Chapter 12 - My Everyday Nightly Activities

The nightlife of the lower district was an electrifying spectacle to behold. Occasionally, rays of light beamed through windows and party sounds reverberated through the walls and ground. At the same time, the radiance from the upper district's high towers showered the city below with a cascade of dazzling streaks as though they were gifts pouring from the heavens. 

It wasn't a zone law but at night, the brilliant flashing lights of the upper districts were always at their highest. Meanwhile, the lower district blazed with darker tones of radiance. The mix of both created a neon vibe that Raven could never get enough of.

 Raven kept his head low as he walked through the bustling streets. He halted and turned sideways at the sight of a commotion. 

"You fucking bitch!" A bloodcurdling voice shattered Raven's solemn walk.

It was close to him, near the entrance of the public library that Raven was familiar with.

"I don't know what you are talking about." The voice of a young girl sounded. She had a short height and covered her appearance with a hooded cloak.

Another young feminine voice responded, "Do you expect me to believe that? You are such a pathetic liar. A bitch is what is what you are!"

"I don't know what you want me to say. But I'm running out of patience. So, bye." The hooded girl said with a composed gaze and walked away. 

"Where do you think you are going?!"

The angry girl lunged at the hooded girl. As if she had already predicted that, the hooded turned around and unleashed a terrifying slap.

*Pa*

"Ahh!" screamed the angry girl. "How dare you?"

The hooded girl said while raising her hand again, "Oh, what? You want more? Well, who am I to deny you? I'm feeling generous today."

"I-I… this won't be the end of this! I will be back!" The angry girl trembled as she glanced at the hand that slapped her. She knew her capabilities were lacking which made her seethe in rage. She would surely be back with lots of friends next time.

"Cool. I welcome you anytime. Now, get lost!"

"You will regret this!" The angry girl's eyes burnt as she ran away.

Meanwhile, Raven silently absorbed the scene. The only reason he stopped to watch was because something about the hooded girl felt familiar.

'What is she doing here?'

The hooded girl caught his peering gaze. She walked closer and smiled as she let down her hood—short height, skinny figure. The hooded girl had a sharp face, despite her ordinary background. She emanated a deep level of confidence with her bearing.

"I knew it. It's you. Been a long time, huh?" She exclaimed. 

"Trix," Raven muttered and nodded.

"I can't believe it. I thought you died or something. I could have sworn I recently dreamt about you croaking all alone in your bedroom. Hahaha, it was kind of a funny… I guess. You kept screaming like a banshee."

Raven gritted his teeth. 'She is still the same. Always finding new ways to trigger me.'

The two of them chatted as they strolled down the road. 

"It's been half a year. A whole six months and you can't even keep in contact. I thought we were friends," she looked at him and spoke truthfully.

"I was busy." Raven's eyes darted away.

"Save your lie for someone else, okay? I know you enough to be able to tell when you are lying."

Perhaps due to guilt, Raven couldn't look her in the eyes. Moments like this were where his brilliant mind always failed.

Trix was his first-ever friend after he woke up in the future. She was smart and quirky… and so damn energetic. She was also awesome as she managed to secure the assistant librarian position despite coming from the orphanage. Funny enough, she was the one who told him about the regional examination. Being in the same age group, she aimed to get the first seat of the regional examination so there was quite some competition between them. 

"I-I'm sorry." Raven's voice quaked. He wasn't exactly a social animal. Sometimes, he wondered whether he was better off being cold-blooded. There was always some kind of veil between him and everyone else.

"Really, save it, dude. You were a hopeless friend from the start," she teased, a playful glint in her eyes. "Ahh, I'm such a benevolent soul to have befriended you. Imagine having a weird friend like you, tch. In my next life, this good deed will earn me thousands of blessings. I'm gonna bask in so much wealth those idiots in the upper district will die in jealousy."

"..." Raven said nothing and simply looked. 

Who was really the weirder one here? It can't be him, right?

