Sylvia's sharp eyes flicked between Hikari and Katsuki, but her focus soon locked onto Hikari with an intensity that made the air feel heavier. Her gaze was piercing—almost predatory—like a hawk sizing up prey from a great height. Hikari could feel it weighing down on her, a scrutiny so absolute it made her feel insignificant, like an ant beneath the heel of a god.

  Yet behind that cold and commanding stare, something else flickered. Intrigue. No—more than intrigue. Genuine fascination. Sylvia had encountered countless espers in her years with the Church, but never had she felt an aura so raw and potent in someone so young. Her eyes widened slightly, just for a fraction of a second, before a sly smirk tugged at her lips.

  "Well, I'll be damned," Sylvia said, her voice carrying a note of genuine amusement that seemed almost out of place in the sterile church office. "Another prodigy, I see."

  She rose from her seat with fluid grace, striding confidently toward Katsuki and Hikari. When she stopped in front of the girl, Sylvia placed a firm but surprisingly gentle hand on her shoulder. The touch was warm, almost maternal, yet carried an undercurrent of assessment—as if Sylvia were measuring not just Hikari's power, but her very essence.

  "Yes... I can see it now." Sylvia's other hand rested on her hip as she tilted her head, studying Hikari like a fascinating specimen under glass. "Your aura is potent, untamed, and intense." Her tone carried a teasing lilt, but her words held undeniable weight. "And you seem to be an esper too. I haven't felt such powerful aura since Katsuki arrived."

  There was something else in Sylvia's expression—a flicker of recognition that she quickly masked. For just a moment, her eyes had taken on a distant quality, as if she were seeing not just Hikari, but something beyond her. Something ancient. The look passed so quickly that neither Katsuki nor Hikari noticed, but Sylvia's mind was already racing. *That aura signature... it's similar to the records of the Apostles. Could she be...?*

  Hikari's chest swelled slightly with pride at the compliment, even if she didn't fully understand it. This whole aura and esper business still felt foreign and confusing, like trying to read a book in a language she'd never studied. But there was one thing she did know: if she could harness this strange energy within her, she'd be unstoppable. The thought sent a thrill through her body.

  Sylvia's gaze shifted to Katsuki, her playful smirk never faltering. "So, Katsuki, where exactly did you find this girl?"

  Katsuki crossed his arms, his expression unchanging behind his glasses. "Remember my mission to kill that alleyway demon near Shinjuku Ward at Hoshizora High?"

  Sylvia raised an eyebrow, her smirk curling into a knowing grin. "Oh, I remember. I also heard you got yourself caught by a wendigo and caused a ton of property damage in the process."

  *Damn Nami!* Katsuki thought, his jaw tightening imperceptibly. He could see a vision of her smirking at him, that infuriating grin etched into his memory like a brand. Shaking his head slightly, he muttered, "Anyways... like I was saying, while I was undercover, I felt an immense amount of aura coming from a classroom."

  The memory came rushing back—a flash of him standing outside the school, staring up at the window of Classroom 107. The afternoon sun reflected off the glass, but something else shimmered faintly beneath the surface—something unnatural, something that called to his own supernatural senses like a beacon in the dark.

  "And then I decided to check it out."

  The flashback continued: Katsuki walked through the gates, his steps quick but deliberate, his senses on high alert. The closer he got to the building, the stronger the aura became, prickling against his skin like static electricity before a lightning strike. He ascended the stairs two at a time, stopping just outside the classroom door.

  Peering inside, his breath caught. There she was.

  Hikari sat in the middle of the room, oblivious to his presence, lost in whatever thoughts occupied her mind. Surrounding her was an immense cyan fire, flickering and pulsing like a living thing—like the heartbeat of something vast and terrible. To anyone else, she might have looked like an ordinary student daydreaming at her desk. But to Katsuki, the flames betrayed her secret, revealing the truth of what she was.

  "I could see such a potent aura around her—almost like mine, but different. Wilder. More chaotic. Perfect for an esper." The cyan flames flickered and danced around her in his memory before the vision faded, pulling Katsuki back to the present.

