The morning air was thick with the scent of damp earth and old stone, the remnants of last night's rain still clinging to the training yard behind the church. It had been two weeks since Hikari's world had crumbled, revealing the supernatural forces lurking just beneath the surface of her seemingly normal life. Two weeks since she had come face to face with the truth of her existence: her lineage, her powers, and the cosmic struggle that had ensnared her in its relentless grip.

  She had spent an entire week avoiding school, unwilling to sit in a classroom and pretend that equations and historical dates mattered when she had seen what lay beyond the veil of reality. But now, with a shaky sense of determination, she had promised herself to return to her old routine. At least, that was the plan.

  What she didn't know was that her next destination wouldn't be a school desk. It would be a city across the ocean, a battleground waiting to test the limits of her newfound strength.

  But first, she needed to deal with something she'd been putting off.

  Hikari sat cross-legged on her bed, phone in hand, staring at the group chat. The screen's glow illuminated her face in the dim morning light filtering through her curtains. Dozens of unread messages from Penny and Rina stared back at her, each one a small knife of guilt twisting deeper.

  She'd been ghosting them. Not intentionally, but the supernatural world didn't exactly leave room for casual hangouts and gossip sessions. Every time she thought about texting them back, another training session would start, another mission would come up, another lie would need to be crafted.

  Her fingers hovered over the keyboard.

  **Hikari:** hey guys

  **Hikari:** i know ive been MIA

  **Hikari:** sorry about that

  She hit send and waited. The three dots appeared almost immediately.

  **Rarity ??:** HIKARI

  **Rarity ??:** GIRL WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN

  **Rarity ??:** We've been texting you for DAYS

  **Ri:** Are you okay?? We were getting really worried

  **Ri:** You haven't been to school in over a week

  Hikari's chest tightened. She could feel their concern radiating through the screen, and it made the lies she was about to tell taste even more bitter.

  **Hikari:** yeah im fine i promise

  **Hikari:** just been dealing with some stuff

  **Hikari:** family things mostly

  **Rarity ??:** Family things?

  **Rarity ??:** Since when do you have family drama?

  **Ri:** Is everything okay at home?

  Hikari bit her lip. She hated lying to them, but what was she supposed to say? "Hey guys, turns out I'm a psychic with cosmic powers and I've been fighting demons for the past two weeks"?

  **Hikari:** yeah everythings fine

  **Hikari:** just needed some time to figure stuff out

  **Hikari:** but hey i met someone

  **Rarity ??:** !!!

  **Rarity ??:** SPILL

  **Ri:** Who??

  Hikari felt a small smile tug at her lips despite everything.

  **Hikari:** her names lila

  **Hikari:** shes really cool

  **Hikari:** been helping me with some things

  **Rarity ??:** Ooooh Hikari has a new friend

  **Rarity ??:** Or is it more than that??? ??

  **Hikari:** shut up lol

  **Hikari:** shes just a friend

  **Hikari:** ...i think

  **Ri:** You THINK?

  **Ri:** Hikari do you have a crush??

  **Hikari:** maybe

  **Hikari:** shes just really nice okay

  **Hikari:** and shes got this smile that makes me feel all weird inside

  **Rarity ??:** OH MY GOD

  **Rarity ??:** HIKARI IS IN LOVE

  **Hikari:** IM NOT IN LOVE

  **Hikari:** i barely know her

  **Hikari:** we just hang out sometimes

  **Ri:** "Hang out sometimes" she says

  **Ri:** While completely ignoring her best friends for a week

  **Ri:** This Lila must be pretty special

  Hikari's face heated up. Was it that obvious?

  **Hikari:** look can we not make this a thing

  **Hikari:** i just wanted to let you guys know im okay

  **Rarity ??:** Fine fine

  **Rarity ??:** But we NEED to meet this Lila

  **Rarity ??:** Like ASAP

  **Rarity ??:** If she's stealing our Hikari we need to vet her

  **Ri:** Agreed

  **Ri:** When can we meet her?

  Hikari hesitated. The thought of her two worlds colliding made her stomach twist with anxiety. How was she supposed to introduce Penny and Rina to Lila without revealing the whole supernatural exorcist thing?

