The group rushed through the halls of the school, their footsteps echoing against the walls. Makino could feel the energy within him pulsing, and he struggled to keep it under control. He didn't want to hurt anyone else, especially not his friends.
Tezuka led the way, his expression grim as he directed them towards the school's infirmary. Makino couldn't help but feel a sense of dread wash over him as they entered the sterile room.
A nurse quickly rushed over, her eyes widening as she took in Makino's condition. "What happened?" she asked, her voice laced with concern. Tezuka quickly explained the situation, and the nurse nodded understandingly. She motioned for Makino to sit down, and he did so obediently, his body trembling with anxiety.
The nurse began to examine him, her hands moving over his body as she searched for any signs of injury. Makino could feel her probing fingers, but he barely registered the physical sensations. His mind was consumed with thoughts of the power inside of him, and the fear of what he might do if he couldn't control it.
After what felt like an eternity, the nurse finally finished her examination. She nodded to herself, then turned to face Makino. "I'm going to need to run some tests," she said, her tone serious. "We need to figure out what's going on inside of you."
Makino nodded, his heart sinking. He knew this wasn't going to be easy, but he also knew it was necessary. He couldn't risk hurting anyone else, and he needed to understand what was happening to him.
Over the next few days, Makino underwent a battery of tests. He was poked, prodded, and scanned, and he couldn't help but feel like a lab rat. But he endured it all, knowing that it was for his own good. And slowly, as the tests continued, he began to understand what was happening to him.
He was a pure mage.
It was a revelation that shook him to his core. Makino had always known that magic existed, of course, but he had never thought that he might be one of the rare individuals who could wield the powers of magic. But as the test results came back, it became clear that his body was suffused with mana, the raw energy that fueled magic.
It was both exhilarating and terrifying. Makino could feel the power within him, coursing through his veins like a living thing. But he also knew that he had to be careful. Magic was not something to be trifled with, and he needed to learn how to control it.
Tezuka and Kobayashi were with him every step of the way, offering him their support and encouragement. They were the only ones who knew about his secret, and Makino was grateful for their understanding. But even as he began to explore his newfound abilities, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to his magic than he realized.
As he delved deeper into his studies, he began to uncover hints of a dark power lurking within him, something that whispered of danger and destruction. Makino knew he needed to be careful, to keep his power under control. But he also knew that he couldn't ignore this darker side of himself forever. The question was, how long could he keep it at bay before it consumed him completely? Tezuka watched as Makino struggled to control his magic. He knew that his friend was still coming to grips with his abilities, but he also sensed that Makino was holding back. "Why don't you try summoning something?" he asked, his tone casual.
Makino looked up; his expression wary. "What do you mean?" he asked.
"I mean, why don't you use your magic to try and summon something?" Tezuka clarified. "It might help you drain the mana and get a handle on your abilities."
Makino hesitated for a moment, then nodded. He closed his eyes and focused on his mana, feeling the energy swirling around him like a vortex. Slowly, he began to shape the mana, molding it into a coherent form. He could feel his control slipping, but he pushed through the discomfort, determined to see this through.
And then, suddenly, there was a presence in the room. Makino opened his eyes and gasped as he saw a creature standing before him. It was humanoid in shape, with eyes that glowed like embers. Its tattered cloak glowing red and purple, fluttering in an unseen breeze.
Tezuka stepped forward, his hand going to his sword hilt. "What is that?" he demanded, his voice tense.
Makino looked at the creature, feeling a sense of unease wash over him. "I don't know," he admitted. "I didn't mean to summon anything like this."
The creature spoke, its voice low and gravelly. "I am Grim," it said. "And I am here to serve."
Makino felt a chill run down his spine. Something about this creature seemed off, and he didn't trust it. "What do you mean, serve?" he asked.
Grim stepped forward, its eyes fixed on Makino. "You have summoned me, mage," it said. "And now I am bound to you. I will do your bidding, whatever it may be."
Makino shook his head, his mind racing. He had no idea what to do with this creature, and he didn't want to be responsible for it. "I didn't mean to summon you," he said, his voice shaking. "I don't want your help."
But Grim didn't seem to hear him. It continued to stare at Makino, its eyes glowing with an otherworldly intensity. "You have summoned me," it repeated. "And now I am yours."
Tezuka stepped forward; his sword drawn. "We don't want your help," he said, his voice firm. "Leave us be."
Grim turned to face Tezuka, its eyes narrowing. "I will leave," it said. "But know this, caster. I will return when you need me most."
"Makino"
And with that, the creature vanished, leaving Makino and Tezuka alone in the room. Makino felt a sense of relief wash over him, but he also couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.
"I think I should go get some rest Tezuka, I've had enough of this feeling I just want it to go away."
