{"id":61,"date":"2021-07-07T17:01:46","date_gmt":"2021-07-07T21:01:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/?page_id=61"},"modified":"2021-09-13T12:20:30","modified_gmt":"2021-09-13T16:20:30","slug":"chapter-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/chapter-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 002: The&#8230; &#8220;Witch&#8221;"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"290\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Etherno_logo-sm.jpg\" alt=\"Etherno\" class=\"wp-image-52\" srcset=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Etherno_logo-sm.jpg 768w, https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Etherno_logo-sm-300x113.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size wp-block-heading\"><strong>Chapter 2: The&#8230; &#8220;Witch&#8221;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<aside id=\"custom_html-2\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html amr_widget\"><h2 class=\"widget-title\">Advertisment &#8211; Help keep Etherno free<\/h2><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    google_ad_client = \"ca-pub-6329442091957906\";\n    google_ad_slot = \"2637632844\";\n    google_ad_width = 728;\n    google_ad_height = 90;\n<\/script>\n<!-- 728x90, created 3\/31\/09 -->\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\nsrc=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\n<\/script><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin rolled out of bed the moment the alarm rang. <em>Wait.. that wasn\u2019t the alarm.<\/em> He grabbed his phone, pressed the answer button, and held it to his ear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"591\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Cerina_sm.jpg\" alt=\"Cerina\" class=\"wp-image-64\" srcset=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Cerina_sm.jpg 400w, https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Cerina_sm-203x300.jpg 203w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHello?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHello, Onin? This is Dean Nimishi\u2019s office.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\"><em>The Dean\u2019s office? What\u2019d I do now?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYes, this is Onin.\u201d He sat up. \u201cWhat can I do for you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThe dean would like to speak with you before your first class this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The voice on the other end didn\u2019t sound upset, just the usual bored business tone. Onin rubbed his eyes and glanced at the clock. It was a quarter to eight. He\u2019d better get moving if he didn\u2019t want to be late for his early class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI\u2019ll be right there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThank you, Goodbye.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin\u2019s phone beeped, and the line went dead. He shook his head and tossed his phone to the foot of the bed while he dressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">When he arrived, the Dean\u2019s assistant smiled at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cGo on in, you\u2019re expected,\u201d she said with a wave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin opened the door, stepped inside\u2014and came to an abrupt stop. Kasai sat in a chair across from the dean\u2019s desk. This morning she wore a green tank top with her shorts. It really brought out her eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh, good morning, Kasai.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">He wanted to ask how she was doing after that attack last night, but if he was in trouble with the dean, it was best to not volunteer any information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAh, you two know each other, good. That will make things easier,\u201d the dean said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Dean Nimishi was an older man whose hair was just starting to grey. Onin had only met him briefly before\u2014you usually didn\u2019t see the dean unless you were in trouble. He was smiling, leaning back in his chair, and his voice had a warm, friendly tone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYes, sir. She started at the loading docks last night,\u201d Onin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh, yes, that\u2019s right. Well, she\u2019s new here at ABG. She used to stay at a monastery\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin looked over at Kasai in shock. That wasn\u2019t normal. He\u2019d only ever heard of old men in monasteries. She blushed and looked down at the floor tiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201c\u2014and she tested out of her first year of classes,\u201d the dean continued. \u201cSince you\u2019ve also skipped a few years, I thought you could show her around and mentor her a bit to help her adjust. She\u2019s also from a rural area like you, so you know some of the differences.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh, sure,\u201d Onin glanced over at Kasai, \u201cAs long as it\u2019s okay with you, Kasai?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">She nodded but didn\u2019t meet his eyes. Was she just super-shy, or was she still spooked by the attack last night? From the dean\u2019s tone, Kasai hadn\u2019t mentioned the incident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cGreat.\u201d The dean stood and shook Onin\u2019s hand. \u201cWell, that\u2019s all I have for you. I\u2019ll let you get to your classes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin stood and held the door for Kasai. She studied the floor tiles as she walked out. She didn\u2019t speak until they\u2019d left the building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThanks for not mentioning last night,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh!\u201d Onin stopped and slapped his forehead. \u201cI forgot. I was going to after I found out I wasn\u2019t in trouble. We can\u2019t have random people assaulting students.