School is all about youth: having fun, making friends and studying. In short, it means living your life to the fullest. It is because school life will only come once in your lifetime so what is wrong about enjoying it as much as possible? That is my motto and I also want others to enjoy their school life just like as I do.

  My name is Miroka, an average senior high school student at Eiyuu Private Academy. It has been 3 months since my first school year started here so I now have some good friends…but that boy is not the same as me.

  “Miroka?” Amy called with a sudden teasing grin on her face. “Are you listening to me?”

  “Huh? Of course I’m listening,” I replied with a slight flustered expression.

  Right now, my three friends and I are chatting inside the classroom just like usual before the morning class starts. I am sitting on my own seat, Amy is sitting on my desk, Minnie is standing right before me and Kaye is on my right side, sitting on her seat.

  “You’re staring at that loner again, aren’t you?” Kaye said and looked at the boy sitting on the farthest back.

  “You really like him, don’t you?” the three asked in unison.

  “You’re mistaken! I’m just…wondering why he avoids talking to everyone here,” I answered with a worried face and looked at him again.

  That boy is Zef, the one that we’re talking about. He is always alone and doesn’t even converse with anyone in class. On top of that, he is always expressionless so no one here knows what he is thinking.

  “You are really kind Miroka but just forget about him. He is just anti-social and that’s not really rare,” Minnie said with a smile and continued the conversation.

  Forget about him, huh. Is that the right thing to do? Of course not! I have to start doing something!

  After the class finally ended, Zef stood up just like usual and walked towards the door to go home.

  “Miroka, let’s go the mall!” Kaye suggested while still sitting.

  I then stood up and before I know it, Zef already left the classroom.

  “Yeah, let’s go!” Minnie enthusiastically agreed as she walks towards our seats.

  “Sorry but I have something to do so please go without me,” I said and hurried outside. After I exited the door of the classroom, he can no longer be found walking in the hallway. When I looked outside the window, he is already on the grounds, walking towards the gate.

  “How fast! But I’m not giving up! I’m gonna talk to him before this day ends!” I shouted all fired up and ran the hallway, descended the stairs and finally caught up to him after I got out of the exit gate of our school.

  “Zef!” I shouted as I ran towards him. He just gave me a glimpse and immediately turned around the corner.

  “Hey, wait for me!” I screamed with an exhausted expression as I hurry towards him but when I turned right, he is now nowhere to be found.

  “Huh? Where did he go?” I reacted with a surprised expression as I look around the residential area. I wonder if he’s avoiding me.

  “I shouldn’t give up! I swear that I’ll find him and talk to him before this day ends!” I once again shouted and started walking around the area.

  Suddenly, the sky turned black and the whole residential area got surrounded by an eerie ambiance.

  “Wh-wh-what just happened?” I whispered and cling to my bag out of fear.

  Now that I noticed it, where are the usual people here in the residential area? When did it become a ghost town?

  I decided to continue walking carefully while looking for somebody. As I advance the area, I felt a sudden chill on my whole body and when I look above, I saw a giant violet flame shaped like a distorted ghost.

  “Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!”

  Because of my sudden scream, the violet flame noticed me and immediately flew towards me.

  “No, no, don’t come near me!” I screamed and ran away as fast as I can.

  What’s happening here? I have to run or it will get me!

  I ran like crazy but unexpectedly tripped. I then fell on the ground and before I know it, the flame is now before me, staring at me like it’s evaluating me. A cold sweat appeared on my face as we stare at each other.

  *You will do!!!!* the flame screamed and opened its mouth as wide as it can.

  “Help!!!” I shouted without knowing if help will really come or not.

  *slash*

  Suddenly, a gust of wind circled around the area and the flame got cut into two.

  “How did you enter this dark barrier?” a familiar guy asked after his sword from earlier transformed into a small cross.

  “Zef!” I reacted with a relieved expression.

  “Anyway, you don’t need to be scared anymore,” Zef said and turned his back to me. I then stood up and looked at the flame that has been sliced earlier.

  “It’s…regenerating?” I asked with widened eyes.

  “Well, Genesis damaged it really bad alright. All that is left is to perform the last ritual,” he answered with his usual poker face.

  “Anyway, what is happening here? What is that thing?”

  “Simply put, it’s a ghost that is planning to possess you,” he answered casually.

  “What?” I reacted with a very surprised expression.

  “A normal ghost like this shouldn’t be this big so it should be a very bad one who committed really bad deeds in its previous life.”

  “Th-then, what are you?” I asked and the ghost returned to its normal state before getting sliced.

  Suddenly, Zef jumped towards the ghost and thrust his cross forward.

  “To the afterlife!” he shouted and the flame got dragged inside the cross. It took more than ten seconds before the flame completely vanished. When Zef landed on the ground in a crouching position, the sky returned back to normal.

  The phenomenon left my mouth hanging open, unable to process what just happened.

  Zef then stood up and faced me with his usual expressionless face.

  “I’m an exorcist,” he finally answered with a serious expression.

  Suddenly, I woke up in bed and lifted my upper body upright. Right now, I’m inside my room.

  “So…that’s a dream,” I said in a sleepy tone.

  Exorcist, huh.

  “Of course that’s not a dream!” I reacted and hurried preparing for school.

  I don’t know how did he bring me back here but I’m sure that everything that happened yesterday was real.

  Just after I reached the front gate of Eiyuu, I immediately saw Zef. I then ran towards him and asked, “How did you bring me back to my house? And on top of that, I can’t remember anything after you told me that you’re an exorcist! What did you do to me?”

  “You still remember up until that part?” he asked with a slight surprised face.

  “I knew it!” I shouted in a loud voice with furrowed eyebrows.

  “I mean…I don’t know what you’re talking about. Maybe you’re still half-asleep,” he replied casually and continued walking.

  “Hey, wait!”

  He then continued avoiding me the whole day. Finally, when the class ended, I stood up, prepared to question him once again.

  “Miroka want to go with us this time?” Kaye asked to me with a smile.

  Just as I predicted, Zef once again hurried outside.

  “Sorry but I have to do something again. Maybe next time,” I answered with a serious face and chased after Zef.

  “Zef!” I shouted as I chase him. I finally caught up after we reached the residential area.

  “Why are you following me again?” he asked without slowing down his pace.

  “I said wait, I’m nearly at my limit,” I said with an exhausted expression.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I already said that a couple of times already, right?” he replied without discarding his poker face.

  “Anyway, this residential area is always deserted. Where are the usual people here?”

  “I don’t know and please don’t follow me.”

  “I won’t stop following you until you explain everything,” I answered with a pout.

