In a deep, dark, and mysterious forest, three young boys ventured cautiously, their hearts pounding with fear at every rustle and shadow. The towering trees loomed overhead, their twisted branches like skeletal fingers blocking out the sun and casting eerie shadows. The forest floor was littered with fallen leaves and the occasional snap of a twig underfoot made the boys jump.
Suddenly, a piercing scream shattered their tense silence, echoing through the trees.
"It's a demon!" the youngest boy cried out, his voice trembling with terror. The chilling scream sent a shiver down everyone's spine. The older boys quickly turned towards the sound, only to see it was just a gnarled, ancient tree, its twisted form grotesquely resembling a monstrous figure. Their fear quickly gave way to irritation.
"Dummy, it's just a tree," the middle boy muttered, rolling his eyes. The oldest boy, his face flushed with a mix of fear and embarrassment, gave the youngest a swift smack on the head.
"You idiot, see? I told you there weren't no demon spirits in this forest," the oldest boy declared, his voice cracking slightly as he tried to muster newfound confidence to replace the fear that had been so evident just moments before.
As they turned to continue their way, a deep, resonant voice echoed from all around them, reverberating through the trees and making their blood run cold. "Pom-Pom-Pom, who dares enter my forest?!"
The boys froze in their tracks, their eyes wide with terror. They huddled together, trembling, as the voice seemed to come from every direction at once.
"We-Were sorry, great demon lord," they stuttered, their voices barely above a whisper. Their legs felt like jelly, and tears streamed down their faces, leaving tracks in the dirt on their cheeks.
The voice continued, dripping with menace. "I should feast on your souls or put a curse on your families!"
The boys shuddered, their imaginations running wild with visions of horrible fates. The oppressive darkness of the forest seemed to close in on them, and the air grew colder.
"But I am feeling quite generous today," the voice boomed. "I command you to strip down to your underwear and dance yourselves back to your town!"
The boys looked at each other in horror, the reality of the humiliating command sinking in. They knew they had no choice but to obey the malevolent spirit's demands if they wanted to escape the forest unscathed. With trembling hands, they began to remove their clothes, shivering not just from the cold but from the sheer terror of the situation. As they started to dance awkwardly through the forest, their faces burning with shame, they could still hear the haunting laughter of the spirit echoing through the trees.
After the boys' embarrassing departure, their frantic footsteps fading into the distance, the eerie demonic laughter gradually transformed into the mischievous giggle of a young boy. Emerging from the dense shrubbery, a teenage boy stepped out, his face alight with amusement.
"What a bunch of idiots," he mocked, his voice dripping with disdain as he watched the boys disappear into the distance, their hurried, awkward dance punctuated by stumbles and whimpers.
He squatted down, eyes scanning the ground with a practiced gaze. A sly grin spread across his face as he began searching for their discarded wallets. His fingers moved deftly, sifting through the underbrush with the precision of someone who had done this many times before.
The boy wore an orange hoodie, the bright fabric vivid even in the dim, filtered light of the forest. The hoodie was slightly oversized, the sleeves hanging down over his hands as he worked. His baggy blue pants swished softly with each movement, the material well-worn and comfortable. Black, open-toe boots covered his feet, the leather scuffed and dirtied from countless forest forays. His mid-length, overgrown, and unkempt spiky orange hair framed his face wildly, with leaves and twigs occasionally snagged in the untamed locks. A small yet noticeable scar cut across his left cheek, adding a hint of menace to his otherwise youthful appearance.
As he rifled through the wallets, his grin widened with each discovery. The first wallet revealed a small trove of coins and crumpled bills, which he pocketed swiftly. The second wallet, slightly more worn, contained a few coins and a small photo of a family, which he tossed aside without a second thought. The third held a mix of small bills and a trinket, which he examined briefly before discarding it.
"So this is what you're doing instead of being in class, huh, Kintaro?" The voice, stern and laced with disappointment, sent a shiver down the boy's spine. His hands paused mid-motion, and his sly grin vanished instantly. He slowly turned his head, dread pooling in his stomach, to see a black-haired woman glaring back at him from the edge of the clearing.
The woman wore a black skirt paired with black leggings and a crisp white button-up shirt. Her hair was styled in a neat ponytail, emphasizing the sharpness of her features. Her eyes, dark and penetrating, bore into him with a mix of anger and disappointment. Kintaro felt a bead of sweat trickle down his face as he met her gaze.
"Sensei Azumi, what are you doing out here?" he asked, his voice wavering. He awkwardly scratched the back of his head, trying to appear nonchalant despite the rising panic within him.
"I could ask you the same," she replied, her tone icy and unforgiving, slicing through his flimsy excuse like a knife through butter. Each word was a hammer blow to his confidence, and he felt himself shrinking under her scrutiny.
Kintaro forced an awkward laugh, hoping to lighten the situation. "Would you believe me if I said I found this money?" His voice cracked slightly, betraying his anxiety. He held up one of the wallets, as if to underscore his point, but the gesture felt weak and unconvincing.
