Chapter 2: The Ghost Who Swore the Oath

A pale-faced male student, blood streaming down his face.

I was the only one who noticed him staggering toward the stage.

‘Normal people probably can’t see him.’

Unless they have strong spiritual power.

As a ghost, that didn’t apply to me.

“It’s a temporary blackout. Students, please stay calm and wait.”

Unlike my calm demeanor, the auditorium buzzed with anxious staff and whispering students.

The students seemed more amused than scared, giggling.

They must think it’s just a random event.

No way they’d imagine a ghost in here.

– Sorry… for being late… I’ll head to the stage…

The ghost muttered, unnoticed by the crowd.

He wasn’t a vengeful spirit, just one burdened with lingering regret.

Lee Hwaseo, scanning the room, suddenly flinched and turned toward him.

As the freshman representative, she exuded top-student vibes.

But that was just her outward appearance—her true identity?

‘An exorcist.’

In this urban fantasy, Spirit Exorcism featured a hidden organization: the Exorcist Association.

Several exorcists, including Lee Hwaseo, were at Paradise High.

They were likely watching the ghost as keenly as she was.

They might know each other’s identities, but I didn’t.

I acted like I couldn’t see anything.

– I’ve been… waiting for this day…

The ghost was unaware of his own danger.

This blackout was his doing, though he likely didn’t realize it.

It was a spiritual phenomenon caused by his unchecked energy.

‘It’s just a tutorial, so he’s not dangerous. If his regret is resolved, he’ll ascend easily.’

In the game, making him ascend wasn’t hard.

But if the player did nothing, it always led to an exorcism ending.

The exorcists must think he could be dangerous.

And right now, there was no player.

‘If this continues, he’ll get exorcised.’

That wasn’t what I wanted.

The world of ghosts and exorcists shouldn’t be exposed to the public.

That’s the Association’s rule.

Acting now, with so many people around, would mean taking a risk and drawing hostility as a ghost.

– I… I have to do it… I have to give the oath so everyone can safely enroll…

As someone tied to Paradise High’s fate, I wasn’t thrilled.

Without a player, I had a new approach.

The blackout made them think this ghost might be dangerous.

Just before the exorcists could act, I secretly snapped my fingers.

Click!

“Hey! It’s back on.”

“Aw, what? Just a temporary blackout, huh?”

With that, the lights returned.

The ceremony resumed in the bright atmosphere.

“We apologize for the delay. First-year homeroom teachers, please come to the stage.”

– I’m late… but I’ll give the oath…

To me and the exorcists, two voices overlapped.

The exorcists eyed him sharply, but he caused no harm.

He was a freshman representative from years ago.

On his way to school, filled with nerves and excitement for the oath, he’d died in an accident.

‘A car accident.’

His strong obsession kept him bound to this world.

I remembered reading that he wandered the school every entrance ceremony season.

To fulfill his unfinished duty.

That’s why he was banging his head at the gate—to get inside.

– I, Yoo Seungwoo, along with 288 other freshmen of Paradise High School, swear to uphold the school’s rules, fulfill our responsibilities as students, and dedicate ourselves to our studies…

His voice trembled.

– I solemnly swear.

At the end of the oath, the lingering spirit fell silent.

Then, applause erupted, filling the auditorium.

Clap, clap, clap—

The students responded to the announcer’s cue.

A cold tear rolled down Yoo Seungwoo’s cheek.

He smiled, relieved.

– Ahh…

A brilliant white light enveloped him.

Ascension.

He’d done it.

He ensured 289 freshmen, including himself, could safely enroll.

Lee Hwaseo gave a strange look.

I felt relieved.

A student had escaped a tragic fate, and the exorcists didn’t have to intervene on the first day.

The best outcome.

“By the way, what class are you in?”

“Me? Class 3.”

“No way! Me too.”

“Nice, we’re in the same class.”

After the ceremony, Kim Dodam and I sat in the same classroom.

The prime spot: the back corner by the window.

Our home for the next year.

Students glanced at each other, curious.

“Hey, Class 3! I’m Park Irim, your homeroom teacher for the year.”

