After my incident with Katarou, things were back to normal with the High Order making sure to put countermeasures around the school. As usual, I had to continue with practice and balance it with schoolwork. Now that the end-of-term exams were coming up, I had to concentrate a lot on my schoolwork, which was going to be a problem. I was to start my lessons in using the fire element with Mei soon, and with the exams coming up, I couldn’t spend so much time on the Butterfly Island, even when it did feel like I had been gone for at least thirty minutes.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLVUxUEqKy
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With only two days left before the exams, I was walking my way to the garage after quickly running away from the sports field where everyone else was on Friday afternoon. With super speed, I dashed away from the field when no one was looking. It was our last day of sports activities. We were having a netball tournament between dorms. Since I wasn’t participating, staying there was pointless. Besides, I had to go for practice on the island, so it’s the perfect time to leave.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCAu0uAOpF
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The school was quiet except for the distant screaming and shouting from the ground behind me. After bypassing the library, I stopped in my tracks. Something didn’t feel right. Someone was following me.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BfHSd9m5f
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I turned around, but there was no one there. However, I turned to the corner of the library building that I had just passed. There was someone standing behind the building. I could tell from their aura. With a lot of training, I had improved at tracking the aura around me. Was it a fellow student? Their aura pointed out that whoever it is is human, but I couldn’t help but feel there was something strange about it.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzVA1kM74D
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Before I could start to slowly approach, someone quickly stepped out into the open from their hiding spot. I didn’t get the time to gasp in surprise, as I didn’t think whoever it was would be the person standing in front of me. In her white school sports uniform stood Bertha.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeZ2JA6Zfr
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“H-Hi, Diana,” Bertha stuttered to greet me. She shyly waved her hand. As much as she was well known in school for her wild episodes, she’s naturally shy. Moreover, she was much shorter than I was.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPFBxx4ekA
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“Hi Bertha,” I said back. “What are you doing here?”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAR8yDyhg2L
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“Well, I-” she said, dropping her eyes to the ground and playing with the dirt with her pink sneakers. “There’s something I’ve wanted to talk to you about.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWrTCd3FhI
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Strange. Why would she want to talk to me? It has been over a month since her incident at the clinic, where I had to battle with what I concluded to be the other side of her. Following her discharge from the clinic, she had plenty of time to talk to me if she wanted to talk about what happened, but she never did. Usually, we would bypass or greet each other whenever we met. What would she want to talk to me about now? What was bothering me was how she managed to follow me from the ground when I ran away from there like a bat out of hell.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHLel1VZUz
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The way I responded made her a little nervous, as she moved her feet a lot quicker this time. I should have been more polite.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8r04oxhuBa
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“Sorry about that.” I apologized. “What do you want to talk about?”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObSLSRj1sq
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“Well, this is going to sound embarrassing and weird,” she said as she now looked at me. “But for a very long time, like everyone else in school knows, I go into these weird episodes that I don’t even remember what happens when I have them. But when I was about to go into those episodes that time during assembly, I came to you asking for your help and not to take me back to the clinic.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZScJCIohG
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I raise my eyebrows. How could she remember that?232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaYAWTPBxy
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“Yes, you did. Do you usually remember things when you go into an episode?” I asked.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡims3zN3QU4
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“Not always,” Bertha said with a smile. “What’s worse is that I remember attacking you at the clinic. I have to admit, it’s so unlike me. I felt like I wasn’t myself back then.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFkyskKFTt
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I’m starting to think that I shouldn’t tell her; she looked like a whole different being when that happened. However, for her to remember all that is making me curious.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslvIlUtq4M
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“Is this what you want to talk about?” I folded my arms.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5Fu5oP2xX
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“Um, the reason why I’m telling you this now is because I’ve discovered something about myself that I wasn’t fully aware of. And I think you know about it.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViZ1s1xxy9
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I kept my mouth tightly shut, waiting for her to say it.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TewYa2JfY
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“I recently discovered that I’m a supernatural, and I think you are too,” Bertha said aloud.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqZ73SBu9Y
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My face must have given it all away because Bertha now looked embarrassed for saying her secret, especially to me.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEb9vM0pstd
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“What makes you think that I am also a supernatural being?" I asked.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpkhqCIwWQ
