-A short while ago.
The afternoon sun blazed overhead, turning the air into a thick, humid haze. A woman with fiery red hair, glistening with sweat, strolled down a quiet neighborhood street. Her tank top clung to her skin, revealing the dark outline of her black bra beneath a faded white shirt. Tugging at the collar, she fanned herself, desperate for relief.
In both her boredom and exhaustion, her shoes scraped against the pavement. The sound echoed out into the silent afternoon.
No matter where her eyes looked, her eyes were met with an overly familiar sight.
She knew every crack in the sidewalk, every house, every tree, and even the peculiar sound of the wind whistling through the narrow alleyway she passed by. This neighborhood which just a short while ago was an unknown world, had now become as familiar as the back of her hand.
This was her hundredth walk, maybe more.
With a huff, she trudged up the walkway of a small, modest house. The moment she crossed into the home, she kicked off her sneakers, leaving them scattered at the door. She slumped onto the couch, the cushions sagging under her weight as she sprawled out, arms flung over her face.
"Veri! You're taking way too long to get home! Why in the world does school drag on for so long? Come on, I need something to do!"
As if answering her call, the landline phone suddenly blared to life. She jerked up, wide-eyed, and suddenly energized. Leaping off the couch, she dashed to the phone, her heartbeat racing with excitement. "Finally!"
Placing her hand over her left eye, she extended her right arm toward the sky.
"How foolish of you to be calling this abode! You must have underestimated my knowledge and ability with this so-called 'landline' phone! Well, allow me to enlighten you! Veri taught me the method for answering any call sent to this line! On top of that, he taught all the basics for defending against attacks sent through the radio waves!"
...
"Acting like this makes me feel disgusting. Veri does it a lot better."
Nonchalantly, she picks up the phone and puts it to her ear. "Hello, you've dialed the number of the Dark King's great residence. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"You can't start off by saying that! I've got all sorts of enemies so even mentioning the 'Dark King' stuff could be dangerous."
"Hurry and state your business outsider."
"You don't recognize my voice?"
"Hurry and spit it out."
"Cacophony, it's Veri-"
"You should've said that sooner! When are you getting home, I'm bored!"
"That's what I was about to tell you. Listen, on my journey home I encountered the Exiled Prince lurking about. After we rendezvoused, we traveled far across the land toward 'Dragon Mojo'. It seems that we'll be facing a great trial here."
"So?"
"I'll be coming home late today."
"HUH?! I thought you said that we were gonna do something exciting together?!"
"Sorry about that. There's food in the fridge if you're hungry and if you get bored you could watch TV."
"..."
"...You still there?"
"Where exactly are you two going?"
"Dragon Mojo, like I said before. It's a great, legendary place where countless amazing warriors have been born."
"And how far would it be from your school?"
"Pretty far. I mean, it'd be closer to start from the park I showed you earlier."
"Alright then, I'll be seeing you."
"Hmm? Oh, alright."
-The present
"Mary, you need to behave yourself! I have no idea where this pent-up aggression of yours comes from, but this is exactly why your mother abandoned you on my doorstep all those years ago!"
'Lucy', then pretended to wipe tears from her eyes. In a hushed whisper, 'Mary' then remarked, "Farra, what the hell kind of bullshit cover story is this? You want me to look like some sort of demon child or something?"
"Meiying, you admit that you look like a child?"
Gnash Gnash
There was an audible sound of Meiying grinding her teeth together. Instead of lashing out, she calmed herself and prepared for the mission ahead.
"Don't forget the plan."
When it came to Cacophony's sudden appearance, she gracefully weaved through any question thrown her way. All that she said was "I'd like to see the birth of great warriors with my own eyes."
I guess her showing up is my fault. I mean, I called her before we went inside so that she wouldn't be waiting on me. I thought it was the right thing to do, but judging by the hate-filled gaze that Fang had been shooting me, it might've been a miscalculation.
That's one way of seeing the situation. On the other hand, when Cacophony walked in, it was like all the tension in my body was released.
Boom-Boom-Boom
The entire floor shook and reverberated. Everyone in the room's attention shifted. The only person who seemed to understand what was happening was Kana, who swiftly crouched down and placed her sword in front of her.
"The master is coming. All of you get down and show respect."
After she said that, both the footsteps and our anticipation got louder. Following her instructions, everyone in the room besides Cacophony got down.
