with the same expression as Alex, especially Scarlet who seemed to be the most shocked to see this.

- You also be careful. - I sayleaning my fingers lightly on his slightly colored face, his skin was hot and even with just that body contact I already felt ready to go.

In a slight movement, he takes my hand still resting on his face. His fingers were bigger and stronger than mine, but he had soft skin that completely enveloped my hand and gradually overpowered me with his warmth. He tilts his spine slightly and brings my fingers up to his lips, but when he was about to touch, Alex stops the movement.

- We are in a hurry so I will make an informal contract with you, do not worry and do not be afraid. - He finally kisses my fingers. In an instant I feel something like electrical energy running through my body. Even though it is something new, I am not afraid, I trust Alex. - When we get back, we'll do it right. - Without my noticing he had already released mine, opening a happy smile.

I look at where he kissed and see a small mark on my ring finger, it was a small dark blue heart-shaped mark. I watch the mark for a few seconds, as if it were a precious jewel. With my other hand, I move my fingers and start to caress the mark I had won.

- Thanks Alex, good luck at the meeting. - I say happy and excited about everything. I know I can't extend this anymore, so I turn and head for the front door, next to Jax. I take a last breath and step through the entrance.

When I put my feet out, I feel the refreshing late afternoon breeze, getting a good view of the bright orange sunset. A little bit of light passes through my eyes, forcing me to close them slightly.

I hear Jax's footsteps approaching, stopping only when he stands beside me. He was a little taller than me, but he sure was as sullen as an old man.

- I'll open the door, get ready for the jump. - He says standing next to me, holding my arm firmly but without squeezing me too much.

The blue-haired man extends his free hand, palm up, and closes his eyes. From his palm skin, a small light blue sphere comes out and emits a very strong glow, managing to overlap the orange sunlight. I look at the little ball, failing to change the direction of my gaze.

- Close your eyes, you will feel sick. - I hear Jax's warning, tighten my arm as the light increases its brightness.

In a sense contrary to my own curiosity, I force myself to close my eyes and not see what it would do. When darkness takes over my entire field of vision, I begin to feel something like a kind of wind flow through me and around my entire body, gradually increasing its strength. As soon as I realize it, I feel my feet off the ground and in the next second the feeling that my body is going at an extreme speed, as if I'm being carried by a bullet train, but at the same time I have the feeling of not moving out of place. These opposite senses make my head spin and a cold starts to appear in my belly.

The sensation continues for a few seconds until it stops completely. I stop moving completely, the wind around me disappears and my feet finally touch the ground again. The ground above me, manages to completely relieve my soul and I slowly open my eyes and come out of the darkness. When I find the light again, I find myself in an open field with a large traditional oriental construction, with copper-colored tiles, pure white walls and wooden details, but what stood out the most was a great elevation of large and rough rocks, leaving that beautiful building taller and emphasizing its clean beauty.

- Aff... I hate that kind of trip. - Jax finally releases me, after recovering from that transport. He seemed more moody than usual ... but I don't know if this is from the trip or just because he has this mood by nature.

- Couldn't just have opened a portal, like Liz did at the festival. - I say stretching a little and hoping that I would never have to travel like that again.

- You can only be crazy. - He says doing the same stretches that, while refuting my idea quickly and coldly. This causes me to look in his direction while I was stretching my arm, which had been held by Jax during the ride. - You need an absurd amount of mana for such a trip, the only way to do that without using all my mana is to go through this turbulence. - He finishes stretching his muscles and already looking brand new.

- But Liz ... - I say confused without thinking, but almost immediately come back with my words when it comes to Liz.

- You understand, that woman is a monster. - He says that looking scared to remember the moments when he watched her emanate that evil aura. - Don't use common sense with her, Liz ... or rather Liz-san goes beyond the normal of a demon. - He says these things a little crude, but at the same time I could not say that he was not at all wrong.