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“Well, I don’t know.” Bertha quickly looked away before looking back at me. “Ever since we fought at the clinic, I started to feel different. If you’ve noticed, I haven’t had any weird episodes lately. It’s because I finally got into contact with what was driving me mad in the first place.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRrIQCXjy8
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“Wait, you got into contact with whatever possessed you?” I asked, trying to make sense out of what she said. So what people said about her being possessed was true. Well, everyone here believes in such things anyway without thinking twice about it.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw08z49DRoc
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“Uh, yes,” said Bertha. “Apparently, my body holds an animal spirit that loses control when I least expect it, so that technically makes me a supernatural, kind of.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmC9qUYFnL
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“That explains why your aura seems funny. It’s human, but there’s something different about it.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDbHjKs7A5
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“Oh, is that what the energy I feel from everyone is called?” Bertha’s eyes widened with awe.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGvMAVR8Cx
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I nodded my head. “It seems you have developed the sense of reading aura quiet naturally,” I said.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNydMNcvxk1
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“Oh, no, the spirit has been teaching me about the supernatural world,” Bertha said proudly.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghGTpyx3kk
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“Okay. You said you’ve been able to communicate with your spirit. Does it mean after you and I fought, the spirit sort of calmed down?”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVwazrmenF
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“Surprisingly, yes.” Bertha’s eyes lit up when she said it. “I don’t know what you did, but whatever it was, it worked. The two of us are able to communicate, and my spirit knows that there’s something special about you.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQiouqHSkU
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This is something. I can’t tell her that her spirit wasn’t wrong; that’s if she knew all about the supernatural and their control over the six natural elements.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKABOd6cmHN
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“Did your spirit tell you to come talk to me over this?” I asked.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10G35Pm1mm
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“Yes. It tells me that I should seek your help over something,” Bertha replied.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uEvESeLPH
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“Which is what?”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1w15EkrsAi
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“I want to learn more about the supernatural world and the spirit knows that you’ve been receiving some kind of training to improve your supernatural abilities. You can’t lie to me. There’s a certain change in your energy that I feel all the time when I see you. It seems to be getting stronger.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYy6eP8mrh
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I scoffed. “I don’t really know much about the supernatural world,” I said. “But, yes, I have been receiving lessons.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd36vsPMpmc
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“From some other dimension, right? My spirit tells me that there’s another world similar to ours. It advised me that I should follow you there because I also want to be taught the way of the supernatural.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4FZ0TDqVg
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Will going with Bertha to Butterfly Island be necessary? It’s like she’s willing to learn, and that’s why she followed me. By the look of things, it’s like she’s been watching me this whole time, and with the help of her spirit animal, she guessed my movements to and from the other world.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhCZ0xZzVB
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I didn’t have much time, and Stella is probably waiting for me on the other end.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjoND9OlUq
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“Okay, I’ll take you with me,” I said. “But you should promise not to tell anyone about this.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoo31UeXQDR
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“I have never told anyone about me or you,” Bertha said. “If anyone knew, they would call us Satanists, right?”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAzfjZMa0S
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I didn’t answer her, as I quickly turned around and led the way to the back of the garage. As I stood before the butterfly drawing on the wall of the garage, Bertha gasped. I turned to look at her as she looked with awe at the wall.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjTu2K5ZaH
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“Is this the gate to the other side?” she asked. “I never knew it would be like this.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0VgBYxJgc
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I raised an eyebrow. No one is supposed to see this gate except for me. Those with supernatural abilities weren’t an exception. Now that I remember well, I’m the only one who can pass through. I might be overthinking things here, but it’s impossible for Bertha to ignore the drawing of the Butterfly Sect on the wall if she happened to pass by here. She would’ve mentioned that she had seen it before. The path behind the garage might not be a common path for any students to find themselves on, but no student can deny that they have used it before.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkM30FS5XrN
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“You can see the gate?” I asked.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBYz2DirxC
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“Yes, I can,” said Bertha.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswqloFnyFE
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I fully turned my body to face her. “What does the gate look like?”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSwHSPrXYm
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She looked nervously at me before turning to look at the wall behind me. “Uh,” she hesitated.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaL3iEkNpqN
