Hellbent (3)

Shawn POV

For the rest of the day, it was normal again, it's pretty quiet, even for a level 3 area, we joined in the morning patrols and we are then given time to rest for the afternoon as we are to join in the night time patrol tonight till a bit over midnight.

Detective Fuyuko was also joining us and leading the patrol, we are to just ensure that the area is safe for residents and help to identify and respond to any emergencies that may arise during the night, but mostly to respond to angels that might appear at night time, usually, among the 3, they have to keep a schedule of 1 person being awake night time.

And even though detectives assist only sometimes, there's a shortage of officers at this station, so the detective joins the rotation regularly, even more so when we're not around for the week we spend at the academy.

5 people were patrolling tonight, us 2 wizards are with the detective while the other 2 officers go another route. Once we're used to it, we're going to be separated, it's safer to have one regular person paired up with a sorcerer.

It was a quiet night, I felt the cool night air on my face, quite calming because I've been on edge lately, just always waiting for the next call or being hit in the face by some sort of test. As I walk through the streets, I'm reminded of the beauty of this country. The traditional architecture of the buildings, and the peacefulness of the night all contribute to the feeling of serenity and calmness that surrounds me.

As we walk, we come across a small shrine, tucked away in a corner of the street. There are these lanterns hanging on nearby roof edges that cast a warm glow on the stone steps, and apart from the sound of our footsteps, there was the sound of trickling water from a nearby fountain that fills the silence.

It was peaceful, I made a silent note in my head to come here for a prayer later, a prayer towards my mother and brother, something that I don't usually do, but why not, there's nothing to lose.

As we end our shift, the detective handed us these documents for us to keep.

"It's an invitation to a joint collaboration project, and the captain accepted the proposal." she explained "This project is to help educate you on the angels more, so the next 3 weeks of your apprentice program, you 2 and the captain won't be in Aomori, you'll travel up north to join other sorcerers your age in this program.

"Of course, by participating, we'll be sent some people to help fill in your spots." she assured us before we can ask any questions about the shortage of people "This project is to bring you to train and fight with captured live angels for better combat experience, and if you're lucky, you might even be able to fight an angel at their regular strength under the watchful eye of experienced sorcerers.

"It's a rare program to come by, even I have never practiced with weakened angels during my days as a student. My first fight with an angel was against an actual one, so I made many mistakes that almost cost me my life, with this program, you should be able to realize your weakness and polish yourselves."

"You guys are working way too hard for our sake." I responded

"It's the captain's responsibility to help make you better, if it was the last pair, he would never sign such a rare and expensive program." she replied

"Expensive? Are you paying for it? If so, I don't mind declining it."

"Don't worry, it's subsidized and organized by the UPF." she guaranteed "It's just that the spots are usually limited, so limited that our small post usually won't catch its eye, you 2 are class A students, so they were interested to have you attend that program."

Perseus then raised his hand to ask a question which she invited him to go ahead.

"Isn't this program controversial cuz some, excuse my language, idiots, argue that capturing the angels and forcing them to fight is unethical?" Perseus asked, "I'm all for it, but these idiots are quite vocal."

"It's a bit rude to call them idiots, you know." she sighs "Humanity needs to stick together."

"Oh sorry." he apologized

"No, I mean that even idiots would be offended to be categorized in the same group as these people." she corrected him "And these people in question are defeatists, they are people who believe that humanity should just accept our death."

"Yeah, but their argument was somewhat valid as there's a chance that God could get even more furious and can send more angels to attack us for the mistreatment of his angels."

"Well, that's why learning more about the angels by capturing them will be vital for our future." she replied "We've done much worse things, angels are going to come anyway."

"Another question, who are these other sorcerers?" I asked this time

"Oh, mostly from Japanese posts, but I think there are a couple of overseas ones as well." she answered "Even though this one hasn't been made public, but the captain was told that a post from France will be joining, they got a famous second year from Tiger Academy."

"Do you know who that famous second year is?"

"Yes, but I shouldn't tell you." she nodded

"Does this famous second-year happen to have red hair?" Perseus asked all of a sudden

"Uh...yes, how'd you know?" she questioned

"Damn it." he cursed under his breath

Red hair, deployed in France, from Tiger Academy...oh, I think I know who this person is, and with my brother hating receiving unnecessary attention, she might be a nightmare for him even though he doesn't hate her.

"Well, after all this effort avoiding her, you'll be meeting her again after all."

"Wait, you know Minerva personally?" the detective asked

"We never said it was her."

"Oh." she then covered her mouth

"Hah, it was a trick to get you to- Just kidding, he knows her personally. I'm just the third wheel in this situation."

"I knew it was a bad idea to associate with a woman." he cursed under her breath "I just couldn't say no to her stupid smart and beautiful face."