Iese went back to her apartment to rest and tried to relax. She had half of the school day off so she's getting the most out of it.
After taking a bath for extra relaxation, she readied her snacks and took the remote.
"What shall I watch today?" she whispered.
She went through the movies that she had added to her list before frowning.
"I've already watched this?... Yeah, I remember the story but when did I watch it?"
Iesa spiralled down into her thoughts, trying to figure out who's the one "girl" she was always with that she forgot when she heard the doorbell ring.
She looked through the peephole and saw a girl, standing in front of some people in black suits.
Iesa frowned and wondered who they are. Knowing that there are guards at the front, she knew that these people wouldn't just walk in without identifying themselves. So they must be harmless people, right?
She opened the door and met the girl with whom she felt she was familiar. Alas, she couldn't wrap her head around it like any other time these past few days.
"Yes? May I know who are they?"
Iesa respectfully asked since these people are kind of intimidating her.
"Hello, my name is Seres and I would like to talk to you about some matters according to my brother."
Seres formally said.
"Your brother?"
"Yes, his name is Teren Hark."
"H-huh?"
...
Seres was now sitting on the couch while Iesa was preparing tea for her.
"Thank you." Seres took received the tea afterwards, "If you don't mind, can you add sugar?"
"Ah, but that is already sweet." Iesa pointed.
Seres glanced at the tea first and took a sip.
"Ah-!"
"A-are you okay? Don't force yourself, it's hot." Iesa frowned and wondered what's the deal with this girl.
"Still needs... more sugar." Seres said before handing it to Iesa.
"Oh... okay."
With a bewildered expression, Iesa went to the kitchen and that was when she heard.
'Iesa Hun, act natural.'
"Hm? Did you say something?" Iesa turned around towards Seres. But the latter just shook her head.
"Um, I haven't said anything."
'I said act natural! Is this your first time hearing a thought!? If you act suspicious, the people outside will be notified.'
Seres' thought came into Iesa's head.
Hearing this, Iesa turned around and went to look at the shelves that don't have the sugar in them to stall time.
'Good, so you really are the psychic.'
Hearing this, Iesa's heartbeat rose. Now that she was hearing this, why is she not hearing the thoughts from the people outside?
'I'm currently blocking their thoughts so that you cannot hear them. If I stop, they will notice. Getting straight to the point, we are allies, Iesa Hun.'
Iesa was startled by the turn of events.
Is this girl really Teren's younger sister? Why does she know that Iesa can hear thoughts? And what does she mean by allies?
All these questions were inside her head, unfortunately, she cannot reply to Seres' thoughts so it's only one-way communication.
She got the sugar since she already opened all the shelves. It would be very weird if she still opened the ones she had already opened. The door was open and the people outside could see them. One of them, Fey was looking with the most caution.
'What happened to the new little girl who doesn't know about Spirits? We were told at first that Lady Seres cannot be trusted yet but now, they are giving her full freedom?'
She thought which Iesa couldn't hear or she's just get confused more.
Seres: 'What I mean by allies is that you are nurtured to be a tool.'
Iesa became stiff for a second. Beads of sweat traversed her cheek. After that moment, she then gave the tea to Seres.
Seres took it and sipped.
'Ugh... too sweet.'
"I'm sorry but can I go to the restroom first?"
Iesa asked which Seres nodded.
"Please, go ahead. I am in no hurry."
'If only I can go here on my own. However, even for that, I was restricted. Anyway, I don't have much time left. I want to save you, Iesa Hun, from my brother.'
Iesa just entered the bathroom and when she heard this, her head hurt.
'Try to remember. Why do you have this ability in the first place? Where were you before you live in this city? Who are your true parents? Once you remember, you will unlock more of your potentials.'
Iesa held her head in pain.
'That's all, you can come out now and I will speak with you directly.'
It took her a few more moments before she exited the bathroom. Her pale complexion didn't escape Fey's watch.
"Can I speak why I am here now?" Seres asked.
Iesa nodded.
"Yes"
"I assume that you already know who my brother is."
Seres talked as if she's the older one between the two of them.
"Yes, he's not only my classmate but he's also my seatmate."
"Then this will be easy. Listen carefully, you may not know this but Teren Hark... " Seres leaned forward and continued dramatically, "... is a murderer!"
"..."
Iesa slowly nodded.
"..." Seres frowned.
'Why are you not surprised?' she thought but she also asked in tongue soon after, "You're not surprised?"
Iesa's eyebrows furrowed.
"I don't know..."
"Hm, I'm just here to tell you that he's dangerous and you should get away from him at all cost. That's all." Seres then stood up.
"..." Iesa was silent.
A lot of things were becoming strange these days. That must be the reason why her head's hurting from time to time. She thought.
Before Seres left, she left a thought that shocked Iesa.
'My brother has the Great Spirit of Mind-Altering. He can manipulate anyone's memory. If you want it removed. Meet me at...'
Iesa looked at Seres' fading back.. She had so much surprised today that she felt a little numb from it.