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face.
    “What?” he questioned, feeling self-conscious.
    “Are you him?   What I mean is, you’re ‘the Gabe?’   The protector?”   Neru stammered through her words.
    “Well, I suppose I am.   But I don’t really go by 'the protector', my friends just call me Gabe.” he chuckled as he responded.   Neru quickly looked forward, embarrassed by her star struck behavior.
    “So, you’re a third year?” Gabe asked, not wanting the sudden silence to linger.
    “Not exactly.” Neru said smiling.
    “Wait, what?” Gabe asked, looking at the girl, baffled and confused.   He wondered, ‘is it possible she was a late comer like me?’
    “Officially I am a second year, but I suppose I am an over achiever.   I doubled up on classes which made it possible for me to take several third year courses this year.” Neru explained.
    “Oh, I see.   Well, that makes sense.” Gabe responded, a little disappointed that he was still alone in his unique student status.
    “My friends and I watched your tests.”
    “Oh yeah?” Gabe replied, trying not to reveal his embarrassment.
    “Of course, who didn’t watch it?   Quite impressive.   Although I have to say I can’t imagine facing those monsters myself.   I am somewhat relieved I don’t qualify for field duty since I am not officially a third year.”
    “It really wasn’t that big a deal.” Gabe said dismissively, remembering Michael’s words when he stripped him of the ability to go on field assignments.
    “Are you at all nervous about your field studies?” Neru asked.
    Gabe remained silent, uncertain how to answer.   He didn’t realize how humiliated he was until this moment.   Gabe felt he was tasked with defeating three monsters and he had completed the task that was set out before him.   Now for Michael to take the right that all other third year students possessed away from him was not fair.
    “I’m sorry, if you’re uncomfortable talking about it you don’t have to.” Neru assured, sensing his discomfort.   “I know I personally would be really scared.”
    “I’m not scared!” Gabe snapped.
    “No, of course not.   That’s not what I meant.” Neru pleaded, wishing she had kept her mouth shut.
    “No, it’s fine,” Gabe replied, regretting his rash response.   “It’s just… for now Michael thinks it would be wiser if I didn’t go on any trips in the field.”
    “Oh, well that makes sense.   I am sure you are being tracked by every demon in the underworld.   Can you imagine?   The protector.   I can’t even think of how many demons are trying to track you at this very moment.”   As soon as the words left Neru’s mouth she thought better of them.   “I’m sorry.   That was insensitive of me to say.”
    “No, really, it’s fine.   I am starting to get used to the idea, sadly enough.” Gabe replied, realizing there was some truth to the statement.
    “So what other classes do you have?” Neru asked, genuinely curious as well as wishing to change the uncomfortable subject.
    “Hmmm… let’s see.   I just had a potions class.   That was interesting I suppose.” Gabe answered.
    “Yeah?   I have that later today.   I have to admit, I am pretty excited about that one.”
    “It was decent, they had us brewing healing potions on our first day so that was kind of fun.”   Gabe thought about the tenseness between Dina and Raimie, at least the brewing part was fun.
    “No way!” Neru exclaimed.   “In second year potions we only discussed herbs and theories.   I can’t believe they had you brewing on your first day.”
    “Yeah, it was kind of cool.   Later today I have Elementals, Magical Creatures, Artifacts, and Incantations.” Gabe explained.
    “Wow.   You are carrying a really full schedule, Gabe.”
    “I wouldn’t know, I didn’t choose it, the classes were picked for me.   I suppose whoever is in charge figure I have some catching up to do.”   Gabe replied.
    “That must be so weird.” Neru