The air buzzed as a figure stepped into view. The girl stood with effortless confidence, her posture sharp yet graceful, like royalty descending upon mere mortals. Her long golden hair, streaked with vibrant purple strands, cascaded down her back like flowing silk, catching the light with an almost ethereal glow. But it was her violet eyes — gleaming like polished amethyst — that truly caught Deluke's attention. They flicked between Diana and the bewildered boy in her grasp, curiosity and annoyance intertwining in her gaze.
Her voice, smooth and honeyed, carried an unsettling sharpness — like a dagger wrapped in silk.
"What is going on here?" she asked, her tone laced with curiosity, though her words sliced through the room like a blade.
Deluke stiffened. There was something about her that screamed danger. She looked like she belonged on a magazine cover, but her presence felt more like standing in front of a wild predator.
"Damn, Diana. Since when did you start assaulting kids?" Shizu's lips curled into a wicked grin, her voice dripping with mockery.
Diana's fingers twitched, her fist tightening. "Do you want a beating?" she threatened, her glare burning like embers.
"No, ma'am!" the girl blurted, straightening like a soldier caught slacking.
Freed sauntered over to where the girl stood, his usual carefree energy spilling into the room like sunlight.
"Ah, Shizu, you're back! How was school?" he asked, flashing a bright smile.
"It was fine, I guess," Shizu muttered, her eyes flicking toward the small boy Diana clutched as if he might combust at any moment. "Just to confirm... who is that cute kid standing next to One-sama?" Her voice dripped with disbelief.
"Oh, you mean Deluke?" Freed chuckled, resting his hands on his hips. "He's our new recruit."
"What? This kid?" Shizu's voice spiked with incredulity, her finger jabbing in Deluke's direction like an accusation. "How? Why?"
Diana giggled, tightening her grip around Deluke like he was an oversized plush toy. "Why are you so shocked? Hehe, maybe you're just excited because you finally have a junior," she teased, rubbing her cheek against his.
This woman was insanely strong, Deluke thought, mentally trying to detach himself from her suffocating embrace.
"Junior? I can't believe this!" Shizu's face flushed red with frustration, her voice echoing through the room.
Roger, who had been observing the commotion, finally spoke up. "You can't believe what, Miss?"
"That we're accepting random people into the team without consulting me first!" Shizu snapped, glaring daggers at Deluke.
Deluke gritted his teeth, trying not to let her words get to him. But the way she kept glaring at him — like he was some sort of pest — ignited something inside him.
"Huh? Who the hell is this girl, and why won't she stop with her noise?" Deluke muttered under his breath, his patience already wearing thin.
"Ah, Deluke, you're speaking your thoughts out loud" Diana sang, finally releasing him from her suffocating grip. She turned to Shizu, placing her hands on her shoulders. "But don't worry — he's really, really cute, so he has my approval." A big smug on her face.
"What does been cute have to do with working as a paranormal officer?" Shizu's glare sharpened like a blade as she stared at Deluke.
"Just so you know, he has a recommendation letter," Diana replied, her tone smug, again.
Shizu blinked. "A recommendation letter?"
"Yeah, from the WHITE CLAD," Diana added, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
Shizu's jaw practically hit the floor. "You're telling me this weak-looking kid was recommended by THE WHITE CLAD?" she shouted, pointing at Deluke like he was some kind of fraud.
her shocked reaction was because, In the world of the Paranormal Order, three dominant factions govern all supernatural affairs: the Black Men, the White Clad, and the Holy Factions. Each serving a distinct purpose, shaping the balance between the natural and the otherworldly.
The Holy Factions, the oldest among them, were founded on deep religious convictions centered around the Creator of the world. Their mission? to combat false religious sects that deviate from the Creator's teachings, ensuring that faith remains untainted by who they deem heretics.
The Black Men, a coalition of the world's most powerful governments, oversees the interplanetary communications, maintaining order across multiple worlds. Their influence stretching across the stars, ensuring stability between inter-species civilizations.
