——— Minho ———
"How did you summon a human ghost?", I asked Celestine over the dinner table, trying not to get too into the amazing steak that was being served. No more chills down my back assured me that the freaky ghost wasn't hanging around behind me anymore.
"Is Minakong going to tell me how she summoned a human?", Celestine counter posed the question, knowing full well Mira won't.
"No.", Mira answered. As expected.
"I suppose we can both keep our secrets then", Celestine elegantly cut her stake and put a small piece of the delicious meat into her mouth.
Man… this meat is so good. Comparable or better than the best meat I had back in my world.
"So what did you want to know about humans?", I asked, hoping that perhaps having a bit more open discussion would get her to reveal some information about the ghost as well. For now, there was absolutely nothing I could think of that could fight a ghost, although I was quite sure what its attack capabilities would be like other than being creepy as hell.
"How did the Human world really end?"
Well, that's a good question, but-
"To be honest, I don't know. It must have ended after I got transported here. Obviously, it didn't 'end' while I was there."
"Of course", another cut of the juicy meat followed.
It seemed Mira was a bit nervous about me revealing anything I possibly shouldn't, but at the same time, she also seemed curious.
"What was that special stuff you summoned to tame Kimus' monster?"
"Don't answer that, Minho.", Mira intercepted like a good lawyer.
"I understand. Then how about your ability to summon things through your mouth? Does it materialize in your mouth or in your stomach?"
This girl is far too sharp.
"Don't answer that either", Mira stopped me again.
"You've heard her", I shrugged to Celestine, who only responded with a grin.
"May I ask a few things too then?"
"Sure, go ahead"
"You know my ONE ability"
As if I had more…
"Interesting" - did she call my bluff?
"Could you tell me one ability of the ghost?"
I glanced at Mira and her eyes were twinkling. I think the fact that I couldn't see Celestine's summoned monster and it scared the shit out of me must have made her worry too.
"I don't know its abilities"
"Huh?"
Celestine used a napkin to pat her lips, put it down on table and looked at me with a cordial smile.
"I didn't ask you to come only to find out about Humans, you know?"
"What… did you exactly want from us, Celestine?", Mira was unsure now.
"Sigh… You see, I think I summoned quite an interesting 'monster' myself too"
No shit.
"But its capabilities are also a mystery to me."
"Does it talk to you?", I had to ask.
"Sometimes. Although I can't tell you when and how."
I had some idea, but if this was the extent she wanted to go, then fair enough.
"How do you intend to fight in the Monster Battle Contest then?", Mira was curious, perhaps more curious than feeling relieved that potentially her worst opponent wasn't fully on top of her game.
"Of course, I had some training sessions, which brings me to…"
Celestine then took a sip of her drink and leaned forward in my direction.
"Would you be interested in a training match?"
I looked over to Mira, as this decision must be made by her.
In my own view though, I actually wanted to.
I was scared as fuck, of course, facing a ghost. It reminded me of my previous encounter, which was… something I didn't want to think about.
But at the same time, if we were to progress in the Monster Battle Contest, we'd have to get past Celestine's ghost at some point. In the current state, I felt that I stood no chance against the ghost - what kind of human does? Revealing my capabilities - and incapabilities - to a certain extent to Celestine in exchange for learning about her ghost was a worthwhile trade.
Mira on the other hand didn't seem so sure.
She closed her eyes and frowned, trying to think, think over, and think again.
After a full minute of consideration, she opened her eyes, looked at me, and gave me a nod.
"I will do it.", I told Celestine on behalf of both of us.
"Thank you so much for helping."
"My pleasure."
"When?", Mira asked.
"It's too late today, isn't it? Perhaps tomorrow? After school? I have a training field behind our mansion."
Well, that's a change from Mira and I having to walk for a long time to find suitable place to train. I guess being rich is good in any world, not limited to human world.
"Let's do that then."
Mira was also done with her meal, so she promptly stood up and thanked Celestine.
"Let's go, Minho."
"Aye, aye"
Celestine accompanied us to the gate and stood there with her cryptic smile all the way until we were no longer visible to each other as we walked away from the mansion.
"Human.", Mira spoke when we were far enough.
"Yes?"
"Do you have any idea how we may fight the ghost? What are human ghosts like?"
"All I know are stories, just like how all you know about humans are from stories."
"But you said you've encountered them before?"
"It wasn't exactly pleasant, and I can't say I learned much from it."
"What would you say is the most difficult thing about combating a ghost?"
"They can't be seen, and they can't be touched."
"So like spirits then"
"Surely, you guys have ghosts in this world too. Or at least stories about them."
"Yes, but ghosts and spirits are different. Spirits are an accepted part of our lives. Ghosts are not."
"How do they differ in this world?"
"Ghosts don't interact with us. Do they interact with Humans?"
"I'm afraid so. At least… from my experience."
"We'll find out tomorrow then."
"Yes, we will."