As the doors swung open, a figure burst through, accompanied by the dramatic sound of a roaring wind—though it was just the gust from the air conditioning. The dojo master, an overweight man with a wild, bushy beard and an even wilder sense of flair, stumbled into the room. His oversized martial arts gi looked more like a costume than proper attire, emblazoned with the logos of various anime series.
"Behold, my students!" he bellowed, striking an exaggerated pose that would put any action hero to shame. It was perfect, something that was clearly worked on over many years. "The Master of the Dojo has arrived! Fear not, for I have come to impart the wisdom of the ages!"
Ah, is this one of my comrades?!
It seemed that not everyone shared my comradery. Mary, or the girl Fang told me was named Meiying, was trying her best to stifle her laughter.
As I turned to Fang, he looked away, seemingly embarrassed.
I guess since he's been here already he knew about the dojo's master. The look on his face is screaming out for me not to say anything to him.
Thinking back, I guess it all makes sense. This was the reason why everything regarding this place was mismatched. The master isn't exactly masterful.
"Tiana! What are you doing on the floor, I just got it cleaned this morning!"
Tiana stirred at the sound of her name, slowly sitting up and rubbing her head. The grogginess from being knocked out moments before was gone, replaced with a collected, almost regal demeanor. Compared to the wild, aggressive way she fought earlier, it was as if she had transformed into an entirely different person. Her posture was impeccable, and she straightened her clothing with precise, graceful movements. She looked like someone far more at ease in high society than on the sparring mat.
"Master William, I sincerely apologize for my lapse in decorum," she said in a calm, formal tone, bowing deeply toward the dojo master. "I will ensure it does not happen again."
Watching from the side, Farra remarked, "Despite how he looks, I guess he's got them quite disciplined."
Overhearing her statement, Cacophony replied, "Is that surprising? I mean, from the looks of it, he's stronger than you."
"I'm a lover, not a fighter. That's why my niece is gonna get strong to protect me! Isn't that right?"
Put on the spot, Meiying seemed somewhat annoyed. As she looked up at Cacophony, she took a moment to examine her body.
'It's odd... When it comes to detecting spiritual energy, my skills could be considered on par with a battalion commander. It's one of the reasons that I'm a good fit as a member of the survey battalion. Minute fluctuations in spiritual energy are easy for me to see. Despite that fact... Her energy is so... it's so mundane. It does falter and fluctuate, but it's almost textbook. When it's like this I can only detect the energy that's leaking from her body and not her soul directly. In that case, I can't exactly use anything I've been sensing as evidence of anything and it's not like it's important, but...'
"She's right, I'm super strong. Someone like you probably stands no chance against me, but if you'd want to spar it'd be no trouble."
"Sorry, I'm not here to spar or fight. I'm only watching. I'd consider myself something of a pacifist."
Meiying merely scoffed at her answer, but Farra picked up the conversation.
"Well, then we might be kindred spirits. I'm Lucy and this is my niece Mary. Could I get your name? Also, what could you be here for, are you related to one of these kids?"
Just as Cacophony was about to answer her questions, Fang stepped in and replied. "That's Alicia Polica. She's one of Veri's family friends. He even calls her auntie, isn't that right?"
"Yes... Exactly right."
From there, the conversation fizzled out and the two parties stopped talking.
"I'm not some idiot. I would've done fine."
"Sorry, I didn't want to take any chances."
The dojo master, now puffing out his chest as if he'd just delivered a grand proclamation, paused dramatically, surveying the room with the exaggerated gravitas he clearly reveled in.
"Since so many esteemed guests and students have gathered today," he boomed, "I have decided... we shall host a tournament!" He struck another exaggerated pose, one hand raised to the ceiling as if calling upon the heavens themselves.
The master continued, "The tournament will be a test of strength, honor, and skill. Each of you shall face off against one another in glorious combat, and the winner will receive the highest honor—my personal praise! A rare gift, indeed."
Cheapscape
Soon he explained more of the details. Tiana, who had remained by his side the entire time, nodded thoughtfully, though there was a flicker of confusion on her face. "I... don't really get it," she said, her tone polite and respectful as always, "but I'll go along with whatever you say, Master."
"What's her deal?", I mumbled.
Fang, who had been watching the scene unfold with a practiced nonchalance, shrugged lightly. "Tiana? She's another senior from our school," he replied, keeping his voice low. "She's got a reputation for acting like she's super smart, but honestly, she's an airhead. Half the time, she's just posing as some intellectual. It's kinda impressive how well she fakes it, though. Honestly, it took me a while to realize that she's an idiot."
