[For a young girl, the passage of time etches its story plainly upon her.]
[In the short span of seven years, you watched little Kafka grow from a petite child into a graceful young woman.]
[The youthful softness had faded from her delicate features, and her elegantly shaped legs now turned heads with every step she took on the street. Even at just eighteen, Kafka could already be described as having a lovely, well-proportioned figure.]
[And over these seven years, you taught her many things in turn: the use of firearms, swordsmanship, martial arts—even something as unique and special as the art of curses.]
[Beyond that, you also instructed her in various artistic skills, such as linguistics, violin, and so on and so forth. The list grew so long that even Susan once voiced a soul-searching question about your methods.]
["Are you trying to raise her into some kind of demon hunter who discourses on the philosophy of life while sawing off demons' heads with a violin bow!"]
[To which you replied: "That sounds rather elegant, don't you think?"]
[Soon, as her skills matured, you took her to undergo the demon hunter examination.]
Pteruges-V, New Babylon West District, Kyowa Towers.
"This fifty-three-story skyscraper looks like an ordinary office building on the surface, but according to the organization's investigation, someone has set up a demon's nest on the thirty-third floor. They use various methods to abduct homeless people and children from all over Pteruges-V and bring them here."
"They employ all sorts of means to numb their emotions, strip them of fear, and thus transform them into demons."
"The objective for this exam is to eliminate this demon nest. Succeed, and you pass."
Standing on the roof of Kyowa Towers, buffeted by the strong wind, Bai Heng explained the exam details to Kafka.
After finishing, he added:
"Feeling any pressure?"
"Bai Heng, the sun doesn't grow dimmer for shining brightly~. It's just a demon nest. It shouldn't be too difficult."
Kafka raised a finely sculpted eyebrow. She'd applied a flattering eyeliner today, adding to the charm that already surpassed her peers.
"I taught you linguistics so you could gain the upper hand in verbal confrontations in the future, not so you could be cheeky with me." Forming his hand into a gentle chop, Bai Heng tapped her lightly on the head.
Even after seven years, in their interactions, Bai Heng was still the one who held the reins.
"Oww..." Rubbing her forehead, Kafka let out a small murmur of protest. Then, her eyes, accentuated by colored contacts, shot a glare at Bai Heng. "I'm not a child anymore. Can't the hand-chop education stop now?"
Bai Heng's lips curved slightly. "Don't worry. Even dressed in those mature purple stockings, with that alluring makeup, and wearing contacts that make you look more imposing, you're still just an underage kid."
"Only after your coming-of-age ceremony at six tonight will you barely qualify as an adult."
Kafka pursed her lips. Compared to her former obedient self, she now gave Bai Heng the impression of a rebellious teenager going through a delinquent phase.
It made Bai Heng wonder, and not for the first time.
Where exactly had his education gone wrong? The refined, gentle, and obedient young woman he'd envisioned—why had she turned out like this?
Could it truly be that his teaching methods were flawed?
"Ready?" With the small talk over, Bai Heng steered the conversation back on track.
Kafka gave him an OK sign.
The next moment, Bai Heng drew from his coat an object shaped like a pistol, but which was clearly an injector.
"An Emotion Suppressant? For just an exam? Is that necessary?" Kafka sounded surprised.
After years of training, she knew exactly what that thing in Bai Heng's hand was.
A drug that could temporarily strip away one's fear.
On Pteruges-V, losing fear meant turning into a demon. This serum could briefly suppress the fear within a demon hunter, allowing them to temporarily harness a demon's power.
It was the primary tool demon hunters used to fight demons.
Of course, this serum wasn't as wonderful as it might seem. Each usable dose was strictly limited to a very small amount. If injected multiple times in a short period, even a demon hunter would, as their fear dissipated, transform into a mindless demon.
"I am the examiner for this test. While I'm not obligated to guarantee your safety, I am also your family. I must take responsibility for your well-being." Bai Heng's tone was calm as he injected the serum into his own neck.
The colorless liquid flowed through his bloodstream. The very instant the injection was complete, a noticeable change came over Bai Heng.
His expression grew more detached, his already cool demeanor intensifying.
But these were merely changes in aura.
The next second…
Thrum!
With a low, resonant sound, a single black wing, a full meter and a half long, erupted abruptly from his right back.
The solitary wing was entirely jet-black, with a sleek, gleaming texture that gave it a stern, majestic beauty.
This was the demonic power Bai Heng accessed via the Emotion Suppressant. It was also why his operational codename was 'Raven.'
Kafka, standing beside him, was momentarily stunned.
This was her first time seeing Bai Heng in this form. It possessed a stark beauty, yet also exuded an indescribable, powerful pressure.
Like... a black angel.
"Let's go. I'll take you down." Bai Heng spoke, his tone even more detached than usual.
Kafka nodded and moved into his embrace.
The next moment, holding Kafka, Bai Heng leaned backwards, letting himself fall from the top of the fifty-three-story building…!
Down they plummeted.
Wind roared past their ears. In the complete weightlessness, Bai Heng's face showed no expression, as if he were merely a man seeking his end.
But as their destination rapidly approached, the single wing gave a powerful beat, and Bai Heng's uncontrolled plunge abruptly corrected itself.
The black wing shattered the glass. Bai Heng set Kafka down on the thirty-third-floor floor.
"Finish this quickly. Susan reserved a table at Grelcal Restaurant for six tonight. She wants to celebrate your coming-of-age."
"Contact me immediately if any special circumstances arise. I'll be here within ten seconds."
Leaving those words, Bai Heng's single wing beat lightly, and he flew out through the broken window.
Watching his figure disappear, the still-rebellious Kafka pursed her lips.
'It's always Susan, Susan, Susan. Can't you think about anyone else?'
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.