Gradually my senses return to normal, as I finish stretching, and allow me to hear the sound of footsteps on the asphalt. I look back without expecting any threat, after all Jax didn't react when that person approached. A young man with brown hair and a uniform of Lust, just like the other common soldiers in the Kyoto barracks. He didn't have anything striking, scar, horn or anything to show that he was a demon, he didn't even carry any kind of apparent weapon, if it weren't for the uniform I wouldn't even know he was a soldier.

- Captain Jax, it's an honor. - He speaks strictly and politely, while saluting.

- Rest, soldier. - Jax puts on his military side and steps forward, with his hands on his back. Just as he asks, the man hears the command and returns to the normal position, with his arms glued to his side. - What's the situation?

- We surrounded the entire perimeter of Koriyama Castle with a barrier, nothing enters and nothing leaves without our permission. - The soldier continues to report accurately, without hiding any details. I just watch from a distance, paying close attention to their conversation. - We also managed to identify that it is a kind of foreign monster.

- A foreign monster, what kind? - The blue-haired captain was unconcerned, hoping it would be an easy job.

- Goblins * sir. - He answers Jax quickly and concisely.

* Creature from Norse mythology, which resembles an elf. Even though they are similar, goblins are known to be a kind of monster with wild habits and who play tricks on people.

A silence settles between the two, making me a little nervous.

"Are they dangerous? The goblins from the RPG I played were always the weakest monsters... is it different in real life?"

- How did globlins get here ?! - Jax says discredited, taking some of the militarism out of his face and voice. The soldier does not react out of respect, but inside he seems to want to express his surprise. - Are you absolutely sure, soldier? - He continues, hoping that was a mistake.

- Yes sir, we destroyed another nest about two kilometers from here. - The soldier continues, standing firm and continuing to explain the situation. - We have not identified any more signs of goblins in the region, except here.

- Aff... great, it is better to exterminate these pests before they multiply. - Jax was uncomfortable and gradually accepted the reality of the situation, but maintained militarism in his performance.

- Are they that problematic? - I take a step forward, entering the conversation with a serious expression, without showing my nervousness or anxiety.

- They're just boring to deal with. - My teacher puts a hand on his waist, with a certain boredom in his voice. - But still how the hell did they come here? - He puts a hand on his chin thoughtfully.

- Smuggling? - It is the first thing that comes to my mind, like an invasive species being brought from another country.

- Is it our main suspicion ... sir? -The soldier seems to agree with me, but he interrupts his speech, seeming not to know what to say next.

- This is Yuki-sama, engaged to Alexander-sama. - Jax introduces me in a relaxed way, as if it were no big deal ... well that's how he treated me since I met him.

Almost immediately, the soldier enters a state of surprise and amazement. He makes a bow so fast, I can't even see him move. I take a step back, startled by the soldier's reaction.

- I apologize for my rudeness Yuki-sama !! - I was feeling a little bad about acting like that.

- Don't worry, soldier. - I say a little embarrassed, hoping he would stop doing that.

The instant I say that, he raises his head slightly and meets my eyes. Gradually he regains control of his actions and returns to his firm position as a soldier.

- He will be part of the hunt, so treat him like a soldier. - Jax puts his hand on my shoulder and looks seriously at the man, who seems surprised by the order but doesn't argue. - Gather the people available to get rid of these pests, Yuki will join them.

- Understood captain, give me a minute and they'll be ready. - He says hitting one last salute, before going back the way he came.

As soon as we lost sight of that man in the darkness at the end of the afternoon, we started talking to each other.

- Well, I'll give you an extremely quick lesson on how to use magic, so let's do it. - He says starting to teach that class against time, hoping that I would understand everything he was going to teach in a minute.

- It's better than just watching, let's go. - I say kind of accepting that my first magic class will be just in time for my practical exam. I give a slight huff and prepare to absorb as much information as he sends, I knew he was a good teacher and because of that I don't worry so much about the flash lesson.