  **Hikari:** ill see what i can do

  **Hikari:** shes pretty busy with work stuff

  **Rarity ??:** Work? How old is she?

  **Hikari:** our age

  **Hikari:** she just has a really intense job

  **Ri:** Doing what?

  Hikari's mind raced. What could she say that wouldn't sound completely insane?

  **Hikari:** consulting work

  **Hikari:** for a church actually

  **Rarity ??:** A CHURCH??

  **Rarity ??:** Hikari since when do you hang out with church people

  **Hikari:** since now i guess lol

  **Hikari:** its not as weird as it sounds

  **Hikari:** the church does a lot of community outreach and stuff

  **Hikari:** lilas really passionate about it

  **Ri:** That's actually kind of sweet

  **Ri:** Still want to meet her though

  **Rarity ??:** Same

  **Rarity ??:** No way are we letting some church girl steal our bestie without meeting her first

  **Hikari:** shes not stealing me

  **Hikari:** you guys are still my best friends

  **Hikari:** i promise

  **Ri:** You better mean that

  **Ri:** Because we miss you dummy

  **Rarity ??:** Yeah what she said

  **Rarity ??:** Come back to school soon okay?

  **Rarity ??:** Its boring without you

  Hikari felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes. She missed them too. Missed the simplicity of their friendship, the easy laughter, the gossip sessions and mall trips and late-night video calls.

  **Hikari:** i miss you guys too

  **Hikari:** ill be back soon i promise

  **Hikari:** and ill introduce you to lila

  **Hikari:** just give me a little more time

  **Rarity ??:** Okay but dont take too long

  **Rarity ??:** Or we're showing up at your house

  **Ri:** With snacks and a full interrogation planned

  **Hikari:** noted lol

  **Hikari:** talk to you guys later okay?

  **Rarity ??:** Later!! ??

  **Ri:** Love you Hikari

  **Ri:** Take care of yourself

  **Hikari:** love you guys too

  She set her phone down and stared at the ceiling, a hollow ache settling in her chest. Another lie. Another wall between her and the life she used to have.

  But what choice did she have?

  With a heavy sigh, she pushed herself off the bed and got ready for training. Lila would be waiting for her in the yard, and despite everything, the thought of seeing her made Hikari's heart flutter in a way she couldn't quite explain.

  Maybe Penny and Rina were right. Maybe she did have a crush.

  But that was a problem for another day.

  In the gray light of dawn, Hikari stood in the middle of the training yard, her stance firm, her breathing measured. The space behind the church was rugged and worn, an expanse of stone and packed dirt where countless battles had been fought, where countless warriors had honed their skills. Now, it was her turn.

  A dozen objects hovered around her in a slow, controlled orbit. Chunks of stone, discarded training dummies, a rusted car that had long since been abandoned. Even a few stray animals: a pair of rats and a cat, all floating gently in the air, their bodies suspended in the invisible grip of her telekinesis.

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  The cat, seemingly unbothered, lazily batted at a small rock drifting past its paws.

  Hikari's brow furrowed with concentration. Sweat beaded on her forehead despite the cool morning air. Her hands trembled slightly as she maintained the psychic field, the strain evident in the tension of her shoulders and the tight set of her jaw.

  She exhaled slowly, lowering her hand, and each object settled back to the ground in perfect unison.

  Then her knees buckled.

  "Whoa!" Lila was at her side in an instant, catching her before she could hit the ground. "Easy there, Hika-chan. You pushed yourself too hard again."

  Hikari leaned against her, breathing heavily. "I'm fine. Just... need a second."