Sensei Azumi's glare intensified, and she took a step forward, closing the distance between them. "You expect me to believe that?" she retorted, her voice dripping with incredulity. The forced laugh died in his throat as she reached out and grabbed him firmly by the ear, her grip unyielding.
Kintaro winced, his face contorting with pain as he was pulled to his feet. "Ow, ow, Sensei! I'm sorry!" he yelped, his bravado completely shattered. He tried to twist away, but her grip was like iron.
"You think this is funny?" she snapped, shaking him slightly for emphasis. "Skipping class, stealing money—do you have any idea how much trouble you're in?"
He hung his head, the reality of his situation sinking in. "I... I just wanted to have some fun," he mumbled, the bravado completely gone from his voice. His earlier confidence seemed like a distant memory as he stood there, thoroughly chastised.
Sensei Azumi sighed, her anger tempered by a hint of disappointment. "You're coming with me, and we're going to return this money. Then, we're going to have a talk. You need to start taking your education—and your behavior—seriously, Kintaro."
She began to march him out of the forest, still holding him by the ear. As they walked, Kintaro couldn't help but glance back at the wallets scattered on the ground, now just remnants of a failed scheme. His heart sank with each step, knowing that the consequences of his actions were just beginning.
————————>
The class giggles at the sight of Kintaro sitting in front of the room arms tied up. Azumi stares at him a vein popping out her forehead. "You got nothing to say for your self Kintaro." The orange-haired haired says nothing but turns his head away from her. Which angers her even further. "You do know tomorrow your classmate will graduate from the academy and you will have to retake this course again?! But you decide to play some stupid tricks now. YOU FOOL!!!" She reprimands the boy but he still remains silent looking more annoyed than sorry for his actions .
Azumi turns to the class and says, " Okay class today we're going to be reviewing the summoning technique!''
"WHAT!!!"The class goes unanimously out after hearing her words.
"I don't wanna hear any whining it's just the basic summoning ." She retorted firmly
———————-
The students reluctantly formed a line and began to perform the summoning technique. The student in front of Kintaro placed both hands together and, with a puff of smoke, a snow-white rabbit with a black horn appeared in front of her.
Azumi, holding a clipboard, checked off the student's name. "Good, next. Kintaro."
She looked at Kintaro, who was standing with his hands in his pockets, his expression one of indifference. "This is all your fault," the student behind him muttered, a few others nodding in agreement.
"Yeah, yeah," the orange-haired boy brushed off their complaints with a dismissive wave.
"Here goes nothing, though." He placed both hands together and spread his legs apart. A blue energy circle formed in front of him, and with a foxy smirk, he shouted, "SUMMON!!"
With a puff of white smoke, a handsome merman appeared in front of him. The merman had shimmering scales, a toned torso, and an enchanting smile. It blew a kiss at Azumi, who was immediately sent flying backward, a nosebleed spraying from her face as she crashed into the blackboard with a loud thud.
The class erupted in a mix of gasps and laughter, the unexpected summoning causing a commotion. Kintaro stood there, a smug grin on his face, as the merman posed dramatically in the center of the classroom.
The merman then disappeared in a puff of smoke, and Kintaro burst into laughter at the sight of his currently unconscious teacher. "I've never seen a reaction like that!" he exclaimed, doubling over with laughter.
However, his mirth was short-lived as Azumi slowly stood up, wiping the blood from her nose. Her eyes blazed with fury, and a palpable wave of anger seemed to radiate from her.
"YOU IDIOT!" she roared, her voice echoing through the classroom. "WHY WOULD SOMEONE WITH THIS MUCH TALENT AND POTENTIAL WASTE IT ON SOMETHING SO STUPID AND IMMATURE?!" Her face was red with rage, and the vein on her forehead throbbed even more intensely.
Kintaro's laughter died instantly, replaced by a sheepish look.
————————————
The sun is now setting and the desk in front of our orange-haired troublemaker is stacked with books. Kintaro looks exhausted and completely tired of the rigorous studying forced on him.
"Your nothing going home until you completely grasp this concept understand?!" He's teacher says while standing infront of his desk arms crossed over her chest.
The boy recovers after hearing her words and glares at her angrily. "So? Not like there's anyone waiting for me there…" He returns to studying.
Hearing her pupil's words her expression softens on him. "You know…if you finish early I'll take you out for some ramen." The young man beams with excitement, "Really master?!" She blushes slightly at his excited expression "Sure!"
.Kintaro's smile widens at her answer. "Why didn't you start with that?! Talk about some serious motivation!" He begins to move his pencil faster.
"Hey, slow down! You're going to make a mistake!" she cries out, smiling.
———————————————
The sun was setting, casting an amber glow through the small study room where Kintaro sat slumped over his desk. His orange hair was tousled, and his face showed sheer exhaustion. Stacks of books towered in front of him, each more daunting than the last. His tired eyes scanned the text, though his focus wavered, and it was clear he had had enough.