- Magic consists of: mana flow and imagination, where you move your mana to an extension of your body and use your mind to shape it. - He says in just one sentence everything I think should take a few hours to learn.

- And the rest? - I say waiting for the rest of the information.

- With the time we have ... that's all. - He concludes, while I looked like an idiot who doesn't know what to do and tried to figure out what he had said.

- Let me show you, hold out your hands. - He says fast and staying on my back, I do as he says and extend my hands forward. He moves his hands quickly and positions them well over mine, not undoing the position he had asked me to.

- And now? - I was getting nervous and at the same time anxious, feeling Jax's soft fingers on my hands, seeming to guide me at that moment.

-Imagine a flow of water that goes from your chest and travels through your arms. - He says that cliché movie line of magic training, which makes my disbelief increase even more about that. - Do not look at me like that...

"Did he read my mind?!"

I try to keep that feeling aside. I close my eyes and imagine as he said, a small spring of water in my chest that divides into two channels. I focus on the crystal blue water, shining so brightly that I seemed to want to get out of the river. The sensation of something in my body scares me, but I don't open my eyes. Feeling like something was going through my body, running through my arms and going to my fingertips. It was warm and contagious, as if I was being welcomed and covered by a thin covering of hot water that didn't wet my skin or clothes.

- Great, for the first time you're doing great. - I hear Jax happy with my flow of mana, being much easier than I had thought. - Now imagine your attack, something simple and not too big.

I do not answer, but I had understood my teacher perfectly, who still held me carefully. As I was already thinking about a river, I thought of water and I gradually started to visualize in my head: a small ball of water, the size of my palms, rotating in a constant movement and without spreading many drops with this rotation.

I try to visualize this small aquatic sphere in my mind as strongly as possible. I start to think I wouldn’t be able to, but the moment I started to feel something wet touch my hand, I don’t resist and start opening my eyes, allowing me to see that little ball, previously part of my imagination and now belonging to the real world , floating between my palms. I want to scream for joy, but I felt Jax's hands and I focus on the spell again.

The small liquid object remained unstable, the moisture reached my fingers and lightly touched my skin. I look ahead and see the rough stone wall, its gray was able to stand out in the low light environment and makes it a great target. I take a last breath and imagine the ball being thrown towards the stone. Decided, I make a quick and sudden movement of pushing without touching the sphere, which in the same second follows my order and goes towards the wall with speed, hitting it hard and exploding wetting where it had touched.

I am impressed, even if it was something extremely simple, I can't stop feeling the adrenaline running through my veins. I just pull my hands close to me and begin to analyze the palms with a few drops of water.

- Not bad, you managed to concentrate the water in the atmosphere in that sphere, I thought it would take you a few weeks. - I hear him say analyzing, leaving me and looking at the wall that I aimed. - My classes must be really good.

- Don't tell me, if that's how you use magic, why did I have to take that class with you? - I ask a little uncomfortable with his annoying way.

- As my student, you must know everything about the magical universe and its theories. - He says without even looking in my direction, just keeps looking at the wet wall, trying to see if something was wrong.

I am very careful not to throw any of those stones at his head, as it is dark, he might not know where it came from. In a divine miracle I hear a few meters from us, I hear the sound of footsteps.

"Did that soldier come back?"

I think of the most obvious answer. I turn around slowly, expecting to see that familiar face of the brown-haired soldier, but I have a very different view than expected. I see only a lower figure than the soldier, at first I thought he was a lost child, but as my vision got used to the darkness, I can make out that green and grotesque figure. It reminded me a little of the hunt in Kyoto, but this time I am not scared when I see that ugly little creature with pointed ears, long nose and pointed teeth.

- I thought you would be scared to see a goblin. - The captain finally leaves the wall and stands beside me watching the creature.

- After Kyoto, it takes a lot more to scare me. - I say with a slight smile, ignoring that thing for a few seconds.