The dojo master clapped his hands, pulling everyone's attention back to him. "Now, for the first match!" he declared with his usual flair. "Let it be... Veri versus Mary!"
The moment the words left his mouth, I could feel my stomach drop. Fear gripped my heart like a vice. Meiying, currently posing as 'Mary', turned to him with a smug grin that worsened the situation. Her eyes glittered with barely contained amusement, clearly eager to see how this would play out.
When was the last time that I'd gotten into a proper fight? My encounter with Fang doesn't count, I was just running the entire time. Seriously, I can't remember the last time that I'd gotten hit.
As my mind raced, suddenly I felt something encompassing my ears. Then a smooth jazz symphony enveloped my ears.
"It's called Windspeaks, it's the type of song that soothes the soul. You're not as nervous as before right?"
With a huge grin, Kana placed her red headphones over my ears to help me out. I guess this is the type of music that she listens to when she fights.
"Since you're a friend of Fang, you're a friend of mine."
"I thank you for your generosity, but such things are not necessary, I'll do just fine without it. The very idea of nervousness is the antithesis of my being. Defeating a low-rank demon like that girl will be a walk in the park for me."
Getting up from where I was seated, I walked over to the sparring area.
Before Meiying got up from where she was sitting, Farra whispered something into her ear. "This is what you should do-"
"The Great Dark King has now taken center stage. All onlookers, don't even dare to blink."
"This'll be fun. I need to pay you back for that trash you were saying earlier. I'll show you what a real demon child looks like."
The two of us were given wooden swords and just as before, no form of protection. I was clearly uncomfortable as I gripped my weapon. In contrast, Meiying looked more complete with it. It was as though the destructive tool in her hand made her image whole.
The dojo's master sat at the edge of the sparring area. He raised his hand and began to count down.
"3"
"2"
"1"
Worried, I looked off to the side for reassurance. Cacophony's face gazed back at me, a gentle smile that showed no signs of doubt.
"Begin!"
Neither of us made any immediate moves. In my case, I was too unsure of myself to commit to an attack, but in Meiying's case... The gears in her head seemed to be turning.
Her blade moved down from a battle-ready position. Soon, both of her arms were down at her side.
"What're you do-!"
What is this? This itching feeling that's attacking my body. It caresses me, soft yet still firm. It's like I'm in the palm of someone's hand, right as they're about to squeeze me into nothingness. This isn't something inside me. Not some emotion like fear or nervousness, it's almost tangible. I can feel it, it's-
Perhaps, in my mind, time had frozen, but for all those around me, it had kept moving as normal. In what I felt to be the blink of an eye, Meiying was in front of me.
As she swung her sword, it was like it moved in slow motion. Despite how slowly it seemed to move when I fiercely swung my sword, it could barely get there in time to block.
The clash of wooden swords echoed through the dojo, the sharp impact jolting me back to reality. I barely managed to deflect Meiying's strike, but the force behind her blow sent a tremor through my arms, numbing them momentarily. Her grin widened, clearly enjoying herself, as she stepped back for a moment, eyes glinting with amusement.
"Come on, Dark King. Don't tell me that's all you've got."
I gritted my teeth, gripping my sword tighter. My mind raced, trying to process the sensation that had overwhelmed me earlier. What was that? The feeling wasn't just pressure or fear—it was something else, something more intense and external.
'Is this normal, do people usually feel this in the midst of battle? I can't tell, I can't tell at all!'
Suddenly, from the sidelines, Fang's voice cut through the tension. "What the hell do you think you're doing?!"
Fang's concern grew visibly, and just as he took a step forward, ready to intervene, Kana's arm shot out, blocking his path. Her voice was calm but firm. "Hold on."
Spiritual energy. The power which is held within one's soul. It's a nearly boundless energy that can be molded into nearly any form. Such power can only be brought out by mages. It's no exaggeration to say that spiritual energy is one of the core building blocks for-
"Magic! She's using magic against him! Why in the hell are you trying to stop me!?" Fang snapped, trying to push past her, but Kana stood her ground.
Cacophony, standing nearby, chimed in. "Now, now, Fang, don't go losing your head. Don't get anything confused, this is a friendly sparring session. No need to get so riled up.
"Surely you understand what she's doing?"
"Right now she's testing the waters. She's projecting her spiritual energy as a means of testing Veri."
Hearing this, Fang sat back down. His demeanor had calmed down considerably. He understood exactly what was happening.
"No mage wouldn't defend themselves against it. It's like second nature. Getting hit with a wave of spiritual energy like this could end badly. Taking it head on would be..."
