3RD POV. Magi Cademy, time: 1:30 PM.

  A couple of times passed by, and Toki, Cash, and Luster were currently roaming around the entire academy, and from what they've seen, everything was huge. The cafeteria? Had a second floor along with different kinds of delicacies. The gymnasium was obvious enough. And there was even a garden made for students who want to practice their magic solely on the earth element.

  They even saw a building that was made for practicing magic combat along with physical combat, and many more. The academy had everything regarding the needs to be a hero, or if you'd want to increase your knowledge in magic to grow. It provided every necessity.

  "I saw nothing interesting at all." Said Cash, who is currently holding a pack of fries, taking a piece and biting on it, while walking alongside Toki and Luster.

  Luster just gestured in an uninterested fashion as well, nothing caught her eye whatsoever. "Me either. Unless we students make up our own fun, then maybe I might have an idea..." She said, her voice hinting a little bit of mischief.

  Toki chuckled lightly, feeling rather bad about the two of them not finding anything interesting. But for him, he saw this academy as a safe haven for his place to train and to learn. Even though his father's books were helpful. He still wanted to learn more about this modern era's magic capabilities.

  "I'm pretty sure the headmaster never said anything about not being allowed to go home..." He paused, looking elsewhere to see some students waving at him while showing a kind smile, then continued to speak, turning to look at the two of them, "So maybe you guys are allowed to go home—" Only to see them gone in an instant. "...yeah, I expected that. Guess I'll wait and explore for a bit."

  He nods, and before he could, the academy speaker registered, and the headmaster's voice could be heard from it as he said.

  "Attention all students. The announcement shall be done now. The date is currently April 12, 2XXX. The official date of your starting day in the academy will be... April 14, 2XXX. So, for those who are interested in living in our dormitory buildings, make sure you settle yourselves here tomorrow so there will be no issues. Enjoy your time here until 3 PM. Thank you all... How do... I turn this—"

  Every student heard the announcement... So did the last part of it. But they didn't pay much mind to it. Toki himself was excited that it was going to start in just two days. So before he could prepare, he wanted to practice back home. He began running, his footsteps light yet quick. Only to be surrounded by students once more. As usual.

  —

  Cash's POV.

  I was currently flying high in the air, leaving the academy while making sure I was unseen by anyone from below. With Luster flying with me. I never had any intention to stay in the academy longer, I only needed information about the where and what of the entire area. And I made sure to remember it.

  "Why is it so far away from the city?!" I heard Luster complain along with a groan, looking beside me to see her just flying in a weird position that showed exhaustion and annoyance at the same time. I don't see the problem at all.

  "You complain too much. You don't see the people you hook up with complain to you when you leave them after." I respond, although it has been getting troublesome. She or he. They change genders almost every time as long as it gathers them enough power. It's getting annoying how I've always been protecting this brat.

  "To be fair, I made sure to end it in a very reasonable fashion. I guess their lust gets confused with love? Humans are so stupid after all." She sighed, gesturing her arms in a disappointed manner. But she is right, that's solely half of the reason why we, Sin Incarnations, exist in the first place.

  For the demon lord's reincarnation, and because of this world's ever-growing sins. As time passed, we were manifested into the bodies of humans while having odd traits, such as my eyes, showing the symbol of this country's money. Luster having the symbol of hearts in her eyes. It was all their doing.

  Because of the consistent growth of magic that this world was experiencing, it clashed against the leftover magic that the demon lord had, causing us to manifest into this world rather than our realm, Undr, the demon realm where we reside. Despite being a sin, I myself was born with human blood. Both my parents have been currently working in another country where the elves reside ever since the age of 10.

  "Hey Cash," I hear Luster calling out to me, making me turn my head to look at her, raising an eyebrow. She continued to speak in a nervous tone.

  "What if... I don't want to merge with the other sins? I feel like we could be something more, you know? Have you ever thought of that?" She asked. That question alone made me stop from accelerating my flight, and so did she. The two of us are now floating high in the air as she floats next to me, looking at me nervously. I couldn't help but sigh, crossing my arms as I answered.

  "Then what do you think we sins should do? We solely exist for the resurrection of the demon lord. Nothing else." I said with a stern tone. I was right about what I said either way, I never intended to have an actual life in this world. I never did.

  "You think we can't change that? Just because we have a fate doesn't mean we don't have the choice to change it! So far, it's only me, you, and Toki that are the confirmed sins. The other four are probably somewhere farther away than here!" She exclaimed rather aggravated... Why is she doing this, and what is the reason for her need to reason with me?

