Chapter 6: Trouble, Training, and Tension*
Kaito had assumed that once he survived his first week—barely—things would get better. But he was wrong. The second week at Aether High came at him like a cursed broomstick from hell, complete with spells, stares, and student drama.
"Can someone please tell me why the blackboard is bleeding?!" Kaito shrieked from the back of the classroom.
"It's just a minor haunting," Jin said cheerfully, chewing on a piece of enchanted gum that was floating in the air in front of him. "Ignore it."
"IGNORE IT?!" Kaito ducked as a ghostly hand reached out of the wall and tried to snatch his bag.
Alexander sat in the front row, perfectly calm, flipping through a thick, ancient tome titled *Advanced Necromancy for Control Freaks.* He didn't even blink at the chaos behind him. His aloof aura was practically freezing the room.
"Mr. Nakamura," Professor Hollowshade snapped, glaring at Kaito. "If you cannot focus in class, you're welcome to clean the Soul Pools for detention."
Kaito slumped in his seat, muttering under his breath. "Why is my afterlife still hell?"
***
Meanwhile, in the boy's training grounds, David and Jin stood facing each other.
"You're late," David said, twirling a glowing dagger between his fingers. "Again."
Jin huffed, flustered. "Well excuse me for needing fifteen minutes to summon pants this morning!"
Their sparring match had started as a simple warm-up but had escalated into a full-blown magical brawl.
"You kissed me, then ghosted me for a week!" Jin shouted, ducking a fireball.
David smirked. "You kissed me back."
"I was in shock!"
They both froze when Alexander's voice cut through the air.
"Save the drama for later. We have drills."
Jin and David instantly dropped their stances, looking like scolded puppies.
***
Back in the library, White Louise glared at a group of girls whispering and giggling over a magical magazine cover featuring—of course—Kaito.
She slammed the book shut. "Why is *he* on the cover of *Phantom Heartthrobs Weekly*?!"
Clare and Mara Gold, her loyal besties, exchanged a look.
"Maybe because he's... um... cute?" Mara offered.
Clare nodded. "He has that tragic, lost soul look that's trending."
White growled. "He's an earthborn newbie with no status, no bloodline, no history—and no right to be this popular."
Sounds like someone's insecure," Jin said sweetly, passing by with a basket of cursed cookies.
White almost hexed him on the spot.
***
That night, in the Moonlit Training Dome, the new students were pushed to their limits. Professor Wraithwing, a banshee hybrid with glowing red eyes and zero patience, ordered them into combat formations.
"Today's exercise is simple," she hissed. "Survive."
Dozens of illusion beasts appeared, snarling and glowing with dark energy. Kaito screamed and ran straight into Alexander's chest.
"Move," Alexander said flatly.
Kaito blinked up at him. "You—! That thing almost ate me!"
"Then dodge better."
Alexander pushed him aside and took down two illusions with a single slash of his spectral blade.
Kaito stared, both impressed and annoyed. "Show-off."
From the shadows, White and David watched the scene. David smirked. "Our Ice Prince has a soft spot."
White scoffed. "If you call 'barely tolerating his presence' a soft spot."
But neither of them could deny the tension building between Kaito and Alexander. It was obvious. And dangerous.
***
Later, after training, Kaito sat on the edge of the floating garden, exhausted and dirty, his uniform ripped and his pride bruised.
Do you think I'll ever get used to this place?" he asked Jin, who sat beside him with a cup of soulberry tea.
"Nope," Jin said brightly. "But you'll stop screaming every time the walls bleed."
Kaito chuckled, leaning back. "Great. That's comforting."
Just then, Alexander appeared behind them. "You missed the last part of training."
"I almost died!" Kaito protested.
"Exactly. You need more practice."
Jin whispered, "I think that's his way of saying 'I'm worried about you.'"
Alexander turned and walked off without another word, but Kaito couldn't help the little smile forming on his lips.
***
In another wing of the school, deep in a forgotten corridor, a shadow stirred.
A pair of eyes watched Kaito from an ancient mirror, whispering curses and promises.
"Soon…"
The real danger was only beginning.
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*End of Chapter 6*