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIt\u2019s okay. It won\u2019t happen again.\u201d She stopped and looked over at Onin. \u201cI mean, this is supposed to be a safe campus, right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah.\u201d Onin stared at her. She had her arms wrapped around her chest and she avoided his eyes. There was something she wasn\u2019t telling him. \u201cIt is. A higher percentage of the population in the cities is composed of giftlings, so they\u2019re monitored a little more closely. Look, it\u2019s not where we\u2019re from. Assaulting giftlings is actually a crime here. I promise you we won\u2019t be beaten for reporting those guys.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai shrugged and started out again. Her expression was blank. Onin sighed and took a few large steps to catch up with her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI won\u2019t report it if you don\u2019t want me to.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cReally?\u201d Kasai looked at him with wide eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah. I think between the two of us we can hold them off.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai stopped, grabbed his arm, and glared at him. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to defend me. It\u2019s best for you if you just stay away.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWhy? They seemed to be after that fire giftling, Onryo, anyway. And she not only said you needed a friend, she said she\u2019d burn me to ash if I hurt you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Suddenly, Kasai burst into tears and ran back in the direction of the dorms. Onin stared at her back. He wanted to go after her, but something told him to leave her alone for a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWhat\u2019d I say?\u201d he said to empty air.<\/p>\n\n\n<aside id=\"custom_html-2\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html amr_widget\"><h2 class=\"widget-title\">Advertisment &#8211; Help keep Etherno free<\/h2><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    google_ad_client = \"ca-pub-6329442091957906\";\n    google_ad_slot = \"2637632844\";\n    google_ad_width = 728;\n    google_ad_height = 90;\n<\/script>\n<!-- 728x90, created 3\/31\/09 -->\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\nsrc=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\n<\/script><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"75\" height=\"50\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/dragon.png\" alt=\"dragon\" class=\"wp-image-41\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin didn\u2019t see Kasai for the rest of the morning. His first two classes were back to back and then he had an electrical lab. After that was a free hour. Onin went outside and sat against a pine tree in the center courtyard of the campus, his favorite place to study. Almost reminded him of home. He cracked open his <em>History of the Seven Kingdoms<\/em> textbook and started to review his notes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">A shadow fell across the page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cCan I sit here?\u201d a familiar voice asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">He looked up to see Kasai crouched in front of him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSure!\u201d he smiled and scooted over to make room for her. \u201cSorry about earlier. I didn\u2019t mean to upset you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIt\u2019s okay.\u201d Kasai pulled her braid over her shoulder and played with it for a moment. \u201cActually, I wanted to apologize to you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIt\u2019s okay. It\u2019s been a stressful few days, and I shouldn\u2019t pry.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah, I, ah\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin shut his book and waited for Kasai to continue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai blinked a few times and fidgeted with her braid. She must be nervous about whatever was on her mind. He wanted to say something to put her at ease, but nothing came to mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI\u2019m not used to having people around that care.\u201d She clasped her hands together and stared at the ground. \u201cI was on my own for a long time before the monks found me.\u201d Kasai poked at the grass. \u201cPeople mocked me, beat me, and&#8230; whatnot. They even accused me of being some kind of half-breed freak. I thought that was how all giftlings were treated until the monks took me in. Even after that though&#8230;\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">She sniffed and wiped her nose. \u201cI was happy with the monks, but people hunted me even then. The monks wanted me to come here, where I\u2019d be safe and accepted. But then those thugs attacked us last night. They were after me. They\u2019ve hunted me wherever I\u2019ve gone. And Onryo, that fire giftling, always shows up. I don\u2019t know if she\u2019s protecting me, or hunting the hunters, or what. I\u2019ve never even seen her!\u201d She shuddered. \u201cBut next thing you know, a village is reduced to slag, and there\u2019s even more rumors about me. I don\u2019t want anyone else to get hurt. You were hurt though, so you deserve to know what I can tell you.\u201d She jerked to her feet. \u201cBye.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWait!\u201d Onin jumped to his feet and grabbed her hand. \u201cThis is a safe place for you. There\u2019s a lot of powerful giftlings here. We\u2019re not defenseless, and it\u2019s not right that people are hunting you. Let\u2019s talk to campus security. This is exactly the kind of thing they do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai looked torn. Onryo was right, she did need a friend. Her hand was also really warm. Unseasonably warm. Sure spring was here, but there was still a little snow on the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cMaybe we should get you to the nurse, though. Do you have a fever?