  Suddenly, Zef looked at the west side of the area with a serious face.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked with a puzzled face.

  “I remembered something urgent so I’m leaving now. Don’t even try to follow me,” Zef said and sprinted away. He is so fast that catching up would be next to impossible.

  When Zef managed to get away from me, he immediately saw a girl around our age, wearing a witch outfit. She is floating in mid-air because of the broom that she is currently riding.

  “Oh~. Long time no see, Zeffy~,” she said in a playful tone after removing her black mask.

  “What are you doing here, Claire?” Zef asked with a serious expression.

  “Jeez~. Why are you asking a question that you already know the answer? It’s obviously because of this,” she said and showed him a violet flame in her left hand.

  “So I’m already late,” Zef reacted with irritation.

  “Witches are the nemesis of exorcists. If exorcists send spirits to the afterlife, witches eat spirits to gain youth. You still remember that, I’m sure,” Claire said with a smile.

  Zef then pulled out his cross on his pocket and readied to fight.

  “This spirit looks really~ tasty. Do you know that this lived in this world for 50 years? That means that if I ate this, I will gain 500 hours of youth,” she continued while playing the spirit on her hand.

  “I know that all of the witches want eternal life but don’t you realize that if you ate that spirit, it can no longer reach the afterlife?”

  “I don’t care about something like that. My youth is the most important thing in this world after all~.”

  “Tch.”

  “But for starters~…”

  Suddenly, she flew very fast towards the post where I’m currently hiding.

  “Did you know~? If a human saw the face of a witch…she is bound to die that exact day?” Claire said and brought out a wand. She then pointed it to my forehead and the tip started glowing.

  “Later, doll,” she said with a smile and the tip of her wand started glowing.

  “Why don’t you…die instead!” I shouted and punched Claire on the face, strong enough to send her flying away.

  Claire managed to stop in mid-air by swinging her broom to cushion the impact.

  “You bitch! That’s my face!” she shouted with an extremely pissed face.

  Before I realized it, my eyes turned into red, meaning that ‘she’ borrowed my body once again.

  “You said that you will kill Miroka earlier, right? Let’s see who will die today, witch!” I replied and cracked my knuckles.

  “What is with your strength? Are you telling me that you are just a human?” Claire asked, clearly surprised by my strength.

  Zef then dashed towards me and said, “Miroka, run now while there’s still a chance. Leave the rest to me.”

  “Are you fuckin’ kidding me? I won’t leave here until I beat the crap out of that witch,” I replied with a pissed expression.

  “Your character sure has changed,” he commented with a poker face.

  “It looks like you are not that surprised,” I asked with a serious expression.

  “I’m the one who should say that. Why aren’t you surprised that witches are real?”

  “Of course I’m surprised! Who do you think has a surprised expression between the two of us?”

  “I will let you decide,” he replied without discarding his poker face.

  “Stone-face,” I muttered because of his expression that doesn’t even change no matter what happens.

  “What the heck is that?”

  “Anyway, I’m the older sister of Miroka, Furoka. Nice to meet you, stone-face,” my older sister said while she’s taking over my body.

  “So that is the reason why you could enter a dark barrier yesterday. You have a spirit that currently possesses you,” Zef whispered without changing his usual expression.

  “Did you forget that I’m still here?” Claire asked with a forced smile.

  “I forgot about you, witch. Sorry about that,” Furoka replied with a mocking smile.

  “You…” Claire reacted with a pissed face.

  “Anyway, I have something to do so help me out,” Zef said to Furoka.

  “Something to do?”

  “I have to get that spirit in her hand. You’re already familiar with it, right?”

  “So that’s how the normal one looks like. Anyway, the only way to get that is to beat the crap out of her, you know,” Furoka replied with a sudden excited smile.

  “Then, let’s do that,” Zef replied.

  “Let me remind you something, Zeffy~. Did you beat me even once before?” Claire asked and landed on the ground. The broom then transformed into a card and she hid it inside her pocket.

  “Why did she hide her broom? With that, she can escape anytime, right?” Furoka asked to Zef.

  “Well, witches are full of pride after all. Running away from a fight is against their principle. And that is also their weakness.”

  “Zeffy~, I don’t need to run away from someone as weak as you, you know~.”

  “As always, she is really irritating,” Zef reacted with an annoyed expression.

  “So she can only use her right hand right now. This should be easy,” Furoka commented and made a fighting stance.

  “Don’t underestimate her. That wand is her main weapon after all. Even if she can only use that, she is already quite strong compared to your average witch.”

  “I see. I’ll be careful.”

  “So you are really serious about fighting,” Zeff whispered.

  “Did you say something?” Furoka asked.

  “Anyway, don’t do something reckless,” he followed with a serious expression.

  “I can’t promise that,” Furoka replied with a smile.

  “Jeez. Hear me holy spirits roaming through heaven and earth. By the light covenant, I command you: lend me the sword that can pierce through darkness with its holy valor: the sword of Origin, Genesis!”

  After Zef recited that short incantation, his cross transformed into a sword with a bright white blade.

  “Hey, that cross is SO cool!” Furoka reacted with a slight surprised face.

  “Well, thanks. Let’s go!” Zef said and dashed towards Claire.

  “Hey! Wait!” Furoka shouted and followed his lead.

  “Don’t disappoint me, Zeffy,” Claire said and pointed her wand to Zef’s direction.

  "Explosion Magic: Skull Bomb!”

  Suddenly, a skull-shaped bomb appeared before Zef and laughed derisively. Just before it exploded, he managed to jump up to avoid the impact.

  "You're mine!" Furoka shouted just after she closed the distance between her and Claire. Furoka then prepared for a big swing.

  "Boosting Magic: Light Flight!" Claire said with a smile.

  Just when Furoka thought that she landed a hit, Claire teleported behind her.

  "Miroka, watch out!" Zef screamed.

  "Earth Magic: Boulder Mallet!" Claire shouted and pointed her wand up in the air. After a split second, a hammer-shaped rock appeared above Furoka and smashed her.

  "Like…I…said…I’m…Furoka!" Furoka retorted and lifted the hammer with her two hands

  "Wow~. You're quite strong for a human, doll," Claire commented with an amused face.

  "It is still early to be surprised!" Zef shouted and sprinted towards Claire. The hammer then disappeared into thin air and she shifted her wand towards him.

  "Lightning Magic: Zap Laser!"

  Zef managed to dodge the laser by jumping up diagonally and when he’s about to fall before her, he held the sword with his two hands and prepared for a big slash.

  "Metal Magic: Steel Tower!" Claire shouted.

  “Ha!”