  "What are you trying to prove here, Luster? That we sins could have a normal life? That we can maybe do whatever we want? That is not how it works. We were born for that reason only." I respond seriously, the smile I always have now turning to a dead serious frown while looking at Luster.

  Her body flinched, not because of the fear that I usually give her, but because of anger. Suddenly, she floats towards me with rapid speed and delivers a heavy punch directly on my face. Enough to make me float backwards. I can feel the pain on my cheek. I raise my left hand slowly, cupping the injury from where her fist made contact, then pulling it back to see my fingers with small traces of blood.

  I look up to see her, breathing heavily, her body facing down after she delivered that punch. She then raised her body up. And my eyes widened in shock, her expression was both angry and saddened. Her eyes showed frustration and irritation. All directed to me, as she spoke with teary eyes.

  "You always focus on that! Every year it's resurrection this, hero there, where are the sins?! Have you not tried living at all?! Is the demon lord that much more important than your own life?!" She shouted rather loudly, her tone of voice sounding heartbroken. The facade of a happy expression I had now turned to despair.

  "...yes. I may have had everything I ever wanted since I was a child, but never the desire to live. Everywhere I go, I can feel the people's greed growing stronger and stronger. They merely want everything for themselves, as long as it benefits their own life. The people of this world... need to perish. Have to perish. That is why I must bring the demon lord back, to do what is right." I answered without hesitation. My expression was serious, and yet, I felt unsure despite what I said. I don't know if it was guilt or if I was unsure.

  "Cash..." She spoke softly. Slowly, she would float towards me before halting to a stop just right in front of me. I can almost feel the warmth of her body near mine. She brings her hands down, grabbing it to hold my right hand. She looked at me with a gentle smile before continuing to speak. "I know, it's been difficult for you. But I care about you, not just as a sin, but as a friend. I knew from the moment I met you, you were different compared to everyone. You never felt attracted to me, so it kind of lowered my ego... Then again, it felt nice knowing someone without them wanting me just for my body. So just this once, I'm asking you for a favor. Try living while we have time, please?"

  Her words felt... genuine. I've never heard her speak to me like that before. The way she held my hand felt comforting. This was an odd feeling that I had never felt before. It is rather surreal. I couldn't believe she, of all people. Had me feeling this way. I sigh, feeling rather bad about my own insecurity. I focused too much on the demon lord that I have rarely thought about myself. A disgrace to my sin. I then answer her, "Fine... I'll oblige. But does that mean I have to stop searching for the other sins?" I asked after answering her since I needed to know what she meant.

  "Yes, just take a break from it, okay? You've been doing your best tracking them for years but always came up with nothing. You found me accidentally, so it might happen like before!" She answered rather happily, with a smile that was almost as bright as a light. This was the first time I've ever seen her show herself this way. It feels oddly and confusingly nice.

  Replying back to her, "Alright, I won't focus on it too much, for now." Giving a nod as I answered, she chuckled. Feeling rather happy about the answer I gave her. I clear my throat to signal her hands that have been holding my right hand for quite a while. She gave me a confused expression before realizing it. Her face turned red as she pulled away while floating away to give some distance.

  "S— Sorry! I um... got too deep in the moment, aha..." She stammers while explaining, though it has always been like this whenever she tried touching me. Not that I didn't mind it at all. I chuckle, my expression returning back to normal. Never in my life would I expect myself not to smile, and she managed to do it. I felt impressed about it. Some things can always be unexpected after all.

  I then reassure her, "It's fine Luster, you were only trying to knock some sense into me. Although we should get going. If we had caused a scene like this from the ground, then people would have noticed. Thankfully, I set up a camouflage around our area to make sure we're unseen. So let's hurry back in the city." I looked around to make sure we weren't spotted, thankfully we weren't. I waited for her response, and she nodded, composing herself before the both of us sped up our flight back to the city.

  —

  We made sure to land in a discreet location where we wouldn't be spotted, and of course it's an alleyway. And as usual, the city is sure full of life. Many people, many activities. This city surely has it all. I made sure to look around the outside of the alleyway first before disabling the camouflage that surrounded us. A sigh of relief came out of my mouth before turning around to tell Luster, "The coast is clear, seems like nobody spotted us—" And just as I turned to look at her, she was held captive by a creepy old-looking guy.

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  His clothes are almost casual yet messy, his face is wrinkly and old, and his body is as tall as mine, standing at 5'11. And lastly, he held a knife close to Luster's neck, showing he was serious about killing her. Talk about bad timing... for this guy at least. I couldn't help but smile calmly in this situation. Because I know Luster has it handled.

