Izuru stirred, his head throbbing as he regained consciousness.
Blinking away the haze, he focused on the room, spotting Nagisa seated by his bedside. Her expression, a mix of concern and amusement, greeted him.
That witch knocked me out, didn't she?
Izuru muttered, casting a distasteful glance around, his eyes perpetually dark and baggy from countless sleepless nights.
His voice carried a cynical edge, a reflection of his chronic exhaustion and jaded outlook. Nagisa's lips twitched into a small smile.
If you're referring to Granny Kiyoko, then yes, she did. And she's right, you know, Nagisa added, her concern evident.
If the exams are as dangerous as she says, then you won't stand a chance.
Izuru smirked mischievously, though his usual energy was dulled by exhaustion, tilting his head slowly.
Awe, you care about me? How touching.
Nagisa's eyebrows furrowed. Not a chance! I just don't want to find you dead in a ditch.
Izuru pushed himself up lethargically, ignoring Nagisa's warning.
I appreciate your concern, but I can't keep prolonging my journey, so I'm out of here.
As Izuru approached the window, Nagisa's voice became urgent.
Hey, you shouldn't do that! But Izuru brushed off her concerns.
Don't worry, I've done this plenty of times, he said, though his movements were sluggish and tired, a hint of cynicism in his tone.
Besides, what's the worst that could happen? Oh right, this.
As he attempted to leap out the window, a smoky barrier sent him crashing back into the room with a loud thud.
Nagisa's voice held a hint of smugness.
I told you so. What was that? Izuru questioned, bewildered.
That was one of Grandma's sigils, Nagisa explained. Her manifestation allows her to control smoke.
Izuru whispered, Just how powerful is that old hag? Powerful enough to tell a youngin' like you to sit down, the elderly woman interjected with a chuckle.
When did you get here, Grandma?
Just now. I can feel it when someone tries to break my barrier. Typically it's a drunken fool or someone who didn't react to the medicine well, but somehow I knew it was you, so I came to watch our extra special guest.
Damnit, old hag, let me go, Izuru hissed in a passive-aggressive tone, his eyes weary and dark from chronic lack of sleep. My wounds are fine. I need to go or I'll miss my chance. Brat, why are you in such a rush to die? I already told you I—
Before he could respond, Granny Kiyoko interrupted. You won't be able to fulfill your promise regardless if you're six feet under. Granny's right. Why can't you take the exam next time, when you're ready and fully healed? I can't. The exam is held once every year in a different location each time. I was lucky to find the location. For years I've scoured the country, going from town to town looking for the exam, but I've failed every time—except this time. I don't know if I'll ever get this chance again.
Granny Kiyoko breathed out a fresh puff of smoke. I'm still not letting you go.
This is a waste of time, Izuru thought in frustration.
I should just break out of the old bat's smoke and run.
Izuru called on the spriggans around him. Spriggans of water, heed my call…
Suddenly, a breath of smoke interrupted his summoning.
You didn't think I'd let you, did you?
Smoke chains wrapped around Izuru, and his body became heavy.
Granny Kiyoko's eyes glinted with authority.
You're staying put until I say otherwise. She continued, her tone growing serious. I've seen many like you—foolish and naive—thinking if they just tried, they'd somehow pass that death trap of a test. But not one of them came back. Parents, friends, uncles, sons—they are all gone. Now you, a foolish adolescent brat who barely made it out of critical condition two days ago, want to join that list. I'm sorry, but I won't let you. You'll have to defeat me first. Otherwise, don't worry about when you're healed or the next year. I'll keep you locked up in chains of smoke until you die of old age.
Izuru's eyes widened in shock at the revelation, and he started to get angry. The spriggans around him reacted to his emotions, swarming around, their presence intensifying. The smoke around his neck dissipated as he channeled his frustration, but he didn't attempt to break out or leave this time. Instead, his golden copper eyes locked onto Granny Kiyoko's. You're on, he declared, his voice steady but perpetually drained, filled with determination. Sure, why not add one more lost cause to my list of failures?
Granny Kiyoko's eyes narrowed as she evaluated him. You think you have what it takes to defeat me, boy? she challenged, the corners of her mouth curling into a small, knowing smile. Izuru nodded, though his movements were weary. I have to. Even if I could break out of this barrier you'd drag me back. If I don't take this exam now, I may never get another chance. And I have a promise to keep. Another promise I'll probably fail to keep, he thought to himself.