  When Zef swung his sword towards Claire, a metal post appeared before him and stopped his attack in mid-air. Zef then landed on the ground and swung his sword to cut the pole in half. It then vanished, leaving Claire with an amused expression.

  "Not bad, Zeffy~."

  "You've learned a lot of troublesome basic magic after our last fight," Zef commented with a serious expression.

  "I still can't find a 'grimalkin card' so learning lots of basic magic is a must in order to beat anyone with just only a wand."

  "Well, I hope that you won't find it for eternity."

  "Why thank you for the encouragement, Zeffy~," Claire replied and pointed her wand to Furoka’s direction.

  "Explosion Magic: Reaper Blast!"

  *boom*

  "Furoka!"

  After the explosion, Furoka fell on the ground unconscious with her clothes slightly torn apart because of the impact.

  "Claire!" Zef reacted with a very pissed expression.

  "Don't look at me with that kind of face, Zeffy~. I didn't kill her. I just made her lose consciousness."

  Zef then leaped towards Claire and slashed her with his sword. After that, she fell on one knee and whispered, "It hurts."

  "..."

  "...is that what you want me to say?" she said and laughed out loud. She then stood up and continued talking.

  "The sword of origin: Genesis lets you cut any object no matter how hard it is. It is indeed a strong weapon but...it only stings a bit if used on humans and witches. It is not a good choice for fighting a witch like me. How long will I say that to you before you learn?"

  “The sword Genesis is created for the safety of humans and not to harm them. And that logic also applies for witches. Of course I know that!” Zef replied and then sprinted towards her with his sword held in both hands.

  "Boosting Magic: Light Flight."

  "This time, I will not let you get away with that spirit!" Zef shouted and swung his sword around. Claire dodged all of it perfectly, without even receiving a graze.

  "Well, this would be interesting if you suddenly used Exodus as a surprise."

  "Just so you know, I haven’t unlocked the Exodus yet."

  "To think that I am the only one who is working to become stronger...Metal Magic: Steel Edge!"

  Her wand then transformed into a blade and sent Zef’s sword flying with a swing.

  "I misjudged you, Zef," she continued with a serious face.

  "..."

  "And with this, it's now over," she shouted and prepared to swing her blade towards Zef.

  "Furoka!"

  "Leave it to me!" Furoka shouted and kicked Claire on the face, strong enough to send her flying and let go of the violet flame on her hand. After she landed on the floor in a sitting position, she looked at Furoka with an irritated face.

  Zef then grabbed the flame using his left hand and said, "Game over, Claire."

  "How can you...still stand?" Claire asked to Furoka with a surprised face.

  "That weak explosion? Do you think that something like that can knock me out?"

  "She lost consciousness alright. You just woke up now, didn't you?" Zef asked to Furoka.

  "Shut up, Stone-face!"

  "This is not the end yet!" Claire said and stood up.

  "Furoka, I will be defenseless while sealing this spirit! I will leave Claire to you!"

  "Got it!" Furoka replied with a smirk.

  Zef then started the ritual that will send the spirit to the afterlife. Meanwhile...

  "You made the wrong decision, Zeffy. Letting a mere human guard you while you are vulnerable, how pathetic! I will dispose the both of you with one attack!" she said and brought out a card. It then transformed into an old brown book and opened on itself.

  "Advance Magic!"

  The pages then flipped incredibly fast and stopped on a specific page.

  "Hey, I have a bad feeling about this," Furoka said to Zef with a slight nervous expression.

  "Fire Magic, Wind Magic, Explosion Magic, Boosting Magic, Life Magic…form as one!"

  Suddenly, a bird-shaped flame appeared above Claire and roared like an eagle.

  "What the hell is that?" Furoka reacted with a surprised expression.

  "Farewell," Claire said and pointed her wand towards us.

  "That looks strong but…" Furoka replied with a challenged smile and made a fighting stance.

  "Creation Magic: Immortal Phoenix!" Claire shouted and the Phoenix flew towards me.

  “I think there’s no choice but to use it. Eat my killer move--”

  “Leave the rest to me, Furoka,” Zef interrupted, making Furoka back off.

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  “Zef? You’re finish already?” Furoka asked with a slight surprised face.

  “My new time record is 15 seconds. It’s 2 seconds earlier last time.”

  Just before the Phoenix swallowed us whole, Zef sprinted before it and summoned the third weapon of exorcists.

  "Absolute Defense: Leviticus!"

  “That’s--!” Claire reacted with a surprised face.

  The phoenix charged towards his new-formed shield and tried to push him.

  “Hear me Holy spirits roaming through heaven and earth. By the light covenant, I command you: Nullify everything that opposes this invincible relic!”

  After that, the Phoenix disappeared after being swallowed by the shield in Zef’s right arm.

  “The shield that can render any kinds of attack useless, Leviticus…Zef!” Claire shouted with a pissed face.

  “What’s the matter?” Zef asked with a poker face.

  “That is the third weapon of exorcists! You can’t unlock that without unlocking the Exodus first!”

  “That’s what the elders thought too but you see…I’m an irregular. The chronological way of unlocking weapons doesn’t apply to me.”

  “That’s…”

  “That’s the truth.”

  “Also, I know the secret of that shield! You can’t negate an attack without knowing how much magic the witch had applied to that. How did you negate that attack?”

  “Let me be the one to ask a question. How many times did you show me that move again?”

  “Are you saying that you managed to know it just by seeing it twice?”

  “You’re not the only one who trained hard for this day, Claire.”

  Suddenly, Claire laughed very loudly and stopped after a while.

  “Next time we meet, I’m not gonna go easy on you, Zeffy~,” she said with a smile and summoned her broom.

  “Next time, huh,” Zef whispered.

  “And also, you found a strong combat partner,” she continued and looked at Furoka.

  “Combat what?” Furoka repeated with a clueless face.

  “I’m looking forward to our next fight so later, Doll,” she said and flew away.

  “You did a good job, Furo…hey. What’s wrong?”

  “Huh? It looks like…Miroka’s body couldn’t take the fatigue anymore,” Furoka said with staggering legs and started falling to the ground.

  She then fell on Zef’s arms and whispered, “I’m gonna sleep to recover so later, Stone-face.”

  “Hey, Furoka! Are you okay?”

  “…”

  “So she really fell asleep. Jeez. Why are you still fine after getting caught in that explosion?” Zef whispered to himself. He then healed me using his cross and carried me towards my house.

  “Z-Zef?” I reacted after waking up once again in my room. This time, I managed to wake up before the sun sets.

  “You finally woke up,” Zef whispered with his usual poker face while standing up near my bed.

  “Uhmmm…” I whispered shyly because of what happened earlier.

  “You’re…Miroka right now, correct?”