  "You're not fine. You're exhausted." Lila's voice was gentle but firm as she helped Hikari sit down on a nearby bench. "You've been at this for two hours straight without a break."

  "I need to get stronger," Hikari protested weakly. "I can't afford to take breaks."

  "And you can't afford to burn yourself out either." Lila sat down beside her, close enough that their shoulders touched. The contact sent a pleasant warmth through Hikari's chest that had nothing to do with exertion. "Strength isn't just about pushing yourself until you collapse. It's about knowing your limits and working within them."

  Hikari looked down at her hands. They were still shaking. "But I'm so slow at this. You make it look effortless."

  "I've been training since I was six years old, Hikari. You've had your powers for two weeks." Lila's azure eyes sparkled with warmth as she smiled. "You're actually progressing faster than most espers I've seen. You just need to be patient with yourself."

  "Patient," Hikari muttered. "Not really my strong suit."

  Lila laughed, a sound like wind chimes that made Hikari's heart skip. "I've noticed. But that's okay. I can be patient enough for both of us."

  Their eyes met, and for a moment, the world seemed to narrow to just the two of them. Hikari felt her face heat up, and she quickly looked away.

  "So, um," she said, desperate to break the tension, "what's next? More levitation practice?"

  Lila's smile turned playful. "Actually, I was thinking we could work on something new today. But first..." She reached into her bag and pulled out two water bottles and a container of rice balls. "Breakfast. You need to refuel."

  Hikari's stomach growled in response, and she laughed sheepishly. "Okay, maybe I am a little hungry."

  They ate in comfortable silence, the morning sun gradually warming the training yard. Hikari found herself stealing glances at Lila, admiring the way the light caught in her bubblegum-pink hair, the gentle curve of her smile, the way her eyes crinkled when she was amused.

  "You're staring," Lila said without looking up from her rice ball.

  Hikari nearly choked. "I wasn't!"

  "You were." Lila turned to her with a knowing grin. "It's okay. I don't mind."

  The casual acceptance made Hikari's heart race even faster. She took a long drink of water to hide her flustered expression.

  "So," Lila continued, mercifully changing the subject, "how do you feel about your powers now? Getting used to them?"

  Hikari glanced down at her open palm, flexing her fingers as if expecting to feel something different. She exhaled before meeting Lila's gaze. "I wouldn't say I'm used to them, but I guess I'm getting comfortable. It's just... this training feels kind of tedious. Is this really the only way to get stronger? I mean, in anime, the protagonist just goes off into the mountains and figures everything out on their own."

  Lila rolled her eyes with a smirk and, without warning, poked Hikari's cheek.

  Hikari flinched, her face heating up. "H-Hey! What was that for?!"

  Lila laughed, tapping her own temple. "Oh, my dear Ari, you've got a lot to learn. Training in the real supernatural world isn't as simple as screaming into the sky until you power up. It's not just about getting stronger. It's about understanding why your power works the way it does."

  She leaned back, stretching her arms, her voice taking on a more thoughtful tone. "Harnessing Aura, or any supernatural ability, really, isn't just physical. It's personal. It's about understanding the foundations behind it. Whether it's fire, psychic energy, or something else entirely, you need to know how it works on a philosophical, scientific, or even metaphysical level. Power isn't just about raw strength. It's about control."

  Hikari listened, her curiosity piqued.

  Lila continued, her expression more serious now. "That's why physical training matters just as much as the mental and emotional side of things. Your body needs to be strong enough to handle the strain. If your stamina's garbage, your abilities will be, too. Endurance, agility, resilience... it all ties together. But even more important than that?"

  She tapped Hikari's chest lightly, right over her heart. "Your emotions. Your state of mind. Aura, psychic energy, whatever you wanna call it, it's all connected to you. If you're a mess inside, your powers will be too. Lose control of yourself, and your abilities will follow."

  Hikari swallowed, the weight of Lila's words settling over her. "So... if I let my emotions get the best of me, my power could spiral out of control?"