"Sure, Makino you've had it rough the past few days take the night off, tomorrow we can go find Tamaki and catch up it's been awhile since you've seen her last."
"I know she had bust your chops when you guys first met but I think she's grown to like you."
"If that's what you say, Tezuka I'll see you tomorrow."
As Tezuka leaves Makino to rest Makino hears a whisper in his ear…
"Checkpoint reverse"
He then appears in the backseat of a car with two people sitting up front, as he takes a closer look it appears to be Tezuka and Tamaki.
"Tezuka! Tamaki! What's going on."
"Oh it seems you woke up Makino, how about another "bottle of water" you must me thirsty."
Makino coming to the realization this has happened before, back when he first met Tezuka and Tamaki.
Tezuka glances back at Makino, implying "are you feeling ok?"
Makino feels a chill down his spine as he remembers the first time this happened. It was as if time had reversed and he was back to the moment before he fell asleep. He was confused and scared, but Tezuka and Tamaki seemed to not know what was happening.
As Tezuka hands him the "bottle of water," Makino tries to collect his thoughts and figure out what is going on. He takes a sip of the water and notices a faint, strange taste.
"What is in this water?" Makino asks, feeling a bit dizzy.
"Just a little something to help you relax," Tamaki replies with a smirk.
As they arrive to the school Makino recognizes the man standing out front.
"Yuki!"
I had ran from the car straight to Yuki to confront him of this nonsense.
Makino glared at Yuki, who was still grinning foolishly at him. "What the hell did you do?!" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.
Yuki's smile faltered, replaced by a look of confusion. "What are you talking about, Makino-kun? Did something happen?"
Makino's anger only grew. "Don't play dumb with me, Yuki. You reset me. You took me back to when I first met Tezuka and Tamaki."
Yuki's expression slowly shifted from confusion to understanding, and then to guilt. "I-I'm sorry, Makino-kun. I didn't mean to... I just thought it would be fun to mess with you a little."
Makino's fists clenched at his sides. He couldn't believe this kid, with his stupid grin and his reckless actions, had the power to manipulate time like it was some kind of game. "Fun? You think this is fun? You think it's fun to mess with people's lives like this?"
Yuki dropping his voice to a sinister tone.
"Why yes I do think it is "fun" fucking with people that wanted nothing to do with life to begin with."
Makino's eyes widened at Yuki's sudden change in tone. He took a step back, feeling a chill run down his spine. He had never heard Yuki talk like this before. He was starting to realize just how little he knew about this strange boy who had appeared out of nowhere.
"What... what are you talking about, Yuki?" Makino asked, his voice shaky.
Yuki's grin widened, but it was no longer a friendly expression. It was twisted, almost cruel. "You know exactly what I'm talking about, Makino-kun. You're one of those sad, pathetic people who just want to curl up and die. But you don't get to do that. Not while I'm around."
Makino's fists clenched even tighter, his nails digging into the palms of his hands. He could feel his heart racing, his breaths coming faster and shallower. He didn't know what was happening, but he knew he needed to get away from Yuki, and fast.
He turned to run, but Yuki was too quick. He grabbed Makino's arm, his grip like iron. "Where do you think you're going, Makino-kun? We're just getting started."
Makino struggled against Yuki's grip, but it was no use. The boy was too strong. He tried to scream for help, but his throat was tight, his voice barely a whisper.
Yuki leaned in close, his breath hot against Makino's ear. "You're mine now, Makino-kun. And I'm going to make sure you never forget it."
Makino remembering when Yuki said something similar to him when they had their first encounter, "Since you were saved by us, we now own you".
"You may have reversed time but with that time I spent in that future, I learned that I have power and I will not be played with by you."
"What are you talking about?, you have no power someone like you with no will to live can't have power!"
Makino's arm starting to heat up causing Yuki to let go of his arm.
"You, piece of shit what was that trick."
"I'm not so sure myself yet but I'm sure getting the hang of it."
Yuki getting ready to charge at Makino screaming "you are going to regret not jumping off that bridge."
As Yuki charged towards Makino, he screamed, "You are going to regret not jumping off that bridge!"
Makino braced himself for impact, but just as Yuki was about to strike, Grim emerged from the rift and appeared right behind him, his scythe at the ready.
In a split second, Grim swung his scythe and it connected with the back of Yuki's head, sending him crashing to the ground.
Yuki struggled and flailed in Grim's grip, but it was no use. Grim stood over him, his scythe raised high, ready to strike again.
"You think you can take me on, kid?" Yuki snarled, trying to push Grim away. "I'll show you what a real fighter looks like!"
Grim didn't say a word. He simply swung his scythe, slicing through the air with incredible speed. Yuki barely managed to dodge the attack, rolling out of the way just in time.
