A young boy was kneeling in a church.

Even though he was silent, his posture clearly indicated that he was praying. Though the content of his prayer could only be known to him.

After a while, the boy opened his previously closed eyes, showing a deep radiance that seemed to fill the room. His eyes were heterochromatic, a beautiful red and gold.

Despite his age, his eyes were filled with a certain calmness not even seen in people many years his elder. Still, deep down some immaturity could still be seen.

It wasn't a question of experience. This was a common situation where a child had to grow faster than he should have because of his circumstances.

After rising from his kneeling position, he gave one last look at the cross in front of him before turning back and leaving the chapel.

He might be a child, and he might not have an official position in the church, but he still shouldered many expectations. He couldn't afford to fail. He couldn't afford to look weak.

After all, even though he hated it, he didn't just represent himself.

-----

After entering another part of the sanctuary, he began to advance toward the center.

Despite his seemingly young age, he walked with a grace that could only be seen on those in a position of power. He was nothing more than a teen, but, everywhere he passed, murmur could be heard. No one dared to stand in his way. At least no one in this church.

Eyes full of respect but with a little bit of fear would stare at him. Still, the boy wasn't bothered. He understood their fear. After all he sometimes feared himself.

After a while, the young boy reached a large door inhaled with gold and silver. Picture of angels could be seen drawn on it.

The boy, seeing this door couldn’t help but frown. He hated such useless but costly decorations. The money used on this could have been better spent on helping the poor. Still, despite his seemingly exalted status, he didn’t have enough authorities for such a decision.

“*Sigh* I will never understand those men.”

He grumbled to himself as he pushed the door open, in there, two adults, a man and a woman, as well as one little girl could be seen.

“Fufufu. Litte Az, still complaining about the budget? You act like a grumpy old man.”

The boy couldn’t help but frown. He hated that nickname. But he didn't like his full name either, so he simply accepted it. He released a sigh as he faced the one woman who spoke,

“Sister Griselda. Please could you act more seriously? Each time I look at our account I feel like my heart is bleeding. Last month we nearly entered the red.”

Griselda Quarta simply knows as sister Griselda was a beautiful woman whose age couldn’t be easily inferred. Still, she would easily be between her mid-twenty to her early thirty.

Griselda, hearing those complaints simply smiled while hiding her mouth with her hand,

"Dulio help! Az is bullying me!"

The man, Dulio whose full name was Dulio Gesualdo was a young man with blond hair and green eyes and could be seen wearing priest clothing. But, from the way he was seated and how he was casually eating some chips, it was easy to understand how carefree he was.

Dulio, hearing this stopped eating before smiling and opted to stay silent. It wasn’t out of fear.

He knew that nothing good would come out of provoking the little boy when it was a question of money. Sadly, him not speaking didn’t mean he would be let go

“Please, Dulio. You are the biggest pit on our finances. I understand why you do what you're doing. I am very happy to know someone as selfless as you. But kindness doesn't bring money. No money. No charity. So in order to better help people we need to help ourselves first."

Dulio simply smiled before nodding. He didn't have the courage to talk back because he knew he would lose this discussion. He also knew that this boy never stopped him from using the money they got for charity.

"Tch.. Miser."

The teen, who was already pinching his eyebrows because of how tiring it was to play the adults turned to face the child,

"Oh…isn't it the little squirt? Xenovia. Do you want me to beat you again during sword training. How do you think you will manage to get Durandal if you stay like that?"

The little girl, Xenovia Quarta shuddered a little before hiding behind Griselda. She didn't forget to show her tongue,

"Meanie. One day I will show you."

Still, it was easy to see that his words managed to get under her skin.

Az smiled a little. Even though it was tiring to deal with this troublesome bunch, they were one of the few who didn't show fear or reverence to him. That's why those discussions were always a sort of reward for him.

He began to walk and stopped in front of Xenovia who was still hiding her face behind Griselda. Xenovia was frankly a beautiful little girl with long blue hair. She would surely make head turn once she grew up a little more.

But, for him under their skins all humans were the same beings made out of blood and flesh. That's why what he found truly beautiful about her as well as the other two here was their beautiful heart full of love and dedication.

He began to pat Xenovia's head.

"I am sorry. For your age you are a true genius. I am sure that you will become a magnificent exorcist. So much that even Senior Vasco Stradas would be proud of you."

The girl who was previously a little down raised her head abruptly, stars could be seen shining in her eyes.

"Really? You think so?"

Az nodded,

"Of course. You know I don't like lying. Go take your training gear and do some light training for a little. If you want this afternoon after I finish discussing I will train with you. What do you think?"

"YES!!"

After that without waiting she left Griselda and ran out of the room.

Griselda watched the girl with affectionate eyes full of love. Even though Xenovia wasn't her daughter, she still saw her as if she was. Once Xenovia left the room, she directed a mischievous smile at Az.

"Fufufu. You are so considerate. You really play your role of big brother well."

"*Cough* Stop teasing me. It's just that I found her dream really admirable. Her attitude to reach this dream even more so."

Griselda patted her ample chest with pride.

"Of course. I am the one who raised her. What did you think?"

Az looked at her before answering

"You seriously want me to answer that question?"

Silence filled the room before,

"Pfft"

"Ahahah"

They all began laughing. Finally after a while the laugh stopped.

Az took a more serious expression

"I heard something happened in Japan."

The room immediately fell into a tense atmosphere.