Chapter 7

Chiaki and the old man entered the room, their presence unnoticed by the group, all of whom were engrossed in the ongoing fight. The old man's sharp voice broke the tension.

"Alright, everyone listen up!" he shouted.

No one turned to acknowledge him.

"I said listen up!" the old man bellowed furiously, striking his cane against the ground. A sudden, intense gravitational force pulled everyone to their knees, pinning them to the floor.

"I hate repeating myself for the third time," he said, his voice booming. "What is all this ruckus about?"

The force dissipated, and a girl with short black hair, wearing judo attire, stood and dusted herself off. "Just another battle over who likes Chiaki the most," she explained. "They were arguing about her features and personality. Bill says it's her face, while Alex claims it's her personality."

"It's true!" Alex, the teenage boy from the fight, exclaimed as he stood. "Her personality is kind and patient. Even when she's serious or angry, she's still attractive."

"No, dude," Bill, the adult man, retorted. "It's her face—her lips, her blush, her eyes, and that long, silky black hair. Natural beauty, man!"

"She wears makeup," the girl interjected.

"But only a little!" Bill shot back.

"You idiots!" the old man barked, whacking both Alex and Bill with his cane. His face reddened, and a sly grin crept across his lips. "It's her body. Those huge—"

Chiaki cut him off with a swift blow to the head. "Don't get any dirty ideas, you perv," she scolded, her glare sharp. "I want all of you to quiet down. Our new recruit is resting in the guest room."

Her eyes scanned the room, landing on Jay and Ellie in the crowd. "Never mind. He's already here. Everyone, please welcome Jay."

The group turned their attention to Jay, their gazes a mix of surprise and curiosity. Jay, unsure of how to react, opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out.

"Oh my gosh! She's so cute!" squealed a brunette girl in a school uniform, startling Jay. He glanced down to see Ellie clinging to his legs, her face buried in his thighs. She trembled slightly, overwhelmed by the sudden attention.

"So cute!" the girls chorused, surrounding her.

"What's your name?" the brunette asked gently, kneeling to Ellie's level.

Ellie stayed silent, gripping Jay's pants tightly.

"Her name is Ellie," Jay said, stepping in.

"Hi, Ellie. It's nice to meet you. I'm Lily," the brunette said with a warm smile.

While the girls tried to coax Ellie out of her shell, a teenage boy approached Jay. "You're the guy who fought off possession, right?" he asked. "That's impressive. I've never heard of anyone managing that. How did you do it?"

Jay recounted his battle as a soul against the towering figure in his heart. He described the dark red space, the water at his feet, and how he managed to steal the demon's power.

The sensei listened intently, his expression shifting from curiosity to deep contemplation. "Stealing a demon's power…" he murmured, his tone heavy with thought.

Without warning, the sensei moved. In the blink of an eye, he was behind Ellie, striking her at the back of her head with his cane. She crumpled to the floor, unconscious.

"What are you doing?!" Chiaki shouted, rushing forward, but the sensei struck her in the stomach with his cane, sending her flying several feet away.

The room fell silent, everyone staring in shock. The sensei slammed his cane to the ground, releasing another wave of force. This time, everyone was pinned to the floor—everyone except Jay.

Jay's heart pounded as he locked eyes with the sensei. "What's going on?" he demanded, his fists clenched.

The sensei's gaze was unreadable, his voice calm yet commanding. "So, this girl," sensei said, referring to Ellie in his arms. "How much do you care about her?" 

"A lot," Jay said. "She was the only person that would ever talk to me." 

"You know she's a ghost? And ghosts are meant to be exorcised."

"But she isn't an evil spirit."

"Doesn't matter. She's a child spirit and without any parental guidance, she would turn evil."

"Then I'll be her guardian!"

"Really!? 

"How can you protect her? When an old man could snag her within seconds."

"You just caught me off guard. I wasn't expecting this. And besides you're no ordinary old man." 

"You shouldn't judge a book by its cover." The old man dropped Ellie to the floor and started enchanting words.

"Wait! I promised her that I would help find her parents. She can't go just yet." But it was no use. The old man was still enchanting. 

Jay's breath hitched. He didn't know what the sensei was planning, but he could feel the weight of the challenge. He knew he had to stop the old man from enchanting. Without hesitation, he sprinted toward the old man.

But the old man had already foreseen this. He thrust his cane into Jay's stomach, sending him flying backward while still chanting his enchantment.

Gritting his teeth, Jay forced himself up and charged again. This time, he dodged the initial attack, but the old man spun his cane, striking Jay in the chest and launching him back once more.

"What the hell are you doing?" an irritated voice echoed in Jay's mind.

"I'm trying to stop this old man from enchanting," Jay growled back.

"How? By running at him like a brainless idiot? Clearly, this old geezer is no ordinary old man. So, running at him like a madman will be no use."

If you're wondering why this voice was still in Jay's head, let's rewind.

