Chapter 43: A fool’s end

"GRRRRRRR!!!!!!" A fierce roar, filled with anger, erupted from Aki's mouth.

"!!!" As her crimson eyes locked onto Akio, it stunned him and instilled terror, momentarily making him forget the pain from his melted hand.

["What are you doing!? I don't know what she has become, but she's even stronger than that monster! Just run away, you brat!"] His partner, Momo, shouted urgently into his ears, sensing the potential presence of a High-Rank person and he didn't want Akio to stay there any longer. 

"I..." Akio wanted to say something or run, but he couldn't as the gaze he faced terrified him even more.

'Why...' In the face of her crimson eyes, his heart pounded loudly as fear and dread filled him, triggering a certain memory in his mind.

***

It was a few months back, when summer vacation had just finished, and the school was buzzing with mostly positive vibes of juniors, with a hint of negativity from some senior students.