Morning sunlight spilled into the classroom.After that "Midnight Elevator Incident," all of Saint Lin Academy was buzzing with wild rumors:
Some said the elevator that night had "fallen straight into hell."Some said Lucian was a demon hunter.And some even swore—"I heard Lucian tamed a female ghost in the underworld as a pet!"
Maya: ???
She nearly choked on her soy milk."If Lucian heard these rumors, he'd explode from anger…"
Maya sighed, sipping her soy milk while watching her classmates gossip.She was wearing a light blue sweater today, her hair smooth and soft, looking as cute and gentle as ever—only a faint trace of sleeplessness lingered in her eyes.
Just then, a small shadow appeared at the door.It was Alice.
She wore a clean white shirt, holding a stack of notebooks in her arms, and whispered,"G–good morning, Maya."Her voice was as soft as freshly kneaded mochi.
Maya's "mother mode" instantly activated."Morning, Alice! Have you had breakfast? Come on, I've got extra buns!"
Alice blinked, sat down like a well-behaved kitten, and began nibbling the bun in tiny bites.Then she looked up, her voice small but sincere:"Tasty."
Maya: 💥 Heart critical hit.
Her whole being melted; she wanted to sign an adoption paper on the spot.But just as she was drowning in this wave of softness—
A familiar voice came from the doorway.Female Lucian cleared her throat. "This is a dorm, not a daycare."
Maya glared at her. "You don't understand—this is love and responsibility!"Lucian raised an eyebrow. "More like an IQ and stamina test."
Alice watched them bicker and smiled faintly.That tiny smile seemed to brighten the whole room.
By noon, Maya decided to take Alice to the cafeteria.And the two of them—unsurprisingly—drew everyone's attention.
Maya was cheerful and cute, glowing wherever she went.Alice followed quietly behind, obedient and pure-eyed.
Whispers followed them:"Is that her little sister?""I heard she's a transfer student—so sweet!"
Maya secretly laughed, finding the attention oddly refreshing.
After lunch, she handed Alice a bottle of milk tea.Alice held it carefully, sipping as if performing a sacred ritual."It's good," she said seriously.
Maya patted her head. "Then big sis will buy you one every day."
Female Lucian rolled her eyes. "Your sugar level is about to overflow the screen."
Just then, footsteps echoed down the hall.
Male Lucian appeared, holding a stack of thick student files.Their eyes met.
Maya asked, "What's all that?""Student records," he replied coolly. "Another club member swore they saw a 'gray shadow' in the music room last night. I'm checking old records."
Maya's jaw dropped. "No way! We just solved one haunting, and there's another?"Lucian sighed. "Looks like the legend of the Seven Ghosts isn't just a story."
"Seven ghosts…" Maya tilted her head, eyes sparkling. "Then we could form an Exorcist Squad!"Lucian replied flatly, "More like the Unlucky Trio."
Maya puffed her cheeks. "You're no fun!""I checked the forum," she said proudly. "People are still talking about the elevator incident! Someone even drew fanart of Graye—it's super cool!"
Lucian looked unimpressed. "Cool? You should remember what he really was."Maya gestured dramatically. "Still, he was a poor but kind man."
Alice nodded softly. "He saved someone… and died peacefully."
Lucian's steps faltered.He didn't say it aloud, but that final moment—the soul fading into the light—still lingered in his mind.
After a brief silence, his voice returned, calm but sharp as ever:"Enjoy your little family outing."
Maya froze, straw still in her mouth."Who's a family, huh, male Lucian!?"Female Lucian shot back immediately.
And for a brief moment—everything felt calm, gentle, almost normal.As if the shadows of that midnight elevator were finally far, far away.
Then—The night wind brushed over the campus once more.Lights flickered.Shadows quivered faintly in the dark.
Alice stood quietly by the window, eyes distant.In a whisper, she said—
"…Over by the music building, someone's singing."
The calm of daily life…was merely the prologue to the next anomaly.
The second legend of the Seven Ghosts was about to awaken.