PROLOGUE
Spirits had existed long before the first human drew breath.
Some wandered the world like drifting lights, harmless and curious. Others whispered small blessings into the hearts of travelers and kings alike. For ages, the world lived in balance.
But then came the Evil Spirits—twisted beings that fed on human souls. They spread fear through cities and villages, leaving emptiness in their wake. Humanity, cornered and desperate, discovered a miracle within themselves: spiritual energy, a power born from the will to resist.
Generations later, miners discovered a cavern filled with shimmering crystals, each pulsing with the same spiritual energy. From these crystals emerged Weapon Spirits—sentient beings that chose human partners. Those chosen became Spiritualists, guardians who fought the Evil Spirits that haunted the world.
That was the era Yugo had been born into.
*****
CHAPTER 1
The memory came to him softly, like a dream replaying itself.
He was a small child again, sitting on the polished wooden floor of his home in the village mansion. Sunlight filtered through the window, catching dust motes that sparkled like tiny stars.
"Mom," he had asked, looking up at the tall, gentle woman who held him. "Is Dad a Spiritualist?"
His mother, Sakura, smiled in that way that warmed every corner of the room.
"Yes, he is, my sweet child."
Yugo's eyes had lit up. "Do you think… I can become one too?"
Sakura knelt so her face met his. Her hand brushed through his dark hair.
"I don't think, Yugo. I know. One day, you'll be a great Spiritualist."
The dream faded, slipping through his fingers as the present returned.
*****
"Hey, Yugo! Wake up!"
He jerked upright, blinking blearily. Yuki, his childhood friend, hovered over him with an exasperated sigh.
"You dozed off again," she said. "Class is literally starting."
Yugo rubbed the back of his neck. "Sorry. Just… thinking about something."
Shinra slid into the conversation with the energy of a firework. "Doesn't matter! Today's the start of spring break, baby!"
Tesai folded his arms. "Good to see someone's excited."
Yuki rolled her eyes. "You boys are hopeless."
Before Yugo could protest, the classroom door opened and their teacher stepped inside.
"Everyone, settle down."
Chairs scraped the floor as students hurried back to their seats. The room fell silent—sort of.
"As today is the last day before spring break," the teacher continued, "there will be no lessons."
A cheer nearly broke out, but he quickly raised a hand.
"Quiet, children."
The room obediently returned to silence.
"The headmaster has authorized early dismissal. However—" he paused, making sure they were listening, "—in two weeks, the Early Graduation Exam will be held."
Whispers erupted instantly.
"Early graduation!?" someone muttered.
The teacher nodded. "It's a special exam for second- and third-years. Pass, and you move on immediately. But don't think it's easy."
He closed his notebook. "Still… you should all be proud. You are the finest second-year class we've had in years. Dismissed."
Chairs screeched again as everyone stood.
Yuki grabbed Yugo's sleeve. "You sent your bags home yesterday, right?"
"Yeah," Yugo said. "Everything's ready."
"Good. Then let's head out. Tesai, Shinra, Kyoko—move!"
Kyoko laughed. "You're awfully excited to go home, Yuki."
"She's always been like that," Tesai said.
Yugo swung his bag over his shoulder. "Alright, enough talking. Let's go."
The five of them stepped out of the academy gates, soaking in the crisp afternoon air.
"So, Yugo," Shinra began casually, "you gonna take the exam?"
"Nope."
"What? Why not?"
"Not interested."
Shinra shrugged. "I'll take it for fun. What about you guys?"
All four answered in perfect unison:
"Take it alone if you want."
Shinra stared at them, offended. "Rude."
"Not rude enough," Kyoko said.
Shinra smirked. "Speaking of rude… does the fifth most beautiful girl in school have a date for the dance yet?"
Kyoko shot him a deadpan look. "No. Because I don't care."
Yuki suddenly spun toward Yugo. "Then Yugo, want to be my date?"
Tesai choked on air. "HEY! You can't just ask out the second-handsomest guy in school when you're the most beautiful!"
Yuki punched his shoulder. "Shut it."
Yugo raised both hands. "I'm not going anyway."
A voice drifted in from behind them.
"Why not, mister handsome?"
Everyone except Yugo jumped.
"Mikasa," Yugo sighed. "Were you following us?"
She grinned mischievously. "Maybe."
"Get away from him, you witch!" Yuki snapped.
Mikasa stuck out her tongue. "Too slow. You snooze, you lose."
Tesai whispered, "The girls are… energetic today."
Shinra leaned toward Yugo. "Bro. Two girls fighting over you. Do you realize how lucky you are
"Shut up," Yugo muttered.
*****
Far from the cheerful academy paths, the air inside the Spirit Corps Headquarters was heavy.
In the grand meeting chamber, seven Sentinels—the highest authority among Spiritualists—sat with fourteen of the fifteen Captain Commanders. A circular table separated them, but tension bridged every gap.
