Chapter 38: The Cursed House and Unsettling Enigmas

Shakia was currently working in her room, her desk piled high with what seemed like mountains of documents. As the Student Council President, she had to anticipate future events earlier than anyone else.

Her black pen swept tirelessly across countless approval drafts. A slight weariness touched Shakia’s face.

She set down her pen, then reached for the steaming coffee beside her.

Her pink lips parted slightly as she took a small sip. To her, nothing was more comforting than this moment.

The pen, left on the desk, rolled idly before coming to rest on a particular document: Mo Ya’s personal file.

His birth was unknown, his past obscured. His identity, shrouded in mist, exuded an unsettling enigma.

Gazing at the file, Shakia sighed softly and placed her coffee back on the table.

“Why was he allowed into the academy? Who exactly gave their consent?”

Flipping through Mo Ya’s documents, Shakia found not a single shred of useful information, which left her feeling rather displeased.

She casually tossed Mo Ya’s file aside and resumed her work.

Her black pen began to dance across the papers once more. Yet, its rhythm was abruptly broken by a sudden, sharp cry.

“The Principal is having you transfer to the Cursed House?!”

The Vice President’s voice carried from outside the door. Even with the barrier between them, Shakia had clearly understood the startled cry.

Doubt flickered across her face. Shakia rose to her feet.

As she stood, the white dress she wore pulled taut, creating an unnatural curve. Her prominently lifted chest was beautifully accentuated.

Shakia took steady steps, opening the large door before her. Standing there was an ordinary-looking boy, conversing with the Vice President.

“Has something happened?”

“Ah, President! My sincerest apologies for disturbing you.” Panic was etched across the Vice President’s face. Shakia, however, walked directly past her and approached Akuma.

Though her eyes held a chilling coldness, Shakia’s demeanor remained humble as she initiated the conversation.

“Tell me, what is it you wish for me to do?”

Akuma opened his mouth to speak.

***

In the school’s back mountain, a place enveloped by verdant trees, lay a secluded area, like a secret realm cut off from the world.

Mo Ya and Feng Ling walked amongst the thickets.

Wind whispered through the forest, making the branches sway dramatically from side to side with a rustling sound.

The closer they approached the so-called Cursed House, the fewer rays of sunlight pierced through the gaps in the trees. A pervasive dampness hung in the air.

“Hey… are you sure it’s alright? Seriously, no ghosts are going to pop out, right?” Feng Ling clung tightly to Mo Ya’s arm, her eyes wide with dread.

“Just so you know,” she quickly added, “I’m not… not scared of unrealistic things like ghosts. I’m merely observing the enemy situation, that’s all.”

Faint sunlight dappled the two figures as they walked. Considering Feng Ling’s palpable fear, Mo Ya subtly slowed his pace.

“Then… where exactly is this ‘enemy’?”

“Ugh… you infuriating person! Why do you always have to undermine me?” Feng Ling was exasperated, subtly tightening her grip on Mo Ya’s arm. His skin began to redden slightly.

She continued to mutter under her breath, gritting her teeth as if she wished to swallow Mo Ya whole.

A mist of fear still lingered in Feng Ling’s eyes, but now, it was overshadowed by a surge of anger directed at Mo Ya.

Watching Feng Ling, Mo Ya quickened his steps once more.

Dappled tree shadows created an eerie atmosphere. Mo Ya gazed into the distance, where he could now discern the form of the so-called Cursed House.

Leading Feng Ling, he pushed aside the obstructing bushes and arrived before the house.

It was currently afternoon. The wooden house appeared extremely dilapidated, with patches of mold growing in some areas.

Overall, however, it seemed no different from any ordinary house, making it hard to imagine the eerie phenomena rumored to occur at night.

Mo Ya stood silently, observing the house. Beside him, Feng Ling had reverted to her previous state, her eyes a complex mix of doubt and fear.

Had there been no unforeseen circumstances, Mo Ya would have simply pushed the door open.

However, he detected the scent of iron, tinged with a faint, sweet aroma. Without a doubt, it was the smell of fresh blood.

Crisis was closing in. Mo Ya felt an unmistakable surge of killing intent.

“It seems this house truly is cursed,” Mo Ya remarked.

A wry smile touched Mo Ya’s lips as he surveyed the scene beside the house.

From the side of the house, several grotesque creatures slowly crawled into view.

They were neither Erosion nor human.

They possessed crimson pupils, snake tails, eagle wings, and the bodies of tigers.

“What… are these things?” Feng Ling gasped, covering her mouth in astonishment.

***

“Impossible! The Principal would never make such a decision!” Shakia swiftly donned her most trusted armor and sprinted towards the Cursed House. Behind her, Akuma followed, his face etched with anxiety.

“That area had a barrier placed over it two years ago, specifically to prevent anyone from entering.”

“Are you saying…”

“The legend is true. That scientist truly existed, and then vanished.”

Shakia frowned, a tempest of questions brewing within her heart.

‘Why was the barrier opened? Did that Conrad really allow them to enter?’

[Shakia, a holy artifact isn’t a curse. I believe the true curse is a heart incapable of facing a holy artifact.]

‘Damn it, don’t think of such irrelevant things at a time like this,’ she chastised herself.

She shook her head, casting those thoughts aside, and quickened her pace.

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