Maverick was lounging in the corner of Herald's workplace, reading a book. 'I don't think I've studied anything so much in my life. But all these mysticism books Herald has are so interesting. It's like I found a new favorite book series and simply can't stop reading.' Maverick thought as he finished and sighed contentedly before closing the book and stretching his arms out. Maverick glanced around the room and noticed a tome under a stack of papers. He carefully pulled the book out so as not to disturb the pile. The cover said 'Incantations and Curses.'

  "I don't remember Herald mentioning anything about this subject," Maverick said aloud as he opened the book.

  With everything else Herald had taught him, the subject was easy to understand. 'An incantation is a sort of prayer sent into the spirit realm to ask for help. The more specific the description, the more likely you will find your target. It's made of lines of 7 syllables each. Any more or less will not work or could cause backlash. Don't want that.' Maverick thought

  "Does it mean anything that what has a presence in the spirit realm can be targeted, or only spirits and other entities can be targeted in the spirit realm, i.e., can you target a living person?"

  Maverick kept reading. 'A curse is a malicious incantation that can harm the target. If a curse fails, there will be backlash for the caster 100% of the time.'

  "Scary, still doesn't answer my question though," Maverick said to the empty room.

  The next moment, Clawford and Harald walk into the room.

  "Evening, Maverick, how have things been under Herald?" Clawford asked as he sat down.

  "Inspector," Maverick said, surprised. "He has taught me a lot. Even if he is a little bit of an ass." Maverick quipped.

  Herald took the quip in stride, and while Clawford's face didn't change, Maverick could tell he liked the joke.

  "What brings you down here?"

  "Herald has deemed you ready to become a mystic. Considering how calm your spirituality is now, I can say without a doubt that I agree. We will conduct the ritual on the night of the next new moon in three days." Clawford got up and left without any more delay.

  Maverick stood silent with shock and glee.

  "You will be getting much busier after becoming a Mystic, so take the next few days off," Herald said.

  "Right, if there's nothing else, I'll leave for today."

  Maverick walked out through the bakery, making sure to buy a loaf to eat on his way. This had become a habit of his since he started working for the ESP. The bread served at the bakery was only potato bread; Maverick didn't care. He missed the bread dishes from Earth enough to put up with it. Pizza, burgers, cake, noodles, none of it was possible in Bridgepoor because wheat didn't grow here. But for now, Maverick was content with becoming a mystic like the other members of the ESP.

  He was walking down the street daydreaming about what he might become, an alchemist like Herald, a cleric like Mrs. Packerson, or a warrior like Clawford. Then he crossed paths with Mark.

  "What are you grinning about?" Mark asked

  "Just thinking about my promotion," Maverick said euphemistically. 'Can't talk about mysticism outside of the HQ, ' He thought.

  "There's no way," Mark said, a little panicked and angry.

  "Yep, just heard today from the Inspector," Maverick responded, oblivious to Mark's meaning.

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Mark then left for the ESP HQ in a huff. Maverick paid it no mind and went on his way home. Admiring the twin moons in the sky for the first time since coming to this world, Maverick felt excited about the future.

  "Mary, I'm home."

  Mary looked up from the dining table, munching on a steamed potato. "You're finally back." She exclaimed excitedly.

  "Ya, sorry about that. I'm going to be out late for a few more nights, too."

  "Why?"

  "For work."

  Mary squinted her eyes sceptically.

  "Believe me or not, but I do have to stay out for work reasons."

  Mary shrugged her shoulders and refocused on her food. Maverick went to his room and meditated. He had been doing this every night to try and fine tune his control over his spirituality. 'I wasn't sure if what I was doing had any effect, but Clawford noticed it immediately. Maybe if I keep it up, I'll be able to control my spirituality to the point that I can hide it. It would be nice to avoid being called a demon again.'

  The day before Maverick undergoes the advancement ritual and becomes a mystic. Mark gets the other members of the ESP together in an informal meeting. Herald and a young woman with a nervous disposition, black hair, and brown eyes.

  "Herald, Anne, you're finally here," Mark says.

  Herald doesn't bother responding and sits down with the other officers who got there earlier.

  "Sorry, Officer Fairen," Anne says meekly

  "It's fine, would you take a seat?" Mark asks politely.

  "So Mark, now that everyone is here, what did you want to say?" A rather bulky officer named Clive asked.

  "I want you all to help me deal with the captain. We need to convince him from making a terrible mistake."

  "What are you talking about?" A stern officer named Hugh asked.

  "Is this about Maverick?" Herald piped up.

  "You mean your new assistant, Herald," Clive asked

  "Ya, He's going to become a new ESP officer tomorrow. Captain Clawford has already given his approval." Herald responded

  "If he has the captain's approval, then there's nothing to discuss," Hugh said

  Mark tensed up and balled his fist. "Maverick's a demon! He cannot become an officer."

  "I'm sorry, what?" Anne asked nervously

  "He is not a demon. He simply survived a demon attack. He only has demonic energy, which he has gotten incredible control over." Herald Argued

  "Even if that is the case, he's been tainted by demonic energy. He could become aggressive at any moment. Back me up, Hugh." Mark said, agitated.

  The stern officer looked torn before responding, "As a fellow member of the butterfly church, I understand your revolution for demons, but I trust the captain's judgement. Clive?" Hugh said

  Hugh rubbed the back of his head. "If this Maverick character were a demon, I would think the captain would know about it. Also, you know how he gets. When he sets his mind to something, come hell or high water, he'll get it done." Clive responded, grinning passively.

  "Anne?" Mark asked, placing his last hope in her.

  "I've only just got here, being on loan from the church. But only a priest can say for sure if he's a demon or not. Before then, I won't risk hurting an innocent." Anne said resolutely with trembling words.

  Mark looked down with disappointment and anger before stomping out of the room.

  The next afternoon, Maverick had come back to work after his break to find Herald's workplace had become the most popular place in the HQ overnight.

  "Are you Maverick?" Clive asked.

  "Um, yes, I am Maverick. Herald what's going on?"

  "These are the other ESP officers. They all have been busy with their own assignments and haven't been around as much as Mark and Captain Clawford." Herald answered.

  "Alright. But what brings you all here?" Maverick asked.

  "We're here to greet our new teammate or course. I'm Clive, and I'm a cleric. That grumpy guy over there is Hugh, he's a warrior, and this little lady is Anne, she's a Druid," Clive said.

  "Nice to meet you. Is Mark anywhere?" Maverick asked

  "He's off being a dick somewhere," Herald said abruptly.

  Clive smiled awkwardly. "He's a follower of the butterfly church, so he isn't thrilled about working with someone who has demonic energy. Speaking of which, I don't sense any spirituality from you at all." Clive said, confused.

  "That's because I'm suppressing it," Maverick said

  "What? Don't lie. You have just as much spirituality as anyone else. Clive just can't sense it." Hugh responded

  "Shall I prove it?" Maverick grinned

  Maverick breathed out and let go. His spirituality spilled out of him. His black tendrils break out from his back and spread out, exploring the room.

  Hugh took a step back. Clive froze in shock before composing himself again. Anne stepped behind Herald, who himself shifted uncomfortably. Maverick then restrained his spirituality and recontained it in his body.

  "It's taken me 2 months to suppress it this much. But you and Clawford could still sense it." Maverick said, almost disappointed.

  Hugh was about to say something when Clawford walked into the room.

  "Herald are all the preparations complete?" Clawford asked

  Herald shook himself out of a stunted stupor. "Yes... Captain."

  "Are you ready to join us, Maverick?" Clawford asked.

  "More than you know," Maverick responded.