So black hair hasn't had any contact with his family in years huh. He wrote it only to his younger sister too. I guess he's kinda like me.

Also why was he checking out books on exorcism? Is he working to become one?

I thought these things to myself while my eyes moved along the pages of the book I was reading.

I had to go back and reread some of it. It was a strange but interesting story. I was stumped on which book to read and so I asked the librarian.

"This book is good!" he said excitedly.

I'll talk to him about it later. I thought.

The walk to the dorm was peaceful. I dropped a few books along the way but I was able to enjoy looking at the night sky. I always used to stare at the stars with my younger sister. We'd lay down by the hill and just talking about random things, but that feels like so long ago. I haven't communicated with my family in months.

In a week or two I'll write my own letter.

It's been a week since I sent the letter, no reply yet. Well, the lady at the counter did say that it would take about two weeks to get there.

My life at the school has been relatively stable. Each day Miss Ein gives more lectures, which I listen to intently for I am a good student, of course my master would laugh at that but since he's not here I'm going to say that. Blue hair has been a little less nervous around me since I asked her to help me with my letter. I suppose she feels more comfortable now that she learned that I'm actually a person just like her.

I always see her in class but every now and then I notice her in the library talking with the librarian. oh yeah, I learned his name. Mr. Reader. heh. A good one.

Axel and I have gotten friendlier. Every now and then we go out to get something to eat, he likes the soup at the place we go to. I've also become acquainted with blue hair's friends. The short one Elis seems to like fighting. She even threatened me to not mess with blue hair, sweat ran down her brow as she said it though. The taller one Iris asked me a couple of questions about myself, I just waved her off.

The group's relationship with me hasn't changed much. I met two others during the week.

Both were guys, Kale and Adrian.

Kale was the youngest before I showed up, 28. He's outgoing and loud. He's slim with not much in the physical strength department, his long blonde hair is always tied in a ponytail.

Adrian is tough looking, his face is filled with stubble and some of his hair is singed. He's taller than Kale but shorter than me, his emerald eyes seem to emit a faint glow in the dark.

Tonight I'm headed to the warehouse again, my first mission should be assigned soon.

Today's Tuesday, I'm intently listening to today's lecture.

This lecture is different from the others, It's about seals.

I raise my hand.

"Yes?"

"Let's say that someone was possessed by a demon, how long could the demon be sealed?"

She puts her hand on her chin.

"Well, if the seal is being maintained then it could possibly go on until the possessed person died. But, the problem is that the demon will still feed on the negative emotions of the host, so a very powerful seal would be needed."

"Is it better to exorcise the demon or keep it sealed away? What's the best course of action?"

"It really depends. If it's a weak demon it should be exorcised right away before it can grow stronger. If it's a strong one I would still recommend an exorcism unless, a very powerful seal is applied and maintained."

"Thanks."

"Bring this topic up again when we talk about demons later."

She continues for the rest of the hour.

I go home grab the three books and return to the academy.

Inside the library are a handful of students, the others must be wandering around the city. Blue hair's not here either. I hand the books back to Mr. Reader.

"You learn what you needed to?"

"I learned a few things but not what I needed. Do you have any books related to the sealing of demons?"

"There are a few...give me a minute."

Several books fly off the shelves and fall perfectly into his hands, must be his ability.

On the fourth book that came out he nodded.

"Here. This one might prove to be useful."

He handed it to me.

"Thanks Mr. Reader."

"Just doing my job."

I wave to him as I exit the library and head to my dorm.

On the way there I open the book and start reading. Not the best thing to do when there's a street full of people, I could always read in the library or my dorm room but I need to get to the warehouse tonight. So, while dodging and weaving around the people on the sidewalk I begin reading.

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I arrive at the warehouse. It's eight.

Inside I can hear grunts and the sound of clashing steel.

I activate my bracers and two knives drop down, I catch them with my hands.

I slowly approach the door, my breath held in, my arm outstretched.

I forcefully push the door and it hits the wall with a loud SMACK.

I'm fully prepared for a fight.

Everyone inside is staring at me.

There are two people in the middle with weapons out, Adrian and Garret.

"What's this? A practice match?"

"Yeah. They were just sparring to kill time."

Carlyle beckons me over.

"Time for your first mission."

I stand facing him feet spread shoulder length apart, the knives are no longer in my hands.

"Your job is to kill Nack Tempson."