Meanwhile, the White Clad, responsible for handling in-paranormal activities on Earth and beyond. They regulate all corporations known as "companies" involved in supernatural affairs and overseeing the use of the "Shadow Garden"—a vast network of gateways linking various planets together. These gates serve as passageways through the unseen dimensions, allowing for interworld travel and control over the cosmic balance. With all that, she found it hard to believe that among all the talented people she had meet, a frail kid who looked like a pretty mummy's boy could get recommended by the white-clad.
Roger stepped in, voice calm. "Now, now, Shizu. I know you're feeling shocked, but given our current situation, isn't it amazing that someone with a prestigious recommendation chose to join us?"
"You didn't even test him!" Shizu snapped, her frustration boiling over.
Freed sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Why would I? Testing him sounds like a pain when he has a rec—"
"Recommendation my ass!" Shizu cut him off, voice venomous.
Deluke's fingers twitched, fists clenching. Seeing her act so bossy already annoyed him, but hearing her incessant complaints pushed him over the edge.
"You. What's your problem?" Deluke snapped, staring directly into her eyes, irritation burning through his chest.
"My problem? My problem is that a we—"
"You keep calling me weak when you don't even know me," Deluke spat, his voice dripping with venom. "Maybe if you actually used your brain, you'd realize that someone with a recommendation from a powerful group wouldn't come to a place like this without a reason."
Shizu's face twisted with rage. "Brainless, huh? Fine. Maybe I was wrong to assume you're weak. So, what level are you as a trainee?"
"Level? Trainee?" Deluke echoed, genuinely confused.
Shizu laughed bitterly. "Wow. So, this is the special recruit? A clueless brat? Now who's the brainless one?"
Roger raised a brow. "Shouldn't we stop them?"
"Nah," Freed said, watching the argument like a spectator at a sporting event. "They look cute arguing, don't you think?"
"They remind me of that old cartoon — the weird cat and mouse," Roger mused, chuckling.
Deluke sighed, rubbing his throat as it started to ache from shouting. "This girl is really, really annoying. Maybe if I ignore her, she'll get tired". He thought to himself.
"You're ignoring me, aren't you?" Shizu hissed, noticing his silence. "Okay, then. Let's test you."
"Test?" Deluke and Diana exclaimed in unison.
"I don't think it's a bad idea," Freed said, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "Why don't we let them blow off some steam? A little sparring match as a welcome ceremony."
Roger nodded. "If they're both okay with it, why not?"
"Wait, wait. You can't be serious!" Diana protested. "What if Shizu injures him?"
"Come on, Diana. I won't be a jerk. I'll just knock him down a few times and leave him be," Shizu said, a malicious grin curling across her face.
"Want me to knock some sense into you instead?" Diana threatened, cracking her knuckles.
Freed cackled. "Let them fight!"
Deluke, knowing about his minimum experience in combat, but seething with frustration, stepped forward. "Let's do it."
His heart pounded as the area cleared. Shizu stood across from him, stretching her arms, that infuriating grin still plastered on her face. Deluke wiped his sweaty palms against his pants, steeling himself for what was to come.
"I'd be an idiot not to hit this girl at least once". Whispered to himself.
Freed raised his hand. "Begin!".
Freed's hand dropped like a guillotine.
"Begin!" he called out, stepping back.
The second the word left his mouth, Shizu lunged like a beast unleashed. Deluke barely had time to blink before her fist came hurtling toward his face. His body moved on instinct — he raised his left arm, blocking the punch, though the sheer force behind it rattled his bones.
"Wow, so the kid can block," Shizu sneered, cocking her head.
Deluke didn't bother responding. He stayed in a defensive stance, watching her every move like a hawk. His heart thundered in his chest, adrenaline pumping through his veins like fire.
Without missing a beat, Shizu followed up with a kick aimed at his ribs. Deluke jumped back, narrowly dodging, but she didn't let up. She chased him down like a predator, launching a relentless barrage of punches and kicks. Deluke deflected and dodged as best as he could, sweat dripping down his face, but it was like trying to hold back a storm with an umbrella.
She's fast — and strong. Way stronger than she looked. Although not as fast as him.
Despite her small frame, her strikes hit like a hammer. It was only a matter of time before his stamina gave out.