  “Y-yes,” I said and made a sad expression.

  “Furoka…the one that possessed you earlier is your big sister, right?”

  “That’s…right. She is 2 years older than me and passed away when I was still 13 years old.”

  “That locket…” Zef said while looking at the locket on my chest.

  “This is a memento of her.”

  “So that is what they call a ‘Spirit Gate’, at least in your case.”

  “Spirit Gate?” I asked with a clueless face.

  “That is the one who is preventing Furoka to reach the afterlife. If you destroyed that thing—”

  “I won’t let you destroy my locket!” Furoka suddenly retorted with a pissed expression.

  “Do you still have some regrets in this world?” Zef asked, not even surprised from the sudden change.

  “I still have to protect Miroka. Until she can protect herself, I won’t leave her,” Furoka replied seriously.

  Suddenly, Zef then opened my room’s window and whispered, “Protect, huh.”

  “Hey, what are you…this is the second floor you know!”

  “Protecting someone is not a bad thing. Just do your best so you won’t regret anything afterwards,” he said and jumped outside.

  “That boy…sure is strange,” Furoka said and my eye color returned to normal.

  “But…he’s a good person,” I whispered with a smile.

  The next day, I found myself heading towards Enchanted City to meet my three friends. We decided to hang-out there today because we couldn’t do it last time. Our meeting place is at the front of the entrance and I got there first.

  “Well, I’m 10 minutes early after all,” I said to myself as I watch the people entering the park. I decided to wear a blue one piece dress and black knee socks with black shoes.

  “Just as I expected, you’re the first one here,” Minnie said after arriving. She is wearing a red blouse designed with frills partnered with white mini-skirt.

  “I just arrived here,” I replied with a smile.

  “Hey, you two,” Kaye waved as she head towards us. She is wearing white long sleeves, short shorts and cream sandals. “So Amy is still not here.”

  “Sorry, I’m late!” Amy shouted from far away as she hurries towards us. She is wearing an off-shoulder pink blouse partnered with black leggings.

  When she reached us, Minnie asked, “So let’s go?”

  “Let’s go!” all three of us answered with a smile.

  In our country, Enchanted City is the biggest amusement park with a land area of around 17 hectares. It is divided into seven areas, each have different themes of their own. Just after entering the palace-like gate entrance and wearing the wrist tag, the grandiose fountain welcomed us with its water squirting very high in height.

  “How beautiful~,” we all said in amazement.

  “So, on what area should we go first?” I asked to the three.

  “Well, the nearest is the ‘Magic Town’ so how about that place?” Minnie answered.

  “Magic Town? What kind of rides can we see there?” Kaye asked after tilting her head slightly.

  “Well, I think the most famous ride there is the grand carousel,” Minnie answered with a smile.

  “Really? Then, let’s go! I want to ride that!” Amy announced excitedly.

  We then looked at each other with a smile and said, “Let’s do that.”

  After that, we roamed around the ‘Magic Town’. Apparently, there are lots of stores here where you can buy souvenirs, foods, merchandise and others. We just bought some random stuffs like key chains, small stuffed toys of the mascot ‘Owl Master’ and even pens and stickers. Then, we rode the grand carousel and took a selfie with Master Owl in the streets.

  “So where should we go next?” Amy asked to us.

  “Since it’s still early, how about we now go to ‘Ariatopia’ so we can be the first one in line on their famous ‘Sonicoaster’?” Minnie suggested.

  “Finally! Yeah, let’s go!” Kaye replied with an excited smile.

  “You see, I’m not that good at rides like that,” I whispered to Amy.

  “Well, me too but since this is our first time here, let’s just have fun and try everything that we can,” Amy replied with a smile.

  “You’re right. Let’s go,” I answered with a smile and we started walking towards our next destination.

  After arriving at the area, we immediately rode the sonicoaster, air drop, disk ride, pendulum ship, flying swing and other extreme rides that my legs got numb from the endless weightlessness.

  “But more importantly…” I whispered. “Why are you three the one who can’t even stand now?”

  Right now, the three of them are sitting on a bench while I’m standing before them.

  “Everything is spinning~~~,” Minnie whispered with eyes clearly spinning.

  “We…got…carried away…I feel sick,” Kaye said in a very exhausted face.

  “Just…time out. Let us rest a bit,” Amy followed in a dizzy expression.

  “Jeez. I’m gonna buy you some drinks so wait for me here,” I said and started to search for a vending machine. After roaming for awhile, I saw an unexpected character in the park.

  “Zef!” I reacted after I saw the guy, wearing red polo shirt and black jeans.

  Because he is far, he didn’t notice me. I wonder if he’s here just to have fun.

  “I want to know why,” I whispered and started tailing him. Then, before I know it, we are now at the ‘Haunted Village’ area.

  “Just as I thought, this is the area where he’ll go,” I commented as I hid behind a stall. I then continued following him and at last, he stopped from walking. He stopped before the most famous attraction here in this area, the ‘Nightmare House’.

  “Maybe…I should not follow him this time,” I said with a forced chuckle.

  He then entered it and I got left behind near the entrance.

  “Why am I getting scared by this kind of attraction? The ghost that will try to scare me there are all fakes! I’ll enter and ask him why he’s here!” I said, trying my best to not be scared.

  After entering, all I can see is pitch black. I can’t even see the way.

  “Why isn’t there a single light anyway here?” I asked to myself as I advance really slowly. “But this feeling is really familiar.”

  This really reminds me when Zef saved me from that giant ghost.

  Suddenly, a hand tapped me from behind.

  “Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!”

  “Hey!” a familiar voice shouted to stop my scream.

  I then carefully faced him and said, “Zef?”

  “Why are you even here again?” he asked with furrowed eyebrows.

  “I saw you and got curious what you are doing here,” I answered.

  “Did you know that you are in a dark barrier again?”

  “Dark barrier? Like the one the other day?”

  “Yes. The reason why a ghost makes a dark barrier is to capture a human inside it. A ghost is powerless without possessing a human. All they can do is lift a single strand of hair using their power but when they possessed a human body, their powers will be boosted exponentially, enough to make tons of objects float in mid-air. That is why they need to find a human body which is compatible to them. The greater the compatibility, the stronger they get. That is why even though they’ve already possessed a body, they will still search for another one which is more compatible to them than their current vessel. And that person…is you.”

  “M-me?” I reacted with a really surprised face.

  “The only ones who can enter the dark barrier is an exorcist, a combat partner, the target of the ghost and of course, someone who has a ‘Spirit Gate’ like you. But this time, I can’t feel the presence of a human inside this barrier meaning that you’re the target of this ghost,” he continued with a serious face.

