The school had just finished, and Komi came to see me at my locker.
— Hey Marvens, don't forget what we have to do after school, she said, looking me in the eyes.
Some students had already started staring at us and whispering among themselves.
— Looks like the new guy doesn't waste any time, one of the students said mockingly.
— Komi, think about how you're speaking, you're attracting way too much attention, I said, embarrassed, and in a somewhat loud voice.
— Relax, it's not the end of the world, after all, they're just humans, she whispered in my ear.
— What do you mean by that? I asked.
— Ah, that's right, I completely forgot that you don't know anything about your powers, she said with a desperate tone.
— My powers? What do you mean by that?
— This isn't the place to talk about it. All I can tell you is that we can erase any noise, vision, or anything concerning Half-Spirits like us. Follow me, we're going to the academy while waiting for nightfall. I'll tell you about your powers if I remember when we're there, she said hurriedly.
Then she started running towards the doors leading to the closest exit towards the forest.
— Slow down a bit, Komi, I haven't put on the uniform yet, I said.
— You'll put it on when we're close to the building, she replied.
We ran like that for about five minutes. The forest wasn't far from the school, but to get there, we had to go through many slopes, climbs, and obstacles. A fairly basic path, but without the red eye, it seems complex.
We had just arrived in front of the building. Unlike my old physique, this one was very enduring. But is that normal for a Half-Spirit?
— Alright, go put on the uniform, and then I'll give you a tour of the building, she said.
— Okay, give me thirty seconds, I said with a muffled voice while getting dressed.
After that, she showed me several rooms: the dining room, the training dojo, the garden, and finally my room. Then we went to eat in the dining room. By the way, it looked more like a cafeteria than anything else.
With Komi, we had a hot meal. At that moment, a strange girl approached us.
— Well, looks like you've brought us a handsome guy, Komi. Too bad we're the only ones who can enjoy his beauty, she said.
— What do you mean, the only ones? I said, visibly confused.
— Ah, that's right, I haven't told you anything yet. The first thing you need to know is that humans can't see the white in our hair or our purple and red eyes. However, they can see the rest of the physical changes. So, if your face has become more oval or round, or if you've gained weight, lost weight, or gained muscle, they'll notice, Komi explained.
— Ah, I understand better now. So, that means the students weren't making fun of my appearance?
— Exactly. If you want to see what you look like without your eyes and hair color, look at yourself with an electronic camera like the one on your phone, she added.
— And why not with a mirror? I asked.
— Because mirrors reflect what the eye sees, unlike electronic cameras that show what the camera captures, she replied.
— Ah, okay, I understand. Let me see that with my phone, I said excitedly.
When I opened the camera, I saw that my face was very beautiful. In fact, it was even magnificent. I couldn't understand why the students were staring at me like that.
— By the way, what are you doing here, Sabrina? You usually don't eat at the academy, asked Komi.
— It's simple. I heard you talking last night with the master. I was wondering who this young man with you was. Knowing you, I knew you'd want to keep him under your wing. It's very typical of a Murmure-lame, Sabrina replied.
— Don't start provoking me. Let me remind you that you're just a Sceleur! Komi said in an annoyed tone.
— Sorry to interrupt, but could you explain to me what these words mean? I asked, intrigued.
— You didn't explain it to him, Komi? Let me do it, I'll take care of it, Sabrina said in a teasing tone.
She then explained the names and meanings of all the ranks. The first was the "Initiant des Voiles," equivalent to a recruit, which was my current rank. Then came "Vigile des Ombres," "Sceleur," "Murmure-lame," "Auriflamme," "Archonte Blanc," and finally the highest rank, simply called "S." Recruits up to Sceleurs only exorcised weak spirits.From Murmure-lame to Archonte Blanc, you are allowed to exorcise powerful spirits, and at rank S, you can exorcise any spirit, from the most powerful to the weakest. There are only four rank S, but Archontes Blancs often fight alongside the rank S due to their strength and large numbers. She also explained the ranks according to the Spirits. These weren't as complicated to understand as those of the exorcists. There are SEVEN, ranging from the weakest to the strongest: Class F, E, D, C, B, A, and finally, Class S. The element that surprised me the most is that from Class B, Spirits can speak the human language. This means that we can't talk to lower Classes.
