The digital document was completed, and we were given the test kit. Since it’s self service, I had the unpleasant experience of pricking myself. At the hospital, the pricking part was done by the nurses.

The test came out negative after a few minutes of waiting. Now I have a boo-boo.

“Thank you for coming,” the staff at the front counter said as we waved goodbye.

“Send this file to Saint High,” my father instructed his AI.

“Sent?”

“Yes, sent. It’s still early, the entire process was faster than I thought. Want to walk around some more?”

After some consideration, I decided against telling father that mom and aether would be angry if we stayed too late. It’s unwise for him to not wind down every now and then.

Plus, I’m in it for some ice cream. That’s typically how it goes if Avner or Lia ever gets a chance to join their father for a trip to the shopping mall.

“Sure thing.”

And so we browsed the stores one by one. Father wasn’t particularly fond of clothes or gadgets. He’s the kind of person who prefers the simple thrills of life. Food, snacks and movies.

I grabbed a cone of ice cream along with my father at a self service chain. We were having a light banter about the recent happenings in school when we exited the store.

{YOU HAVE STEPPED ON A MINE}

{WARNING: YOU HAVE STEPPED ON A MINE}

And I spilled out of my body.

Everything turned quiet, the world shattered into black and white.

{SEARCHING_FOR_CONTACT}

{Sole Contact: Cain Owst}

What’s the difference between being targeted and being hit by a mine? Maybe initiating the astral space without the mine is being targeted? I have no clue how that works.

“I’ll deny.”

{CONTACT_FAILURE}

There are two criterias to exit the mine. First was to defeat all enemies linked to the mine. This method is the least popular method as both sides can keep calling reinforcements until it becomes a full fledged war.

The second method is to leave the range of the mine. That being, a kilometer.

Now you know why Cain’s first lesson was to run.

“Look who we have here.”

I turned around and met a college guy wearing a cool pink hoodie.

“Hello,” I waved.

“Excuse me? Are you not aware of where you are right now?”

“I know. I was hit by a mine.”

“You’re a weird one.”

“Wait up! I’m coming!”

A shout from far away echoed in this silent mall.

“So..”

“Aren’t you supposed to be escaping by this point?”

“This is probably the first time I hit a mine where I actually have to run.”

“I take it that you’re a fledgling.”

He kicked up a jewel and it transformed into an armed bayonet. Sparks running down the blade portion.

“I’m here! Who’s our enemy?”

A girl swung herself down from the upper floors. Nobody would die from fall so I suppose it’s expected. No retorts there.

She wore a nice sky blue blouse and short pants.

“A fledgling.”

“Eh.. seriously?”

“Hello,” I waved once again.

“Nice to meet you. Too bad you’ll end here.”

“Can I ask a question before we begin,” I tucked my hands into my pocket.

“What?”

“What happens if a person gets killed in this space?”

“Hah? What kind of fledgling are you even?”

I forgot to ask Cain.

“You lose your memories.”

I’m surprised by that answer.

“That’s all?”

“It depends on your soul and what treatment you demons can provide to each other, not that I really care.”

“Won’t people become suspicious of us if we lose our memories?”

“This guy..”

“You only lose parts of your memories regarding your identity, you don’t lose your human memories. Get it? What a pity, you didn’t even get the chance to experience life before it starts.”

The girl finished saying so and charged forward, crushing the crystal in hand, it turned into a sword.

I pulled out mine and the dual gun-attached machetes appeared before me.

I grabbed their hilts, spun it and fired.

“Angel-based weapons?!”

The girl intercepted the measly bullets with her sword. The guy in the hoodie aimed his bayonet at me.

The girl’s balde shot forward, I tilted my head slightly and gave her a roundhouse kick.

She was thrown to the floor, her sword slid further back.

“Caitlyn!”

The guy with the hood fired his bayonets. I intercepted them pretty easily with the machete. Though, I would’ve prefer the dexterity of the spear.

“Who the hell..”

“I’m fine, keep him busy.”

Caitlyn ran to grab her sword. It was a pitiful sight, seeing her hold her stomach like that.

I aimed my machete at the guy with the hood and fired.

The bayonet was shot out of his hands. That was tricky, I could’ve hit his heart.

“W-Who are you..” Caitlyn who reached her sword picked it up and held it in a defensive stance.

“You’re no fledgling liar. Caitlyn, fall back, I’ve called for reinforcements.”

Am I too strong?

“Are you angels?”

“Angels? No, we’re crafts.”

Crafts? So they’re humans involved in..

A chill was felt on my right arm, I tossed myself to the side.

“Not bad.”

I looked up. Two floors above on the opposite side was a guy wearing a cowboy hat and pajama slack pants. He looked like he just came out from a pillow fight rodeo show.

But with a sniper.

“Master, I’m sorry for failing!”

“No hard feelings. You demon, what class are you?”

His voice echoed.

At this distance, it should be impossible to hear, if not for how the astral space works.

“I’m a frigate.”

“Oh? Frigate. Tell me, did you kill an angel to obtain those?”

He was ogling my dual machetes

“This? I was given them.”

“Like I would believe a lie like that.”

A tingling sensation came from my back.

I swiftly moved the left machete behind and fired a back shot using it.

The culprit dodged it and flipped in the air like a monkey.

“Master, I’ve arrived.”