  Th-th-then, wh-wh-what should I do?” I asked very nervously.

  Zef then brought out the cross from his pocket and said, “Stay behind me at all cost. Understand?”

  Suddenly, a floating girl appeared before us. She is emitting a dark violet aura, making the area slight visible.

  “Wh-wh-wh-wh…” I reacted with a very shocked face after seeing her.

  “So that ghost already possessed a human just as I thought,” Zef whispered in an irritated face.

  *transfer* the ghost said with a spooky smile.

  “Listen, Miroka! A ghost can’t transfer out of whim into another body. The requirement for a transfer is that the target of the ghost, which is you in this situation, should be totally governed by fear. So don’t be scared because I’ll protect you at all cost!”

  After Zef pointed the cross to the ghost’s direction, a big white magic circle appeared on the floor.

  “Hear me holy spirits roaming through heaven and earth. By the light covenant, I command you: grant me the power to summon infinite chains that will bind this evil spirit without escape!”

  After the incantation, silver chains appeared from the big circle and surrounded the ghost.

  *useless*

  Suddenly, a gust of wind formed around the ghost and destroyed all of his chains.

  “Are you…kidding me?” Zef reacted with a surprised expression.

  “She easily destroyed your chains!” I reacted with widened eyes.

  “The ghost’s compatibility to its current body is quite high. That means that if it managed to transfer to your body, saving you will be close to impossible,” Zef said to me with a serious face. “That is why Furoka! Switch over now!”

  Before I know it, the ghost is now in front of me, smiling creepily.

  “Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!”

  “Why you! Pierce through: Exodus!” Zef recited and the cross transformed into a dagger.

  He then sliced the ghost, drawing a sharp arc of light on its trajectory.

  *ahhhhhhhhhhh*

  “Let’s go!”

  He then grabbed my hand and ran away as fast as we can.

  “I thought that you haven’t unlocked that yet,” I said to him while we’re running.

  “I just unconsciously summoned the ‘Exodus’ for the first time. I’m just lucky, that’s all.”

  “Anyway, couldn’t you beat that ghost with that dagger?”

  “Exodus can only paralyze ghost and can only maintain its form during an attack. Meaning, it only serves as an assist for my combat partner or in this case, to retreat away from the enemy while he or she can’t move.”

  “So why didn’t you use the Genesis instead? That can damage the ghost really bad, right?”

  “That won’t damage the ghost here because this time, it is inside a human body. Anyway, where is Furoka? If she took over, the chance that the ghost can possess you will be much lower.”

  “You see, sometimes, she is sleeping inside me so...”

  “What?” Zef reacted with a surprised face.

  *transfer*

  Before we know it, the ghost is now before us.

  “It’s already healed?” I reacted with a scared expression.

  “Don’t be scared!” Zef said and hid me behind him.

  *I’ll…kill you!*

  “Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!”

  “Miroka!”

  I then lost consciousness and fell on the floor.

  *I…win!*

  “Darn it! I don’t know if I can now control this but…I need the power of ‘Numbers’ now!” Zef shouted and a gust of wind started to circle him. “Hear me holy spirits roaming through heaven and earth. By the light covenant, I command you--”

  “Don’t you dare…scare the hell out of Miroka!” Furoka suddenly shouted and leapt forward. She then punched the ghost on its face, strong enough to send it flying. After that, she landed on the floor and looked at Zef with a very pissed face.

  “What the hell are you doing, stone-face? At least protect Miroka while I am sleeping!”

  “Hey, Furoka. You’re as strong as always, aren’t you?” Zef greeted with a poker face.

  “Of course I am. Nobody can beat me in a fight, you know,” Furoka replied with a confident smile.

  *fear*

  “It’s back!” Zef shouted after the ghost recovered from Furoka’s attack.

  “Wha--” Furoka reacted while slowly floating up into the air.

  *fear!*

  Furoka then got slammed into the wall with a bang, strong enough for her to vomit blood.

  “Furoka!”

  Furoka then landed on the floor and looked at the ghost with a very pissed face.

  “This freak…”

  “Furoka! Are you okay?” Zef said and went before her.

  “Huh? Of course I’m not! Can’t you tell just by looking?”

  “If you can still shout like that, you’re perfectly okay.”

  “Shut up! How can that thing make me float without touching me anyway?”

  “That is the power of a ghost. But there are some that are not affected by that power.”

  “Huh?"

  “She can’t use that power in an exorcist like me…and a combat partner.”

  “Combat…partner?” Furoka repeated and stood up while wiping her mouth stained with blood.

  “It can’t be helped. If you became my combat partner temporarily, the ghost can’t possess Miroka’s body anymore. This is better than letting her got possessed, right?”

  “That’s a good idea of course but anyway, if I become one, I can fight her in equal footing, right?” Furoka asked with a sudden motivated expression.

  “Jeez. Yes you can. This is the relic of a combat partner, ‘Combat Ring,” Zef said and brought out a gold ring with a small circular clear glass embedded on it.

  “So if I wear that ring, I can fight with all of my heart’s content, right?” Furoka asked excitedly.

  “So all you want to do is fight…”Zef whispered with a sigh.

  “Give me that!” Furoka said and grabbed it.

  “Hey!”

  She then wore it on her left ring finger and looked at the ghost that suddenly appeared before us.

  “You’re dead!” Furoka said with an evil smirk.

  *reject*

  “Now, she can’t transfer to Miroka’s body. The relics (cross of light and combat bracelet) serve as the protection for exorcists and their combat partners so they can’t be possessed by a ghost,” Zef explained to me. “Anyway, buy me three minutes!”

  “I don’t know why but okay!” Furoka replied and leapt towards the ghost.

  “Now, I can perform any kinds of capturing ritual that I already mastered because I now have a combat partner that can buy time for me. In the past, the only capturing ritual that I can perform is the ‘Infinite Chains’ because that is the only one that doesn’t leave me defenseless after reciting the incantation. Now, I can do this ritual! Hear me holy spirits roaming through heaven and earth. By the light covenant, I command you: grant me the power to summon the spectrum room that will trap this spirit without escape! First room, red wall!”

  While Zef is reciting the incantation, Furoka is now exchanging punches and kicks with the ghost. Even though the ghost can fly around, she can still land powerful attacks because she is now capable of jumping very high. So this ring also increases someone’s strength exponentially.

  “Second room, orange wall!”

  “You’re one tough opponent!” Furoka shouted and punched the ghost on its face but the ghost managed to counter it by punching her on the face too. Because of this, they both flew towards the opposite direction of each other.

  “Third room, yellow wall!”

