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Chapter 95 - An Unexpected Smile

Amy looked at her chalkboard as she began to make a connection. She has no way of proving it right nor finding out but if she is then it will make sense as to how all these killings can take place so far apart at the same day.

Boris's first theory is that there might be an organized monster attacking, killing off people. That was the first response of many people too since there are no traces of a perpetrator and the brutality of this attack would make sense. But there is one problem; the Ripper is killing non-human species in equally protected settlements in mass too. For an organization this large, this seems quite unlikely and rather cultish. Alabaster, a former cult leader, doesn't believe that a cult is capable of something like this either as this story's gods do not take any action nor do they put themselves in mortal affairs. As someone from the future, he initially believes that it could be the Cambion. It makes sense as the lives and souls of people could revitalize them and the demonic followers, but it doesn't make sense. The Cambion's followers were extremely secretive and doesn't make any unnecessary appearances as to not get caught. Even if they are responsible, it wouldn't make sense to leave the body in pieces for them to be found as they would've collected them and not leave any survivors. In the manga and show, it is not stated nor hinted that the Ripper is linked to the Cambion, but the idea is not impossible and is still up for discussion. Right now, Boris and Alabaster are busy, so she won't bother them with her thoughts at the moment.

When she saw the sun and thought of moonlight, the first thing she thought of is that it is impossible for one person to do it alone, but the idea of a large organization set on murder without even collecting the bodies is also hard to believe.

While she still doesn't know the motive or connection of these people have, she may have figured out the method. She brought another board into existence so that she could continue on a blank slate. She writes her theory quickly.

The second Ripper is a necromancer and uses the walking dead to kill those he despises but it is limited to Solinean nobles and mages. He is also not actually powerful on his own outside of his necromancing ability. What if the killer is doing something similar but instead of using the corpses to do the dirty work, he uses a spirit as their familiar or has an ability that could kill from long distances? Saying he made a deal with the devil wouldn't be much of a surprise.

Let's start with the familiar theory. In Getel, everyone gets an animal familiar. There is a ritual and based on the person's power and affinity, an animal spirit is assigned to them and bond with it. In a sense, it is like her and Ramiro. Gaining a familiar is not difficult. However, a familiar spirit that is powerful enough to create this much damage shouldn't even be an animal. Non-animal spirits are extremely rare and those that have one are noted to be potentially powerful. There is a risk that comes to this if a person intentionally summons a non-animal spirit, ask and sacrifice but that is a story for another day.

News travel fast but not constantly so no one can figure out the time of death for every single death in every place at that exact moment. In the beginning, only commoners were killed. The settlements were not taken place in large cities but in villages and it kept going on for weeks. Then it moved onto nobles but not even the weaker or lesser nobles but royalty.

A spirit is doing this. But as for what kind of spirit, human or supernatural, she is unsure yet. Catching it would also be difficult as it is only possible when they materialize. But the good news is that it can be eliminated. The perk of having the purification power is that she can erase anything as long as it exists even if it is a spirit.

The door suddenly opened, and Amy turned to see Rufus, confused and stood there, watching her work.

"What are you doing here, not knocking?" she growled, then stop to observe his aura. It doesn't just feel dark, but it is beginning to feel like it is taking shape, like tendrils that threaten to drill into someone. The manga showed an illustration of his aura but to actually feel it is a different story. When it comes to masking his aura though, he could easily hide it. She gulped nervously though she kept her stance.

Rufus didn't listen as he kept his eye on the board. "I don't believe it, but I didn't think you would actually take this seriously."

Amy frowned. While she doesn't fully acknowledge Rufus as a friend, he is still someone she ought to keep a good distance away. Even Viola is beginning to sense something is wrong with him last year but thankfully, he hasn't done anything yet. "So, what if I did?" she said, her hand gripping on to a blue pocketknife in her pocket.

"This is weeks of research." He says still observing the board.

Unamused, she crossed her arms, letting go of the knife. "Spill. What are you doing here?"

"I have questions. I've noticed for a while since you came back that you were a bit despondent, preoccupied, even more so when these killings started. Did you know about this beforehand? Also, I sensed some strange magic here."

She eyed to the pots and his eyes lit up in realization. The seeds already emit an aura of magic but when there is multiple, it gives off a faux magical presence.

"Yes and no." she replied.

"Honestly, I am distracted. How did you get the evidence for this?" he said.

"Research," she answered. "I gathered as much data I could from the news we got about it and put it together."

"You were always the most observant out of all of us." Rufus noted with a tone of pride like he discovered something greater, "Can we-" he was already forgetting what to say next, "move it to the clubroom?"

Amy waved her hand in approval. Rufus gave a rare genuine smile towards her which she didn't expect. In the story and for as long as she's known him, most of the smiles are forced or evil. It is instinctual that she knows this, but the exceptions of a genuine smile are when he's thrilled, entertained or proud. This one is one full of pure, unadulterated joy. 

Luckily, all the things that would point out to future knowledge is not on that board although... Amy glared at her door where Rufus ran out with the board, she has to be more careful. That aura is far too dark, and he is too unpredictable. Her hand bled as her fingernails dig into her palm. This is not a child. He might as well be the devil incarnate.

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