Chapter 123

Days after the tutoring visit, Anya passes the Authens on her way to the bus and hears nothing but warmth in their thoughts, cementing her impression that the couple is ordinary. Loid keeps them under watch regardless, noting that Sigmund recently took an unusual solo walk through the neighborhood, pausing on benches to think. Finding nothing alarming, he quietly hopes his suspicions will prove empty.

At Eden Academy, Connie shares one of the school's Seven Great Secrets during Classical Language class: the Devil Ritual of the old schoolhouse, in which students who tried to trade with the devil for Imperial Scholar status were devoured, their spirits lingering ever since. Anya, Connie, Tertius, and Arnold resolve to go ghost-hunting after class. Becky wants no part of it, while Damian, stung by jealousy over Anya spending time with Tertius, invents a cover story for Emile and Ewen about ghost encounters leading to Imperial Scholarhood so the three can tag along.

Rain begins falling as Anya charges into the derelict building ahead of her nervous classmates. The children's frightened thoughts overwhelm her telepathy and leave her dizzy, and a sudden thump sends Connie into a frenzy of protective charms. Near a staircase they discover a waterlogged shoe, which Anya scoops up with her net. On the third floor, Arnold recounts a darker version of the legend, claiming the ritual was code for wartime experiments on failing students. At that moment Anya hears a hostile voice in her head ordering them to leave, and a huge shadow glides past the window. The group bolts; when the storm of panicked thoughts drops Anya to the floor, Damian hauls her onto his back despite glimpsing a figure in the dark.

Fleeing, they collide with Bill Watkins, accompanied by a pair of Wald Hall boys, all chasing the same rumor. Bill swears a ghost took his shoe, which matches the one Anya netted. Safely outside, Damian boasts that his Imperial Scholarhood is assured, then shoves Anya off in embarrassment when he realizes he is still carrying her. The adventure leaves nearly everyone too spooked to bathe alone, and by morning Anya, Damian, Emile, and Ewen have all caught colds. As Damian swears Anya to secrecy to dodge a Tonitrus Bolt, Connie bursts in with alarming news: Henry Henderson may be fired from Eden.

Loid's surveillance of the Authens turns up nothing suspicious beyond one solitary walk by Sigmund.

Seven first-years explore the old schoolhouse chasing the Devil Ritual legend. Anya hears a threatening telepathic warning inside, and a shadowy figure drives the group out.

The shoe the children recover turns out to belong to Bill Watkins, who blames a ghost for stealing it.

Connie reveals that Henry Henderson may be dismissed from Eden Academy, setting up the scandal that dominates the following chapters.

The chapter was serialized in two installments, with Part 1 arriving on September 15, 2025 and Part 2 following two weeks later on September 29.

Connie's ghost-warding gear draws on Japanese tradition: her straw doll is a wara ningyo, a curse doll, and her wand is a gohei, the paper-streamer wand used in Shinto ritual.

The figure the children encounter is later revealed to be connected to the plot against Henderson rather than anything supernatural.