The morning sun had barely crested the mountains surrounding the academy when I found myself in the dormitory’s backyard, the dewy grass cold beneath my bare feet. It had been exactly twenty-four hours since I’d encountered that mysterious man who claimed to be Kaito’s friend, his words still echoing in my mind like a half-remembered dream. Now, though, my focus was entirely on the third-year standing across from me, his amber eyes watching me with a mixture of curiosity and patience.

  “Kazenagi Ren,” Kenji Saionji said, adjusting the dark blue sash around his waist that marked him as a senior student of the academy, “you said you wanted to show me this technique you invented. Kyomu Danretsu, was it?”

  I nodded, gripping the hilt of my sword with both hands. The weapon felt warm against my palms, as if it were already responding to the energy building inside me. “I’ve been working on it for months now. The first time I tried to demonstrate it in front of the whole class, it, well, you already know what happened.”

  Kenji chuckled, a low sound that carried easily across the quiet yard. Back when my technique had failed spectacularly, sending shockwaves that shattered half the practice dummies and singed the grass, he’d been the only one who hadn’t laughed or shaken his head in disappointment. Instead, he’d walked straight up to me after class and asked if I’d be willing to show him how it really worked when I wasn’t nervous.

  “I remember,” he said, his expression growing serious. “You were trying to combine your Crimson Shin’en with a spatial distortion technique. Most students can barely master one type of energy manipulation by their second year, and here you are trying to merge two completely different systems.”

  I took a deep breath, feeling the familiar burn of power rising from my core. Crimson light began to seep from my pores, wrapping around my arms like thin threads of liquid fire. “I know it’s not perfect yet, and controlling it is still harder than anything I’ve ever tried. But I think I’ve made some progress since last time.”

  Without waiting for a response, I shifted into my stance, feet shoulder-width apart, sword held at a forty-five degree angle to the ground. I focused all my attention on the metal target standing twenty meters away, its human-shaped form gleaming in the morning light. This time would be different, I told myself. This time I wouldn’t let the energy spiral out of control.

  I channeled my Shin’en into my sword, feeling the blade begin to hum. Red roots of light spread across its surface, just as they always did, but this time I could feel the flow more clearly. Or at least I thought I could. The moment I tried to shape the energy into the pattern I’d practiced so many times in my room, everything went wrong. The light flared wildly, the sword jerked in my grip, and when I swung forward, the attack exploded harmlessly in the grass ten meters short of the target.

  “Dammit,” I muttered, lowering my weapon as the residual energy faded away. “I thought I had it this time.”

  Kenji walked over to where the grass had been scorched black, kneeling down to examine the ground. “Crimson Shin’en? Never heard of that before,” he said, his voice thoughtful rather than judgmental.

  “I know,” I replied, sheathing my sword with a frustrated click. “Even the experts can’t explain it. They say it’s not one of the standard types, water, wind, fire, earth, lightning. It’s something else entirely.”

  “Well that must be the reason why the great Akihiro Saiten recruited you in the academy.” Kenji stood up and picked up my sword from where I’d set it down, turning the blade over in his hands as if it were a puzzle he was trying to solve. The red light still glowed faintly along its edges, even though I’d stopped channeling energy into it.

  “Maybe,” I said, though I’d never been entirely comfortable with the idea that I was special just because of my unusual power. My father had always told me that strength came from hard work, not from some rare ability you were born with.

  Kenji held out the sword to me, and I took it gratefully. “Can you feel Shin’en flowing into your sword?” he asked as I readied my stance once more.

  “Yes, but I can’t feel my Shin’en running out or giving it to my sword,” I explained, closing my eyes to focus better. “It just automatically glows. Like the blade is drawing the energy out on its own.”

  I heard Kenji step closer, and when I opened my eyes a fraction, I saw him leaning in to look at the sword more carefully. The red roots had grown brighter, spreading across the metal like veins. “This really is something,” he murmured, his voice barely audible. “Alright, try hitting that target again. But this time, don’t focus on pushing energy out. Try stabilizing your body using Shin’en first. Feel it flowing inside you, through every muscle and bone. Let it become part of you before you even think about the sword.”

  I did as he said, closing my eyes completely this time. The morning sounds of the dormitory faded away, the distant chatter of students heading to breakfast, the birds singing in the cherry trees, the gentle splash of the fountain near the main building. All I could feel was the energy coursing through my body, warm and steady as a river of molten iron.