The two combatants clashed once again, exchanging blows and dodging each other's attacks. Makino watched in amazement as Grim unleashed a flurry of devastating attacks, each one more powerful than the last.
"Wow," Makino muttered under his breath. "I never knew Grim could be so fierce."
As the battle raged on, Yuki continued to taunt Makino. "Is that all you've got?" he spat. "You and your little summon are nothing compared to me!"
In the end, it was Grim's power that proved too much for Yuki to handle. With a final swing of his scythe, Grim sent Yuki flying through the air, slamming him into a nearby tree.
As Yuki lay motionless against the tree, his eyes began to flicker with a sinister light. Suddenly, a burst of energy surged through his body, and he sprang back to his feet with renewed vigor.
Makino's eyes widened in surprise as Yuki launched himself at Grim once again, his movements faster and more erratic than before. This time, he had a strange energy coursing through his veins, allowing him to move with lightning speed.
Grim met Yuki's attacks head-on, but he could barely keep up with the frenzied onslaught. Yuki's movements were unpredictable and erratic, making it nearly impossible to land a hit.
Makino watched nervously as the two combatants clashed once again, each one determined to emerge victorious. As the battle raged on, Yuki's energy began to wane, and he started to slow down.
Grim saw his opening and seized it. With a quick flick of his scythe, he struck Yuki in the chest, sending him flying backwards with a loud thud.
While Yuki was down he took the time to draw what looks like a summoning circle in the ground with his fingers causing Ishikawa to appear.
Ishikawa looking confused but realizing who I am shouts "What's up Makino."
Yuki screaming at her in a high pitched tone.
"Ishikawa! Makino is the enemy go attack!"
"If that's what you say Yuki, you're wish is my command."
Just before Makino could react, Grim had grabbed him by the arm and was pulling him into the rift. Makino's heart pounded in his chest as he was hurled through the portal, feeling as though he was being ripped apart.
When he emerged on the other side, he found himself in a strange and unfamiliar place. The air was thick with a dark, ominous energy, and he could sense that danger lurked around every corner.
As he looked around, he realized that Grim had brought him here to protect him from Ishikawa, who was no doubt hot on his heels. He could only hope that he would be safe in this strange world.
Grim welcomed Makino to his dimension and explained that he had brought him there to protect him from Ishikawa, who was under Yuki's control and was going to attack him.
Makino asked why he had been brought to Grim's dimension specifically, and Grim explained that it was the safest place he could think of to protect him from harm.
Makino then asked about getting back to his own dimension, and Grim assured him that he would be safely returned as soon as it was possible.
Grim offered to let Makino explore and learn about his world while he was there, and promised to keep a watchful eye on him to ensure his safety. Makino thanked Grim for his help and expressed his appreciation.
Grim took a deep breath and began to speak to Makino about his past. "Back when I was known as Touma Fōrī, I was a lot like you. I struggled with my own inner demons and felt like the world was against me. There were times when I even considered ending my own life."
Makino looked at Grim with surprise. "I had no idea," he said softly.
Grim nodded. "It's not something I talk about often, but I feel like you can relate to what I went through. Like you, I was lost and didn't know where to turn."
Makino listened intently as Grim continued. "But then I found a purpose. I realized that I had the power to make a difference in the world, to help people who were struggling like I was. That's when I became Grim."
Makino nodded thoughtfully. "I understand. That's why you brought me here, isn't it? To help me find my own purpose?"
Grim replied, "Exactly. I want to help you find your own way, just like someone once helped me. You don't have to go through this alone, Makino."
Makino looked at Grim with gratitude. "Thank you, Grim. I appreciate everything you've done for me."
As Makino and Grim continued to talk, Grim noticed that Makino was still uneasy and on edge. To ease his mind, Grim decided to create a weapon for him.
He closed his eyes and focused his mana, forming it into a weapon. The weapon appeared in his hand, with a blade that was partially covered in a thick, black goo that seemed to ooze and drip from the blade.
Grim opened his eyes and handed it to Makino. "This weapon is made of pure mana. It may be of use to you if you find yourself in danger," he said.
Makino took the weapon and examined it closely, feeling the weight and balance of it in his hands. Despite the black goo, he could sense that the weapon was powerful and well-crafted.
"Thank you, Grim," Makino said, feeling grateful for the gesture.
Grim nodded. "You're welcome. It's my pleasure to help you in any way that I can."
As time passed, Makino began to feel more at ease in Grim's dimension. He explored the strange and unfamiliar world, learning about its unique features and inhabitants. And with Grim's guidance, he began to find his own purpose and meaning in life.
Though he still faced challenges and obstacles, Makino knew that he could count on Grim to be by his side, ready to offer support and guidance whenever he needed it. And with the weapon that Grim had created for him, he felt more prepared to face whatever dangers might lie ahead.
"I think I'm ready Grim, let's go fight."