Work… Shortly after entering, I ran into a pair of familiar faces. “Glad to see you both survived.” I spoke up on seeing the pair.

  “Good to be alive boss.” Liche responds. Joan just nods along. “You wouldn’t believe how hairy it got out there.” Liche adds and here, Joan looks oddly absent.

  Both, however, noticed my state of dress, the fresh bandages I had bought weren’t leaking blood, thankfully. Maybe I should have stopped at the hospital, but I was curious to see how fast I’d heal. Already the worst of my wounds were now manageable, even without me channeling my ice. A few more days and I might be completely fine.

  Ironically, the more I channeled my ice, the longer the healing, so I needed to balance that.

  “I’m curious to hear how different your event was from mine.” So, she told me. Some of it was interesting to hear. They did good enough, but I could see where the issue lay. Not a lot of people had branched out or learned additional skills. Not that it was any different from my own event, though…

  If Faust and I were the only ones to branch out, which would be two-fifths… even with that same spread… Yeah, that could be bad. Especially when the force they faced was of a far greater caliber. With them facing almost three gold ranks between them all.

  “Yeah, which is why, I’d like it if you could teach us how to fight.” Liche says, taking me for a loop.

  “How to fight?” I repeat, dumbly.

  “Yeah, you look like you know what you’re doing and sure, you shared and showed us some of the circles or whatever you got, but we really need a sparring partner or something.”

  “I could probably do that, but I’ll be honest. I’m probably not going to be a good teacher.”

  “Its fine, anything would help.”

  “If you say so…” I thought. Today was Monday… now that I think about it, the start of every new month was always a Monday… How did I miss that? That is clearly very odd… Then again, that was just my life now…

  “If you want, we could head to the gym I frequent tonight and get a start?” It wasn’t like I had many other options. Tuesdays and Fridays could still be dedicated to workouts, though… “But I’m not sure how we’ll work around the after-work bar meet.”

  Liche didn’t have much of an answer to that. “Then why don’t we just not go?” Joan asked. It was an innocent question, but…

  “Once or twice is fine, but if we skip too many, it could hurt our standing in the group.” I answered for her.

  “But you skip out plenty?” She retaliates just as innocently as before.

  “I’m a pariah. That they even let me into the meets is a courtesy. If I go out of my way to avoid them though, well, the tide might turn. So, to speak.”

  She frowned, “I don’t think they’d be that shallow though.”

  “It’s not about being shallow, it’s just a human thing.” Liche is the one that speaks up. “They’ll think the boss is snubbing them at some point, which means they’ll start ostracizing her more than they already do, which will lead to her getting pushed out again.”

  Joan didn’t seem happy with that answer, but… speaking of getting pushed out.

  “Speaking of, I believe the rumors may end up getting bigger.”

  “Rumors? Ah, you mean those rumors? And bigger, how?” Liche asks, though, Joan looked confused.

  “Well... I went to a party last night, and…” I began to explain everything that happened. By the end of it, Liche was snickering.

  “Didn’t think you had it in you boss, seducing that playboy, and his rich father.” She tsked-tsked in further amusement. “Such a sinful woman.”

  I rolled my eyes but Joan, bless her heart, spoke up. “If the rumors get worse, won’t that cause you problems?”

  “Yeah… which is worrying.” I said. The pair went silent for a moment.

  “So, you think the head honcho might get involved?” Liche asks.

  “I’d be more surprised if they didn’t. Honestly, I’ll probably be fired or called into his office by the end of this month.”

  “You think he’d care?” Joan asks.

  “Even if whoever was at top didn’t care, with how widespread the rumors were, its telling that HR hasn’t started an investigation yet or made a statement.” I say.

  “Ah, so you’re saying that the head honcho likely knows what’s going on, or is at least keeping an eye on things?” Liche catches onto my meaning.

  “That, or I’ve severely overestimated the executive in charge.”

  “Mm…” Liche hums in thought. “Makes sense. It is a little weird that nobody has looked into the rumors yet. In my experience, if a rumor has as much traction as yours did, somebody would have looked into it by now or done something about it. After all, it does impact the company as a whole.”

  I nod along. “That’s exactly my point. Though, I still have no idea who started the rumors.”