  But something was strange. As I focused, I felt a presence at the edge of my consciousness, like someone was standing just behind me, trying to speak but unable to find the words. I pushed the feeling away, I couldn’t afford distractions right now.

  Slowly, deliberately, I let the energy flow from my body into my sword. This time, there was no sudden surge, no wild flare of light. Instead, crimson energy and fine particles gathered around the blade in a controlled spiral, forming a glowing aura that extended nearly a meter beyond the tip. When I opened my eyes, the world seemed sharper, more vivid than usual.

  I took one step forward, then another, my movements smooth and effortless. With a single fluid motion, I swung the sword downward and forward, tracing a wide arc through the air. The energy condensed into a long, visible beam of light that cut through the morning mist. Where it touched the ground, dirt and grass exploded outward in a shower of debris. The beam continued toward the target, striking it dead center with a sound like thunder.

  The metal dummy didn’t just break, it shattered into hundreds of pieces, sending shards flying in every direction. A deep trench marked the path of the attack, stretching from where I stood all the way to where the target had been.

  “Amazing,” Kenji whispered, and I could hear the genuine awe in his voice. “I really didn’t expect that would work!”

  I stared at the destruction I’d caused, my hands still gripping the sword as if it might slip away. “I did it?” I said, my voice barely more than a breath. I looked at the trail of upturned earth, at the scattered pieces of metal glittering in the sun. “I, did this?”

  “Kazenagi-san! With that skill is so impressive. I really did not regret seeing this!” Kenji clapped me on the shoulder, his face split into a wide grin.

  Despite his praise, I felt a strange sense of unease. The attack had been far more powerful than I’d intended, and that feeling of someone trying to speak to me was still lingering at the back of my mind. Before I could say anything about it, a familiar voice called out from across the yard.

  “Ren!”

  I turned to see Ayaka running towards me in her uniform with Tatsuya walking behind her, also in his uniform.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked.

  “Good morning Saionji-senpai.” She first greeted Kenji.

  “Morning.” He replied.

  “Anyways Ren, instructor Akamine just called us and said to go to the academy. I don’t know what’s up but she sounded serious.” She said.

  “I understand. See you later Saionji-senpai.” I said. Both of us ran towards the dorm.

  “Tatsuya let’s go!” Ayaka said while Tatsuya was walking towards Kenji.

  “That trace, did Kazenagi did that?” He asked.

  “Yeah, I also can’t believe it.” Kenji replied.

  It was morning and the sun was rising. The heat of the sun made the walking hotter but the morning sun feels better than noon.

  “I think this is enough Arashi. We’ve been doing this for hours.”

  “Still not enough.”

  The sound of crashing wind, sword into a metal was loud. In the academy, Reina Hoshizaki and Souta Arashi were training inside the Shinsei Hall, where Instructor Minazuki teamed us up. It was originally built for students to train, test their shin’en, and have some mock battles.

  It was like the cemetery where all the humans that got killed by the yomurei are buried. There are shin’en that protects the place. It can also be used as an evacuation whenever there’s a yomurei invasion. The shin’en got placed by strong yomu executioners and shinrei-ranks. One of them was Akihiro Saiten.

  “You’re already tired, I think we should stop this.”

  “Not yet, this is not enough.” Souta said. He was exhausted and was sweating. Reina's shining white and silver thread that is shaped as a shield beside her came back from both of her fan. She walked towards souta who was on his knees and panting. “I’m also tired. I don’t want my shin’en to run out like this you know?” She said.

  She reached out her hands to help souta stand up. He grabbed her hand and stood up. “Sorry, it just feels, the me right now isn’t enough.” He said as they walked towards a bench where the water, towel, and bags were on. Souta put down his sword grabbed a towel and wiped his face. “I’m also tired, but I wonder, where did kiryu went after we went here?” Reina said. Souta grabbed his water bottle and drank.

  “Who knows?” He said after drinking. Reina closed both of her fans. “My fans are more suitable for wind shin’en, isn’t your shin’en more like a wind than lightning?” She asked souta. “Azure tempest does look alike more of a lightning but it is a type of wind shin’en. The difference is it can generate lightning. Like when there’s a storm, if you know what I’m talking about.” Souta said. “Yeah I get you.”

