The sky above cracked like glass as three more demon rifts opened in the courtyard. From them poured creatures — all shapes and sizes, eyes glowing red, claws scraping the stone.
Rei raised her scythe. "Formation B. Agla, stay behind me."
"No chance!" I shouted. "I'm not running again!"
Vella smirked. "Finally growing some guts."
Nyx lifted her hand. A cold wind swirled around her as black magic circles lit up in the air. "They're stronger this time."
The first demon leaped — a massive hound with armor-plated skin.
Rei met it midair. Her scythe cut through it in one clean arc, turning the creature into dust.
Behind her, Juno summoned a whip of light. "Come here, doggies\~!" she shouted, lashing it through three smaller demons charging from the right.
Vella slammed her fist into the ground, making the earth crack. Spikes shot upward, skewering a demon mid-sprint.
I gripped the spear they gave me. My chest burned — the mark was glowing again.
A tall demon with horns and wings dropped in front of me.
I didn't think.
I moved.
The world slowed down. My eyes tracked every movement. I stepped to the side, dodging its claw swipe, and drove the spear into its chest. The creature shrieked and burst into ash.
"Did I just—" I gasped.
"You're syncing with the mark!" Rei shouted. "Don't lose control!"
Another demon dove at me. I rolled, spun the spear, and knocked it aside.
More were coming. Too many.
We stood back-to-back, breathing hard. The girls were covered in scratches, but still standing.
Then I felt it — a voice inside my head, not human.
> "Let me help you… Just once…"
For a second, my hands glowed with red and white light. I thrust the spear forward—and a shockwave burst from it, sending demons flying.
Silence.
Ash rained down.
We had won.
The battle was over, but the screams still echoed in my ears.
Smoke curled up from the courtyard. Pieces of broken weapons and demon ash lay scattered everywhere. Students limped around, some holding wounds, others helping their friends up. There were scorch marks on the grass, cracked stone from impact, and the air smelled like burnt rubber and old blood.
I stood in the middle of it all, holding my dented spear, my hands still shaking.
Everything felt unreal. Like a movie I had been forced into. Only the pain in my chest told me it was real.
Rei walked up beside me. Her uniform was torn at the sleeves, blood on her arm, but she didn't seem to notice. She looked around at the damage, then at me.
"You killed one of them," she said simply.
I nodded slowly.
"You're not trained. Not like us. But you moved like a fighter."
"I didn't," I said. "I just… reacted. It was like my body moved on its own."
"The mark is waking up," Nyx said, appearing behind me like a ghost. "It changes you. It pulls power from the Abyss. From the place demons come from."
"That doesn't sound good," I muttered.
"It's not," she said flatly.
Vella came walking over with two glowing energy drinks. She tossed one at me. "Drink up, rookie. You're not dead yet, so that's worth celebrating."
I caught it awkwardly and looked at the strange can. It said: **"Soul Juice - For When You've Fought Demons Today™"**
I blinked. "...Is this real?"
Juno giggled. "We have a vending machine full of them in the dorm. You'll see."
"Wait," I said. "I have to stay with you guys now?"
Rei gave me a long look. "You were marked. That means demons can sense you. You can't go home. Not unless you want your family eaten."
"...Cool," I said weakly. "So where exactly am I sleeping tonight?"
---
Ten minutes later, I stood in front of the strangest building I'd ever seen.
It was huge—three stories tall, with gothic towers and glowing windows. A sign above the door read:
**"Nightfall Academy – East Wing Dormitory (Special Division)"**
"This is the girls' dorm," I said slowly.
"You'll be staying here," Nyx said.
"With you? With all of you?"
"Yes," Rei said. "Your mark needs to be watched. You're dangerous."
Juno raised her hand. "Also, our dorm has better snacks."
Vella smirked. "And hotter roommates."
My face turned red.
"I'll sleep in the hallway," I offered quickly.
"Nope," Vella said. "Demons could drag you away in your sleep. You're staying where we can see you."
Juno pushed the door open. "Come on, Roomie\~!"
---
The inside was warm and bright.
The first floor was like a fancy apartment lobby. There were couches, a fireplace, and a kitchen full of strange glowing food items. A floating orb played music in the corner. A white cat wearing glasses sat on the counter, reading a book.
"Is that a talking cat?" I whispered.
"Professor Whiskers," Nyx said. "He teaches alchemy."
"Of course he does," I said.
Juno grabbed my wrist and pulled me upstairs. "Your room is next to mine. Try not to scream too loud at night."
"Why would I scream?"
"You'll find out," she said cheerfully.
My room was simple but clean. A bed. A desk. A glowing orb on the ceiling. The walls had strange runes drawn into them.
"What are those?"
"Protection circles," Rei said from the doorway. "So demons can't slip through while you sleep."
I sat on the bed and exhaled slowly. I was tired. My body ached. My brain hurt.
This was too much.
Just yesterday, I was failing math and avoiding people.
Now I was marked by demons, living in a dorm with battle girls, and apparently... important?
---
Later that night, I lay in bed staring at the ceiling.
It was quiet.
Too quiet.
Then I heard something.
A whisper.
My eyes opened wide.
It was coming from inside my head.
> "Come to me…"
The voice was deep. Soft. Like wind through dry bones.
I sat up, heart racing.
> "You are mine…"
My chest burned. The mark was glowing red again.
I stumbled out of bed and ran to the mirror.
The mark was pulsing like a heartbeat.
And in the mirror…
I saw something behind me.
Eyes.
Glowing red eyes in the dark.
Then I blinked—and they were gone.
I stood there, panting.
And I realized something horrible.
I wasn't alone.
Even here… something was still watching me.
Something from the Abyss.
And it was getting closer.