The chapter is written from Makoto's perspective.
The underground metro glides smoothly along the tracks, its quiet hum echoing off the metallic walls of the carriage. I sit with one leg crossed over the other, lazily glancing at the rest of the class. Anna sits next to Maya, both looking in opposite directions, avoiding eye contact. Tommy, as usual, is staring at the screen of his outdated console, ignoring the world around him. Opposite me, Jian, our beloved homeroom teacher, sits with his eyes closed, looking as if he’s dozing off.
We’re heading to Kraków for the Ball of the Dead at Wawel. Dziady (a traditional Slavic ritual honoring ancestors) or something like that. A grand event full of nobility, magic, and ceremonies I don’t even try to pretend I understand.
Still, I can’t say I’m not curious.
I rest my head against the window and look at my reflection. After the last training session, I’m stronger. That’s obvious. I can’t be worse than that idiot, Isaac. But still… Jian is hiding the secret of unlocking the next chakras from me. He’s the one who told me to take part in this exam, claiming I’d find the answer here, but so far—nothing. Where is your sixth chakra mark, Jian?
The first five always appear in the same places. I already have two—red circles at the corners of my mouth. The next three should be on my forehead, just like Jian’s. But the sixth… that one opens in different places, depending on the user’s abilities.
Where does he have his?
Not down there, right?
A snort of laughter almost escapes me, but I manage to hold it back just in time, covering my mouth. I don’t want anyone asking what I’m laughing at.
The train slows down. Destination—Krakow.
As I step out of the metro, I spot familiar faces. Isaac, Cornelius, Lucy, and Simon.
I immediately notice Isaac. Pale as a corpse. Eyes wide open, expression like he just walked out of a horror movie.
"What’s with you? So quiet," I ask, approaching him with a nonchalant smile. "And pale as a sheet. Something bite you? Or did you see a ghost?"
Isaac looks at me, his gaze empty, as if he still hasn’t processed everything that happened.
"You could say that."
I raise an eyebrow. Is he serious?
Simon mumbles something about not being cut out for fighting ghosts, says his goodbyes, and hops onto the train. Can’t blame him. It must’ve been tough putting up with Isaac.
Jian, being Jian, approaches us with that ever-calm expression of his.
"We were supposed to arrive here with the headmaster, but as always, everything falls on me because Nowak doesn’t like leaving Rzeszów," he says as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world.
"Who would’ve guessed," I comment, crossing my arms.
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
"Second thing," Jian continues. "You can’t show up there in these rags. The headmaster is sponsoring your outfits, so we’re going shopping."
Oh, now that I like.
We head to some expensive, prestigious store that smells of perfume, leather, and money. The girls are immediately surrounded by staff who start advising them on which dresses to pick.
We, the guys, head to the men’s section. A few employees approach us, taking measurements, matching colors, and checking proportions.
I glance at Cornelius and Isaac. Both are oddly quiet. What the hell happened at that cemetery to shut even Isaac up?
I decide to lighten the mood.
"Hey, but seriously. Did you actually see ghosts? ‘Cause you look like you did."
Cornelius sighs.
"I don’t even know what I saw."
Oh ho, Cornelius—the guy who always has everything under control—suddenly admitting he doesn’t know? Now that’s concerning. Maybe something really did happen? But better not dig into it now.
"Whatever," I wave it off. "Let’s talk about something more interesting. What do you guys think about the girls in our class?"
Tommy doesn’t even lift his eyes from his console.
"I’m only interested in 2D girls."
I roll my eyes.
"Dude, you’re playing some pixelated relic on a console from a hundred years ago. What do you know about women?"
Tommy ignores me.
"Cornelius?" I ask.
"I’m not interested in anyone. Never will be," he replies emotionlessly.
He glances at Isaac.
Suddenly, that one seems to wake up.
"None of the girls in our class are my type. I prefer older women."
I look at him, surprised.
"Seriously?"
"You know, more experienced. You don’t have to worry about anything going wrong..." he says, shrugging.
I can’t help myself.
"Dude, you were just on a mission guarding a cemetery. Shouldn’t it be the other way around? Someone should’ve been guarding it from you!" I laugh. "Poor grannies in their coffins!"
"Hey, not that old!" Isaac protests. "I like them in their thirties."
"Where did that come from?"
Isaac smirks mischievously.
"Because I had the pleasure of spending a night with a girl my age… and with an older one. And let me tell you—older women are better."
Silence falls.
Tommy lifts his gaze from his console.
Maya, in the distance, suddenly turns her head in our direction, as if sensing something.
I look at Isaac like he just told me he slept with my mom.
HOW DID THIS LOSER SCORE BEFORE ME?!
My thoughts are in full rebellion, but before I can say anything, the store employees return with our selected outfits.
We receive elegant Victorian-style suits—black tailcoats, fitted trousers, vests, and masks for the ball. The whole look is seriously badass. I may not be a fan of dressing up, but I have to admit—this has a certain charm.
I stand before the mirror. I have to say—I LOOK FREAKING AWESOME.
"Huh, not bad," I say to myself. "Makoto Kobayashi, handsome and future number one."
Isaac adjusts his collar and looks at himself critically.
"It’s been a while… maybe it’s time to remind myself what it feels like?" he mutters, glancing at me with a smirk.
How old was he when he first did it?!
Deep breath. Exhale. I won’t take the bait.
At that moment, Jian walks into the room and claps his hands.
"Dressed up? Great. Time to go."
Tonight awaits us—the Ball of the Dead.
And I have a feeling it’s going to be an unforgettable night.
