"Hello, my dear disciples! How's the first day going?" Azamy's cheerful voice echoed through the projector from the comfort of her luxurious California bedroom.
Alice replied that everything was going well and that she'd successfully completed the first exercise. Jade stood nearby, arms crossed.
"Honestly, these results are promising. But we'll see how it holds up in the field," Jade commented.
"I'm glad to hear it," Azamy said. "Now that you've had a taste of what spiritual energy can do, we can answer all your questions, Alice. I bet you still have a lot on your mind."
That was true. Alice had so many questions, she didn't even know where to start. Then she remembered Jade's story. There was still something that didn't add up.
How could the people of Saint-Hilaire de Provaire have disappeared just a few months ago if the town had been abandoned for decades?
This phenomenon had to be connected to the "matrix core" Jade had mentioned. Alice needed to learn more.
"First, what's a matrix core? I remember hearing about it earlier."
Jade turned to her, her expression thoughtful.
"I did mention it, but I forgot to explain what it is..."
She took a deep breath, her tone hesitant.
"The matrix core is... the essence of reality itself. A focal point of energy that serves as the foundation for everything in this universe. Like I said earlier, everything is connected by an invisible network of energy flows and vibrations. The matrix core is what maintains order in the chaos."
Alice frowned, trying to follow along. She was trying to connect the dots between the core and the tragedy that had struck Jade's town.
Azamy chimed in, her tone calmer.
"The matrix core is like a multidimensional remote control that allows you to manipulate these energy flows. But if it falls into the wrong hands or gets damaged, it can cause catastrophic events—time anomalies, spatial distortions. That's probably what caused the disappearance of Saint-Hilaire's inhabitants."
Jade nodded.
"When the demon that possessed my brother took control of it, everything went up in flames..."
After a moment of silence, Azamy continued.
"Matrix cores appear randomly in certain areas and times. Places with a matrix core are always spiritually charged. You'll often find paranormal phenomena there, and they're highly sought after by entities. I've also read in an old grimoire that when an entity manipulates a core, it becomes its master, gaining godlike powers. If that happens, all life in the area gets transported to another plane of existence, completely under the entity's control. And the reality surrounding the core is altered forever, frozen in time from the moment the core was formed."
"So that means the matrix core in Saint-Hilaire appeared sixty years ago?" Alice asked.
"Exactly."
With all these explanations, Alice had a clearer picture of what might have happened a few months ago. The revelation sent chills down her spine!
But she had to accept the price of using her gift. So she asked the next question.
"Is there anything we can do to stop entities from causing an apocalypse if they get their hands on a matrix core?"
"That's why we're here, dear! Our mission is to maintain the balance between this dimension and the one where entities come from. We have to make sure no one gets their hands on matrix cores. That's why we train groups of people with spiritual gifts, depending on their abilities. Over time, we've built this secret organization working in the shadows."
Alice couldn't help but widen her eyes at all these revelations!
"Wow, you look like the sky just fell on your head, Alice," Jade said with a smirk.
"No, it's just... a lot to take in all at once. This world is way more complicated than I imagined..."
"You'll get used to it, don't worry," Azamy assured her. "In fact, let me add one more thing! See Jade's outfit? Our tailors made it. The fabric is specially designed for spiritual combat. The gems embedded in some accessories help mask our presence from ordinary humans. They make us invisible to their eyes and help us focus our energy against entities. Your outfit should be arriving soon, by the way. I hope you'll like the design! »
Alice glanced at Jade, who looked away.
It did look pretty comfortable, though.
"Anyway," Azamy continued, "I completely forgot to ask about the entity that attacked you yesterday, Alice. Was it a guy in a suit with a rabbit's head?"
Alice swallowed hard.
"His name is Edmon Rabbit. And your first mission is to defeat him as soon as possible!" Azamy exclaimed enthusiastically.
"What?! How am I supposed to do that? I don't even know how to fight!"
"Don't worry, Jade will be there to help. And before you face him, you'll train on some... less tough opponents."
"Okay, I trust you." said the blond girl.
"Trust is essential to survive in this world. Remember that, girls! Alright, Jade, you can move on to the next exercise. If there's any trouble, you know how to reach me."
"Got it, Azamy. See you later," Jade replied simply.
When the call ended, Jade turned to Alice.
"We have class this afternoon, so we shouldn't waste too much time."
"Wait, you're coming back to school?!"
"Why not? Afraid I'll show everyone I'm better than you?"
"We'll see about that!"
"Seriously, though, for the next exercise, you'll need to move this can using the technique you just learned. Think you can handle it?"
Alice didn't keep track of how long she practiced, but by the end, her head was pounding. However, moving small objects had almost become second nature to her! She barely needed to think about it anymore.
She was thrilled to have developed this skill in just one morning. That's when a question popped into her mind.
What was Jade's power? She hadn't shown it yet. So Alice asked.
"If you really want to see it, fine, I'll show you," Jade said, pulling a small cylindrical object from her pocket. "But let's go outside first."
They stepped into the overgrown courtyard.
Jade pulled the pin, and the cylinder extended, revealing its true form—a metallic staff. She held it in front of her, eyes closed. A greenish-yellow aura with violet highlights began to envelop the staff.
When it was fully charged, Jade raised the staff and slammed it into the ground. A powerful shockwave split the earth, sending ripples through the ground like a stone skipping across water!
It was incredible to watch. With that kind of power, there was no doubt Jade could take down entities with ease.
She retracted the staff and put it back in her pocket.
"Alright, that's enough for this morning," Jade said as they headed back inside.
After packing up her equipment, Jade asked Alice to wait at the entrance while she finished her preparations.
Five minutes later, she emerged wearing ordinary clothes—a hoodie and loose joggers.
They set off for school, a twenty-minute walk away.
