The dawn painted the San Francisco sky with shades of gold and orange. In Dante and Leo's apartment, the sound of an alarm echoed loudly, only to be immediately silenced by a lazy hand slamming it off.
Dante, still half-asleep, turned over in bed with the intention of going back to sleep, but a mocking voice pulled him out of his state of semi-consciousness.
—Wake up, sleepyhead —Adrián said from the doorway—. If you keep this up, Leo is going to scold us again.
Dante groaned and covered his face with a pillow.
—Five more minutes…
—You said the same thing half an hour ago.
Before he could protest, his COMP vibrated with a notification.
[New mission available]
[Mission: Attend school and keep a low profile]
[Reward: 100 EXP + System Data]
[Time limit: Remainder of the day]
Dante cracked one eye open and clicked his tongue.
—Is the system really telling me to go to school now?
Adrián laughed.
—Maybe it knows that if it doesn't order you, you'll try to sleep all day.
Dante sighed, sitting up with his hair completely disheveled.
—Fine, fine… Let's go before Leo explodes —he muttered, running a hand through his hair—. Besides, he said that if I dared to make him late one more time, he'd castrate me surgically with a spoon.
—Leo's crazy… as expected from someone who shares blood with you.
...
After a quick shower and a makeshift breakfast, the trio gathered in the living room.
Leo, already dressed in his spotless uniform, stood with his arms crossed.
—I can't believe we're actually taking Adrián to school without him having a registered identity.
Adrián smiled confidently.
—As long as no one looks too closely, there won't be a problem.
—That's not a plan —Leo grumbled—. That's a disaster waiting to happen.
—Like your attempts to seduce Jessica —Dante commented with a smug grin, the kind that made anyone who saw it want to punch him in the face.
—Bastard! It's not that I'm bad at flirting, it's just that she hasn't fallen for my charm yet.
Dante sat down on the couch and opened his COMP.
—Relax, I've got it covered.
—So, you know techniques that can help me win her over?
—Huh? No, I meant Adrián's situation.
—…You're the worst.
Leo eyed him suspiciously.
—That sounds like an excuse for you to do something illegal.
Dante smiled calmly while navigating his system.
—Not exactly. I'm just going to ask someone for a favor.
Adrián leaned in with interest.
—Someone who can forge an identity?
Dante nodded.
—Paulo has a few interesting contacts. He can get Adrián a legit school record without raising suspicion.
Leo frowned.
—Your idiot troublemaker friend?
—My problem-solving friend —Dante corrected.
Leo sighed and rubbed his temples.
—I don't know what's worse… that you have a friend like that or that you trust him with something this serious.
—He's a good guy. A bit temperamental, but reliable.
Dante quickly sent a message to Paulo through his COMP.
[Dante → Paulo]
—[Hey, I need a favor. Can you get an identity for a friend? Needs to look legit.]
A few seconds later, the reply came.
[Paulo → Dante]
—[Tsk. Always asking for weird stuff. Send me the details, and I'll see what I can do.]
Dante grinned.
—Done.
Leo rubbed his face.
—I can't believe we're actually doing this.
Adrián patted him on the back.
—Honestly, did you think there'd be any other outcome when you left this task to Dante?
Leo just sighed in resignation.
""""""""""
The walk to school was uneventful. Adrián observed his surroundings with curiosity, taking note of the changes in the city compared to what he remembered from his previous life.
—It's strange… some things look the same, but at the same time, they're completely different —he muttered under his breath.
Dante nodded.
—It's like we jumped into an alternate reality.
—We did, in a way —Adrián murmured.
Leo glanced at them out of the corner of his eye, unable to hear what they were saying, but in the end, he decided not to ask.
When they arrived at school, they found a crowd of students entering through the main gate.
The hallways were filled with students going about their daily routines—some chatting with friends, others frantically reviewing notes before class. But there was one area where the atmosphere felt different.
Jessica Matherns was waiting at the entrance, arms crossed and wearing a critical expression.