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai jerked her hand away and wrapped her arms around herself. \u201cIt\u2019s my latent fire talent. I don\u2019t want to talk about it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The bell rang, and she headed toward the closest building. Onin frowned. Would he ever manage to say the right thing to her?<\/p>\n\n\n<aside id=\"custom_html-2\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html amr_widget\"><h2 class=\"widget-title\">Advertisment &#8211; Help keep Etherno free<\/h2><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    google_ad_client = \"ca-pub-6329442091957906\";\n    google_ad_slot = \"2637632844\";\n    google_ad_width = 728;\n    google_ad_height = 90;\n<\/script>\n<!-- 728x90, created 3\/31\/09 -->\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\nsrc=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\n<\/script><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"75\" height=\"50\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/dragon.png\" alt=\"dragon\" class=\"wp-image-41\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin closed his calculus book and slumped his head down onto his arms. This class always gave him a headache.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWell, look who\u2019s here?\u201d someone snarled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin looked up. A tall girl with blonde hair had Kasai cornered near the entrance to the classroom. What was the blonde\u2019s name? Cerina? He was pretty sure it was. Whatever her name, he had at least one other class with her, and she always seemed stand-offish at best. He stood and made his way over to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI hear you\u2019re the one responsible for that crater out in front of our dorm,\u201d Cerina said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cUm, no,\u201d Kasai said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSheesh, look up at me when I talk to you, country girl!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina used her index finger to force Kasai\u2019s face up. Onin took a step forward. Was it his imagination, or did the temperature in the room suddenly go up several degrees?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cGet your hands off me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai\u2019s voice was low and dangerous. Onin jumped between them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAlright, that\u2019s enough. Cerina, Kasai didn\u2019t make that crater.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina\u2019s hands were clenched into fists. \u201cHow do you know?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI was there.\u201d Onin glared at Cerina. \u201cLeave her alone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh, so now Mister McScholarship is butting in? Whatever.\u201d She leaned around Onin to scowl at Kasai. \u201cThis isn\u2019t over. Freak.\u201d Cerina flipped Kasai off, stomped out, and slammed the door behind her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWhat was that about?\u201d Kasai asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI have no idea.\u201d Onin shrugged, and the clock chimed. \u201cUh-oh, I\u2019m late for my next class! Uh, try and stay away from her. I\u2019ll talk to you later!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<aside id=\"custom_html-2\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html amr_widget\"><h2 class=\"widget-title\">Advertisment &#8211; Help keep Etherno free<\/h2><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    google_ad_client = \"ca-pub-6329442091957906\";\n    google_ad_slot = \"2637632844\";\n    google_ad_width = 728;\n    google_ad_height = 90;\n<\/script>\n<!-- 728x90, created 3\/31\/09 -->\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\nsrc=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\n<\/script><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"75\" height=\"50\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/dragon.png\" alt=\"dragon\" class=\"wp-image-41\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin grabbed a sandwich out of the machine at the cafeteria and headed to the outside tables. He sat and shucked the wrapper from his sandwich. Mmm. Ham, cheese, and bacon. He picked it up and was about to take a bite when someone clapped him on the shoulder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHey there! Sounds like I missed all the fun last night,\u201d Tannin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAnd this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah.\u201d Onin took a bite of his sandwich and chewed before answering. \u201cCerina tried to pick a fight with Kasai.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cReally?\u201d Tannin\u2019s eyebrows shot up. \u201cThe hot blonde? I miss all the fun!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIt wasn\u2019t fun.\u201d Onin glared at his friend. \u201cCerina was picking on Kasai for that crater, wasn\u2019t even her fault at all. Then Cerina grabbed Kasai\u2019s chin. I had to break them up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin whistled. \u201cI would\u2019ve loved to see that fight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYou\u2019re an idiot, Tannin. Besides, it wouldn\u2019t have been much of a fight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cReally? You know Cerina\u2019s an A-class giftling, right?\u201d Tannin pursed his lips. \u201cI don\u2019t remember what her gift is, but still, A-class\u2026 that\u2019s right up there!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin shook his head. \u201cYou know Kasai\u2019s level?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNope.\u201d Tannin shook his head. \u201cCan\u2019t be much, can it? She\u2019s a kinetic.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cS-class.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cReally?