  “You don’t?” Liche asked. “I thought you had that in the bag.”

  “Not really, a part of me suspected Kenta. He is the most likely culprit after all, but I’ve been told it might actually be Tom.”

  “Tom, really?” Liche asks.

  “Yeah, Tom. He’s been rather cagey lately, and he’s been avoiding me.”

  “Mm… now that you mention it, yeah, he’s been avoiding us too. He’ll work with us, but he’s been oddly distant. What do you think Joan?” Liche asks her.

  “Uh…” Having suddenly been put on the spot, Joan looks distinctly uncomfortable. “I think, he’s fine.”

  “And Kenta? What’s your thoughts there?”

  “I, uh… I don’t know…”

  “Really?” I ask. “With your magic, it should be easier to tell when people lie and such, or at least, that’s what I assume.”

  “It can be, it helps me find people, even sense the truth to an extent, but everyone seems to be shrouded by a veil or something. It makes it hard to look into other people, at least, not without being obvious about it.” Joan says, fidgeting under my scrutiny.

  I nod along. “And what about us? Do we have a veil over us?”

  “Well, no… Prima, you have… it’s like there is a sheet of ice coating you. As for Liche, it’s like a black hole, a void of absolutely nothing.”

  “Huh… that’s interesting.”

  “It is, but it doesn’t answer the question.” Liche reminds me.

  “Question? Which question exactly?” I asked.

  “On how we’re going to do training?” She asks, looking at me.

  “Oh…” I thought and… “I work out on Tuesdays and Fridays? I could probably plan on training you then?” Even if it cuts into my workout time…

  “Alright, we can do that. Missing a few days shouldn’t be an issue.”

  “No, it shouldn’t… anyway, we should probably get to work.” As if on cue, Leo entered the office, and everyone immediately migrated back to their desks. Work had effectively started, and the day went on without much issue, or without any drama.

  Work ended, we travelled over to the bar and ate. Kenta was acting as usual. Tom was being distant, as usual. Regardless of who had spread the rumor, it wasn’t worth pursuing. Whatever cased this, wasn’t likely to expand or get worse… Hopefully…

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  Frustratingly, I had to hold back on the alcohol, on account of my injuries.

  As we finished up, we split up. Some heading home, some to their vehicles in the company parking lot. Today, I didn’t drive. Last night was spent moving stuff around and preparing. With tomorrow being when I make the move. I had moved most of my things already. Just a few more items needed to be moved, which I could do tomorrow.

  Tonight, I was in my apartment again. Walking up the familiar stairs, into the familiar hallway, I slowed to a stop. Ahead, standing before my neighbor’s door, which was currently covered in police tape. It was an odd sight, made stranger by what was standing beside the taped off room.

  There, beside the closed off room, was a pair of high school students. Specifically, a pair of high school girls wearing sailor uniforms.

  It was more than a bit strange, more so when they seemed oddly interested in the ruined room of my neighbor. Closing in on them, I opened my mouth to speak, when their conversation reached my ears.

  “You think the dragon gangs involved?” One girl said.

  “Definitely, this was clearly caused by a magical artifact or reagent getting in the hands of a normal citizen.”

  “They really are just scum… People are dying and their profiting off it…”

  “I know, Inari isn’t telling us where their getting their supplies, but they have to be coming from Tartarus, the others are investigating, but I don’t think we’ll be able to stop it.”

  “Just means we need to find the distribution sites and break them, doesn’t it?”

  Well… that just about confirms that something was happening here. They clearly weren’t with the police, and it also seemed like their conversation was winding down, so…

  I stepped a bit closer, making sure to make a bit more noise. Both of them jolted. “Hey, you two!” I cried out, both of them tensed, both their hands went to their bags as they turned to face me. Still, I pressed on. “You really shouldn’t mess with that; the police taped it off for a reason.”

  With those words, their tense forms loosened up. Their hands pulled out of their bags. They share a quick glance as I approach, and both bow slightly. ““Our apologies!”” They both yell. “We just wanted to get a look at the incident site.” The one on the left followed up with.

  “Oh, why is that?” I had to ask. Well, I was just curious to see what their excuse would be.

