[Perspective shift: Summer]

It feels so weird, living here. I'm halfway expecting mom to call for dinner, or dad to come get me for training, but... It's not gonna happen. It isn't even me being sad; just confused. Allen helped me get over the sadness a while ago... But now, I just feel hollow. I was gonna become a hero for the village. I was gonna make sure everyone was safe. But now...

Now what? I can't be a hero, I already failed. We're nowhere near the woods, so I can't be a hunter. I don't want to have some random, boring job... Wait, Huntress? Why would people be hunting around such a natureless environment? What is there TO hunt?

[Perspective shift: Allen]

"What's a huntress?"

And THERE'S the question!

"Well, Summer, a huntress is a lady who hunts."

"Ha-ha. Very funny. For some reason it looked like it was some kind of profession."

"It kinda is. Huntresses and Huntsmen, in particular, hunt monsters."

"Monsters? Like the black and white animals back home? They were gonna teach me a special way to deal with them... before..."

"Exactly! And you know what that means?"

The way her face slowly but surely began to brighten up both mentally and emotionally is the 8th wonder of the world.

[Perspective shift: Summer]

Wait a minute... If he's right... And I can be a one of these huntressess...

"I CAN STILL BE A HERO!"

"Technically, yeah. You need go through an academy though, and academies are basically super-schools."

URK! Of course, I can't be a hero so easily... I must wade through the greatest of trials for the greatest of honors.

"Then I will make sure to pass with flying colors! Or my name isn't Summer Rose!"

[Perspective shift: none]

Waaaaay off in the distance, rather far from Summer & Allen, a crow and a raven shudder deeply, disturbed for 2 rather different reasons.

[Perspective shift: Allen]

"Yes, you will, but we need to scrounge enough cash together to pay for entrance. They more than likely charge you for entry like any other school. On top of that, the classwork is probably gonna be much harder than anything from the village. Are you up to the task?"

The adorable little sugar gremlin looked at me with a solemn face. "I swear on my honor as a hero, that I will make sure that I blow through the classes."

A wicked smile split my face. "Good. then you won't have issues with getting no lower than b's, yes?"

The fear on her face was tantalizing as she began backpedalling.

"L-lets not get t-to hasty, here, o-o-okay? Heroes have their failures too, y'know?"

"But you are supposed to be THE hero, no? The one to put all others to shame? The saving grace of humanity? They would need to excel at all things, for only a perfect mind, body & soul would be able to truly kill off all of the Grimm. Good thing you already honed your body to great extent, and so help me god if your soul isn't immaculate."

"Heheh, thanks, but, uh..."

"No buts. If you want to go out fighting demons, I refuse to let you be anything less than 101% ready to kick butt and take names. I am your rival, after all. It would hurt me visage to be saving you at every corner, no?"

"HAH! As if you would save me! If anything, I'll end up saving you!"

Oh god I am so going to savor her coming to me for study tips.

I am getting major sus vibes from you my dude.

A wee bit of sadism never hurt anyone~

...Today I learned Systems can shudder.

Good.