\u201d Tannin jumped up. \u201cWow, I would\u2019ve let them go at it. There\u2019s only what, four or five of those in the whole school! I wonder what an S-class giftling can do&#8230;\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">His friend never learned. Onin sighed and took another bite of his sandwich.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cUh-oh.\u201d Tannin nodded at the door. \u201cLook who just came in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin looked up. Kasai stood in the doorway of the veranda, a brown bag in her hand. She looked around the room and took a tentative step toward Onin. He waved her over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNo, you idiot, look!\u201d Tannin pointed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">A few tables away sat Cerina. She saw Kasai a few seconds later and jerked to her feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh no you don\u2019t!\u201d Cerina marched over to stand in front of Kasai and crossed her arms. \u201cYou can\u2019t just walk in here and bother me when I\u2019m eating, too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai looked around the room. She shrugged, turned her back on Cerina, and kept walking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI said, no you don\u2019t!\u201d Cerina reached out and spun Kasai around by the shoulder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\"><em>Scales! This doesn\u2019t look good!<\/em> Onin and Tannin were both on their feet now and headed toward the two girls. The rest of the students had retreated off the veranda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina leaned in close to Kasai. \u201cI don\u2019t care what you say about last night. I know you\u2019re involved. I\u2019m a Northlander, too. I know all about you, you village destroying freak.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai\u2019s eyes went wide. Her arm swung around in a half-circle, and her open palm connected with Cerina\u2019s cheek with a smack that sounded awfully loud for just a slap. The blonde girl recoiled backward. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. It came away bloody.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYou\u2019ll pay for that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">She opened her mouth and sounded a high note. The sound rose in pitch and volume until it hurt Onin\u2019s ears. A visible distortion formed in front of Cerina and rushed at Kasai. Kasai flinched and raised her hand. In response, a table rose into the air and intercepted the sonic wave. It shattered into a thousand pieces upon impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina pulled two short, two-pronged metal cylinders out of her pocket and spun them through the air in front of her in a complex pattern. The prongs hummed as she swung them, and Cerina amplified and flung the sound waves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai jumped up into the air and swung herself around in an arc, kinetically flinging tables between herself and Cerina. The tables shattered on impact with the sonic distortions, sending shards of wood everywhere. Onin dove through the door back into the cafeteria, Tannin right behind him. The other students had all run off. Onin cracked the door to check on Kasai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIs that all you got?\u201d Cerina smirked. \u201cWeak little kinetic. Don\u2019t pick a fight with someone with real power.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai landed on her feet and slammed her palm down on the ground. Every table on the veranda slammed into the concrete and shattered into shards. Kasai smiled. In the blink of an eye, every sliver was flung across the veranda and was a hairsbreadth away from Cerina, pointed straight at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cMove even a little, and I bury them inside you.\u201d Kasai crossed over to loom in close to Cerina. \u201cLeave. Me. Alone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai turned around so fast her ponytail slapped Cerina in the face. She marched over to the second door that lead back into the cafeteria and flung it open. Dean Nimishi and Professor Jekao stood on the other side.<\/p>\n\n\n<aside id=\"custom_html-2\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html amr_widget\"><h2 class=\"widget-title\">Advertisment &#8211; Help keep Etherno free<\/h2><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    google_ad_client = \"ca-pub-6329442091957906\";\n    google_ad_slot = \"2637632844\";\n    google_ad_width = 728;\n    google_ad_height = 90;\n<\/script>\n<!-- 728x90, created 3\/31\/09 -->\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\nsrc=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\n<\/script><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/chapter-1\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"39\">&lt;&lt; Previous Chapter<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/table-of-contents\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"34\">Contents<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/chapter-3\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"75\">Next Chapter &gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.ko-fi.com\/cdn\/widget\/Widget_2.js\"><\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\">kofiwidget2.init('Buy me a cup of tea', '#29abe0', 'V7V05ASUY');kofiwidget2.draw();<\/script>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chapter 2: The&#8230; &#8220;Witch&#8221; Onin rolled out of bed the moment the alarm rang. Wait.. that wasn\u2019t the alarm. He grabbed his phone, pressed the&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-61","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/61","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=61"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/61\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":308,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/61\/revisions\/308"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=61"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}