"You still have a lot to learn, Marvens," Sabrina added with a smile. "But don't worry, the master will explain all of this to you during your initiation."
"And you, you're a... Sceleur?" I asked, still a bit confused.
"Exactly," she replied proudly. "As a Sceleur, I'm responsible for capturing spirits and 'sealing' them in objects to prevent them from causing trouble. This also helps me strengthen my powers."
"And you, Komi, you're a Murmure-lame?" I asked.
Komi nodded.
"Yes, but it's not an easy role, you'll see soon. Our mission is to protect the weaker ones and eliminate the most dangerous spirits. As a Murmure-lame, I also have to make sure you're ready to face real dangers."
"That sounds... intense," I said, surprised by the seriousness of their roles.
Sabrina laughed softly.
"You'll get used to it quickly. But don't underestimate what you've just joined. The missions won't be easy, and you'll have to fight to survive."
I took a deep breath. I had just entered a completely unknown world, but somehow, it felt like the only path that would allow me to understand what had happened to me and master these strange powers I was just beginning to perceive.
"Well, Marvens, after dinner, we're going to carry out the mission the master entrusted to us yesterday."
"I nodded, my heart beating faster. This would be my first real test."
After understanding all of this, Komi and I went to eat. After that, we returned to the school to exorcise the Spirit hiding there. When we arrived in front of the school, Komi told me that the Spirit was hiding in a classroom on the upper floor.
"Alright, listen carefully, Marvens. Even though this Spirit isn't powerful, you need to stay alert, and most importantly, activate your eyes," she whispered.
"Activate my eyes? You didn't explain how to do it," I said.
"That's true, I'm such a noodle," Komi said.
"Well, to make it simple, what you need to do is close your eyes. Now, imagine the spirit inside you and imagine it traveling through your brain to your eyes," she said.
"Okay, let me try," I said.
The sensation was strange, like something was sliding into my eye.
"AH, IT WORKS!" I shouted loudly.
"Quiet down, idiot. You'll piss off the Spirit," she said.
"Alright, I think I'm going to show you how to use your power too," Komi said.
"COME ON, EXPLAIN IT TO ME QUICKLY! I WANT TO USE POWERS LIKE IN THE MOVIES!" I almost shouted.
"Stop yelling! Alright, all you have to do is the same process, but imagine it traveling through your whole body. After that, think about a power you'd like to have. For example, I chose the weather, which allows me to control lightning, water, snow, etc."
The sensation was different. It felt like something was covering my whole skin instead of being inside my body. So, I decided to think about EVERYTHING. Yep, absolutely everything.
"I think it worked," I said, looking at my hands.
"It seems so. I see an aura surrounding you. By the way, what did you think about?" she asked.
"EVERYTHING!" I said proudly.
"Everything? What do you mean by that?"
"Well, the weather, nature, superpowers from movies... almost everything," I said.
"Hmmm... that's strange. You're the first person to do that. I hope you won't regret it, because that's the power you'll have for your whole life," she told me.
"I don't think I'll regret it. Anyway, let's go exorcise that Spirit," I said with a proud smile.
When we entered the room, I saw a Spirit facing the windows. Its hair reminded me of Katia's.
"Spirit, come here so I can exorcise you," I said calmly.
"Marvens, is that you?" said the Spirit.
I was confused.
"You know this Spirit, Marvens?" asked Komi.
"I don't think so, do I?" I said, uncertain.
The Spirit then turned towards us. At that moment, I thought I was going crazy.
"KATIA?!" I shouted.
It was indeed her, but she had lost the blue in her eyes. Her eyes had turned white.
"We finally meet again, since you left the hospital," she said with a smile and eyes filled with tears.