"You can also invite your friends," said Master Rosso with a sly smile.
Rai's eyes lit up instantly. Without wasting time, she gathered a small group: Diana and Alfin—her childhood friends—and her new roommates Houyi, Rara, Anna, and Unna.
Of them all, Houyi seemed the most excited. Deep inside, she carried a hope rooted in a conversation she'd once had with Madam Sharlie.
"Houyi," Madam Sharlie had said, "your lover has already merged with their khodam and become an anomaly. They can no longer be considered human."
"No matter what... they're still my lover," Houyi replied, tears forming in her eyes.
"Then go. Live your life and be happy," said her lover with a sad smile, blood trickling from their lips as they disappeared into the shadows.
"You wish to save them?" Madam Sharlie had asked, gazing at the heartbroken Houyi.
Houyi and her lover had just escaped the orphanage together, only to fall into a cruel twist of fate—her partner was taken away by a being stronger than fate itself.
"If your lover has become an anomaly," Madam Sharlie continued, "you must find another anomaly—someone whose presence can transfer the anomaly status back to your lover."
She handed Houyi a photo. "This is Rai. Rumors say she's a boy who summoned a female khodam. Unnatural. Investigate her. I've arranged for you to enroll in the same school."
That school just so happened to be the country's number one academy—a dream for any student. Houyi could barely believe her luck. Not only had she made it in, but she even ended up sharing a dorm room with Rai.
But then... came the showers.
Everything was revealed.
Rai wasn't an anomaly after all.
Disappointed, Houyi reported back to Madam Sharlie. The search had to continue.
Yet, when Rai extended the invitation to explore the underground khodam battle arena, Houyi's heart stirred again. Perhaps… just perhaps, she might find another anomaly there. Her hope, long buried, flickered back to life.
"You can invite your friends too," said Rosso.
Rai immediately got excited and invited some people: Diana, Alfin (his childhood friend), Houyi, Rara, Anna, and Unna—his new roommates.
Houyi, in particular, seemed eager. In her heart, she recalled a conversation with Madam Sharlie.
"Houyi, your lover has already fused with his khodam and is now considered an anomaly. He can no longer be regarded as human," said Madam Sharlie.
"I don't care what he is. He's still my lover," Houyi replied, her voice filled with sorrow.
"Go, Houyi. Be happy," said her lover, as tears and blood fell from the corners of his lips.
"Oh? You want to free your lover?" asked Madam Sharlie, staring at Houyi who was crying. The two had just recently moved out of the orphanage, never expecting to encounter someone who would take her lover away.
"Since your lover is an anomaly, you can find another anomaly and have them share that nature with him," said Madam Sharlie.
"Look at this one—Rai. Rumor says he's a boy who awakened a female khodam. Investigate him. I'll place you in the same school."
Since Rai enrolled in the best high school—ranked number one—Houyi was also placed in that school. She never imagined she'd be lucky enough to enter such a prestigious institution.
But she was disappointed. During a bath together, she saw everything. Rai was just a normal girl, not an anomaly. Her lover could not be saved. Madam Sharlie then ordered her to continue the search for another anomaly.
Houyi was confused where to look, as her investigation revealed all the students at the school were normal shamans.
When Rai invited her to watch underground khodam battles, she was hopeful she might find another anomaly there.
Since the battles were scheduled at night, all of them needed permission. With Rosso being the headmaster, they obtained it easily.
The group gathered at Rosso's place: Rai, Alfin, Diana, Rara, Houyi, Unna, and Anna.
Rosso was already waiting, accompanied by two senior students—Keil and Jony—who would guide them.
Rosso led them to a room with many comfortable chairs.
"Now, you may summon your khodams," Rosso instructed.
Alfin summoned a muscular red demon with bull horns and a tail ending in a burning spear.
Diana summoned a woman with fox ears and nine large, fluffy pink tails.
Houyi summoned an old woman with a long nose, wrinkled skin, and red eyes—she looked quite terrifying.
Everyone stared at Houyi's khodam—it was their first time seeing such an eerie figure.
Rai himself began to wonder if this was why Houyi used an artificial khodam to conceal hers.
Rara summoned a dark-skinned elven woman with revealing clothing, black hair, and sharp black nails.
Anna and Unna summoned very similar khodams: cat-eared women with cat tails and maid outfits—clearly artificial khodams.
Rai summoned his khodam, a beautiful angelic woman.
Keil summoned a handsome, sharp-faced man with eagle wings and a chiseled physique.
Jony summoned a man with a large serpent tail and eight snake heads growing from his back.
Finally, Rosso summoned his khodam—an awe-inspiring fusion of man and dragon.
All the humans settled into comfortable seats.
Rai initially wanted to sit with the girls, but the moment she sat down, Jony and Keil sat to her left and right. This annoyed Alfin, who was forced to sit next to Diana.
Rosso, naturally, took the largest and most luxurious chair, complete with plush cushioning.
As Dukun Rosso's khodam opened the portal, they all stepped into the spirit world.
This time, it wasn't a forest or a valley—it was a bustling city filled with towering buildings. Its inhabitants were khodams controlled by shamans from the real world.
"Welcome to the city built by khodams," said Dukun Rosso.
The students were stunned, all except for Jony and Keil—this wasn't their first time visiting.
To the side, there was a building selling artificial khodams and slave jinns—one of many such structures scattered throughout the city.
Another building specialized in enchanted clothing designed for khodams and jinns. These clothes didn't need to be removed and could merge into the shaman's body along with their khodam or jinn.
There were also shops that sold artifacts with specific effects. Unlike artificial khodams, artifacts didn't need to be worn—they were stored in magical storage rings. If a shaman gave their khodam such a ring, the khodam could store these artifacts and other materials inside.
Other establishments sold spellbooks, alchemy tools, spiritual arts, and enchanted gems.
There were even magical food shops. Some khodams, whose shamans also worked as chefs on the side, opened restaurants in the spirit world. Naturally, all the ingredients came from within this realm as well.