  The creepy guy then spoke in a sinister tone, trying to show some intimidation towards me and Luster, "Hey kid... How about you run along away, and I can have this pretty lady for myself? Do we have a deal?" He pressed the knife's edge on her neck, yet not strong enough to make some blood appear.

  Luster looked rather disappointed about this, her arms up in a surrender gesture, showing she had no intention of fighting back, and her eyes rolled after the creepy guy spoke. Of course, I wanted to have some little bit of fun myself. I respond casually, "Really now? I had only just done myself with her, so you're basically using someone who had been used already. For a man like yourself, you sure have your standards low." I say with a cocky tone, enough to provoke this man, and it worked.

  His try-to-be-intimidating demeanor changed instantly, his hand would tremble slightly, and I noticed a hint of hesitation after I spoke. While Luster couldn't help but try and hold in her laughter, she was enjoying the way I was making fun of this creepy guy. Then the man spoke, his tone of voice now annoyed and angry, "Hah?! You piece of shit! If you don't leave, then I'll kill this girl!" He held the knife tighter, pressing it more against her throat, a drop of blood could be seen sliding through the edge.

  And yet, that didn't stop me. "Well now, you're really going to use a dead body to pleasure yourself? How vile of you sir." I say with a smirk, wanting to provoke this man even more. He was trembling in anger, now growing more annoyed at my remarks. Luster herself was giggling, but the man couldn't notice it because his eyes were now on me.

  It was always this easy to provoke people, especially if you know what to say. Suddenly, the man pulled the knife away from her neck and ran towards me, his form and the way he held his knife showed that he was going to stab me. He had a lot of open spots to be attacked from. "I'll make sure you die so you won't get to see her face in pleasure when I use her!"

  He shouted angrily at me. Thankfully, I saw him earlier. I managed to prepare another camouflage around our area to prevent anyone from hearing us or seeing us. As he got close to me, he'd try to stab me in my stomach. Only for me to step to the side to dodge it.

  The creepy guy was caught off guard, his teeth gritting in anger and irritation. He'd pull back, now changing the way he held the knife to a more slicing manner. I sigh, scratching my head before suggesting a peaceful way to end this, "Okay, how about I leave and you can have your way with her? Or maybe... you'd prefer doing it with me?"

  I couldn't help but provoke this man even more, his expression becoming more annoyed as he lunged at me. But suddenly, Luster stopped him, her magic made him unable to move, causing him to stand still in a lunging position at me. The knife almost hit my arm, but thanks to her, it didn't injure me or ruin my uniform. The creepy guy's expression changed, now confused and afraid as he asks.

  "W... What the hell... Why can't I... move?!" He said, trying so desperately to even move an inch. I sigh, turning to Luster, who had her hand up, facing the creepy guy while a noticeable aura around it could be seen. As I ask.

  "Are you going to use this man or kill him?" I said while raising an eyebrow. After all, I could never know what her motives are, as always. The man tensed up, noticing that I was serious about the death of his life. As Luster would respond, answering my question, "Obviously I'll kill him. Old-looking people aren't really my type. Disgusting, bleh." She spoke, sticking her tongue out as she looked at the creepy guy.

  The creepy guy then spoke, in a pleading, begging tone, "Please d... don't kill me! I swear I wasn't always like this! I just... I just thought—"

  "That we were easy? Don't worry, we'll make sure it's a pleasurable death for you~" Luster spoke, licking her lips. Instead of arousal, the man felt devastated, knowing his life would end right here, right now. I simply watched, leaning my back against the wall as Luster walked towards the man. Turning him around with her magic to face him as she holds both of his cheeks, staring directly at his eyes. "I'll make sure you enjoy it~."

  I close my eyes, already knowing what's going to happen. Luster would deliver a deep kiss to the man's lips. As much as it sounds pleasurable. It wasn't. The moment their lips made contact, it was already over. I can sense her body movement along with the creepy guy. Her tongue forcefully entered his mouth before, and as it got longer and longer, it went down to his throat until her tongue made contact with this man's Magic Core and Life Core.

  Her tongue wrapped around the two cores at once. As it began draining the entirety of it. The creepy guy's magic capacity would progressively get lower until it was made sure to be completely empty. His body began to deteriorate, getting skinnier and more pale. It is truly a gruesome sight to behold. Despite not seeing it, I can still sense it. And of course, Luster had the same sickening aroused smile she gets whenever she does this to her victims.

