As the dawn is coming, deep in the Death Mist Forest of Shainihebun, within a hidden base which darkness lingers inside it, two voices were heard, a soft voice and a deep rough voice, someone that had a tall long haired figure with a long robe that reached it's legs and someone shorter but who seemed to be older. The old person talks with a serious firm tone:
– Student, I have been sensing that 4 samurais are planning to approach and invade Shainihebun, they said they planned to go for it within a week.
The other person with the long hair slowly tilted it's head up as it was sitting on what it seemed to be a bed.
– Understood... but here is another thing I am wondering... when will I be able to just go and face my own cla—
– Don't even think about it, you know you won't stand a chance. The geezer cuts it's complain off. The long haired teenager tries to convince it's mentor eagerly with a pained expression, but the master has clearly had enough with the complaining and finally yells, cutting them off: That's enough! You know you stand no chance against them! Especially with a clan that is full of powerful tenmetsugan eyes! You will need to obey for now and you will get your tasty revenge later when you are strong enough!
The teenager looked at the elder figure with a pained accepting expression, sighs, feeling a pang in his chest and slowly gets up and steps away.
– I... get it. I am sorry, master...
The dark room is left with an empty atmosphere, the senior looks down and thinks of what he said and if he was too rough, but knows that the kid needed to hear that before it does anything reckless.
The sun slowly shines throughout the Shainihebun and Chiyo finally wakes up in the morning, leaves her house and gets ready of the first day of the week. As she walks back to Varyashim Orders, she meets up with Yuki yet again, the smile of excitement on the little one warming Chiyo's heart and makes her smile back.
– Chiyo-saaannn!!!! Good morning!! Going to work again? She asks as she tilts her head adorably, her black soft bangs slowly flowing with her movement, she was carrying a bag of groceries;
– Oh yeah, As always! Today is gonna be a real hard working day and we will meet our new teacher! Chiyo replies with a hint of soft enthusiasm and Yuki nods.
– Oh I understand, haha! Well... I will need to go back home and carry those groceries, see ya later, Chiyo-saann!! She waves, running away, and Chiyo waves back at her and continues walking to her path towards Varyashim.
Later, the new teacher finally enters the class as unit 3 was waiting for her, bursting through the door full of enthusiasm as she excitedly raises her arms and yells comically:
– YYEEESSSS!!! It is finally my time to shine in the front of my new studenttssss!!!— but then she cuts herself off and looks at her students, them outrageously looking exasperated of her enthusiasm, especially Etsuko which complains as usual.
– Gosh... she is even louder than my sister...
– Okay, guess I got too excited, eh? Please take a seat, you little monsters! My name is Yano Hisoka, the leader of your unit! What is your names and your most favourite foods and the most hated ones you all have if I may ask?
The children look at each other confused but decide to introduce themselves either way.
Chiyo smiles and starts first with her gentle tone:
– My name is Igarashi Chiyo and I really love Pies with sweet cheese, and as for the least liked food... I guess half-raw pork steak? She hesitantly says as she tilts her head a bit;
Etsuko raises her hand and begins after.
– It's Nagamine Etsuko, I don't really like anything in particular since I eat almost everything, but if I'd pick something I hate, would be mushrooms, they just taste nasty. She bluntly remarks, while Rika was giggling a bit as she looked at her sister and then initiates her own introduction after.
– And I am her younger sister, Nagamine Rika! I love rituals—
– Rika, that's not a food choice. Etsuko interrupts her ridiculously as she gently smacks her on the back of her head.
– Ow— okay okay!! I guess as a favourite food I really like... I really love dark chocolate, and I really REALLY hate tomatoes, they are just so gross and all jelly and stuff...
The teacher looks at Chiyo and these 2 idiotic sister and can't help but chuckle, enjoying the way they interact with each other, then she looks over at Kowamaru to indicate that it is his turn to introduce himself. He looks anywhere but at her and nervously tries to establish his identity.
– M-My name is... Tsukishiro K-Kowamaru a-and I guess... I-I like... he was hesitating, he was forcing himself to think of anything but his dark self-guilty thoughts, he opens his eyes and finally confesses, I like c-chicken cooked steak a-and I hate... chocolates... he admits and then looks down with self guilt and exhaustion. The teacher looks over at him with concern and then talks:
– Are you fine, little one? You don't seem tha—
– I-I am good! Am good!! T-Thank you for y-y-your concern!! He quickly waves his arms around, convincing her just for the master to not be suspicious of him.
– Well alright... and the last one? She stares over to Orochi with anticipation. Orochi nods and bows, addressing himself with a sweet slow tone:
– My name is Ichikawa Orochi, your highness... My favourite food is Mochi, and I don't really have any hated dish since I appreciate everything...
Their leader's eyes widen as she witnesses Orochi's politeness and gentleness, he was like... really kind and unbothered by anything for a Jajin-Zoku² (snake-hybrid humans, they never had conflicts with humans but they were known for being smarter and more strategic than normal people, even manipulative just to get what they want) like him, she wondered if it was a manipulation attempt, but all she saw in his eyes was pure kindness. She blinks one last time then smirks, fond of her students already.
– All of you sure seem interesting, I can already tell I am going to have a good time training you all! Her smirk widens and then continues: In the next 3 days I will send you in your first mission, which will be to hunt down some low tier demons! In these 3 days we will train and I will need to test your combat skills one by one, now let's get ready! She exclaims eagerly as she tilts herself to the door.
The students were still shocked and excited to hear that they will train and soon have their first missions. Chiyo raises her hand before leaving and asks for an explication of the demon rankings, Yano grins and decides to go along and answer:
– Guess I didn't explain the rankings, eh? Hear me out... There are 4 categories of demons we are focusing on!
• Low-tier demons which are the easiest to get rid off;
• Mid-tier demons which are basically evolved through feeding on a few humans;
• High-tier demons who are reached their limits as a result from the amount of humans they devoured and gained power from;
• The Great Demons which not only reached their limits of devouring enough humans, but also being born with special abilities that resemble a certain fear. Once they die, they can either be absorbed and having their unique abilities given to you or they can reincarnate with the same abilities as in their past lives!
...Hope that cleared things up! Yano finishes as Chiyo and the others finally understand the rankings and afterwards they finally go training.
For their next 3 days, they train, and as Yano examines them all, she notices all of their weaknesses and points them out, helping them with trying to overcome their weaknesses.
After these exhausting 3 days pass, they finally get ready to go, with their bags full of clothes and food, ready to go on the first demon hunting mission.
Meanwhile, back deep in the Death Mist Forest, the long-haired figure from the start of this chapter walks out of it's base. They had long black hair, a light and pale skin, feminine features and they were wearing a long robe, and they carried a long and massive Katana.
– Let's begin... they say as they walk away through the mist. It swallowed them, and the forest fell silent, like it was waiting.