Akira woke up on the dojo's wide wooden floor, staring up at the ceiling beams.
Ito crouched beside him. "Can you sense it yet?"
Akira scratched the back of his head. "Sense what?"
Ito waved a hand lazily. "Tao. I jump-started your nervous system with it. A little dangerous, but you're still breathing, so we're good."
Akira blinked. "Oh… yeah. I can see it."
Ito's face lit up. "Great! Now look at mine—the gates are pretty cool, right?"
Akira gave a half-smile. "I guess. So… where exactly was I?"
Ito's smile faltered into a frown. "Right. I forgot to explain some things before blasting your soul open. Tao reflects who you are—your soul, your personality, your essence. What you saw was the manifestation of that: your true realm. Now get up. I need to show you something."
Akira yawned and pushed himself to his feet. Ito rose with him.
"Alright, now we get into the important stuff," Ito said, tapping his palm. "Tao has five basic techniques. Sword: boosts your physical attributes. Spear: strengthens objects. Bow: projects your Tao outward. Shield: increases your durability. Armor: lets you cancel other people's techniques using your own Tao. These five? I'm going to drill them into your skull."
He didn't warn him—just dashed forward, fist already flying.
A few days later, Akira woke in his bed, bandages wrapped tightly around one eye. His body throbbed with a familiar dull ache—the language of bruises and overworked muscles.I've learned to use Tao. A little, at least. But Ito pushes me every day like I'm made of steel.
He groaned as he sat up. Morning light spilled across the bandages, washing half his vision in white. The mirror reflected someone different—leaner, sharper, harder.
I've grown in just a few days… even if it feels like my body's about to fall apart. Still… I'm not the same kid who got crushed by a Yokai.
He showered, steam wrapping around him like a cocoon, and stepped out with a towel over his shoulders. His thoughts drifted.
That girl, Sora… always watching me. Strong for sure. But she's strange. Hard to read.
The door flew open.
Ito strode in, red ponytail swinging, eyepatch catching the light. "Finally. You're up. Get dressed—we're going somewhere."
Akira blinked. "Where?"
Ito ignored the question, tossed him his jacket, and walked out. Moments later, Akira followed, still buttoning his shirt.
The morning air bit at their skin as they left the Yoru training compound. Ito's black car hummed to life, the road stretching ahead between tall pines. For once, Ito was silent. The air felt heavy.
Akira finally spoke. "You train me nonstop… and now I have to do errands too?"
Ito didn't look at him. "Aye. A man with almost a million credits in debt shouldn't complain."He paused."The Hunter Exam is today. You're becoming a Hunter."
Akira frowned. "So that's where we're going."
As they drove, the city fell behind—until the car rolled to a stop before a graveyard.
Akira stared. "Why are we stopping?"
Ito stepped out. "A surprise. Don't know if you'll want it, but it's still a surprise."
Fog curled around the stones as they walked deeper in. Ito finally halted before two weathered graves, names softened by time yet still visible.
Ayame YamatoRen Yamato
Ito crossed his arms, voice low. "When I asked what you wanted to do before you die, you didn't really answer. But… everyone wants to meet their parents somehow."
Akira knelt, fingers brushing the fading letters. The silence was sharp, almost accusing.
"They're not my parents."
Ito raised a brow. "You sure? They died to a Yokai the same year you were born."
Akira stood, shadow darkening the stones. "My parents wouldn't die in some random attack. They wouldn't go out like that."
Ito's grin twitched. "Alright. Just checking."
Hours later, they stood before the towering gates of the Hunter Association Headquarters. Marble spires reached the clouds, banners of every kingdom rippling with Tao.
Aspirants crowded the courtyard—faces determined, frightened, or already hollow.
Ito placed a hand on Akira's shoulder. "This is it. The first step."
Akira breathed deep. His eyes burned with resolve. "Then let's start."
They stepped inside.
The grand hall glowed with lanternlight. At its center stood a man draped in white robes trimmed with gold, a crimson spiral pinned to his chest. His hair—white streaked with red and blue—blazed under the chandeliers.
Kenji Sato, Grand General of the Sao Kingdom.
"Welcome, future Hunters!" His voice thundered. "I am honored to host this year's Hunter Exam. I hope you survive—in great fashion, preferably." His grin widened. "Beyond that… you're on your own."
Then he spotted them.
"Ah. Ito Yoru. Didn't think you'd go this far for a stray."
Ito shrugged. "He's stronger than he looks."
Kenji's gaze slid to Akira. "Good. I brought one of my own this year. Let's see whose student lasts longer."
Akira didn't flinch. "I'm not here to survive. I'm here to win."
Kenji's smile sharpened. "Then let the games begin."