While walking back to the hotel dorm, I saw some people who wore a different kind of uniforms. Some were in the car and the others outside chatting. These must have the people the Director told me about. I was still angry at my earlier encounter but if I retaliated then who knows what would happen to my sister. One the men came up closer when he noticed I walked out of the forest area. “Are you Kazuki Kazehaya?” the man asked

“Yes.”

“Good, we’ve brough you the basic necessity as well as clothing from your old home. I hope you don’t mind us but can you please, take us to your dorm room?” again I’m at the mercy of the ever changing situation. I didn’t want to think about it no more for now and simply showed them the way.

After finished delivering a few items and boxes. I thank them for their service and asked how much it cost. But they were adamant it was free of charge since it was an order from the director. The more I hear his title, the angrier I get. But it was no use. The walk in the forest gave me time to think through my situation. Moreover, it was true no matter how frustrated I am, the Director has not harmed us in any way but simply helped us, helped Hina. I decided if the director was going to use me, then I‘d simply use him to get stronger, strong enough where Hina and I could leave without being in danger. I couldn’t fully trust the Director, so this was my goal before I head inside

I looked at my sister who seemed more cheerful when she found out her old clothes were being delivered. But I worried still because I knew this was a front. She did this when she had problems and couldn’t talk about them. She didn’t want to feel like a burden. She did it then, and she’s doing it now. It was time I confronted at least some of my problems now before it grows. pulling a chair in front of her. She looked at me with all smiles, so I asked her first concerningly “Hina, how are you doing?”

“I’m…sad because mom and dad aren’t here anymore. But at least you’re still here. And we get to stay in such a big hotel. And there’s the beach that we can see from here.” I didn’t listen anymore. She was making up any small excuse to make her seem fine, but I knew better. She hasn’t had a moment to grieve. I wrapped my arms around her. I kept her face close to my chest. “It’s okay Hina, I’m sorry you had to go through all this because of me. I’m sorry I haven’t been a better big brother but I promise you this, I’ll keep you safe now that mom and dad aren’t here anymore. I got accepted into Acerion academy. You know one of the best school around the world, I’ll work hard and provide for the both of us, so don’t keep your problems buried deep inside. Tell me whenever you have trouble, I’ll always be there for you.” The more I talked the more I could feel my sister cried. “I’ll join the military, I’m not weak anymore. So, don’t keep your problems and tell me when you feel like you can’t stay quiet anymore.” I felt my clothes dampen with her tears as my own tears started to come up. Just then it dawned on me. I didn’t even grief yet for mom and dad but I held back my emotion and will do it later, like dad once said a man shouldn’t make his family worry. I just hope no one is next door hearing all this crying.

After she was done, she wanted to get some fresh air. While she went to get change, I check the list of things we had. We had each received a custom phone, computers, uniforms, and a mini map of the island. Money was instead replaced with points. It also stated that because we were just a pale cardholder our monthly rent is 5000 points per person. My sister also received her own card, with a shared account. It also instructed those points can be earned through various methods. Although I never expected us to live here for free, having to use points rather than money became suddenly became stressful. If we attend school and receive grades which in turn becomes points, the maximum would still be only a 100 points each. I started getting worried because of the vast difference I had to see what daily necessities would cost. However, the last and final line on the paper was even worse. It states that failure to pay our 10,000-point monthly rent means that we lose our immunity and connection with the school.

When my sister walked over, I quickly hid the note while making sure my expression was natural. She was slightly puzzle but didn’t gave me pressure me. When we left the door Hina, gave me one last tug on my shirt and I saw a sad smile forming on her face. But at least she wasn’t trying to hide it from me. The elevator suddenly stopped after going down one floor. We saw the person call Zach and Jin. Zach was chattering loudly non-stop, but the person called Jin stared at me intensely. Maybe it was prejudice of me, but I was still timid from knowing Jin’s the son of an infamous assassin. The elevator ride was fell silent before Zach gasped “Jin, I’m your friend through and through, if men are your interest I support your choice.” Immediately after saying that Jin, jabbed Zach, on the side. I didn’t know how to react, my face frozen in embarrassment as he said it loudly. Hina was holding a laughter in. It reminded of how earnest Shinji, is but even he wouldn’t be so shameless.

I quickly apologized on Hina’s behalf “It’s fine, I’m used to it by now but ignore this idiot.” Jin responded. For some reason after that, it felt a little less hard to start a conversation. I decided to try since these two seem to be the easiest to get along. I started introducing myself first in Japanese “Hi, I’m Kazuki, this is my sister Hina.” She nodded timidly. Jin, looked a little watchful “I’m sorry if it’s rude but where are you going this early?”

“I’m Jin, I’m just walking this annoying dog.” The way he said made somehow made sense. His friend has an air of someone not very smart and aloof, like a labrador. Zach suddenly jumped in “Do you wanna go with us too? The more the merrier.” Excitingly he looked at me. But I didn’t know if it was allowed so I took a glance at Jin. “Do what you want.” Nonchalantly he said.

“How about the shopping district.” Suggesting it thinking they should know what’s going on already.

“A good start.” Jin replied

POV: Narrator

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

When the four of them reached the shopping district, they were surprised to see the different variety of shops. Zach immediately grabbed a hold of Hina’s hand which surprised her being grabbed by stranger. Oddly enough she didn’t feel frightened but instead she felt as if she was walking a dog. As Zach, ran around like a child with Kazuki’s sister in hand he turned around “You two should get to know each other and I’ll get to know your sister.” Dashing away without a care. Surprised the sudden outcome Kazuki, turn to see how Jin would react. Jin, however, couldn’t make any expression, standing still as if his soul had left his body. He bowed down to Kazuki “I’m sorry for what that idiot did. When this is all over, I’ll give Zach an earful.” Kazuki only laughed in awkwardness as he wanted to apologize first due to nervousness. He thought to himself that Jin sounded like a married woman embarrassed by the action of her husband.

