An empty, wooden cup flew across my face. A drunken laughter broke out at a table of men in the corner, one’s hand still in the air. I peered over, blankly. Staring at their reddened expressions and glassy eyes was enough to explain their mental state.

They weren’t picking a fight. They just weren’t in their right mind.

I sighed, ignoring the cheers that came from another popped bottle, and the strong scent of aged beer. Jamie grabbed my sleeve, carefully guiding us through the entourage of listless humans.

Out of all the species, I had been aware of the destructive tendencies of humans. Only races that lived less than a century would be foolish enough to drink mind-numbing substances. It was perplexing the first time spying on the human encampments. Soldiers did this frequently. Now, I suppose civilians did it too.

Jamie led us to the counter of the faculty. Shelves of filled bottles were decorated from behind the heavier man, his hair lacking and sparse.

“Are any carriages heading to Trane?” Jamie shouted over the jollied cries of the tavern.

The heavier man chuckled, quickly sparing a glance at the both of us, “Aren’t you both a little young to be in a speakeasy?”

Excuse me, I was over two hundred years old. Cursed human body.

So, this was called a speakeasy. I made a note to never visit one again.

Jamie shook his head, giving a polite smile, “We’re not here to drink. I’m heading to Trane to take the army exams and my travel partner is unfamiliar with how to get there.”

The man brought a hand to his chin, looking up before nodded, “Ah! Do you want to hitch a ride? Is that what you’re asking?”

“Yes! If anyone is heading out soon for Trane, I’d be willing to pay for us to hitch in the back.” Jamie confirmed.

The man sighed, “Well. Fortunately for you, I know there’s another customer heading that way. He just turned in his owing. I can’t promise you, but I’ll call him over.”

My eyes followed over to the human sitting at the end of the row of bar seats, who noticed the heavier man motion him over. I stared.

The human looked around thirty years of human age, wearing a decent set of leather attire. He sported a small beard and wore black gloves.

“These young chaps wanted to ask if they could hitch a ride to Trane with you,” The heavier man explained.

Jamie bowed, taking the hand of the man into a handshake, “Yes sir! I would be willing to pay. You see, my friend and I are quite young and wondered if we could ride your buggy to Trane.”

The man looked down, his firm eyes softening after Jamie’s shake. He smiled, raising his hand, “Lucky timing, I’m about to head out now. You don’t need to pay me. In fact, I could use some company. My horses are fast, but it’ll be a long time in silence.”

He cleared his throat, “I’m Sirius. What are your names?” His clear eyes met mine, he waited.

I stared back in silence. Jamie nervously chuckled, “Ah, don’t mind him. He’s a bit peculiar at times. This is Asta and my name is Jamie.”

Sirius waved it off, putting on a grand smile, as he motioned us towards the exit, “No worries. I work with some troublesome students. I’m used to this!”

I hated this human.

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I scoffed, rolling my eyes. There was something that I couldn’t place about this guy. It was the years in the field that made me untrusting, but humans seemed too eager to get a knife in the back.

We walked over to a small wooden carriage, Jamie dragging me in tow. Two horses huffed, secured to a harness that had been connected to the wooden buggy. One of them neighed, rearing on its hinds, as I made eye contact.

Could it sense what I was? Sirius rushed over to the mare, brushing his hands through its mane, “Shhhh, easy girl.”

He looked over, “They’re trustworthy horses. I’m not sure what spooked her, but we’ll be fine once we set off.” Sirius explained, stepping away and hopping up to take hold of the reins.

I glanced at the mare, holding up my hands, and shaking my head. I doubted it would help the frightened creature, but it was the thought that counted.

Attacking the horses that would take us to Trane wasn’t on my priority list. Unless plans changed.

Sirius reached down his hand to Jamie, helping him climb up to the seating area. Jamie huffed, crawling up and sitting next to the man. I stood behind him on the ground with my arms crossed, trading glances from the horses and the overstretched hand in front of me.

“I’ll help you up, Asta.” Sirius held his hand towards me with a smile.

I exhaled, lightly batting the hand away, “I don’t need help.” I said, simply.

“Are you sure?” He looked unsure at my declaration. It was a higher jump. Jamie peered down in confusion, wondering what my deal was.

Too trusting. We just met this human a few minutes ago and now he was taking us to Trane. I could never piece together the logic behind that.

I nodded, stepping back and easily lifting myself over the back of the carriage, separate from the two upfront.

Sirius applauded, “Wow! That was quite the jump! How old are you? You seem capable for your age.”