His eyes stare straight into mine.

"He's a serial killer who's been active in this city for a while. We've gotten info that he's in one of the larger villages outside of the city. Search those villages, once you find him, kill him." his voice is monotone.

"You want me to just go out and kill some grain killer? Why can't I just capture him?"

"Look here. I know about you and I know that you don't want to go and kill people but this guy, this guy here is a SERIAL KILLER. He has killed at least twenty people, men, women, children, to him, it doesn't matter."

With every word his finger pokes my chest.

"Reinhard trusted you to me, so I'll give you orders and you will follow them. If you're going to be a part of this group you can't hesitate to kill someone. Capturing this guy will yield the same result, he's a dead man anyways. It doesn't matter to me if you kill him today, tomorrow, or whenever. Just find him and do your job. Finish it and you'll get your pay."

"..."

I've got to leave it behind. This is a good step, I can't be stuck holding onto the past forever. I need somewhere to start, a criminal is a good place. I know that someday I'll have to kill again, better start now.

"...I got it. What should I do with his body?"

"It's alright to just leave him there or you could tell the guards."

I nod.

"Know anything about him, like if he can use magic, what he looks like?"

"From the reports, he's of average build and height, got dirty blonde hair, and he's got a small scar on his forehead. He knows intermediate magic but he likes to kill people with a knife. You should assume that he's proficient in close combat."

I turn to leave the warehouse, "One thing, I won't kill those who don't fight back."

He nods. "Don't worry, they'll fight back, they always do.

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Tonight I'm just going to go and take a look at the first village and see what I can gather there.

If I'm to perform a stake out then I'll need to wait until the weekends when I don't have school.

I leave through the large front gate and go to the closest village.

There should be four around here.

My eyes focus on the tall white pillar while my horse carries me to the nearest village.

I don't know who built the pillar or why, but some stories say it's something that was built after the war. Certainly a strange way to celebrate.

The first is called Davin village. It's larger than the one I used to live in, it's a ways away from the pillar but far closer than the other ones. The people here look healthy and content with their lives. The nearby fields also look healthy, their green color is easily seen even in the low light of the night.

Now, first thing's first. I'll look around the village first, if someone just comes in at night asking for information then immediately leaving that would be suspicious. Yeah, I'll scope out the villages and pick one for the weekend.

I could always take a chance and go listen in at a tavern.

For the next thirty minutes I spend time walking around the village looking for any suspicious persons.

Obviously, it's not going to be that easy. I make the choice to go into the tavern.

It's not as luxurious as the one in the city but it looks well maintained, the sign at the front could use some fixing up though.

As I open the door it makes a loud creaking noise, guess if he was here I won't be entering through the front next time.

Multiple tables and chairs line the walls, around twenty people are in here. One woman and a young man works at behind the bar and girl goes around waiting on the tables.

I feel around inside my jacket, I guess I have enough money to pay for information. I hope the pay that I get covers for this.

As I start to move to the bar, I hear a little yelp to my right.

The server girl is getting her butt caressed by a drunken man, she's red faced and is trying to bat away his hands.

"H-heeey there...young missy. Why don't you come and, and you know...spend some time with this old man tonight eh."

"S-sir p-please..."

The young man behind the bar climbs over the bar and goes to the two while the woman stares daggers at the old man.

"Take your hands off my sister and get out." he says in a firm voice.

"A-ah, o-okay."

The older man starts walking towards me but in an instant turns around and sucker punches the man.

His knees buckle and he falls down like a log.

"That, that'll teach you..."

He reaches his arm out for the girl again, this time I step in.

"OW, OW OW OOOW."

I grab his arm and twist it behind his back.

"Quit it old man."

"O-okay okay. I give I give. Just let go."

I turn the old man around and push him out the door.

"T-thank you."

The server girl is looking shyly at me, heh. I see quite the opportunity...no, I need to focus on the mission, not to mention I have school tomorrow. I'll give her a cool reply.

"No problem. Is your brother okay?"

"Yeah, I'll take him upstairs."

She calls for help and another person comes and helps her take him away, her other brother I assume.

Must be family owned, maybe I can get some free information.

I walk up to the bar uninterrupted this time.

"Thank you for help my children with that issue, is there anything you need? It's on the house."

"Alright then, I'd like some information."

"On what?"

"On a person named Nack Tempson, got any info?"