Leon mostly stared at the Genesis Plate during the ride back to Velereth.

“Charon, the former General, who has won his duel on the 22nd Sector! He is currently on a 12-win streak! He is a very formidable opponent!”

He smiled a bit at the news, wondering what the old man was up to. Although Leon understood why Clement had to cut ties with him, it felt rather sad to not talk to someone who he had known the most in all his time in Sheol.

As the catering of the carriage’s wheels paused, Leon looked up from the screen.

Waking up Elvis, and grimacing at the trail of saliva he had left on Leon’s uniform, he stepped out, stretching his tightened muscles.

Following the teachers, he entered the dorms, throwing himself onto the bed.

‘I have class again tomorrow…’

Sighing, he stood back up, nestling into his chair.

Pulling out a couple of notes, he reviewed them while yawning tiredly.

‘Oh yeah. I need to buy some supplies.’

Because the first weeks of school were mostly used for instructional purposes, there was no need for materials. However, since academics in Valereth were now seriously starting, Leon would need to go shopping.

Picking up the checklist that Duke Andras had supplied him, his face twisted in confusion as he read it.

1st Year Student Checklist (Deluder Rank)

Writing Materials

* Mellow paper

(Please buy only issued Dragonwilt)

* Veilskin

(Buy partly transparent)

* Genesis Plate

(Model 6.8)

Elemental Materials

* Sweet Lace

* Feigned Wood

* Jagged Wood

* Elastic Gold

* Solarlead

* Gloomy Skin

* Lone Lace

* Pyrogold

* Areobone

* Depth Cobalt

* Aegiskint

* Planarwood

* Doublebronze

(All issued materials can be found in [The Lonely Dog])

Hands-On-Practice

* Bound Weapon

* MORPH Armor

(Standard Army Issue)

* MORPH Gear

(Standard Version )

Skills & Skill Tree Materials

* Aura Preceptor

* Mind Blocker

* Scry Engine

Academic Books

* Guide to Scrying - Dannie Ninurta

* The Model Book of Advanced Swordsmanship - Bran Souma (Level 5 Knight)

* The Four Elements & Different Elemental Branches - Hyat Ime (Archduke Level Mage)

* The Ancient Gods - Edan Syed (World-Class Historian)

* The Dread Era - Eden Syed (World-Class Historian)

* The Forgotten Era - Eden Syed (World-Class Historian)

* The Exploration Era - Eden Syed (World-Class Historian)

* Introduction to Elemental Magic - Hayt Ime (Archduke Level Mage)

‘Where do I even get all this?’

Pondering a bit, he decided to ask Elvis, stepping out of the dorm while continuing to stare at the list.

As he walked down, he accidentally collided with someone, staggering back, blurting out a sorry.

“Ow… where are you going?”

Recognizing the voice, he showed the paper to her.

Lily peered at it, scratching her head. “So you’re going to the Market?”

“Uh… yeah. I don’t know where it is though.”

‘Why are all the names in Sheol like this? Are there no original ones?’

She pulled out her Genesis Plate, calling the imputed AI to show directions to it.

According to the map, he would need to find an escort who could teleport him via the Glass Realm to the 7th Sector, and then follow a series of simple directions.

“Do you know where I can find escorts?”

Lily nodded. “I’ll take you there.”

They took some shortcuts, trying to mask the whispers of students staring at the two with conversation when they arrived at a small office.

It was nestled into the stone walls, filled with a bunch of students lazing around.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

A 3rd-year boy - shown by his crimson-colored uniform - approached them. “Do you need some escorts?”

When Leon nodded, the boy thrust a sheet into his face. “Hurry up and sign it. I need hours for credit.”

Signing, he was about to hand it back, when the 3rd year pointed to Lily. “What about her?”

“Oh, she’s not goi-”

The older senior waved him off. “It's two people per escort. There’s not enough escorts to go around.”

Glancing at Lily trying to hide her smile, Leon groaned.

‘She knew, didn’t she?’

Holding both of their arms, the senior nodded. “You’ll have four hours. I’ll be leaving without you if you’re late.”

With the familiar sight of traveling through the Realm, Leon and Lily were pushed out, landing on concrete.

She peered over his shoulder. “Can I see the list again?”

Upon observation, Lily pointed toward a direction. “The Markets that way. But we need to stop at a classic bookshop for the books.”

Walking down the street, eyes followed them, some with confusion (why were two Velereth students wearing masks?) and some with admiration.

Lily slouched down, avoiding the eyes. In an attempt to break the silence, Leon asked, “Why do you wear a mask?”

She shrugged. “It’s required in the Seekers. Something about that if we don’t show our true face to people, then they’ll miss us less.”

“Are you happy to be in the Seekers?”

Seeing her expression stiffen, Leon shook his head. “I’m sorry. That was uncalled for.”

She waved it off. “It’s fine. I mean, I don’t have a choice, do I? Why does it matter what I want?”

Leon stared at her in concern. “What do you mean? Why can’t you do what you want?”

Lily giggled. “You don’t know much about the world you were born in, huh? Is it because you’re the Blessing?”

She pulled down her collar a tiny bit and brushed aside her brown hair. There was a golden tattoo on the back of her neck, shaped to look like a clock.

“It's a Curse. I’ll eventually have to go into the Unknown or die the most horrible death. They can sure be unpleasant, huh?”

Uneasy by the dark conversation, Leon fought to lighten the mood. “So can you tell me why your hair is brown?”

“I'm a half-blood. My father was a part elf. Luckily, I still inherited the crimson eyes, so I’m still regarded as a demon.”

