In the blink of an instant, the formerly inviting world changed into a menacing maze, hiding threats at every twist and bend.
After getting their respective spirits, Ray, Yaku, and Subaki returned to the Wave's house.
"Come inside; I have something to show you," gestured Wave while going inside.
"Ray, before we advance, I want to know about the rest of us," asked Yaku.
"Yeah... Should we go and help them get here as they're...?" added Subaki.
"I will confront you about that in front of Mr. Wave," interrupted Ray.
Ray interrupts Yaku and Subaki, causing a tense silence among the group.
They followed Wave into his house—a big medieval house with a beautiful hallway. The group's curiosity grew as they took in the sight of the medieval house and its impressive collection of armor and swords. The tension from Ray's interruption lingered, making them even more eager to find out what Wave had to show them. They followed Wave inside a room tagged as NORM.
There are four tables and chairs inside the room, which are facing a blackboard and Mr.Wave. A text titled Squad 9' is written in bold white letters on the blackboard. The room had an atmosphere of anticipation as the group settled into their seats, their eyes fixed on Mr. Wave. The text 'Squad 9' seemed to hold a mysterious significance, further fueling their curiosity. They couldn't help but wonder what awaited them in this room and what role they would play in whatever was about to unfold.
"Before I tell you our main motive for being here, I want all of you to know that the members or more specifically your four friends are taken under the care of Miss Dalia, she is also a guardian like me but in our ally village," Wave stated.
"Can we meet them?" asked Ray.
"No, not recently, but in the future for sure" he answered.
'hi, you look worried' Ray heard this voice coming from his inside.
'don't worry I'm your second spirit-the iron one, to answer me you don't have to speak, just think in your mind I'm able to hear it' explained the iron spirit.
'oh, it seems like you can see through my thoughts' Ray dodged.
'yeah'
"So, that means, they also possessed spirits now," Subaki asked Wave in a curious manner.
"hmm.. but not the same as yours'' he said while writing 'Introduction' on the board.
"Come in," he said while looking towards the gate.
As Mr. Wave said, "Come in," the door gently opened, and a teenager stepped into the room. Her long, flowing black hair cascaded over her shoulders, gleaming like a river under the sunlight. The rays of light also highlighted her stunning features – a pair of mesmerizing eyes that sparkled like stars in the night sky, framed by long, dark eyelashes. Her flawless complexion glowed with youthful radiance, and her delicate, rosy lips curved into a warm smile.
"Feel free to introduce yourselves," said Wave with a welcoming smile.
"Sure, sir. Hello, everyone! My name is Chloe," she said, her voice gentle and composed.
"I have a psychic spirit," Chloe continued her words carrying an air of confidence. "It enables me to tap into the thoughts and emotions of others, and sometimes, I can even catch glimpses of the future. It's both a blessing and a burden, but I've learned to embrace it."
Subaki stepped forward with a smile, extending a hand toward Chloe. "Nice to meet you, Chloe. I'm Subaki, and these are my companions, Yaku and Ray. We are new to this world and just got our spirits not long ago."
Chloe shook Subaki's hand gracefully, acknowledging the others with a nod. "It's a pleasure to meet you all. Don't hesitate to ask if you need any help or guidance in this realm. It can be quite overwhelming at first, but I'm sure you'll adapt quickly."
Yaku looked curious and asked, "How did you know we needed help? We haven't even told you anything yet."
Chloe smiled mysteriously. "I have my ways of sensing things."
Wave observed the interaction, silently impressed by Chloe's perceptive nature. "Well, it seems we have a new addition to our group," he said with a glint of amusement in his eyes. "Welcome, Chloe. I'm sure your unique abilities will be a valuable asset in our journey."
'She's beautiful, but not like her,' the iron spirit said, laughing softly.
'Hey, that's enough. You're crossing the line,' Ray replied firmly.
"Today, we're going to start with some basic attacks that align with the powers of your spirits," Wave explained.
"The system in this world is quite simple. There are thousands of different spirits, each possessing countless attacks. As you progress and gain experience, you'll unlock new abilities," he elaborated, writing the information on the board.
"If you touch the air in front of you, just like you would touch a screen, you'll be able to see your current attacks and your level," he continued, gesturing to demonstrate the action.
"It's a simple interface that allows you to access your abilities and track your progress," Wave added, encouraging them to give it a try.
As Ray, Chloe, Yaku, and Subaki followed Wave's instructions, they reached out their hands as if touching an invisible screen. Suddenly, a holographic display appeared in front of each of them.
"Now that you've touched the air and accessed your abilities, you'll see a warning sign on your screens, prompting you to select your first attack. This decision is crucial, so choose wisely," Wave explained.
Yaku looked at his holographic screen, feeling a bit overwhelmed. "Can you help us decide?" he asked.
Wave shook his head, "No, I can't. This is a decision you have to make on your own. Your first attack will set the foundation for your journey as a shora. It has to resonate with your spirit and personality."
Ray and Subaki nodded in agreement, their eyes fixed on their screens, contemplating their choices.
"We believe in you," Wave encouraged. "Your spirits will guide you. Trust your instincts."
Taking a deep breath, Yaku focused on the holographic symbols in front of him. Each attack represented a different aspect of his fire spirit's power. After a moment of contemplation, he made his choice.
'What should I choose?' asked Ray to his spirit.
'Well... You should go with the first one.' answered in a serious tone.
"Let me know when you're done," Wave stated.
"Sir, I already possess two attacks: Nature Manipulation and Dark Defense," Chloe replied confidently.
"Yeah, I'm aware. Your sister already informed me," he replied with a nod.
"Sir, I've chosen Air Slash," Subaki answered eagerly.
"I went with Fireball," Yaku replied with determination.
"I decided on Sword Summoner," Ray answered, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Those are great choices, so now..." Wave's sentence was interrupted by a sudden crash as an arrow pierced through the glass of the room, embedding itself in the floor just below Wave's feet.
The entire group was engulfed in fear as they looked at the arrow on the floor, realizing the danger.
As Wave looked down at the arrow, a sense of urgency filled the room. "It's an emergency. So today's class is over," he said with a serious tone. "You all can go upstairs, select your beds, and try to get along with each other. I am leaving now. We will meet tomorrow morning."
The group nodded in agreement, their minds still lingering on the mysterious arrow that had broken through the classroom. "You can find food in the kitchen, so eat it before going to sleep," Wave added.
They all nodded in agreement. Wave touched the arrow and suddenly disappears along with the arrow.