Gwendel wrapped up orientation the same way he did every year: with some encouraging words like "have fun", "be safe", and encouraging them to become the best Hunters they could be. Ijemaru was sitting behind him, so he couldn't necessarily see it, but he was sure right about now Gwendel was giving the students his signature cheerful smile. The man smiled all the time, so it wasn't that much of a stretch.<br/><br/>The Vice Principal dismissed the students to go to their dorms, get some rest, and enjoy the rest of their day. School started the following day and it was no secret that not all the students would live through it. Students filed out the doors, off to enjoy what may be their last moments of freedom. Ijemaru caught Gwendel as he was leaving the stage.<br/><br/>"Mr. Gwendel," Ijemaru called. Yes he put "Mr." with the Vice Principal's first name, but that was his own fault. Nobody knew what the man's surname was, if he had one.<br/><br/>Gwendel stopped walking away and turned to look for whoever had called his name. He spotted Ijemaru and gave the young Elite a smile. "Ah, hello Mr. Hisuka. Is there something I can do for you?"<br/><br/>Ijemaru paused before his superior. Asking him straight out was the only option he saw at the moment, unless he wanted to just walk away, which he certainly didn't. The white-haired hunter took a calm breath before speaking. "Mr. Gwendel," the boy said, "I was just curious what your demon hunting abilities are?"<br/><br/>To Ijemaru's surprise, Gwendel laughed. "Oh that," he said simply, causing the Elite hunter before him to raise an eyebrow. "You don't have to worry about that," the man said with a smile.<br/><br/>"All the same," Ijemaru pressed, "I'd like to know."<br/><br/>Gwendel smiled again, raising a finger and wagging it to the sides, "Ah, ah, ah~" the eccentric teacher teased. He peaked open one eye and somehow, even with the teacher's playful nature and the smile he wore, Ijemaru was suddenly very intimidated. "I'm not telling <3" Gwendel simply walked away, appearing to be in a perfectly good mood. Ijemaru on the other hand just stood there. It was like, for a brief moment, he could feel the power the teacher was keeping suppressed.<br/><br/>The elite glanced down at his hands.<span style="font-style: italic">Why can't I stop shaking?</span><br/><br/>------------------------<br/><br/>As soon as they were excused Battler made his way out of the assembly hall. The first thing he did was make his way to the woods near the school and find a secluded place, then he let all of his flames burst forth. Bright red flames enveloped his entire form, but they didn't burn him, or anything around him for that matter. Probably the best thing about his power, he thought, was that he could choose when it was and wasn't destructive.<br/><br/>Battler let himself fall back onto the ground and relax as flames stirred around him.<span style="font-style: italic">This is much better,</span>he thought. It felt like there was a fog placed over his mind every time he suppressed his flames, and letting them out was the only time this fog was lifted. It felt wonderful the be able to think clearly again, even if he had nothing in particular to thing about at the moment.