"He's holding his own against Shizu?" Diana whispered, genuinely amazed.
"They look evenly matched," Roger added, arms crossed.
Freed shook his head. "For now."
Deluke grit his teeth. He couldn't afford to stay on the defensive. His stamina was already wearing thin, and Shizu wasn't slowing down. If he wanted a shot at winning, he needed to go on the offensive — fast.
Shizu swung her leg in a wide arc, aiming for his head. Deluke caught her ankle with his left hand, using all his strength to throw her off balance. She stumbled, her footing breaking for just a split second — enough time for Deluke to counter. He pivoted, driving his right fist toward her face with everything he had.
"I've got you now!"
But just before his punch landed, Shizu twisted her body like a contortionist, using her free leg to kick his outstretched arm, redirecting the force of his punch. In one fluid motion, she spun and slammed her foot into his face.
Pain exploded through Deluke's skull as he staggered back, blood trickling from his nose.
"How flexible is this girl?!" Deluke grunted, wiping the blood from his face.
Shizu smirked, raising her leg above her head in a standing split, just to mock him. "What's wrong? You thought you could knock me down with a punch like that?" she taunted, her voice dripping with condescension.
Deluke's vision blurred for a moment. His face throbbed, but the sting of humiliation burned hotter than the physical pain. His chest heaved, lungs screaming for air, but he refused to back down.
I can't lose to her. Not to her.
Shizu lowered her leg, cracking her knuckles. "Come on. Let me show you what it means to be a level 2 trainee," she sneered, her eyes gleaming with malice.
Deluke took a shaky breath, steadying himself. "Shizu, was it?" he said, voice low and mocking. "I changed my mind. You're not just strong. You're very strong, like a gorilla to be precise. I guess from now on, I will be calling you 'Gorilla Onee-san.'"
Shizu's grin vanished.
"What did you just call me?" she hissed, her aura darkening.
Before he could say another word, she launched herself at him with a 360-degree spin kick, her leg whistling through the air like a blade.
Deluke's eyes snapped shut for an instant. When he opened them, his irises glowed a vivid red.
The world around him slowed.
Shizu's kick, which had been lightning-fast just a moment ago, now crawled through the air in slow motion. He could see the precise angle of her leg, the subtle shift in her weight, the way her muscles coiled like springs ready to snap.
"This ability... it's my trump card". Deluke's eyes held something unknown to him, the only thing he knew was how much trouble it caused him and the spiritual doctors in the white-clad. Zein, his guardian had trained him a little on how to use the mysterious powers his eyes contained.
Deluke ducked beneath the kick with ease, crouching low. As Shizu's leg swung past him, he countered with a sharp, upward punch, driving his knuckles into her side. She stumbled, but her reflexes were insane — she caught herself with her hands, flipping backward and landing in a crouch like a cat.
Her flexibility was definitely ridiculous.
But Deluke didn't let up. He charged forward, using his speed to close the distance, aiming a knee strike at her ribs. Shizu dodged to his right, narrowly escaping the blow, but Deluke anticipated her movement. He used his momentum to grab her wrist, twisting his body and throwing her over his shoulder.
Shizu hit the ground, but before she fully landed, she planted her palms on the floor and flipped herself back upright, using the momentum to deliver a kick straight to Deluke's chest.
He skidded back, coughing, but he didn't fall.
They stood there, panting, bruised, and bloodied, but neither willing to back down.
"He hit her," Diana whispered, eyes wide. "He actually hit her."
"It was like he could see her movements," Roger said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
Shizu wiped her mouth, tasting blood. "Shit... I let my guard down," she muttered, glaring at Deluke. "No... that's not it. He made me unable to counter. Did he seriously just predict my moves? Tsk. I don't believe it. A level 2 trainee shouldn't struggle against a newbie."
The term Trainee and Level refers to individuals who have passed the entrance exam and qualified as candidates for the Paranormal Officer Candidacy (POC) program. These trainees are assigned to various schools affiliated with the Union Link, where their growth, skills, and alignment with the ORDER are closely monitored. This system not only tracks their development but also serves as the foundation for ranking newly awakened individuals. Official Paranormal Officers are selected based on either their strength or intellect, and within the trainee system, there are five distinct levels used to determine their rank and progression.
