Chapter 9

Jay walked down the street towards school, his mind swirling with the revelation from the previous day. No ability? How could that be? Every exorcist was supposed to have a unique power. It was a fundamental rule, a certainty. But when he had undergone the ritual, there was nothing—just the demon lurking in his heart. He recalled the old man's words:

"There's no way that this kid has no ability," the old man muttered, rubbing his chin. "I have never heard of an exorcist without any ability."

Jay shook his head. He couldn't afford to think about this now. He had school, and if he let himself get too distracted, he'd end up lost in his thoughts for the whole day. He needed to stay focused.

English class was dull as always until the teacher introduced a new student.

"Everyone, we have a new transfer student today. Please welcome Luna."

Luna was striking. Her deep red hair cascaded over her shoulders, contrasting starkly against her pale skin. Freckles dotted her nose and cheeks. She wore thick black eyeliner and lipstick, adding to her dark, gothic aesthetic. Jay couldn't help but be intrigued.

"She looks scary," Ellie whispered beside him, hugging her teddy bear tightly.

Jay didn't answer. He was too busy studying Luna. It wasn't just her appearance that stood out—it was something else, something he couldn't quite put his finger on. Was it the way she carried herself? Or maybe it was the way her eyes locked onto him the moment she sat down at the desk next to him.

"Is there something on my face?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Jay snapped out of his daze. "S-sorry, nothing." He turned his gaze away awkwardly.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of something strange outside the window facing the school's soccer field. There, standing alone on the grass, was a figure. The person wore a female school uniform—but it wasn't the uniform from their school. It was an old-fashioned design, white with blue stripes, and it had red stains on it… stains that looked like blood.

Her long black hair covered her face, but Jay could feel her gaze fixed on him.

A chill ran down his spine.

"Jay?" Luna's voice snapped him back. She was holding out her hand. "Can I borrow a pen? I forgot my pencil case."

Jay hesitated. No one ever asked him for anything in class. He wordlessly handed her a pen.

"Thank you," she said with a small smile before turning back to her notebook.

Jay glanced back toward the soccer field—but the figure was gone.

Behind him, Katie sat fuming. Her eyes locked onto Luna with quiet fury.

During lunch, Jay found a spot alone in the cafeteria as usual. But today was different.

Luna approached his table and sat down across from him.

"Is this seat taken?" she asked, though she was already sitting before he could answer.

Jay blinked at her in confusion. No one ever wanted to sit with him.

Luna wasted no time in starting a conversation. "So, I had an interesting encounter earlier."

Jay raised an eyebrow. "With who?"

"A girl named Katie. She stopped me in the hallway and told me to stay away from you."

Jay felt his stomach drop.

"She said you were a weirdo who talks to imaginary spirits and that I should stay away before I catch your 'craziness,'" Luna continued.

Jay tensed. He knew how people saw him. He was used to it. He expected Luna to laugh at him, maybe even leave.

Instead, she grinned.

"That's so cool!" Her eyes sparkled with genuine curiosity. "How interesting!"

Jay felt heat rise to his face. He wasn't used to people reacting like that.

Luna leaned in. "Are there any ghosts in this school?"

Jay hesitated before answering. "Not really. But there are some on the streets."

He didn't mention Ellie or the female ghost that he saw from the soccer field, that was now standing at the cafeteria doorway. As he thought it might scare Luna.

Luna's fascination only grew. Jay had never met someone so eager to hear about spirits. It felt… nice.

A few tables away, Katie glared at them. She clenched her fists. How was Luna getting Jay's attention so easily? Jay barely acknowledged her existence, and yet here he was, talking and smiling with this new girl.

PE class was dodgeball, and Jay wasn't thrilled. He wasn't exactly an athletic person. If given a choice, he'd rather be inside playing video games or reading. But for some reason, he decided to give it a try today.

Ellie hovered over the gym court, watching curiously. "What kind of game is this?" she asked.

Jay was mid-explanation when a voice shouted, "Heads up, weirdo!"

Before he could react, a dodgeball slammed into the side of his head. His vision went black.

Jay woke up in the school infirmary. His head was throbbing, and he had a strange dream. He saw Luna—but she looked different. She wasn't wearing any dark makeup. She was laughing with another girl—one with dark hair and pale white skin. They both wore the same uniform as the figure Jay had seen earlier on the soccer field.

Was it her?

Jay couldn't be sure.

Ellie sat beside him, gripping her teddy bear tightly. "You're awake! I tried to beat Nick up, but…"

The curtain pulled back, revealing Chiaki standing there with crossed arms.

"Ellie did try to beat him up," Chiaki confirmed. "But, well… you know."

Jay groaned. "What are you doing here? And why are you in a nurse robe?"

"I'll be working here," she replied. " And besides, the old man sent me here. He wants me to stay close to you. You know, in case you lose control again. He also found a way to train you with your demon ability."

Jay's stomach twisted. The last thing he wanted was more training. But he knew he had no choice.

Jay left the infirmary, walking through the quiet hallway towards the changing rooms.

Then, suddenly—

Everything changed.

The fluorescent lights flickered, then dimmed. The walls, once clean and bright, darkened and became covered in graffiti. The air grew thick, suffocating. The hallway stretched unnaturally long, twisting in a way that defied logic.

The world had turned red.

Jay froze. He knew this feeling. This was no ordinary illusion. This was something else—something powerful.

A faint, distorted voice whispered through the hallway.

"You… see… me?"

Jay turned slowly.

At the far end of the hallway stood the same girl from the soccer field.

Her uniform was covered in blood. Her long black hair still hid her face, but this time, Jay could see the faint glow of two red eyes peering through the strands.

His heart pounded.

This wasn't just a spirit.

This was something far, far worse.