Many of the Demons removed their veils and tucked them under their arms.

That must mark the end of the ceremony.

A few retained strange looks on their faces; apparent bewilderment was now only vaguely noticeable in their expressions.

It seems most have given up on thinking about it, understanding that it would likely have nothing to do with their perfectly ordinary lives.

After inspecting the room with a fresh set of eyes, my attention quickly turned to two conversing demons; one of which kept stealing glances in my direction.

The floor was cold, yet didn't hinder my step as I quickly walked up to the two of them.

"Do you have any ideas?"

The man spoke with a hand on his chin; it only partially hid his grim expression behind the veneer of contemplation.

He let out a sigh before following it up.

"The evolution stone is..."

"Hello, luggage boy."

I cut him off, and a somewhat smug grin grew on my face.

"L- Luggage boy?"

He turned to look at me. He was unable to find an expression to give me, looking like he had bitten a lemon and was trying his best to hide it.

"Well, that's how you carried me. What else could I assume?"

I looked at him with total innocence--it was a completely appropriate question, after all.

He looked a little startled at that, losing the words he had just built himself up to say.

"Hahaha! Luggage boy. Pfft."

A feminine, now-weezing voice caught my attention.

I'm not exactly sure what's so funny; I'm being completely serious, of course.

"I knew you should have handled her more delicately, Alark. It was obvious her personality was going to be like this."

She spoke matter-of-factly, but her face didn't reflect her attempted seriousness.

So his name is Alark... Wait, what does she mean 'like this'? I feel offended.

"Only obvious to you..."

He quipped, taking the opportunity to not have to speak with me.

At the same time, I had been preparing to make a complaint, but she brushed off his remark like dust on her shoulder and turned to face me.

"So... Syrin, huh. Sure ya didn't just hear my name and change it a little?"

She looked at me teasingly, but my childishly stoic expression didn't fade.

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"Hmph, I don't even know what your name is. It was all just gibberish before."

I looked at her quizzically; my arm angled up and tilted to the side, like she had said something ridiculous.

"Ka-rin. Well... everyone already thinks that's the case."

My face grew warmer.

How mortifying.

She should change her nam...

Ahh, I don't even care; she's just trying to take the heat from Alark over there.

I was about to say something about them getting a room somewhere, but her expression quickly shifted to a confused one.

"Wait... What do you mean, "Gibberish before"? Hmm, and you remember being carried?"

Her brows were furrowed while she looked at me in confusion, as if expecting me to have any idea what she was talking about.

"I was only born like yesterday. Am I not supposed to remember?"

She eerily paused for a moment, but immediately continued, ignoring my first comment.

"No, you're not. Perhaps faint glimpses or instincts, but who or what you were is pretty much gone. Do you not feel differently? Like with a... a new found common sense? You've already used words that shouldn't be familiar to you."

I listened to her carefully.

Now this is weird. So the common sense thing is normal, but I got it earlier? Or is there something else to it? Why did I even get it earlier at all?

There's no reason not to be honest here.

"I've had that since I was born."

I spoke matter-of-factly; with an eyebrow raised, I was half-expecting her to just answer all of my burning questions.

"What a freak."

A gruff voice came from behind and rudely interrupted us.

I frowned but was also confused. What is it this time? The eyes again?

Turning around, there was a fairly attractive man whose face had over aged from whatever intense work he had been subjected to in his life.

"You heard it yourself; she is no demon. She didn't awaken properly, dismantled the ritual, and she stares with the alterity of an angel. She will only sow chaos here."

At the words of incitement, a few murmurs of approval rose up.

"She's only a child, Targ."

Targ? Really? Is his posh speak overcompensating or something?

I suddenly found myself profoundly unoffended.

The two of them faced each other, neither backing down. Unfortunately, it looks to remain a simple staring contest.

Throwing me out wouldn't be a huge issue; I could always get stronger and obtain my class later... Having it now would be for the best though, I'm not sure on how much potential I'm losing because of it.

"Silence."

A clear baritone ran through the murmuring crowd and vanished into the open air, despite it being an open hall.

He was pale and stood unrestrained by the numerous stares tracing his movement.

His voice had seemed to cut into all of them; any discontent they had was gone, at least on the surface.

They figited, and their eyes fled his listlessly meandering gaze as if it could cut them clean through.

As if he already had, not one of them spoke.

The silence of his steps only adds to his eerie countenance... Oh he's slowing, and only a few paces away from me too.

"You owe me a great debt, girl. Not only have you destroyed my sanctuary, but you have damaged my evolution stone. You- will stay here, and you will use whatever talents you have gained to rectify your mistakes. If you are not good enough, I won't hesitate to work you into an early death."

He did not tilt his head to look at me; he lowered only his eyes to meet my gaze—nothing more.

A threat? I won't forget it; it's not like I don't want to retort to his arrogance, but it's a stupid idea; I'm just not very strong.

I shallowly kept my eyes on his own, unfazed by their sheer intensity.

It was exciting to me more than anything.

"Fine."

He did not show it; I could only feel the sensation of surprise against my skin coming from his stare..

Not a moment later, he closed them, as if understanding something.

"Hmm, a Pride demon. I have only met one of your ilk. You would do well to temper yourself around me. I will not give you any leeway again."

He was exact and systematic in his words; his former malevolence had easily been put away, yet he was speaking with a certainty that I'm not entirely sure he had.

I was sure he was powerful, but the demeanour of control he portrayed is reserved only for those lacking the reach to use it fully.

But right now I was within the palm of his hands, and something about it all felt just a little off.

I guess I can only tread lightly for now.

"Alright."

I spoke again.

He was already facing away from me, yet he turned his head to again glance in my direction.

There was a tone of approval in his posture that I could almost hear ringing in my ears.

Turning away once more, he walked off and seemingly vanished into the air, leaving only a few tell-tale signs of what I think is dark magic.