After the fire went out, everyone stood in stunned silence. Most of them still couldn't believe what had just happened, the fact that Bryce had ignited fifteen dummies on his very first attempt at spontaneous combustion.
Joy was worried. She had seen Bryce's expression before the flames erupted, and it looked like he had been in immense pain. Unfortunately, there was nothing she could do. This was not her class, and she trusted Silas to handle the situation as he deemed fit.
Zhen was equally surprised, though his expression never revealed it. Even he could not ignite that many dummies at once. Bryce's sudden surge of energy and the way it had spiked, made it clear that something was wrong.
Like Joy, Gabriela was also worried. She could sense Bryce's pain, even if she didn't fully understand it.
"You've depleted your energy," Silas said calmly. "You'll need time to recover. You can leave the class and rest. By tomorrow, you'll be ready for the next session."
Silas himself was unsettled. It was the first time he had witnessed something like that, and he wanted to understand it, to understand what had just happened. But he kept his composure.
"The rest of you may continue training," Silas added.
Bryce felt two overwhelming emotions at once. The first was relief that he had done it. The second was far worse. His thoughts were chaotic, his mind flooded with sensations he couldn't control. His body still felt saturated with his own energy.
He heard Silas's words and slowly walked out of the training ground. Gabriela wanted to follow him, but she couldn't leave the class.
Eventually, Bryce reached his room and collapsed onto his bed. He hoped that if he slept, he would feel better when he woke up.
So, he closed his eyes and slept.
THE PRESENT
Bryce and Zhen teleported into the academy, more precisely, into the main library.
"Here we are," Zhen said. "You can search for the book."
Bryce slowly scanned the room. The library was massive, filled with towering shelves of books. The room was dark, almost hard to see.
"The book isn't here," Bryce said. "I didn't come here to waste time. Take me to the library beneath this one."
Zhen's eyes narrowed slightly. He was impressed that Bryce could sense it.
"Yes, there is another library below," Zhen said. "A secret one."
Only a few Exorsts knew of its existence. Though trainees could access the main library, the one below held sensitive knowledge, dangerous knowledge.
"Alright," Zhen said after a moment. "I'll take you."
He walked toward a corner of the room and placed his hand against the wall. It opened like a door, revealing a staircase leading downward. Zhen stepped through, and Bryce followed.
The descent was long. When they finally reached the bottom, they entered the secret library. It was smaller than the one above, but still packed with books. Unlike the main library, this room was completely dark.
Without hesitation, Bryce ignited a small flame to light the space and began searching.
"Humanity has come far in understanding how the world works," Zhen said. "Some knowledge, however, is dangerous in the wrong hands. That is why these records are kept hidden."
Bryce didn't respond. He continued scanning shelves until he stopped.
"I've found it."
Zhen looked at the book Bryce was holding. "That book contains records of Valtor."
"He's the one I'm looking for," Bryce said. "I'll be leaving now."
He gripped the book firmly.
"We will meet again soon," Zhen said. "I'm curious to see whether you find what you seek. But before you go, have you heard anything about Shinji?"
Bryce hesitated. "No. I don't know where he is."
Zhen nodded. "Very well."
Moments later, Bryce teleported out of the secret library and appeared outside the citadel gates.
He had accomplished what he came for. Now, he only hoped the information on Valtor would be enough to help him find the demon.
THE PAST
A knock on the door woke Bryce.
There were only two people he expected it to be, Eva or Father William. And at that moment, he hoped it was Father William. He needed answers. He needed to understand what was happening to him.
Bryce stood from his bed and walked to the door. He hesitated before opening it.
When he finally did, his eyes widened.
Silas stood on the other side.
"I know you have a lot of questions," Silas said. "About how you're feeling. About your power. I think I can help, at least a little."
Bryce wasn't sure how Silas could help him at all.
"So," Silas added, "may I come in?"
Silas had offered help, and given his knowledge and authority, it would have been rude to refuse. He was Bryce's instructor, after all.
Bryce stepped aside, allowing Silas to enter. Silas walked in, and Bryce closed the door behind him.
Bryce sat down on his bed while Silas glanced around the room.
One question lingered in Bryce's mind.
"How does he know where my room is?"