"You're not going home until you completely grasp this concept, understand?!" His teacher, arms crossed over her chest, stood in front of him, watching him sternly.
Kintaro glared at her, annoyance clear on his face. "So? It's not like anyone's waiting for me there…" he muttered before reluctantly returning to his studies, pencil scratching across the page.
Hearing his words, her expression softened, her strict demeanor faltering for just a moment. "You know… if you finish early, I'll take you out for some ramen." Her voice was gentler now.
Kintaro's head shot up, his eyes bright with excitement. "Really, Master?!"
A slight blush crept onto her cheeks as she looked away, embarrassed by his eagerness. "Sure," she said, trying to keep her cool.
The boy's grin widened, enthusiasm renewed. "Why didn't you start with that?! Now that's some serious motivation!" He quickly picked up the pace, his pencil moving across the paper in a blur.
"Hey, slow down! You're going to make a mistake!" she called out, smiling despite herself.
---
Night had fallen, and true to her word, they were now seated in a small, cozy ramen shop. The warm, savory aroma filled the air as Kintaro eagerly devoured his bowl, slurping down noodles with unbridled joy. His blissful state, however, was interrupted when his master called his name.
"Kintaro…"
He paused mid-bite, turning his attention to her. Her expression was serious, her voice soft.
"I don't understand… Did I not teach you right from wrong? Why would you do something so idiotic?"
Kintaro hesitated for a moment, his usual brashness replaced by a rare moment of reflection. "Because I'm tired of not being respected by everyone in the village," he finally said, continuing to eat, though slower this time.
She frowned, her disappointment palpable. "So, you decided to steal and play pranks on people?"
His response came with a mischievous grin, a dark glint in his eye as he giggled. "Respect through fear is still respect, isn't it, Teach?"
His master shook her head, letting out a short laugh. "No, it's not."
She took a sip of sake, watching him in silence for a moment. Then, Kintaro turned to her again, his expression suddenly more serious. "Master, can I ask you a favor?"
She raised an eyebrow, not sure where this was going. "Yeah?"
He clasped his hands together, swiveling his stool to face her directly. "Do you think I could have your sorcerer pin?"
A brief silence fell between them as his master regarded him carefully. Finally, she pulled the small gold and black button off her sleeve, holding it up for him to see. The pin was intricately designed, a wide cross with spheres at each end, polished to a soft gleam.
"This old thing… I remember when I got it after my graduation," she mused, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "And no, you can't have it. Hopefully, you'll earn your own tomorrow when you graduate."
Kintaro groaned dramatically, his shoulders slumping. "Oh, come on, Master, just for a little bit…"
But she was already standing up, preparing to leave. "No, Kintaro. You have to earn it, just like respect. You can't get it just because you want it."
He let out a deep sigh, deflated. "What a bummer…" he mumbled, his words muffled by another mouthful of ramen.
His master glanced back at him, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Hurry up and eat. Go home and get some rest, Kintaro."
With that, she left the shop, the door jingling behind her. Alone now, Kintaro turned back to his ramen, though with noticeably less enthusiasm than before. "What a bummer…" he muttered again, finishing his meal in the quiet warmth of the small ramen shop.
"You know she's right."
Kintaro froze mid-slurp, his eyes darting around the small ramen shop in search of the mysterious voice. His gaze landed on a cloaked figure seated just a few seats down from him at the bar. Kintaro narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"And who the hell are you?" His tone was sharp, bordering on aggressive. The figure reached up, pulling back his hood to reveal a man with long white hair, fading smoothly into black at the tips. He wore a loose, baggy black sweater and matching pants, with black open-toe boots. A sorcerer's pin gleamed on his sleeve.
"My name is Baku," the man said with a smile that barely touched his eyes. "I'm a sorcerer."
Kintaro eyed him up and down, his eyes lingering on the sorcerer's pin. His suspicion hadn't faded. "What do you want?"
Baku's smile broadened. "Well, I couldn't help but overhear your conversation with your master. She's right—you can't just take respect. You have to earn it. And the best way to earn respect is by gaining strength."
The mention of strength grabbed Kintaro's attention. The boy shifted slightly, his interest piqued. "And how can I gain that strength?" His tone was more curious now, a hint of vulnerability creeping in.
Baku's eyes gleamed. "I'm looking for an apprentice," he said smoothly. "I could give you a few lessons to help with your final test tomorrow."
Silence stretched between them as Kintaro considered the offer. His mind was spinning, torn between hesitation and hope. After a beat, he clenched his fists, determination flashing across his face. "Let's do it!" he said, brimming with enthusiasm.
Baku grinned widely. "Great. Let's get started now."
---
The pair now stood in an open field under the moonlit sky. A single lamp and the pale glow of the moon above were the only sources of light, casting long shadows over the grass. The air was crisp and quiet.
"First, Kintaro, I will perform a technique that should awaken any dormant spirit inside you," Baku explained, his dark cloak blending into the night. His voice was calm but carried an edge of something dangerous.
"Awaken a what now?" Kintaro's face twisted in confusion.
