​"Everything that I am is a gift as well as a curse."

Rumors about an infamous Mage-sprout - Azalea "The Bewitched"- had been circling around the Hunter's Council. Such rumors tend to attract the attention of various organizations. It's easy to tell with the uncanny similarities the men enquiring often possess. These malicious gossips had produced troublesome situations for Azalea's demon hunting job. Most hunters are afraid to team-up with her and some people are reluctant to make a hunting request with her involved.

During her solo hunt in Dimatagpuan Region, four students from the renowned school, AB Academy, appeared before her with an odd offer. This academy's Headmaster had grown a sudden interest in her skills as a Mage and he wants her to enroll as one of his scholars. It is the most unexpected offer which might as well bring the greatest change in her current lifestyle. Is she prepared to leave behind her normal daily life of hunting and fighting, to turn it around into an unusual daily life of socializing and schooling? How will she respond to her new environment as she learns more about who she really is?

Defiant

The yellow-orange tint of the setting sun passes through the window. 


“Do you know why I called you here?” 


The usual noise of the students’ small talk is nowhere to be heard. 


“You’re not even trying.” The headmaster picks a stick of cigarette from a pack inside his coat’s pocket. “I want to prevent some problems as much as I can.” 


“Let me finish talking!” He coughs. “I need your cooperation, Azalea.” 


“Ah-” She pauses for a moment. She moves her hands in with comical gestures. “Is that why you are talking as if we’re about to uncover some… conspiracy~” 


“You can drop the goofy act now. You know you don’t have to pretend in front of me.” He pulls his drawer open and then fishes out a white folder. “You have to clean up after your mess.” 


She lets out a heavy breath full of disinterest. “Sounds like a pain.” 


Counter 8: HaUNTED