Please. I may be young, but I’ve lived longer than this human.

“I’m sixteen,” I responded, blankly.

“Got it…”

He smiled again, picking up the reins. The horses whined, as the carriage slowly moved along to the dirt road, shaking with the trot of the mares.

Jamie looked back, flashing a glare at me.

“What?” I asked, defensively. I yawned, leaning back against the old blankets that were placed in the back with me.

He rolled his eyes, not bothering to reply to me.

Instead, he looked over to Sirius, who was busy handling the steering, “I’m seventeen, but I turn of age before the exams start.” He explained, staring at the bouncing of the horses’ shoulders against the harnesses.

Sirius chuckled, “Well, it’s nice to know that you’re pursuing the army exams early. Most people wait till they’re in their twenties to take them. Did you not go to the academy?”

Jamie shook his head, “I did. I never finished but I have other ambitions that took my interest more.”

The man cheered, “Is that so? That’s fair! Everyone pursues different avenues in life,” He leaned down to whisper into Jamie’s ear, “If this is about your friend, I swear it’s all right. I wasn’t offended!”

“I can hear you.” I sneered.

Sirius turned around with a hand on the back of his head, “Is that so? Well then. Truly, I do appreciate both of your companies.”

“Whatever.” I turned to my side, not willing to deal with anyone else but Jamie. Putting up with that incapable weakling was enough. Adding this new knucklehead wasn’t in my original plans.

He exhaled, facing the front again, “So… Jamie. What are you thinking of specializing in?”

My ears perked. Were there different divisions for which you could apply?

I sat up, throwing my arms over the divider, “What’s someone as incapable as you trying to get into?” I added to the conversation, provoking a laugh from Sirius.

Jamie sighed, “So now you want in the conversation? Fine.”

He continued, “There’s a combat exam, potions exam, magic exam, and strategist exam. I’m not talented in physical skills-”

“Well duh.” I hummed.

“Shut up, freak.” He snapped, “Anyway, I was going to take the exam for potions and battlefield medics.”

Sirius clapped his hands, “Well! That’s a fantastic goal. I heard that it’s hard to get a license for that. So do you have a division in mind that you want to try out for recruitment?”

I interrupted, “Wait? You don’t just get placed into a standard force?”

Things worked differently here.

In Hellion, citizens that joined the Demon King’s army would be placed into the main force upon enlistment.

Because the prestige of each family reflected on the battlefield accomplishments, demons would advance in ranks after proving themselves. After they showed skills in battle, they would be assigned to one of the four territories led by the royal family.

Skilled demons would collaborate directly with the king. It wasn’t necessarily sorted into certain divisions. Of course, more specialized demons would be organized eventually but the kingdom was constantly in conflict.

Forces were drained swiftly, despite the surplus of applicants. The demon race was a violent race by nature that inched to fight.

Sirius gave a hearted laugh, “You really aren’t from around here. It’s interesting! I’ve never met someone that wasn’t aware of how the army exams worked. I’ll explain.”

He moved the reins to one hand, making a pointing gesture, “The army exams are the standard way of earning licenses to participate in recruitment for various human protection agencies. You can get your licenses through exams that certified you in combat, magic, strategy, and potion-making. Once you have your license, you can get recruited by agencies that specialize in those licenses. It’s like a guild system.”

I nodded, “I see.” Didn’t this method limit the capabilities of their soldiers? Was this effective?

Then again… ARC had been predominantly magic users.

Speaking of which.

“Have you heard of ARC?” I waited for his answer intently.

This was a chance.

Jamie choked on air, a laugh escaping from his mouth, as he slapped his thigh in amusement. He wiped a tear from his eye, “Hah! You don’t know ARC?”

Sirius grabbed his shoulder to settle his laughter, “That’s okay. I’m sure there are places that may not be up to date on these matters.”

He sighed, eyes peeling from the dirt road, “ARC is one of those agencies that recruit from the exams. They’re the kingdom’s best force. But they approach you. It’s impossible to apply to them, yourself. A majority of their recruits are filtered through their private academy. Are you still enrolled in the academy? Those trainees in the academy are your age, about.”

“I never went to the academy due to family circumstances…” I commented.

“You’ll have to sign up. People your age are required to be in the army or in the academy, but…” He paused, his eyes gleaming, “Why? Are you considering joining ARC?”

The look in his eyes… I couldn’t place it.

He was strange.

I looked away. If I had the chance to infiltrate ARC, it would be foolish not to.

I scoffed, rolling back to my side and closing my eyes, “Who knows?”