  After the deed was done. Luster pulls her tongue out of his lips, returning inside her mouth, as I can sense both the life energy and magic energy of this man from it. She licked her lips, satisfied with the meal she had gotten, before letting go of the man's lifeless body. I open my eyes to take a look at the dead man, his expression had both despair and fear, showing that it wasn't the way he expected it at all.

  I push myself against the wall, walking over to the lifeless body as I stand at the side of it. I snap my fingers, turning the body into a dead rat instead. It's not like this man would have any family that would get worried for him. Surprisingly, I remember seeing in the news that he is a convicted criminal that had charges related to sexual assault and many more. His own lust had caused him to die like this.

  I look at Luster, who sighed in relief. Composing herself properly before telling me, "No wonder that guy didn't use magic against us. It was pretty weak after I absorbed it." Now it makes sense why he used a knife. To think he had the gall to attack us while having no magic energy at all. A deserving end for someone so weak.

  "It is surprising that a lot of people lately are having less magic nowadays. Do you think it's because of the modern society growing less and less active on monster hunting that their magic energy is only stable at a neutral rate?" I asked, since I've always had this suspicion that it's possible that humanity's magic energy is growing weaker. I can't compare it to the past because I have no recollection or memory of what happened.

  "I don't know. Usually, I find guys and girls that have stable magic energy. It's not a lot, but I guess it's... moderate? Average! Yeah, that. If you compare it to Toki's magic energy, it's an unfair comparison. It's almost like comparing a whale to an ant." She answered. Surprisingly, I didn't expect her to say something smart.

  "First time I actually understood what you explained, unlike back then." I snicker, teasing her lightly to make her remember the embarrassing moments she had back in our elementary school. And it was a lot. Luster jumped slightly before crossing her arms and pouting, looking away from me as she spoke.

  "Hey, it's not easy to do a presentation and explain at the same time! You didn't even bother helping me at all!" She replied, being annoyed at what I said.

  "And when you embarrassed yourself, I continued the presentation while you stood behind me, hiding yourself from our classmates." I replied back. Although, it was pretty hilarious to witness seeing her stutter and misword everything she tried to say.

  "Whatever! I'm going without you! Hmph!" She continued pouting. Walking out of the alleyway and easily blending in with the crowd. I sigh, having to put up with this girl, guy, or whatever they were back then. Now that I mention it. I never asked what her biological gender was. I'll try asking soon.

  I head out the alleyway and follow her until I arrive at her side as the both of us walk near each other. My hands were comfortably rested inside my pants' pockets. Then, I felt people's stares. I paid no mind about it, and neither did Luster. She was too busy being annoyed at me anyways. I can overhear them talking about us, saying things such as.

  "Whoa... They're the students for the new academy!"

  "Are they going to be the future heroes? That guy looks handsome! I bet he's pretty popular in the academy already."

  "That girl is so cute! I wonder how she maintains that cute face of hers!"

  Future heroes... I did only attend the Magi Cademy because my father recommended it to me if I wanted to learn more about magic. I have no intention of becoming the hero. With Toki's existence, that's already been settled. I only attended for another reason. After numerous failed attempts of me tracking the other sins. It's possible that they are born from a different species. And it's possible that they were born in the Undr, the demon realm.

  So the likelihood of me finding them is high, especially since the academy allows us to co-exist with elves and anthroms. The probability of me finding them has grown higher. Although, I have made a promise with Luster that I'll focus less on it. So for now, I'll just enjoy this life of mine. I do wonder what Toki is doing right now. Maybe training back at his house again. I'll drop by later when I bring Luster home first.

  —

  Meanwhile, Toki's POV, Keyston Residence, time: 4 PM.

  I am... having a hard time trying to find an animated series that I would enjoy.

  I thought to myself, currently lying down, disappointed and devastated about the fact that there is nothing interesting. Anima, an animated version of the manga I read. I watched a lot of animas as a child. Having favorites and favorite characters that I look up to.

  What annoys me is the fact that the animas nowadays are the same! It's always the reincarnation trope, and the hero gets annoyingly strong without having to work hard for it! Is this what the people of this modern society think it was like back in the past?! Most importantly, the good animas have bad animations that I'm not even sure I can continue!

  "I'm getting mad about animated shows. I should start practicing my magic now." I groan irritated, not wanting to get off the couch despite the need to train and prepare for the academy in two days... But I know there's a show out there that I can watch. "...alright. Time to find it." I said, standing up and turning the TV on again to browse some animated series that I hopefully think will have potential.