  “Hey, Zef! Are you not done yet?” Furoka asked and stood up.

  “Just another minute!”

  The ghost then flew towards Furoka and grabbed her head. It then slammed her repeatedly on the wall.

  “Fourth room, green wall!”

  After a while, Furoka managed to grab the ghost's head and slammed it on the floor. She then kicked it, strong enough to send it flying away.

  “Fifth room, blue wall!”

  “I’m not done yet!” Furoka shouted and sprinted towards the ghost.

  She then grabbed the ghost by its collar and sent it flying towards Zef.

  “I’ll leave the rest to you!” she shouted with a smile.

  “Last room, indigo wall!” Zef said and smiled slightly.

  “Exactly three minutes!” Furoka shouted.

  “Spectrum room complete!”

  After the incantation finished, a box with different colors at each side appeared and captured the ghost.

  *no!*

  “To the afterlife!!!”

  The ghost then screamed inside and after a while, the violet light that enveloping it disappeared.

  "Mission complete," Zef announced with a serious expression.

  After he caught the body of the possessed girl in his arms, the dark barrier perished and the lights on the floor finally reappeared.

  “So this girl is a staff here,” Furoka commented as she stares at the girl wearing the white uniform of the staffs here. “Anyway, you have lots of techniques to use, huh. There’s that weak chain and there’s the colorful box.”

  “Well, normally, ‘Infinite Chains’ is enough to capture ghost but the enemy this time is really strong. That is why it managed to destroy my chains so easily. On the other hand, the ‘Spectrum Room’ is much better compared to it when capturing ghost. All I have to do is point the exact location of the ghost using my cross and the box will appear there and catch it unlike the ‘Infinite Chains’ where I have to control all of its movements.”

  "And this..." Furoka said and showed him the ring on her finger.

  With that, you’ve become my Combat Partner. But…that’s only for today. Give me that back,” Zef said and reached out his hand.

  "I won’t give this back! There are more strong ones like that, right?" she asked with a sudden excited face.

  “Hey. If you became my Combat Partner, who knows what danger we will face in the near future. I won’t--”

  “Are you saying that you are fine to face that danger alone?” Furoka asked with a sudden serious face.

  “That’s…”

  “…”

  “I’m always alone. I’m used to it,” he replied with a serious yet slight melancholic expression.

  “Moron. You’re not alone anymore,” Furoka replied with a smile.

  “Moron?” Zef reacted with a slight surprised face. My eyes then returned to normal and I gave Zef a gentle smile.

  “And also, I will make sure that we will come to your aide no matter what happens. I need to repay you for helping me after all,” I said.

  “So you too Miroka…” Zef said with a sigh.

  “That is why don’t you ever left me behind when there’s a fight!” Furoka followed after suddenly taking over without a notice but immediately let me took over again.

  “Well, at least you two agree with each other. And I’m sure that you’ll follow me again even if I don’t give you that ring. So you win. You’re now my Combat Partner, Miroka and Furoka,” he announced with a wry smile.

  “You can count on me from now on, partner,” I said with a smile.

  “So let’s go home?”

  “Wait…” I said after realizing something that I forgot. “I left my three friends in a bench.”

  The next day, Zef immediately called me and said it’s now time for my first job. Because of it, I am now standing in front of Eiyuu just before it got dark. After a minute, Zef finally arrived.

  “You’re here early,” Zef said after arriving.

  “I just got here,” I replied with a smile. “Anyway, what are going to do now?”

  “Witch hunting,” Zef replied with his usual poker face.

  “What?” I reacted with a surprised face. Then, Furoka took over.

  “Now that’s more like it!” Furoka followed with a very excited smile. “So who is our lucky target?”

  “This girl,” Zef replied and showed her a photo of a beautiful girl around twenties.

  “So where can we find that girl?”

  “Well, just follow me first,” he replied and started walking.

  “Then, I will let Miroka took over for now. I will take over once the mission started,” Furoka said and I returned once again.

  “So exorcists also hunt witches,” I said to Zef after following his lead.

  “Usually, we don’t but this case is an exception.”

  “Exception? Why?”

  “Because that girl stole a combat ring.”

  “So witches can use that without the permission of the exorcist?”

  “Yes, anyone can use it except exorcists. And apparently, she is now in this city. That is why every exorcist here got ordered to search for her and retrieve what she stole.”

  “Is she…stronger that Claire?” I asked with a slight nervous expression.

  “Yeah, maybe even thrice,” he replied seriously.

  “Th-then, this mission is dangerous. Can’t we go with other exorcists in this area? That way, it will be much safer, right?” I asked, scared.

  “Yeah, the order is to form groups but I want to catch her without asking for help from another exorcist.”

  “But why?”

  “We’re here,” Zef announced after we stopped in front of an abandoned building. It looks really old and might even collapse if a weak earthquake occurred.

  “Are you telling me that the one that we’re looking for is already here?” I asked with a sudden nervous face.

  “Nope but we can train you inside,” he said and opened the creaking gate.

  “Hey, is it safe to enter this place?” I asked with a worried expression.

  “Just follow me, he replied with his usual poker face.

  We then entered the place and I found a big open space, probably twice the size of a basketball court.

  “I know that we can’t beat that witch with our current strength. That is why we have to improve our fighting style,” he explained and brought out his cross from his pocket.

  “A-are we really doing this?” I asked with a nervous appearance.

  “Yeah. Anyway, where’s Furoka?”

  “Well, she just woke up. Furoka?” I called and my eyes suddenly turned red.

  “So how about we have a match? You want do to that right?” Zef asked to Furoka with his usual expressionless face.

  Furoka then yawned and did light stretching. After that, she gave me a big smirk and said, “So I can now finally fight you.”

  “So should we start this?”

  “Bring it on!” Furoka shouted and instantly covered the distance between her and Zef.

  Then, she threw a powerful left swing right at Zef’s face. But Zef managed to avoid it just by tilting his head slightly.

  “Did I say that we can start now?” Zef asked with a serious expression.

  “Wha—” Furoka reacted, clearly surprised from the fact that Zef dodged it effortlessly.

  “Pierce through, Exodus!” he shouted and Furoka got sliced by the sudden formed dagger.

  Furoka then took a couple of steps backward while her hand is on her waist.

  “That…hurts,” she muttered and looked at where the dagger sliced her.

  “Don’t worry. It won’t leave any wound or scratch. You will be just standing there, paralyzed for a couple of seconds,” Zef explained and held his cross with both hands.

  “I…really can’t move,” Furoka whispered, clearly paralyzed from the quick attack of Zef.