Seeing the boy's expression, Baku chuckled lightly. "Any spirit that's been sealed within you," he explained. "If there is a spirit, you should be able to use its soul technique. For example…"
Without warning, the ground in front of Baku shifted, and a bamboo shoot burst from the soil, rapidly growing into a towering tree. "My soul technique comes from a panda spirit, allowing me to generate and control bamboo. It's what makes me a sorcerer."
Kintaro's confusion melted away as understanding dawned on him. His eyes widened as he stared at the bamboo tree, awe and excitement lighting up his face. "So I could become a sorcerer too with something like that, right?!" His voice brimmed with excitement and a touch of desperation, his hopes suddenly tangible.
"Maybe," Baku replied, his tone cautious. "But don't get your hopes up too quickly."
Kintaro nodded eagerly, his dreams seeming closer than ever. Baku approached him, placing a hand on the boy's forehead. He began chanting quietly under his breath, and as he did, a red glowing circle formed around them. The circle pulsed with energy, then faded as quickly as it had appeared.
Baku stepped back, his breath slightly heavier than before. "Do you feel any different…?" His voice was slower now, as if weary.
Kintaro clenched and unclenched his fists, testing for some new sensation. After a few moments of silence, frustration boiled over. "WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT WEAK SAUCE!? I DON'T FEEL ANY DIFFERENT!" His voice echoed through the empty field as he yelled and cursed, his anger flaring before he stormed off into the night.
Baku remained where he stood, watching the boy's retreating figure. Slowly, he looked down at his palm, where a faint purplish burn mark had formed. His expression shifted, a devilish grin creeping across his face.
"It's true… it's finally happening. I've found him... I've found you… Tenebris."
The bamboo around him shot up from the ground once more, encircling him briefly before vanishing back into the earth. When the bamboo receded, Baku was gone, leaving nothing but the empty night in his wake."You know she's right."
Kintaro froze mid-slurp, his eyes darting around the small ramen shop in search of the mysterious voice. His gaze landed on a cloaked figure seated just a few seats down from him at the bar. Kintaro narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"And who the hell are you?" His tone was sharp, bordering on aggressive. The figure reached up, pulling back his hood to reveal a man with long white hair, fading smoothly into black at the tips. He wore a loose, baggy black sweater and matching pants, with black open-toe boots. A sorcerer's pin gleamed on his sleeve.
"My name is Baku," the man said with a smile that barely touched his eyes. "I'm a sorcerer."
Kintaro eyed him up and down, his eyes lingering on the sorcerer's pin. His suspicion hadn't faded. "What do you want?"
Baku's smile broadened. "Well, I couldn't help but overhear your conversation with your master. She's right—you can't just take respect. You have to earn it. And the best way to earn respect is by gaining strength."
The mention of strength grabbed Kintaro's attention. The boy shifted slightly, his interest piqued. "And how can I gain that strength?" His tone was more curious now, a hint of vulnerability creeping in.
Baku's eyes gleamed. "I'm looking for an apprentice," he said smoothly. "I could give you a few lessons to help with your final test tomorrow."
Silence stretched between them as Kintaro considered the offer. His mind was spinning, torn between hesitation and hope. After a beat, he clenched his fists, determination flashing across his face. "Let's do it!" he said, brimming with enthusiasm.
Baku grinned widely. "Great. Let's get started now."
---
The pair now stood in an open field under the moonlit sky. A single lamp and the pale glow of the moon above were the only sources of light, casting long shadows over the grass. The air was crisp and quiet.
"First, Kintaro, I will perform a technique that should awaken any dormant spirit inside you," Baku explained, his dark cloak blending into the night. His voice was calm but carried an edge of something dangerous.
"Awaken a what now?" Kintaro's face twisted in confusion.
Seeing the boy's expression, Baku chuckled lightly. "Any spirit that's been sealed within you," he explained. "If there is a spirit, you should be able to use its soul technique. For example…"
Without warning, the ground in front of Baku shifted, and a bamboo shoot burst from the soil, rapidly growing into a towering tree. "My soul technique comes from a panda spirit, allowing me to generate and control bamboo. It's what makes me a sorcerer."
Kintaro's confusion melted away as understanding dawned on him. His eyes widened as he stared at the bamboo tree, awe and excitement lighting up his face. "So I could become a sorcerer too with something like that, right?!" His voice brimmed with excitement and a touch of desperation, his hopes suddenly tangible.
"Maybe," Baku replied, his tone cautious. "But don't get your hopes up too quickly."
Kintaro nodded eagerly, his dreams seeming closer than ever. Baku approached him, placing a hand on the boy's forehead. He began chanting quietly under his breath, and as he did, a red glowing circle formed around them. The circle pulsed with energy, then faded as quickly as it had appeared.
Baku stepped back, his breath slightly heavier than before. "Do you feel any different…?" His voice was slower now, as if weary.