  Surprisingly, they pulled out a lanyard. “We’re with the Purgatory High News Club. We heard there was a murder, or incident and we wanted to look into it for a paper.” The left one said, keeping their voice level and calm.

  “Really? That doesn’t sound like something a high school club would be interested in.”

  “We definitely are!” The girl on the right said. Clearly the more outgoing of the two. “There’s been a rise of incidents just like this one all throughout the city. It’s only right that we keep an eye out and inform the people!” She said righteously and with vigor.

  “Right…” I say, and honestly, it was a good excuse. If I hadn’t just overheard their conversation, I’d have been sold.

  “And what about you? Why are you here?” The one on the left says, her eyes, notably travel to the bandages on my arm.

  “Me?” I ask back, “I live next door.” I point to my door, taking them both by surprise.

  “You live here, does that mean you know what happened?”

  I definitely did, not that I’d tell them. “I heard a lot of thumping and crashing in the night, but it wasn’t any different from most nights since they moved in. The man had a temper, and from what I understand he was in deep with loan sharks breathing down his neck. At least, that’s what the police said.” I say, weaving a believable story.

  “Honestly, I think he just snapped last night, that or the loan sharks came knocking. I don’t know.”

  At some point, one of them had taken out a notebook and took notes.

  “And is that everything you saw?” The one on the left said.

  “Just about, well…” I trailed off.

  “Well?” The one on the right said after I paused.

  “They weren’t here long, but I do remember the guy getting all wiggy when one of his boxes upended revealing a strange, lacquered box. It seemed fancy and all.”

  “Did you see what was inside?”

  “Nope. Just that when the guy noticed I saw it, he had a freak out.”

  A bit of a stretch of the truth, but it fit. The pair quickly spoke to each other in hushed tones. I waited a bit before speaking up.

  “Now, is that it?”

  “Huh, oh, yes, and thank you for the information!”

  “No problem, but I would be interested in seeing the article when you publish it, if at all possible.”

  “We can have it mailed to you, if you want?”

  “That would work. Now, really, is that it? I’ve had a rough day at work, and I’d really like to get some sleep.”

  The pair jolted at those words. “Ah, yes, that should be it and thank you again!”

  I watched them leave, waiting until they turned the corner, all the while I could feel the gears churning in my skull. Should I ignore this? Move on? No, that felt a bit too much. Once inside my room I gave a call to the one person I knew would know what was going on.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey, Grim I just encountered something strange.”

  “Strange you say? Let me get my notepad…”

  Then I told her what had just happened and what they said…

  “Mm…” She hummed over the phone while writing. “It’s not surprising, but it is a little early for you to run into them.”

  “Them?” I ask.

  “Yes, those two were foxes.”

  “Foxes? So, they’ve been chosen by a mascot?”

  “Yes, Inari, the golden fox. They tend to be more traditional, as magical girls go. They are strong but lack discipline. They typically operate in teams, and they act as monster hunters.”

  “How does that work?”

  “I’m not entirely sure, but I know they have an entire network. The schools here are filled with support and rescue dogs that act as teachers in the school system, typically as club advisors. The issue is finding out who they are among the staff. They typically point the foxes towards their targets, and occasionally, Inari the fox mascot gives them orders when something really dangerous shows up.”

  “Are they an issue?”

  “Unlikely. You’re not involved with the dragon gang, and even if they figure out your identity, it won’t be an issue. Well, unless you’re doing something dangerous that involves magic.”

  Would my warehouse count? My soldiers and Cobalt?

  “Alright, thanks for answering my questions.”

  “No problem, have a good night.”

  “You as well Grim.” And with that, I hung up. I looked at my room and sighed. Yet another layer to consider… at least it wasn’t an issue yet.

  Though…

  “Hey, that woman, don’t you think she was strange?” One of the girls, foxes spoke up.

  “Strange, how so?”

  “I mean, she was bandaged up, and she looked injured.”

  “Do you think she might know more than she was letting on?”

  “Probably, but… does it matter? I mean, even if she is, she’s probably just a rabbit. I doubt she’s involved with the gang.”

  “Your probably right, only… doesn’t she remind you of someone?”

  “You mean Selena? I was thinking the same thing! You think she has a sister or something?”

  “Doubtful. Not that we’ve even met her family before. She’s rather private.”