—Dante, Leo, it's already rare for you two to be late… but now you're bringing in someone new.
Leo sighed in defeat.
—Please don't ask difficult questions.
Jessica raised an eyebrow.
—That just makes me want to ask more questions.
Dante stepped forward with a carefree smile.
—Jessica, meet Adrián. He's a transfer student.
Jessica narrowed her eyes, clearly suspicious.
—Really? And why didn't anyone mention a transfer before?
Dante shrugged indifferently.
—Bureaucracy. The paperwork probably got processed last minute.
Jessica sighed but didn't push the matter.
Trying to get answers out of Dante was like talking to a brick wall… unless you had enough sweets to bribe him.
—Whatever. Just make sure you don't cause trouble.
Dante grinned.
—When have we ever caused trouble?
Jessica stared at him.
—Do you want me to make a list?
Dante laughed nervously and raised his hands in surrender.
—Yeah, yeah, I get it.
Nathaniel Ashford walked with his gaze fixed on the ground, paying no attention to the stares directed at him. His uniform, though tidy, had faint traces of dirt, and there was a small scratch on his cheek along with a few visible bruises on his arms. Beside him, his sister, Selene Ashford, walked with her back straight, watching coldly anyone who dared whisper too close.
But even so, the murmurs and gossip were inevitable.
—Did he get beaten up again?
—I heard it happened right after school, they were waiting for him…
—What did that loser do this time?
—Devereaux made him do his homework. Apparently, the grade he got was almost as bad as if he had done it himself.
The atmosphere grew more tense when a figure stepped into his path.
Lucian Devereaux.
Tall, with a smug smile and an aura of arrogance that could be felt even from a distance.
His followers weren't far behind, watching the scene with barely concealed amusement.
—Oh, Nate —Lucian said with fake surprise—. Strange seeing you here. I almost thought you wouldn't show up after yesterday.
Nathaniel didn't respond.
Lucian's grin widened as he placed a hand on his shoulder, giving it a "friendly" squeeze that was far too strong to be casual.
—You know, you should learn to defend yourself. It's always fun watching you try.
Selene immediately moved, swatting Lucian's hand away.
—Get lost, you damn idiot.
Lucian turned to her with an entertained expression.
—Oh? And what will you do if I don't?
Selene narrowed her eyes, but before she could respond, Nathaniel spoke, his voice low but firm.
—It's not worth it.
Lucian raised an eyebrow, then shrugged with fake indifference.
—If you say so, Nate… But you know how this goes, my dear friend. See you after school.
He adjusted his collar with a "friendly" smile and patted Nathaniel's cheek before walking away, laughing with his friends.
From a short distance, Dante and his group had witnessed everything.
—Is that guy always like that? —Adrián asked with a frown.
Dante sighed.
—Lucian enjoys messing with him. I don't know why, but it seems like Nathaniel just can't shake him off.
Jessica crossed her arms, looking serious.
—Because no matter how many times he tries to walk away, Lucian always finds a way to drag him back into his game.
Dante watched Nathaniel more closely…
And for a brief moment, as Nathaniel walked past them, their eyes met.
No words were exchanged.
But Dante felt a strange chill down his spine.
That same feeling he had when he reunited with Adrián in the rift.
Nathaniel looked away and kept walking.
Selene, however, stopped for a moment.
—Dante —she suddenly said, looking at him with a friendly smile—. Can I ask you to lend him a hand if something like this happens again?
Dante raised an eyebrow.
—Do you really think I'd just stand by and watch? I promise you, that idiot will be picking his teeth off the floor like last time.
Selene just shook her head, letting out a small chuckle before continuing on her way.
Leo let out a heavy sigh.
—You know, I really hate it when this idiot flirts with girls in front of me.
—Well, if you'll excuse me, someone has to be responsible and prepare their presentation for today's class.
Jessica gave them one last glance before walking away.
Adrián watched her go with a grin.
—I like her. She's got character.
Leo sighed.
