It was nearly dawn when Chester emerged.The doctor informed Liora and Isaac that Chester had two broken ribs and a fractured shinbone. He required an extended period of recovery due to the new injuries compounded with the old ones.Upon hearing this, Liora clenched her fists tightly. Initially, she hadn't felt any obligation toward Chester, but circumstances had shifted her perspective.Nevertheless, she now felt indebted to Chester.Chester remained asleep, under the anesthesia's effects before being taken to his room.Liora sat silently by his side, her gaze fixed on him the entire time.Isaac brought breakfast for Liora, urging her to eat and rest. He informed her that Tyler and Axel had been notified of the incident and would arrange for a caregiver to tend to Chester, relieving Liora of that concern.Liora accepted the breakfast in silence, prompting Isaac to feel a pang of remorse at her state."I…" Isaac began, hesitating.Liora looked up, encouraging him to speak."I
Suddenly, a gentle voice came from behind.Liora swiftly turned to find the fairy who had appeared with the white fox earlier.Standing up, Liora exclaimed, "It's been a while since your last visit, Fairy.""I'm not a fairy. You may address me as Claire Hill," the woman replied with a gentle smile."Can I call you Ms. Claire?" Liora asked.Claire nodded. "I heard you talking about the Eight earlier. You're not a seer, so this is not your path. You have a unique one. Even though you can't do what Uncle Ben did, you are gifted with the third eye. You have your own tasks, too."Confused, Liora replied, "I don't understand.""The spirits lingering in the human world have unfulfilled wishes, and you're here to fulfill them so they can depart in peace. This is an important mission. Dealing with spirits won't be easy, so your path will be challenging."Liora realized she was a medium.She nodded, indicating her understanding to Claire.Shortly after, she paused briefly and asked, "M
"I'm offering spirits I don't know some benefits. You have to offer benefits to them when you need their help. Get someone to help me place flowers in my lecture hall tonight," said Liora."I'm coming with you," Axel said."No, get Isaac to come. The spirits are too scared to approach Isaac because of his physique," Liora said.Axel looked at her in astonishment. "How do you know that?""Uncle Ben checked Isaac when he was born and found him to be very helpful to me. Hence, I made him come with me last night," Liora said.Axel relented and called Isaac as Liora suggested.After a long while, Isaac picked up the call, sounding drowsy as if he had been sleeping."Isaac, go to the campus with Lia tonight," Axel reminded him."No! I won't! Go if you want to. I'm going to watch over Chester!" Isaac rejected him abruptly, fully awake now.Axel smiled and said, "Sure, your allowance next month—""I'll go!"Before Axel could finish his sentence, Isaac's attitude drastically changed.
"Could you start up a funeral home for me? I'll choose the location. Just buy me the shop lot," Liora said, her tone affectionate."Liora! Your mission now is to get your education!" Tyler's voice rose in anger.Liora pursed her lips. "What does starting a funeral home business have to do with my education? Help me, my sweet brother.""No!" Tyler hung up immediately.Before Liora could complain, Axel's phone rang. Noticing Tyler's call, he put it on speaker, glanced at Liora, and asked, "What's going on, Ty?""If Liora is calling you to get you to purchase a shop lot for her, don't do it!" Tyler reminded Axel."I can hear you! Tyler, I want to cut ties with you as siblings! If you won't help me start it, fine. Why are you discouraging Axel, too? You're despicable!"Tyler was livid. "Liora, don't push it!"Liora said, "I won't listen! If you don't help me start it, I won't go to class anymore!""How dare you!""Try me!"Axel was troubled. "You two always manage to bicker. Alr
"Got it. Should I apply it after 10:00 p.m.?" asked Siobhan.Liora nodded. "Keep the rest as spares. Don't worry, Shiv. Even though spirits can be terrifying, just act like you don't see them, and they won't harm you."Siobhan nodded anxiously and arranged the papers neatly. "Understood. Go ahead and do your thing while I keep watch here, Lia."She was still speaking when the door opened, and Isaac walked in, looking tired."Hey, Shiv, Lia," Isaac greeted them wearily, raising his hand in fatigue.Shortly after, he placed the dinner he had brought on the coffee table, yawned, and slumped onto the single sofa, shutting his eyes. "Give me a heads up before you leave, Lia. I'm beat, need a nap."Siobhan carefully covered Isaac with a blanket from the sofa. Turning to Liora, she asked, "Are you taking Isaac to the campus later tonight?"Liora nodded. "Isaac will be accompanying me on my errands now. His blood is quite helpful for my work."Siobhan was taken aback. Then, she chu
Liora couldn't help but shove Isaac. "Why are you being such a scared cat, Isaac?"Isaac kept his head lowered and had even shut his eyes. "This is your profession, not mine! I'm not, so I'm scared!""You've already joined me in this line of work. Don't worry. Even if you can see spirits, they don't dare to get close to you," said Liora, sighing.Isaac looked up abruptly and asked, "Why?"Liora didn't know how to explain it to Isaac, so she grabbed a charm and placed it on Isaac."Give me your hand when you see spirits later, and you'll know," said Liora.Isaac followed Liora with a confused expression. However, he felt more at ease after hearing Liora's earlier remark.He saw a white figure floating in front of him just as he looked up.His eyes widened in shock, and his expression changed drastically.He hugged Liora in fear and screamed aloud, "Lia! I saw a spirit! Gah!"Liora looked at the female spirit and said, "A female spirit in white just floated by indeed. Nothing t