Our teacher was a young woman.

Students reacted differently as she scanned the room.

“Hello!”

Some greeted her warmly, others stared blankly.
I was the latter.

“To get to know each other, let’s do introductions. Starting with the boy in the front.”

With her greeting done, the inevitable came.

Self-introductions.

A staple of my three years in middle school.

A slightly nervous boy stood.

“I’m Yoo Kishin. I came to Paradise High to hunt ghosts.”

His words, though, showed no hesitation.

“…Ghosts?”

“Yeah. This place is full of ghost stories. And I can feel a weird vibe here.”

The class murmured.

“Ghosts? As if those exist.”

“Forget that, aren’t you the ghost? Your name’s literally Kishin.”

“You even look like a ghost.”

‘Harsh words.’

High schoolers didn’t hold back.

Still, Yoo Kishin stood tall.

“My dream is to be a ghost hunter! Ghosts are real. Maybe even in this room right now.”

I flinched.

Park Irim, with an awkward expression, moved on.

“Got it. Next?”

One by one, introductions continued until a familiar face’s turn came.

Lee Hwaseo.

The freshman representative and exorcist was in our class.

“I’m… Lee Hwaseo. I’m honored to be the top freshman, and I’m happy to be here. Congrats on your enrollment, everyone. Let’s get along.”

Aside from a slight pause at her name, it was a standard introduction.

Clap, clap— Loud applause followed.

Looks matter when you’re young.

Kim Dodam clapped too, and then my turn came.

‘Last, of course.’

I’d hoped to blend in, but no luck.

See? Everyone’s already staring.

Was sitting in the prime spot a mistake?

One weird word, and I’d be teased all year.

“I’m Seol Haru. Hobbies are studying and sports. Nice to meet you.”

Short and sweet.

No room for teasing.

I was confident in studying from my past life, and sports… a safety net.

My ghostly physical abilities weren’t human.

This way, any slip-ups would raise less suspicion.

‘Perfect. Super safe.’

Proud of myself, I sat down and met sparkling eyes.

Intense, burdensome stares.

Cheers and applause erupted, louder than for Lee Hwaseo.

“…Huh?”

What?

It was a totally normal introduction.

“Our class is full of unique kids. You’ve learned a bit about each other, right? Let’s get along without fighting.”

“Yes~”

“Now, before the official election, let’s pick temporary class officers to help me. Any volunteers?”

Class officers.

A chance to shine in the school record and impress teachers, but I wasn’t interested.

‘A ghost being a model student is weird.’

I wanted to enjoy youth in my next life, but only to a point.

Back then, I didn’t know I’d end up at Paradise High.

If not for ‘Seol Haru’s traits,’ I’d have gone to another school.

“Me, teacher.”

“Hwaseo? As expected of the top freshman. President or vice president?”

“Hmm… President.”

Lee Hwaseo was full of enthusiasm.

Most exorcists live differently from normal people since childhood.

They often struggle to adapt socially, but she was different.

She was into pop culture and wanted friends.

Her grades proved her effort.

‘Most exorcists aren’t great at studying.’

Their path is set, and time is scarce.

Being top despite that? She’s a true talent.

“Then Hwaseo’s president. Any vice president volunteers? Nominations work too.”

Silence from the class.

Then Kim Dodam raised his hand.

“I nominate Seol Haru.”

“…What? Dude, are you crazy?”

I yanked his arm down, but it was too late.

He grinned, giving a thumbs-up.

“You’d be great at it.”

“You wanna die? What’s with the ambush?”

“You’re more vice president than student.”

“What nonsense with a straight face??”

“Hmm, Haru. I think Haru’d do well. If over half agree, it’s Haru~”

At Park Irim’s words, hands shot up.

“Agree?”

“Yeah, looks good.”

“Haha, what’s with everyone raising hands? You jerks…”

“…”

My jaw dropped at the sight.

Despite my resistance, Park Irim sealed it.

“That settles it. Hwaseo’s president, Haru’s vice president. Do well for now~”

An outsider in my past life, now vice president?

…I wanna die.