—That doesn't mean you should provoke her.
Dante placed a hand on Adrián's shoulder.
—Welcome to our school life.
Adrián smirked.
—This is going to be interesting.
""""""""""
The school bell rang through the hallways, signaling the start of classes. Dante, Adrián, and Leo moved through the flow of students, heading to their respective seats.
—How strict are they with the rules here? —Adrián asked in a low voice.
—Strict enough that you don't want to stand out too much —Dante replied—. Keep a low profile, and everything will be fine.
Leo nodded.
—Especially with the principal. You don't want to get on her radar.
Adrián raised an eyebrow.
—Is she that bad?
Dante sighed.
—She's the kind of person who can smell trouble before it happens… and then makes sure you pay for it. Trust me, I speak from experience.
Adrián lazily nodded.
—Alright, I'll try not to get into trouble.
They settled into their seats just as the teacher entered the classroom.
The school day passed relatively normally… at least until lunchtime.
...
School Cafeteria
In the cafeteria, the trio gathered at one of the tables, joined by Paulo and Jessica—the only people willing to tolerate Dante enough to call him a friend.
Paulo, a young man with black hair and tanned skin, gave Adrián a challenging yet curious look.
—So this is the guy you told me about.
Dante nodded.
—Adrián, meet Paulo. Paulo, meet Adrián.
Paulo extended a hand.
—If Dante trusts you, I guess you're not an idiot… or at least not more than he is.
Adrián shook his hand with a grin.
—Depends on the day, believe me. You don't want to see me when I haven't had a decent breakfast.
Jessica, sitting beside Leo, looked at Adrián with mild interest.
—So, you're new, huh?
Adrián shrugged with a relaxed smile.
—Let's just say I arrived in… an unconventional way.
Jessica raised an eyebrow.
—And how did you become friends with these two so quickly?
Dante spoke before Adrián could answer.
—Instant connection. It's a gift I have. What can I say? It's one of the superpowers of a handsome guy.
Jessica rolled her eyes.
—Or just one of your many issues.
Leo, who had been quiet, looked at Adrián seriously.
—Did you make sure there were no errors in your fake identity?
Paulo scoffed.
—Please, who do you think you're talking to? I did it perfectly. If you don't believe me, check the school system.
Dante pulled out his COMP and accessed the student database.
There it was.
Name: Adrián Velázquez Age: 17 School Record: Transferred from a private school in New York.
Simple and to the point. The student database was known for being rigorous and highly secure, so the fact that Paulo managed to bypass it was proof of how skilled his contacts were.
Dante smirked.
—Perfect.
Jessica looked at the screen skeptically.
—This still seems suspicious… —she commented, but in the end, she just shrugged and turned away, deciding not to push the issue—. But I have no proof.
Dante patted her shoulder with a grin and a thumbs-up.
—And that's how it should stay.
Jessica sighed, rubbing her forehead.
—If you guys get into trouble, I won't cover for you.
Paulo chuckled.
—You say that like you've ever been able to avoid getting dragged into our messes.
Jessica shot him a warning look.
—One of these days, I'm going to get you all expelled.
—I appreciate the threat, but I doubt you'll succeed —Paulo replied with a smug grin.
Dante leaned toward Adrián.
—Welcome officially to our group.
Adrián sighed.
—This is going to be more troublesome than I expected… —he muttered, already feeling like he was getting caught up in a whirlwind of problems.
...
After School
By the afternoon, classes had ended, and the group walked through the hallways toward the exit.
Just before stepping outside, Dante felt his COMP vibrate with a new notification.
[New Mission Available]
[Mission: Investigate the rumors of anomalous activity in the commercial district.]
[Reward: 500 EXP + Additional System Data]
[Time Limit: 24 hours]
Dante frowned.
—…Another mission.
Leo looked at the screen.
—Two in one day?
Adrián crossed his arms.
—Do you always get missions like this?
Dante shook his head.
—Normally, I activate them manually, or they appear at key moments… but lately, they've been appearing on their own.
