Chapter 2

Ding dong! Dang dong!

Today's lesson's finally finished. Mom and dad will be proud to know I got the best marks today at school.

"Children, tomorrow is the last day of school, 'cause the day after tomorrow is the winter break. Please get ready for tomorrow, 'cause there will be a spell casting competition to welcome winter," says Mr. Satoshi.

"Boring! Why not have a battle between students? Or students and teachers?!" says Darius.

Darius grins as if challenging Mr. Satoshi. 

"Hahaha. Did I just hear a joke? I think I'm the strongest student in this school, but there's no way I'm challenging a teacher. Firstly, you must know your limits, Darius! Secondly, if you want to fight one of the teachers in this school, why don't you try fighting me first?"

I'm sick of Darius' cocky behavior. He's often boasting about his magical ability. 

Indeed. For a high school student, Darius is quite skilled at casting spells and he also demonstrated very strong power during the competition at the inter-school event last month. However, I think his words just now have gone too far.

"You lazy, ugly, and unpopular snot-nosed kid. How dare you challenge me! You should think about why I never wanted to fight you. It's 'cause you're weak and cowardly. I always want to fight a stronger opponent! Got it?!" taunts Darius.

"That's it. Stop it, you two!" says Mr. Satoshi.

Mr. Satoshi releases his Yang energy.

Mr. Satoshi is a Yin and Yang energy user. He was once a representative of one of the government's elite troop teams, the Zodiacs. His energy is so unbelievably strong, I have trouble moving.

"Hehe. I give in. Since the school bell has rung, I'll go home now. See you tomorrow, Lazy Boy," says Darius.

Darius just walks away, as if the Yang energy released by Mr. Satoshi had no effect on him.

"That kid is strong. I'm curious about the next generation's power," mutters Mr. Satoshi to himself.

As I'm just coming out of the school gate, Mr. Satoshi approaches me.

"Petra! Can we have a quick chat?" asks Mr. Satoshi.

I don't know what he wants to talk about, but he seems to be in a hurry.

"Alright, Mr. Satoshi."

We walks into Mr. Satoshi's room. He shows me a book.

"What's this book about, Sir?"

"It's an ancient spell. It's a book that belongs to the previous Leo of the Zodiacs. He's also my master," replies Mr. Satoshi.

"Then?"

"I want you to learn it. I've been looking for a strong disciple who can carry on the new generation. 'Cause there's a prophecy by my master, that a miracle child will be born and I'll be able to see the sign," says Mr. Satoshi.

I'm even more puzzled by his sudden words.

"Wait a minute. You said your master predicted a miracle child? You also said you'd be able to see the sign. What's the sign?"

I don't think I did anything weird. Why did Mr. Satoshi think I was the one? Weird.

"Do you remember what happened in class? I accidentally unleashed my full power! And I also directed all my aura towards you, 'cause in that instant I saw a huge aura swirling around your body. I was worried that you might hurt all the students in that class," replies Mr. Satoshi.

Did I unconsciously let out so much of my aura? Indeed, I was so mad hearing Darius' insulting words. I wanted to finish him off right then and there.

"I'm sorry, Sir. I did get angry at Darius's insulting words."

"There's no need to apologize. I also got mad at him. More importantly, you're strong! Even though I've used all my strength to stop that huge aura of yours, your face didn't seem to feel pressured or intimidated. That's what makes me believe that you're the person my master predicted!" says Mr. Satoshi.

I got it now. That's why I felt the air getting heavy earlier in class. It turns out that Mr. Satoshi was attacking me with his intimidating aura.

"But, isn't Darius much stronger than me, Sir? 'Cause he was able to walk out of the classroom casually after that."

"I only suppressed your aura, not his. I attacked your aura too 'cause your aura was too big and I was worried that it could harm all the students in the class. That's all," says Mr. Satoshi.

"Got it. If you really want me to learn this spell, I'll try. However, I can't guarantee to be able to satisfy your expectations, Sir."

"I believe in you, Petra! That's why from now on I'll be your master. I'll teach you how to control your power. I'll also help you suppress your power in case it gets out of control," says Mr. Satoshi.

Huh... I haven't even finished doing what Mom and Dad told me to do. Now another task is coming up.