Kintaro clenched and unclenched his fists, testing for some new sensation. After a few moments of silence, frustration boiled over. "WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT WEAK SAUCE!? I DON'T FEEL ANY DIFFERENT!" His voice echoed through the empty field as he yelled and cursed, his anger flaring before he stormed off into the night.
Baku remained where he stood, watching the boy's retreating figure. Slowly, he looked down at his palm, where a faint purplish burn mark had formed. His expression shifted, a devilish grin creeping across his face.
"It's true… it's finally happening. I've found him... I've found you… Tenebris."
The bamboo around him shot up from the ground once more, encircling him briefly before vanishing back into the earth. When the bamboo receded, Baku was gone, leaving nothing but the empty night in his wake.
—————
The morning of the final exam had arrived, and Kintaro paced nervously around the classroom. His mind raced as the weight of graduation loomed over him. Sensei Azumi stood at the front of the class, talking quietly with another teacher as the students buzzed with energy. Suddenly, a girl rushed past him, nearly knocking him off balance.
"Hey, watch it!" he called out, but she didn't hear him, already lost in the crowd of girls that had gathered near the back of the classroom, surrounding someone with gifts in hand.
Kintaro sighed, knowing exactly who they were fussing over. "Of course, it's him..." His eyes narrowed as the crowd parted, revealing Chino Tanka. The handsome, pale-skinned boy sat at his desk, utterly indifferent to the chaos around him. His snow-white hair was perfectly styled, his calm, almost aloof expression only fueling the adoration of the girls clamoring for his attention. Chino's outfit consisted of a pair of black tobi pants and a dark blue high-collar t-shirt, with white bandages wrapped around his arms, creating a question of where he got them. This ensemble only fed into his mysterious aura.
The classroom buzzed with excitement, whispers and giggles filling the air as students jostled for a better view of Chino. Despite the commotion, he remained focused on the book in front of him, seemingly oblivious to the attention he was receiving. His slender fingers turned the pages with deliberate grace, each movement studied and precise.
Kintaro couldn't help but feel a twinge of annoyance. What was it about Chino that drove everyone wild? Sure, he was good-looking, but his aloof demeanor bordered on rude. As Kintaro watched, he noticed how Chino's eyes, a striking shade of black and yellow, occasionally flickered towards the crowd, betraying a hint of awareness beneath his cool exterior.
A girl from the front row, emboldened by Chino's momentary glance, stepped forward. "Um, Chino-kun," she stammered, her cheeks flushed, "would you like to join us for lunch today?"
The room fell silent, all eyes on Chino as they awaited his response. He slowly closed his book, his gaze meeting the girl's for a brief moment before he spoke.
"Chino, please accept my farewell gift!" one girl begged, shoving a present toward him. Another girl pushed her aside before he could answer , determined to hand hers over first.
Kintaro glared at the scene, his blood boiling. "Damned Chino Tanka... thinks he's so cool!" His frustration built until he couldn't hold it in anymore. He stormed through the crowd of girls, pushing his way to Chino's desk.
"What are you doing, stupid Kintaro?!" one of the girls shrieked, shocked by his boldness. All eyes were now on the two boys. Chino barely glanced up from his book, his expression bored and unimpressed.
Suddenly, Kintaro slapped his hand down on Chino's desk with a loud thud, drawing gasps from the onlookers. Chino finally turned to look at him, his eyes cold and indifferent.
"What do you think you're doing, loser?" Chino asked, his voice cutting like ice.
The insult sent a jolt of anger through Kintaro, and without thinking, he blurted out, "Fight me!"
The entire classroom fell into an awkward silence. A few whispered to each other, stifling laughs.
"Hasn't he lost like over a hundred times to him?" someone muttered.
"Yeah, if I lost that many times, I'd just give up," another whispered.
Kintaro heard every word, but he was too furious to care. His fists clenched at his sides as the humiliation sank in. Chino's voice broke through the noise.
"You've lost a hundred and ten times. Just give up—you'll never win." His tone was dismissive, like he didn't even see Kintaro as a challenge.
Kintaro's face twisted with rage. "I won't give up until I wipe that smug look off your face!" His voice rang out louder than he intended, catching the attention of Sensei Azumi at the front of the room.
"Alright, alright, let's settle down, class!" Sensei Azumi's voice cut through the tension, bringing the staring contest between the two boys to an end. Kintaro returned to his seat, still fuming.
Azumi's eyes turned to Chino. "Chino, you don't have to take today's test. Please head to room 303."
Kintaro's head shot up, frowning deeply. "Why doesn't he have to take the test like the rest of us?"
Azumi sighed, clearly annoyed by the question. "Chino is the only one who's passed every exam with perfect scores and fully grasped every concept. Unlike you, Kintaro, who has struggled on every single one."
The class giggled at the comment, and Kintaro slumped further into his seat, sulking as Chino gathered his things and walked out of the classroom, completely unbothered by the exchange.
"Now, everyone get into your seats so we can—"
Azumi's instructions were interrupted by Kintaro's sudden voice. "Miss, can I use the bathroom?"