  Sylvia tilted her head, studying Hikari once more with renewed interest. Her expression had shifted subtly—there was calculation there now, mixed with something that might have been concern. "I see. So, Hikari... have you ever believed in the supernatural before today?"

  Hikari blinked, caught off guard by the sudden question. "Uh, no. Not even a little bit—at least, not until today." She scratched the back of her head awkwardly, feeling suddenly self-conscious under Sylvia's intense scrutiny. "But my grandfather used to tell me stories about the supernatural. Yokai, spirits, demons—all that stuff. And... well, I used to meditate a lot with my grandmother. She was really into that spiritual wellness stuff."

  Sylvia's eyebrow arched with curiosity, and something else flickered in her eyes—recognition, perhaps, or confirmation of a suspicion. "Meditation, you say? That might explain why your aura is so potent." Her voice held a note of intrigue, and her eyes sparkled as if piecing together a puzzle whose final picture was just beginning to emerge. "Meditation can open pathways to one's inner energy, especially if practiced from a young age. It's like... preparing the soil before planting seeds."

  Katsuki smirked, crossing his arms with an air of satisfaction. "Ha, looks like we've got another prodigy on our hands—just like me."

  Sylvia chuckled softly, but her expression turned serious, the playfulness draining from her features like water from a cracked vessel. "Perhaps. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Her aura may be powerful, but it's untamed. Raw. She hasn't even begun to tap into its potential." She paused, her gaze boring into Hikari with an intensity that made the girl shift uncomfortably. "She needs proper training. Without it, that power could consume her—or worse, hurt those around her."

  Katsuki shrugged nonchalantly, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of concern. "Should I just take her to Lila? She's probably the best person to train her."

  Sylvia nodded, her expression remaining serious. "That's a good idea. Lila has the patience and expertise for this kind of raw talent. But once she's learned the basics—once she has some semblance of control—I want all four of you to report to my office." Her gaze swept across both of them. "Lila, Nami, you, and Hikari. I'll have an assignment ready for you."

  Katsuki's smirk widened, a dangerous glint appearing in his eyes. "An assignment, huh? Sounds like fun."

  Hikari shifted uncomfortably, unsure of what she was being dragged into. The weight of their expectations pressed down on her shoulders like a physical thing. Still, the prospect of learning to control her aura—and proving herself to these people who seemed so confident and powerful—sparked a flicker of determination within her. *I can do this,* she thought. *I have to do this.*

  Hikari and Katsuki walked down the church's quiet hall, their footsteps echoing softly against the stone walls. The sound seemed to carry forever in the empty corridor, bouncing back at them like whispered secrets. The pair made their way to the backyard, where they spotted Lila practicing her psychic abilities.

  She was levitating several large rocks—boulders, really, each one easily the size of a small car—spinning them gracefully in the air like a juggler's pins before smashing them together with sharp precision. The sound of stone grinding against stone filled the air, followed by the crack of rock splitting apart. Dust and debris floated down like snow.

  Hikari froze, her heart skipping a beat. A soft blush crept across her cheeks as she took in Lila's focused expression, the way her cute ponytail swayed slightly as she worked, the graceful movements of her hands as she directed the massive stones with seemingly effortless control.

  *Oh my god... this girl is so damn cute!* Hikari thought, her mind suddenly racing. *Wait, what am I thinking? No, no, no. I'm not gay... right? Of course I'm not gay...* But even as she tried to convince herself, her eyes remained fixed on Lila, drinking in every detail of her appearance and movement.

  "Yo, Hikari," Katsuki said, pushing his glasses up and running a hand through his messy brown hair. His voice carried a note of amusement. "Imma need you to snap outta your little love trance for a sec."

  Hikari startled, her face heating up further as she shook her head vigorously. "R-right... my bad." She forced herself to look away from Lila, though her eyes kept wanting to drift back.

  Lila glanced up, noticing the two of them. Her eyes lit up with genuine warmth, and she waved enthusiastically, her whole face brightening with a smile that made Hikari's heart do a little flip. "Oh, it's you guys! I was wondering when you'd show up again!" she chirped, her voice sweet and bubbly like champagne bubbles. She lowered the massive rocks with ease, gently setting them on the ground as if they weighed nothing at all.