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The next thing I knew, I had an icicle pointed straight at her. She quickly backed away at amazing speed. I knew from then on that this wasn’t her. The next time I’m looking at her clearly, there’s a ghost-like figure floating next to her. It had the face of a wild lion with tiny horns on its head, and the rest of its body wasn’t fully formed. I sensed its strong aura wrap around Bertha, almost like a shield.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMwl2d81BU
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“Whoa, Diana, that was close,” said Bertha.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9dOyx7TG2
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“I’m guessing that that’s your animal spirit?” I asked, looking straight at it.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhHbVw5dKN
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“Nice to meet you again, Diana,” Bertha’s spirit said. “At least we're meeting under better circumstances.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gSl7llBSP
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I looked at the spirit and realized this wasn’t going to turn out like last time at the clinic. The icicle in my hand soon vanished, and Bertha couldn’t help but look in awe.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xSk9ExYpz
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“You’re right, this is way better than our last encounter,” I said to the spirit. “Tell me what’s really going on here.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tgugDyUrs
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Bertha turned to look at her spirit. “First of all, I would like to thank you, Diana,” the spirit spoke.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqfmpyMcf2
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“Thank me for what?” I asked with my eyebrow raised.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCW0CVBpH8L
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“Well, if it wasn’t for my encounter with you last time, I would never have come to my senses.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9aCg4VyPr
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“I don’t understand what you mean.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzigljeajQf
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“For a long time, as Bertha’s spirit, I have always been out of control. Most people thought Bertha had some kind of illness, when in fact the silliest things get me angry. It got worse when Bertha came here, and that is why I made Bertha seek you out that day.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPHiYVlwBQ
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“What do I still have to do with it? All we did was fight and somehow put the both of you to sleep.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37RCnqiKu0
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“Exactly. I can’t explain this myself, but ever since that day, I’ve never gone on a rampage. I believe it has something to do with the amazing gift that you have.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMZ8DViEUD
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Bertha turned to look at me. There has to be another explanation for this. True, there hasn’t been any news of Bertha going into some weird episode lately, but the spirit couldn’t have calmed down because of me, could it?232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVF85ogQaNp
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“As much as I would love to take credit, I’m still not convinced that I had anything to do with it,” I said.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdquUzJ54on
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“But coming over to you for help couldn’t have been a coincidence, could it?” Bertha asked. “The spirit knew you could help me, and you did.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9KmmVr5yd
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I look at Bertha before turning my eyes to the spirit. There were so many questions I would like to ask, but they weren’t for Bertha to hear. I still feel something is missing here. Somehow, the spirit knew the answers to all that.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpTvDDYx4v
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“That aside,” I said, “tell me why you want to come with me to Butterfly Island.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XmXteftgD
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The spirit’s brown eyes, like those of a lion, stared right back at me. It’s weird how those eyes that were once angry at me are now calm and collected. The eyes seemed to be full of something mysterious. Was it something harmless or something far worse?232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZNfMxG9Lm
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“I’ll tell you the truth, Diana,” said the spirit. “The main reason I want to go there is because dark times are coming. And I fear for Bertha, who knows nothing about the supernatural.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bqctzQClZ
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“But you’re a spirit, and you seem to be more knowledgeable about it than me,” I said.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QkPuY6hkV
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“True, I could teach her, but there are some things she could learn better under a sect than me just telling her stories. You saw how you knew something was wrong when Bertha mentioned the gateway, and you were able to defend yourself. You’ve developed very good instincts, which are key in the supernatural world. Then there’s the use of elements, which I can’t teach her.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FhrUY2rvw
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“You’re her spirit. Don’t you know her primary element?”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TBPSvFEih
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“I do, because it's my element.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfMCn4ojAG
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“Most importantly, she has to know how to use the spirit’s aura to her advantage,” said a voice behind me.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYk3XADvozq
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I turned around to see Mei in her long red robe standing right outside the gateway. Stella also happened to be standing next to her.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YFYLWDUQT
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Bertha was clearly stunned to see the two women standing before us, as she clearly didn’t hide her excitement; she almost squealed.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawyF5mU2wh
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“Are you from Butterfly Island?” Bertha asked.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx680zUZfdl
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Stella gave her a kind smile. “Yes, we are,” she answered. “My name is Stella.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dAQOU6ewU
