Keepers Of The Occult (NaNoWriMo 2024) Chapter 6: Chapter 6: The Chase

Read chapter 6 of Keepers Of The Occult (NaNoWriMo 2024) by Mercynarie on NovelPedia.

Hazel spent the remaining two hours of the day churning out article after article for the journalism club. The room was quiet enough for her to work in peace, but she had always preferred the library’s atmosphere instead. Not like it was in any state for her to do anything there now, unfortunately. Not after Tomoko’s antics. Annoyance rose within her again at the memory of her friend’s tasteless prank. Hazel wondered if that was how her past victims felt about her mischievous antics back then. The last school bell rang for the day. Hazel hurriedly packed her bag and left the empty room before the security guard locked her in for the night. The girl slipped behind a pillar expertly just as footsteps echoed around the corner. She aligned her shadow with the wall, waiting patiently for the security guard to walk past her, none the wiser. Hazel hurried over to the back door and unlocked it without a sound. She slipped out and waited. Hazel had stayed back late enough times to know that the guard would normally walk back down the hallway without double-checking that he had locked all the doors. Coupled with all the experience she had as a prankster in her old school, sneaking back into school after closing hours was child’s play to her. Hazel opened the door and re-entered the building after the guard strolled back to his post at the school gates. “Right on time. Brilliant.” She turned around, facing Chester and Liam, who were already back in the school compound. Hazel didn’t even bother asking how they got back in through the locked gates this time. Magic certainly was convenient. “Casting muffling spells, and… done ,” Liam muttered to himself. “Now we have a little privacy to ourselves.” “Oh, I’m so excited!” Hazel squeaked. “Do we need to prepare anything el—” The girl fell to her knees all of a sudden, clutching her chest as an abnormally strong surge of supernatural energy hit her. Hazel shook her head groggily, trying to stand to her feet. She had never felt such a malicious presence so clearly before. “Oi, Hazel. What’s wrong?” Chester helped her up. “Blimey, your skin is boiling!” He let go of her, fanning his hands to cool them down. “H— Huh?” Hazel winced. Her chest was still throbbing, but at least the supernatural presence was gone now. Liam tilted his head slightly. “Hazel, are you… magic?” “What do you mean?” The boy held her wrist for a brief moment. “Your body temperature is back to normal, which means you don’t have a fever. I just sensed a strong magic resonance flash through your body. What’s going on?” “Is that what it was?” Hazel said. “I’ve always had the ability to detect paranormal activity. My Grandfather taught me how to focus my senses to do so. I just felt something earlier, that’s all. It’s probably the Hahakigami’s presence.” “Your Grandfather? What’s his name?” “Hubert Chekov. He was a famous medium back in the sixties,” Hazel replied. “Though I’m sure all he knew how to do was help people with exorcisms. I’ve never seen him use magic like you guys.” Chester turned to Liam. “Wow, do you think she might be part Magus or something?” “I’m not sure, but I’m almost certain she has a powerful innate connection to the supernatural world,” Liam commented. “In fact, her connection might even be stronger than my House.” “What are you guys talking about?” Hazel waved at them in confusion. “Each House of Magus have its own affinity to certain aspects of old magic. For example, members of my House can detect presence more keenly than others. Chester’s House is highly adept at conjuration magic,” Liam explained. “But although I possess that power as well, my magic is still more combat-oriented like Chester’s. When your body resonated earlier, I caught a glimpse of how much detail your senses took in. I don’t know if you’re part Magus, but your senses seem highly attuned to the supernatural world somehow.” “That’s one hell of a surprise.” Chester broke into a wide grin. “So you have a gift for sensing the supernatur