Hell's Academy

Cantron City, Sand Market

Una and Monica followed after a Workalin further and further into the strange Workalin stronghold with an Aresoul walking by their side. Feeling his presence, Una felt a strong desire to both vomit and rip him to shreds.

The Aresoul had been the reason Zack had been locked up, and the true reason why she'd stop pursuing strength. A few years ago, her and Reece had been both at the same strength, however, after that incident with Zack, the only training she did is griping on the past.

She had loved Zack with all her heart, and had planned to confess to him after they made it to the center of the Furnace. At the center of the Furnace, some legends said the Ki would be so potent you could understand concepts you could only dream of in other parts of the World. She had hoped that it make her braver, brave enough to tell Zack the feelings she'd hidden deep inside.

A doorway had closed after that incident, and now she mostly tried to help Horned Nation by doing menial tasks. Truthfully, she'd gone to find a treasure trove, hoping that some object would be able to let her forgive herself. However, now that she knew Zack was still alive, an old part of her started to awaken.

'I'm still the girl Reece called a monster when we competed with Teacher Annibell's guidance! I'm-I'm still someone worth loving! I-I swear I'll tell Zack I like him as soon as I see him!'

'I-I don't care what happens! Even if I have to rip this Aresoul douchebag to shreds, I'll do it!'

Una grinded her fist, watching the Workalin turn into a large tent.

Since the Workalin didn't use normal types of money, they also didn't handle debts the same. They believed if two people wanted something, the one that had the most determination would naturally get it. Determination could be proven in many ways. Through stamina challenges, through dangerous battles… Anything that proved your benefit would be greater than your opponent would usually win you the prize.

Unfortunately, in terms of Zack, this naturally meant that if he lived or died depended on who was more Determined. The Aresoul, lingering in a shadow underneath his dark hood, moving strangely through the market, had an almost unnatural glint in his eye full of sheer joy. It's like deep down inside he knew that Monica and Una couldn't win.

'This is perfect. I already entered into the B rank just a few months ago, and have two little Horned's heads to take home as prizes! Heh, the Workalin probably wouldn't even care if I killed them now!'

'However, it's hard to believe these two brats figured out a currency mark of the Workalin. All the more reason I'll enjoy their deaths!'

"You're an Aresoul Magician?" Monica said, finally breaking the silence. She could almost sense his scheming nature underneath the dark shadows hiding his eyes. "Hmph, you think we'll lose to you? Zack-Zack is like a brother to me! I'm a thousand times more determined than you!" Monica grinded her hand into a fist that soon started to chill from her Ki. "I-I will do everything I can to get him!"

"Stop it," Una said, pointing over at a few Workalin that seemed to be following them on top of the strange, angular buildings. The buildings looked almost like shrunken skyscrapers made out of the rocks and mud with small windows flickering with light. "The Workalin are really good fighters. If we start fighting out here, then Zack will be doomed."

"Heh, she's right," The Aresoul Magician said, "I'm guessing we'll end up fighting in a few minutes unless you run away and let me get Zack. You Horned to us are like barriers. Unless we crush you, we'll never unlock the secrets of the Furnace."

"Nevermind," Una said, turning her fist before a flame burst in her hand. "I-I'm going to hit him for both of us!"

"Stop!" A small Workalin held out its hand, causing a blue string to coil around Una's body and freeze her in space. "You're not allowed to fight, or I'll force you to leave! Zazk is right in there! Meet with him first and then I'll take you to the Debt Keeper!"

###

Howard's body floated upside down in the blue Coagulated Ki.

If not for the subtle twitching of his mouth, from a distance you'd think he's dead. His body twitched every few moments while bubbles slowly came out of his mouth. At the same time, a small creature had appeared from the shadows, jumping into the water with an urgency that was hard to describe!

"LEEEE LEEEE!" The creature bit into Howard's leg, pulling him to the edge of the water. Spinning him over, the creature couldn't help but begin licking him fervently. It's black skin with the six horns on its head made it seem exceptionally deadly, however, with each lick it seemed cuter and cuter.

It's eyes even started to dilate before Howard coughed up, finding Menos happily smiling before it jumped against his chest. Wrapping his arms around it, Howard smiled before twisting and rising to his feet. Looking down at his arms, his body had a blue tint and his muscles felt completely healed.

"Heh, stop it Menos! You're heavy!" Howard laughed, and gently brushed back it's small fiber like hair. "Heh, how did you even find me?"

"He found you because he's an idiot," Two voices suddenly appeared from the shadows, walking out with strange symbols floating around their body. "We watched him for ten minutes searching urgently for you. Luckily, the little beast is too dumb to know it's getting followed."

"Heh, dumb?" Howard said, cracking his neck. "He sensed you guys in the cliff? How is he dumb?" Howard cracked his knuckles, a fire starting to swirl around him as he jumped up and down, starting to walk over to the two men as his Ki exploded like a gigantic flame. "I'm going to kill you guys now for hurting him earlier. If you don't mind, stay still so this can be quick."