The goblin carried nothing in his hands, his only weapon being his sharp and pointed nails. He approached at a slow pace, as if analyzing us and trying to evaluate, if we were easy prey.

- This will be perfect, it will save me time. Jax steps forward and looks at the goblin with an evil smile.

When that thing sees Jax's expression, he feels that he won't be able to kill us. His face changes, realizing that he was not the predator in that situation. His first instinct was to run, turning his back on the moment he thought he had some chance of escape. His legs were small, so he couldn't go that far. I look at Jax and see a certain boredom, as if that thing is not worth his time.

- I hate dealing with such weak things. - He confesses to being bothered to deal with a goblin. Jax just snaps his fingers and on either side of his fleeing prey, two small white magic circles appear.

The thing doesn’t even react to the chains that go out and hold your legs and arms. In desperation, that thing tries to struggle uselessly.

- Use it as a target. -He says making a single movement of his hand, and at his command the chains bring his small but agitated prisoner close. - Goblins are not strong, so their basic magic will be enough.

- Ah... okay. - I get a little nervous about having to kill that, even though it was a monster it was a living being. This philosophy crosses my mind for a few seconds, but I knew that at some point I would have to do this.

I extend my arms, as I have done before, but this time towards the chained goblin.

"The water ball is not going to kill this thing... what can I use?"

I start to imagine things that resemble water and that I could use.

"Lakes, ocean, dolphin, drop... rain... lightning."

Before I can finish thinking, I feel my mana current running through my body, making the same path from my chest to my arm, but it was a different sensation. It used to be warm and welcoming water, but now it was a static sensation, like an electric current passing through my nerves and raising the hair on my arm.

I don't hesitate, I follow the idea. Not a drop of water appears from the palm of my hands, this time golden sparks appear from my skin. The little electrical sparks bounced everywhere, but little by little I was managing to put everything together in a small bright yellow ball. As if I were a sculptor, I begin to shape electricity. I do as Jax says and use my imagination for that and little by little, the fully round sphere becomes pointed like a thorn.

The goblin struggles even harder, his yellow eyes revealed his astonishment to me and makes me take a step back when I see them. My hesitation makes the electric thorn distort a little and almost dissolve.

- Alex was really right, it is not so easy to take a life. - I say to myself, the words remind me of Alex and a smile appears with them.

I look at the heart mark on my finger and recover my courage. The thorn forms again and in the same second I make the movement of pushing, firing the electric projectile at an amazing speed and making a gigantic hole in the stomach of that thing, which stops struggling dead in the air, still with its limbs being held by the white chains.

- I did it. - I say a little happy to have managed to pass my hesitations, I look back expecting a compliment from my advisor but I only see him with his chin on the floor. - What is it?

- No, lightning ... aff ... - He sighs, amid his surprise. I see it as a good thing, so I don't mind. - Looks like you did it, I don't know how, but I did it. - Among his confusion he seemed content with my actions. Then he makes a movement of his hand and the chains disappear and the target's body falls to the ground.

- So I can hunt without you? - I do a little jump in the same place, hoping that his answer would be positive, I want to test other elements.

- Okay, but with two conditions. -He speaks seriously and as his eyes fixed on mine, as if he could see through me. I listen carefully, prepared to accept whatever the conditions. - First: do not leave the group and second: use any element, except fire! - He says in a rude and loud way, ensuring that I hear him anyway.

- Ok sensei! - I say like a good excited student.

During our conversation, I hear more steps towards us again. I think they are new enemies and I turn towards the sound in a pose prepared to attack. But as the figures reach the light, I can recognize the person ahead, leading the group of people. The man who came to meet us earlier had returned and following him was a pair of young soldiers, one with black hair and the other with blond hair, they both seemed novice to me, and they were a little nervous when they saw Jax.

Before any of these can say anything, they see the scattered remains of the goblin we killed on the ground. The older one didn't seem to care so much, while the other two lost their breath a little when their eyes found the grotesque green body with a hole in its stomach, which spurted a little blood.