  Lila nodded. "Exactly. Strength isn't just about what you can do. It's about making sure your power doesn't end up controlling you."

  Hikari was quiet for a moment, absorbing it all. The morning breeze rustled through the training yard, carrying with it the scent of rain-soaked earth and something floral she couldn't quite place. She watched as Lila tucked a strand of pink hair behind her ear, the gesture so casual yet somehow captivating.

  "You really care about this stuff, don't you?" Hikari said softly. "About teaching me properly."

  Lila's expression softened. "Of course I do. You're important, Hikari. Not just because of your powers, but because..." She trailed off, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "Because you're you."

  Hikari's breath caught. The sincerity in Lila's voice made her chest feel tight and warm all at once. "Lila..."

  "Anyway!" Lila stood up abruptly, her usual cheerful energy returning. "Enough mushy stuff. Let's get back to training before you get all sappy on me."

  Hikari laughed, standing as well. "I wasn't getting sappy!"

  "Sure you weren't." Lila's grin was teasing, but her eyes held a warmth that made Hikari's heart flutter all over again.

  Then she sighed dramatically, placing her hands on her hips. "Ugh. Fine, I guess that makes sense. Still wish I could just train like a shonen protagonist, though."

  Lila laughed, flicking Hikari's forehead lightly. "Too bad! You're stuck with me instead."

  Despite herself, Hikari smiled. Maybe this kind of training wasn't so bad after all. Especially when it meant spending time with Lila.

  Lila clapped her hands together, the sound echoing softly through the training yard. "Alright! Next, we're gonna focus on Psychic Constructs. Since I'm an esper, I can explain this better than anyone else." She shot Hikari a confident grin.

  Hikari tilted her head, crossing her arms. "Psychic Constructs? Never heard of that one before. What exactly is it?"

  Lila's expression turned almost mischievous as she lifted her hand. A soft hum filled the air as a swirling orb of pink energy flickered to life in her palm, casting an ethereal glow over her fingers. The energy pulsed, shifting and reforming as if alive.

  "Psychic Constructs is the ability to create physical objects out of pure psychic energy," Lila explained, her voice steady yet brimming with excitement. "Anything you can imagine: a weapon, armor, tools, even barriers. You can bring them into existence. But it's not just about summoning something out of thin air."

  The pink orb in her hand suddenly elongated, twisting and solidifying into the shape of a dagger with a sleek, razor-sharp edge. It gleamed under the morning light, looking every bit as real as any forged blade.

  "The key to mastering this ability is visualization," she continued. "Before you can create something, you have to see it clearly in your mind. The size, the shape, the weight. Every detail matters. Once you've got that image locked in, you harness your psychic energy to materialize it into reality."

  Hikari's eyes widened, her mouth slightly agape as she stared at the glowing dagger. Even after everything she had seen over the past two weeks, demons, supernatural battles, her own awakening, there was still something mesmerizing about watching raw psychic energy take shape right in front of her.

  "Wait... so you're saying I can literally create anything I want?" she asked, her voice tinged with awe.

  Lila smirked, twirling the dagger between her fingers before letting it dissolve into thin air, the pink energy dispersing into nothingness. "In theory, yeah. But in practice? There's a catch." She wagged a finger at Hikari. "The more powerful, complex, or massive the object you want to create, the more psychic energy it takes. And it's not just about raw power. You need absolute control over your Aura to shape and sustain it properly."

  Hikari frowned, rubbing the back of her neck. "So, I can't just summon, like... a giant psychic mech suit and call it a day?"

  Lila let out a laugh. "Not unless you wanna pass out from overexertion in about five seconds! Your energy isn't infinite, and if you try to create something too advanced before you're ready, it'll either fall apart or drain you dry. That's why we train. To strengthen our minds, refine our control, and expand our limits bit by bit."

  Hikari let out a slow breath, absorbing everything. Visualization, energy control, limitations. It was a lot to take in, but something about it excited her. The thought of shaping the world around her with just her mind felt like stepping into the realm of gods.

