​"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

Azalea looks behind her left shoulder. A blurry figure is present, like a ghost. She cannot explain how that thing got inside her barrier without her sensing it. She observes her surroundings and the enemies to check how this man is connected to their current situation. Elen, Gaozu and Taka are showing no specific reaction. It seems that she is the only one that can see and talk to it. 


“What are you?” She asks with her soft and gentle sounding voice. 


“I am human.” The voice answers with a mysterious tone. 


She keeps her barrier up and steady while two of the intruders keeps on attacking. They may as well be wasting their energy. If Azalea chose to let go of the barrier and fight seriously, those small fries would not be a problem. However, defeating the enemy is not her priority. 


Counter 18: Hurricane of Beasts II