From the front of the class, Ms. Tena continued her lesson, writing neatly on the chalkboard. But Reader's focus drifted. He tapped his pencil against his desk, staring out the window as the wind rustled the trees outside.
"First grade again. New classmates. A strict teacher. And a whole lot of spirits lurking around this school. What could possibly go wrong?"
The thought no sooner crossed Reader's mind than a cold, mechanical chime echoed in his head.
[ Protection Period Ended ]
The words floated ominously in his vision, a translucent screen appearing before him.
Reader's face drained of color as he froze in his seat. "I just had to jinx it, didn't I?"
He slumped slightly, his small frame stiffening under the weight of the revelation. To the other kids, it just looked like the new boy had suddenly become very shy. Ms. Tena glanced over, arching a brow but continuing her lecture.
Reader raised his hand, keeping his face neutral. "Ms. Tena?"
"Yes, Reader?" she responded, her tone patient but curious.
"May I go to the restroom?" he asked, his voice steady despite the storm of panic brewing inside him.
Ms. Tena adjusted her glasses, giving him a quick once-over. "Go ahead, but don't take too long."
Reader nodded, sliding out of his seat with practiced calm. As he walked toward the door, the class erupted into quiet murmurs.
"Why is he leaving already?" one kid whispered.
"He's so weird," another murmured.
"Maybe he's scared of the teacher," a boy said with a smirk.
Erica, however, said nothing. Her large brown eyes followed Reader's every movement, her pencil hovering above her sketchpad. She stared intently at his back as he exited the room, as though trying to puzzle something out.
In the Bathroom
Reader locked the stall door behind him, leaning against it and taking a deep breath. The screen in front of him still hovered, its words taunting him.
"What do you mean protection period is over?" he muttered, his voice rising slightly in frustration. He ran a hand through his jet-black hair, his youthful face scrunching in disbelief.
Another chime sounded, making him jump.
[ Token Gain Unlocked ]
Before he could even process that, a second screen appeared.
[ Token Generation Unlocked ]
Reader squinted at the new messages, his nerves fraying. "What are these??" he asked aloud, his voice cracking slightly. He paced the small stall, his mind racing.
"Okay, okay. Let's think this through," he thought, clutching his temples. "Protection period... That probably means I've been shielded from spirits for the last five years. And now that's over? Just great. So now what? Do they start coming after me? Or do I just get haunted casually during recess?"
The system's text hung in front of him, silent and unhelpful. Reader groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"I mean, sure, I knew this would happen eventually," he continued aloud, his voice echoing in the tiled bathroom. "But this soon? Really? Couldn't I have had, I don't know, another decade of peace?!"