Isaac braced himself to confront the spirits before him, slowly growing accustomed to their presence. He turned to Liora, stating, "I'm not scared anymore, Lia. Frankly, they're quite similar to normal people— Whoa! Oh my god!"Before Isaac could finish his sentence, a spirit floated within a meter of him, its head deformed.Instantly, Isaac crouched on the ground, hands clasped behind his head in fear.Liora sighed heavily, grabbing Isaac by the collar and guiding him toward the academic building.Returning to the same location as the previous night, Liora paced around the lecture hall, searching for Lorelei.After failing to find her, she lit a candle, preparing to lure her out.Liora took two steps forward with the candle flickering, and a figure materialized before them.Lorelei revealed herself to Liora, suspended upside down.Liora remained composed, unlike Isaac, who stood beside her, petrified though silent this time.Although Lorelei's face was pale, Isaac couldn't he
Lorelei gazed at Isaac for a moment, her eyes widening in shock."Is that a pure physique?" Her voice trembled as she spoke."Yes. Your decision to cooperate with me will determine if you get to go to the light," Liora stated.Lorelei relented. "Are you certain you can help me fulfill my wish?""I will do my utmost, but I won't engage in any criminal activities," Liora clarified."Not to the point of involving criminal acts, but it will be quite challenging." Lorelei descended, landing on the ground."Why?" Liora asked."You have to have this building demolished."Liora was taken aback. "Demolish the building?"Lorelei chuckled bitterly. "Yes! My body lies beneath it, undiscovered for 53 years. How can I move on willingly when my body is not properly laid to rest?"Liora was indeed shocked by her words.Nevertheless, she resolved to investigate further to ascertain Lorelei's veracity. "What is your name?""Lorelei Whitewood. I was a freshman in the Foreign Language Departme
Reese winced in pain. "Alright, ma'am. I guess I can read your mind? Be gentle!"Liora relaxed her grip at last. "Right, when are we going to that place you mentioned previously?""There's no rush. Your body isn't up for constant actions now. What if you get hurt by those harmful spirits again? I've already committed myself to you out of guilt. If it happens again, I won't have anything else to offer."Liora chuckled. "You make it sound like I'm desperate for your compensation.""What's wrong with that? I'm a strong, handsome man, and everyone loves me!" said Reese, displeased.Liora was astounded by his narcissism.She took a deep breath and said, "Reese.""Hmm?"Liora said, "In truth, I'm not the best choice to be your partner because of my profession. Those spirits may bother me from time to time. I'm the complete opposite of Isaac because of my negative physique.""What happens when you have a negative physique?""Spirits will be drawn to bother me and might cause me a lo
Reese and Isaac couldn't perceive the spirit, but they witnessed a dark mist dissipating before them.Isaac asked in astonishment, "What's happening, Lia?"Liora turned and answered, "The female spirit didn't want to move on, so her soul has been dissolved.""Dissolved? Do you mean her soul has been destroyed?" asked Reese. Liora nodded and looked around. "Uncle Kenny, please help me find the six spirits."Kenny took on the task and brought those fearful spirits in just a few minutes. Liora asked, "Do you want to choose the same option as her or come with me to Cross Chapel?""Cross Chapel!""We would have left long ago if we weren't trapped here by her threats!""She wouldn't let us go even in death. Aren't our lives worth anything?"After Fiery Red was gone, these spirits began to complain in anger.Liora was infuriated by their complaints. "How dare you criticize her! She may be responsible for your deaths, but what about you then? Do you think you bear no responsibil
"That's easy for you to say! Those who caused my death may have become spirits, but I still want to stop them from moving on!" Fiery Red barked. Liora frowned. "So, you're implying that those six students caused your death?""Why would I kill them otherwise?"Liora said, "It's time to let them go now that they've faced your revenge. Keeping them trapped is like trapping yourself. Why bother?""Allowing them to move on is letting them off too lightly!" Fiery Red roared. Liora said, "Your obsession is too strong and is keeping you trapped here. You're constantly hurting yourself with painful memories. If you move on properly, it will be a kind of liberation from your past.""Don't preach to me! I'll make it simple for you. It's either you die or my soul gets destroyed!" Fiery Red snapped. She was about to attack Liora just as she finished her sentence. Liora was planning to call out to Isaac when a figure suddenly showed up. Kenny rushed over and blasted away Fiery Red."Y