Lily shook her uniform, brushing off some lint. “That’s enough questions about me. I have one for you too. Why do you wear the mask?”

Leon was silent for a moment. He briefly entertained the idea of refusing, but that wouldn’t be fair for her. She had told him so much, after all.

He turned to her. “If I show who I am behind the mask, everybody will hate me.”

Walking in silence, Lily spoke up. “I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t hate you.”

Leon shook his head. “You’re just deluding yourself.”

Arriving at a large bookshop, they purchased the books, along with a novel that Lily had recommended.

“Now let's go to the Market.”

As they walked, he noticed how Lily didn’t need to glance at her Genesis Watch for directions once.

“How are you doing that? Did you memorize the whole way to the place?”

Lily nodded. “Remember when I pulled up the map? I memorized the whole thing then. I have a photographic memory.”

Nodding, he suddenly had a realization. “That’s why you knew so much about demonic creatures!”

Lily nodded, smiling. “Yeah, I read a lot of books about them.”

Leon nodded at the revelation. “Isn’t it hard? Remembering everything?”

She shook her head. “I’m happy. After all, the past is only what you can remember. Since I can remember everything, I can enjoy the thing called life to the fullest.”

Leon had to agree with her. He could see what her point of view was like. If he could only remember every moment with his family…

Before he could dwell more in his depressing thoughts, they arrived at a huge mall-like structure, covered with flashing lights and ads.

‘This is so much like home.’

Smiling in nostalgia, he followed Lily in, where multiple tiny stores welcomed them.

Lily pointed at a large shop called the ‘Lonely Dog.’ “That’s where we can get your Elemental materials.”

Stepping into the musty-smelling shop, they quickly bought the pack that the Academy had recommended, paying 2 Aitall for the large package.

After shoving it into his Storage, Leon and Lily quickly moved on, opening the door of a large part of the Market that looked quite like a warehouse.

Stepping into the completely metal room, they were met by multiple security guards. “Please remove all items from your Storage.”

That admittedly took some time, as Leon and Lily’s Storage was packed to the peak. Finally unpacking the final item, they walked down with a finely dressed attendant, who directed them into a room filled with interesting pieces of futuristic armor.

“This is our MORPH collection. Each set is one Sere. Please choose wisely.”

Both nodding at the Lost, Leon picked out the Armor and Gear, carefully choosing the correct models. Seeing Lily also pick up some items, he asked, “Are you going to buy them too?”

No words could describe the look of stunned disbelief on her face.

“Are you stupid?”

Lily began giggling uncontrollably. “You do know that I've been buying my supplies with you, right?”

Seeing Leon’s stupefied expression, she laughed even harder. “You numbskull!”

Gaining composure, they paid for the equipment, threw in all the items they had to remove back into their Storage, then left the store to a stand labeled ‘School Skill & Skill Tree Materials.’

Wincing at the name, Leon once again lamented at the loss of originality.

Picking out the three devices needed, they paid the old woman selling. After all the regular shove, they relaxed on some couches to ease their legs.

“What do you want to do now?” Leon asked, curious. “We still have around an hour left.”

Lily shrugged. Then brightened. “Remember when I asked you to visit the Recreation room with me? Here’s our chance!”

She stood up, dragging Leon along. “Let’s go to an amusement park!”

***

“...”

[Closed for the day]

Sighing at the sign, Leon sat down on the ground, activating his Genesis Plate.

Lily quickly followed, nestling down. “Is fate itself trying to taunt us?”

Leon shook his head. “It’s taunting you, not me. I didn’t even want to go to the park.”

Pouting, she stood back up, “Let’s go get something to eat before the senior comes.”

Ordering some broth and noodles, they sat on the cold sideway, slurping up the meal. A wind passed them, blowing Lily’s hair around.

Looking at her shivering legs peeking out of her skirt, Leon asked, “Are you cold?”

Seeing her nod, he took off his jacket - Elivs had bought it for him during the field trip to the Province - and draped it over her.

“Thank you.”

Nodding, he switched his focus back to his meal.

But…

Was it just him, or was Lily’s voice a bit squeaky?

***

Lily’s POV

I nestled inside my bed.

After arriving back at the school, Leon and I had parted ways, but I still yet to give his jacket back.

Why was it so hot in here?

Crawling out the bed and washing my face with cold water, I touched my cheeks.

‘Why are they red?’

Shaking my head, I headed back to bed.

‘Am I getting sick?’

Trying to sleep, but finding it impossible, I again stood up, putting my hair back in a ponytail.

I sat on my chair, pulling out a few novels I bought at the bookstore with Leon.

However, as I was reading, a sudden loud alarm began ringing.

‘What th-’

My door was suddenly pushed open by Astarte. I hadn’t seen her since her defeat against Leon, partly because I had completely different classes, and also because she seemed to be avoiding people.

The Ensnare shouted, panic visible on her face. “Somethings happening! We need to get out of here!”

‘For an Ensnare to be scared…’

I leaped out of my chair, running after her, dodging screaming students dashing around in a panic.

However, as I turned the corner, I halted in my steps.

‘How… is that thing in here?’

My mind immediately shifted to the books I had read about demonic creatures. I pursed my lips in an attempt to hold my vomit back in at the horrible stench of vinegar.

The disturbing creature turned its twitching face towards me. The creature’s bloodied face was shaped to look like a woman's, but there was something deeply unsettling about it. Not to mention the organs hanging out of her head. The stringy pieces of flesh twitched and squirmed around, almost like a mutated octopus.

It held Astarte in its grip, slowly raising the poor girl to its gaping maw.

A Penanggalan.

One of the most dangerous entities in the whole of Sheol.