“So that’s the guy huh?” Bessel grinned, tossing a ball in one hand. He watched Aidan from atop of a light pole, balancing perfectly with one foot. “To think ol’ Ozen’s cowl bonded to a nobody like that. Second thought, sounds bout right. Wonder what his kid sister thinks of this…”

Aidan thought he heard a noise. He looked up, but there was no one there.

Three days had passed since I learned about this arm. Named after the Demon King that was slain ten years ago, it no doubt should be a source of tremendous power. However, I was specifically instructed by Haru not to fight demons, and not to expose the arm unnecessarily. As if I could do that. I was a student at the Demon Corps Academy, training to get a chance to qualify for the Selection. Those who passed were given their uniform and assigned to a squad. That was the goal I worked towards. Over the past three days, I endured grueling catch-up school work. I sparred, despite only being able to use one arm; my Demon arm hidden in a new cast.

Finally, the day of my make up test had come and gone. I barely passed.

“Congratulations Aidan Crow.” Tsukihi greeted me two hours afterwards. “You are no longer a zero.”

“Is my unlimited potential recognized? Did I finally rise to my rightful place as a 100?” I said.

“Close.” She smiled.

My score was now a twenty-one. Most of it was due to my martial arts training. My speed and strength parameters seemed to have been boosted by the Arm’s power just enough that I could barely fight.

“Isn’t that still super low?” I protested.

“It’s a congratulations because you’re no longer the bottom ranker of the school. You’re second to last now.” She said.

“Is that really much of an improvement?”

“It’s quite the feat, considering the gap was about twenty points.”

“Wait who’s the bottom ranker now anyway?” I asked.

“A girl named Alison Davenport. Short, brown hair green eyes. Cute looking, but doesn’t really have a presence.” Tsukihi said. “She’s currently at twenty right now, so you just beat her by one point. However, all her points are due to magic, while you still have technically a zero in that aspect.”

“So all she has do is beat me in grades or martial arts even a little, and I’m back as the bottom ranker.” I sighed. “Wait why do I care anyway?”

“Because, Aidan Crow, you need at least a 55 by your senior year to graduate. However, most people below 65, have a tendency to fail the Selection.” She said. “So what you really need to aim for is a 65 or above. And another thing. The bottom twenty-five percent of students get cut from the school by the end of their third year.”

“Wait what?” I spat, myself being a third year student. “That’s a thing??”

“How have you been here for three years and not know that?” Tsukihi said, rolling her eyes.

“Is three months enough time to raise my score? Wait, what do I have to get anyway?”

“The bottom twenty-percent have scores of forty or lower, so you need to achieve a score of forty-one or above before the end of the year.” She said. “Which, statistically, is impossible.”

“No way…” I replied.

“However, there is a way.” She said, raising one finger. “If you beat someone with a higher score in a duel, you can take about ten percent of their score. So the higher number you beat, the greater your score will increase. For example, if you beat me, you’ll be boosted by ten points, which actually isn’t enough to not get cut. You’ll have to beat couple others too. But…” her eyes darted to my arm. “Can you even fight in your condition?”

“How do you think I’ve gotten my score up? Martial arts is my highest. I’ve just been using one arm.”

She looked at me in a look of mild shock.

“Besides, I’m desperate now, so I’ll have to win, with or without a good arm.” Although, no doubt I could beat a good number of people if I actually used it…

“Oh? Then do you want to fight? Like I said, it’s ten whole points from me if you beat me, and I drop to a ninety.”

I had flashbacks to the last time we fought. My ribs ached just thinking about it.

“I’m good thanks.” I needed to find opponents to beat who were at my level. And I had to beat them with the use of only one arm…

I felt someone tug on my sleeve.

“Huh??” I turned annoyed.

The girl yelped, jumping backwards. She was a lot shorter than me. She wore a hoodie over her uniform, a pair of old fashion earphones around her neck. Her shy eyes were light green, her brown hair cut short.

“I…ch….” She fidgeted, knocking her feet together.

“What do you want?” I said, staring down at girl. She almost hopped backwards.

“Aidan Crow, you’re scaring her. You look a thug with that glare.” Tsukihi said.

“I’m… Alison…. I… want to….”

“What is it?” I said, trying to tone down my glare. She backed away from me.

She took a deep breath.

“I want to challenge you to a duel!” She gasped.