Still buzzing from the powers she'd witnessed, Alice couldn't hide her excitement, unlike Jade.
"We should stop by the cafeteria," Alice said. "I can't wait to tell Martin about everything we did this morning!"
Jade stopped in her tracks.
"No, absolutely not! The organization insists on anonymity. It's crucial we follow this rule, understand? It's for everyone's safety."
The concern in her lemon-green eyes convinced Alice she was serious.
This warning dampened Alice's mood. Martin was her confidant. They'd shared every secret since they were kids. Now she'd have to keep things from him again. For the first time, she felt like she was betraying their friendship. It didn't sit well with her.
As if sensing her unease, Jade spoke up.
"You know, Alice, there've been more and more entities appearing in the city lately. Someone had to step up and neutralize them, so I volunteered. That's why I've been absent so much."
"But why? I'm sure there are other Spirit Hunter in the area, right?"
"I... I prefer working alone, to be honest. If there's one thing life has taught me, it's that you can only rely on yourself."
Alice wasn't surprised to hear that. Jade had always been a loner.
"Well, Jade, you won't have to fight alone anymore. I'll be there to help you!"
Her words were met with a colder look than she'd expected. Or at least, that's how it seemed.
In reality, Jade's dark gaze wasn't meant for her. Jade disappeared in a flash, reappearing behind Alice to block an incoming slime's attack.
Alice hadn't even sensed it coming!
A deep voice echoed from the shadows. It was Edmon Rabbit.
"You're more perceptive than you look, ladies! Despite my camouflage, you managed to stop one of my minions. Unfortunately, that won't be enough to stop me! Gentlemen, take care of them!"
A horde of slimy humanoid creatures emerged from the smoke, charging at them. There were too many to count.
"Alice, don't just stand there—run!"
Jade charged more energy into her staff, making it glow intensely. A powerful wave of energy sent most of the attackers flying, but there were still too many to handle. Some had escaped and were ready to strike again.
Alice saw one about to claw Jade's back. She didn't have time to hesitate—she had to act now! She focused her energy in her hands and released it in a burst. A strong gust of wind deflected the monster's attack, giving Jade time to finish it off.
"Thanks, Alice, but I told you to get to safety!"
Despite her stoic mask, Alice could see Jade was shaken. Fear creased her brow.
"Don't worry, we'll get through this if we work together," Alice said firmly.
"Forget it. I can handle this alone. Please, just get to safety, NOW!"
That's when Alice felt a hand grab her leg. Then another. She couldn't move. The slimes had snuck up behind her! Jade tried to come to her rescue, but the creatures were too many.
I was too distracted. They got me!
They pinned her to the ground, and one placed its hand between her sternum and navel. Alice watched helplessly as a sphere of white light emerged from her body.
"No, I won't let you!" Jade shouted from afar.
Alice could barely hear her. Her body was paralyzed by pain, an unbearable agony.
Just as she thought she'd pass out, the charm Madame Armie had given her began to glow. A dome formed around her, repelling the monsters.
The charm burst into flames, but the fire didn't harm Alice. Then the charm and the flames consumes the monsters that were too close to the girl.
"A protection charm," Edmon Rabbit mused. "It's a one-time use. This time, there's nothing to save you!"
A new wave of monsters rushed toward them. It was clear that as long as Edmon was around, the slimes would keep coming. Alice had a plan to end this, but she needed Jade's cooperation.
"Thank goodness you're okay," Jade whispered.
"Jade, I have a plan, but I need you to trust me."
She was reluctant but finally agreed to listen.
"Alright, but we only get one shot."
"Don't worry, we've got this. Let's go!"
While Alice gave the signal, she moved away from Jade.
"You're after me, right?! Then come and get me, you losers!" she shout provocativly.
She drew most of the horde toward her. The slimes seemed to have forgotten about Jade.
A bead of sweat rolled down Alice's forehead as she saw the sheer number of creatures chasing her.
Please let this work, or I'm done for!
"Poor girl, you've trapped yourself. Did you really think you had the power to handle this?" Edmon laughed maliciously.
Alice ran fast enough to create some distance between herself and the monsters. She gathered the last of her energy, trying to lift a car and hurl it at the horde!
The car didn't budge! But the slimes were closing in fast. Alice kept trying despite the immense pressure, her headache worsening by the second.
Then, suddenly, the car lifted just as she'd visualized. But the migraine was unbearable! She could collapse any moment.
She hurled the car at the monsters. Caught off guard, they didn't have time to react. A slimy explosion obscured Alice's vision, but she could still hear Edmon cursing.
"What the—?! Fine, I'll just generate more—"
BAM!
Edmon was struck hard in the back by Jade's staff. She'd taken him by surprise!
His body dissolved into smoke, along with the remaining slimes.
The sky, which had been dark, regained its vibrant colors. Alice's headache vanished the moment she released her hold on the car.
"Your plan worked, Alice. Well done!"
"Thanks, Jade! You too. Teamwork makes the dream work."
Jade approached, carrying someone on her back. It was the guy Alice had seen on Halloween near the school entrance. The rabbit mark on his face was gone.
"What? You know him?"
"Yeah, he's from our school. What's he doing here?"
"When I dealt the final blow to Edmon, he turned back into this. I think he was possessed. That's how Edmon could generate so many minions—by using his host's life energy."
"What should we do with him?" Alice asked, "We can't just leave him here!"
"Don't worry, I'll make a call, and it'll be taken care of," Jade reassured her. "We'll also need to report to Azamy after class."
"No problem. Let's just hope I don't fall asleep before then. The day hasn't even started, and I'm already exhausted!"
Alice couldn't believe it. This was how her double life as a high school student and an Spirit Hunter had begun.
The next few years were sure to be full of surprise—no doubt about it!
The End (?)