  “Hear me holy spirits roaming through heaven and earth. By the light covenant, I command you: lend me the sword that can pierce through darkness with its holy valor: the sword of Origin, Genesis!” Zef recited and his cross transformed into a sword with a bright white blade.

  “Hey, that sword can’t damage me!” Furoka shouted, clearly irritated because of what Zef summoned.

  “I already told you, right? This is just training. You just have to give your opponent a clean hit and it’s your win. Are you fine with that?” he asked seriously.

  “Jeez, fine. Now, come!” Furoka shouted after bracing herself.

  “…”

  But Zef didn’t charge towards her. He just stood there in a fighting stance with his sword.

  “Hey, Stone-face! Why are you standing there? Did your whole body finally turned into stone?”

  “I’m waiting for you to recover,” he replied with his usual poker face.

  “What?” she reacted with a surprised yet slight frustrated look on her face.

  “…”

  “So…you’re…underestimating me?” she shouted and dashed towards Zef very fast.

  “Now that’s a quick recovery,” Zef whispered and took Furoka’s blow head on using the fuller of his sword. The impact is strong enough to make an explosion of smoke.

  “So you really are strong,” Furoka commented with a smirk.

  “I didn’t know that you’re underestimating me this whole time,” Zef replied with a poker face.

  “That is why…I’m going to take this seriously now!” she shouted and over-powered Zef with her punch.

  Zef then quickly jumped backward but Furoka read his move. She followed him by jumping forward.

  “Not bad!” Zef muttered and tried to cut Furoka. But she immediately crouched down and kicked Zef’s leg. He then lost his balance.

  “You’re wide open!” Furoka shouted and prepared to punch Zef.

  “Naive,” Zef whispered and rotated in mid-air. Then, Furoka got hit by a rotating-saw like attack.

  “Ahhhhh!” Furoka reacted after being hit by the sword.

  When Zef landed on the ground in a kneeling position, Furoka looked at him and said, “It’s your win” with a pout.

  “So the ring is still sleeping,” Zef whispered while thinking.

  I then took over my body and asked, “What do you mean sleeping?”

  “Every ‘Combat Ring’ has a unique power that supports its user. Some managed to fly, breath under the water, produce fire, summon weapons and lots more.”

  “Really?” I asked with shining eyes.

  “Well, in short, it grants the user the power perfect for him or her,” Zef continued.

  Then, my eyes turned into red once again.

  “Then, what are we waiting for? Let’s fight again to unlock the power of this ring,” Furoka said with an enthusiastic look.

  “Okay,” Zef replied with a slight smile and they continued the training. Unfortunately, the day ended without being successful to unlock the power of the ‘Combat Ring’.

  The next day, Zef got a lead on the location of the witch. That is why after our class, we immediately went to the said location.

  “Uhmmm, Zef, are you sure that we’re ready to face that witch?” I asked while we’re running.

  “Not really but we have no choice. We have to retrieve that ring as soon as possible,” he replied with a serious face.

  I then made a nervous face and Zef immediately noticed it.

  “Don’t worry. It is the exorcist’s duty to protect his combat partner. That is why believe in me and just do your job,” he said with a serious face.

  ”Yeah. Furoka heard that loud and clear.”

  “Not just her but you too. You two are my combat partners, right?” he followed like it is the most given fact in the world.

  “I…got it,” I said with a smile.

  “We’re here,” he said after he stopped from running.

  “Here?” I reacted because we’re still in the residential area. “Which house here?”

  “Someone just saw her around here. I just figure out that if a ghost suddenly appeared in this area, we can meet her,” Zef explained.

  “But how long do we have to wait for that to happen?” I asked, clearly not expecting that kind of plan.

  “Looks like that won’t be an issue anymore,” he replied after looking up in the sky.

  “A ghost!” I reacted after seeing a fist-sized violet flame floating up in the air above the sky.

  “Furoka!” Zef called.

  My eyes then turned into red and Furoka took over my body once again.

  “Leave it to me!” Furoka immediately replied excitedly and jumped as high as she can. But when she reached the peak of her jump, the ghost is still a couple of meters high.

  “Good job!” Zef said and jumped up too. He then stepped on Furoka’s right shoulder and once again jumped up.

  “Damn you, Stone face! Who said that I can be your stepping stone?” Furoka reacted furiously.

  But just before Zef managed to grab the ghost in his hand, a fire ball hit him.

  “Gahhaaa!” he reacted after receiving the damage. He then fell straight to the ground. Furoka then caught him.

  “Zef!” Furoka shouted with a worried expression. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, I’m fine,” Zef replied and both of them stood up.

  “My bad, lad. I really want this tasty meal so badly, you see,” a witch in a broom said with a smile. Then, the black cat on her shoulder jumped at the ghost and ate it whole.

  “Hey! That cat just ate the ghost!” Furoka reacted with a surprised face.

  The cat then landed on the witch’s lap and she immediately pet it.

  “Good work, Swartz,” she said with a smile.

  *meow*

  “That is a ‘grimalkin’. It serves as storage for a single ghost so witches don’t need to hold it until she managed to perform the ritual of eating it.”

  “So that is what Claire is looking for,” Furoka muttered.

  “Well, just delivering a strong blow to that cat and you can get the ghost back.”

  “Anyway, so this girl is our target, right?” Furoka said with an excited smile after cracking her knuckles.

  Zef then looked at the witch’s left ring finger and saw the stolen combat ring.

  “It is definitely her alright,” he replied with a serious face.

  “Ohhh~ So you two are here to retrieve this ring. Nice to meet you. My codename is ‘Wallflower’,” she said and jumped down. She left her cat and broom in mid-air.

  “Hear me holy spirits roaming through heaven and earth. By the light covenant, I command you: lend me the sword that can pierce through darkness with its holy valor: The sword of Origin, Genesis!” Zef muttered and his cross transformed into a sword with a bright white blade. “Let’s go, Furoka!”

  “Say that before saying your long lines!” Furoka replied with a smile as she already dashes towards Wallflower.

  “Jeez,” Zef whispered and followed Furoka’s lead.

  “Entertain me, youngsters,” she said and brought out her wand and a card. Then, the card transformed into an old brown book and opened on itself. "For starters…Intermediate Magic."

  The pages then flipped incredibly fast and stopped on a specific page.

  "Hey, not this again," Furoka said as she ran forward.

  "Fire magic and Water magic: Scald!" she said and pointed her wand towards Furoka. Then, a ball of blazing hot water got fired.

  “Na?ve,” Zef whispered and ran towards the attack. He then sliced it in two, making the attack useless.

  “Hohhh~” Wallflower reacted with a smile.

  “Furoka, just continue advancing,” he said and started running towards Wallflower.

