Doujin Artist: Huh? Horror bus? Everyone who gets on is a spirit, and they can't attack humans on the bus?
Skirt-Flipping Maniac: That's so weird, this setup.
Machete Girl: I think it's weird too, but it's real. And that bus driver clearly isn't human either, but it's holding back the spirits.
Lazy Kitten: Could it be, that bus driver is a good spirit? The kind that helps humans?
Scarlet Lotus Fairy: That can't be. The spirits on Kotonoha's side have all lost their humanity and smarts, so why would they want to help people? I think that bus driver is just following some rule.
This is an Actor: Mochou's take makes sense. It must be following some rule. If it really wanted to help people, it wouldn't let Kotonoha, a human, get on.
Pretty Boy from Skull Island: I agree. Letting a human on means danger for sure. And the bus stopped right in front of Miss Kotonoha on purpose. Clearly no good intentions.
Machete Girl: I'm not sure about bad intentions, but we can say for sure it won't protect humans. That cat-eyed old lady kicked me off earlier, and it didn't stop her.
Doujin Artist: Now that's fun. No killing by spirits on the bus. But off the bus, go wild? Does this bus driver have a thing about cleanliness? Doesn't want its bus getting dirty?
Skirt-Flipping Maniac: Pfft, Eriri-chan, your idea is super fresh! Clean freak spirit? Really?
Lin Fengjiao: Nah, spirits are dirty things themselves, right?
Lazy Kitten: Well, I think we need to judge each case on its own. Like the spirit here, old man Ye loves being clean. Cleans the living room ten or more times a day.
Soul Society's Villain: Ten times? That's some serious clean freak level.
Lazy Kitten: And every time the cat scooper washes bowls, he washes them again. Being a ghost like that, I gotta say it's impressive.
Doujin Artist: Cool. Keep a spirit like that, no need to clean house anymore. Perfect match for lazy folks like Agane, right Agane?
Skirt-Flipping Maniac: Agane has nothing to say. He's playing dead.
Amegakure Village's Angel: Of course! Whenever we talk spirits, he's the scared one!
Foul-Mouthed Mask Guy: Hahaha, can't believe people in this world actually fear ghosts! Too weak. That silver-haired curly guy is such a wimp!
Curly-haired Guy: Wimp my ass! I ain't scared, I just don't buy it!
Machete Girl: I don't think the bus driver is a clean freak. It's probably some rule stopping spirits from killing on the bus. Think about it, that bus has big issues! I missed it just like that. So frustrating!
Shark-Faced Guy: Missed it? Just catch it next time.
Machete Girl: Not that simple! I've been on buses for months and saw it once. It shows up by chance. Annoying!
This is an Actor: Try figuring out what makes it appear. Note the time, stop, and surroundings from today. Recreate those conditions and go again.
Skirt-Flipping Maniac: Ah, good idea!
Scarlet Lotus Fairy: Yeah, that method could work.
Machete Girl: Not surprised from Anzen-san. You showed me the path right away! I'll list it out now and try later.
This is an Actor: Good luck next time. Hope you see it.
Doujin Artist: Pfft, for regular folks, that ain't luck. From what Kotonoha-chan said, normals get on and they're done for.
Lazy Kitten: Just stay on the bus. Should be safe there.
Skirt-Flipping Maniac: Problem is, if a spirit lures you off, you can't stop yourself. And what if the end of the line is hell?
Lazy Kitten: Uh... then you're out of luck.
Watching the group chat, Gerald stayed quiet. But he figured the bus's end wasn't hell.
If hell was real, Kotonoha's world wouldn't have so many evil ghosts loose among humans. Hell demons mostly eat souls.
With how greedy demons are, they wouldn't let food escape to the human world in droves.
Still, even if not hell, it's no good place. Probably some ghost zone, a special world just for evil ghosts.
So regular people on that bus? Death, no question. Unless they figure out the loopholes in the bus's rules.
Gerald snapped back to the students in front of him.
Hogwarts classes usually mix two houses. Like his astronomy one, with Gryffindor and Ravenclaw kids.
First class for him, second years with savior Harry Potter. Gerald saw no coincidence. Dumbledore set it up.
No issue for Gerald though. He treats all houses the same.
"So, before we start." Eyes on the excited young wizards, Gerald spoke slowly: "Who can tell me what astronomy is for?"
Swish.
Right after he spoke, a pale little hand shot up. It belonged to a small girl with fluffy hair and babyish cheeks. Held it high, like afraid he'd miss it.
"Hermione, you answer."
"Astronomy helps us watch the stars. We use planet positions to know when magic power in us rises and falls."
"That's the book answer. You prepped well." Gerald nodded easy, told her to sit. "But that answer's no use to regular wizards."
Huh?
Hermione, all happy before, froze up. Face full of surprise.
"Old books keep astronomy trapped on pages, no real world use." Gerald held up his right hand, fingers spread. "I'll teach you real astronomy. And turn it into a brand new magic system."
Hum.
Plain to see, a black ball formed in Gerald's palm. Tiny lights sparkled around it. To the young wizards, it looked like he cradled a planet.
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