  Katsuki smirked, his tone casual. "Lila, I'm here so you can train Hikari."

  "Train her?" Lila tilted her head, her curious tone making her sound even more playful. A strand of hair fell across her face, and she brushed it back absently.

  "Yup. Lady Sylvia thinks it's a good idea to have you train her, and I'm inclined to agree." Katsuki gestured toward Hikari with a casual wave. "She's got an aura as potent as mine. Maybe even more chaotic."

  Lila's brow furrowed slightly as she examined Hikari more closely, her expression shifting from playful to analytical. Then her eyes widened with surprise, and her mouth formed a small 'o' of astonishment. "Oh wow! You're right. She's got such an immense aura!" Lila's warm smile returned, making Hikari's chest tighten with an emotion she couldn't quite name. "It's like... like a storm barely contained in a bottle."

  "That's right!" Hikari declared proudly, trying to appear confident despite the butterflies in her stomach. She puffed herself up, eager to impress this impossibly cute girl. "I'm gonna be a powerful esper!"

  Lila giggled softly, her laughter like music to Hikari's ears—like wind chimes on a summer breeze. "Yup, I can totally see it! With an aura this strong, you've got thirty times the potential of the average esper." Her tone was light and cheerful, but her words carried an encouraging sincerity that made them feel like a promise.

  Hikari felt her heart race, swearing internally that she might explode from how utterly adorable Lila was being. *How is someone this cute even real?* she thought desperately.

  "Ha, that's a pretty high number," Hikari said, grinning as she placed her hands on her hips in what she hoped was a confident pose. "That must mean I'll be able to kick some serious supernatural butt!"

  Katsuki snorted, crossing his arms. "Don't get ahead of yourself, girly. You've still gotta learn how to manipulate your aura first. Training comes before butt-kicking." His tone was teasing but carried an undercurrent of seriousness.

  Hikari folded her arms, narrowing her eyes at Katsuki in mock offense. "Yeah, yeah, I know that. I'm not stupid."

  Katsuki shrugged with a sly grin. "Could've fooled me."

  "How dare you!" Hikari huffed, landing a playful punch on his arm. Katsuki chuckled, brushing it off easily, while Lila giggled softly at their banter.

  The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  "Alright, you two, calm down," Lila said with a sweet tone, trying to diffuse the energy. Her voice carried the gentle authority of someone used to managing chaos.

  "Yeah, Hikari, listen to her. Calm down," Katsuki teased, earning a glare from Hikari.

  "Anyway," Hikari said, exhaling sharply and turning to Katsuki, "how about you leave while I'm training? You can check on me later when we're done."

  "Fine, fine. I'll be back to see if you've made any progress," Katsuki replied, raising his hands in mock surrender before turning on his heel and heading back into the church. His footsteps faded into the distance, leaving Hikari alone with Lila.

  Lila watched him leave, then turned her full attention to Hikari. Her expression shifted to one of cheerful focus, her warm smile lighting up her face like the sun breaking through clouds. "Alright, Hikari, ready to learn how to use those psychic abilities of yours? Let's start with something simple."

  She crouched down, picking up a small, weighted ball from a nearby equipment box. She held it in her palm, and with a casual flick of her wrist, it floated a few inches off her hand, hovering there as if suspended by invisible strings.

  "See this? It's all about focusing on the energy inside you. Picture what you want the object to do and channel your aura to make it happen." Lila's voice took on an instructional quality, patient and encouraging. "It takes practice, so don't worry if you don't get it right away. Everyone struggles at first."

  She placed the ball on the ground in front of Hikari and gave her an encouraging nod. "Your turn! Take your time. Clear your mind, focus, and let your energy flow through it. You've got this."

  Hikari nodded, determination glinting in her eyes. She crouched down, staring at the ball with laser focus, as if she could will it to move through sheer intensity of gaze alone.

  "Good, good," Lila said softly as she stood by, watching closely. "Don't overthink it. Let your instincts guide you. The more you relax, the easier it'll be. Think of it like... like breathing. You don't think about breathing, you just do it."