  “Arashi! Hoshizaki!” Somewhere, a man called both of them. They looked in the direction and saw Masato running towards them. “Instructor Mizuhara called us and said to go in the Shinsei Hall. But I knew both of you were here so I just informed you.” Masato said the moment he reached both of them. “I wonder what she wants.” Reina said. “I’ll go change quickly.” Souta said as he was walking bringing a bag.

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  “Is he really going to assign students in the hunt?” Instructor Mizuhara said. “Don’t worry, Team Kurogane will be there. I’m sure they’re a lot stronger on what their ranks tell.” In the academy teacher's office, instructor Mizuhara and instructor Akamine were talking while reading papers that had a list of students who will participate in the hunt. Instructor Mizuhara was looking at a paper, information about Team Kurogane. “I still get it but, we still don’t know how strong the yomurei is.” Instructor Akamine said. “Hey, we’ve been friends for years. We’re now an Instructor, and as an Instructor, it is our job to teach students to fully become a yomu executioner and support them.” Instructor Mizuhara said.

  “Akihiro Saiten knew what he was doing.” Both of them heard a man voice behind them. They looked behind them and saw what they didn't expected. “Instructor Minazuki! Why are you here?” Instructor Akamine said. Minazuki was reading a paper full of records of our class in the past weeks where he was still in the hospital. “There's only three groups that had been chosen to join the hunt. Of course they are strong, and of them them is already my student from the past four years.” He said while his legs are crossed.

  “Do you mean Ren Kazenagi?” Instructor Mizuhara said. “I remember that he was recruited by Saiten-san.” Instructor Akamine said. “That's right, as you know, he is from Team Gesshoku. Ren Kazenagi, Ayaka Sumeragi, and Tatsuya Rendo. It's not just Team Kurogane who is strong, Ren Kazenagi is slowly growing.” Minazuki said. “Um, are you also here because of the hunt?” She asked Minazuki.

  “I just want to see my students again. It's been a week. Instructor Akamine, are you having fun teaching my class? I'm sorry that I still can't teach.” He said. “Oh no it's okay! I'm having fun! In fact, those children are nice and well trained.” Instructor Akamine said. “My injuries may fully be healed because of Tsukino-san, but my shin'en are having a hard time going back to me. I fully used all of it in my fight with Kaien so it will take some time.” Minazuki said.

  “I want to believe in those students, no I believe in them. As long as guraith is alive, this massacre will not end.” Instructor Mizuhara said.

  “I wonder if killing him will end it all...” Minazuki wonders as the three of them were talking.

  We arrived at the academy and went inside the Shinsei Hall. We saw six students there, Team Kurogane and my friends, Haruto, Mina, and Aiko. “Guys! Did you also get called here?” I ran up to them and said. Meanwhile Ayaka and Tatsuya went in their position and lined up. Beside them was Team Kurogane.

  “Ren? And team Gesshoku? Did not expect you guys to be here.” Aiko said. “I wonder what's up.” Mina said. “Maybe we'll get a special mission. You know? Because we're special.” Haruto said. “Keep on dreaming haruto.” I said.

  While we were talking, two men were walking towards the middle coming from the right side. I immediately went back to my team knowing that they're the reason why they called us here. They stopped in the middle, they were wearing black suits and some cool shades. They looked like top secret agents.

  “Good morning to the three of the team here. We are here to inform you that your team is chosen to be part of a special hunt that will be happening in the aokigahara forest.” He said. “Who is that?”

  “Don't know.”

  I heard them talking beside me. Must be team kurogane or my friends. Both of them took off their glasses and introduced themselves. “We are the one leading this hunt. My name is Ryouma Tsukinowa and this guy right here is Itsuki Kasei. Our rank is Sen.”