Back when Jay defeated the giant demon inside the dark red room with the water-covered floor, something unusual happened. After stealing the demon's power, Jay slashed its eyes with his long, sharp nails, causing the beast to let out a furious, agonized wail. The creature swiped at Jay, but he was too fast.

He pressed the attack, slashing at its massive arms. Another cry of pain erupted from the demon. Jay continued his relentless assault until the colossal figure finally collapsed.

But then, something unexpected occurred. The demon's body shrank, its monstrous form dwindling down until it stood at Jay's exact height.

Jay froze.

The being before him was a mirror image—his doppelganger. It had pale skin, wild red hair, and glowing crimson eyes.

"How the hell do you look like me?" the demon snarled, baring its razor-sharp teeth.

"I don't know," Jay admitted, still catching his breath.

The demon's expression twisted into fury. It didn't like that answer.

Jay's mind raced. "How are you still here? I thought I finished you off by defeating that giant. Don't tell me I have to fight you again?"

The demon grinned wickedly. "Try as much as you want! I'll always reappear. The only way to get rid of me is if someone pierces your heart."

Jay narrowed his eyes. He didn't believe that for a second. Without hesitation, he raised his claws and slashed at the demon's chest, slicing it apart.

The demon didn't even flinch. It simply stood there, smiling.

Its body faded into darkness—then reformed seconds later.

"I told you so," the demon said smugly.

Jay's stomach twisted.

The demon leaned in closer, a devilish smirk curling on its lips.

"You're stuck with me."

Back to the present.

"Look, the only way to save your precious Ellie is to use my ability," the demon's voice echoed in Jay's head.

"No! I won't use your ability. I don't trust you. What if I lose control again?" Jay refused.

"Hey, I'm not forcing you," the demon scoffed. "Charge at him without using my ability. It's not like I care. But you better hurry—the old geezer could finish his enchantment any second now, and Ellie will be gone."

Jay's heart pounded as he saw the old man standing over Ellie, one hand flat, palm facing down toward her unconscious body. His spell was nearly complete.

Jay bolted forward, desperate to stop him. But just as he got close, the old man's cane struck him again, sending him crashing back. Gritting his teeth, Jay stood and rushed again, determined not to fail.

This time, he focused not on the old man but on the cane itself. He watched its movements, studying its swings. As soon as he saw it arc toward his stomach, he dodged left. The second swing came—he ducked, barely avoiding the strike.

A spark of pride flickered inside him. He had dodged both swings. But before he could celebrate, the old man twisted the cane, sweeping Jay's legs out from under him. A final strike to his gut sent him flying once more.

The old man changed his stance, bringing both palms together in a prayer-like position.

"That doesn't look good," the demon murmured. "He could finish any second now. She'll be gone, and you'll be back to being alone."

The word alone struck deep.

Alone.

Would Ellie be alone in the afterlife? Was there even an afterlife? Would she find her parents, or would she just disappear into nothingness?

Jay knew the weight of loneliness too well. But an unsettling thought crept in—was he really trying to save Ellie for her sake? Or was it just because he didn't want to be alone again?

If it weren't for Ellie, he would've been lost in his darkness. Forever.

"Any second now…" the demon taunted.

Jay clenched his fists. His mind was made up.

Even if he hated himself for this choice, he knew—he was weak.

"Fine. Lend me your strength," Jay said through gritted teeth.

"Great choice."

Jay's body began to shift. His black hair turned crimson, horns sprouted from his forehead, his eyes burned red, and his fingers elongated into razor-sharp claws.

Gasps filled the room. Those still pinned to the floor by the old man's ability stared in horror at Jay's transformation.

The old man's eyes widened slightly before he let out a small, knowing grin.

Jay charged, his speed far greater than before.

The old man swung his cane, but Jay dodged with ease. Another swing—this time, Jay caught the cane midair, his claws gripping it tightly. He smirked.

But the old man didn't flinch.

Instead, he released the cane willingly and thrust both palms onto Jay's stomach, sending him skidding back once more.

Jay scrambled to his feet, realization dawning—this time, the old man had no cane.

He was hunched forward, seemingly struggling to stand.

Now's my chance, Jay thought.

He lunged, slashing his claws toward the old man's chest.

But the old man reacted instantly, deflecting every attack with nothing but his bare hands.

Jay growled, frustration mounting. His demon instincts pushed him forward, attacking relentlessly. But no matter how fast or how fierce his strikes were, the old man's reflexes were sharper.

The battle raged until, in one swift motion, the old man slipped behind Jay, locking his right arm in an unbreakable hold.

Jay struggled, thrashing wildly.

The old man began chanting again, drawing an invisible circle on Jay's back.

A strange sensation overtook him.

Jay's breath hitched as his body started to change back.

His demon form fought against it.

"Wait! What did you do?! Why am I turning back? Something's forcing me to stop!" the demon Jay roared, his voice desperate.

The old man simply exhaled. "Alright, that's enough."

The transformation faded.

Jay collapsed to his knees, panting.

The old man released his grip and stepped back. His gaze, sharp yet unreadable, studied Jay carefully.

"I've seen what I needed to see."