- Marvens, don't go near her! shouted Komi.
- Why? She's my friend, my best friend! I retorted with all my strength.
- Do you remember what we explained to you about spirits and ranks, don't you? she asked, her voice filled with panic.
- Yes, I remember. I'm in the weakest rank, and Katia is at least Class B, I replied, disappointed.
- Then you understand, don't you? You're not supposed to be here, I'm asking you to leave...
- Leave? You dare ask me that while you're trying to exorcise Katia? I yelled.
- Listen, Marvens, I understand your pain, but...
- No, you don't understand! I told you, I saw Katia die before my eyes. I refuse to let that happen again! I declared in a piercing tone.
- I won't let you go near her! I shouted.
At that moment, a new energy emerged within me. My aura intensified, and the classroom began to tremble. Desks and chairs levitated, lifted by an invisible force. I was ready to face Komi to save Katia.
- STOP IT! screamed Katia.
With a single word, her power overwhelmed me. My heart relaxed despite my anger, and my powers dissipated. Was it due to my limits? No, it was Katia. Her strength crushed me.
I collapsed under the pressure of her aura. A circle of wind enveloped us, preventing even Komi from approaching. The difference in power between us was immense.
- Katia, I just want to protect you...
- Marvens, I'm not proud of you. This isn't how you protect someone, she replied angrily.
Her gray and white aura intensified. Her voice became deep, and her appearance began to change.
- Marvens, now is not the time to stay here. Run! shouted Komi.
For a moment, I thought Katia was going to kill me. I would have deserved it, after all. But she suddenly calmed down. Her aura quickly diminished, and the pressure disappeared.
- I'm sorry, terribly sorry for scaring you... I'm unforgivable. I don't deserve you, Marvens, Katia sobbed.
- Don't say that. I'm the one who doesn't deserve you. I couldn't even save you three months ago. Because of me, you died, I replied, desperate.
Komi interrupted us, still nervous:
- Marvens, come here. I need to talk to you.
She seemed so stressed, trembling so much that I felt the urge to apologize.
- Yes, what is it? I asked.
- Listen to me carefully, I'm ready to make an exception for Katia. Not that I lack the level to exorcise her, far from it, she said with a superior air while trembling.
- I don't quite believe that lie, I said with a big smile.
- However, Katia has to go into this box.
My face showed fear. This box radiated a lot of energy. How could I know it wasn't a trap?
- Don't worry, it won't kill her. Do you want proof? she asked.
- Yes, please, I replied.
She extended her arms and slowly opened the box. Then, a spirit supposedly of Class F came out. My doubts disappeared; I understood that this box was just meant to transport spirits.
- Alright, I trust you, I told her in a serious tone.
- But the problem isn't there. I think you noticed it was Class F, said Komi.
- Yes, and? I retorted.
- Well, I'm not sure if Katia will be able to fit inside, given her higher class. Nothing guarantees this box can handle the energy she emits.
- Hmm, I see. And I suppose you expect me to convince her to get in? I said in a blasé tone.
- You catch on quickly. Now go ask her, Komi said.
- Okay, and what about the spirit you let escape? I asked her.
- Uh... she said with a nervous smile.
- Disappear, insignificant creature, Katia shouted.
The Class F spirit instantly exploded, and a black stone with purple lines fell. Komi and I understood that if Katia wanted, she could do exactly the same to us...
- Uh, Marvens, try not to make her angry when you ask her. Otherwise, I wouldn't bet much on our lives, she said with a shocked face, staring at the spirit that had just exploded in front of us.
I approached Katia. She had a big smile as she saw me coming closer. I felt bad asking her to get into this box without explanation. I had no choice but to explain everything to her.
- Katia, I'd like to ask you something... I said.
- I'm listening, she said shyly.
- Could you please get into this box?
- YES, I WANT TO! she shouted.
We spoke at the same time, so I didn't quite understand what she said, but she seemed embarrassed afterward. There was a moment of silence. Then she said...
- Uh, could you explain why I should get into this box, please? she asked, filled with disgust.
I didn't know how to convince her to come with us. It was an almost impossible mission for someone of Class B or higher.
- To put it simply, we're part of an organization that exorcises spirits like you. Since you and Marvens seem close, I agree to let you live on the condition that you enter this box, Komi said.
- Well, alright, if it can save me from dying again, Katia said.
