The sun was just rising over Makoko, casting a soft light over the village. The water below the wooden houses shimmered, and the day slowly started.
Inside one of the homes, a family was waking up, but something didn't feel right.
Mr Kola wiped sweat from his forehead, frowning.
"Teni, am I the only feeling hot? I hope this is not a fever" he asked, rubbing his aching head.
Mrs Teni, fanning herself, nodded.
"It's not only you. It's not even that hot outside yet, but I'm sweating."
Their daughter, Aduke, sat up, feeling just as strange.
"Mama, Baba, I feel sick too. What's wrong?"
Mr Kola shook his head, confused.
"It's strange. We were fine last night. Something must be wrong."
Feeling uncomfortable, Aduke stepped outside for some fresh air. As soon as she opened the door, she gasped. There, lying on their doorstep, was a young man.
"Mama! Baba! Come quickly!"
Aduke called out, her voice filled with worry.
Mr Kola and Mrs Teni rushed outside, and their eyes widened in surprise when they saw the boy. Mr Kola bent down, recognizing his robe.
"This must be one of the gifted students," he said.
"His spirit energy must be making us sick."
Mrs Teni touched the boy's forehead.
"He's been here all night, his skin feels so cold. His spirit energy must be leaking out, that's why we're sweating."
They gently shook Akeh, trying to wake him. After a few moments, his eyes blinked open, sleepy and confused.
"I...I'm awake." Akeh mumbled, looking around.
"Young man, you've been sleeping in front of our door,"
Mrs Teni said.
"Why aren't you at the school?"
Akeh's eyes went wide with realization.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to fall asleep here. I'll leave right away."
He quickly stood up and hurried off, heading toward the dump yard.
As Akeh left, Mr Kola chuckled.
"The mosquitoes must have dealt with him last night."
At the chief's house, Altine was getting ready for the day. As she tied her hair back, she noticed the students outside weren't as quiet and focused as usual. Something was going on.
She stepped outside, curious, and saw the students standing in groups, whispering to each other. The air felt tense. She walked closer, listening to their conversations.
"Did you hear? Someone saw Akeh sneaking out of the chief's house at night,"
One student murmured.
"Why was he there? Doesn't that seem weird to you?"
Another replied.
"They're definitely giving him special treatment. It's not fair,"
A third student said with a frown.
Altine felt a wave of frustration as she realized rumors were already spreading. The students glanced at her, their faces showing disgust and suspicion. She needed to fix this quickly.
Standing next to her, Segun crossed his arms.
"They say someone saw Akeh leaving the chief's house at night," he said in a low voice.
Altine's mind raced. She had used her soul detection before Akeh left, but clearly, someone had been outside her range. This rumor could cause serious problems for Akeh.
She stepped forward and addressed the students.
"Listen," Altine said, her voice cutting through the chatter like a blade.
The students quieted, their attention reluctantly drawn to her. A tense silence settled over the group.
"It has come to my attention that certain rumors have been making the rounds,"
She began, pausing to survey the crowd. The looks she received in return were far from kind...many eyes were filled with suspicion, even contempt. They were beginning to turn on her.
"Well," Altine continued, her tone unwavering,
"the rumors are true. Akeh did come out of the chief's house...because I allowed him in."
A ripple of shock swept through the group. Even Segun blinked in disbelief. She wasn't denying it? Not even to protect her own reputation?
The murmurs began immediately...frustrated voices rising in protest, questioning why Akeh of all people would be granted such a privilege.
Altine let out a sigh, then raised a hand, trying to regain control.
"But... there's been a misunderstanding," she added.
"I let Akeh in because one of you attacked him while he was meditating at the dump yard. He was injured...badly. And as his divisions purist, I felt responsible."
Her words sank in slowly. The bruises Akeh had weren't from just anyone...traces of spirit energy had been left behind. The kind only a trained student could possess.
Lekan and Taiwo exchanged uneasy glances, a flicker of guilt passing between them. Did Altine know it was them?
"That's why he was in the chief's house," Altine said firmly.
"I hope this clears things up."
She took a moment to meet their gazes.
"If you have questions...ask me directly. But stop spreading false rumors."
She turned away sending out a pulse of soul detection energy, searching for Akeh. She felt his presence near the dump yard, but something was different...his energy was stronger than usual.
Segun, watching closely, noticed the pulse of energy and stepped forward.
"Altine, are you leaving again?, this is the same thing you did yesterday."
He asked, his voice edged with frustration.
"You're supposed to be training us. You won't skip training again, will you?"
Altine looked at him calmly.
"No, I won't. We'll start training now."
Segun sighed, clearly still frustrated, but said nothing more.
"Just don't make it a habit, please."
Altine called to the other students.
"Everyone, get into your positions. Training starts now."
As they began training, Altine couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed in Akeh, His energy was different than usual.
To be continued...