  Lila clapped her hands again, snapping Hikari out of her thoughts. "Alright, now that you kind of get the concept, let's put it to the test. Try forming something small. Maybe a sphere to start with. Don't worry about making it perfect."

  Hikari grinned, cracking her knuckles. "Alright, let's do this."

  She closed her eyes, trying to visualize a simple sphere. Round, smooth, about the size of a baseball. She could feel the energy swirling around her fingertips, could sense the shape trying to form.

  But nothing appeared.

  Her brow furrowed. She pushed harder, forcing the image into her mind. A sphere. Just a simple sphere. She could see it, could picture the energy molding into place, could—

  Nothing.

  "Tch." Hikari's eyes snapped open, frustration already building. "Why isn't it working?"

  "Because you're trying to force it," Lila said gently. "You're thinking too much about the result and not enough about the process. Let the energy flow naturally. Don't try to control it. Guide it."

  Hikari took a deep breath and tried again. She visualized the sphere, felt the energy gathering in her palm. This time, a faint shimmer appeared, a barely-there flicker of cyan light.

  Her heart leaped. "I see it! I—"

  The shimmer dispersed like smoke.

  "Damn it!" Hikari clenched her fist, her frustration mounting. "I almost had it!"

  "You're getting closer," Lila encouraged. "Try again. And this time, don't get excited when you see progress. Stay calm. Stay focused."

  Hikari nodded, determination hardening her features. She closed her eyes again, visualizing the sphere. The energy gathered, slower this time, more controlled. The shimmer appeared again, stronger now, taking on a more defined shape.

  A small, unstable sphere of cyan energy flickered in her palm.

  "Yes!" Hikari's eyes flew open, and immediately the construct destabilized, collapsing in on itself.

  "Hikari!" Lila laughed. "You have to maintain your focus even after it forms. You can't just celebrate and expect it to stay there."

  "This is so hard," Hikari groaned, running a hand through her hair. "How do you make it look so easy?"

  "Practice. Lots and lots of practice." Lila's smile was warm and encouraging. "You're doing great for your first try, though. Most espers can't even get a flicker on their first attempt."

  "Really?" Hikari perked up slightly.

  "Really." Lila reached out and squeezed her shoulder. "You're talented, Hikari. You just need to be patient with yourself."

  There was that word again. Patient.

  Hikari sighed but nodded. "Okay. Let me try again."

  For the next hour, Hikari practiced forming the sphere. Each attempt brought her closer. The flickers became more solid, lasting a few seconds longer each time. By the end, she managed to maintain a small, unstable sphere for nearly ten seconds before it collapsed.

  "That's amazing progress!" Lila beamed. "At this rate, you'll have it mastered in no time."

  Hikari collapsed onto the bench, exhausted but smiling. "I feel like my brain is melting."

  "That's normal." Lila sat down beside her, offering her water. "Psychic abilities are mentally taxing. You're literally using your mind to reshape reality. Of course it's going to be exhausting."

  Hikari took a long drink, then glanced at Lila. "How long did it take you to master Psychic Constructs?"

  "About three months of daily practice," Lila admitted. "But I had a teacher who'd been doing it for decades. You're learning from someone who's only been at it for a few years, so cut yourself some slack."

  "Three months," Hikari muttered. "Great."

  "Hey." Lila bumped her shoulder gently. "You'll get there. And I'll be with you every step of the way."

  The sincerity in her voice made Hikari's chest warm. She looked at Lila, really looked at her, and felt that familiar flutter in her stomach.

  "Thanks, Lila," she said softly. "For everything."

  Lila's smile was radiant. "Anytime, Hika-chan."

  They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the morning sun now fully illuminating the training yard. Hikari found herself leaning slightly into Lila's warmth, and when Lila didn't pull away, she felt a small surge of happiness.

