After the exam concluded, we bid farewell to the Yuzuaras, our hearts light yet thoughtful as we exited the exam space. In an instant, we found ourselves back at the familiar bus stop, the same one from which our journey had begun. The ride back to the Izana base was quiet, each of us reflecting on what had transpired. Upon arrival, we were greeted by Freed, Diana, and Roger, who were seated comfortably, awaiting our return.
Shizu wasted no time recounting the events of the exam in vivid detail. Her eyes sparkled with restrained excitement as she described each twist and turn.
"Wow, you actually earned a Level 1 Trainee badge as one of your rewards?" Freed exclaimed, a proud smile playing at his lips. "If you think about it, that means Deluke only needs a year to advance to Level 2," he added, throwing a teasing glance at Shizu.
Diana, lounging with crossed legs and one hand resting elegantly on the table, chimed in, "What score did she get in the first test again?"
"I think it was over 400,000," Roger answered, wiping two clean cups before filling them with soft drinks and handing them to Shizu and me.
"Thanks," we both said in unison, settling into our seats. Shizu downed her drink in one impressive gulp, the empty cup landing on the table with a decisive slam.
"You make it sound like it's my fault my level hasn't risen," she huffed, eyes narrowing. "It won't rise if you keep me off proper missions! I can't keep hunting F-class Hellborns and expect to level up."
"That's because you didn't have a partner or a team," Roger explained, his brows furrowed with concern.
Shizu turned her sharp gaze to Freed. "Well, now that Mr. Genius is here, isn't that problem solved?" she challenged.
Freed shook his head, a serious note creeping into his usually relaxed tone. "Deluke isn't ready yet."
"Huh? He's already a Level 1 Trainee and managed to face four Iroha members without even using spiritual spells! What do you mean he's not ready?" she shot back, incredulous.
"Let him reach Level 2 first, then we can have this conversation," Freed replied, his voice firm, dismissing her argument with ease.
I watched their exchange, part of me surprised, part of me confused. Freed's caution made sense considering the inherent dangers of the paranormal world. But Shizu's frustration was palpable—she had been a lone wolf for over a year and a half, and her eagerness for progress was undeniable. It was unexpected, even impressive, to see Freed's protectiveness, hidden beneath his lazy exterior.
Shizu's expression grew more desperate. "By the time he reach Level 2, Celestina and Akash will already be Level 3, ready to take the Main Paranormal Officer Exam next year. Meanwhile, I'll be stuck waiting another three years!"
Diana, ever composed, interjected, "Isn't that better? You'll have the chance to reach Level 5 before taking the Main Exam. That would be far more advantageous. Don't lose sight of your goal, Shizu."
Shizu stood abruptly, her chair scraping back. "I know my goal," she said, her voice tight with emotion, "but I'm starting to wonder if you all are helping me or holding me back." With that, she stormed out of the café.
I looked at the others, expecting someone to go after her, but was met with indifference.
"No one?" I asked, baffled.
Freed shrugged. "She'll calm down on her own."
Diana sighed. "She always acts like this. I keep telling her she won't find a boyfriend with that attitude."
Roger smiled as he stood. "I'll whip up her favorite dish. She'll relax when she gets back."
"Wow," I muttered, taken aback by their casualness.
Freed changed the subject, glancing at his phone. "Anyway, your school assignment just came through. I'll send you the location. Classes start tomorrow, so be ready."
"Okay," I replied, a flicker of excitement coursing through me.
The next morning, I arrived at Tokyo Seishin Gakuen. The name alone, with 'Seishin' meaning spirit, made me think it was a school filled with the awakened. But to my surprise, there was no spiritual energy to be sensed—just ordinary students everywhere. My introduction to the class was met with loud cheers, most likely due to my appearance. The day unfolded like any typical school day until, walking with a group of classmates, I noticed something strange. They could see the real me.
"It's about time," I muttered to myself, stepping forward until I spotted a door. I opened it and stepped into a room filled with both familiar and unfamiliar faces.
"Deluke, over here!" Nana called out, waving enthusiastically.
"Hey! I didn't expect to see you guys here," I said, moving to join them.
"I know, right?" Sam grinned.
"Nana was praying hard that you'd end up in the same school as her," Haruwa teased, earning a blush and smile from Nana. We settled into an easy conversation.
"So, you guys have been here this whole time? I didn't see you before," I asked, puzzled.
"Our spiritual presence is suppressed in schools like this," Nana explained. "It's a precaution by the Union Link to prevent reckless use of spiritual energy. And maybe we were just in different classes."
Our chatter was cut short when a man strode into the room, slamming his books down with authority.
"Quiet, everyone. Welcome to your first class," he said, his voice commanding immediate silence. "I'm Kroos, your instructor. I'll be guiding you over the next three years, watching your progress as you prepare for the Main Exam."
He scanned the room, his eyes sharp. "I won't bother learning your names just yet; you'll handle that yourselves. Instead, I'll start by telling you why we are awakened, why monsters walk this earth, and why we serve the Order. Let's begin with the history of what we in the paranormal world call Main Earth."
The room buzzed with excitement. Most of us had heard fragments of this story from our respective organizations, but never the full, unvarnished truth.
"There are countless stories about how the world came to be," Kroos began, his voice resonating with quiet authority. "But let me tell you the truth as we know it. Every planet and star in existence is part of the Creator's grand experiments—trial creations, each flawed in its own way. Only our planet, Earth, was perfect, immune to external cosmic influences, capable of nurturing life exactly as the Creator envisioned.
"In the beginning, as in many ancient tales, the Creator forged light first, then the firmament, the soil, the trees, and finally life itself. To aid in this monumental task, the Creator formed powerful beings—the Watchers, the Fishermen, and the Angels. These aides became the foundation of the Order, assisting in the governance and maintenance of the universe.
"But peace didn't last. The first great evil emerged—an Angel of immense power who rose to become the Creator's left hand, only to betray him in a bid to seize ultimate control. This betrayal sparked a cataclysmic war, known to us as the First Evil Condemnation. The rogue Angel, whom we now call the Devil, rallied an army, and for reasons still beyond our understanding, his might rivaled that of the Creator himself. The war devastated vast swathes of the universe, causing immeasurable casualties and ripping open countless rifts in the fabric of reality.
"In a desperate bid to end the conflict, the Creator forged something dreadful and absolute: an alternate reality that defied every law and principle he had set in motion—a realm of eternal torment to imprison and punish the Devil. We know this place as Hell.
"Peace was restored, but the universe was irrevocably scarred. To heal these wounds and stabilize existence, the Creator fused his own core essence into Earth, binding the universe's principles to this perfect world. This act accelerated the universe's recovery but also drove the Creator into eternal slumber, leaving his loyal servants to safeguard Earth. Over time, the universe began to multiply, birthing new planets and life forms—what we now understand as alternate universes. To differentiate, we started calling our planet 'Main Earth.'
"However, this rebirth brought new threats. Enemies arose, seeking Earth's core to claim dominion over all realities. In response, awakened beings were born—those of us gifted with spiritual power. And thus, the Order was established, forming the very groups you are part of today."