Finishing his statement, Cacophony said what Fang didn't want to, "It'd be suicide. Which is exactly why Meiying wants Veri to show his hand. She wants to find out if he's a mage or just a human."
Fang clenched his fists, clearly conflicted. He knew Cacophony was right, but the situation still grated on him. "Aren't you listening to yourself? If you really are just going to let him die to save your own skin then I-"
"Just watch how things play out. Don't you believe in the abilities of our Dark King? After all, if you attack them with your magic, that would also be a fine outcome for them. They could just beat you and take you in as criminals."
From where I was, I couldn't hear their explanation. I was left in the dark as I faced my opponent.
The itch in my skin grew stronger, almost unbearable, as Meiying slowly raised her sword again, her energy seeping into the space between us. I could barely hold onto my weapon, my muscles tense with the effort of resisting whatever invisible force was pressing down on me.
"Hey! Come on!" Meiying taunted, her tone mocking. "Are you seriously going to just stand there? Fight back, or this'll be over in a second."
The world around me seemed to narrow, focusing entirely on the smirking girl in front of me. My heart pounded in my ears, drowning out everything else. Every instinct screamed at me to run or fight—to do anything but stand still.
I couldn't stand still, that was the one thing that I absolutely could not do. If I stand here, if I wait for her to act- I'll-I'll-
"I'll die"
"Well, aren't you dramatic?"
Meiying took another slow step forward, sword raised high. In a flash, she appeared directly in front of me once more. The air around her figure seemed to distort, it was like there was a bubble of warped reality around her.
"Veri!" Fang's voice snapped me out of my spiraling thoughts.
I managed to dodge, barely, feeling the whoosh of air from her strike as it passed millimeters from my face. Her grin widened, clearly entertained.
"Come on! Fight me!"
Her voice cut through the air like a blade, taunting, daring me to respond. But in that moment, I felt frozen—overwhelmed not just by her spiritual energy but by the realization that I was in way over my head. I wasn't the "Dark King." I was just Veri, an ordinary guy who'd gotten lucky enough to stumble into this bizarre world of mages and magic.
After snapping out of my trance, her movements seemed to get faster.
She swung and I narrowly managed to weave out of the way. Her blade cut through the space where my chest had once been.
I couldn't focus. The itching feeling in my body grew worse, suffocating me. Every movement felt sluggish like I was wading through thick water. My breathing became labored, and I could feel the trickle of blood running from my nose. It dripped down to my lip, then to the floor.
What's happening? I haven't been hit a single time yet I'm bleeding. The blood isn't stopping either, blood just keeps seeping down from my nostrils.
Despite my attempts to avoid her strikes, the oppressive force that surrounded her seemed to crush my body and mind from every direction. It wasn't just the physical attacks, that eerie feeling was getting far worse.
I stepped back, nearly falling over. I felt something coming up from my stomach. When I opened my mouth, blood came pouring out.
Meiying's eyes narrowed as she pressed her advantage, her sword coming at me from all angles. I managed to dodge most, but each movement was growing slower, the pressure increasing with every second. It was like being in a room where the walls were closing in, leaving no space to breathe.
Simply breathing had become a battle in and of itself.
I want to give up, I don't want to fight anymore. When I opened my mouth to voice my opinion, her blade came hurling down to stop me.
Then, we clashed again. This time, our swords locked, and she stared straight into my eyes. Her expression, smug and confident, wavered for a split second.
It was at that moment when she'd gotten a good look into my eyes. Her own widened as if she'd glimpsed something she'd never encountered before. For a brief moment, she'd lost her breath, and the smugness in her face faded. She froze, her gaze locked—not on me, but on whatever it was she'd seen within my eyes. Whatever plan she had evaporated.
Every cell in my body screamed to run, warning me to flee from her. At that moment, Meiying had transformed into a shapeless, terrifying beast in my mind.
And yet, defying all logic known to me, thoughtlessly, my body moved.
I twisted my body and thrust my wooden sword forward. It found its mark, plunging into her stomach with surprising force.
Instantlt, the master then yelled, "That's the match!"
The dojo fell silent. Meiying's eyes were wide, still locked onto mine, her expression caught between surprise and disbelief. For a second, neither of us moved.
"You're kidding... I lost to-"
I pulled back, panting, my body trembling with exhaustion. The oppressive force that had been crushing me moments ago was gone.
The master, sitting at the edge of the mat, raised his hand in a dramatic flourish. "Match over!" he declared. "Victory goes to Veri!"