106: Post-Schooling Reveal

“Sorry about him, he’s just lashing out because of stress, we’re in the middle of applying to jobs after all,” Olivia patted Titus on the shoulder as they walked towards the rest of the group. “I’ll try and keep a bit more of an eye on him though, to ensure that you don’t have to go through that again.”

“Ah... I understand, don’t worry,” Titus pressed his hands together, thanking Olivia. “And don’t overwork yourself trying to control the Class One seniors. I’m sure you’re already plenty stressed trying to find a job yourself.”

“Not particularly, I got offered a spot in Class Zero’s graduate program, so I’ll be joining their graduate program’s task team. Where Ryker and Electra will be,” Olivia revealed with a casual shrug. “It got confirmed this afternoon.”

Titus froze up, his mouth hanging open as Olivia smiled and laughed. “I mean technically I could turn it down since I have twenty other offers, but I don’t quite know what I want to do yet and the Class Zero graduate program offers the most freedom.”

“No... like... like... Congrats!!” Titus shouted, dragging Olivia over to where everyone else stood. “Wait, have you heard! Albion, Conrad!”

“I just told them, sorry to ruin your fun,” Electra revealed, patting Titus on the shoulder. “They’re all in shock though as well. So, you’re in good company.”

“It’s not like you two weren’t,” Olivia teased Ryker and Electra. “You two just stood there for like... thirty minutes with your mouths open.”

“Well, it’s because you’ve done something that only happens once a decade!” Electra huffed as they began making their way over to the rice bowl place. “We were just happy for you. And also, for you five, we’re planning on going here, feel free to join us, or go somewhere else.”

“No, we were planning to go here too, so that’s perfect,” Celeste smiled, hiding her mouth before turning to Olivia. “Congratulations though. Welcome to our side of the Class rivalry.”

“Not yet, not yet, my loyalty still lies with Class One for now,” Olivia chuckled, shaking Celeste’s outstretched hand before turning to Nyssa. “I haven’t met you yet, I saw that you’re the new Class Zero student with transformation powers during Slade’s event. A pleasure to meet you. I'm Olivia, a fourth-year student, like Electra and Ryker.”

“Nice to meet you,” Nyssa shook Olivia’s hand while cracking a smile. “A pleasure as well... Sorry, I’m a little shy...”

“It’s understandable,” Olivia laughed, reaching out and patting Nyssa on the head. “Don’t worry, just treat me like Electra and Ryker, I’m pretty much them anyway.”

“But more mild, kinder, and overall much more understanding,” Conrad interjected from the side, only to get a lightning-fast jab in the side from Electra.

“What the hell you gotta say that for?” Electra glared at a now-writhing Conrad who only coughed out a “worth it” while on the ground.

“Anyway, Alecto says you’re cute, and that you should have more confidence,” Olivia sighed. “I’m just passing this message over, so uh... yeah.”

“Alecto?” Nyssa asked as a hostess walked over, pausing in confusion as she witnessed the scene transpiring between Electra and Conrad. Just in time though, Titus and Albion stepped up, making some light conversation to distract the hostess while Electra hoisted Conrad off the floor.

“Ye... Yeah, one second,” Olivia, paused, pressing a hand against her temple. “Fine, fine, I’ll let you out stop making my head hurt so much.”

Not a second later, another person appeared next to Olivia. Dressed conservatively in a woolen sweater along with a pair of loose-fitting jeans, she blew a kiss towards Nyssa after appearing before hugging Olivia’s arm. “It’s me~ Alecto, Olivia’s contracted demon.”

“Ohhhh...” Nyssa trailed off as Titus and Albion, had to update the amount of members in their party to the hostess in a moment of panic. “You look kinda different from how I remember you...”

“For a girl who can transform, I thought we wouldn’t run into this,” Alecto teased, snapping a pair of horns in, then back out of existence. “I can just transform myself.”

“Makes sense, makes sense,” Nyssa mumbled a reply, still in a little shock at the sudden appearance of another new person. I guess I just have to accept it... I... yeah I don’t know, maybe it's just been a long day...

As they followed the hostess who guided their party to a more private part of the restaurant—a private room on the second floor—Nyssa began to feel a pang of sympathy for Olivia. The entire time, Alecto filled the air with sweet words while attached to Olivia.

Olivia, unimpressed, just walked along to the best of her ability while ignoring the cooing lump of demon now attached to her right arm.

Suddenly, she’s not so scary. Nyssa reached out, clasping hands with Celeste as they walked. “... Alecto’s really something.”

“Yeah, a very interesting character,” Celeste laughed as Olivia flicked Alecto away who tried to sneak a kiss onto Olivia’s cheek. “She’s actually really nice. Breaking demon stereotypes for real.”

Making some idle conversation, they thanked the hostess while entering and sitting down into the private room. Next to each other on the roundtable, they sat furthest from the door and began perusing the menu as Conrad began yowling about how Electra broke his rib.

“You’re fine,” Electra retorted, taking a menu from the center of the table, handing it to Ryker, before grabbing her own. “It’d take so much more to break any of your bones. I don’t even know if I could do it... but I'd be willing to try, if you want to?”

Seeing Electra raise her hand, and arcs of electricity begin to jump between her fingers, Conrad’s mouth snapped shut and he sat back down. A second later, he began mumble-rapping. “I’m actually fine, I was just playing it up to make you seem like a villain, I don’t think we need to go through this. Isn’t it a crime to do electroshock therapy on a person?”

“Bold words for a sub-human,” Albion snuck in a comment of his own, leaping up and out of his chair before Conrad could punch him.

“That was a good one,” Titus laughed, high-fiving Albion.

The table as a whole, by now, devolved into chaos. Conrad, after getting defended by Ryker, fought a two against three war against Electra, Albion, and Titus. Alecto smothered herself against Olivia, who sat unmoving like a wizened tree, impervious to the concept of sin while looking at the menu.

On another side, Celeste and Nyssa sank into their own little world, laughing and joking with each other while being the only others to look at the menu.

“The pork bowl looks really good...”

“This ‘Tiger Stripes’ bowl also looks amazing... I’m really hungry too...”

“Do you think we should propose an appetizer?”

“I wouldn’t be opposed... but it seems kind of hard right now, given the uh... chaos...”

“True...”