It had been a few days since Jasmine's birthday. Jane resumed her busy schedule. Rainey had barely contacted him. And Kenny had been contacting him way too much. The only positive constant was his training, which was progressing steadily. While he bemoaned the lack of more tomes, he reasoned that he would have to make do with what he had. Ashy Petals had been ominously silent, but that came to a relieving end when Evelyn stopped him by the school's hallway.

"Jered, have you decided?"

There was no one around them. And even if there were, she would have muffled their conversation with a wave of her hand.

"Yes, I have actually."

A smile lit up her face, "I hope it's the answer I've been hoping for."

He returned, "Of course. I've decided to join Ashy Petals."

"Yes!" Evelyn pumped a fist in the air, then realizing the childish action, she retreated the fist behind her back and coughed, "Anyway! The higher-ups will be most pleased to know you've accepted. Especially after what happened at Mistwood Town. The Sems Lunar Cult has been giving the nearby organizations a lot of headaches. It's wonderful that you've gotten rid of some of their core members."

Jered stared into her eyes, probing, "Yes, it was a tough fight. Do you know what they were trying to accomplish there?"

She tapped her chin, "Yes."

He nodded, stroking his mouth, "Would you mind telling me?"

A laugh, "Well, they were trying to summon something via sacrifice. We couldn't find much because half of the town was in ruins," she gave him a knowing look, "Buuut, our leader believes that with such a high number of offerings, the entity they were trying to communicate with couldn't have been anything else but a Shadow."

"Were they successful?"

"I don't know. You tell me," Evelyn smiled, "You were there, weren't you? I've heard that you killed all of them."

"As you know, I'm still a newcomer... there's a lot I don't know. After the last of their members died, there was an incredible upsurge of mana."

They didn't seem to know about what happened to Jasmine. But if they continued to investigate, it wouldn't take long before they connect the dots, and reach out to Jasmine. He had to avoid that outcome.

She hummed, "What else?"

"That's it."

"Oh," she leaned back against the wall, "It's not much to go by, but I understand your position. I'll relay what you said to my boss. Maybe we can wring more info out of this mess thanks to you. Let's change topics. Are you free this weekend?"

Jered shrugged, "Unless something happens, yes, I should be free."

"Sweet. You see, since you have accepted, we're going to hold a small gathering among all the new members. It's a good way to make friends and exchange contacts. Besides, there are a few other talented individuals I'd like to introduce to you."

"I look forward to it."

She clasped her hands, "Me too. Now, off you go. Classes are about to resume. Oh, before you go... take this," she dug around her purse and drew out a ring. It was different from Akashka's. It was slim, more elegant, and seemingly made out of obsidian with a red quartz pearl embedded on its center, "It's the undeniable proof you're one of us now. Welcome!"

He took the ring and slid it on his finger. Thankfully, as per Rainey's suggestion, he didn't wear Akashka's ring. It would have been a bad idea.

[You have joined the arcane organization 'Ashy Petals']

[Your affiliation status has been updated.]

"See you soon!"

He waved back and headed to his class, just in time for the bell to ring.

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Kenny, who conveniently sat next to him, frowned, "What took you so long?" his irritated tone was due to the many ignored texts and calls. Not to mention his sleepless nights. He couldn't always crash at Jered's place, and Carter was still alive in his nightmares, or when the lights were off. On top of that, his father's attitude towards him was becoming more and more strained.

"I was talking to Miss Evelyn," Jered said, "I'm sorry about the calls, I've been busy with my sister's birthday."

"You didn't even invite me..."

"Yeah, you see, it was supposed to be a family's thing."

Kenny rested his chin on his hand, "Hmhm... so, are you free now?"

"Technically, yes. I have a meeting this weekend though," Jered smiled cheerfully, "So, is he still there?"

From the bags under Kenny's eyes, he probably didn't need to ask.

"Ugh... yes. I can barely sleep..." he grumbled, "I don't know what to do anymore."

"Do you regret it?"

"Regret what?"

"Come on, you know. Doing it."

"..."

"So?"

"N-Not really..." Kenny admitted, looking away, "It was... eye-opening."

"Yes, it was," Jered grinned, "And it's all thanks to who?"

"To you..."

"Yes, don't ever forget it."