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“And I’m Mei,” said Mei. “We are the High Order of the Butterfly Island.” I saw her eyes divert from Bertha to the spirit beside her. “You’re the girl with the spirit.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmis1Sy7o1
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“You know about her?” I asked.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKU7utfKiYg
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Mei now threw an intense look at me. “Yes, we knew. After we learned about your whereabouts, we were curious about the supernatural beings closest to you. If I’m not mistaken, at the clinic, your special powers were fully manifested.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuc17fzNhD
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“Could that be the reason why her spirit is sane?”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphfTjboMUU
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Mei smiled. “You’re smart, so I don’t have to answer that.” Well, that wasn’t a clear enough answer. She turned to look at Bertha. “It’s good you thought of following Diana. Your spirit is right. You’ll need special training because, like I said earlier, a person like you can be able to work hand in hand with your spirit.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnf4J4k4fm
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Well, this is shocking. Mei seems to be in a good mood today. She’s super nice talking to Bertha, but I know that once I’m alone with her, she will definitely go back to normal.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqHt3W8VSG
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“So that means you accept me as your pupil?” Bertha asked.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCG1nbqPpYd
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“Yes,” Stella answered. “We can’t turn down a supernatural willing to learn. You’ll be with me once we get to the island, and I’ll get you enrolled so that you can start.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfdv7d4yA5
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I turned my head to look at Bertha, and she looked excitedly at her spirit, which apparently looked like it was smiling at her. To be honest, I’ve never seen a smiling beast before. Seeing it smile looked weird, yet I could tell it was genuine.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxohBIL31Ni
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“We better go; we’re behind schedule,” said Mei as she turned to look at the butterfly-drawn gateway on the wall.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamUBuOMFhY
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Bertha came to stand beside me, along with her spirit. It’s strange that I now have to go to Butterfly Island with her, of all people. However, it’s nice to know that I’m not alone in this.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvRBRkiqwd
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Mei drew out her hand, pointing towards the butterfly drawing, and chanted the ancient language. For a short moment, it glowed, and that is when Bertha gasped, as if in surprise. She could see the butterfly gateway. Mei informed her that going forward, we would be the only ones permitted to pass through to the Butterfly Island.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3x0TRdzf3H
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Mei and Stella soon walked in, with Bertha and I following right behind them. Including the spirit, which I couldn’t see anymore. I held Bertha’s hand when we entered the portal. It feels a little funny when passing through it, and as excited as she already was, I didn’t want her jumping around.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfti5uVOxya
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After we walked out to the other side, we found ourselves, as usual, in the flower garden. Bertha couldn’t help but look around in awe at first at the beautiful flowers all around. The colorful, glittering butterflies soon caught her attention. She almost started chasing them when I held her shoulder and shook my head. The first time I was here, I was also excited. However, Bertha was taking it a little too far.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDO9EMKn4ML
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“Welcome to Butterfly Island, Bertha,” said Stella with a bright smile on her face as we still stood on the stone dais. “I’ll show you around, and while we are at it, I’ll tell you how things are done around here.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPra2ICjH86
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I never got that much of a welcome when I first came here. Moreover, I still haven’t been taken around Butterfly Island. Lucky for Bertha. I won’t lie, I really envy her.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDajWOxSWWp
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Stella took Bertha with her down the aisle and away from the flower garden. Bertha waved at me goodbye as she and Bertha disappeared behind the green hedges. I turned to look at Mei, whom I found had her eyes on me.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYe1UZHP0K
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“I’m guessing that my lessons on the fire element start today?” I asked.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBaEasPtd2
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“Yep,” said Mei. There was a brief silence between us. “Is that the only question you’re going to ask?”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEAfSWnvxc
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I scoffed. It looks like Mei has already read my mind. I didn’t sulk much over it.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaGQlUzUMO
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“When am I ever going to take a tour around the island?” I asked. “Should I remind you that I still haven’t done so?”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRGIGRlpdz
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Mei smiled at me, but not the sweet kind. “That will be decided when Her Highness thinks it’s safe for you to.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8itchdLxk
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“Who will attack me then? Not Lord Vandell, I hope.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8w5bCcH6vv
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Mei screwed her face in disgust. “I’ve never liked that man; he always gets on my nerves. Let’s go.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8m9JyzAbj
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Mei walked down the dais, but this time she went down through the east side. I quickly followed her.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUeNXNWfiX
