The perspective had shifted towards Neila’s, his story would be more interesting than her’s after all.

  The Girl with Horns

  Someone who knows the future.

  Jaclyn seemed trustworthy from the outside. But how could I be sure it wasn’t a facade? That she wasn’t trying to use me?

  She was an S-class. That alone made her dangerous. Useful, maybe, but dangerous.

  I tuned out the useless chatter of my classmates, drowning in my thoughts. Their voices blurred together into white noise.

  Then

  “EVERYONE , PAY ATTENTION TO ME”!

  I winced. Damn, she’s loud.

  At the front of the class stood a middle-aged woman with blonde hair curled into a tight bun. She adjusted her glasses, her deep black eyes scanning the room with sharp authority.

  “Everyone, find a partner”. she ordered.

  A student raised their hand. “For what reason”?

  “ll explain after you’ve chosen. Just pair up”!

  Immediately, most of the class swarmed around two people, Jaclyn and that dumbass foreigner, Nagumo.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  Typical.

  I sighed, resting my chin on my hand. Maybe I could just sit this one out

  “Hey”.

  A single girl approached me.

  She was different compared to the others

  Two large horns protruded from her head, curving slightly upward. Sharp canines peeked from behind her lips. Her eyes were a vivid crimson, striking against her pale skin.

  A mutant type.

  Mutants didn’t activate their powers like others did. Their abilities were always active. The stronger they became, the more their bodies mutated to adapt to their power.

  She had a bob-cut, her dark hair fading into a soft purple at the ends. Her eyes wet and slightly puffy, like she had been crying as her brilliant pupils locked onto mine.

  Her ruined mascara smudged slightly under her lower lashes.

  “My name is Luccia”, she said, her voice quiet yet firm. “So Mr. Neila, would you like to be teammates”?

  I studied her for a moment.

  “Sure, why not”?

  She seemed human enough for the school to accept her. That meant she wasn’t completely a demon. But her resemblance was uncanny.

  “Hey, Luccia. Is that a mutant power”? asked.

  Her expression darkened. “I look like those shitty demons, don’t I”?

  I shrugged. “I mean, you resemble them. But honestly, you look more cool and badass than anything”.

  As soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted them. God, that was so cringe. What the hell was I thinking?

  Luccia blinked. Then

  A soft chuckle escaped her lips.

  “Was that supposed to be a compliment”? she asked, amusement flickering in her red eyes. You’re funny. Wanna be friends”?

  I hesitated for a second, not sure of myself but it just came out naturally.

  ”sure”.

  I wasn’t particularly sure why, but I felt drawn to her.

  Was that her ability? Some form of manipulation?

  I vaguely remembered something about Oni-type mutants being berserkers. Their powers revolved around overwhelming physical strength and heightened instincts.

  “You sure have a way with words,a€? she teased. a€?How about Lucy for a nickname? Seems fitting for someone who can control people with words”.

  “Lucy? From Lucifer and Luccia”? She deadpanned. That’s s not very creative”.

  She laughed again.

  I looked at her with doll like eyes.

  ”Lucifer? Where’d you get that from? That’s kind of a stretch”.

  She smiled

  ”you know what? I like it, it’s weird”.

  Her once-dull eyes seemed a little brighter now. The cold black void in them softened, just a little.

  “EVERYONE ! HAVE YOU GOT YOUR PARTNERS”?!

  I flinched. Damn it. Forgot about the teacher.

  I glanced around the room.

  Jaclyn had paired up with a pink-haired girl. What was her name again? Ha- something.

  Nagumo, the other S-class, had a Chinese girl with him.

  Great. They both looked equally obnoxious.

  ”You’re going to have to duel each other.a€?

  The teacher’s voice echoed through the room, sending a wave of excitement through the class.

  Luccia turned back to me, tilting her head. Her sharp teeth peeked through her smirk.

  “Go easy on me, will you”? she said softly.

  I sighed, rolling my shoulders. “You’re expecting too much from me. I’m not that strong”.

  Luccia chuckled, cracking her knuckles.

  “Sure sure”.

  Sarcasm dripped from every word.