She frowned, eyeing him skeptically. "Just before our test?"
"Yes," he responded quickly, trying to sound urgent.
Azumi's eyes narrowed, searching his face for any signs of deceit. "Be quick."
With a smile, Kintaro bolted out of the classroom, thanking her on the way out. He had no intention of returning.
As he roamed the hallways, aimlessly avoiding the inevitable test, he stumbled upon the door to room 303. Peeking through the small window, he saw a small group of students sitting quietly, including Chino. Kintaro couldn't make out exactly what was happening inside, but his curiosity got the better of him.
Scanning the hallway, he spotted an air vent nearby. His mind made up, he grinned and quickly began climbing into the vent, ready to spy on whatever was happening in room 303, hoping he might discover something that would give him an edge.
————-
Inside the grand chamber, Chino kneeled, head slightly bowed in reverence to the woman before him. Her face was obscured by a wide sunhat, though her long blue hair cascaded down like waterfalls on either side, framing her delicate features. A cropped kimono jacket draped over her shoulders, while a tight black dress hugged her figure. Despite the tension in the room, her demeanor was lighthearted, a stark contrast to the bowed silence of those around her. A smirk played on her crimson lips as her gaze fell on Chino.
"Chino Tanka," she said, her tone cheerful, "it is a great pleasure to meet you."
Chino raised his head slightly, meeting her gaze—or rather, half of it. One of her striking blackish-grey eyes was hidden beneath a long bang of blue hair. Her beauty was undeniable, captivating, but there was something unnerving about the casual dominance she radiated.
"Thank you very much, Lord Samunami," he replied, his voice steady, though his jaw clenched momentarily at the mention of his clan.
Her smirk deepened. "I've heard great things about you from your teachers. I would expect nothing less from someone of such a high-regarded clan." Her words caused Chino's face to tighten further, but she continued, unbothered. "I hope you will make a fine addition to my new merry band of young sorcerers across the kingdom."
She clapped her hands together, smiling brightly, causing some of the men in the room to blush. Her beauty was disarming, but Chino wasn't fooled. His focus was sharp. "Shall we begin the test?" she asked, her voice lilting.
The room fell silent as Chino stood. All eyes were on him. Taking a deep breath, he raised his hands parallel to each other. A moment of stillness hung in the air before, with a sudden crackle, lightning shot from his palms, arcing between them. It surged out, forming a shimmering ball of electricity that surrounded him, its brightness forcing some to shield their eyes. Lord Samunami, however, watched on with unblinking interest.
In the vent above, unbeknownst to them, Kintaro watched, hidden but tense. Below, Chino's performance continued. He unleashed bolts of lightning with precision, striking each target in the room with pinpoint accuracy. His movements were swift, deliberate, and powerful. Every flick of his wrist and surge of lightning was noted down by the scribes in attendance.
Samunami raised her hand, and Chino ceased his attacks immediately. The room held its collective breath.
"I can tell you have great potential, Chino Tanka," she said, her voice dripping with approval. "I would be honored to have you in—"
Before she could finish, the ceiling above them gave way with a loud crash. From the billowing smoke and debris, a figure tumbled to the ground.
"*Cough, cough.* Ow."
Kintaro groaned as he staggered to his feet, brushing off dust. The entire room stared in shocked silence, jaws slack. The tension was broken by the sound of Lord Samunami's laughter—a rich, amused sound that echoed off the walls.
"And who might you be?~" she asked, her voice teasing but intrigued.
Kintaro straightened up, wincing slightly from his fall. "Kintaro," he muttered, his tone pained but defiant.
"Kintaro...?" She leaned forward in her seat, clearly awaiting a last name to complete the introduction. Her interest was fully captured now.
Kintaro, still recovering, shook his head slightly. "I don't have a last name."
For a moment, there was only silence, as the room took in this unexpected visitor. Lord Samunami, however, continued to smile, her amusement only growing.
"No last name, huh~?" Lord Samunami's voice oozed with amusement as she tilted her head, her blue hair cascading down like waterfalls from under her wide sunhat. "So, what are you doing here, just Kintaro?"
Kintaro sat up, brushing off the dust from his clothes, feeling the weight of her gaze as Chino stared at him, his expression a mix of surprise and barely hidden frustration.
"I came here to ask you to consider me for this group of sorcerers." Kintaro's voice was firm, more serious than before. He met her eyes, trying to keep his nerves under control.
Lord Samunami eyed him up and down before a small smirk appeared on her lips. "Heh, I can consider you." Kintaro's heart leapt, and his face brightened, but Chino stayed quiet, observing the exchange with a furrowed brow. "But… do you have a soul technique?"
Her question hit him like a punch to the gut. His expression faltered, the confidence draining as quickly as it came. He scratched the back of his head nervously. "I… I don't know." He let out a nervous chuckle, trying to shake off the tension building in his chest. He prayed silently that she wouldn't dismiss him outright.
Before she could respond, he blurted out, "But I'm sure if I do the same test that Chino did, it'll activate… maybe?"