  “The one who started this mission was the Head General of Tenka Corps, Akihiro Saiten himself. Rumors said that yomu executioners who were sent on a mission in Aokigahara Forest went missing and we think this is true. In a certain place in the forest, we discovered some strong aura coming somewhere underground. This hunting group includes some strong yomu executioners but we lack mei-rank as there are only a few in our country and some of them are even busy. It is our job to find out what the enemy is and how strong it is. That is all, any further questions?” Ryouma said. A person raised their hand. “I have.” It was Souta. “Go ahead.” Ryouma replied. “Why do we, students, have to go on this hunt? Did we even agree to take part in this in the first place?” He said. “Yeah he's right. I don't like people deciding my decision especially when I don't know any about it. Besides, it's aokigahara forest, I'd rather fight a jūma than go in that forest.” It was haruto. Just like he said the day he saw me and ate some fries. “This is an order made by Saiten. We don't have the right to refuse, of course, that includes you students. Also, the reason we picked you is because you are the three groups in the academy who have the most excellent and strongest members in the academy.” Itsuki stepped up and pulled out a paper from his briefcase. It was a contract of them going on a hunt in Aokigahara Forest with a signature of them as well as Akihiro. “But don't worry, we have plenty of strong yomu executioners who are close to mei-rank and this is also for your experience.” He continued and put away the paper. I didn't even question why he even includes students from the academy. I knew that it had something to do with me or to test out our powers. He will not do anything pointless unless it has a meaning. On my front, ayaka raised her hands. “What would we gain from participating in this hunt except for money?” She asked. It was a pretty smart move, but deep inside, i think she already knew the answer but I don't know why she still asked. “Like I said, this is for your experience. But it still depends on what will happen. Gain new power or lose something.” Based on their answer, I didn't think ayaka was satisfied but she kept silent. “The hunt will start tomorrow morning. The meet up will be in the Tenka Corps Main Building, make sure to be there on time. That's all, we will now head back in the corps.” They walked in the side and left the stage. “Sorry, but I'm in no mood to talk right now.” Haruto said and walked away. “Haruto! Wait!” Mina said while chasing him. “Geez, these two.” Aiko said and followed them. “Being praised as one of the strongest teams in the academy is alright but do they really have to include us in this hunt?” Ayaka said. “I know how you feel ayaka sumeragi...” Masato stepped up and said. “...it was the strongest yomu executioner's decision. I'm sure he has his reasons.” He said. “Masato Kiryu, I believe this is the first time we talked right?” Ayaka said. Both tatsuya and souta leave while they were talking. Meanwhile I, and Reina just watched. “Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Masato Kiryu, the academy's smartest student, as well as the fourth placer in Combat Exam. Nice to meet you." He bowed and introduced himself so formally. "My name is Ayaka Sumeragi, the youngest daughter of the sumeragi family, and also the one that will kill the jūma that wiped out my family. Second place in Written exams and the 5th place in combat exam." She said. "Now now kiryu, Don't pick a fight with sumeragi-san." Reina said. "She's right ayaka, fighting here is pointless. Besides, tomorrow we'll also be in the same team. Why don't we just know them more instead of fighting?" I said. "Oh we're not fighting, this is how geniuses talk." Masato said. Now that he mentioned it, I'm also starting to get annoyed by him. I clenched my fist and was ready to fight. But I didn't let my emotions take me. "This is a perfect timing, since we're here in Shinsei Hall, why don't we have a one on one match to see who's smarter and stronger?" Ayaka said. "Fine by me, if you're ready to lose that is." Masato said. Both of their aura started to grow. They stared at each other, both serious and were prepared. In all of a sudden, they both looked scared and looked like they were seeing hell. I felt it too, as well as Reina. "What, is this, aura...?" Ayaka said. The four of us looked at the entrance of the hall. We saw three instructors walking. Mizuhara, Akamine, and minazuki in the middle. I immediately thought that aura was coming from instructor minazuki but his shin'en shouldn't still be fully back yet. It was from instructor Mizuhara, her aura is so overwhelming that we almost forgot what we were doing. "In, instructor Mizuhara! What brings you here?" Reina said trying to calm herself. If I remember, instructor Mizuhara's rank is Sen-rank. And her shin'en is exactly at 300. Just one more and she's already a mei-rank. What a powerful Instructor she is. "Instructor Akamine as well..." Ayaka said. "Instructor, Minazuki...?! I haven't seen you in the past week! I'm so glad you're okay." I said. The feeling that I got from instructor Mizuhara disappeared after seeing instructor minazuki. "It's been a week, Kazenagi-san. Looks like you've been in a lot of trouble after Kaien showed up." He said. "Yeah, but I'm all good now." I said. "Kiryu-kun." Instructor Mizuhara said. Masato was trying to sneak out of the Shinsei Hall but she's too cautious. "Got busted already huh...?" He said with a smile while scratching his head. "Don't you think you can escape to me. We'll have a long talk later okay?" Instructor Mizuhara said with a smile on her face. "Yikes, she really is scary when it comes to her students. I'm glad I got to be her friend and not an instructor." Instructor Akamine said in her mind. "Well then..." Reina said and bowed. Instructor Mizuhara, Masato Kiryu, and instructor Akamine left the Shinsei Hall. While instructor minazuki, ayaka, and I stayed. "Um, instructor, is it really okay for you to return? I thought Tsukino-san will not let you out of the hospital until you get your shin'en back?" Ayaka asked him. "I just sneak out that's it. But I already knew that Tsukino-san knew I was going to escape so she just probably let me." He said. He looked proud at the same time. "By the way instructor..." Ayaka called him. "What is it?"

