An Incubus named Vindemiator coalesces in the Elision Well in Aria. Ophiuchus becomes his Steward. This pairing goes very poorly almost immediately.

Caelum, an Empathy Daemon, coalesces in the Elision Well in Aria. An Empathy Daemon named Delphinus becomes his Steward.

Vindemiator now goes by the chosen name Gavin, and has distanced himself from Aria whenever possible. He attempts to go to D.A.M.N. for full certification, planning to work for the Department upon graduation, but faces prejudice and disregard. He changes plans, leaning into studies provided by the Demonic school instead, but is made very uncomfortable by the attitudes there in regards to being an Incubus. He leaves the program.

Unbeknownst to Ivan, a Sadism Demon named Vega has become interested in him and sees an opportunity to experiment with the creation of a sustained source of the sadistic energy which he feeds on, considering it a ‘personal project’. As part of the groundwork for this project, Vega erases the voicemail and record of the call from “Baby”s phone before they are aware of its existence in a bid to further isolate Ivan.

"Freelancer" has been hiding their powers from the world ever since they started to manifest. The feelings of isolation and frustration start to reach an untenable level. Caelum is assigned "Freelancer" as a charge and meets them for the first time.

A position opens in Ivan's department at Vesta. Seeing a chance to finally execute his plan, Vega begins the process of slowly manipulating Ivan's emotions and mindset to turn the human's innocent passing interest in one of the applicants into a dangerous obsession. Ultimately, Ollie is hired for the position at Vesta instead of the applicant Ivan desired.