Her soft chuckle was both amused and dismissive. But, to Kintaro's relief, she didn't shut him down immediately. Instead, she leaned back, crossing her arms and nodding for him to go ahead. "Alright, let's see it."
Kintaro gulped and squared his shoulders. He was nervous, but he couldn't afford to back down now. He attempted every trick he could think of. First, he tried to fly—leaping into the air with all his might, only to crash to the ground on his butt.
A few of the other students snickered, but he wasn't deterred. He dusted himself off and tried again. This time, he sprinted forward, hoping to unlock some sort of super speed. Instead, he tripped and tumbled face-first into the ground.
The room filled with soft murmurs, and Kintaro could feel his face heating up in embarrassment. Lord Samunami remained quiet but her once amused smirk began to fade.
Determined not to give up, Kintaro stood again, this time focusing hard on his hands, willing fire to shoot from his fingertips. He extended his arms, his brows furrowing in concentration… but nothing happened. Just silence.
At this point, Kintaro could feel the sting of tears threatening to well up in his eyes. His heart pounded in his chest as the weight of failure crashed down on him. He knew what was coming.
Lord Samunami's expression shifted to something more serious, almost sympathetic. She stood up from her seat and walked over to him, placing a hand gently on his shoulder. "I'm afraid it seems you have no spirit," she said softly, her tone gentle, but firm. "Being a sorcerer isn't for everyone, kid. Don't take it too hard, maybe you'll find something better for yourself."
As she continued speaking, her words began to blur in Kintaro's ears. The whispers around them grew louder, more biting.
"Why is he even in a school with real sorcerers?"
"He's failed so many times… such a loser."
"It's because he doesn't have any parents—no one to teach him anything."
His fists clenched, his nails digging into his palms. Rage boiled up inside him, bubbling just beneath the surface. Before he knew it, he'd shrugged off her hand and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.
He didn't stop, didn't look back. He just kept walking, his heart pounding with anger and humiliation, the words of those around him repeating in his head like a cruel mantra.
He doesn't bother even going back to class instead he goes to the near by forest near the school. The falling orange leaves paint a calming light taking his mind off his anger. He sits underneath and a tree looking up at the clear sunny sky. "It didn't go well did it?" He looks forward to see Baku standing a few yards infront of him with a smile. "Baku?" He's very confused on how he found him all the way out here. "What are you doing out—- "
His words are stoped in his throat as a bamboo shoots out the side of his body.
"W-What the hell?" Blood trickled from the corners of Kintaro's lips as he looked down in shock at the bamboo shaft piercing his side. His vision swam, and he gasped for air. Baku's soft giggles turned into full-blown laughter, dark and twisted, as he sighed.
"I meant to aim for your heart," Baku chuckled, shaking his head with a mocking tone. "Guess my aim's getting a little rusty. At least I get to drop this form."
Kintaro stared in confusion and pain, his mind racing as he tried to comprehend the situation. His breath came in ragged gasps, but his fear escalated when Baku's body began to contort. Massive, gorilla-like arms erupted from his back, his skin tearing away to reveal the true form beneath—a monstrous creature, a fusion of human and beast with the unmistakable markings of a panda spirit.
"Finally!" Baku bellowed, his wicked grin revealing rows of sharp teeth. Each thunderous step he took towards Kintaro shook the ground, amplifying the hero's sense of helplessness.
Kintaro struggled against the bamboo shoot piercing his body, but the searing pain overwhelmed his efforts. His mind raced, searching for a way out of this dire situation as fear and adrenaline surged through his veins.
Just as hope seemed lost, the air suddenly erupted with a deafening explosion. A blinding flash struck the side of Baku's face, obliterating the right side of his monstrous head. The impact sent the beast stumbling backward, unleashing a bone-chilling howl of rage that echoed through the battlefield.
As the smoke cleared, Kintaro's eyes darted around, seeking the source of this unexpected intervention. Who or what had come to his aid in this crucial moment? The tide of battle had shifted, but the danger was far from over. Baku, though injured, was still a formidable foe, and Kintaro remained trapped by the bamboo shoot.
The hero's mind raced with questions: Who had launched that attack? Could he free himself before Baku recovered? And most importantly, how could he defeat this monstrous version of his former friend?
His master, Azumi rushes out of the treeline!!!
Kintaro looks in shock as hes teacher comes to hes supposed rescue. "S-Sensi?"He mutters as he whirls in pain. "Who've only came to die!" Baku roars as several bamboo sticks shoot out as high speed from his body. Which are dodge by Azumi who responds with own attack, forming a ball of fire in her palm and throwing it at Baku. Exploding in a large ball of fire on his body.
'How did a spirit get this close to the village with out someone noticing.' She complains mentally as she sweats she continues her internal thoughts. 'Why did I even come out here I should've got someone that can actually handle this. My soul technique isn't strong enough to take this guy down…damnit Kintaro why couldn't you just stay in class!'
