Debriefing

[Hazel's POV]

"5, 4, 3, 2." I hear Aba counting down. 

Adrenaline kicks in, I tuck and roll out of my bed. Relief settles in that I have avoided Aba's prank to wake me up on time. Til the bucket of cold water hits my bed and splashes me in the face. 

Drenched in cold water I scream at the ceiling. "I hate you!"

With a snap of his fingers everything is dry but me. I'm no long sopping but damp.

"You would have crawled back into bed if I made you dry." Aba chuckles before I feel his presence leave.

"Curse you for being right!" I cry sitting on the floor.

Getting up I grab dry clothes and go to the bathroom to finish drying off. My trainee is in the kitchen making breakfast.

"You... alright?" Samantha asks concerned.

"Yea but might change my alarm clock." I mutter.

"Please don't give it to me." Samantha as always takes it literally.

That brings a smile to lips. Ducking into the bathroom I remove my damp clothes and dry my straight shoulder length brown hair. Then after dressing in my leather pants and red tank top, I apply a slightly darker brown eyeshadow to my eye lids to help bring the brown out in my hazel eyes. With one last look at my full face and broad muscular shoulders, arms, fuller chest and flat stomach, I have enough courage to face this early morning. After coffee. I need coffee. The adrenaline has finally warn off.

Heading to the kitchen I find that Samantha is done making breakfast.

"Here." Samantha says looking up at me with her freckle spattered face while handing me a bagel, egg and cheese sandwich for breakfast. 

She is dressed in her navy blue with white stripes down the sides gym uniform for school. Which helps make her icy blue eyes look less chilling. Her long wavy dirty blonde hair is in a high ponytail as always. 

"Thank you." I reply.

"You're welcome. So what kind of misson has you up this early?" Samantha asks.

"A mana sucking spirit is attached to an object. I guess its at your school but last night they were doing training at the school so I wasn't able to get it. Trust me, I argued with Aba for a bit but he claims I would have broken someone's arm if I went then." I explain before bitting into the wonderful tasting sandwich.

"Mana sucking." Samantha says with a shiver.

"Yea I guess it isn't a bad one since it doesn't kill its host. Yet something about if it gets enough mana it will manifest into a physical form."

"Physical form?"

"Probably humanoid."

"Humanoid." Samantha says very slowly. "Where do people even get these things?"

"Felix," I sigh. "He buys druid, cursed, poisonous and unstable substances."

"Who the heck sells him that stuff?" Samantha looks dumbfounded.

"I've sold him some plants before but most of his sources are 'treasure hunters', they are grave robbers if you ask me. Druids, and a few villagers also do business with him. They find something that Matilda, Chelsea, Tilly or Garrik won't touch and go to him to get something for it." I explain.

"Mmmhmm." Samantha nods while chewing.

"What time does school start?" I ask.

Samantha looks at the clock and her eyes get pretty big. Then the rushing starts. "I got to go. Class starts in 20 minutes and it's a 15 minute walk." She grabs some papers to shove them into her bag while trying to finish her sandwich.

"I don't miss those days." I smirk.

"See you later." Samantha says slipping her boots on.

"Have fun, don't trip." I tease.

"I'll try." Samantha says tripping out the door. With some quick foot work she pushes off with one foot, misses the steps and sticks the landing on the cement walk way. "Yes!" Samantha throws her arms up.

"She is a character." I giggle.

I finish my sandwich and head to the highschool my self. Walking down the sidewalk I can see the small western style town slowly waking up. On the way a golden scroll appears mid air. I grab it and open it. 

[My dearest Hazel,

Stop by the cathedral before going to the school.

Love, Aba]

The scroll bursts into flames as I crush the golden scroll in my hand. A smile teases at the corner of my lips as I'm excited to give Aba an earful after everything he did to me that morning.

After coffee though. Which turns out someone paid for me to have one today. Dread fills me as I hope that the town's poster boy isn't back to torment me.

With coffee in hand I step into the big cathedral in the center of town. The high arch ceilings of intricate paintings of angels and clouds. A few statues of angels are scattered throughout the sanctuary.

The pastor of the church comes up to me. "Aba is waiting for you in the back."

"Thanks." I say making my way to the back room where Aba explains things to people if need be.

Walking into the dimly light room Aba is in his rolly chair. He has his dark cloak on that seems to be a void and only his cloth wrapped finger tips are out resting on the table. Monitors are on the back wall rapidly flipping through feeds. There is a big table in the middle of the room but no other chairs.

"Hazel! I've missed you!" Aba exclaims happily.

"Cut the bull, I don't want to throw my coffee at you for your stunt you pulled this morning." I growl.

"We both know you wouldn't be able to hit me." He mocks.

I squeeze my paper coffee cup too hard and the paper lid pops off.

"Careful now. I bought that for you to apologize for my actions this morning, even though I had to do it." He mumbles the last part.

"So it was you that bought me this and not your poster boy. Well that makes me feel better. I guess I will forgive you since you did get me the expensive one." I happily take a sip of the coffee. 

"James is back in town though." Aba adds.

"Don't care." I state. "What did you called me here for?"

"I got you a compass to help locate the object and this." He pulls a bag out from under the table and pulls out a sheathed dagger. Then he pulls the silver glowing dagger from its sheath.

"Woah." I gasp taking a closer look.

"It's a spirit dagger. There is only one in existence. This dagger is able to drive a demon out of a human without killing the human. Or in this case, put a spirit to rest. Oh if the blue pendant gets enough mana and the spirit manifests, it's a spirit to a half angel." Aba slyly adds.

"Again with the dangerous missions." I sigh.

"Good news, there is a very high chance you will not need to use it. Besides I wouldn't give a mission to you unless I knew you could handle it." Aba shrugs.

I side eye Aba for a moment.

"You're paying me good for this job right?" I ask taking the compass and dagger.

"Have I ever not paid you?" He asks.

"Fair point." I shrug. "See you later."

"Good luck my dear." Aba whispers.

Pulling out the compass, I follow the needle to the school.