For a moment, the room was silent, the tension palpable. Nagisa watched with wide eyes, torn between worry and fascination. Granny Kiyoko took another drag from her pipe, the smoke swirling around her like a living entity. Very well, then, she said finally. If you're that determined, I'll give you a chance. But know this: I won't go easy on you. If you want to leave here, you'll have to earn it. We'll meet outside the town by the old cherry blossom tree. Girly, you will be the witness. Both Nagisa and Izuru nodded in understanding.
The hours flowed quickly throughout the day, and eventually the time for the battle arrived. Brat, I'll give you one last chance. You may not be able to walk for a long time after this, the old woman said ferociously. Izuru braced himself, feeling the spriggans' energy coursing through him. I'm ready, he replied, though his voice sounded drained. Bring on the pain. It's not like I'm a stranger to it.
The air grew thick with tension as the old healer and the determined young warrior faced off. Nagisa looked in both Granny Kiyoko's and Izuru's eyes. This will be a simple match. However, those who concede defeat or are determined to not be fit for battle will be counted as the loser, and according to the agreement will have to hold their end of the contract. Are there any objections? Izuru nodded slightly in Nagisa's direction, then focused entirely on Granny Kiyoko. Let's do this. Then if both combatants are ready, begin.
Izuru immediately began chanting. Great spriggans of water heed my call, and protect my fists according to the celestial contract. Water barrier: Impact mode. Like when he fought the ifrit, a galaxy of spirits swarmed around Izuru before condensing into ethereal paper cranes and then ribbon-like blades around his hands.
The old woman didn't speak or say a word, she only stood there looking at the boy with her typical all-knowing smoke, and then puffed out a breath of smoke that seemed to have a will of its own. It's as I thought, you can silently cast, Izuru spoke in reverence. Granny Kiyoko chuckled, If you're done with your show then let's begin. I have some fresh tea leaves that I wanted to drink tonight.
Izuru internally calmed himself despite her obvious taunts. I've got to calm down and reassess. She's able to silently cast her skills, so she has the advantage in speed. That means I probably won't be able to switch between my first and second sigils. I'll have to rely on bladeless flow. Making up his mind, Izuru charged at the old woman swiftly but was met with whips of smoke chains. That won't work a second time, he spouted out. Bladeless flow: blade dance. Izuru gracefully rotated and made it past the chains.
That's a nice little trick for a ballerina, but this old woman has a few tricks up her sleeves, Granny Kiyoko said with a grin. Suddenly, from the thick smoke chains Izuru dodged earlier, another web of chains spread, catching the boy by surprise. Narrowly, he dodged the attack and closed the distance on her. It's time now. Izuru jumped in the air, avoiding the last sprinkles of smoke chains that tried to ensnare him, but was met with a barrier of chains protecting the old woman. Yet, Izuru still smiled. I've got you now, he said with a devious smirk. Third time's the charm, right?
Elegantly, he rotated in the air, spinning so fast he looked like he was moving in slow motion, and his hands disappeared, turning into a violently rotating blue wheel. Bladeless flow: Pinwheel dance. Like a shredder, he made quick work of his opponent's shield, tearing it to pieces and landing in front of Granny Kiyoko with a cold face, his weapons pointed at her throat. I win, he said triumphantly.
However, Granny Kiyoko didn't frown. Instead, she smiled with a hint of sass. Didn
't I say I had a few tricks up my sleeve? Quickly, the chains that Izuru shredded to pieces expanded and turned into a violent web, entangling and strangling him. Looks like I win this time, punk, Granny Kiyoko said triumphantly, and you won't be leaving this town.
Unwilling to admit his loss, Izuru desperately tried to break through the chains, but the more he tried to, the more they tightened. I won't give up. I'll beat you one day, and I'll leave this town, Izuru said with a determined look, though his eyes were heavy with exhaustion.
I hope you will. The student must surpass the master after all, Granny Kiyoko said with a sly grin. Izuru shot the old woman with a confused look.
Although I don't want you to go on that suicide quest, I know I can't stop you. Besides, how would I stop you? I'm an old woman, you know, she said with a cackle and a puff of her pipe. So I'll train you, but be prepared. I don't know what type of training you've been doing thus far, but I'll let you know it will be at least fifty times harder. Hmm, maybe you will die before me with what I've got in store for you, she said with a devilish grin.