In the evening, after dinner time, Angus and his friend decided to search for the rumored ghost around the academy ground.
Since inside the academy ground, there are a lot of masters and experts with various kinds of strength there are no truly curfew rules. For high-grade people who could work for a few days without being tired, there is no difference between day and night.
However, the majority of the students are still ungraded and need to rest at night which makes the academy empty in the evening time. Besides, the human race also has a natural biological clock to rest after the sun goes down.
In the middle of the silent academy ground, "So, how do we search for this ghost?" asked Angus.
Hearing this, Axel took out an academy map and let the other see.
"Since the ghost is coming from the abandoned building, Why don't we check this part where a lot of abandoned buildings are placed." said Axel.
"Good idea. Let's go now." said Millie excitedly.
"M-Millie…" said Mia who is already afraid when hearing the ghost word.
After walking for a while, the student passed some of the patrolled academy guards.
"Kids, go back to your dorm. It is not safe to go out at night for now." said the guards sternly.
"Ehh… but, we want to find the ghost." said Millie innocently.
Hearing this, the guard immediately facepalmed, "*Sigh* another one. There's no such thing as ghosts." said the guard.
"Another one?" asked Ian.
"Yeah, since the rumor about ghosts spread, you are not the only student roaming during the evening time. Now, go back to your dorm." said the guard.
"Can we take a walk first before going back?" asked Axel.
"*Sigh* Alright, I doubt you will get in trouble since there are also some students taking a walk." said the guard before walking away.
"So, how is it, guys? Did we continue?" said Axel.
"Of course, this is a rare opportunity to go out together," said Millie.
Looking at the enthusiastic Millie, the other reluctantly walks towards the abandoned building area.
Along the way, "Jayna, are you okay? You keep silent from the start." said Angus softly to Jayna who kept gripping Angus's arm.
Being called suddenly, "Ehh… N-Nothing." Jayna startled a little bit but came closer to Angus.
Looking at this, Angus could only shake his head. "Don't worry, I will keep protecting you from anything." said Angus softly to reassure Jayna.
Hearing this, Jayna couldn't help but calm down a little bit and feel comfortable with Angus's presence. Soon, the group arrives at the abandoned building area.
As soon as they arrive, "This is… " said Ian.
"Why are there so many students here?" asked Millie.
"It seems they are also searching for this ghost thing." replied Axel
In the perimeter of the abandoned group area, some students are walking in groups while joking with each other. Some of them even scared one of the others. It is like a recreational night place.
Looking at this, Angus's group knows that their adventure ends without being started. While they didn't know whether to stay or look around, inside of the abandoned building, near the window, a shadow looked at the student nearby before gone.
The appearance of the shadow is only a moment and hardly perceived by others. But, during this time, Angus looked at the window seriously.
'This feeling… Something is suddenly gone. There is something here.' thought Angus seriously.
Looking at Angus's serious expression, "Angus, is something wrong?" asked Jayna.
"N-Nothing." replied Angus.
Then, Angus's group decided to walk around for a little bit before going back to the dorm. After finding nothing suspicious in the nearby area, they decide to go back to the dorm to rest.
"Haa… This is busted." said Ian.
"Yeah...? we couldn't find a ghost." said Millie sadly.
On their way back to their academy dorm, the air becomes more chilly.
While walking, "Hey, don't you think It's kinda chilly here?" said Axel.
"Axel, stop playing around. This is not funny." said Mia.
During the time they are inside the abandoned building area, Axel often scares the others as a joke until he is beaten into a pulp by Jayna.
Suddenly, the surrounding magical lamp is flickering along with the one that they bring. Soon, Angus notices his breath become a visible vapor along with the rapid drop of temperature.
The others also notice this, "Everyone there is something nearby." said Angus.
During this time, Angus became serious and cast [Mana Echolocation] silently.
After getting feedback from the [Mana Echolocation], Angus's expression became more grave.
"Jayna, don't leave my side." said Angus seriously while looking around.
"Angus, what is it?" asked Jayna as she realized this is a serious situation.
The temperature became colder and the fountain nearby even froze immediately. After a while, A shadow could be seen moving around.
