Chapter 15: Examination Part I

"I will now give you the details of the practical portion of your exam," a plain, brown-haired grim reaper announced. "Erin Smith, you have a B in practical skills, a C in written exams, and an A in ethics, giving you a B average."

"Alice Grey, you have a triple A in practical skills and ethics and a double A in written exams, giving you a double A average. Congratulations."

A double A in written exams. Damn it. Master William is going to be disappointed in me, though I still I smiled brilliantly, noting a silently fuming Erin as I did so. "Thank you, good sirs!"

"The human in question is scheduled to die in one month. You have-"

Erin slammed his hands down on the table and pointed accusingly at me. "Why do I have to pair up with a girl, and moreover, a kid?!" he complained. I stared blankly at him, my face belying my anger. "She's hardly fit to be a reaper!"

"Objections to the Association's rulings are not permitted!" a young reaper objected.

Sitting in front of Erin, the older reaper raised his hand up in a stop sign and the younger reaper backed off. The older one reminded, "Erin Smith, you have a straight B average, do you not? Alice Grey not only is an exceptional student who passed with a double A average, but she also personally requested to take the practical three weeks after becoming a trainee."

"I don't care what abilities she has! A girl is a girl, no question about it!"

"Here is your information," The younger reaper spoke, as if Erin had never spoken. He slid a black folder across the table.

"Again, the human in question is scheduled to die in one month. You'll spend that month examining whether she deserves death. Naturally, you're free to give your conclusion before your time runs out. Here is the data on your target. I pray for your success."

I bowed deeply to Erin. "Thank you for being my partner. I look forward to working with you, Erin."

When I rose from my bow, I found a hand just millimeters away from my face, already cutting through my aura field. Immediately, I hardened my energy around that spot, stopping it in its tracks a hair's breath from my skin.

"Hey Erin," I questioned, seemingly oblivious to the fact that I was just about to get slapped, "can we get lunch after we find our target?"

Erin removed his hand, but continued to glare angrily at me. Looks like I had found myself a dog.

"So, what's this really all about?" The Earl questioned, folding his hands in a bridge on the table, whereupon he rested his chin. "Why come back all of a sudden?"

"What are you talking about?" I inquired, deliberately fluctuating my aura. "I just popped by to say hello."

The Earl shook his head. "No. There must be another reason why you're here."

I glanced down at my hands, dropping all semblance of cheerfulness. Erin raised an eyebrow. "...well, it's about Erin and my assignment. Our real assignment. We have to reap a soul."

"Go on."

I hesitated.

Erin stood up and blurted out, "Oh, bloody hell! If you're not going to tell him, I will! Phantomhive, your-"

He only saw a blur, then a scythe poked itself at his neck. His word was cut off mid-sentence. "Erin, let's not do anything rash, okay?" I smiled.

"Like Hell I will!" He attempted to punch me, but I diverted it, dropping my scythe back into its sheath and twisting his arm behind his back. The Earl and The Demon watched on, half-surprised, half-amused.

When the realization hit them, The Earl's cool mask shattered into sand-sized pieces while The Demon's eyes simply narrowed. "Who is it and when?"

I shook my head. "Someone who doesn't deserve it. It's in a month or so."

"Aren't there exceptions?" That came from The Demon.

I shook my head again. "Exceptions are only reserved for those who could change the world through their presence. And regular lives do not count, since they only make small ripples in an otherwise large pond." And since it's your fiance, I will enjoy every second of your agony.

The Earl stood up, angry. "Well, bloody tell me who it is!"

I sighed. "Earl, I would tell you if I could, believe me. I'm already stretching the rules by telling you this much. Consider it a favor repaid for saving me."

The Demon squinted at me, no doubt to see if I was lying, but my aura was smooth and true. The Earl stood up from his chair, his face flushed. "It's in a month, correct?"

I blinked. "Yes," I stated solemnly. The memory of The Demon doing those...things to me flashed all too clear, but I kept my eyes low and half-lidded.

"Earl, I dearly pray that you'll succeed."

"I will."

I grinned at him, a sad, sad grin as I dropped Erin's arm. No, it would pay off in the future. I would only have to hold in the chuckles until then. "Good," I stated. "Because the next time we meet, we'll be enemies."