With these reactions, my theory of their experiences as soldiers is answered, but I still don't mind, certainly their combat experience is much bigger than mine.

- It seems that you have already met one, I apologize for not having noticed him approaching. - I hear the soldier apologizing, seeming to be really sorry.

- Nah, he was kind of useful. - I say without thinking twice, I don't want to make this man feel even worse. Jax just shrugs, not even caring about him, an attitude I already expected from him. - And who would be those behind you. - I try to change the subject as quickly as possible and move on to the main part.

The moment my order arrived at the soldier, he took off his expression of regret and switched to a more calm and peaceful one.

- This is Leo and Ren, they are newbies that will hunt with you Yuki-san. - He says, pointing first to the blonde and then to the black-haired boy.

- Pleasure. - The one called Ren introduces himself first, in a low, quiet voice, giving the impression of being more shy.

- Hi! - In comparison the boy with golden hair was more agitated and cheerful, putting his arm around Ren's neck, who seemed to be used to this movement. With that gesture I realize that they were very close, brothers or maybe just friends.

- It is a pleasure to meet you, as I am a beginner I hope not to disturb. - I say in a polite way and bowing, I learned by watching with Liz, but of course I'm not as good as she. - My name is Yuki and I'm Jax's apprentice. - I just say that, hiding part of my identity, I still don't want everyone to know that I'm engaged to Alex, I don't want to find anyone else like Jax or worse.

The two who were aware of my engagement understand the message and are also quiet about it. Those who had no idea looked at me carefully, as if analyzing me a little interested.

- Now that you know each other, I wish you luck. - Jax leaves my side and joins the older soldier, while the novice duo do the same and stay by my side, looking at the two more experienced men. - Be careful, if something abnormal occurs use the flag and run away.

- Yes, captain! - My two new companions speak synchronously, seriously and militarily, while saluting. I make the same move, at that moment I'm a soldier.

He doesn't say anything, just looks at me hopefully that I would bring a good result. Jax and the soldier just found themselves leaving, with their uniforms mixing in the dark and disappearing. I look up at the sky and realize that it was completely dark, I don't think I noticed the sun setting because of the lightning training with Jax.

- Yuki-san? - I hear Ren's low voice calling me, making me go back to reality. - Some problem?

- It's nothing, I was just lost in my thoughts. - I tell the boy not to worry. - Ah, call me Yuki, without the "-san".

- So it makes things easier, I hate using these fees. - Leo's voice stands out, being the most lively and positive among us. - Let's rock guys!

We both followed the blond's guidance without blinking. We started walking in the direction of one of the construction bifurcations. We started walking towards one of the building's forks that I used as a target. It was a bridge that passed over a river, with some trees that went from the shore of the water flow and reached the railing of our path. We walked at a slow pace, paying attention to any strange movement of the branches.

- Ren, do you remember where we have to hunt? - Leo in front of us, asks without taking his eyes off the path, being the most attentive of the three.

"He's more focused than he looks."

- At the end of the bridge and in the region closest to the main castle construction. - He responds quickly and wisely.

The bridge is not very long, so it does not take long for us to approach our first destination. Leo gestures with his hand for us to stop walking. A cold goes up my spine, the first movement of the night ahead, with a clumsy and crooked walk that grotesque figure appears, he was the same as I killed before but his features still scare me a little. Unlike the other, this one was armed with a thick and badly maintained wooden club. A little further on, new figures appear, some armed with clubs and others carrying nothing.

- Ten in total, six armed. - Leo changes his sympathetic tone to serious. Ren was a little nervous but at the same time, he was also ready for action. - I'll jump in the middle and get attention, Ren cover me, Yuki take care of our support and kill anyone who tries to escape. - He dictates the orders in a simple and direct way, we both nod and move forward with Leo.