  "Why are you here? Is it because you know that something like this is going to happen?"

  "I heard from Saiten-san, he informed me that three of my students will be participating in the upcoming hunt in Aokigahara Forest. That's why I want to see you." He looked around at the place. "Where's Rendo-kun?" He asked. "Huh?" Ayaka looked around and didn't see tatsuya. "That tatsuya...!" She clenched her fist. "I swear I'm going to cook him later after we get back!"

  I already noticed a while ago but I guess she's too focused on kiryu-kun earlier that she didn't noticed. Minazuki laughed.

  "Dad!" I said. "Oh, what's wrong Ren?" He replied. "What are you doing?" He was holding a pen and a paper on his desk facing downward. "Just writing. I need some warm up for my hand before going on hunting." He said while smiling. He then put the paper back in the desk's drawer quickly. "Wow! Amazing! Hey when will you let me go out with you when hunting?" I grabbed his shirt and pulled it gently. "Maybe when you get older. What about six years old?" He carried me while saying. "I'm already four this year and next year I'll be five. Which means there's only two years left!" I said. "Good job Ren! I always knew you were dad's son." He patted my head while carrying me. I looked at the paper on my desk that looked like my father's. I wonder what he was writing that day. "Ren! Tatsuya! Dinner's almost ready!" Ayaka called us. "Coming!" I said. The paper flew down on the ground because of the wind. I bent down to pick it up, but my father was already there before me. "Let dad take care of that, okay?" He said, folding it carefully and putting it back in the drawer. I didn't get to see what was written, but the paper had strange symbols on it that looked nothing like the letters I was learning in school.

  That night, I couldn't sleep. The thought of the hunt in Aokigahara Forest kept running through my mind, along with that strange feeling I'd had earlier when I was using Kyomu Danretsu. I got out of bed and walked to the window, looking out at the academy grounds bathed in moonlight. The cherry trees cast long shadows across the grass, and somewhere in the distance I could hear the sound of a fountain. I closed my eyes and focused, trying to feel that presence again. There it was, faint but clear, like a voice whispering just beyond my ability to hear the words.

  "Ren..."

  I opened my eyes quickly, looking around the dark room. No one was there. Tatsuya was asleep in his bed across the room, his breathing steady and even. I shook my head, telling myself it was just my imagination playing tricks on me because of the stress. I climbed back into bed and tried to sleep, but it was hours before I finally drifted off.

  The next morning, we arrived at the Tenka Corps Main Building just as the sun was beginning to rise. The building was massive, made of dark stone and gleaming metal, with towers that reached high into the sky. In front, we saw a bunch of yomu executioners waiting outside with some vans and vehicles. Their uniforms were crisp and clean, their weapons polished to a shine. "There's Team Kurogane and Team Sankō." Ayaka said, pointing to two groups standing near the entrance. Souta and Reina were with Team Kurogane, talking quietly with their teammates. Haruto, Mina, and Aiko were with Team Sankō, Haruto looking grumpy as ever while Mina tried to cheer him up.

  People gathered around behind barriers set up by the corps, already updated on the hunt. They were cheering for us, some kids even have hats of the logo of the corps. The design of the logo has emblem hovered in the void like a fragment of the cosmos itself. At its center, a golden sunburst erupted, its three jagged rays stretching outward as if to pierce both sky and fate. Interlocking geometric shapes glinted within the sun's core, their sharp edges whispering of unity, strategy, and the countless battles the Tenka Corps had endured. Around it, shards of crimson and cobalt light spiraled, dancing like embers caught in a silent storm, and faint streaks of energy arced toward the darkness beyond. There are also kids who cosplay as yomu executioners, wearing plastic swords and makeshift uniforms. One little girl with pigtails ran up to the barrier and waved at me, holding up a drawing she'd made—three stick figures fighting a big black monster with glowing red eyes. I waved back and she grinned before running off to show her friends.

