"You're joking. Right?" Kael felt everything to be a joke, a pathetic prank the man before him was playing with him. Otherwise, who would want to be stuck with ghosts for the rest of their lives?

Kael was adventurous and bold. Sure. But it wasn't to the extent that he'd disregard his life and have a kitty party with ghosts. No, thank you. He preferred living a life of solitude than having ghosts as his guests.

"Umm...no," Darius shook his head and sighed softly. "Look, Kael. It isn't as bad as you think."

"No. It isn't." Kael scoffed and Darius nodded, only to stop when he heard the young man's next words. "It's worse. It's horrible."

"Kael..."

"Just imagine you're sleeping well and woken up by intruders. Who are they? Ghosts. How amazing!" Kael was trembling in rage. Gone was the scaredy cat who wanted to run for his life when he first saw Darius.

"It sure isn't wonderful now that I imagine it," Darius mumbled.

"See." Kael raised his hands and Darius reprimanded himself for getting carried away.

'I need to be careful," Darius thought as he examined Kael. 'I was supposed to persuade him. Instead, I ended up being convinced by his strange thought process. Smart kid.'

"Kael, it's not as bad as you think. Sure, you may have your quirks with the ghosts, but not all are bad. And, if you control your powers well, you can manipulate them to your will."

That gained Kael's attention and he gave Darius a cryptic look.

"Manipulate? How?"

"For instance, you can scare anyone you want."

Kael rolled his eyes in dismay. It wasn't that great a benefit considering the risk his life would be in.

Seeing that Kael wasn't convinced, Darius continued, "You can aid in investigations and help people get justice."

Now, Kael was convinced. But he didn't show it on his face and maintained a poker expression as he waited for Darius to state other benefits of his powers.

"Let me tell you a secret." Darius beckoned Kael close to him and Kael too moved forward, forgetting that no one could see or hear Darius other than him.

"What secret?" Kael looked at him hopefully.

"Among all the blessed people today or will be blessed today, your power is the most formidable."

"Why do you say so?"

"After that unfortunate incident a thousand years ago, the link that connected the Valkorin clan to its descendants was broken. The powers awakened today are not even ten percent of what one possessed a thousand years ago. However..." Darius stopped and pursed his lips.

"However?" Kael probed, urging him to continue.

"However, your power may not be on the same level as theirs," Darius thought as he tapped his chin.

"What do you mean?" Kael couldn't fathom a word he was saying.

"I will not speak unless I confirm it first. Rest assured, your powers aren't terrible. At least, they aren't the worst that will be awakened today," Darius promised.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Kael wasn't satisfied. But he discerned from the man's expression that he wouldn't be getting anything else out of him.

"Are you done asking me questions?" Darius smiled suddenly and alarms went off in Kael's mind instantly.

"I.."

"Good," Darius intervened, a playful glint flashing in his eyes. "Since you have awakened your powers, why don't you start utilizing them?"

"I don't think it's a good idea." Kael took a step back in caution. Darius' expression told that he was up to no good.

"Why not?" Darius frowned, not understanding the reason behind Kael's hesitation. Since he was now an exorcist, he had to face the truth and start using his powers. He couldn't hide from the truth for long.

"I don't know how to control my powers. Heck, I don't know what to do in the first place. I better get going." Kael waved at him and moved to leave the place.

"Hey, wait." Darius appeared before him again, forcing him to halt in his spot. "You can't leave like that."

"Why can't I?" Kael frowned, not liking Darius' audacity anymore.

"You have to finish your job first before leaving."

"What job do I have here?" Kael didn't like where the conversation was going. It seemed as if Darius was just short of throwing him to a bunch of ghosts for him to handle.

"Well, there are a few ghosts..."

"No way."

"Yes."

"No way." Kael shook his head in denial.

"You'll have to face them one day. If not now, then soon."

"No, no, no. I don't want to do this." Kael felt everything to be a nightmare and he shook his head to wake up from his sleep. Alas, it was a reality and Darius was still present at the end.

"Accept the reality, kid. You're now an exorcist. You can't escape from it."

Time passed and the day was about to end. All the remaining batches had entered the manorial castle and many had even left after some time. While many were disappointed, a few were jubilant after awakening their powers and Percival Vernon had made sure to show his support to every one of them.

"How many are yet to return?" Percival asked the guard behind him.

"Sir, there are four more."

"I see." Percival nodded and right then, two people came out of the castle. From their crestfallen expressions, it was evident that they hadn't been fortunate. Nevertheless, he didn't forget to appreciate their efforts.

Percival glanced at the time and frowned lightly, but composed his expression the next instant when he saw one of the two remaining people leave the castle. Her smile said it all and he welcomed her on the stage.

"Hello, how was your experience inside? Were you able to awaken your powers?"

"Yes, Sir. I could." The girl nodded triumphantly.

"Would you mind revealing it to us?"

Everyone looked at her in fascination and the girl reveled in the limelight she was in.

"Sir, please think about something."

"What?" Percival was taken aback by her request.

"Think something, Sir."

"Okay. If you say so." Having an inkling as to where this was going, he quirked his brows. 'There are quite some fortunate kids today. I wonder if the last kid is blessed or not.'

"There are quite some fortunate kids today. I wonder if the last kid is blessed or not," the girl repeated all that Percival had thought.

Even though Percival had discerned her power, he was still astonished to see her display it before him with such relish.

"Amazing! Brilliant!" He applauded and the crowd followed suit.

The girl's powers were surely incredible. As she made her way toward her family, envious gazes followed her. But she ignored all of them and rushed to her mother who was waiting for her.

Meanwhile, Percival averted his gaze and looked at the castle entrance while he waited for the last candidate to return.

However, more than an hour passed. There was no movement from inside. The crowd was getting antsy while he was slowly getting worried.

'Did something happen? What if the candidate met some mishap?' He was just about to dispatch the guards when he saw Kael return.

Percival's shoulder dropped in relief and he shook his head to ward off his worry.

Kael walked absent-mindedly out of the castle. The experience inside had appalled him completely. He was now utterly drained. All he wanted was to sleep and regain his energy.

"This way." One of the guards guided him to the stage and Kael approached Percival, who was waiting for him.

"Boy, would you mind telling us if you managed to awaken any power?" Percival questioned. He hadn't missed the strange expression on Kael's face and his heartbeat picked up in excitement.

Kael hesitated when he heard his question. He wanted to deny it and leave the place as soon as possible. Alas, he couldn't. He couldn't lie about his powers to anyone. They'd find out about it one day.

Kael surrendered to his fate and nodded in defeat.

Percival's eyes lit up and he moved closer to Kael. "May I know what it is?"

"It's..." Kael dithered before closing his eyes tight. "It's exorcism."