  Hikari took a deep breath, centering herself. She closed her eyes, imagining her aura bubbling up from deep within like water pushing against a dam. Slowly, she tried to direct that energy toward the ball, willing it to move with every fiber of her being.

  The air around her seemed to shift, thickening slightly with a subtle hum of power. The ball trembled, wobbling before lifting just an inch off the ground.

  "You're doing great," Lila said, her voice bright and encouraging. "Just like that! Keep your focus steady. Think of your energy as a gentle stream guiding the ball where you want it to go. Trust yourself."

  Sweat beaded on Hikari's forehead as she poured every ounce of her concentration into the task. The ball wavered before rising higher, hovering a few feet off the ground. She could feel it—the connection between her mind and the object, like an invisible thread linking them together.

  Then, something inside her cracked—like a seal shattering.

  A wild surge of energy erupted from Hikari, flooding her veins like an uncontrollable tidal wave. Her aura burst outward in a violent wave, slamming into everything around her with the force of an explosion.

  Lila's smile vanished, replaced with wide-eyed astonishment. She quickly stepped back, summoning a shimmering psychic shield just as the raw energy exploded outward. The impact rocked the area, forcing Lila to brace herself as her shield absorbed the shock. The ground cracked beneath Hikari's feet, and the nearby rocks that Lila had been practicing with earlier tumbled away like toys. Dust swirled through the air before slowly settling.

  When the chaos subsided, Lila lowered her shield, brushing a bit of dust off her clothes. A smirk tugged at her lips as she looked at Hikari, though there was genuine surprise in her eyes. "Well... that's new. Looks like you've got a natural affinity for psychic abilities. A very strong one."

  Hikari stared at her hands, still gripping the weighted ball. Her chest rose and fell with rapid breaths, her mind reeling from what had just happened. The ball itself had been crushed slightly in her psychic grip, its surface warped and dented.

  "What... what was that?" she murmured, her voice trembling. "I didn't mean to let that out..." Her hands were shaking, and she could still feel the residual energy crackling beneath her skin like electricity.

  Hikari's heart pounded in her chest, excitement and a flicker of fear dancing in her wide eyes. "I... I didn't even know I had that much power," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

  Lila nodded, her expression both thoughtful and impressed. She walked closer, her movements careful and measured. "It seems you have just as much potential as Katsuki. Your aura is incredibly powerful, just like his, but there's a stark difference between you two—you're like yin and yang."

  Hikari tilted her head in curiosity as Lila paused, her gaze intensifying as she studied the aura radiating from her. Lila's eyes seemed to see beyond the physical, perceiving the energy that swirled around Hikari like an invisible storm.

  "Katsuki has the highest Supernatural Affinity in the entire Church. His connection to supernatural forces is so precise that he can manipulate his powers down to an atomic level, controlling even the tiniest details." Lila's lips curled into a small smile. "But you... you're the opposite. You have the lowest Supernatural Affinity. Your control is raw, unrefined, but your aura output is the highest in the Church. It's like a floodgate—powerful and overwhelming, even if it's untamed."

  Hikari's head swam with the revelation, her breaths coming in shallow as she tried to process it all. "So, I have a lot of power, but it's... uncontrolled? And Katsuki has a lot of control, but less power. I never thought about it that way." Her gaze faltered as a hint of insecurity crept into her voice. "Does that make me a dangerous liability?"

  Lila's eyes sparkled mischievously as she broke into a grin, nudging Hikari's shoulder playfully. "Dangerous liability? Pfft, please! That's way too dramatic, even for you, Hikari!" Her teasing tone carried a layer of warmth that immediately eased the tension. "You're not some ticking time bomb, okay? You're like... a powerhouse wrapped in a mystery! Katsuki's got his fine-tuned control, sure, but you—" she leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper—"you're a force of nature! And that's exciting."

  She stepped back, spinning on her heel with a theatrical flourish. Her skirt swirled around her as she laughed, the sound bright and infectious. "Having raw, untamed power is nothing to be insecure about, Hikari. It means you're limitless! We just need to figure out how to focus that energy. And trust me—" she winked, confidence radiating from her—"there's no one better at pulling out potential than me."

