The Ghost

Eiji knelt beside Rae and patted the elf on the back. "Please, stand up, Mr. Sharis. This isn't the end. Maybe the afterlife isn't so bad."

The principal said that because he didn't know anymore.

Rae straightened up while wiping away her tears. "Maybe so, but I can't go there."

"What do you mean?" That answer was beyond the principal's expectations.

"I don't have any influence on the world, so God doesn't want to put me in the afterlife." A bitter laugh escaped from the elf's mouth. "That's why my spirit wanders the world aimlessly. No one can see or interact with me except fellow ghosts, who are all as desperate as me…. I can't stand it."

Eiji then helped Rae up and led him to sit on the couch.

"I am the son of a rich lord. My parents pamper me so much that I only know to have fun. All I can do is hunt, then party with my friends to celebrate." Rae continued. "I'm not worried about my future, you know? In the end, I thought I would be a lord, and my minions do everything. I don't need to study, don't need to train to be a good leader."

Even though the story shows how pathetic Rae is, Eiji is still a good listener by not talking.

The elf took a deep breath. "I'm really useless…. Even though I had the opportunity to have a big role in that world. A hero from another world came to me one time."

"So, you adventure with him to save the world?" Eiji asked.

"No, he didn't take me on his journey." The elf closed his eyes and let out a sigh for the second time. "He only asked me to teach him the art of ranged attacks. Even though I'm lazy, they considered me one of the best…. Well, you can guess what happened next, Mr. Sakazaki?"

"You refused?"

"Ultimately, he studied with another master and defeated the demon lord." The elf's hands clenched. "After some time after that, when I died, I heard someone's voice…. It might be from an angel or god himself. He said if only I had taught the hero, perhaps his quest to save the world would have been shorter. Maybe there won't be that many victims. And then, I became a ghost that roams the world full of regrets."

"So that's what makes you so eager to work here?" Eiji made a guess. "You want to make an amend?"

"More or less…" The elf's bitter smile returned. "And that voice also said there was one way for me to escape that situation; if someone revives me, whoever it is. But that's almost impossible... Therefore, I consider this a miracle… A miracle from you."

And the elf left the couch to prostrate again. While sobbing, he begged. "So, please accept me, Mr. Sakazaki. This may be my last chance."

Eiji rubbed his face. Things like this made him worry about dealing with other people. Again, he didn't know how to respond.

"Please, Mr. Sharis." Eiji knelt again in front of that man. "Don't be like this. I'm not a king or a god. I don't deserve a bow from you."

"Please, sir…" Instead of following Eiji's request, Rae groaned like someone in pain.

And this time, Eiji had a hard time forcing that man to get up. The elf might stop after the principal says yes.

But as a leader, Eiji couldn't decide on things like this right away. He has to go through various considerations.

A small knock came from the window. Turning there, Eiji found Kyoko's head peeking.

The kunoichi slapped her nape with her fists, then tilted her head with her tongue sticking out to the side and her eyes rolling back. She looks like a person passed out in comedy films.

Realizing that this wouldn't end any time soon, Eiji nodded. It only took a few seconds for one of Kyoko's twins to come in, sneak up on Rae swiftly, then hit that man on the nape.

The elf suddenly fell unconscious. His head was tilted, and his tongue stuck to the side. It's like what Kyoko had demonstrated earlier, but his eyes closed instead of rolling back.

"Thanks, Kyoko. You saved me." Eiji sighed, knowing that this was far from over. He couldn't relax yet.

***

"Anneth, do you think this school will do fine?" Sienna tucked a stack of books on one of the library shelves.

The monster witch, grouping new books on a table, smiled. "Of course, Miss Bellucci. So far, I see Mr. Sakazaki doing everything well, although he is a bit unique."

The principal then entered the library carrying a stack of books and placing them on the table. "Please, can you group these too?"

Anneth raised an eyebrow as she checked the books. Those are about countries from different worlds and their cultures or races. There was even one that specifically explained the monsters in Anneth's world. She was sure her species was also in that book.

"Even as a principal, you still have much to learn, huh?" The witch smiled.

"I feel I have to do it. It's for the sake of our school."

"What about our newest candidate, sir?" Sienna came up to Eiji, looking worried. "Have you sent him back yet?"

"No, I'm not going to do it." The principal looked at Anneth again. "Are you ready for your first student, Anneth? Maybe this will be very challenging, and you won't be teaching him magic."

"Of course, sir." The witch nodded. "I told you anyone could be a teacher if they had the will. I did say Mr. Sharis was not competent to be a teacher, but I would be happy to help."

"Thank you very much." Eiji nodded. "We'll start his lesson tomorrow."

"I’m glad." Sienna smiled. "It would be a shame if we lose someone full of energy like him."