"Alright. Alright. I will stop bugging you. Ghost me as you wish. You are still entering the regional examination right?"

"Yes. The old man set me up with someone. She's crazy but she knows her stuff." 

"Lucky you. How about we go together? The preliminary registration is in a couple of days. Come get me at the library first."

"Ok."

"By the way, do you know? Phoenix is coming to Charmire next month."

Raven exclaimed, "Really?!"

"For real. She's opening a concert in the upper district, but I bet we could sneak in with fake tickets."

Raven looked at her weirdly, "..."

"What? We have to go, Rave. Not everyone has the chance to see Pheonix live. There's no way we are missing this chance."

Raven solemnly nodded, "You are right. We gotta do what we gotta do. I'm sure Pheonix wouldn't mind us sneaking in."

"Yep. Yep. With great powers comes great responsibility. It's our responsibility to sneak into the concert. I'm glad you see my point," Trix declared with a grin.

Raven nearly choked on air. "I really don't think that's how the saying goes, Trix." 

"What? We have great power—our undying love for Phoenix. So we must commit to our mission. Don't you think so? In a way, aren't we kinda of superheroes? We should prolly wear a cape to the event."

"..." Raven looked at her weirdly. "How did you manage to turn something noble into a degenerate interpretation?"

"Does that mean you aren't going?"

"I'm going!!"

Trix punched the air in triumph. "Alright, say it with me: 'With great power comes great responsibility!!'"

"I'm not saying that." Raven recoiled in embarrassment.

"Come on. Don't be that sad boring guy at parties. He sucks a lot."

"I'm absolutely not saying that."

"Come on. Let's make Uncle Ben proud. Say it: 'With great power comes great responsibility!'"

Trix's blaring voice caught the attention of regular passersby. They glanced at Trix, and then at Raven, before shaking their heads, "Kids these days are so... I have to make sure my boy doesn't become like that guy. Nope. Nope. Nope."

Dark shade appeared on Raven's face as he listened to the crowd's murmurs. 'Why am I the one being singled out? She's the weird one here'

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After the encounter, Raven and Trix talked for hours before they departed separate ways.

Raven walked into a dark alley with a pondering mind.

'Hmmm… could that be what Blaike warned me about?'

Trix told him how she got into a fight with the other girl. The boyfriend of the girl owed her money and failed to pay at the designated date. Trix confronted him and caused a ruckus five days ago at the orphanage. Then suddenly, two days ago, the boyfriend vanished into thin air. No traces. No messages. Just silent. Trix was, of course, suspected of foul play.

According to Trix, there has been a series of disappearances going on for about half a year now. But recently, it seemed to have reached a new height.

'I have to be careful now. But who would have thought Trix was secretly an innate sorcerer? I wonder when she became one or was she always one?' Raven revealed a smile underneath his face.

She might have thought she fooled him but his ❰Seventh Sense❱ revealed her nature to him the moment he heard her voice. This was why he felt a familiar aura about her even without seeing her.

'❰Seventh Sense❱... what other abilities are you hiding? There is more to it than meets the eye.'

As for Trix's secret, he didn't care enough. Wasn't he the same? He also hid his powers from her.

*Whoosh!*

A sharp tinge suddenly assaulted his psyche and his senses went awol. His mind peeled until he found himself in a world of utmost clarity. He looked around and frowned. Everywhere remained the same, but there was a strange sensation lingering in the air. It smelled of danger!

'What the hell? It's so cold!'

Raven's eyes widened in shock as trails of frost slithered across the walls and pavement. In the opposite direction, icy mist billowed forth, consuming the warmth of whatever it touched. Every ounce of green life died instantly.

Raven backed out slowly and assessed the perilous circumstance. He was in a delicate situation. Any misstep spelt dealt.

Out of nowhere, his seventh sense screamed once more. A melodious song began to play in his ear. No, it wasn't a song. It was the lullaby of death!