The sky above was dim, now that the sun had set. As such, it provided a beautiful contrast to the well-lit street below. Lamps hung everywhere, and even though it was near nighttime, a great many cafes and restaurants were still open, exhorting customers to enter and partake. The street was also surprisingly crowded for the time. It was through this street that our nameless man walked through, his newly-acquired earnings jingling in his pocket. He soon found a restaurant that he liked, and walked inside. He had visited this restaurant before, and so the employees knew his name.

"Welcome back, Zakiro. Where would you like to sit?"

Zakiro simply smiled and said "the usual spot, please." She motioned him toward the spot he was talking about and he sat down in a seiza position in front of the low table. The table was along a wall, near the back of the restaurant. He liked it this way, because it was almost secluded. And he wanted to be prepared. After asking for a cup of tea to start, the waitress left and he was alone. But not for long. He could soon hear a voice from the front of the store.

"But I'm telling you, I have an appointment with him! Hmm… guess I have no other choice."

After a few seconds of silence, Zakiro soon saw Evangeline walking towards his table. She sat across from him. Immediately, a question rolled out of his mouth, despite the tea cup raised almost to his lips.

"You didn't cause her any permanent harm, did you?"

Evangeline glared at him for a second before answering.

"Of course not, do you take me for an amateur? I've spent hundreds of years perfecting my magic… why do you care anyway? Already turning into a good guy?"

Zakiro chuckled lightly.

"Hehe, I only care because she serves very good tea. Now, for a relevant question. Why are you here? Are you here to accept me as an apprentice, or just because you're still hungry after your last… dinner?"

As Evangeline prepared an answer, Zakiro took a long drink of his tea. It really was delicious, being brewed from a rare variety of mountain herb. It was also expensive. He might have to kill someone else for hotel expenses.

Evangeline spoke as he set the tea down. "Well, as I'm certain you know, I was watching you during your last… deed. You seem to have the idea of magic pretty well handled, at least; but I must say, if Sileto Ballistam is your only spell, then you have a long way to go. So I must ask: do you have a specialty as of yet? Or are you still undecided?"

Zakiro smiled and nodded. "Indeed I do. Fire and gravity magic are my two specialties. Even better when they're used together. But I also have a selection of support spells when I don't want to use the more… flagrant abilities. Sileto Ballistam is just one example. Addito Gradum Petrae is another of my favorites. Obviously, both are designed to be of use with my gun."

Evangeline looked him up and down, and frowned slightly. "Well, I'll tell you this. If you join me, I will teach you to murder those in your way, enslave the innocent… and get you into some proper clothing. Honestly, those clothes are hideous! I'm surprised you're even allowed to wear them… However, what will you give me in exchange?" Saying this, she opened her mouth slightly, baring her fangs. It was clear what she wanted.

And Zakiro knew it. He had known this in advance, of course. "Obviously, regular blood donations will be done. I didn't expect to get this training unscathed, after all. However, I'd also like to ask something else… you see, I don't really have enough money to afford an inn right now… so if you could kindly–"

He was rudely cut off. "No. You should know better than to try to move in with a girl after only meeting her once. There are plenty of alternative methods to make money in this city. Although I'd advise you to keep the killings to a minimum. People might begin to suspect me."

Zakiro sighed. "Very well, have it your way. I happened to bring a small tent with me anyway. Well, considering that our conversation is about done, I'll ju–"

Again, cut off. "No. There's one more thing I need to tell you. Meet me at 10:00 sharp in front of my house. We are going to get you properly dressed… I'll ask Chachamaru to design the clothing. And of course, if you're late…" She bared her fangs again. "I'll just double my fee."

Zakiro again sighed. "Very well, I'll be there at 10. Thank God I brought my watch with me… oh, I should probably tell you. My name is–"

"Zakiro? Yes, I know. Now I'm telling you, be out there at 10:00 or it'll be hard to stand while we measure you…"

Zakiro nodded. "Yes, yes. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go sleep. I will see you tomorrow, Evangeline."

Evangeline nodded before sharply adding "And call me Master, damn it!" An exclamation that Zakiro did hear as he left the restaurant and then the city, finding a clearing in the forest. He set up his small, one-person tent. He was lucky that it was summer, and that he could sleep outside. He had to reconcile that soon though… perhaps enroll in the nearby Academy? No, he remembered. That was an all-girls school. As he lay in his sleeping bag, he discussed with himself possible remedies to this. Unfortunately, none came as he drifted off into sleep.