I didn't have much time to think. In just ten minutes of class, Professor Grimm had already passed by my desk four times. He seemed to be growing impatient. Naomi was restless, constantly fiddling with her hair and clicking her pen over and over.
I wanted to find a way to communicate with her, but only she could read my mind—not the other way around. Many ideas crossed my head, but they all ended in blood.
"Ssshehehe! Class, it seems our new student has made an interesting drawing for today's lesson. Kobba! Why don't you show us?"
The professor led me to the front of the room to display the drawing. To the other students, it probably meant nothing. But to him, it was concrete proof that Naomi was a Nana.
As I opened my notebook, the only thought in my head was, "I just hope they don't throw anything at me this time."
Naomi immediately stood up, drawing the attention of the entire class.
"Attack the witch's son!"
Suddenly, the whole class began throwing paper balls at me. I took the chance to tear the page with the drawing and let it fall to the floor, blending in with the others.
Professor Grimm quickly realized the trick and frowned.
"Stop immediately!"
He shouted so desperately that his voice cracked.
"I'll pick everything up myself."
Naomi raised her voice again.
"Sorry, Professor. I think we went a bit too far this time. But don't worry, I'll take care of the mess. After all, it'd be pretty strange for a teacher to clean up after the students, wouldn't it?"
The professor didn't even try to argue, likely to avoid raising suspicion. He simply sat at his desk with a sour expression. I let out a deep sigh—it was a close call. I still didn't understand everything that was happening, but I was sure my grandmother would have all the answers.
...
Biology class was painfully boring after that. Professor Grimm acted almost childishly, as if we'd taken candy from him. He spent the rest of the class sulking, scribbling on the board aimlessly, as if trying to erase his own embarrassment.
I hadn't spoken to Naomi since, but I believed my grandmother would explain everything I needed to know.
When I got home, I noticed the door was already open and heard a soft laugh coming from inside. Had he gotten here before me?
"Grandma! What's going on? I won't let you touch her!"
My shout was more desperate than brave, but luckily, when I entered the house, I found the two of them—my grandmother and Naomi—laughing together.
Naomi was recounting the day to my grandmother while they laughed at my expense. I crossed my arms and turned my face away, trying to hide my embarrassment. But it was time to ask what all of this meant.
They didn't take long to realize it was time to give me answers. My grandmother walked to the door to close it, lit a cigar, and began speaking as she paced around the room.
"Naomi already explained what the Nanas are. What do you want to know first?"
"My family? The professor? I want to know everything."
"There are still many mysteries, but I'll tell you what I know."
The smoke from her cigar began to swirl around the room, transforming the space. It was as if the room had become a cinema with multiple dimensions.
"There was once a place called the Cradle of Life, where Nanas were born and gathered. There, the so-called Half-Angels had the role of guiding Nanas to fulfill their purpose and ascend—either to heaven or to hell."
The smoke showed us a place surrounded by trees and streams, where night and day seemed to blend into one. Various types of Nanas wandered peacefully.
"But then a war began. Some Nanas preferred to remain in that form rather than transcend fully to the spiritual plane, and that caused overcrowding in the sacred forest."
As she finished speaking, flames appeared around us.
"The Nanas known as the Stagnant began killing those who simply wanted to follow their path—and especially, they hunted down all the priests."
"What does that have to do with my family?"
"One of the priests managed to escape. His name? Carl Firtz—your great-great-grandfather. He came to hide in this remote town called Havenmere. And because he still carried priestly blood, many Nanas who were born ended up coming here to find transcendence."
"So this town... You... Your shop is actually a meeting point for Nanas."
The smoke showed us different versions of Havenmere, passing through generations of my mother's side of the family.
"Our family kept the tradition of staying here and helping Nanas follow their path. But Laura Firtz, my daughter, abandoned her responsibility and put everyone at risk. I warned her many times, but she never listened. She started a family and distanced you all from this."
My mother had been running from this all along. She always seemed uneasy whenever we talked about her side of the family. I remembered once when my sister found old objects my mother had hidden in the attic. I'd never seen her so angry.
"So that's why they took them? I saw a White Nana who cried endlessly. Could he be one of the Stagnant?"
"All I know is that they might be in the Cradle of Life. But the portal to get there closed a long time ago. The only one who can open it is the most recent priest—in this case, you."
I placed both hands on my face, trying to process what she was saying. I was the only one who could save my family. And my mother was, in a way, a traitor. I felt that if I asked more about her, I'd uncover more than I was ready to know. So I tried to change the subject.
"And the professor—"
Before I could finish the sentence, I looked at Naomi. She was panicking, signaling for me not to say anything. I quickly changed the question.
"But where does Naomi fit into all this?"
"Naomi's father left her at my doorstep so I could protect her. We don't know who her mother is or where she came from, but Naomi is a Soul Vestige—a person who exists between life and half-life."
Naomi stood up, waving away all the smoke as if she wanted to end the conversation.
"And now we'll be working together. How lovely, right?"
Naomi replied as she walked toward me.
"Working together?"
"I've been helping Master Firtz all these years. And now that you've arrived, it's your turn to take on the role."
The smoke vanished completely, and my grandmother put out the cigar. The job at the shop would be to assist Nanas in need.
This would be my life from now on. I just hoped that working here would lead me to a way to save my family.
...
Hours passed, and nothing significant happened at the shop. A few people came in interested in the products, some just to provoke me, but nothing truly important occurred. At least night had just fallen.
Naomi looked like a different person. She took off her lenses, tied her hair back, and put on glasses. She was disguised like Superman, trying not to be recognized.
"Is it always this slow here?"
"Night just fell. Let's hope something happens."
"Why didn't you let me talk about Professor Grimm?"
She seemed uncomfortable. I noticed that in situations like this, she always starts messing with her hair.
"It's complicated..."
Before she could finish, the door burst open so hard it slammed against the outside wall. The footsteps were heavy, and the creature's body was covered in brown fur, with horns, sharp claws, goat legs, and tentacles where its mouth should be. It was one of the most horrifying beings I'd ever seen.
While I jumped back in fear, Naomi ran toward it.
"Don't touch me! They'll kill us! They're everywhere!"
He tried to scream but didn't have the strength to speak. I gathered my courage and stepped closer to assess the situation.
That Nana was thrashing around, unable to control his body.
"Kobba! Under the counter—there's a needle. Hurry!"
Desperately, I opened every drawer beneath the counter until I found the needle. I quickly tossed it to Naomi, who injected it.
"He'll calm down now. When he wakes up, he'll tell us what happened."
"But how did you know what to do? Does this happen often?"
"That man was attacked by Nana hunters. And luckily for us, our professor was one of them."
That night, between needles and monsters, I discovered my teacher wanted me dead. And that my mission was only just beginning.