The blonde jumps at high speed from the bridge and jumps among the green creatures, drawing the attention of all of them. When their yellow eyes see the target they move forward without thinking and in a wild way, just like a herd of wolves that find easy prey ... or so they think. A smile appears on Leo's lips and a blinding orange glow appears in his hands and gradually takes on the shape of a simple silver spear. Before they could even react, two of the goblins had already lost their heads by the young man's sharp, long blade. Two others jump on his back, with their clubs raised and ready to knock him out. I try to get the attention of our attacker but something knocks down the two enemies, who fall dead with an arrow through the forehead of each one.

I look to my side and see Ren holding a bow, already with another arrow in his hand, tip to kill some more. His eyes were serious, watching for any surprised approach against Leo. I just wanted to see those two working in a beautiful and impeccable way, but it was time for me to get my hands dirty. I notice that two smarter goblins try to escape to the bushes, scared to be killed, running for their lives. I extend my hands and remember the sensation of lightning, the electric voltage in my veins and the sensation of the yellow sphere around my hands. Charged, I mold the thorn of electrical energy and shoot, catching the head of one of them making his brains fly out and his headless body just falls hard. The other does not stop, almost on his escape route.

- You won't run away. - I charge another electric ball and create the thorn again, faster than my last shot. I don't even think when I see the golden beam fly and cross the chest of the little green-skinned being, who stopped moving.

- You won't run away. - I charge another electric ball and create the thorn again, faster than my last shot. I don't even think when I see the golden beam fly and cross the chest of the little green-skinned being, who stopped moving.

With a long flick of his long weapon, Leo launches two of the goblins into the air. They struggled not knowing what to do. I just hear the rapid sound of gunshots beside me, Ren firing two arrows at a frightening speed and like a guided missile, hit the targets in full and when they land on the ground, they were already lifeless. The rest think of running away, when their allies fall as if they were trash in the air, but this small distraction is enough to make Leo separate their heads from their small bodies easily and without any complicated movement of his spear.

- All dead. - Leo confirms, returning to his lively and energetic tone. - Thanks for the support guys.

- It was nothing Leo. - Ren relaxes his arms and lowers his bow, relieved to have taken care of all enemies. - One more area is missing and we're free.

- Yes, I want to eat something. - The blonde stretched his arms and looking at me next. - That magic was very good Yuki, thanks for not letting them escape, goblins are hard to find when they want to hide. - His compliment makes me blush slightly, I look at Ren and even without saying anything he seemed to agree with him.

- I'm still learning, Jax has to take the credit. - I say a little embarrassed, remembering my teacher ... even if he only gave me a theoretical class and two minutes of practical teaching. - We'd better go to the next location, I don't want to look at these things for a long time. - They agree with me, Leo takes the lead again and Ren accompanies me through the dead bodies of our targets, some without heads and with holes in the body.

- What is it like studying with Captain Jax? - Leo was relaxed and asked without looking back or let go of his weapon, even though we were calm we were still on duty.

- Yes, what is it like to have a legend as a teacher? -Ren's small, animated voice makes me look towards him, still carrying the bow with one hand.

"Legend, are you talking about the same person?"

- I only had a few classes with him, but all of them were great. - I mean while that adjective they used for Jax confused me.

- How lucky, it is every soldier's dream. - Leon seems to be jealous, but does not show any negative emotion to me. - Yuki, can you recommend us for him? - He says a little hopeful. I smile, but when I try to give the positive answer, Ren interrupts us with a worried voice.

- Four enemies ahead. - He says in a serious tone, being a signal to focus now.

Leo wields his spear in a defensive position, I place my hands close to each other ready to cast a spell and Ren prepares his bow, with his free hand he creates an arrow of air, seeming to gather the particles of air and gradually forming his ammunition... that explains where he got so many arrows from before.

- Ren, where are they now? - I ask getting ready to launch more rays. I wasn't so nervous anymore, I think I'm getting the hang of it.

