Pris Aristocrat Academy.

True to its name, the academy situated in the bustling district is clean and new.

The rented carriage stops in front, explaining its purpose to the Gatekeeper beyond the iron bars, Lu Li follows inside the academy.

Knock knock knock—

The Gatekeeper raps on the principal's office, and after a deep inquiry from behind the door, says, "A gentleman claiming to be an Exorcist wishes to see you."

"Come in."

The Gatekeeper opens the door and steps aside.

A man with graying temples dressed in a pressed, straight suit sits behind the desk, the feather pen paused in his hand as the guest arrives.

His scrutinizing gaze lingers on Lu Li's eyes and the intricately carved handle of the Spirit-Calling Gun at Lu Li's waist.

"Mr. Exorcist, is there something the matter?"

"Not at the moment." The mysterious Lu Li speaks like a Prophet: "Find a student named Mishelia. Observe her, keep an eye on her, and when any malice appears around her, help her."

"My apologies, I don't wish to speculate riddles. Can you tell me the reason? Of course, within the limits you're allowed to disclose..."

Lu Li calmly recounts the truth: "Soon, she will be driven to suicide by classmates, becoming a vengeful spirit, retaliating against those who harmed her."

"The future...?" The principal hesitates, his status makes him instinctively doubt the man before him. "Sir, are you a Gatekeeper or an investigator? Or an Exorcist?"

"Investigator." Lu Li responds, slightly tilting his head: "Anna."

The ethereal ghost in a white dress slowly emerges, the muggy noon close to the rainy season feels as if frost has hung.

Anna coldly gazes at the principal, causing him to struggle to breathe—

"I will immediately handle this matter and ensure Mishelia's protection."

The ghostly silhouette gradually fades, relieving the pressure, the principal hurriedly speaks.

Lu Li gently nods, leaving the academy with the Gatekeeper who waits with awe in the corridor.

Clop clop—

The horseshoe crisply steps on the cobblestone road.

"How did I do!" A lively voice fries for credit from inside the carriage.

"You did well, next time don't do it again."

A noisy Steam Car drives by.

"Hmm." Not hearing the latter half, Anna proudly tilts her head, quickly curious again: "But how do you know all this?"

"Know what."

"That Mishelia will die and become a ghost."

"I know the future."

"Foreseeing the future?" Anna reveals a sudden realization, still a little shy: "So when you tricked Benjamin, took me away from the gallery... was it because you saw the future?"

"Hmm."

Lu Li lightly pulls the reins to stop the carriage, nods with a smile at the mother holding a little boy and crosses the street.

"The future is... ours... that is... it's..."

"Family."

Calm words float into the carriage, interrupting Anna's incoherent speech. Then, the surroundings of the carriage fall into a prolonged silence.

"Where are we going..."

The carriage traverses half of Belfast, continuing south.

Breaking free from the "shyness" of losing consciousness, Anna already sees the withered Oak Forest in the south.

"Oak Street."

The carriage drives into the street where the end of the dead forest can be seen, with sparse pedestrians, mostly elderly.

Following the dilapidated street forward, stopping at an old vacant cottage.

103 Oak Street.

Anna sees the weathered iron sign on the courtyard wall, then notices Lu Li lifting a kerosene barrel from the carriage, spilling it on the outer walls of the house.

She makes a guess, then Lu Li's actions confirm her guess.

Whoosh—

Fearlessly striking the match that lights a small flame, thrown onto the wood soaked with kerosene, the fire grows from pale blue to orange-red—

"Let's go."

Before nearby residents discover and call the police.

The carriage leaves Oak Street District, thick black smoke billowing behind.

"... The aberration hiding behind the wallpaper killed a family of three... ultimately igniting the bookshelf, burning the entire house down."

Lu Li recounts the story that will happen at 103 Oak Street.

Throughout the afternoon, Lu Li remains busily engaged in unknown affairs across Belfast.

Half an hour before nightfall, Lu Li and Anna return to the Detective Agency.

The lit oil lamp gradually disperses the darkness, the aroma of food from Mrs. Phelin's bakery wafts in, though only Lu Li can smell it.

"You seem to not belong here..."

Anna senses the oddity delicately, the busy day feels like Lu Li is racing against something—

"Hmm."

Lu Li's ambiguous reply lets Anna's imagination wander.

Nightfall fully envelops, Anna closes the curtains, comes to the opposite side of the dining table, rests her chin, silently watches Lu Li eating.

Noise from neighbors beyond the walls adds warmth, like being in a former home.

Only...

Rustle—

The sound of kitchen water persists for a few minutes, Lu Li who finishes washing dishes and freshening up leaves the kitchen, picks up a towel, and wipes his face.

It's bedtime.

"Will I see you again tomorrow?"

Anna suddenly asks softly, seemingly realizing something.

"Perhaps."

Still a disappointing response.

"Goodnight." Anna says as she drifts to the oil painting.

"Goodnight, sleep well."

In Lu Li's low words, Anna in the oil painting freezes, becoming mottled.

Neighbors gradually rest, only the occasional cough of children and distant dog barking sound.

Lu Li lies in bed, sinking into a deep sleep.

Tranquility flows through the Detective Agency, time seems frozen—at a certain moment, the oil painting suddenly comes to life.

Anna slips out of the painting, silently drifts into the bedroom, closely watching Lu Li sleeping peacefully.

He's not going anywhere!

...

Lu Li slowly awakens.

A ceiling familiar yet strange meets his eyes.

After a brief pause, Lu Li turns his head, sees Anna dozing on the desk.

"What's the plan for today!"

Minutes later, Anna full of energy asks after being awakened.

"Nothing."

"Hm?"

Lu Li looks down at her: "Today is yours."

Perhaps too shy these past few days, even fainting once, Anna only blushes, "I don't know where to go."

"Visit home?"

Lu Li's voice seems gentler.

"Himfast? I'm not sure what's left there..."

"The estate became an art academy, Aunt Mary is the headmistress."

"Aunt Mary..." Many dusty memories are awakened, Anna falls into some kind of recollection.

Lu Li packs for the journey, Anna follows, chattering about remembered childhood stories.

"Treasure!" Anna exclaims like a woman spotting jewels: "The family's most precious treasure! I've remembered! The family's treasure!"

"I know."

"What's inside?" Anna impatiently asks, then quickly covers her ears. "... Don't tell me."

Minutes later, Lu Li finishes packing.

"Let's set off!"

Amid Anna's crisp impatience urging, Lu Li turns the door handle, ready to start the journey for just the two of them.

Click—

The door opens, the dark cottage appears before them.

Dim light from around Lu Li enters the cottage, a silver crossbow quietly rests on the table.

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