"Alright, Mr. Satoshi. I'm going home."

"Take care, Petra," says Mr. Satoshi.

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At home

Today was really tiring. I feel like going to bed right away.

"Mom, Dad, I'm home."

Huh?

Where are Mom and Dad? He's usually home by this time.

"Mom, I'm home."

Is Mom away? Hmm... Usually Mom will tell me or leave a message if she goes out. This is weird.

Alright. I'll clean up and try reading this ancient spell book Mr. Satoshi gave me in my room.

10 minutes later

It feels so refreshing after taking a bath. I'm hungry. I'd better eat first before reading the book.

Wait. What's this letter?

"'To Safira and Jose'. It's for Mom and Dad! What does this mean? This letter is from the Zodiacs?! What's exactly Mom and Dad hiding from me?"

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"Insolent! You're one strong little girl! Before I finish you, tell me who told you to do this!" says Jose.

"I do whatever I want on my own. Let me tell you something nice, weak human. I'm Jean! One of the 12 strongest demon commanders!" says Jean.

"Good. I too have felt that you're a little different from the others. Today is a good day for me 'cause I have the opportunity to finish off one of the strongest demons! Get ready!" says Jose.

"You arrogant weakling. Your body is already full of wounds and yet you still dare to talk like that? Get lost!" says Jean.

"Healing Maxima!! Maximum recovery!!" says Safira.

Safira summons the last of her strength to heal Jose.

"Thank you, my dear wife. Now you can take a rest. I'll finish her off. Rain of Blade!!" says Jose. 

"You're repeating the same mistake! Golden Shield!! Your attacks can't penetrate my shield!" says Jean.

"Muddy! With this, I'll finish everything! Slash of Blade!" says Jose.

Jose instantly moves straight ahead and points his blade toward Jean.

"Shit! This mud is holding me back! Hyper Sonic!" says Jean.

Jean shoots a very high sound waves that knocks Jose off his feet and makes him bleed from his ears and nose.

Safira faints immediately 'cause she can't bear the pain of the sound waves released by Jean.

"You weak humans!! What are your last words?! Should I kill your wife first?!" says Jean.

"Just kill me, but don't kill my wife! Don't you dare touch her!" snaps Jose.

"Interesting. I'll kill your wife first, so you can feel the pain before you die!! Hahaha!!" says Jean.

Jean steps closer to Safira and prepares to swing her sword.

"Die, you weak human!" says Jean.

"No!!" shouts Jose.

Whoosh...

Thwack!

A spear shots out very fast and tears Jean's left cheek open.

"Arrgghh! Who did that?" snaps Jean.

"Was the mission I assigned to you too hard, Jose? I didn't foresee that the opponent was one of the 12 most powerful demons!" says a man.

One of the Zodiacs who's also Jose and Safira's superior came to their rescue. He's Ivar, the Sagittarius.

"Master! Why are you here?" asks Jose in surprise.

"I sensed a great force from this direction: sound waves that were so high and suspicious. And it happened to come from the village I assigned to you two. It turned out that my feeling was right, that something was wrong," says Ivar.

"I have nothing to do with you! Go away, you ugly creature! Song of the Darkness!" says Jean.

Jean once again uses sound waves to attack Ivar.

"Your little screams can't hurt me! I'll finish you off with one attack! Heavy Charge!" says Ivar.

Ivar runs quickly and hits Jean hard.

After Jean is blown away, smoke appears and she disappears. She's badly injured by Ivar's attack.

"Looks like she ran away, Master," says Jose.

"Let her be. This way they will think twice about appearing openly in the near future. Now you two should be treated to heal your wounds," says Ivar.

"Well, thank you for coming, Master," says Jose.

"I should be the one thanking you and apologizing at the same time. Thanks to the task I gave you, you got beat up like this," says Ivar.

"No problem. It's our duty. We're ready to accept all the risks," says Jose.

"Alright. For the next few months, I'm taking you off duty. Take a rest until your body recovers properly. I'm off," says Ivar.

Ivar returns straight away to the Zodiacs' headquarters to inform them that the strongest demons have begun to appear. And this could signal the beginning of a great battle.