"The situation is confirmed, then," the First Captain Commander said. "The First Sentinel and I will investigate Yokohama Village ourselves."
The Third Sentinel nodded. "Bring two second-in-command officers you trust. We cannot risk mistakes."
The First Sentinel stood, cloak brushing the floor.
"Very well. If there are no objections… this meeting is adjourned."
Chairs creaked as the highest-ranking Spiritualists in the world rose.
Something was stirring in Yokohama Village.
And Yugo's quiet spring break was about to shatter.
*****
Three days later, the long road home finally revealed the familiar wooden gate of Yokohama Village. The noon sun shone overhead, but the atmosphere felt strangely dull, as if the colors of the world had drained during their journey.
Tesai collapsed onto the ground the moment the gate came into view.
"We've finally… finally made it," he groaned, arms dangling lifelessly.
Kyoko crossed her arms. "We have the worst luck in history."
Yugo blinked at them, confused. "What are you two even talking about?"
Shinra threw his hands up. "Oh please, Mister Cool-and-Collected, try putting yourself in our shoes for once."
Yuki jabbed a finger at Yugo. "Exactly! You didn't even flinch. Not once. We got ambushed three times—three!—by Evil Spirits!"
Tesai nodded aggressively. "And then you just casually cut down that A-Rank Evil Spirit like you were slicing vegetables!"
Yugo looked away, unable to respond. Something else had taken root in his mind—an uneasiness he couldn't explain.
"…Why is the village so quiet?"
Tesai frowned. "Now that you mention it…"
They stepped through the gate.
The emptiness only deepened. The main street, usually alive with merchants shouting prices and villagers chatting under the sun, lay completely still. Paper signs fluttered in the wind. Doors were shut. Not a single person walked the path.
Yuki's voice trembled. "The village is always crowded at noon… always."
Shinra scanned the rooftops. "Maybe everyone went out together? A festival or—"
Kyoko shot him a cold glare. "Your stupidity never fails to be baffling."
Yugo clenched his fists. "We should check our families first."
Yuki nodded immediately. "That's… that's a good plan."
Tesai took a step back. "Me and Shinra will check my uncle's ramen shop."
"I'll check my home," Yuki said.
"I'll search every house," Kyoko declared.
Mikasa dusted off her sleeves with a calm expression. "Then I'll search the graveyards and the churches."
Yugo exhaled and raised his hand toward the sky. "If anyone finds anything, fire a spiritual spell upward. We meet back here. Understood?"
All of them straightened.
"Yes!"
They scattered.
*****
Yugo sprinted toward the mansion that stood at the village's edge—his home.
But the moment he saw the front gates, his heart froze.
No guards.
No servants.
Only the metallic scent of blood drifting through the breeze.
Red stains marked the stone pathway, splattered as if something had dragged a body across it.
"This… confirms it," Yugo whispered. "Something was here."
He pushed the doors open and stepped inside. The entrance hall was dim, sunlight barely reaching through the curtains. Blood trails streaked along the floor and walls. Furniture was overturned. Portraits of his family lay shattered.
Then—
skrrtt—krrr…
A faint, eerie sound echoed down the hallway.
Yugo's instincts flared. He dashed toward the source, flinging open one door after another.
"Mom? Dad? Anyone!?"
He reached the tenth room before a familiar figure came into view—collapsed against the wall, trembling.
"Chika?" Yugo breathed. "Chika, is that you?"
The family maid looked up, her eyes wide and swollen from tears.
"Young master… it's really you… you've come home…"
Yugo knelt beside her. "What happened? Chika—what happened here!?"
Her voice cracked the moment she tried to answer. The terror she'd been holding back spilled over as fresh tears ran down her cheeks.
"Young master… everyone… everyone is… dead!"
The world seemed to stop.
"…Where are they?" Yugo asked quietly.
Chika lifted a shaking arm and pointed down the corridor.
"In… the last room… at the end…"
Yugo squeezed her shoulder. "Stay here. Don't move. I'll handle this."
"Young master, wait—!" she called out desperately.
But Yugo was already running.
Each step felt heavier than the last. The air grew colder. The hallway darker. His heart pounded with every stride until he reached the final door.
His trembling hand grasped the doorknob.
He swung it open.
And the sight inside shattered him.
Bodies.
Dozens of them.
His father. His mother. His younger siblings. Servants who had raised him. Warriors who had sworn loyalty to the family.
All of them lay lifeless on the blood-soaked floor.
In the center of the room stood a towering Evil Spirit, its twisted form hunched over, as if admiring its handiwork. Its shadowy limbs curled and swayed, dripping with the remains of its victims.
Yugo's scream tore free before he even realized he was speaking.
"YOU MONSTER!!!"
The cry shook the room, echoing with a fury he had never known.
And something deep inside him—something ancient, powerful, and terrifying
-began to awaken