  Hikari chuckled despite herself, Lila's infectious enthusiasm washing over her like a wave. "You're incorrigible, Lila. Always spinning everything into something exciting. Fine. I get it—I'm a powerhouse wrapped in a mystery. But how do we figure out how to control this 'limitless' potential without accidentally turning the city into a crater?"

  Lila rolled her eyes dramatically, her smirk never faltering. "Oh, come on, Hikari! Where's your adventurous spirit? Live a little—imagine the possibilities!" She tapped her chin, her expression turning mock-serious. "Alright, if you insist on being all reasonable..."

  She leaned forward, her voice low and playful. "We'll start small. Channeling your energy into controlled exercises, like moving a pebble instead of smashing a building. Baby steps, Hikari."

  Then, her mischievous grin returned. "But honestly, imagine it—unleashing that kind of power! You could bring down buildings with a flick of your wrist, move faster than a speeding bullet—oh wait, no, you won't be faster than Katsuki."

  Hikari groaned, rolling her eyes dramatically. "Oh, shut up, Lila. You don't have to remind me every five seconds that he's faster. I get it, Katsuki's the speedster of the century. No need to rub it in."

  Lila laughed, thoroughly enjoying herself. "Don't be so grumpy! I'm just stating facts. Your new powers are impressive, but you know Katsuki's got you beat in speed."

  Hikari crossed her arms, her brow furrowing in mock annoyance before a sly grin crept onto her face. "Speed isn't everything, Lila. Just wait until I learn to control this power—I'll leave Katsuki in the dust! Who needs speed when I can unleash an aura that could level mountains? Just think about it: one big blast, and I'm the star of the show."

  She winked, her confidence glowing as she leaned closer. "Give me some time. I might just surprise you."

  Lila tilted her head, her grin widening. "Okay, fair point. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. If anyone can figure this out, it's you. Just, y'know, try not to accidentally level the whole city while you're at it."

  Hikari laughed, her cheeks warming as she playfully nudged Lila's shoulder, unable to stop herself from glancing at the way Lila's hair caught the light. She tried to focus on her joke instead of the wild flutter in her chest.

  "Hey, a little collateral damage never hurt anyone, right? Just think of it as... an unexpected makeover for the city!"

  Her grin was teasing, but inside, her thoughts were anything but casual. *God, how does she always look so effortlessly cool?*

  Leaning back, Hikari crossed her arms, her expression shifting to mock seriousness. "But seriously, I'll keep it under control... mostly. Can't have you getting in trouble for my epic power moments, can I? But if I do accidentally take down a building or two—" she paused, her smile widening into a softer, almost shy grin—"I'll totally take you out for ice cream as an apology."

  Her heart skipped as she said it, the words laced with more meaning than she intended. Ice cream wasn't just ice cream if it was with Lila. It was a chance to spend more time with her, just the two of them. She quickly averted her gaze, hoping Lila wouldn't catch the faint blush creeping up her neck.

  Lila, of course, just laughed, completely oblivious to Hikari's inner turmoil. "Ice cream, huh? That's your way of making up for leveling a city block? You're too much, Hikari!" She nudged her back with an easy grin, her laugh ringing out like music.

  Hikari's heart raced at the sound, and she couldn't help but think, I'd level the whole damn city if it meant seeing you smile like that again.

  Katsuki walked back toward them, his footsteps echoing with annoyance. "God damn, I leave for no more than fifteen minutes and you girls are already trying to blow up the damn building."

  Lila waved him off with a playful smirk. "Oh, relax, Kaizen. I'm making sure she doesn't blow anything up."

  Katsuki rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed. "Mhm, well, you guys' training is gonna have to go on hold for now."

  Hikari raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "And why's that?"

  Katsuki glanced over at her with a half-smirk. "Don't you remember? Lady Sylvia told us to come to her office after you're done with your training."

  Hikari blinked, confused. "But I'm not done with my training."

  Katsuki shrugged nonchalantly before grabbing her wrist and beginning to pull her toward the church's interior. "Lila, would you be a dear and go get Nami for me?"

