​"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 sharp claws are now buried deep in his body. It is too deep that the monster is unable to pull it out anymore. It is stuck. 


“Got’cha,” Duke whispered with a sinister smile. 


He clenches his fist as he stretches his right arm. While the monster boss hangs with its claws buried in his chest, he rams his exoskeleton-covered fist into its head. The blow lugs its claws out before smashing its body hard on the ground. It bounces once before Duke follows it up with a kick right into its stomach pit. The nilmerg boss rapidly dashes on the ground in a straight line until it bumps into a metaghost’s busted body. The clanking noise echoes loud enough for Zacharius and Wrie to notice that they turn their attention towards that battle. 


Being at the moment’s spotlight, Duke turns his attention back to his comrades too. Zacharius is waving his hand while Wrie just kicks another metaghost away. 


“Hey! Done there already?!” Zacharius yells actively. 


Counter 24: Quell the Squall II