Chapter 6: Mayumi Ishin

"Mayumi Ishin, an archeologist that traveled to almost every country to search for some ancient ruins. The last country she visited was Italy, and she and her team were excavating the site of Herculaneum. This ancient and lost city once stood before the massive explosion of Mount Vesuvius. On their excavation at night, she and her partner excavated a statue that belonged to a royal family that probably ruled the country before the eruption. After that work, her colleagues noticed her behavior and told them she was not feeling well. In January of year thousand and three, Mayumi flew back to her native country in the South East and decided to stay at home and lock herself up. Her parents were worried about their daughter's behavior. They even let a doctor see what's wrong with her. But there were never any findings about her odd behavior. And then, she met Setsuwi while on a mission. Love sparks between them, and they get married. The report says that Mayumi was an ordinary person but with odd behavior when she saw that Statue. She has difficulties during her pregnancy and becomes suicidal. Setsuwi tried hard to be with his wife, and he lost count of how Mayumi wanted to kill herself during her first stage of pregnancy. Luckily, when the baby was born, she became normal again," Eugene reported to Shoma, the school's researcher.

Shoma studies the report while he keeps on rolling his pen on the table. He feels that Mayumi's condition or what happened to her that night during his work might have played a big role in Kaede's life.

"Do you know this Statue? Or who was it?" Shoma asked him.

"According to the report, as per history says, the Statue was an Arcadian, the one who owned it must be a warrior or something since Herculaneum respects those who devoted their lives to the county. As of now, no one knows since the head is missing, sir," Eugine told him.

"Keep on searching for this Statue. Maybe it was manifested by Yurei and was freed when Mayumi accidentally found it. Report ASAP to me," Shoma said.

Eugine nodded at him before leaving his office.

Shoma is now convinced.

The reason why Minami doesn't have her father's ability is that she is a girl. Shoma has searched for Rodriguez, and according to their history, only those males in the clan can inherit it. And the reason why Mayumi was killed was that she found out something shouldn't be touched. And someone planned her death. Shoma is aware that there must be a traitor in the organization. Someone that keeps everyone from knowing what they should have learned. Someone who keeps an eye on them. Minami once told him that if she dies one day, he needs to give the black pouch to his younger brother, whom he never knew because she kept it a secret. The day she was dead, the mission she was in came directly from the Elders. And that was odd. Minami was just an ordinary worker, and why The Elders put her in charge of a mission where she could die, it's anybody's guess.

"How are you feeling?" Shoma asks when Kaede opens the door of his room after he knocks.

"Heavy," he answered and let him in. "Like something has been blowing my head."

Shoma smirked at him.

"Yesterday was supposed to be your first time in school, and then there you go, passing out while having breakfast," Shoma told him a lie when he gained consciousness after Hiro knocked him out.

"I don't remember any of it, but maybe I need to adjust first. My body clock is messing up," Kaede answered him.

"Maybe. But it would be best if you got used to it," Shoma said. "And, before I forget, I will pair you with a second-year shaman student named, and you will be his exorcist."

Kaede looked at him, confused.

"Are you serious? I haven't even studied anything about exorcism and shamans at all," he complained to him.

Shoma smiled at him.

"Just trust your instinct, and that second year will help you," Shoma said before walking to the door. "He will pick you up at five in the morning after breakfast. So don't be late, and do not let him wait," he said before exiting Kaede's room. "Gambare, Kaede," encouraging him before closing the door.

"Hey! Sensei! Wh-"

Kaede left defeated. And why not? He is just a new student and doesn't have any slight ideas about this thing. All he wanted to do was to keep his sister's remains safe and get revenge on those who killed her. He doesn't even have abilities or power. How will he adjust to this senpai of him that will come to pick him up? And, of all, why should it be a second year?

As usual, Kaede walks to where the dining hall. He opened the door. Everyone in there suddenly becomes silent as they watch him go in.

Kaede grabs a tray and walks towards the old lady in charge of the food.

"Good morning, boy; what do you want to eat?" she asks him, smiling and showing her friendly smile.

"May I have two slices of bread with cheese spread on them and a cup of coffee, please?"

The old lady stared at him. Her questioning eyes left Kaede confused.

"Uhm, is there anything other than this you wanted to eat, boy? Like an extravagant meal? My cooks can cook it for you," the old lady said.

"No, ma'am. I'm not a fan of heavy meals for breakfast," Kaede smiled apologetically at the old lady.

"Oh, okay. I'll serve it to you, boy. Wait here," the old lady said before proceeding to make his requested breakfast.

It only took three minutes before his order was done.

"Here you go, boy," the old lady said.

Kaede took the tray and thanked the old lady before looking for an empty table and chair. And when he found one near the window, he walked towards it and enjoyed his breakfast.

Asahi Murata, a second-year student and already labeled as a grade A student in the Shaman category, entered the dining hall not to eat but to check this freshman named Kaede Rodriguez. He has been instructed to fetch him by his Sensei, Hiro.

"You summoned me, Sensei. What is it?" Asahi asked Hiro when he arrived at their dormitory after a mission.

"Yes," Hiro said, smiling at him. "I finally found you a partner to whom you need to do a quick assessment," he added.

Asahi took his glasses off.

"And who is this? Fresh meat?"

"Yes, but not the same one you had for a partner. This boy is something else, and I trust you to handle him," he said.

"Whatever. If he hinders me, I'll kick his ass off," Asahi told his Sensei.

"Heh," Hiro smirked. "If you can handle him. Just keep an eye on him, and if you think something is off, do what you need to," Hiro said before dismissing him.

That's why he was forced to wake up early in the morning to meet this Kaede Rodriguez.

"Good morning Azahi; what do you want for breakfast?" the old lady asked him.

"The usual Missis Magenta," Asahi said, giving her a warm smile.

"Okay, wait for a bit. I'll prepare it for you," the older lady said and began to prepare his favorite breakfast.

Kaede was busy sipping his coffee when a boy, probably taller than him, suddenly sat across from where he was sitting and stared at him.

"That's rude. You don't stare at anyone here without properly greeting them," the boy spoke to him. "And that's not how you greet a senpai, Kaede Rodriguez."

And their eyes met.