The twins weren't at his room when Devin came back from meeting Morris. He was surprised that a person like Morris would even want to talk to Devin. Morris was raised with a silver spoon in his mouth while Devin didn't even know how he was born.
'Went 2 Purgatory.
– 11&12'
Devin sighed at the lost of warmth the twins were exuding in his home. He thought it was weird but the feeling of being alone was suddenly felt foreign.
"I guess it's just us again, Revelation," he said to which the cat responded with a meow.
The next day, the smell of bacon and breakfast didn't consume Devin's nose. The room was void of people and the feeling was bothering him.
Were they mad at me? He asked himself and continued on his day.
A few more days have passed and the twins were still nowhere to be found. He tried calling them but they were out of reach. He asked a third year about where they were.
"They're still in the Purgatory," a third year said. "I couldn't tell you any more details though, sorry."
Devin only nodded and went on his way. He was going to spend his time alone when Kagura called him.
"Lea wants us to have a get together," Kagura said on the phone. "She said we didn't get to do one before because she was too busy."
"All the third years are," Devin said and saw a couple more third years running around.
"Well, anyway, be at the karaoke bar by Rose Street by 4. Rodney and I are heading there now," Kagura said before hanging up.
Nothing else to do, Devin was walking towards the Rose Street where a karaoke stood out from the restaurants. Due to Stained Souls, nightlife was inexistent in Devin's world.
The cases of a drunk person opening a door rose too much that the world agreed to shut every establishment off before The Sirens. And it was effective. Although bars and clubs were allowed, they had to open at daytime.
Devin walked to the lobby and found Yuri standing there. His skin figure was prominent due to his tall physique. His hands were behind him while he was looking up at something in the ceiling.
"Hey, Yuri," he called out. The boy turned to him and grinned.
"Hello, Devin!" he cheered and grabbed Devin's hand. "You're late."
Yuri dragged Devin to a room where the others were already were.
"Hello everyone. I'm sorry I'm late," Devin greeted, earning a smile and greeting from the others.
Lea stood up and walked towards the front as Devin and Yuri sat down.
"Welcome to Team Lea Acquaintance Party!" Lea cheered an popped a party popper. Devin was the only one who clapped while the others weren't so excited that made Lea pout.
"Give it to us straight, Lea," Kagura deadpanned.
"What's the problem?" Rain asked. After his breakdown after Margaux humiliated him, he was now back to being himself.
Lea smirked. "So, you know, huh? Well your first Challenge is coming up. And the schedules are also changed. You only get one Lecture once a week and you don't have any more classes on Fridays."
"Why?" Kagura asked.
Lea leaned in and gestured everyone to come closer.
"You didn't hear this from me but the biggest battle between Stained Souls and humans is coming," she said. "I heard that it may be the last one too."
Feeling everyone's distressed auras, Sofia used her Sanctity to soothe their emotions. The news is indeed scary, but as aspiring Exorcists, they had to calm down and face this head on.
"Thank you, Sofia," Adonis said and breathed out.
"But these are just speculations," Lea tried to reassure. Her team members didn't believe her last remark.
"So, that's why you called us?" Rain asked. "To tell us about the challenge?"
The others looked at rain worriedly. They thought the Rain they knew came back but he didn't. They also felt his easily irritated demeanor before Devin came and it was worrisome.
"What is it about anyway?" Rodney asked.
Lea shrugged and picked the microphone up, "You���ll find out tomorrow."
"By the way," Kagura interrupted the silence. "So, how is it going with Morris, huh Devin?"
Devin was about to drink when he almost choke. Rodney had to pat his back, helping his little friend not to choke while he was laughing.
"Ooh, gossip," Lea said and leaned in. "And with the Little Von Schweitzer too."
"N-No, there's nothing going on," Devin said. "He only said he wanted to become friends so I agreed.
The loud exhale from Sofia's lips wasn't left unnoticed by her peers.
"You looked relieved," Rodney said, narrowing his eyes.
Sofia's face reddened but she shook her head. "N-No, I was just–"
"You like him, don't you?" Adonis teased.
"No," Sofia denied but her voice broke, making everyone laugh.
Although the heavy from before lowered their moods down, with karaoke and companionship, the Team Lea ended up having fun instead. They sang their hearts out and danced throughout the afternoon.
Tuesday came and everyone was at the gymnasium. Professor Maltoise was holding his Reverence on the stage and the students were seated at the floor.
"Everyone let me tell you your first challenge," Professor Maltoise said. He unsheathed his sword and raised it.
"Bring out, Alaska." The engravings on his sword glowed after his incantation. The white light enveloped the sword before its shape changed, turning into a cutlass.
"This is your first challenge," he said, swinging his sword to the left as the light dissipated. "As a group, your Reverences has its name. Your task is to know its name and bring them out. When brought out, a Reverence changes its form, taking in the form your soul reflects on."
Jessica raised her hand to question. Professor Maltoise shook his head and chuckled after hearing that a girl in this class likes to ask questions.
"If it's a group challenge, how will we be graded if we Bring Out individually?" Jessica asked.
Devin glanced at their group and saw that Margaux was behind her teammates. She was still a mess, but she was improving.
"Well, your group should help each other. The first group to release their Reverences, will be the winner," Professor Maltoise answered Jessica's question.
Again, Jessica raised her hand. "How many groups will win?"
Professor Maltoise's smile disappeared in an instant and was replaced with a serious expression.
"Only one. The others will lose instantly."
The students gasped but wasn't exactly surprised. The Institution had to push them to their limits, after all. In in battling Stained Souls, you have to give it your all. If not, then they will feat on your flesh while you die a horrible death.
Devin shook after remembering Mrs. Berry and the Exorcists at the site of the incident. He wanted to avenge her, avenge the Exorcists. He wanted to end the war so that no man, woman, or child would suffer the same way other people did at the hands of Stained Souls.
Sofia held his hand and calmed him down. "I feel you," she said.
Devin could swear he saw a tear slip past her eye but she wiped it before he could see.
Professor Maltoise sent them to their groups and the students formed circles around the gym.
Morris inhaled and raised his sword. "Bring Out, Afterlife."
Everyone's eyes were at the glowing Reverence. The sword enlarged, making Morris hold the now long handle with his two hands. With the bright light slowly dying down, a zweihander was now in Morris' hands.
It was a long and large sword, measuring up to almost 7 feet. The handle was long that he had to use two of his hands.
He swung Afterlife and it seemed like it was his first time calling out his Reverence. His face was stoic the whole time and when he realized that everyone was looking at him, he blushed and looked down to cover his face.
"Now, that's how you call a Bringing Out!" Professor Maltoise said and clapped.
Morris looked at Devin and smiled. When Devin returned the smile, Morris winked at him.
Now, let's see what you're made of. Morris thought.