Renny sighed, rolling his eyes as his palm pressed to his forehead. He rubbed it slowly, trying to ease the headache forming there.

"Oh? Do you need a massage?" Myla teased, stepping closer before he could answer. Her hands were already half-raised when Renny lifted his own in refusal.

"No," he said firmly. "It's fine."

Her hands froze mid-air, and she blinked, a little caught off guard.

"I'll help you," he continued, straightening up. "Do you at least know the name of the person?"

She nodded quickly.

"Good," he said. "Then let's go."

"Now?" she asked, surprised.

Renny shot her a look. "Did you have plans for anything else?"

Her cheeks flushed faintly, and she gave a small, embarrassed laugh. "No… nothing at all."

"Good," he said, motioning toward the door. "Then let's go."

Myla rose to her feet, smoothing her suit as she followed. Renny slipped on his suit jacket, not even bothering to fix his tie properly, and when she moved to help, he waved her off.

"Don't bother," he muttered, already stepping ahead.

***

They arrived at the Soul Library, the faint hum of terminals filling the air.

Renny sat beside Myla at one of the consoles, showing her how to navigate the system, the search fields, the filters, and how to trace linked soul keys.

Myla leaned closer, watching every motion like it was some kind of sorcery. "You make it look easy," she muttered.

He gave a faint snort. "Because it actually is."

She shook her head dramatically, refusing to believe him.

Renny sighed and turned back to the console. "There... that's the name you're looking for."

She squinted at the screen. Adrian Cole.

Clicking the profile open, her eyes widened slightly. "Soul Key Holder: Muralen."

Myla's face fell. "A beast…? You mean I'll have to go into the pit for it?"

"Looks like it."

Her shoulders slumped. "I've never fought a beast before. I don't even know if I'm strong enough to handle one."

Renny sighed, arms crossing as he leaned back against the table. He understood that frustration too well, he'd been in the exact same spot last year.

"Alright," he said at last, exhaling hard. "I'll help you out."

Her head snapped up. "You will?"

"Yeah." He shrugged. "I need to clear my head anyway. I was bound to find something to hit sooner or later, might as well make it useful."

Her relief showed instantly. She smiled, leaning forward before he could react and wrapped her arms around him in a warm, grateful hug.

Renny froze. The last time a woman had hugged him, it was his sister, back on Earth. The feeling was strange now… almost disarming.

"Uh... okay, that's enough," he muttered, patting her shoulder awkwardly.

"Oh!" she gasped, stepping back quickly. "Sorry, I got carried away."

"It's fine." He adjusted his jacket. "Shall we go?"

She nodded, cheeks-tinged pink.

But just as they turned, a tense voice cut through the silence behind them.

"Thrumaela."

Both turned. A tall, broad-shouldered demon strode toward them, his expression storm dark. Muscles rippled under his coat, his steps heavy with restrained fury.

Renny's gaze narrowed. The demon's eyes weren't on him, they were locked entirely on Myla.

"What," the newcomer growled, "are you doing with him?"

"Have you been following me, Dravos?" she asked.

"Why not?" Dravos said. "I told you I'd help with your contract. Yet here you are... with him... behind my back."

Myla exhaled, trying to keep her tone calm. "I told you, I don't need your help."

He gave a low, incredulous laugh. "Oh, but you need his. The Ezraphor? The one who couldn't even advance past his own grade?" His gaze flicked to Renny, full of disdain. "Tell me, what can a stagnant demon possibly help you with?"

"That's none of your business," Myla said sharply.

"It is when you're wasting your time," Dravos snapped. "I care for you, Thrumaela, why are you being so stubborn?"

She took a step back. "Dravos, enough."

He smiled tightly. "No problem," he said, voice lowering. "We'll forget this ever happened." He reached forward, grabbing her wrist. "Come on."

"No!" she said, pulling away, but his grip tightened.

Renny's hand shot out, clamping around Dravos's wrist. "She said no."

The air thickened between them. Renny's gaze was steady.

Dravos' jaw tensed. "Let me go," he said through his teeth, "before I tear your lip open."

Renny sighed, a short chuckle slipping out as he dropped his head for a beat. He looked back up at Dravos."Look," he said, voice smooth. "I get it. You care for her. Fine. But as long as she says she's fine without you, there's no need to force the issue. Run along."

Dravos bristled. "Repeating demons shouldn't intrude in my matters," he snapped, eyes hard on Renny.

Renny smiled, a slow, teeth-sucked sound. Then, quick as thought, he planted his weight and drove his left foot into the back of Dravos's knee, a low, precise kick, the kind fighters use to buckle a leg. Dravos's stance failed; he went down as the joint folded.

Renny closed over him the instant the knee gave, fingers locking around Dravos's throat. He squeezed. Hard. Dravos's eyes bulged, breath ragged, hands scrabbling uselessly at Renny's grip.

"Who the fuck do you think you're speaking to?" Renny asked, low and cold. "We might share a grade, but don't you mistake that for equality. You disrespect me again, even by accident, and I'll end your demon journey. Right there." He held the pressure longer, letting the threat land.

"Don't delude yourself that demon rules can protect you from me. You'll die before you understand that they don't. I hope I have made myself clear?"

Dravos could not answer. His throat worked; words drowned.

Renny loosened his hand just enough to hear the silence. "I'll take that as a yes." He shoved. Hard. Dravos tumbled across the floor, coughing, clutching his neck.

A taxi squealed to the curb outside. Renny jerked his chin toward it. "Oh look... the taxi's here." He turned to Myla and, without ceremony, ushered her out toward the door. She hesitated only a second, eyes darting to Dravos on the floor, then climbed into the waiting car.

Dravos lay there, hand at his throat, panting, glare bright as coals. The taxi pulled away; the street swallowed their taillights.

Silence fell back into the library.

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