Alabaster has set up the trap. A poorly made clone, made of the flesh of a victim, standing around without any sense of danger or functionality, acting as bait. The environment is perfect, dark, quiet and the poor clone is alone. Also, it doesn't even look remotely human, just appears alive, hopefully enough to fool this spirit. Unfortunately, Boris and Amaryllis are unable to be there to see it with their own eyes. Boris is invested in his work and Amaryllis will see it in her dreams when she sleeps. Just in case, he placed a camera in the direction of the poor clone.
But just when he was about to turn around, there was a light gush of wind, and immediately, a metallic smell filled his nose. He turned around to see that the clone is in pieces. Its insides are strewed around the floor.
*
Amy immediately woke up with a start. The clone is already... She facepalmed and groaned. Alabaster is alive, thank God; but no one saw anything. That happened so quickly that no one could make sense of it.
She got off her bed, put on her shawl and shoes in a hurry and teleported to Alabaster's side. People commented that the Ripper is like a thief in the night. It happens so quickly that no one could make sense of it.
She waited as Alabaster looks through the camera in slow motion, an item that is not for sale.
He looks through the footage and after a few attempts, paused it at the right time. Both looked at the image of a misty specter.
Alabaster didn't seem to be surprised though he is surprised to catch the Ripper quickly. "Well... you're right," He muttered to her.
Now that they confirm that it is a spirit, they need to find a way to catch it.
Amy purified the deceased clone and any sign of a murder. Thankfully, the clone is more of a container than a person as there was no blood spilled.
"I am not an expert on spirits but that is unusual." Alabaster said while observing the photo. "There is no one around. I personally picked this spot because it is deserted, and everyone is too scared to go out anymore."
"Should we ask a seer? They are spiritually aware. They might know what it is." Amy suggested but was met with Alabaster's scornful look.
"Those frauds?" he shook his head jokingly, "No way. They weren't able to figure out who the Ripper is back then much less see it. That thing is too fast for their visions to catch up with."
Amy looked at the photo. When it briefly materialized, they saw an arm inserts itself into the body and rip it from the inside. As gruesome as this scene is, it shows that is a human arm.
The three of them may be linked but none of them know much about spirits because it is not a heavily studied topic. People just know the rituals to summon animal spirits and bond with them as their familiar. The knowledge is basic and seems that a rogue spirit isn't one of them.
Amy immediately returned back to her room with more questions than answers. But before she decides to go back to sleep, she reminds herself to check if she could do more research on spirits or maybe ask a professor tomorrow.
*
Alabaster showed Boris the footage and while the clone is expendable, it made Boris sigh after seeing it being destroyed like that.
"Was it a human clone?"
"No, it was a vampire clone. A failed one, I might add."
"We were right about the spirit, and we were right about how selective it is. Sadly, I lack the knowledge when it came to spirits."
Boris looked up at him. "I thought you were an extremely powerful mage?"
"Mages are all different. This isn't my specialty. No scientific mind in the Grand Continent truly believe in ghosts."
"Ghosts exists?" Boris inquired.
"The animal spirits are technically ghosts but they are part of the cycle of the natural world and feed off of the energy of the one they are in contact with to materialize into the world. However, they can die, just unageing."
"How do you catch it?"
"No clue."
*
Amy looked everywhere. After her lessons, she tended to the Moonflower as scheduled and looked for any reference on the knowledge of spirits. There doesn't seem that many but she's gotta start somewhere. She seems overly focused because she never felt Rufus's presence behind her.
"YO,"
She shivered and turned to see Rufus, cheerfully smiling at her. "You certainly are busy, now..." He then tilts his head to read the spine on the books she is holding, "History of Necromancy, Ghosts, Spirits and Mysteries and Dead and Undead? It looks like you are still on about the Spirit Theory."
"Leave me alone, Rufus. If I needed you help, I know where to find you." She said impatiently and moved out of the way so that she could head to the front desk to get them checked out.
"I am curious as to what you'll bring to the table this time."
Amy thanked the librarian before heading back to her dorm with Rufus behind her. His aura is making her uncomfortable and Viola, who has gotten even more sensitive to her surroundings now that she's going through puberty, is now even more inclined to be careful of Rufus.
From what I could gather in my old life, I never remained close to anyone. Whether it is because of circumstance, or a part of my nature is unknown. I do not recall having a family, or even a fulfilled life. But I do have a heart. A heart that mourns and willing to sacrifice her life for her happiness and the children she protected. My feelings for them are real not just because I share a connection with them but because I fear for their lives. In a sense, I do care for everyone in this school even Leon. I am not perfect, nor do I always have good intentions, but I do what I believe is for the greater good and I will always choose what I believe is the right path even if my actions contradict everything. However, Rufus is different. Even though he is a child, he doesn't act like one. He shows signs of his adult self too early. He hides his true self so much that it is obvious yet unnoticed by others. As such, I never saw him as a child even if he appears before me as one. He scares so much more than the Ripper because while the Ripper can at least finish me off quickly and painlessly, he will manipulate me, use me, hurt me, possess me into how he sees fit and then toss me away. Not to mention, he is much stronger that. Unlike Leon, he doesn't like to intentionally show off and no one knows how many creatures he keeps under his belt, it is more than enough be a threat. At any time, he can destroy everything like a thief in the night.
Amy felt terrible but she cannot do anything about it. He is a major antagonist in the story after all. She shouldn't be surprised to have a hard read on him. He is meant to be unreadable.
Rufus followed her to her room with curiosity rather than the terrifying thoughts that Amy had initially thought he has.