  Lila let out a dramatic sigh, but her lips curled into a teasing grin. "Sure, I guess."

  Katsuki gave her a bright, exaggerated smile. "Great, thank you so much! Now let's go, Hikari."

  Lila made her way through the dimly lit halls of the building, her boots clicking on the floor with each step. It didn't take her long to find Nami training in the center. Lila leaned against the doorframe with a smirk. "Hey, Nami."

  Nami paused her training, annoyance flashing across her face. She sighed deeply before turning around to face Lila, crossing her arms. "What is it you need? Can't you see I'm training right now?"

  Lila smirked, undeterred by Nami's cold tone. "Yessss, I know, but Lady Sylvia said she wanted to see all of us in her office."

  Nami groaned loudly, rubbing her temples. "Ugh, of course she does. I bet she's gonna rope me into something I don't wanna do..."

  Just as she was about to resume her training, a voice rang out, cutting through the air.

  "WANT ME TO DO WHAT?!" Nami shouted, her voice full of frustration.

  Sylvia's voice came from the speaker with authority. "Lower your tone, Nami. And I want you to accompany Katsuki, Lila, and Hikari on their first mission."

  Nami's eyes widened as she shook her head vigorously. "I don't understand, though! Why me?! Haven't you guys tortured me enough by making me be Katsuki's partner... Can't you get one of the other exorcists, like Toshi?"

  Sylvia remained calm, her gaze unwavering. "You know that boy is a wildcard, and we can't seem to pinpoint his location. And since he's not here, you'll be going with them."

  Nami groaned again, clearly displeased. "UGHGGGHHH..."

  Sylvia's tone softened, almost in an attempt to sweeten the deal. "I promise I'll pay you well for this."

  Nami's eyes snapped to attention at the mention of money. "I'll make sure to keep an eye on these three."

  Hikari shot Nami a side-eye, feeling the tension shift. I guess money really can solve all problems...

  Katsuki didn't waste any time, eager to get to the task at hand. "So Sylvia, what mission are you sending us on?"

  Sylvia glanced down at the papers in front of her, her fingers skimming through them. "There's been a lot of strange occurrences in Shibuya lately. Some of the lower-ranked exorcists went to check it out. They said there's a Kagutsuchi and a Jorogumo there. Over 100k deaths this week."

  Hikari's breath caught in her throat, and her chest tightened. The death count hit her hard, a brutal reminder that the supernatural world was as dangerous as it was fascinating. *A hundred thousand people... dead in one week?* The number was incomprehensible, too large to fully grasp.

  Lila, ever the optimist, winked confidently. "Don't worry, Lady Sylvia. We'll take those entities down in no time!"

  Katsuki grinned, cracking his knuckles. "That's right, I'll smash right through them!"

  Sylvia raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by their bravado. "Right, Nami, make sure you keep a close eye on these two. You know how much trouble they get into when they're alone. I'll make sure to give you a twenty-five percent increase in your pay if you do."

  Nami nodded firmly, her expression suddenly serious at the mention of money. "You can count on me, Miss. I'll make sure to watch these dumbasses."

  The scene shifted to the four standing in front of an abandoned hospital building, the tension palpable in the air. The structure loomed before them like a monument to decay—windows shattered, walls crumbling, vegetation creeping up the sides like grasping fingers. The aura of the entities inside was unmistakable, and even Nami, usually cool-headed, could feel the weight of it pressing down on them like a physical force.

  Nami stepped forward and turned toward the trio. "Alright, so we'll be going into this building together to kill the entities inside. That means no fooling around and no taking detours. We're here to do one thing and one thing only. Am I clear?"

  Katsuki, Lila, and Hikari all gave half-hearted responses, clearly more concerned with the strange energy around them than with Nami's orders. "I guess," they muttered in unison.

  "Good, now let's go," Nami said, leading the way, her expression hardening.

  The four of them walked into the building, unaware of the horrors waiting for them inside. Each step carried them deeper into the unknown, and Hikari couldn't shake the feeling that this mission would change everything.

  to be continued...