"I won't."

The rest of the day passed by slowly. Jered really contemplated dropping out of school. He could invest his time in his arcane studies. But no. For the sake of being normal, he had to do normal things. What a load of bullshit. He was tired. Honestly, he didn't know how Evelyn could handle her job, handle such normalcy. It made him want to yank his hair out. Maybe that's why he felt a smidgen of loyalty for Rainey. She could give him what he needed.

He slung his school bag over his shoulder, and made his way out.

"Wait."

It was Kenny. He ran after him in a very feminine way.

"What's the matter?" Jered stopped, tilting his head.

"Uh... I was wondering," he drew circles on the ground with his foot, "Do you want to sleep over at my place tonight?"

It was a surprising request, but not unexpected.

"I feel like my body would be in danger if I did."

A huge blush dusted Kenny's face, "W-What... no... t-that was... I PROMISE! I won't do anything! I just need some company."

Jered chuckled, "Alrighty, but I want to be paid."

"Are you serious?" Kenny gaped.

"Nah, kidding. You're my bestie, I would never charge you for my services."

"Umh, okay... anyway, you don't have to bring spare clothes, you can use mine."

How disgustingly thoughtful, "Yes, I'm definitely bringing spare clothes," Jered turned, "I have an important call to make. I'll see you tonight. Bye."

Kenny lifted a hand, but soon dropped it. He was happy that he was finally going to spend some time with Jered, but he felt like his relationship with him was never going to go to the next level. It was understandable. He had never been expecting much, but after that night, things were changing. For better or for worse. Kenny wanted something more, something more physical. Intimate.

He had been taking hormones, so his face was becoming more womanly, his body more slender and delicate. Even his breasts showed signs of growing. The only problem, however, was his genitals.

----------------------------------------

—"Rainey?" Jered called, —"You finally answered."

A sigh was heard through the other end of the line, —"Yes, yes... I was doing things."

—"What kind of things."

—"Things."

—"..."

She chuckled, —"Alright, alright. What did you call me for."

—"I need to ask you two things," Jered said as he slipped in an alleyway between two buildings, —"First, is there any spell to deal with ghosts?"

—"Oh, oh, are you going to ghost hunt?" she chuckled.

—"No, no. I and a friend of mine got in a small accident, and a few of our classmates ended up dead. Now, one of them thought it funny to come back to life to hunt my friend. So, what do I do?"

A thread of silence ensued. Then Rainey burst out laughing, —"Wait. Are you for real? Pfft! Gosh, what did you do? You stabbed one of them in the back cuz your effeminate friend was getting hit on?"

He pursed his lips inward, —"Yes. Something like that."

—"Ayy. Tricky. So, a resentful spirit. Tricky, but not that bad."

—"Any magic item or spell I could use?"

—"Hmhm. There is one spell... it's a bit too dark, though. If you use that spell, it would solve all of your problems," Raine explained in a dignified tone.

Jered scoffed, —"A bit too dark? I didn't know there was something as 'a bit too dark' in our organization. And who cares anyway, just give me the spell."

—"You might not care, but the world sure does."

—"The world?"

—"The world's spirit, to be specific."

Oh, perfect. Just fucking perfect. Another potentially, god-like being to add to his list of enemies.

He grumbled, —"So... how strong is this spirit?"

—"Oh, she lost most of her strength. So you don't really have to worry about her coming for your ass. The problem is that even though she's weak, she still holds a lot of influence on the other side. She just needs to say one word, and those few kingdoms that still worship her would deem you as their enemy. Needless to say, it wouldn't end well for you. But fret no, it's just a possibility. Furthermore, you could grow faster with this spell."

Jered looked up, his lips curling up into a smile, —"Grow faster, huh? If I grow fast enough, then would I be able to match her?"

—"Match her? Haa, ambitious, aren't we? At her peak, the world's spirit was a Demigod," Rainey's laugh tapered off, —"However," she said seriously, —"With this spell and your godly talents... yes... yes... YES! Hahahaha, she won't know what hit her! This is a good idea, actually! I should have thought of this sooner, hmhm."

She hung up, but it didn't matter.

A rippling wave of heat behind Jered widened the smile on his face.

Rainey was there with the solution to his problems.