She had something else in mind, but I wasn't sure what. However, she had a big smile as if she was happy about it.
For once, Komi really saved my skin. I don't think I would have been able to convince her myself.
Katia jumped into the small box.
Now, I guess we'll have to return to the academy, but we have nothing to prove that we exorcised her. I don't know if Katia should have dropped a stone similar to the other spirit's.
- Marvens, we'll have to go back and explain the situation to the Master, said Komi.
- Do you think he'll let her live? I asked her.
- I don't know, you'll have to be convincing, she said.
- What do you mean "you"? Aren't we going to explain it together? I questioned her.
- No, I'd love to help, but my presence won't help in this situation. You'll have to explain how she died if you want a chance, Komi said.
- Alright then, I said in a blasé tone.
We arrived at the academy. As soon as we entered, Komi took me to the Master's chamber.
- Hello, Master! she said, bowing her head.
- Do the same, idiot! she whispered to me.
- Hello, Master! I said.
- Hello, children. So, did you manage to exorcise this spirit? the Master asked.
- Marvens will give you a report of what happened, said Komi.
- Alright, I'm listening, Marvens, he said.
I was totally stressed. The thought of losing Katia a second time put immense pressure on me.
- MMMM... MASTER! I stammered.
I couldn't even speak properly; my vision started to blur.
- Take your time, Marvens. Don't stress, I'm not going anywhere, he said with a slight smile.
- Master, first of all, I ask you to listen to me until the end. What I'm about to tell you will probably displease you.
- Hmm, I'm listening. Speak, he said in a more serious tone.
The pressure he exerted was enormous, but I had to overcome it to save Katia.
- Master, I need you to hear my story, I said.
- Komi, I ask you to leave the room, said the Master.
- Alright, I'll leave you the box, said Komi.
I told him everything that had happened recently, including Katia's death at McDonald's.
- The spirit in the classroom was my friend Katia. She can speak our language and understand it. So, please, let her live, I said, my face filled with anxiety about his potential response.
- First, you said that the man who shot at you in McDonald's backed off when you think you transformed and that he didn't have red and purple eyes nor black and white hair. Is that correct? he asked.
- Yes, that's correct, I said, filled with incomprehension.
- Alright, then things are going to move very quickly, I believe, he said.
- Please explain what's happening! I asked him.
- You must know there is a Spirit King named Glucux. For several weeks, ordinary humans have started seeing our Demi-Spirit traits. Luckily, they don't see spirits themselves. In my opinion, Glucux is behind this, and his goal is to push humans to kill us without mercy because we're the only ones who can stop him, he said.
That's explain why the two officers saw my hair inwhite and black
- That's horrible! I can't let that happen. I promise to eliminate him! I shouted.
- I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I don't think you'll succeed without help. That's why I insist you stay with Katia on your missions. If you wish, Komi can join you, he said.
- Did I understand correctly, Master? I asked him.
- Yes, he said.
I was so happy that I ran and jumped around the Master's chamber.
- Secondly, he said. I'd like you to ask Katia to come out of the box.
Katia immediately emerged without us having to ask.
- Hello, Master, thank you for letting me stay with Marvens! Katia said enthusiastically.
- That's what I thought, murmured the Master. Katia, you must know that you are a descendant of the Spirit King Glucux. You are the granddaughter mentioned in the prophecy.
- What prophecy? I asked.
- The Prophecy of the End of Spirits. This prophecy tells of a day when three Demi-Spirits-a girl of Asian origin, a mixed-race boy, and a Latino boy-along with a Spirit descending from Glucux himself, called The Redeeming Spirits, will fight the King in person. However, the prophecy does not say whether these heroes defeated him.
- Wait, if Katia is the Spirit of the prophecy, 1, 2, 3... We're only three, including Komi, and our origins match those mentioned in the prophecy. Does that mean we have to find the last member? I asked.
- Exactly, Marvens. You are the heroes of the prophecy, he said.
The door opened, and Komi entered.
- Sorry, Master, for disobeying you, but I think I'm part of this conversation now, said Komi.
- You're right. I was about to ask you to come in, said the Master.
- So, if I understand correctly, we are this world's only chance to defeat my grandfather? Katia asked.
- Yes, you will have to learn to get along and fight together. I believe in you, The Redeeming Spirits! the Master said with a big smile.
At that moment, Komi, Katia, and I knew everything rested on our shoulders, but we still had to find the fourth member...