Paulo peeked over Dante's shoulder.
—Anomalous activity in the commercial district?
Jessica frowned.
—I've heard rumors about that. Supposedly, some stores have reported problems with their security systems and objects moving on their own.
Dante exchanged a glance with Adrián.
—That doesn't sound normal.
Adrián nodded.
—It could be a forming rift… or something worse.
Leo sighed.
—Let me guess… You're going to investigate.
Dante smirked.
—Obviously.
Jessica eyed them suspiciously.
—You guys are planning something weird, aren't you?
Paulo grinned.
—Always.
Jessica sighed.
—Just try not to blow anything up.
Dante chuckled.
—I can't promise that.
""""""""""""
Commercial District – Sunset
As the sun began to set, Dante, Adrián, Leo, and Paulo arrived at the commercial district. The streets were still busy, but an eerie unease lingered in the air.
Jessica had decided not to join them, claiming she had "no interest in getting arrested with a bunch of idiots."
Dante checked his COMP again.
[Mission: Investigate the rumors of anomalous activity in the commercial district.]
[Mission Status: In Progress]
[Time Remaining: 22:15:47]
—Alright, first thing's first—let's find out if anything's actually off —Dante said, putting away his device.
Adrián scanned his surroundings.
—The rumors said the issues happened after dark, right?
—Yeah —Leo confirmed—. Objects moving on their own, flickering lights, electronic interference… pretty typical when something's wrong.
Paulo stretched, looking relaxed.
—So what? Do we just wait and see what happens?
Dante smirked.
—Exactly.
The group split into pairs to cover more ground.
Dante and Adrián stayed on the main street, keeping watch.
Leo and Paulo checked the alleys and less crowded areas.
The first few minutes passed without incident.
But as soon as the sun had fully set, everything changed.
The streetlights flickered erratically.
Electronic billboards displayed distorted images.
And the air… grew heavy.
The sky took on a sickly green hue, and the moon glowed an unnatural yellow.
Dante and Adrián exchanged glances.
—You feel that? —Adrián asked in a low voice.
Dante nodded.
—This isn't normal.
It felt like something straight out of Persona 3.
Before they could react, their COMPs vibrated with an alert.
[ALERT!]
[Anomalous presence detected nearby.]
[Estimated Location: Antique Store, 14th Street]
Dante activated the communicator.
—Leo, Paulo, we've got something. Meet up at the antique store on 14th Street.
—Got it —Leo responded.
Adrián sighed.
—This isn't going to be a simple investigation, is it?
Dante smirked.
—Is it ever?
The two of them sprinted toward the marked location.
...
Antique Store – 14th Street
The store was closed, but through the window, they could see something was very wrong.
The lights inside flickered violently.
Objects floated as if an invisible force was shoving them.
And in the center of it all, a shadowy figure hovered in the air.
—Demons? No… Shadows? —Dante murmured.
Leo and Paulo arrived, panting.
—What the hell is that?! —Paulo yelled.
Adrián narrowed his eyes.
—It's not a normal monster… but it's not a wandering spirit either.
Leo pulled out his COMP to analyze it.
[Scan Incomplete – Error: Entity difficult to quantify.]
[Origin: Unknown.]
[Status: Unstable.]
Dante clicked his tongue.
—I don't like this.
The shadow slowly turned toward them…
Then, it let out a sharp screech and lunged forward.
—Shit, it's coming! —Paulo shouted.
Dante and Adrián jumped back, dodging the attack.
—No choice —Dante said. —Pixie, Jack Frost, let's go!
Two figures emerged beside him.
—Let's end this quickly!
—It's-hoo time to fight!
Adrián summoned his Persona, Orpheus.
Leo narrowed his eyes.
—Don't draw too much attention.
—Too late for that —Adrián said.
The shadow screeched again, splitting into smaller forms, surrounding the group.
Dante readied himself.
—Alright… let's see what you're made of.
And with that, the battle began.