"Kyaa… Something is moving around." screamed Mia
"Who's there? Show yourself!!" Shouted Ian while flaring up his mana to counter the cold.
Soon, the moving shadow ran away. Looking at this, Ian decides to pursue the moving shadow. Seeing this, Millie also follows him.
As Millie and Ian pursue the moving shadow, Mia didn't have a choice but follow which makes Axel also follow them leaving Angus and Jayna behind.
"Hmmm…" said Angus.
"Angus, is there something wrong?"
"Well, actually…" said Angus.
Suddenly, Angus swung his arm backward and hit a shadow behind him. *Bam* the dark shadow unexpected of sudden attack and thrown away. But, then it immediately disappears leaving Jayna and Angus alone.
Soon, the temperature rose and turned to normal. Angus looked at the ice layer on top of his fist in a serious expression.
"Damn.. we need to follow the others." said Angus.
"Emm.. Yeah... " said Jayna, a little bit unsure.
Using their enhanced speed, they managed to follow up the others that were stopping in front of the big abandoned building. The building is quite big as it is sort of a big facility before being abandoned.
"Angus, Jayna. The ghost is going inside the building." said Axel.
"I-I think we should stop here and call the guard or teacher." Mia said scarred.
"Don't worry, Mia. I believe the ghost is a good guy." said Millie.
"B-But…" said Mia.
"Let's enter the building." said Ian while opening the entrance door.
As Ian entered the building recklessly, the others couldn't help but follow. As soon as all of them enter, a whisper heard, "Get Out~"
Hearing the whisper, "Millie.. let's go back already!!" said Mia.
During this moment, the entrance door is closed suddenly. The surrounding temperature became lower and everyone could see the surroundings become darker. Even the magical lamp that they bring is flickering once again.
"GRUOO!!!"? Suddenly a big black shadow appeared beside them.
With a reflex, Jayna who is frightened from all this stuff launches a fire punch towards the black shadow and is thrown away.
Seeing that Jayna managed to punch the ghost, "Pursue it!!" said Ian while running deeper into the building. The others also once again follow Ian while leaving Angus and Jayna who are rooted on the spot.
After being separated from the others, Angus took out his Sky Thorn. Looking at Angus taking out his weapon with a serious expression, "Angus, what is it?"
"I don't know. But, it is not a ghost or spirit. I guess it is sort of a beast." said Angus.
"Beast!!" said Jayna.
Hearing that it is a beast, Jayna immediately takes a battle position and unsheathes her sword.
Beast, a strong creature with various kinds of abilities like monsters. However, it still retain its wisdom and uses mana rather than miasma.
It could be said like a ferocious animal that could utilize mana. Some rumors said that the beast was the initial form of the monster before it was corrupted from miasma.
Soon, the shadow flashes around them again and the temperature drops rapidly.
"This is annoying, It can disappear and appear at will!!" said Angus.
As the darkness gets thicker, "Angus, leave it to me! [Immolation]" said Jayna.
Jayna's body was engulfed by fire and shone brightly. The fire from Jayna's body offset the dropping temperature and managed to light up the place.
At this moment, Angus moves, parrying some sort of black claw from the darkness that targets Jayna.
"Jayna, ready to cast the Fire spell!!" said Angus while keeping blocking shadow claws that keep appearing from all the directions using Sky Thorn.
Hearing this, Jayna immediately chants a spell. Hearing the chant and the accumulated fire elemental mana, the shadow begins to attack more recklessly.
This time, Angus didn't passively defend himself. He also shoots the Sky Thorn's end towards the spot it may appear. By keep using [Mana Echolocation] silently, Angus notices the appearance of the shadow before it could launch an attack.
After shooting the Sky Thorn's end, Angus manipulates it with his mana through the chain and swings it around. The chain and the sharp end become a sort of living whip that keeps deterring the shadow from attacking.
The battle between Angus and the shadow is going very fast. Soon, Angus managed to bleed the shadow and draw blue blood from it.
It immediately roared frenziedly after being hurt by Angus. Then, the shadow madly rushed at Angus. At this moment, Jayna's hand shone brightly.
"Angus, get down!! [2nd Circle - Flame Bomb]"