After a while walking from shop-to-shop Kazuki took a seat at a public bench. He saw Zach, still dragging his sister all over the place. But he smiled seeing that his sister’s mood lifted. Suddenly Jin walking outside a convenience store with a drink in his hands. He passed Kazuki, another before taking a seat next to him. “I’m sorry you didn’t have to, how many points did it cost?” Kazuki, pondered from the kind gesture of buying him something to drink, going so far as to spend some points. Jin, took a sip before answering “Don’t worry about it.” and just like that that conversation went silent. Jin initiated the conversation by asking a question first “if you’re nervous because of my background. I’ll walk away if that will make you at ease”

Kazuki, was slightly surprised how straightforward Jin, was. But he did feel somewhat at fault for having to think like that moments ago.

Kazuki and jin sat on looking at Zach, forcefully dragging on a helpless girl around. He couldn’t help but worried thinking Zach, was scaring the girl. Kazuki, however had another thought running through this mind. He didn’t know if it was the best time but maybe Jin could provide more insight for him. “I have question if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Go ahead.” Jin answered.

“Do you know what or why we’re doing here?” Jin hesitated for a moment when Kazuki, asked the question. He fell in deep thoughts before replying staring at his own feet. “I don’t have a clue, but whoever the director is, my father gave me a call to follow them without resistant. After that my situation is the same as yours. I got question but no one that can give me answer.” There was a long a silent pause. From afar Zach called out to them yelling that he sees some people from afar.

Kazki, and Jin, notice several people from afar. They each wore matching short and clothes. The student tired from doing activity around the island. The both of them figured that’s why they saw nobody until now. They concluded that maybe these students were their soon to be classmates. Jin bellow out to Zach, signaling it was time to leave. Kazuki, still couldn’t get use to the interaction between these two. He felt that Jin’s treatment was no more than an owner giving commands to a dog.

POV: Kazuki

When we finally arrived back at the room, it really felt like it was exactly what we needed. I looked at sister smiling to herself yet holding back a little. I should really thank Zach the next time I see him. I asked Hina if she felt better now to which she readily nodded. Seeing her like this really made me appreciate what Zach did even if he didn’t know. I told her to shower while I prepare dinner first. As she ran to grab her change of clothes, someone knocked on the door. When I stared at the door hole, I saw a familiar face. It was Miss Blackwood. I quickly open the door for her “Are you busy now?” smiling softly as she asked.

“Oh no, please come in.” stuttering slightly by her sudden visit. She didn’t say it, but I could see it through her eyes that she thanked me.

Miss Blackwood took a seat with one of the two chairs in the room. I came back offering her a bottle of water I bought today as I did not anything else to offer her. “Why thank you Kazuki.” She said before suddenly looking surprised “I forgot but in Japanese culture those who aren’t close address each other by the last name right? Do you feel trouble because I’ve been too informal?” looking worried

“Ah please don’t it doesn’t bother me much with something so trivial. But may I ask why you came to visit at this hour?” it was a question I wanted to ask since I know Miss Blackwood wouldn’t randomly visit me during the night for no reason but the moment, I asked that question she seemed to have suddenly looked seriously. She stopped smiling and looked at me seriously. I could feel the intensity what I wanted to know from her eyes. They weren’t as serious as that day when she fought that demon but still serious, nonetheless. She started by talking about how I will be starting to attend school soon in a few days. She then questioned me about how if I know how to use my newfound awakened power. But I told her I don’t know, nor do I feel any different. But suddenly she told me something I wasn’t expecting “The director reviewed the incident of your previous school and wants to form a newly form a team with you as its captain.” I didn’t know what to say but Miss Blackwood stopped only for a moment before continuing “I know but it’s also for all those of Acerion academy to join the battle against the demon without a question as a means to pay back the school for the service they provide to the student. But please take your time as this might be too sudden.”

It was a little bit sudden that I voiced out concern “Is this normal? I’m still only a high schooler.” I asked as to know

“It’s normally not but it’s a direct decision we can’t go against. Normally for those who are at the Cross Order knows that a team is form from only the best students with exceptional track records of slaying demons. So, you can see how it caused an argument among the higher-ranking members.”

“Wait! What do you mean by ‘students with exceptional track records of slaying demon?’.” I asked in worry. Miss Blackwood looked confused when I asked before regaining composure. “I see you, you didn’t know.”

“Know what?” feeling my voice rising from my stomach.

“The real Acerion academy” hesitated slightly “sends students out throughout the world to slay demons while also providing education like any normal school.” The look in her eyes was serious. She wasn’t joking. I could feel the blood flow throughout my body as my heartbeat faster. Suddenly Miss Blackwood got up from her chair as I looked at her “That’s all I needed to say. I can see you that you need time to think this all through.” And as she said that she turned around about to leave I called out to her “What if I declined to be in a team?” trying to sound composed. Miss Blackwood stopped for moment before answering back without turning around “Then the Director will take it as a sign of you declining his invitation from this morning and we’ll be forced to take you down.” As she said that I felt a surge of anger coming up so fast I almost lost it. I knew this Director couldn’t trusted but to think he would threaten me and my sister like this. The issue is I am in-debt to him as well and my hands was tied. I struggling to internally to come to a decision. Before Miss Blackwood left, she gave me one more piece of advice “The team is not official yet but if it was, your teammate will be the nine other students in the plane you saw. And also, when you’re ready I’ll be your combat instructor helping achieve full potential of your elemental status.” She said calmly before walking away completely