The battle between the fire demon and Alice lasted approximately eight minutes in total. When the demon ran off, Alice sat down on some of the nearby rubble to think about all that transpired. Why she ran headfirst into a battle that could've easily killed her. That mysterious man that showed up midway through, how that black aura resurfaced. Above all else, why? She's Alice the merciless. Why does she care about saving others? Why was she so adamant to try to save anyone in that instance. not a week before, she said that she didn't care what happened to anyone, and even killed a woman instantly after she was struck by rubble. What happened to that killer edge she had prior. Is she going soft? No, that can't be right. That Pride that she had walking down that massive demon seems to contradict that idea.So then what is it? While thinking these things, She's interrupted by a strangers voice, "Hey wisechick, This yours?" The lady yells while holding the head of the fire demon that ran away. "I suppose so. who're you?" Alice responds looking slightly confused. "Name's Jessica. David called me, said he had new blood for me, but it appears you got sidetracked, you could've at least finished the job. Come on, we got a lot of work ahead of us.
"So, brat, what's your story? Why are you here today, and why do you want to be a demon hunter?" Jessica asked bluntly as she strode toward her training complex. "I don't really know myself," Alice admitted. "The owner of the bar where I ate turned into a half demon. He killed one of my friends, beat me down, and nearly finished me off—until David saved me. There's a lot I'm still trying to wrap my head around." Jessica listened, her expression unreadable though her attention was clear. "If David told me the truth—and I see no reason he wouldn't—then he gave you a choice. He didn't thrust it on you like some grand prophecy; he simply offered you the chance. You could have easily refused and gone back to your normal-ish life. But you didn't. Instead, you charged headfirst into what looked like a no-win scenario against an A-rank demon—and you won. All I want to know is why you chose this path. You don't have to answer now, but if you want me to pass you, if you want to become a true demon hunter, I expect an answer. We can't afford half-baked demon hunters in our ranks. Otherwise, you'll only endanger your own life and weigh on the conscience of those who care about you." Jessica stopped, turning to face Alice with a sharp grin. "We're here. Get ready, brat. We've got a long road ahead."
Alice stood slack-jawed at the massive building—no, the mansion—that loomed before her. She had never seen anything so pristine in her life. "Hey, brat, you gonna stare at the building all day, or are you gonna train?" Jessica barked. Alice snapped out of her daze, hurried to catch up, and muttered an apology. Jessica smirked. "Well, it can't be helped. Not like you've been to this world before." As they stepped through the grand foyer and into the student quarters, Alice felt herself growing overwhelmed. Seven-figure chandeliers glittered above, while statues of legendary hunters from years past lined the vast hallway. When they reached Alice's quarters for the night, Jessica turned to her. "I expect to see you up at seven o'clock sharp and in the main hall at eight. You'll have a roommate later this evening, but they're not responsible for you. If I have to come drag you out, it won't be a pleasant day. You chose to be a demon hunter—this is what comes with that choice. I'll see you at eight tomorrow." With that, Jessica left, leaving Alice alone to her own thoughts for the night.
While Jessica made her way to her office in the east wing of the building, her phone buzzed with a call from an unknown number. "Good grief—this better not be who I think it is," she muttered, answering. An all-too-familiar voice replied. "Hello, Jess. How's our student doing?" David's tone carried across the line. "And hello to you too, David. Hard to say for now. She did make an A-rank flee from her, so she's got promise. But she doesn't know the first thing about control yet. With an aura like that, who knows how many demons will flock to it. I had a little hunting party before meeting her," Jessica said, her gaze drifting to the empty space where her right arm used to be. "Can you do it? Train her, I mean. I would've, but you and I both know I'm not a teacher—not anymore." Jessica pushed open the door to her office and sighed. "Oh, I definitely can—as could you, if you'd get your head out of your arse and start living in the present instead of twenty years ago. But back to Alice. She has immense dark-aura potential; light is still unknown since she hasn't awakened it. Her main sin is pride, without a doubt. Whenever she thinks victory is assured, she goes out of her way to taunt her opponent. She did it to the A-rank, and in every minor scrap she's had in years past. She can be a great hunter—if she learns to get out of her own way. That acceptable enough for you, David?" David sat down beside a crumbled building, blood trickling down his face as cleaning crews rushed to clear the wreckage left by two rampaging S-rank demons. "That's good. I hope she goes far—and outgrows the trauma that's plagued her. I'll let your snide comment slide this time, Jess. Keep me posted if anything develops with our shining beacon, alright?" Jessica allowed herself a faint smile, agreed, and ended the call.
Fifteen minutes passed as Alice lay staring at the ceiling, lost in thought yet again, when a knock sounded at her door. "Coming, give me a minute," she called, rising to answer. Opening it, she found herself face-to-face with a tall boy—about six-foot-three or six-foot-four, roughly two hundred twenty-five pounds—with red hair streaked in black highlights, ripped jeans, and a Pantera T-shirt. "What's up? Name's Jackson Smith. Heard you're the new recruit—pleasure to meet you." Alice smiled faintly and dapped him up. "How long have you been here, Jackson?" He grinned and replied without hesitation, "Five years." "Uh-huh. And how long is this class supposed to last?" Alice pressed, her tone edged with curiosity. "Six months," Jackson answered, still wearing that same cheerful expression. Alice's brow furrowed. "Six months? Why are you still here then? You should've been gone ten times over." Her voice rose slightly. Jackson's smile faltered as his tone shifted, more somber now. "Because I refuse to kill the demons I fight. I haven't faced a pure demon—only the new half demons. I can't bring myself to kill them when they aren't demons by choice. It feels wrong to me." His words hung heavy, his demeanor noticeably more melancholic. Alice shrugged gently. "I know how you feel. Best not to dwell on it right now. It's late, so I'm going to get some rest. Good night."