- They're coming towards us, but ... there's something strange. - He says a little apprehensive, not knowing what was wrong. Both Leon and I were worried, but we did not lower our guards, we kept our ears open and our eyes sharp with any movement of darkness.

A sound of bushes in front of us. We look in the direction of the noise, the leaves move frantically and one more of the goblins leaps out of the thicket. Ren prepares his bow, pulling the string and holding the arrow tightly, ready to get a straight shot. I wait for the others to appear, but nothing comes. Ren said that they were together which makes my confusion grow and gradually overpower my nerves. The creature we were seeing looked scared, as if it were running away.

- Where are the others?! - I say exposing my concern to the other members, who seemed to have noticed this irregularity as well.

- Don't shoot, wait for the others to appear and ... - The sound of meat being cut prevents Leo from finishing his sentence. The goblin was now shattered, without the top of his torso, his flesh looked as if it had been pulled out and separated from his body.

The attack was so fast that none of us could react. From the middle of the woods, something finally appears, but it makes us lose our voices and we can only see his frightening figure. They were taller and the size of an adult, skin in a frightening dark purple tone, red, smoky eyes that seemed to be able to kill just by looking. Altogether there were three creatures coming out of the bushes. One of them carried the poor goblin's ripped torso, while he pulled pieces of meat with his sharp teeth.

- Hobgoblins ?! - I hear Lion speaking in a low tone, he tried to appear calm but could see his hand trembling while holding the spear. - There was no report of having an evolved species in that nest.

If my memory of RPG games doesn't fail, Hobgoblins are evolved species of goblins, like a top patent in their pack hierarchy. But I never thought they would be so different from normal goblins or even commit cannibalism.

- Did we retreat? - It's my first thought, that speed was certainly far above what we could handle.

- Yes, we will regroup with the others. - That was the plan, but the second we move the first muscle we are hit by something at high speed.

Ren and I were thrown to one side and Leo was thrown to the opposite side. When I recover my senses from that surprise attack I see one of the monsters between us, looking in Ren's and mine direction. He seemed to be looking at us curiously, not seeming to know what to do with us, his red gaze makes all the nerves in my body tremble and paralyze my body. The young man with black hair acts fast and points his bow ready to shoot the purple-skinned attackers in front of us, but in the same second that he releases the arrow something comes up behind us and hits Ren in the stomach and throws him away. I can't even react, I just know that my partner is hit because of the blood in the air and the sound of bones breaking.

He was after me, which makes me paralyze with fear, I was sure it would be hit, but he does nothing and just keeps his eyes fixed on the archer lying on the hard floor, with a little blood running down his mouth. The monster seemed intrigued and curious for unknown or instinctive reasons, walking slowly towards the fallen youth.

- Ah!! - I hear a howl in front of me, Leo had been thrown again, probably took another blow from the Hobgoblins. He was getting the exclusive attention of the other two, who just seemed to want him. My first thought is to help him and equal the numerical difference. - Yuki, take care of Ren! - He says returning to wield his spear and preparing for the fight.

- Leo I support you, we killed them and ... - Before I could finish my plan he was already talking about my words.

- They are not ordinary Hobgoblins, there has never been one so fast or with this coloring, we will not beat them. - He says breathing quickly and deeply, probably trying to recover from the previous blow. - Take Ren and run away, call for support.

- But you...

- Don't worry, I won't die that easy. - He says showing a confident smile, but deep down I know he is hiding the real intention of his words.

I don't say or rather I don't think I have the right to say anything. I move quickly towards Ren, the Hobgoblin who was obsessed with him was only a few meters from reaching his passed out body. In a quick thought I put my hands flat on the floor, feeling the cold, sandy floor. I divide my attack into two parts, the first: the river. A veil of water comes out of the ground that I touched and traveled to that thing and stopped when it touched its feet. Now the second.

