By nine o'clock in the evening, Oceanview University was cloaked in darkness.
In one of the classrooms, two girls sat side by side in a corner, visibly uneasy.
"What on earth is Michael doing? After everything that happened, he calls us here this late?" complained the short-haired girl, sounding dissatisfied.
The other girl, with long black hair and striking features, looked equally unsettled. "He said he found an expert who can help us and is on his way."
"I hope so," the short-haired girl murmured, trying to calm herself.
"Click, click..."
Footsteps echoed outside the classroom, unnervingly clear in the silence.
"Gulp..."
The short-haired girl swallowed nervously. "That must be Michael and the others, right?"
"It can't be a ghost... can it?" The long-haired girl regretted her words as soon as they left her mouth.
Both fell silent, fear creeping into their hearts.
"Squeak..."
The classroom door slowly swung open.
Their hearts pounded in their chests.
"Click!"
Suddenly, the lights flicked on, illuminating the room.
Standing at the door was a young man in his twenties, with black hair and a handsome face. His black trench coat added a mysterious air.
"This is the expert I mentioned, Alex Carter," Michael introduced Alex to the two girls, then turned to Alex. "These are my classmates."
The girls breathed a sigh of relief and greeted Alex.
---
"More importantly..." Alex began, eyeing the dim room. "Why didn't you turn on the lights?"
The girls exchanged bewildered glances, realizing their oversight.
"Oh, I get it," Alex chuckled. "You guys like a thrill, huh?"
The girls blushed, wishing they could disappear into the floor.
"Alright, enough chit-chat. Let's get to work!" Alex declared, removing his coat.
What's he doing?
The short-haired girl widened her eyes and glanced at Michael.
Is he really here to hunt ghosts?
Alex hung his coat on a chair and approached the girls.
"W-what are you doing?" the short-haired girl asked, leaning back in alarm.
"Ghost hunting, what else?" Alex replied, giving her an odd look. "What did you think I was going to do?"
Before the short-haired girl could respond, Alex added, "Even if I were, I'd choose the one next to you. My taste isn't that bad."
"You!"
The short-haired girl glared, speechless with indignation.
"Alright, let's focus," the long-haired girl interjected, her cheeks flushed. She pulled her friend's hand and asked Alex, "What's the plan, Master?"
"Did you bring everything I asked for?" Alex inquired.
"Yes," the long-haired girl confirmed, pulling pencils, paper, candles, and other items from her bag.
---
"You brought these... Are we playing the Pen Fairy game again?" the short-haired girl asked, hesitant.
"Exactly. We need to lure it out to capture it," Alex stated matter-of-factly.
"No! I'm not doing it!" the short-haired girl protested, shaking her head. She was the one who had quit the ceremony before, and her fear only grew.
The long-haired girl hesitated too.
"Master Alex is amazing! I saw him catch ghosts myself!" Michael assured, fearing Alex might be offended. "Or do you want to live in fear?"
"Alright... but just this once," the girls agreed reluctantly.
Alex paid no mind to their hesitation. He instructed Michael to turn off the lights, and the four gathered around a table, sitting in a circle.
As the candles were lit, their flickering shadows danced on the walls, casting an eerie glow.
"My past life is this life, please come out," the short-haired girl whispered, her voice trembling.
Michael and the long-haired girl joined in, albeit reluctantly.
Only Alex remained calm, occasionally stroking his chin thoughtfully.
"Whoosh!"
A sudden gust of wind blew through the room.
The candle flames flickered violently, threatening to go out at any moment.
Their voices faltered.
It was... here!