Deluke smirked, chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. "What's with the face? You look like you've seen a ghost," he mocked, barely able to stand.
"I didn't take the fight seriously enough," Shizu whispered to herself, clenching her fists so tightly her knuckles turned white. "That's the only reason you got a hit in."
"Sure. Whatever helps you sleep at night," Deluke said, raising his hands in surrender. "I think that's enough for today. I held my own against you. Let's call it a draw."
"A draw?" Shizu's voice dropped to a deadly whisper.
Her body tensed, and a purple aura flared to life around her. The air grew heavy, her killing intent washing over the room like a suffocating tide.
"Who said the test was over?" she growled, her eyes blazing with rage.
Deluke's heart skipped a beat.
"Shit... is this girl crazy?"
Before he could react, Shizu blurred, appearing right in front of him with her fist cocked back, ready to shatter his skull.
In an instant, Freed materialized between them, catching Shizu's wrist mid-swing.
"That's enough," Freed said, voice low and serious.
Shizu jerked her arm, trying to break free, but Freed didn't budge. "But Freed—"
"I said it's enough," he repeated, his usual lazy demeanor replaced with an unyielding authority that made Shizu finally back down.
"Shizu! You idiot!"
Diana smacked Shizu on the head.
"Meow! Why are you hitting me?" Shizu whimpered, eyes brimming with tears.
"Who, told you to use your 'secret arts' against Deluke? He can't even use them yet!" Diana scolded; her arms crossed in frustration.
"Secret… arts?" Deluke collapsed murmuring, still dazed. So that strange aura I saw forming around her… it almost killed me. I couldn't even react. Sigh… I thought this was just a spar, not a death match.
Diana knelt beside him, concern flashing across her face. "Deluke, are you okay? Let me see your wounds." She began checking his body for any injuries.
"One-sama, I'm injured too, you know!" Shizu whined, pouting as she tried to get her attention.
"Shut up." Diana smacked her on the head again.
"Ah! That's the third time you've hit me!" Tears welled up in Shizu's eyes.
"D-Diana-san… you're choking me!" Deluke gasped as she suddenly pulled him into a suffocating hug.
Meanwhile, across the room, two men observed the chaos with amused expressions.
"Today feels nice, doesn't it?" Freed mused, glancing at Roger with a smile.
"Yes, it does, Master Freed," Roger agreed, watching Deluke struggle in Diana's grip. "And it's all thanks to that kid."
"You saw it too, right? his glowing red eyes" Freed leaned forward, eyes gleaming.
Roger nodded. "That boy is something else. Even in your era people like him were immediately referred has generational talent"
Freed chuckled. "That guy really sent us a genius." Then, without missing a beat, he turned to Roger, his expression suddenly desperate. "By the way, can you spare me a small allowance? I want to try my luck at the casino today—I have a good feeling about it." He gave Roger his best pleading look.
Roger sighed. "You must be joking, Master Freed."
"No, I'm dead serious!" Freed grabbed Roger's shoulder, shaking him slightly.
"No." Roger's refusal was firm.
"Come on! Today might be the day!" Freed clung to Roger's side like a desperate man about to lose his job. "Roger, please!"
"No." Roger's voice remained unwavering.
With an exasperated sigh, he grabbed Freed by the collar and tossed him aside, but the man was relentless—latching back onto Roger's arm like a barnacle, pleading once more.
Watching the absurdity unfold, Deluke sighed internally. "What have I gotten myself into? A crazy, arrogant gorilla of a girl… a perverted woman… a lazy, good-for-nothing man… and an old butler who looks like a damn Sebastian knockoff. The hell did you throw me into, your weird guardian of mine?".
Yet, despite his grumbling, a small smile tugged at his lips as the restaurant filled with shouting, and whining. The sheer ridiculousness of it all somehow felt… not so bad.
And so began the story of Deluke — an ordinary boy now dragged into a world of danger, secrets, and unpredictably insane comrades.