Hell's Inner Circle Vol 1

Section 7

Prologue

Snow is not uncommon in the area. Snow that shuts down schools for a few days is.

But, the students are good about it. The alert goes out to all the contact emails en masse. There's a bit of rejoicing at the idea of a small break. And so close to the return from winter break? Bonus!

A warm cup of tea helps fend off the cold of shoveling snow off the walkway in front of one's house. Rush sits in his living room, hands cupped around the mug looking into the opaque liquid.

He shivers from the cold and wonders if it's snowing on Mt. Fuji.

Part 1

With classes over for the day, Rush has all the time in the world to do as he pleases. Unless of course, Markus calls for him with that booming voice of his.

The two walk through the hallway of students shuffling around them. "Have you gotten used to listening to other's desires?"

"I've learned to tune them out like background noise."

"It's still good to listen in now and again. Don't just make it background noise."

Rush didn't say anything. At least not now. If he was being called then it was for something important. Did it have to do with Marie's nosing around? Maybe it had to deal with everyone.

Markus brought Rush in as requested. Everyone was sitting down in a spot with Marie at her desk. This was a meeting for everyone. Rush set his bag on the far side of the couch taking a seat next to Bolly. Markus took the chair on the far end next to Rush.

"Everyone is here." Marie rapped her hand on the desk like a gavel. "We have an intruder in my domain. We've been tasked with removing it."

Bolly asked the question on everyone's mind, "What are we going up against?"

"A stray devil. And a mutated one at that so they've been without a master for a while. We will move on it in three days."

Three days... That would mean Saturday. "Rush." He perked up looking at Marie. "As this is your first hunt, you'll be taking a passive role. Observing."

He nodded with that understanding. The others in the room looked at their little newbie like he had just taken his first steps. He did his best to avoid the looks. They all looked so excited.

"Preparation starts tomorrow after classes! We'll meet in the clubroom and get everyone warmed up." The others seemed to be on pins and needles. Markus was shaking his leg. It wasn't a nervous tick. It seemed like he was excited. Bolly and Katherine looked like they were ready for this today.

The group was dismissed. Rush followed the others out of the room. Markus slowed down to get next to him. "You're gonna love this, man. It's not often we just get to let loose. Once you get a little taste of what your devil powers can do, you're going to want to use them at any chance you get."

"You're a brawler, correct?"

"Yup! I punch and I punch hard!" He threw his fist into his palm. "And I am looking forward to punching something!"

He looked at the two girls in front of him. Bolly was a support with a mage subclass if he remembered correctly. She made her teammates stronger. Katherine was a ranger who used small pistols. Did she have a subclass? Or was she just a pure ranger?

Rush looked down at his own hands as he held them in front of him. He clasped his hands into a fist over and over again wondering what he would be. Markus caught him and knew what he was wondering. "Don't worry about it. You'll find out before you know it. And Marie's training is a great way to find out." He smacked Rush on the back with some force.