- Stay there, you bastard. - I think of ice, feeling the cold in my arms and going through my nerves and going straight to my palm. The water crystallizes and turns into a beautiful frozen tail, which caught the feet of the purple Hobgoblin, who looked confused and tried to lift his feet off the ice, without success.

I take my chance and run as fast as possible for my injured companion. I go over to one of my vest bags and grab one of my healing potions and put the bottle of green liquid on Ren's lips. I prepare to lift his body and run away, but the sound of breaking ice dominates my senses and brings me some unpleasant memories. I turn my body and see, now free, the purple being that came at us with his strong, large fists.

"Protection!"

I think of shields and the Ice Shild that I used before came to mind. I cross my arms and mentalize as quickly as possible, that icy protection that had helped me before. Driven by my imagination, ice is created in front of me and forms in that known shield.

The monster does not hesitate and punches my shield, as if it were a heavy hammer hitting ice and I feel its heavy strength. I try to hold on but each impact makes my arms weak and numb, but I continue to resist as best I can. I look at Leo and he was in a worse situation than mine, the other two do not let him rest and punch him continuously, as if it were a punching bag. He tried to resist, leaning on his spear, like a cane and using the rest of his strength to resist. I want to tell him to run away, but if I lose focus for a second the shield will disappear. Our choices are limited or rather we have none, I try to wait for any opening to help Leon but I know that deep down I just wanted to run away and leave him behind ... leave Ren and run as fast as possible ...

"Bullshit."

I smile laughing at my stupid idea, even though it's a smart option, I just think it's funny. I get up little by little and try to push that thing, waiting for the moment it stops hitting my cracked ice and almost giving in.

"Just a moment! Just one!"

I think so hard I almost start screaming. The Hobgoblin was going to strike another blow with all the strength and certainly tearing my defense apart, until I see a light. The beast is interrupted by a small flash of light, which makes him take a confused step back. I don't ask and I don't even care what happened, I just know it was time.

"Now!!"

I undo my shield and extend my arms to attack, creating my electric thorn, faster than the other times, perhaps because of the moment of despair. My electrified golden attack is launched and hits the purple skin, burning it a little and throwing it away. I hadn't killed him but stunning him is enough, I turn around to help Leo, who was lying on the ground, covered in blood and about to be attacked by the two Hobgoblins at the same time. I try to think of something fast, but the tiredness of using so much energy finally hits me and I can't move, just allowing myself to watch that wild and bloody scene.

- Move, move!! - I speak to my arms and legs, waiting for them to move by some miracle.

- Don't worry, we'll take care of the rest.

A voice comes from behind me and like lightning two unknown figures appear and protect Leo. One was tall and wore simple, golden armor, carrying a long sword that blocked the hand of the aggressive beast and the other was someone shorter and thinner, but equally strong, wearing a pair of long, serrated daggers against the purple fists.

- Your friend is fine, now rest. - A gentle hand is placed over my shoulder, warm and welcoming, her touch made it seem that my energy was returning little by little. I look over my shoulder and see a beautiful woman with youthful features and a gentle smile, brown hair and blue eyes like a brilliant sky that kept all darkness out.

I don't care who she is, I just do as she says and little by little I get on my knees next to Ren, my body was more relaxed and my nerves calmed down. I look at her again and her dress was like a priestess, a long white dress with gold accents and carrying a golden staff with a green crystal at the end and some metal wings surrounding the stone, as if protecting the jewel from the outside world.

I hear the monster that I hit getting up and slowly leaving the confusion that my rays caused him, I can see the burnt skin where I hit it but I don't think it caused much damage. When I prepare for the second round, the mysterious woman stands in front of me with an air of superiority, as if that creature was not worthy to be under her presence.

- Vile and evil creature, the acts of cruelty of you and your countrymen ends here! - She says in a loud and powerful tone, as if the air trembled with each syllable she uttered with her words.- Here and now, in the eyes of our creator and our regent, Archangel Uriel, I bring your punishment!