TAKUMI TSURUGI
The next morning, the bell rang with a loud, resonant clang that jolted me awake. I looked around groggily, the reality of the previous day still fresh in my mind. Kiyomasa was already up, moving around the room with a sense of urgency.
"Come on, Takumi," he said, shaking me gently. "Time for morning jogging. We don't want to be late."
I stumbled out of bed and quickly dressed, my muscles still sore from the previous day's encounter. Shinji was already dressed and left the room quietly, leaving us to catch up.
We joined the other students in the courtyard, where everyone was already in motion, jogging in disciplined rows. The rhythm of the running was almost meditative. Kiyomasa kept pace with me, occasionally offering words of encouragement.
After the jog, we were led to the training site, a sprawling area filled with various combat equipment and practice areas. The intensity of the training was palpable, and I could feel the collective energy of the students around me.
Kiyomasa and I were assigned to spar with each other as part of the morning session. As we moved through the basic drills and combat techniques, my focus was interrupted by a sight that caught my eye.
Nearby, a girl was working out with impressive force. She was punching a heavy bag with such power that it swung wildly with each strike. The sheer intensity of her training was mesmerizing. Her movements were precise and powerful, her focus unwavering.
Curious, I glanced at Kiyomasa. "Who is she?"
Kiyomasa followed my gaze and nodded towards the girl. "That's Yumi Yamamoto She's the strongest female here. She's been training for years and is incredibly skilled. Her strength and discipline are something to aspire to."
I watched Yumi with admiration. Her dedication was evident, and her ability to make the bag seem like it was barely holding up under her strikes was awe-inspiring.
"Is that so," I whispered.
As the training session wrapped up, a figure arrived at the training site. It was Rykeru Goro with a stern expression and an authoritative presence. His uniform was more elaborate than the others, indicating his higher rank.
"I'm Rykeru Goro, your mentor," he announced, his voice carrying clearly over the gathered students. "Today, we'll be preparing for an upcoming hunt. You'll be grouped into teams, and each team will have to combat against the others using practice swords. The objective is to 'kill' your opponents with these fake swords. The team that makes it out alive without losing a member will receive a cursed sword. This sword is a powerful tool that will aid you in fighting demons."
Once he mentioned demons, a little flash of that brutal night hit me but luckily, Kiyomasa was fast to hold me.
"Are you okay, Takumi?"
I nodded. "Yes."
We were interrupted when Rykeru Goro motioned for the students to pick up wrapped papers from a nearby table. I grabbed one and unrolled it to reveal a slip with my team assignment. I scanned the names listed and saw that I was grouped with Yumi, Kiyomasa, a tall, muscular guy named Daichi, and a quiet girl named Hana.
We gathered in a corner to discuss our strategy. Yumi took the lead, her confidence and expertise evident. "Alright, we need to coordinate our attacks and defenses. Kiyomasa and Daichi, you'll handle the front lines. Hana and I will provide support and cover for Takumi."
I nodded, trying to keep up with the rapid discussion. Despite my inexperience, I felt a surge of determination. The stakes were high, and I wanted to prove myself.
A bell rang, signaling the start of the combat. Our team moved swiftly, taking down the initial opponents with a well-coordinated effort. We were making good progress, but as we advanced, we encountered Shinji's team. The atmosphere shifted instantly.
Without hesitation, Shinji's team launched their attack. Shinji's eyes locked onto mine, and before I could react, he struck with lethal precision. His sword connected, and I was taken down in an instant. The force of his attack sent me sprawling to the ground, my vision blurring.
The chaos continued around me as Shinji's team overwhelmed the remaining members of my group. The sounds of combat were harsh and unrelenting. In moments, Hana and Daichi had also fallen, leaving Yumi as the sole survivor of our team.
The whistle blew, signaling the end of the match. Shinji's team emerged victorious, their faces showing no sign of remorse. The other students watched with a mix of awe and apprehension.
Rykeru Goro approached Shinji's team, his expression unreadable. "Well done. You've proven your skill and strength. You'll be receiving the cursed sword."
As I laid on the ground, the weight of the defeat sank in. I had hoped to prove myself, but instead, I had been quickly overpowered. Kiyomasa helped me up, his face showing concern. "You did your best, Takumi. It's a tough environment here, but you'll get stronger. We all have to start somewhere."
The training event concluded and as the crowd dispersed, I spotted Shinji standing off to the side, his expression as cold as ever. My frustration bubbled up, and I made my way over to confront him.
"Shinji," I called out, my voice steady despite the anger simmering beneath. "Why did you attack me first? You could have gone after the more experienced members of my team. Why target me?"
Shinji's gaze remained indifferent, and he began to turn away, clearly uninterested in engaging in any discussion with me. Annoyed, I stepped in his path, blocking his exit.
Without a word, Shinji moved with speed. He drew a dagger from his belt and pressed it against my neck, the cold metal sending a shiver down my spine. The surrounding students gasped, their eyes wide with shock.
I held my ground, meeting Shinji's gaze with unwavering resolve. "Why do you prey on people like me? Attacking someone who's clearly unprepared isn't something someone of your skill should be doing."
As I spoke, the dagger cut a thin line along my neck. A sharp sting made me wince, but I continued to look Shinji in the eye. The blood trickled down slightly before Shinji withdrew the dagger, his expression one of irritation mixed with a hint of surprise.
Yumi stepped forward, her face a mix of concern and frustration. "Takumi, stop. You need to understand that we all face challenges here. Complaining won't change anything."
Before I could respond, Hana's voice cut through the conversation, laced with frustration. "You're the reason our team failed. You can't keep blaming Shinji for your mistakes. If you'd fought harder or been more prepared, things might have turned out differently."
"I did my best, I..." I looked at each of them. However, the reality of the situation settled in. No one seemed willing to support my side of the argument. The sense of isolation and defeat was overwhelming.
Feeling the weight of their collective disapproval, I turned on my heel and walked away. The corridor felt endless as I made my way back to my room, the sting of the dagger and the harsh words echoing in my mind. I knew I had to find a way to adapt, to improve, and to prove myself in this unforgiving environment. For now, though, all I could do was focus on my own shortcomings and prepare for whatever challenges lay ahead of me.