5 years later:

It felt like his early childhood zoomed by. He could remember the library brawl like it was yesterday but now he sat at the dinner table alone, reading.

It had been almost six years now since Marc first discovered how to implement magic particles into the tunnels around his body. Almost every inch of his magic tunnels had blue or green particles containing mana. Marc could check this by meditating alone. His body had luckily matured well and he now stood at 164cm in height.

Around a year ago, around four kids from the town left to go to Phoenix Talon university. It was stated to be one of the most prestigious magic and education schools in the continent and gathered students from all over the world besides the sun continent. Two of the four who left were Archie and Alyssa who had ‘magic bursts’ around a year before leaving and it seemed that their magic level was high enough to be accepted to the school, along with their academic accomplishments in the local town school.

Meanwhile, Marc was still with his parents and his magic burst was definitely a long time away. Even though his brother and Alyssa were gone, he didn’t waste time sulking. He continued to inform himself on magic and the world around him. This was further helped when he started school in town four years prior. He had zero friends and was top of his class. Marc thought it was rather similar to his past life.

While reminiscing and reading, Marc’s mother, Kathrine called him from outside.

“Come outside quickly Marc.”

Marc made his way outside and noticed a large wagon which was pulled by horses pull up in front of the empty next door house. That house had been empty since Marc was born and it seemed someone had finally seen the ‘For sale’ sign in front of it or they ran into a real estate agent of some kind.

Kathrine intended to have both Adam and Marc help move the new family’s things into their new home and it looked like she’d already hit it off with a woman who came out of the house. Her name was Agatha and she was having a nice conversation with Kathrine near their front gate. She had brown hair and green eyes. Marc made his way down the steps to greet her.

“Oh this must be Marc.” She said happily.

“Yes. I am very pleased to meet you.” Marc said, putting a hand on his chest respectfully.

“It seems his manners are just as good as you told me too.” Agatha said to Kathrine.

“He definitely did not learn that from his father.”

They both laughed and then Kathrine ushered Marc to go to his dad who was near the wagon. The man leading the wagon stepped down and saw Adam and Marc waiting for him. He walked over with a giddy stride and shook Adams hands first and then Marc’s. He introduced himself as Howard Hatfring, he had a mix of blond and grey hair which looked interestingly fitting to Marc. He also had dark purple eyes which looked like they could suck anything in like a black hole.

“You must be two of our new neighbours. I hope we can treat you well.” The man said kindly.

“Likewise.” Adam said.

“It seems you’ve already met Agatha. A real chatty one she is but I still love her all the same. You still have one more to meet. Come down Bianca, sweetheart.”

From the front of the wagon another person came down. It was girl wearing a blue and white dress. She had brown hair like her mother and dark purple eyes like her father. She looked to be around Marc’s age and walked up next to her dad and in front of Marc.

“This is my wonderful daughter Bianca. Unlike her mother she isn’t as talkative.” Howard laughed.

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“Hello.” She said this while bowing to both Marc and Adam.

They both stayed quiet and nodded happily, then got on with moving the stuff into the new house with Howard. It took around an hour to move everything in from the wagon.

“You should all come round our house tomorrow. We can have dinner, talk, the kids could get to know each other.” Adam said.

“That does sound wonderful. Maybe we will. I love the incentive.” Agatha replied.

Marc made his way home after saying goodbye but couldn’t get one thing out of his head. Bianca. She seemed way off. Maybe she really just doesn’t talk much but he felt like there was some sort of dark and gloomy aura all around her.

“What’re you thinking about? The girl next door maybe? Hmm? Is marcy looking for romance so soon?” Adam said teasingly.

“What? No way.”

“It’s okay. I was just like you at your age you know. So I know how love at first sight feels.”

“Ugh.” Marc sat back down at the table annoyed while his father laughed in the back.

However annoyed he was, the next day came quickly. It was six o’clock, just like they agreed, and the neighbours were at the door. Marc was forced to wear a white shirt with a tie and he hated every second of it. His mother went over to the door and welcomed them all in. They all sat down at the table and the adults got comfortable. Agatha decided to help Kathrine bring dinner to the table, and Adam and Howard had already hit it off and were sharing monster hunting stories.

Meanwhile, Marc shuffled a bit with his collar and noticed Bianca staring at him from the corner of his eye. He looked at her and she quickly turned away.

“Weird..” Marc thought.

Dinner was soon brought to the table. A large turkey with servings of rice and salad, along with some special curry that Kathrine liked to make. It sort of reminded Marc of thanksgiving in his old world but it wasn’t like he ever had dinner with his family like this. Marc looked around the table and for once he let it sink in that he was with a large welcoming family. Even though Archie and Alyssa were gone he thought he took moments with them for granted. Dinner went by well and the food was wonderful. The neighbours had enjoyed their time and since the adults had something to discuss, Marc was told by Adam to go and show his room to Bianca. It was definitely nerve racking. Even in his past life, Marc never had a girl ever come into his room before.

He let Bianca in as he showed her some of his things, which were mostly books on history and magic.

“Why do you have a bunk bed in your room?” She asked

“Oh. Um, I have a brother called Archibald but he isn’t around anymore since he went to Phoenix Talon university.”

“Really? I thought only people with high magic potential could go there. Your brother must be really impressive.”

“Yeah.”

Bianca slowly started opening up a bit more but most of the conversations they had were on magic or how well Marc was doing with developing his magic tunnels. It was sort of odd to him but the time they spent soon came to an end. Bianca eventually went home with her parents and Marc could finally take off that ridiculous tie. It was now time for bed and Marc tucked himself in. He closed eyes and was ready to drift off.

“Hey Marc. Long time no see.” A voice said.

“I know this voice. I haven’t heard from you in ten years.”

“How’s the new body Marc. Better than that old beaten one from your past life right?”

“You’re boring me. What do you want?” Marc asked.

“I’m here to warn you Marc.” The voice said.

To Marc, the spirit sounded very serious.

“About what?”

“That girl who moved next door. What was her name? Ehhh..Bianca right? She has an evil spirit latched onto her.” The voice said.

“What? Is that why I felt a dark aura from her when I first met her?” Marc asked, now intrigued.

“That’s right. From what I sensed, she hasn’t fully lost consciousness but that spirit does control her speech and movement. It looks like she was possessed by the spirit a few days before the family moved here.” The spirit said.

“Why are you telling me this?”

“That evil spirit is hungry for young magic power. That’s why it asked about your brother so urgently and was so focussed on your magic tunnel progression.”

“Makes sense. But what do you want me to do about it? I still can’t use magic.” Marc scratched his head wondering how he would solve this issue for himself.

“You can’t use magic to purify just yet but you can make purification water. Go to the library. I’m sure you’ll find something.” The voice said this and slowly disappeared.

Marc wondered if it would be another ten years before he heard his spirits voice again.