At the library:

It had been two days since Marc had heard from the spirit in his head. Sadly, it didn’t give him any specifics on how to find or make purification water. Around a day ago, Marc went to the market with around two silver coins which were worth around sixty copper coins. A good months worth of saved up allowance and he was willing to buy some purification water. However far he looked he never found it being sold at any of the stalls. An old man who owned a stall informed him why it would be hard to find some.

“Most people make their own purification water at home but with the idea of spirits being a casual superstition now, it’ll be really hard to find any.”

Due to this, Marc was now in the library trying to find anything on purifying someone of an evil spirit. While going through the potions section, Marc slipped and fell of the small wooden crate he was standing on. A few books fell and as he rubbed his knee he saw a children's book near his foot called ‘Superstitions and more’. Now intrigued, Marc opened and read the book for a while until it informed him about how to make purification water.

Not knowing whether or not it would work he quickly left the library and went home. He grabbed a water bottle and ran back outside, not listening when his mother asked him to slow down a little.

“Are these instructions even that trust worthy. I don’t know but it’s worth a shot if I don’t want that little girl to grow up possessed by a mana hungry old spirit.” He thought.

He did as the children's book instructed in making purification water. Collect river water, add two handfuls of salt and mix thoroughly once in a mana concentrated area.

Once Marc had his water and salt in the bottle he just had to go to the town training grounds where people trained with magic or swords as professional Monster Hunter’s or as warriors. Marc went up to the stands and shook the water bottle hard, hoping that the large amount of mana would infuse with the salt water. The water bottle suddenly began to glow a light blue and then stopped. There were now blue glowing bubbles in the water and Marc believed that it was now ready to use.

“Looks like you did it.” The spirit spoke.

Marc jumped at the voice and some people looked at him.

“Could you not suddenly speak to me. Besides, how would I even get this in her without looking like a weirdo.” Marc said in his head.

“Without looking like a weirdo? Bianca won’t suspect you if you walk past her and spill it on her by accident. Just drink it while she sees you so she doesn’t think you’re doing anything suspicious.” the spirit suggested.

“Are you joking? You want me to chug some salt water?”

“Yeah. Good luck.”

A few seconds passed.

“Are you still there?”

Marc looked at the sky annoyed and left the stands with his water bottle. He made his way over the bridge and back up the path to his neighbourhood where he saw Bianca outside. He gulped and dreaded what he was about to do. He lifted the bottle and fake drank the salt water while Bianca watched until she turned around towards her house. He wondered if she was waiting for him as he spat out the water and then walked quickly towards her. Once he was near he pretended to trip as all of the water in the bottle spilt all over her. She screamed in agony as black steam started coming off of her. Many people came outside to the ruckus along with Bianca’s parents and Marc’s as well. Her parents rushed over and screamed at Marc.

“WHAT DID YOU DO!” Howard screamed.

“I only spilt some water..”

“DON’T LIE!” Agatha screamed as well while having tears form in her eyes.

A crowd gathered and Marc’s parents came over as well.

“What the hell is going on?” Adam asked.

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Howard was about to scream until Bianca spoke.

“It’s okay dad.” She said hoarsely. The two parents looked at her worried and calmed down a little.

The spirit in Marc’s head informed Marc that the evil spirit had disappeared and had been destroyed in the purification process.

“We were lucky to get this thing fast or else that girl would have been fully possessed. It looks like her will to survive was the only thing keeping her conscious so I’m assuming she was possessed a few days before she moved here.” The spirit said.

Marc’s mother rushed over to him.

“Marc what happened?” She said alarmed.

The family took their daughter back to their home and the crowd slowly dissipated. The local doctor was called and Marc was forced to stay in the house until problems were solved. Marc heard that night his parents discussing that Bianca was constantly talking about some kind of ghost and that Marc was the one who saved her. It seemed like whatever that book was did the trick and the spirit Marc obtained after he reincarnated from his old life was telling the truth.

The next day during the afternoon, Marc ran into Howard outside.

“I apologise for screaming at you yesterday Marc. I was rather hysterical and it was out of line for me to raise my voice to an innocent child.”

Marc didn’t like being called a child since he was mentally sixteen but he accepted the apology with a smile.

“I’m actually out here because I was wondering whether or not you would like to come visit Bianca. She’s been told to stay in bed by the doctor due to a few headaches and muscle pains she’s been having.” Howard said kindly.

Marc nodded.

“Thank you for inviting me Mr Hatfring.”

Howard led him into the house and went upstairs with Marc. Marc noticed that there wasn’t much in their home, like at all. It was as though they weren’t staying for long. They reached Bianca’s room and Howard left Marc alone in the room with her. Marc went over and sat in the chair next to her bed. He didn’t know her well but it must have been really horrifying, to be conscious and aware of such an evil being controlling your actions. He held his head, happy that the spirit in his head told him to do the right thing.

While Marc had his head in his hands, Bianca opened her eyes and looked at Marc. She was surprised for a second but quickly jumped and hugged him. Marc was startled for a second and noticed the girl snivelling a little.

“Thank you so much.” She sniffed.

“No problem.” Marc said while smiling.

She eventually let go and talked with Marc for the first time. They talked before but it wasn’t really her. They were now genuinely talking. Bianca explained that the doctor came to the conclusion that she had an issue with her magic tunnels, which was why there was so much mana disturbance around her. She also said that the doctor said the mana disturbance affected her muscles and it caused her to have light headaches as well.

Marc looked at the floor. It explained why Mr Hatfring was so kind to him outside. It wasn’t like anyone could blame him if it was just her magic tunnels.

“But we both know that’s not what happened right?” Marc asked.

“Yes. I tried to tell them about the ghost but they never listened and said it’s the headaches making me hallucinate.”

Marc scoffed.

“Well I’m just happy I was able to do that on accident, or else..”

Marc stopped before he made the little girl worry more than she had to.

“Anyway. It was nice to finally talk to you properly. I can’t imagine how scared you were but I’m sure it won’t happen again.” Marc said.

“You talk a lot like my parents.” Bianca laughed.

As they were laughing, Agatha and Kathrine walked in. Agatha immediately went up to Marc.

“I would like to apologise as well Marc. I don’t know what came over me to shout at yo..”

Marc cut her off as he stood up.

“No, it’s really fine Mrs Hatfring. I should apologise for spilling that water I had all over your daughter.” He bowed.

They all laughed. After checking up on Bianca, Marc and his mother both left the room.

Bianca and her mom were now the only people in the room.

“You seem to like him a lot Bianca.” Her mother teased.

“Is it his dark blue shiny hair? Or those deep dark grey eyes he has?” Agatha teased.

“Stop mom.” Bianca hid her face in her pillow.

Meanwhile, Marc was just happy the whole situation was over until he realised something. Could his spirit take over him?

“Don’t worry sport. I can’t do anything like that. Take my word for it.” The spirit reassured in a sleepy tone.

“Try not to wake me up with weird theories again.” The spirt said.

Marc accepted the spirits words while also being slightly suspicious. He lied back in his bed and slowly fell asleep.