  “Wha—Wait!” Furoka shouted and followed Zef.

  “Then, how about this? Earth magic and Explosion magic: Landslide!” Wallflower shouted and pointed her wand on top of us. Then, lots of rocks formed and started to fall towards us.

  “Hey, hey, hey!” Furoka reacted with a terrified face.

  “Let me handle this,” Zef said while both of them continue to run forward. His sword then transformed back into a cross and he pointed it towards the falling rocks. “Hear me Holy spirits roaming through heaven and earth. By the light covenant, I command you: Nullify everything that opposes this invincible relic! Absolute Defense: Leviticus!”

  Then, a silver shield formed and lit the whole area with a very white light. After that, the rocks vanished into thin air.

  “He nullified it completely?” Wallflower reacted with a surprised face.

  “I’m going to paralyze her using Exodus so you attack after that, got it?” Zef asked to Furoka.

  “Roger!” Furoka answered and both of them finally managed to get near Wallflower’s position.

  “Advance magic!” Wallflower shouted and the pages once again flipped very fast and stopped at a specific page. “Earth magic, water magic, wind magic, boosting magic, life magic…form as one!”

  “I’ve got a bad feeling about this!” Furoka shouted with a nervous face.

  “Creation Magic: Giant Clayman!” Wallflower shouted and a big clay shaped like a golem appeared behind her. “Pound them!”

  Then, the Giant Clayman delivered a punch, making both Zef and Furoka flew away and slid the ground painfully.

  “Zef, can’t you just make that giant disappear using your flashy shield?” Furoka asked after standing up.

  “I can’t do that. Giant Clayman requires different amount of magic to make it move. With each movement, different amount of magic is required. That is why the amount of magic the witch needs to give it is not constant unlike Immortal phoenix,” Zef explained with a serious face.

  “Then, are you saying that it has no weakness?” Furoka reacted with a surprised expression.

  “That is its weakness,” Zef followed.

  “Huh?”

  “Because it is really complicated to control, Wallflower’s magic power will run out sooner than she expected. We just have to hold on until that happens.”

  “I think you’re mistaken, lad,” Wallflower suddenly said after hearing our conversation.

  “What do you mean?” Zef asked with a serious face.

  “This is what this ring is for, you know,” Wallflower continued and showed the glowing combat ring in her finger. “This provides me unlimited amount of magic power.”

  “Are you…kidding me?” Zef reacted with a surprised face.

  “Then, why don’t you check it out for yourself. Let’s see if my giant can only last for a minute!” she said and pointed her wands towards us. Then, the giant once again prepared to punch us.

  “Furoka, let’s run!” Zef shouted.

  “What?” Furoka reacted.

  When the punch landed on the ground, both Zef and Furoka managed to dodge it by jumping up.

  After both of them landed, Zef said, “We can’t win this!”

  “Of course we can! It’s finally her time to show off,” Furoka replied with a smile.

  “Huh?” Zef reacted with a confused expression.

  Then, Furoka’s eyes returned back to normal. That’s right. I am now the one who is controlling my body again.

  “Wh-wh-wh-wh-wh-wh-wh-what are you doing Furoka?” I said in a very scared expression.

  “I see! So the reason why the combat ring won’t activate is because Furoka is the one controlling your body. You are my real combat partner so you should be able to awaken its power!” Zef said to me.

  “A-a-a-a-a-a-re you kidding me? You want me to activate this in this situation?” I asked, really nervous of the current situation.

  “Yes you can. After all, you’re my combat partner,” Zef said and gave me a smile.

  I have to…believe in myself. I can’t betray both Zef and Furoka’s expectation. I will—

  Suddenly, my whole body got surrounded by a golden torrent of aura.

  “That’s—” Zef reacted with a surprised look.

  Then, I concentrated as hard as I can and a giant golden aura in a shape of a human formed above me.

  “Hey, how cool! Now I am a giant all of a sudden!” Furoka reacted excitedly.

  “The ability to control Spirit Energy…the spirit shifter,” Zef whispered as he looks at the power that I finally unlocked.

  “Is this…the power of the ring?” I asked and look at Zef.

  “Yeah, you really did it. Now, let’s finish this, partner,” Zef said to me with a serious face.

  “Let’s go!” I said seriously and controlled Furoka’s aura to fight the giant.

  “Furoka, I will leave that giant to you!” Zef shouted as he heads to Wallflower’s location.

  “Got it!” she replied and punched the Clay Giant. It’s so strong that the giant fell on its knees.

  “This can’t be real!” Wallflower reacted with a really surprised expression.

  “And with this, it’s the end!” Furoka shouted and punched the Giant, so strong that it got completely destroyed.

  “No!” Wallflower shouted and pointed her wand towards Zef.

  “You’re slow!” he said and jumped forward. “Pierce through: Exodus!”

  When the dagger sliced Wallflower, the ring fell on the ground. I then picked it up and said, “Sorry.”

  “Sleep well!” Furoka shouted with a smile and sandwiched Wallflower with her two big hands. After that, Wallflower collapsed on the ground unconscious. Because of it, the broom and the cat fell down to the ground. After the cat landed, it immediately ran away out of fear. Also, the golden aura around me suddenly disappeared.

  “Thanks for your help, Furoka,” I said to my sister with a smile.

  “Miroka…” Zef said with a serious face.

  “Uhmmm. Here,” I said to Zef and showed him the ring without knowing what kind of expression to make.

  He then took it and muttered “You did a great job today, partner” with a smile.

  I then smiled and replied, “Thanks, partner.”

  Without us knowing, the cat unexpectedly reached the streets.

  “Class is really as boring just like usual,” Claire, who is currently wearing a school uniform, said with an exhausted look on her face.

  *meow*

  Then, she saw the black cat of Wallflower. The two just stared at each other for a minute.

  “So I finally found you, my grimalkin,” she said with sparkling eyes.

  After seeing that, the cat immediately ran away.

  “What? Hey, wait for me!” she said and chased after it.

  The next day, we already have our next job and that is to find a wanted exorcist who is using his powers for evil. As we ran towards the said hide out, Zef said, “Are you…enjoying this way of life?”

  “Huh? What is with that all of a sudden?” I asked with a puzzled look.

  “I mean, I dragged you into this dangerous world. Isn’t it better to just have a normal high school life?” he asked seriously.

  “I think…” I said while thinking and running.

  “…”

  “Yup. I found this more fun,” I replied with a genuine smile.

  “I see,” Zef whispered to himself with a smile. “Then, let’s go and finish this early!”

  “Yeah!”

  Youth is all about having fun. In short, it means living your life to the fullest. So…isn’t it more fun to spend your life in an extraordinary way?