Piers looked at his assembled followers coldly and authoritatively. "We need to find a place to talk, a place we can call our own." He paused. "But for now, we are going to conduct our meeting here. Bring me a chair."
A student quickly brought a chair, and Piers sat on it like a king on his throne.
"I want the Death Vultures to find me a person," Piers commanded. "However, do not engage him." Piers conjured a flicker of his Hellsfire to show a visual representation of the boy's appearance. "This is how that person looks. Now, go and find him." Astarte and the Death Vultures immediately left.
"And as for you, Demonic Badger," Piers continued, "go and create defensive and supportive rituals all around the city, and also make a ritual to cage all the other disciples who might try to interfere." Garth and the Demonic Badger disciples quickly departed.
"As for you, Dark Lions, you will defend the Demonic Badgers." Silas and the Dark Lions left to take up defensive positions.
As Zen walked through the academy, he looked up at the sky. "Just a few more days, and it will all be over."
Outside the Devil Hell Branch, Tenko, Kaiser, and the others stood ready. Lyla noticed a strange gleam in Adreil's eye. "Adreil, are you feeling something?" she asked.
"Yes, and the thing I am feeling feels very good," Adreil said.
"Just stop saying it like that, Adreil; it feels weird," Sentry cautioned.
"No, I really feel very good," Adreil insisted. Suddenly, a sign formed like red ink spreading on Adreil's head, converging into the symbol for the Sin of Pride.
"What happened?" Hella asked.
"It's the sign of the Sin of Pride, but it's a little transparent than usual," Kaiser observed.
Adreil instinctively drew his sword, causing everyone to brace themselves. Then the sign faded. Adreil looked around, confused. "Why do you seem like that?"
"You fool! Go now! There is no use for you here!" Hella exclaimed.
"I am way too useful," Adreil said smugly.
"Yeah, you are way too useful, but we need your expertise in the back, because there is nothing here," Sentry managed to spin.
"Fine then, if you say so," Adreil conceded, looking pleased.
"I know that he is the disciple of the Sin of Pride, but is he going to become the Sin of Pride?" Sentry worried.
"I have learned that no Sin ever got a good ending, like ever," Hella added.
"Sentry, Hella, you can't change someone's destiny," Kaiser said. "If Adreil wants to become this, then you should respect his choice and let him go."
Selene asked Ben, "However, Ben, why did you come here?"
"To save a person of our research department who is like Professor Wells in your Principality," Ben explained.
The Death Vulture disciples soon located the target. "Call Astarte, we found the person," one said. The second student went to relay the news. Astarte immediately received the message. "I am going to tell Piers. You all tail that person." She sent a small group to follow the boy and returned to Piers.
As Piers saw Astarte approaching, he asked, "Astarte, what do you want?"
"We found the person you were looking for," she reported.
Piers's instructions were precise. "Take a Demonic Badger and tag him so that I will always know of his presence, and also tag his corruption levels. We need a detailed analysis of when he will turn into a devil."
"As you say," Astarte replied, and quickly left.
Looks like the battle will start soon. I would have to get ready, Piers thought.
In a bar, a drunk girl named Daina sat alone. She wanted to form a team of people her age, but no one was strong enough, and everyone was afraid of her cold demeanor. A boy with light blonde hair and a scarf covering his mouth and nose sat down with her.
"So, what do you want?" the bartender asked.
"Something strong, and give it big because she is paying," the blonde-haired boy said.
Daina glared and pulled out her sword. "If you want to extort money from me, remember the consequences will be huge."
"How huge?" the boy taunted.
Daina slashed with her sword, but a shield of holy light, just the size of a small box, formed and stopped the attack. Daina was shocked. The blonde boy then kicked Daina so hard that she crashed into the wall. His scarf fell off, revealing his face—it was Eugene.
Daina sprang up. "You are going down!" She disappeared and initiated a rapid flurry of slashes. Eugene merely turned slightly with each strike, dodging her with ease. Then, Eugene used his palm to conjure a blast of holy light that slammed her to the ground.
Though weak and injured, Daina took a piercing stance and attacked. This time, Eugene didn't dodge, and Daina's sword pierced his stomach. Daina was stunned.
"Do you think this will be enough to kill me?" Eugene asked, clutching the blade. He then placed a palm on her and began absorbing her energy until she grew weak and fell. Eugene then pulled out the sword, and the wound on his stomach shone with holy magic and healed instantly.
"I have seen you," Eugene said. "You failed in becoming the chosen one. You failed in saving your master. You failed in keeping your master's hate alive, and you failed in even summoning a team."
Daina broke down, tears streaming down her face. "I am just weak, okay? I can't do anything right. Not a single thing, nothing, okay!"
"You can't change what happened in the past, but you can change the future," Eugene said gently. "Nothing is set in stone." Eugene offered her his hand. "You won't have to worry. From now on, I will act as the light in your darkness. I will help you in summoning a team."
Daina looked surprised, then tearfully took his hand. Eugene helped her stand up. "However, you have to give me some wine to drink in return."
"But aren't you a priest?" she sighed. "Whatever."