She lunges high into the sky avoiding Baku's attack. She lands right next to Kintaro and with one swift chop cuts the the bamboo shaft in half.
Pulling him off him the shaft she lays him on the ground. "NO!" Baku growls as he turns to face their direction he's wounds fully healed. "This is gonna hurt a bit ok Kintaro ?" He nods as she using her power to cauterize his wound. "W-What is that!?"He says in pain , gesturing towards the creature infront of them. "Its a spirit. But that's not important right now Kintaro, listen, I want you to run and go get help. " She says lifting him to his feet. "But what about you ? " He says a hint of desperation in his voice. "I'll be fine. Go."
She says with a serious tone he knows she's lying but turns around and begins to run.
She turns to face Baku whose foaming at the mouth they face each other in silence then the begin their battle. Her attacks land but do no lasting damage his attacks are deavasting. She's swatted into a tree but one of his large hands her clothes are torn and bloody. "You've proven rather annoying with this resistance of yours...but still i question youe actions. Why, why do fight for a person you hate?"
She looks up him her vision blurred, "What are you talking about?" He exhales sharply in disappointment in her denial. "I've seen how you townspeople have treated that boy. And it's proven rather hilarious seeing as they don't know what's inside him. " He chuckles with sickening glee.
Azumi looks a bit shocked but quickly recovers herself, "And…you would?" There's a short pause before he speaks. "Yes I would, that boy holds the calamity within himself… Temebris."
She falls silent at the sound of that name, and unknowingly to them Kintaro does too.
He listens from behind a tree evesdroping on their conversation. 'Temebris! T-The great demon lord?! And he's…in me and that's why nobody likes me..? ' He clenches his fists and bites his lips holding in his anger.
"And what is your point for bringing this up..?" She ask her voice pained and tired, he simply smiled. "Just curious why you would risk your life for someone you hate rather counter effective for you."
Kintaro almost began to rage when he heard her words.
"I don't know where you got that information but it's false… While Kintaro can be very very annoying and disrespectful. I can't hate him because I know who he truly is…unlike anyone else in this village I see the hard working version of him, the version of him that'll never give up and will find a way to achieve his goals no matter what! "
Her words spark something in the boy as he wipes away his tears an energy flares out of him.
"What a touching memorial I'm sure it would've been good on your grave stone." He chuckled and raised a paw. As Azumi closed her eyes, accepting her fate, a flash of orange light erupted between her and Baku. Kintaro materialized, his fist connecting with Baku's face, sending the monstrous panda stumbling backward.
"How...?" Baku murmured, more shocked than pained by Kintaro's sudden appearance.
Kintaro glared at Baku, his body radiating with newfound energy. He took a low stance, his voice filled with determination. "Don't you ever touch my master again, you bastard."
A slince fell between the two opponents
Baku's surprise quickly turned to amusement. He let out a sinister laugh. "Kukuku, just because you've unlocked some form of soul technique doesn't mean you're a threat to me of any kind."
But Kintaro was already on the move. In a blink, he vanished, reappearing next to Baku to deliver another powerful blow. The forest echoed with the sounds of their battle as Kintaro unleashed a flurry of attacks, each one finding its mark. Baku, caught off guard by the boy's sudden increase in speed and strength, found himself on the defensive, unable to predict or counter Kintaro's movements.
Azumi watched in awe as her student, who just moments ago had been helpless against Baku's might, now moved with incredible speed and precision. Kintaro's body seemed to flicker in and out of existence, leaving trails of orange light in his wake as he struck Baku from all angles.
Baku's confident demeanor began to crack. His massive form, once intimidating, now seemed slow and cumbersome compared to Kintaro's lightning-fast movements. 'How did he unlock this power?!' Baku's thoughts raced as he struggled to keep up with the barrage of attacks.
The battle continued for that way for a long period, Baku left beaten and batted. But still he's defenses remained up and Kintaros second wind started to slow down.
While he did have the power of a sorcerer he lacked the experience to deal long lasting damage to the panda spirit.
And Baku was a clever demon so when Kintaro had appeared once again next him to attack. He struck landing a upper cut to Kintaros chest sending him into the air with its power.
Taking advantage of this Baku launched himself with bamboo shoots grabbing the boy in the air.
He's strong and large paw almost crushed him , and slammed the boy into the ground. Causing a huge shock wave to spread out from the crater.
Baku smiles as he looks down at the unconscious body of the boy. And Azumi puts her down in shame. "I'm sorry…so sorry…Kintaro!" Tears roll down her face, meanwhile Baku laughs proud of his victory.
"That was a great last stand but in the end meaningless." He licks him up with his large paw his jaw opens to abnormal sizes as he bring him to his mouth.
Then suddenly he drops him jumping back far, a cold sweat drenching his form. Pupils dilated in fear as he simply stares at the unconscious body of Kintaro.
Nothing different about the young delinquent.
At least that's what I want to say as a small eye lid forms and opens on his cheek. Pure white pupil with a black dot in the middle a thick black border circle around it.
"Finally…"
*To be Continued later…..*