  "What a big crowd this is." I said, adjusting the strap of my equipment bag on my shoulder. My sword was secured at my hip, its sheath wrapped in cloth to keep it from catching the light.

  We entered the border where citizens and yomu executioners are being separated, showing our academy IDs to the guards at the gate. They nodded and let us through, saluting as we passed. "Oh Team Gesshoku you made it." Haruto said, walking over to us with Mina and Aiko. "I thought you guys would be late, knowing Tatsuya's habit of taking his time."

  "Looks like team kurogane got here early as well." I said, glancing over at Souta who was checking his sword while Reina adjusted her fans. Masato was standing nearby, talking with one of the senior executioners and taking notes in a small notebook.

  "Yomu executioners!" That familiar voice rang out across the courtyard, making everyone turn to look. It's ryouma, standing on a raised platform beside Itsuki. Both were wearing their formal Sen-rank uniforms, black with gold trim and the Tenka Corps logo on the chest. We all looked at him as well as the citizens, the crowd falling silent.

  "Today, we will find out what lies beneath the aokigahara forest!" He shouted, his voice carrying easily over the entire gathering. "Our duty is to protect this country, not just the country but the world. Even if this was just rumors, we will still take action and will not let something like this slide. For decades, the Aokigahara Forest has been a place of mystery and danger, a place where Yomurei are drawn like moths to a flame. Now, reports of missing executioners and strange energy signatures have led us here. We will not rest until we uncover the truth, whatever it may be. So executioners, are you ready?!" He shouted, raising his fist in the air.

  Everyone cheered and shouted, their voices combining into a powerful roar that echoed off the buildings around us. The sound sent shivers down my spine, a mix of excitement and fear coursing through me.

  "Why did they even announced something like this in public?" Ayaka asked, her voice barely audible over the noise. She was standing straight and tall, but I could see the tension in her shoulders.

  "Who knows." I said, watching as the vans began to pull forward, their engines rumbling to life. "Maybe to show the people that we're not afraid, that we'll protect them no matter what."

  "Well haruto, looks like you still came after you left yesterday." I continued, turning to look at my friend. His scowl had softened a little, and he was watching the crowd with a serious expression.

  "I just can't ignore this. Even if I don't want to come, it's still our duty to protect this world." He said, gripping the hilt of his axe. It was a massive weapon, made of reinforced steel and engraved with symbols that glowed faintly with his Earth Shin'en. "Besides, someone has to make sure you don't get yourself killed out there, Ren."

  "More, more, more...I need more...!"

  Deep beneath the aokigahara forest, far from the sunlight and the cheers of the crowd, a monster was talking. It was dark, full of blood, and many body parts that were torn away from the body of a person littered the stone floor of a vast underground chamber. The walls were covered in strange carvings, depicting scenes of worlds beyond our own and creatures that defied description. The monster itself was massive, its body twisted and misshapen, with too many limbs and eyes that glowed with an unnatural green light. Black ooze dripped from its jaws as it spoke, its voice echoing off the chamber walls.

  "So guraith-sama...so guraith-sama can finish his mission and go back to that place!" Its voice was deep and the way it talks is unstable, sometimes high-pitched and sometimes so low it felt like the ground was shaking. "The executioners come, just as he said they would. Their power will feed us, make us strong enough to open the way. Soon, very soon, the barrier will fall and our kind will rise again!"

  The monster reached out one of its many hands, grabbing a piece of broken metal from the pile of debris beside it. It squeezed, and the metal crumpled like paper in its grip. "Bring me more," it hissed, and from the shadows around the chamber, smaller creatures emerged—Yomurei in their lesser forms, their bodies thin and gray, their eyes empty and hungry. "Bring me their power, their life force."

  The smaller creatures scurried away into the darkness, heading toward the surface where the executioners were gathering. Something awaits us beneath the aokigahara forest. Who knows if we will have sacrifices or getting stronger here. But as far as I know, things are always unexpected. I climbed into the van with Ayaka and Tatsuya, who had finally shown up looking as calm as if he were heading to class instead of a dangerous hunt. As the vehicle pulled away from the main building, I looked back at the crowd cheering us on, at the little girl with her drawing waving goodbye. I gripped the hilt of my sword tightly, feeling its warmth against my hand. Whatever was waiting for us in the forest, I knew we couldn't turn back now.