Archive Projection

Rodney placed his hand on Yuri's arm. His eyes glowed with white color. His mouth went slightly agape before he closed his eyes and retracted his hand.

"Yuri, oh no," Rodney pursed his lips and hugged the thin boy.

"What happened?" Kagura asked with her usual stern voice.

Rodney looked at Yuri for confirmation. He sighed before he opened his palm, where a projection appeared. It was a scene from Yuri's past.

Rodney's Sanctity was named Archive Projection. He can see the memories of another person and he could project it through his hand. Since his ability wasn't harnessed enough, the projection looked like white holograms.

In Yuri's memory, he was playing in the garden and followed a butterfly. He was only a child back then, purely innocent. He lost track of time and heard the first siren. But he was lost inside the forest.

The second siren rang, and Yuri started to panic. His hands were shaking in fear. He was desperate to find a trail to follow, any trail back to their house.

When the third siren rang, a large lion-like Stained Soul appeared. Devin wasn't sure if it was the same lion who stalked him in the Purgatory. Stained Souls could take any form. And a lot of Stained Souls look alike.

Running away from the lion, Yuri's short legs couldn't take him far enough. His small lead on the lion was instantly gone and the monster stood in front of him. With his sharp fangs, he opened his mouth.

And just when he was about to swallow the young Yuri whole, a figure appeared. He was carrying a flamberge, a sword that was about 5 feet tall. The first quarter from the handle was straight and the rest were wavy.

"Papa," Yuri muttered, reaching his hands to Rodney's hologram. "P-Papa!"

He started to sob again that Kagura had to cover Rodney's palm to make the projection stops. The latter looked at Kagura but she only closed her eyes and shook her head.

When he calmed down for the second time, he looked at his teammates. Their eyes weren��t judging him for being scared. In fact, they could all relate to Yuri. Although they didn't have the same magnitude of fear, they were all scared of the sirens and the night.

"I have to tell you all something," Yuri said and stood from Adonis' lap. He placed his hand on his chest and mustered the bravery to talk. "I am Yuri Ivanov, the last of the most influential Russian line of Exorcists. My father, Vladimir Ivanov was the only son of my grandfather. And I am his only child."

"You're afraid of the sirens?" Rain asked.

Kagura smacked his head by asking such questions but Yuri shook his head. If his friends were brave, he should be too. He was the last male of their family. If fear takes over him, he won't last a month when he becomes an Exorcist.

"Yes," Yuri answered. He cracked a grin and returned to his normal self. "Our city has an announcer instead of sirens. My guards usually keep me calm but you acted first, thank you."

"That explains the Wraiths." Adonis chuckled.

The others were confused, especially Devin. "What are Wraiths?" he asked.

"Wraiths are people with Exorcist blood who chose to become guards and watch over in the shadows," Kagura replied.

"Wait, you can not become an Exorcist that fights Stained Souls?" Devin was confused. He thought all Exorcists fight Stained Souls. They even have to train for three years just for it.

"No." It was Sofia who answered this time. The others knew why Devin didn't know this. Among their team, he was the only one who wasn't raised by an Exorcist family. "After your studies, you have 4 options. Become an Exorcist, Wraith, Priest, or live a normal life."

The thought of living a normal life crossed Devin's mind or the first time in days. But the images of Mrs. Berry and the Exorcist who she clung to flashes in his mind. He swore to protect as many people as he can. So, they won't suffer the same fate the victims of Stained Souls did.

After their conversation, they decided to go home instead. They could explore the city tomorrow after their Actual class.

–

"Today, we won't be taking up combat, mm-hm," their instructor said. "Instead, I want you all to wield, mm-hm."

"My name is Reginald Maltoise, mm-hm," Professor Reginald introduced and unsheathed his sword. "Everyone's – apart from a few – swords look exactly like this. And if you activate it…"

His sword glowed with white color. The blade shortened and widened, while the bar melted into the handle. When the light faded, a white machete replaced his sword.

"This is an Exorcist's most prized possession. The weapon that takes form from whatever your soul shapes it into. The Reverence."

The students were tasked to register themselves in the Department of Reverence. It was located on the 4th floor of the South building. After that, they will return to their classroom for further instructions.

Team Lea was the first one to be there. Students will sign their name, age, birthday, and Sanctity – if they have any.

After registering, they would be given a sword that was similar to Professor Maltoise's.

"Now, focus your aura and feel it travel from your body to your swords," Professor Maltoise instructed. "Feel the light, let it flow. Visualize."

Devin closed his eyes and held his sword close to him. As his professor instructed, he thought of a light that flowed throughout his body like it was blood. Feeling that light ran to the sword, he let the stream of energy flow.

With his eyes closed a bright light in front of him. Opening his eyes, he was in awe at the sight. There were white streaks of curvy lines that traveled on the blade if the sword. The flow was so smooth that he couldn't help but be amazed at the sight.

The other blades too had white streaks of light travel to their blades. Everyone smiled at the sight. The bright light filled the room like there was a white sun had fallen from the sky.

"Each Exorcist has different engravings on their swords," Professor Maltoise said. "Think of it as your fingerprint. These markings reflect our soul. Now you are one step closer to becoming an Exorcist."

The class ended with the students having to carry their swords with them. And since their trip to Roverton was canceled yesterday, Team Lea decided to visit the town again.

Compared to a city outside the island, Roverton was rather small. Though the island wasn't small, most parts of it were used as training grounds for Exorcists. An area is dedicated to the endemic wildlife in the island before the Institute and Roverton was built there.

"This town looks rather normal," Kagura said.

"That's because it is normal, Kagura," Sofia said and chuckled. "Despite the fact that the school for Exorcists is in the same place, people here are still people. They live their life as if they were outside."

"Your Sanctity suits you well," Rain said and shook his head. Sofia only grinned and went on with their stroll.

The siren didn't ring this time, which was a good thing. It meant that the system was updated, and they saved themselves from another panic attack from Yuri.

"I-Is that…" Adonis stuttered after seeing a certain building.

Rain and Rodney's eyes widened at the sight.

"An arcade!" Everyone cheered in the chorus and ran inside the arcade.

Team Lea was divided the moment they went inside. Devin was left by the entrance while the others ran to their favorite games. The arcade had 3 floors, the first and second floors were for the games while the third was for the team shooting game.

"Oh, if it isn't 'Little Curls'." A voice said from behind. Devin turned around and was greeted with an angry Margaux. "Where's your team?"

"T-They're… in there." Devin pointed at the crowded area. Most of the people inside wore similar suits as he was. It was hard to recognize where everyone was. "There's Adonis!"

Among everyone, the tall boy stood out. Even among Exorcists, he was considered as freakishly tall. Adonis was over 7 feet, almost a third until 8.

"Adonis!" he called out. The tall boy was playing a shooting game with Rain. They were winning the game, especially Rain who hasn't missed a single enemy since the game started.

"What's up?" Rain asked, eyes still fixated on the game.

"Where's your team?" Margaux asked. "Laser Tag. Team Lea versus us, Team Maxime."

Rain and Adonis dropped their guns. The enemies they were playing against instantly took them out.

"Y-You mean–"

"Yes," Margaux grinned. "Maxime, as in Maxime von Schweitzer, the Prodigy Exchange Student from Europe Branch. He's our team leader."

When the last bar of health in Rain's character was gone, a message popped out.

[Game Over]