District 1 (Alt.)

So this is District 1. I still think it's unfair, but I have a chance to make a difference. At least my squad is more understanding than the rest of the force. They don't exactly trust me yet, aaand I can tell Wolfgang already has a contingency plan set for me, but at least they're nice to me about it. That Wolfgang is a bizarre man, but a gentleman. He had the courtesy of showing me the tools he would potentially kill me with. Didn't say his exact plan, but I appreciate the gesture. And he appreciates my sarcasm. Great start. As for me...

Highest marksman scores in training? Check.

Youngest female Hunter? Check. (Well, to be exact, my two younger predecessors are dead, so they don't count.)

Soon to be author of revolutionary book that proves natural humans and the reborn can co-exist? ON EVEN terms? I can fantasize a bit.

First reborn to be accepted as a Hunter? Check!!! I could do without being called a "Demon," though.

Wolfgang's 'homework' feels like a waste of time, but he says it's a chance to observe actual damage from a serious fight. I'm pretty sure he just wants me out so he can share his last night's findings with the rest of the squad in private. He's a great driver and mechanic, but subtlety doesn't seem to be one of his strong points. I would have been less creeped out if he hid the cameras watching me a little better. As long as he doesn't really kill me in my sleep, I can put up with it.

Besides, I want to trust them all.

Really, though. Doesn't he know I have ACTUAL homework to do?

Now for the job.

I don't need a ruler to say this crater is huge. We're lucky Athena made it back in one piece after this explosion. Looks like she's gonna have a bit more paperwork. It's faint—my fault for being inexperienced—but it's there. This was no bomb. This was definitely done "naturally" by a powerful reborn. There's just never been a documented self-destruct of this magnitude before. (Or any survivors to have witnessed it, I guess.)

I'm trying to concentrate, but all this honking is making me lose focus. I guess I can plan my report on the way back, instead. On the long walk back.

Why do you do this to me, Wolfgang? I really wish I had a car, but I'm still too young. Also unfair, but reborn have to go through extensive background checks, and we can't try for our license until twenty-five. Three more years for me. Humans can technically start at sixteen. Even a modest car, like what the guy in front here is driving, would be nice. Athena usually drives me, but she's still buried in that report. Wolfgang, the only other available driver, suggested I walk. Said something along the lines of me being a biological car bomb. Like this crater, huh.

I'm done here. I wish I could run, though.

Why do humans walk so much? Their stamina isn't THAT bad. More importantly, why is running in public so taboo? I start to regret not taking Athena's advice to dye my hair black or brown. Definitely less conspicuous than my natural red. But whatever.

That color just isn't me. I'm a reborn, and I'm not running from that fact. I just can't start running at full speed and reveal that fact.