Ch.03.To the world of human

Esper returned quietly to her dorm room, a modest space thoughtfully arranged by Hana, the Vice President of the Academy. It wasn't luxurious—just a simple room meant for living. Exhausted beyond measure, she collapsed onto her bed, her mind still swirling with thoughts of the day's events: the humiliating speech, and the weight of the wooden scythe in her hands.

With a heavy sigh, she stared out the window at the stars scattered across the night sky. Softly, to herself, she murmured, "I don't know what to do anymore. The dream I've carried—of becoming a full-fledged Grim Reaper—is slipping away before my eyes."

Her thoughts wandered to the villagers, and to her family. What would they think if they knew what she had endured? Anxiety tightened its grip around her heart just at the thought. A long yawn escaped her lips as she lay back, still pondering what tomorrow might bring. What did Hana want to show her? What awaited her next?

The next day, Esper stood hesitantly outside Hana's office. She took a deep breath, steeling herself, and reached for the door—but her hand froze, and she slowly pulled it back.

Why are you so afraid, Esper? a calm voice echoed in her mind. Come on, just breathe like everyone says. One, two, three...

She inhaled deeply and exhaled, trying to calm the storm inside her.

"How long are you going to stand there?" Hana's irritated voice came from just behind her.

Startled, Esper spun around in panic, her eyes squeezing shut as she bowed awkwardly. "G-goo... g-gol..." Her tongue twisted, and suddenly, she lost her balance and rolled onto the floor.

Hana shook her head with a smirk and strode past her into the office. "When your little drama's over, come on in."

"Okay..." Esper muttered, scrambling to her feet and following her inside.

Once in the room, still feeling confused, Esper glanced up and asked quietly, "Um... so, what did you want to show me, Vice President?"

"Don't you want to become a Reaper?" Hana said, her voice sharp. "That's why I called you. Your training starts now."

With a swift motion, Hana summoned her scythe—black and red flames dancing along its blade—and sliced through the air, opening a glowing portal.

"Through here. I have a meeting later, so there is no time to waste."

Esper's eyes widened. "Wait! A portal to Earth? But you should've told me—I need to prepare! Get food, water..."

Before she could finish, Hana grabbed her by the sleeve and leapt into the portal, pulling Esper along with her.

As they jumped through, Esper suddenly found herself suspended high above the clouds. For a moment, she was stunned and confused, glancing nervously at Hana.

"Vice President, don't you—" she began, but before she could finish, the pull of gravity took hold.

Fear surged through her as she tried desperately to float, but it was no use. She was falling, plunging rapidly toward the earth. Flashbacks raced through her mind—her birth, her first steps, her first day of school, and countless other memories—as the ground rushed up to meet her.

Just before impact, Hana caught her by one leg, holding her upside down in mid-air. Then, without warning, Hana dropped her the rest of the way.

"Why are you scared? You want to be a Grim Reaper, yet you fear death?" Hana taunted.

Esper's voice cracked as a tear welled up in her eye. "I know... but who wouldn't be scared?!"

Hana gave a small nod, jotting something down in a tiny diary. "Maybe I should've opened the portal closer to the ground," she mused.

"You should have!" Esper snapped, finally steadying her breath.

Looking around, Esper's eyes suddenly widened at the sight of massive, strange blue and red machines scattered nearby. "Wha—what is that? Monsters! Vice President, run!" She panicked, trying to bolt, but Hana grabbed her firmly by the back of her collar.

"Don't worry. Those aren't monsters. They're machines built by humans called motor vehicles," Hana explained calmly.

"Motor vehicles?" Esper echoed, completely baffled. "But my mother's stories about Earth said humans lived in small huts, farming, and living simple lives. This..."

"Well, what you heard isn't wrong. That was centuries ago," Hana said, shrugging. "Now, they've advanced. They don't use magic—they use something called science."

Esper frowned. "I think I understand... but maybe I don't."

"Good. Now listen carefully—there are five rules you must never break." Hana's tone turned dead serious.

Rule Number One: You are here only to collect human souls. Do not interfere in anything else.

Rule Number Two: Never kill an innocent person. As a Reaper, you can extract souls, which means you could kill easily—but you must not.

Rule Number Three: Never leave your scythe behind. It is part of you now and must be carried everywhere. Only with it can you enter or exit the human world.

Rule Number Four: Some souls are lost—bodies die before their time is finished, and these souls wander. Do not try to contact them.

Rule Number Five...

Before Hana could finish the sentence, a dark shadow wielding a knife lunged directly at Esper.

Esper stumbled back, falling hard to the ground. With a blazing flash, Hana's scythe sliced through the air, cutting the shadow in half instantly.

"Don't die," Hana commanded fiercely, her eyes locking onto Esper. "Even as a Grim Reaper, you must remember that some souls are corrupted. They hate Reapers most of all, and they will try to kill you. Stay alert."