  Maybe the training was exhausting. Maybe she was struggling more than she'd like to admit. But moments like this, sitting beside Lila in the quiet morning light, made it all worth it.

  "Alright," Lila said eventually, standing and stretching. "One more round, then we'll call it a day. Think you can handle it?"

  Hikari stood as well, determination renewed. "Bring it on."

  As she focused on forming another construct, she couldn't help but steal one more glance at Lila. The way the sunlight caught in her pink hair, the encouraging smile on her face, the gentle patience in her eyes.

  Yeah. This was definitely worth it.

  Hikari narrowed her eyes at the empty air before her, fingers twitching as she focused. She could feel the energy swirling around her fingertips, could sense the shape trying to form, but nothing appeared. Just a faint shimmer, a flicker of something intangible, before it dispersed like a bad Wi-Fi signal.

  Her brow twitched. "Tch."

  She clenched her fist and tried again. This time, she pushed harder, forcing the image into her mind. A simple construct, just a damn sphere, nothing fancy. She could see it, could picture the energy molding into place, could—

  Fwip.

  Gone.

  "Ughhh!" Hikari let out a frustrated groan, grabbing her head. "This is so stupid! Why isn't it working?!"

  Lila, perched on a nearby rock with her legs crossed, lazily munched on a rice cracker. "Because you're trying to brute force it," she said matter-of-factly, not even looking up. "You're thinking too much about the result and not enough about the process. You can't just punch the air and expect it to listen to you."

  Hikari whirled on her. "That's rich coming from someone who's never struggled with this crap."

  Lila gave her a shit-eating grin. "Oh, I definitely struggled. I was just better at faking it."

  Hikari shot her a glare before turning back to the empty space in front of her. She gritted her teeth, shutting her eyes. Okay. Focus. Don't think about failure. Just let it—

  A gust of wind suddenly blasted through the training ground.

  "Man, you're still struggling with that? Lame."

  Hikari's eyes snapped open.

  Sutaro Katsuki stood a few feet away, hands in his pockets, that familiar cocky smirk plastered across his face. His black trench coat billowed slightly from the sudden shift in air pressure.

  Hikari blinked, her frustration momentarily replaced by confusion. "The hell?"

  Lila sighed dramatically. "And here comes the disturbance in the force."

  Katsuki strolled toward them with his usual swagger. "Sorry, but I'm gonna have to cut your little training sesh short."

  Hikari turned, her brow twitching in irritation. "And why's that?"

  Katsuki took his sweet time approaching, moving with an effortless confidence. When he got close, he leaned in just enough to make it annoyingly personal, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

  "Because Sylvia needs to talk to you and Lila." His voice was smooth, borderline smug, like he was enjoying the fact that he got to be the messenger of bad news.

  Lila perked up at the mention of Sylvia. "Oh? And what does she need us for?"

  Katsuki leaned back, shoving his hands into his pockets, his entire posture radiating disinterest. He gave a lazy shrug. "Fuck if I know. She just told me to come get you two."

  Hikari narrowed her eyes. "She needed us specifically?"

  Katsuki deadpanned. "No, she needed two trees named Hikari and Lila. Yes, you two specifically, like I literally just said a minute ago."

  Hikari raised her hands in mock surrender. "Woah, buddy. Who pissed in your coffee ?"

  Katsuki scoffed, his lips curling into a sharp grin. "Nah, I just have a very special hatred for dumbass questions."

  Hikari's eye twitched. "What did you sa—"

  Before she could even finish, Lila, ever the peacemaker, gracefully slapped a hand over Hikari's mouth. "Okaaay, let's not turn this into an argument." She started dragging Hikari toward the building with a giggle. "Let's just go see what Sylvia wants before Katsuki actually loses his patience."

  Katsuki let out a huff, shaking his head as he watched them go. "Tch. Too late for that."

  He followed after them, hands still in his pockets, but the smirk never left his face.

  To be continued...