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“I also have another question to ask,” I said as we walked out of the flower garden behind some tall hedges. “Are there people born with spirits like Bertha?”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohQi5yb5Tg
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“No. People like her are just unfortunate to have them. Some can be good or bad, like in Bertha’s case. Until you showed up and tamed it.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOPskpC1Ae
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“So how do they come about?”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfehELtOmd
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Mei took time to answer as we finally exited the pathway through the hedges. In front of us was an open field of green grass with a few trees that stood widely apart. The place looked completely deserted. I have never been on this side of the island before.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZj13qZjGc
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“Spirits have been roaming between your world and mine for generations,” said Mei as we walked on the open field. “Some settle and disappear for good, while others whose souls are troubled wander around trying to look for peace of some sort. Others have the audacity to enter people and take control of them at any random time. If a spirit possesses a human, they sometimes act differently, as you already know. Some are good, some are bad.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvTeDPvMUU
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“Bertha’s is an animal spirit. It looks like a lion if you ask me.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMYkdf9ay8
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“Animal spirits are sometimes difficult to handle. Human spirits are much better if they aren’t deranged. The spirit Bertha possesses is that of a mystical creature. That’s why she had that aura around her when you tried to attack her. Moreover, you must have noticed her strength when you first fought.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsun0O9i1F
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Thank goodness, it’s a mystical creature. Or else I was going to ask how and when lions ever had horns on their heads. Moreover, what Mei said about its attributes made sense.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYER4qN2tEs
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"Wait, you were there when I tried to defend myself?” I asked.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpZdl0erqK
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“You were late, and we decided to check up on you,” said Mei as she threw a glance at me. “When we saw Bertha, we decided to watch what was going on. You handled yourself well for a rookie. You knew no one apart from you could see the gateway, and you had to do whatever was necessary to defend yourself.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAtPHGyHac
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I didn’t say anything, as I knew I still had a lot to learn. That was nothing.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJtVjMKis5
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As we continued to walk, a large tree came into view from afar. That was where we were headed. It reminded me of the vision I had of the tree that was half-alive and half-dead. As we came closer, I realized how huge the tree was. It suited the height of a skyscraper, and its leaves and branches were high up from the ground. If anyone were to climb it, he or she should get a ladder—a very long one.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uISoRJBiW
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“I have another question, if you don’t mind,” I said to Mei as we got closer to the tree.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGEVm9xwPc
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Mei stopped walking, and I did too. I bet I took it a little too far with asking questions. She turned to look at me, and I could tell that she was irritated even when she tried to hide it with a little smile. She gave a nod of her head, telling me to go ahead.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGw5PWnj6gC
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“When I fought Bertha at the clinic," I started to say, "a lot of weird things happened. Before I fought her, I remember that there was a change in weather, which almost killed me. Could it be because of the spirit?”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUhe4SDHLM
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“Most likely. Spirits are known for their unnatural outbursts, and they sometimes can manipulate things around them without giving it much of a thought,” Mei answered.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjHMPPwb2i
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“Can that outburst with the weather have something to do with which natural element they possess?”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJfdWmNSKs
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Mei didn’t hide how impressed she was. “In a way, yes. Can you guess what element her spirit has?”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IoyFzoZTd
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“Nature. I remember there being a strong wind, and wind does fall under nature.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQDmlPapBQ
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“You’re learning a lot; that’s good.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJ3OlXPaob
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“Um, wait. Before we go on, does this mean Bertha is also a supernatural being? I mean, the first time she came up to me today, I couldn’t help but feel there was her human aura and another, which was the spirit’s in her body.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFL5LlHPVB4
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“She’s still very much human, alright. But if she’s going to survive with a spirit inside her, she will have no choice but to accept it and fuse with it when necessary.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqclutqmXF
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“Wait, she could die?”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5JYTBdjQk
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“Well, she won’t die thanks to what you did when you fought her and her spirit.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6euD0MGe7v
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I scratched the side of my head. “Can you explain that for me, please?”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4K5G1YOgi
