TRACE

Before the dust could settle I hid my weapon using my earth spirit, the spear got swallowed under my feet into the soil.

I exhaled, sighing in relief as our plan was successful. I contemplated for a moment.

The feeling I felt after winning is neither happy nor disgust, but fulfillment lingers in my mouth, wondering if it is alright for me to feel this way even though I wasn't myself but one of my contracted spirits who took over my body and fought for my place.

I took a last glance over the audience who only saw our fight as mere entertainment, noticing the highest balcony of the arena I immediately concluded.

'That's the royalty lounge I guess?'

Seeing just the silhouette on the fabric that covers the VIP sit, left an impression but I couldn't tell if it's a good one or the opposite.

The host went by my side.

[AMAZING!! HOW ABOUT A FEW WORDS FROM OUR WINNER]

She looked at me with eagerness but I ignored the host and left.

This left a slight criticism from the audience but who are they to care, they aren't worth my time.

Upon walking towards the exit a sudden feeling of forgetfulness runs into my head.

'Hmm did I forget something?'

Walking away and in through the silent halls of the school, heading to my dorm everything was too silent but I felt an ominous feeling when I noticed a slight vibration heading towards me.

|There's someone following you|

The water spirit whispered.

|Who?|

|The person is concealed with strong magic, and you being my host I can't fully utilize my powers, but tell you this that person is powerful|

Immediately I dash forward after hearing the warning, as accelerating the footsteps behind me became heavy which made me more anxious.

'Who is this person following me'

At the intersection where the school and dormitory are getting closer, I sped up and took a quick turn.

Making that turn I noticed that only my footsteps are the only thing I can hear.

|Is that person gone?|

|I can hardly tell|

Seeing my door not too far ahead I began reaching my hand towards the handle, but upon contact a pale white hand grabs it.

"I knew it! something is off, who are you, where is Rustain?"

'This voice it's a girl?!'

I turned around and saw a girl around my age, her pale skin and white hair, swaying upon stopping, her sweat running from her yellow eyes then around her pink lips and down into her chin.

"W-what?!" I stutter

She tightens her grip then leaned towards me pushing my back against the wall.

I tried to conjure my spirits but for some reason, I can't call them.

"I'll ask again, who are you?"

Shaking my hand attempted to loosen her grip but I couldn't muster any strength.

She stared into my eyes as if she saw my very soul, how does she know? Or is she just guessing?

Without anything else to do, I tried to answer her question.

"I'm Rustain!"

"Stop playing games with me!"

She tightens her grip, even more, I can imagine my bones cracking if this goes further.

"You ask me who I am and I told you I'm Rustain, what else do you want me to say?!"

I replied.

Out of nowhere laughing voices of people approaching filled the halls.

"Tch!"

She loosened her grip, pulling my hand close to hers, she leaned into my ears.

"I heard from the master that you lost your memories, but I doubt that's true I'll be observing you"

She then left hastily.

•••••••

"Shit!!"

I slammed the door behind me, starting to sweat, trembling, and anxiety began to flood my mind.

I'm panicking.

"RUST (Hyeon-jun) stop panicking and calm down" the wind spirit emerged and created a slight breeze towards me.

"What do you expect me to do, she noticed I'm not Rustain what if!"

"Hey! She's just guessing, you can even tell she's having second thoughts, it better just act like how you always don't get this into your head" the fire spirit said.

"Ugh!! I thought things will be fine, but now I'm having second thoughts, was it okay for me to use this body?, it like I stole everything this body has"

I sat down on my bed.

"Hey it's already a blessing that your soul went into this body, it's your second chance in life"

"Ugh!! I know, but still, after what she said, I'm having doubts. I even wonder what happens to the soul of this owner; he's the one that must be resurrected, not me."

(Knock. Knock. Knock)

The sudden knocking snapped me out. But thinking that it might be the girl made me hesitant to open the door.

"Hello? Is Rustain Azital here??"

It was a different person, a sweet and light voice once again spoke.

"Hello?"

Confirming it wasn't the one from earlier I immediately opened the door.

"Yes? Is something the matter?"

"Oh no, no, no. Let me introduce myself, I'm Francis, the secretary of the school student committee and on behalf of the student President, we invite you to join the school body"

As she formally explained it to me Lucas suddenly called my name as he walked in my direction.

"Rusty~ why did you suddenly leave, I looked for you, you know"

Lucas hugged me, he then crossed his arm by my neck snuggling me weirdly.

"Hey?! What's wrong with you?"

I tried to push him but he tightens his hold on me. Francis looked at us and just slightly laughed it off, making things less awkward for her.

Francis steps back, "I guess I'll just ask you out the next time"

"You ask my Rusty~ out" Lucas raised an eyebrow.

"Hahaha see ya"

Francis left leaving me and Lucas alone, I immediately pushed him into his bed shoving him aside, glared at him, and like he always does he just.

"Hahaha Rusty~ gosh I said that, hahaha"

Lucas burst laughing on top of his lungs.

"Why did you even do that, seriously she looked at us weirdly"

I sigh, Lucas then raised his hand in defense and said.

"Hey, what's wrong with what I did, what's wrong with guys getting chummy with one another, you and your prejudice"

"Just shut up man, any way you never acted like that what's wrong with you"

His face switches from joyful into serious mode real quick.

"Don't trust those people in the student Committee, just don't"

Lucas said those after plopping in his side not facing me, his voice shakes a little as he said that.

The mood around us instantly shifted, and it stayed the same for the rest of the night.

'Just what happens to Lucas to be against the student committee, even after sometimes of hanging around him I never really get to know him'

' it's better this way, I mean I never plan to have too much attachment with this world anyway.'

••••••••