"I just want to spend time with you."
For a moment, Leci genuinely thought her hearing had finally given up on her. She couldn't comprehend why Kieron would say something like that. Weren't they close only because of a contract? So why… why say it like that?
"By spending time with me… you mean Lost Spirits hunting, right?"
The only reason she asked such a stupid question was to stop herself from overthinking. Leci never wished — much less hoped — to be liked by Kieron. So she absolutely couldn't allow herself to like him either.
Kieron didn't respond. Instead, he buried his face into her lap, hiding it from view. It genuinely looked like he was sulking because Leci pretended not to understand him. The position they ended up in was ridiculous — he looked like a child throwing a tantrum and she… looked like his exhausted mother soothing him.
"Mister?"
"What do humans usually do when they spend time together?" Kieron asked as he stood up again. Suddenly, his entire expression sharpened with determination.
He's definitely planning something, Leci thought, squinting at him with suspicion. She took a moment before answering, "Watch movies? Read books? Exercise?"
The man tilted his head down to meet her eyes — who was shorter than him — and then extended his hand as if inviting her somewhere. "What kind of exercise do you like?"
Leci couldn't help the faint, mysterious smile that tugged her lips. Hearing that question unlocked a memory she hadn't touched in a while. She took his hand and got up from the chair. "You'll find out soon."
They walked together toward a building near the school. Whatever Kieron did to his presence earlier, it worked — none of the girls who passed by screamed, whispered, or even slowed down. They glanced once… and simply walked past.
Is this what he did to Norris, too? Making himself invisible to certain people? Leci kept questioning it until they arrived. It was the fencing hall she often visited.
If the school had a Fencing Club, she would've joined in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, her school didn't offer it, and she ended up joining the Journalism Club instead — not that she disliked it. Journalism was… relaxing. And fun, in its own way.
After registration, Leci stepped into one of the training rooms. All the equipment was neatly arranged and ready. She quickly set down her bag and prepared gear for both of them.
"Swords? Isn't this technically martial arts?" Kieron asked, eyeing the equipment.
"Correct. Fencing is considered martial arts too. It's been a while since I came here. Today, you'll be my opponent," Leci said, handing him protective gear, a jacket, a mask, gloves — everything he needed.
As she reached for one of the helmets, something flickered in the corner of her eye. A shape. A face. A smile.
And then—nothing.
Leci froze. She stared at the spot between the neatly arranged helmets. No trace of anything. No presence. No lingering aura.
Did I… imagine it?
"What's wrong?" Kieron approached, now fully geared up. He must have learned everything from the posters on the wall because he wore the equipment perfectly.
Leci shook her head and handed him the helmet. Then she put on her own. "Before we start… how about we watch a tutorial first?"
Kieron watched as Leci pulled out her phone and opened the OurTube app. They watched a few fencing tutorials and match highlights until Kieron finally understood the basics.
Only then did they choose their weapons.
"How about using the foil first? It's lighter—perfect for beginners." Leci pointed at one of the swords, her expression almost teasing.
"Even as a beginner, I'll definitely defeat you," Kieron replied confidently. He took the foil she recommended and walked toward the piste — the fencing strip.
"You remember from the video, right? Three rounds, three minutes each. The winner is the one who reaches fifteen points first," Leci reminded him as she finished putting on her gear.
Kieron nodded. "Points are given when the tip of the sword hits the torso, neck, groin, or back, correct?" he repeated, echoing what Leci had explained earlier.
Before the match began, they performed the salute — a gesture of respect, done before and at the end of every fencing bout. The motion was elegant: sword down, pointing at the right foot… then lifting it until the handle aligned with their face, the blade facing upward.
"I will defeat you." Kieron declared it with the confidence of someone announcing a war.
Leci smirked. "I won't let that happen."
The match began — and it was far more intense than she expected. Even though this was Kieron's very first time, he was… absurdly good. He was the type who could master anything after seeing it once.
But Leci refused to lose. She couldn't. She needed to show her superiority as a veteran. And besides — she had her pride.
The match ended with a score of 2–1. Naturally, Leci won. She had been cornered in the second round, but quickly reclaimed her victory in the third.
"Have you never heard of holding back?" Kieron asked while removing his helmet.
"Isn't using our full strength a sign of respect for our opponent?" Leci grinned, unfastening her gear and returning everything to its place. Even though they only played for a short while, she was already drenched in sweat.
Kieron clicked his tongue, clearly dissatisfied with losing. "In the next match, I won't lose," he muttered like a child sulking after losing a race.
As Leci sat wiping sweat with a tissue she'd brought, Kieron walked over and extended a hand. She looked up in confusion — only to be greeted by the sight of Kieron's muscular chest through the three unbuttoned buttons of his shirt.
Those pectoral muscles were… well… quite something… for Leci. If any other girl saw this, they'd probably have a nosebleed.
Reflexively, Leci yanked her gaze away — straight to the window where the sky outside was turning a deep shade of dusk-orange. She silently blamed the thick fencing gear, which always felt like a furnace. Less than fifteen minutes of play and they were already soaked in sweat.
Kieron snatched the tissue pack from her hand, raising a brow at her strange behavior. And once he realized exactly what she had been looking at, he deliberately positioned himself right in front of her — blocking her view — then leaned down slightly, forcing her eyes to meet his exposed neck and chest.
Leci's pupils shrank in shock, her expression unbelievably adorable. She instantly snapped her gaze downward, fleeing from the dangerously tempting sight.
"I—I need the restroom!" she squeaked.
She dashed away before Kieron could say anything. Behind her, Kieron chuckled, clearly pleased with himself. He once again succeeded in making Leci flustered.
Inside the restroom, Leci immediately splashed her face with cold water and slapped her cheeks several times. "Wake up, Leciara! Don't fall for it! Just assume he's an Incubus trying to seduce you into being his next meal!"
After delivering that self-motivational speech, she splashed her face again. Her heart was still pounding erratically, and heat prickled across her skin. "Damn it…" she muttered.
"Huuft…" She exhaled deeply, finally regaining control. She turned off the tap and straightened her back — only for her heart to lurch violently the moment she saw her reflection in the mirror.
Not because she looked pretty — or because her face was as average as always.
But because behind her stood the horrific silhouette of a woman — a twisted, eerie grin stretched across her face. Those wide, manic eyes gleamed with pure malice.
Bruk!
The ghost slammed Leci's head into the sink. Before she could react, it shoved the stopper into the drain and turned on the tap, filling the basin to the brim. Then, gripping Leci's neck from behind, the ghost forced her face into the water.
Blub!
Leci's strength vanished completely. Everything happened too fast — far too fast for her to think, much less fight back. She struggled desperately, but the ghost was terrifyingly strong. It twisted her arms behind her back with ease.
"Ugh! Blub — "
Panic surged through her. Her breath was running out. Water flooded into her nose. Her head throbbed painfully from the impact on the sink.
If this continues, Leci will lose consciousness. And worst of all...
"Leciara Maclean, you must die!"