  “I know, right? Well, maybe we should ask?”

  “Sure, but first, we need to actually write an article…”

  The other girl groaned, but they quickly made their way out.

  …

  Another night’s worth of rest saw my injuries healing at an even faster rate. In direct relation to how much more ice I could pull back on. Enough that I was confident in my schedule for the day.

  After work, at my usual gym. A temple to improve the body, where everyone shared a single purpose and religion. Focused entirely on self-improvement. The smell of sweat and cleaning agents hung in the air. As did the smell of rubber from the mats and machines.

  I was able to get a side room, at no cost, and inside, I was standing by, with Liche and Joan. Both of whom were in training attire, though… Compared to me, well…

  Liche was wearing what could be construed as underwear, almost. A crop top, stretchy athletic pants. The only positive was the jacket hastily thrown over it. Joan was a bit more normal, wearing sweats and a shirt. I was in my usual attire, being one of my many tracksuits.

  The floor of the room was padded with mats, and one half of the room was dominated with windows, the other with padded walls. It was a fairly nice space to practice in. Perfect for what I had planned.

  “So, how are we doing this boss?” Liche asked while stretching.

  “The best start would be to get you used to falling, or getting hit.”

  “Yes?” Liche asked, confused. “So, you’re going to be hitting us?”

  “In part, I imagine you want to be ready for the next major event, but the blood moon is at the end of the month. The issue is, any serious training would take far too long. It would be better to start with the absolute basics, which is how to take a hit and how to recover after getting hit. Does that make sense?”

  “I guess… So, how are we doing this.”

  I thought back on how my own master taught me and… “You should approach me, attack me if you can.”

  “That it?”

  “That’s about it.” With that, any reservation she had went right out the window. With a grin on her face, she pumped her arms and moved forward. I didn’t move, but I did take up my stance.

  Once she was close enough, I didn’t attack but waited for her to attack. She didn’t hesitate to throw a wide punch that was aimed right for my face. My feet shifted, my own hands shot out and in a single fluid motion I grabbed her arm, followed through and chucked her across the room where she slammed into the mat.

  Liche let out a groan and forced herself back up. She looked at me, and I could see her processing what had just happened. Seeing that I wasn’t moving, she raised her arms and came close again, though, this time with a bit more hesitation.

  She makes a strike, which I block, but follows up with a stronger blow with her other fist. Calmly, I sidestep, throwing her off balance, and I give her a good solid hit to the side. She wheezes and steps away before coming right back at me…

  This continues for a time, I throw her down, give her a good beating, but…

  “Aren’t you supposed to be doing more?”

  “More?” I ask, a little confused.

  “Yeah, I mean, all your doing is beating the shit out of me boss! You got tips for me? Anything?”

  I think back to my master… and… “Not really, just… I don’t know, we keep doing this until you get it?”

  She stares at me. “You really do suck at this, don’t you?”

  “I told you that, just… don’t get hit?” I offered up.

  She sighs… “Fine, whatever.” And she comes right back. As we fight, I do notice her getting better. Her body shifting to better take hits, and already, she was managing her falls, so they don’t hurt her as much. It wasn’t long before she hit the ground and stayed there, her body soaked in sweat, panting.

  “Right… I’m done…” she said between large gulps of air. “Joan, you get a go.”

  Joan jolts at that, her eyes wildly shift between me and Liche. “I d-don’t know if I’m up for this.” She says.

  “Come on Joan, I got my ass handed to me, it’s your turn.” Liche adds, again, between pants.

  “I, urhm… okay.” Joan finally agrees. She takes up a very questionable stance and approaches me. She throws a few, non-committal blows. Each I easily block. As she continues, she gets more comfortable, which is when I decide to strike.

  When she makes a half-decent swing, I moved in close. My feet shift to close the distance, my hands go to grab her and chuck her across the room. The suddenness of my movement, was akin to a whip crack, or the strike of a viper, and it was supposed. After all, the point was to take Joan by surprise, though…

  As I made my move. Just before my hands could grab her. Something about Joan shifted. Every sense I had screamed at me, and in an instant, Joan managed to not only avoid my grab but also push me back half a step.

  I blinked. Joan, for her part looked incredibly lost, terrified even, but… What the hell was that?