Tyler did not comment further upon hearing Liora's reply. In the evening, Isaac returned home from school to find Liora already there. He hurried over, brimming with excitement. "You're back, Lia! How are you feeling? Have you recovered from your injuries?"Isaac's smile stretched from ear to ear.Liora glanced at Isaac meaningfully and said, "Please do me a favor tonight, Isaac."Isaac nodded repeatedly. "Sure, are we heading to the campus?"Liora looked at Isaac in astonishment. "Are you not scared anymore?"The smile on Isaac's face faded slowly. "Spirits are scary, but I don't want to see you bullied by them again, Lia. I wanted to destroy those spirits on the same day after seeing you suffer. However, they told me to respect your decision, so I didn't do that."Liora caressed Isaac's head affectionately. "You've grown, Isaac. You know how to look out for me now."Isaac took Liora's hand and held her hand tightly in his own. "Lia, I've always cared about you. Next time you
Reese said, "Yes, you have been in love with her for 15 years and have invested a lot of time for her. However, haven't you noticed that Lia is a very rational person? As soon as she figures things out, she can move on immediately."Chester's breathing became irregular. He took two deep breaths shakily while staring at Reese. "Yes, she is more sensitive and rational than anyone else."Reese said, "I'm going to give you another analogy. If Lia chooses to be with me, what are you going to do?""Nothing. I said before that I'd respect Lia's choice no matter what. Similarly, you don't have to worry about anything else. I won't harbor any resentment because of love," Chester replied. Reese said, "In other words, you'll continue to be friends with Lia even if we end up together, is that right?"Chester frowned. "Lia and I are friends. If we can't be together, our relationship will remain the same as before. You like Lia, but you can't stop me from being friends with her, Reese."Reese
Reese raised his right arm and said, "My entire right arm was covered in blood at the time. I watched the removal of rotten flesh from your back with my own eyes. I couldn't sleep peacefully for days.""That's easy! Just get the doctor to prescribe sleeping pills to you. You will be able to sleep better, right?" Liora said while giggling. Reese crouched down next to the bed, smiling. "Lia, are you mad at me?"Liora was confused. "Mad at you? For what?"Reese scratched his nose. "If I didn't take you there, you wouldn't have gotten injured."Liora took a glance at him, astounded. "This has nothing to do with you taking me there. It's the ignorant spirits. I'll deal with them all once I recover!""You still want to go back there?" Reese exclaimed. "Yes, of course! Hades will be delighted if I can send the seven spirits to him," Liora said. Reese looked at the joyous smile on Liora's face, feeling guilty. "I was hoping that you'd scold me instead of talking to me so casually."
Reese sent away Tyler and the other, surging them to get some rest while he remained seated, his gaze fixed on Liora.She slept peacefully, her chest rising and falling slowly with each breath. Meanwhile, a nurse approached. Reese noticed her and hastily stood up. "Hello, nurse."The nurse asked, "How can I help you?"Reese said, "May I inquire when Liora can be transferred out of the ICU?"The nurse said, "I'm not too sure about that. It depends on the healing of her wounds and vital signs. She has the most extensive wound that I've ever seen on a girl. She might end up with scars…"The nurse opened the door and walked inside upon saying that. Reese was overwhelmed by a sense of guilt as he thought of the debt he owed to Liora. He knew he could never fully repay it in this lifetime.-Three days later, Liora was transferred out of the ICU.After learning about the incident, Caroline and Evan rushed to the hospital. They were heartbroken to see Liora lying prone on the be
Fear and worry flooded Reese's mind, making it impossible for him to sleep. He opened his eyes and looked at the sky through the skylight. Reese could not help Liora in her profession, so he wondered if he could help out in her safety. He thought about it before he grabbed his phone to text Tyler. Reese: [Can you tell me where Ms. Yelena is staying?]Soon, Tyler texted Yelena's hotel and room number. Reese: [Thank you, my friend.]Tyler sneered.Tyler: [I haven't settled the score with you over Lia's predicament.]Reese: [I'll accept any punishment you deem necessary. It was my mistake, and I'll take responsibility for it.]There was no reply from Tyler afterward.Reese did not send another text, so he started the car and drove to the hotel. -Half an hour later, Reese arrived at the door of Yelena's room. He pondered briefly before knocking on the door. Soon, he heard a response. "Coming."Yelena opened the door and was surprised to find Reese. "Are you the lad fro
Liora opened her palm. The outline of the charm was vague, but she could feel its intense energy. She took a deep breath and stood up. After sensing her movement, the spirits glanced at her. Liora turned to look at them and felt the same feeling that stopped her from leaving again!Suppressing the fear, Liora braced herself to walk out of the door.The closer she got to the door, the more intense the gloomy presence became—she felt as if her soul was being crushed. "Don't be scared, Lia!""Try to walk out, Lia! They won't hurt you!""Lia! Axel, Ty, Mr. Gates, and I are waiting for you!"Αfter hearing their voices, Liora shed tears. She gnashed her teeth and continued to stride toward the door, which seemed so close yet remained out of reach. She took a deep breath, raised her hand with the charm, and attempted to walk closer. This time, the spirits all turned to look at her. They rushed forward in unison when they sensed Liora was about to touch the door. Sensing t