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Mei sighed. She obviously didn’t volunteer to teach me this apart from teaching me how to use fire. “When a human gets possessed by a spirit, they don’t survive for very long, depending on how strong the spirit is. That's if the spirit is a supernatural being of some sort. When the spirit isn’t calm and goes on an angry rampage, they might end up killing their hosts. For Bertha to have survived for this long, it means her spirit goes on such rampages once in a while and doesn’t stay like that for too long. Still, if her spirit hadn't calmed down, she would've died at some point in her life.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigqldGz9qE
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“That’s why it’s important for her to get along with her spirit, and the two should fuse, because at this point, neither can survive without the other.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKV53Iu7vPA
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“So, if they do fuse, like you’ve put it, Bertha will be able to use the spirit’s aura?”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QyuW8tCCx
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“Yes. She should learn how to control it when it is necessary. Since she’s the vessel, she will be doing most of the work. The spirit is just like fuel for a working vessel, if you get what I mean.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnP8Qt6JY1b
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“I guess so. So I helped Bertha get through controlling the spirit, didn’t I?”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkG7gnndH1
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Mei gave me a smirk. “You’ve done most of the heavy lifting for her. Taking control of your spirit is usually the hardest thing to do. It looks like she has you to thank.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMXmOLhd3Y
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I nervously chuckled. It’s hard to take credit for something that you feel you didn’t do. I’m still not convinced of how I managed to control that spirit. Does it have something to do with my powers?232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjECP9p2TvT
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Mei caught me just in time before I asked the question. “Yes, it has something to do with your powers,” she said. “I can’t explain it to you now, but as time goes by, you’ll understand.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRbj8w3oLE
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I didn’t say anything. Mei quickly turned around and approached the trunk of the tree. By the looks of things, this conversation is over. I stare up at the gigantic tree. What are we really doing here?232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvLOATgJuC
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“This tree is called the Underground Tree,” Mei said without looking at me. “It’s unlike any tree you’ve ever seen. What makes it so is because this tree comes from hell.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCs2O5VUxN
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I raised my eyebrows as I stared at it. I hadn’t noticed before how the bark of the tree was black instead of brown like most trees. Some barks of the tree only get like that if it has been close to a burning fire, but it wasn’t like that with this one. It’s like the tree bark grew like it is. The trunk of the tree looked smooth and polished, which was weird for a tree.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RbZpmX0K9
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“How did a tree from hell show up on this island?” I asked.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgVJ27ySfo
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“Her Highness is better off telling you the story,” Mei said as she turned her head to look at me with a side eye. “A subordinate who worked alongside her father was up to no good and struck a deal with the devil. A lot happened trying to stop him, and that’s how this tree came about.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7Wh3BOOlA
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“Her Highness’ father?” I wanted to ask more about him, but Mei didn’t give me the chance when she stretched out her hand and the trunk of the tree suddenly revealed a hollow, open door. It was dark in there, and a weird, terrifying feeling soon came over me. Is this what hell feels like?232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkzOQQV4WE
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“Don’t worry,” said Mei. “Everyone gets that feeling all the time. It is a passageway to hell after all.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvD2n5svJcr
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“Huh?” Then why is she taking me down there?232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3AMn30XAO
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“We aren’t going there directly. The space under there is conducive to practicing the fire element. All recruits who use the element come here for lessons.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLXB9Ku0gJ
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“I can only imagine how they all felt when they came here for the first time.” I bet some even ran for their lives.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2TfbQEW9S
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Mei turned to look at me with a devilish smile. If the devil had sent her to get me, I wouldn’t be too surprised. “Are you ready to go?” she asked.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZJpDW5Bsb
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“Not really,” I said, swallowing afterwards.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMDILWyaJm
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Mei turned to the hollowed-out doorway of the tree trunk and went in first. I slowly followed her. I stepped into the darkness, and immediately the doorway closed up behind me. The place was completely dark, and I was just about to call out for Mei when suddenly a red flame appeared beside me, and soon a long line of fire torches across the wall lit up. Mei stood right in front of me, and we looked to be standing in a small round foyer over a flight of stairs.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5gZIfZmSo
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“Is it too late to go back?” I asked as I looked at where the stairs led around the bend. I had a feeling it went down in a spiral.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLBE2Z1BZL
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“Oh, you’ll like it,” said Mei. “It’s really not that bad. Come on. If you hear whispers coming from anywhere, don’t answer or follow, okay?”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2ru9J4skA
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Whispers? Isn’t it just the devil doing that? I wouldn’t know for sure. As I continued looking around the foyer, Mei started her way down the stairs. I quickly started to follow, but that was after I thought I heard a tiny, mischievous snicker behind me.
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