TAKUMI TSURUGI
The evening of the party was like a scene out of a dream. The academy hall was alive with elegance and laughter, the students dressed in their finest attire. Rykeru Goro, resplendent in his formal robes, welcomed everyone with a grandiose gesture.
"Welcome to the party," he announced with his usual commanding presence. "Let the sword dance begin!"
The music swelled, and the sword dance commenced. I found myself partnered with Yumi, and as we moved across the floor, I couldn't help but comment on how stunning she looked in her dress.
"You look beautiful tonight, Yumi," I said, trying to make her laugh.
Yumi laughed softly, her eyes sparkling. "Thank you, Takumi. And you're not so bad yourself. I guess I was right to ask you to come with me."
We exchanged jokes as we danced, and I could see the admiration in her eyes. There was a moment when she seemed on the verge of saying something important, but before she could, a sudden commotion interrupted us.
A student staggered and collapsed to the floor, convulsing uncontrollably. The music screeched to a halt, and Rykeru Goro's expression shifted from festive to serious.
"Everyone, step back!" he commanded.
I watched in horror as the student's bones began to crack and shift. The transformation was grotesque, and soon, the boy had turned into a monstrous demon. Panic erupted in the hall.
The demon roared and grabbed another student by the neck, his grip merciless. Without thinking, I rushed forward to intervene, but the demon threw me across the room with a brutal swipe. I crashed into the wall, disoriented, as lightning crackled in the demon's hand, aiming straight for me.
In the chaos, Shinji stepped in. He expertly countered the lightning strike, deflecting it with impressive skill. I tried to stand, but my vision was still blurry. Kiyomasa rushed to my side, helping me up as the fight raged on.
Rykeru Goro immediately pulled out his sword. "Yumi, Shinji, now!"
I watched as Yumi pulled out her sword and rushed to help Shinji who was already going against the demon.
Shinji and Yumi fought the demon fiercely. Their strikes were effortlessly and relentless. The demon roared in rage, but Shinji's swift strikes gave it various cuts and as Yumi's blade cut it's body open, green colored blood gushed out of it and it stumbled before it finally fell, its form collapsing lifelessly on the floor.
The room fell silent, and Rykeru Goro's stern voice cut through the quiet. "For a demon to breach our defenses, it means our base has been compromised. Everyone, return to your rooms immediately."
He turned to Shinji and Yumi. "You two, come with me."
I tried to follow. "I should come with you. I can help."
Rykeru Goro's gaze was cold and firm as he stopped me with a curt. "No, Takumi. You stay behind."
"But I should come with you. I can help."
Rykeru Goro's gaze was unyielding. "I said you should stay here."
I couldn't hold back my anger. "I'm not just going to sit around while you deal with this! I can contribute, and I want to be a part of it!"
"You heard me!"
My frustration boiled over. "You think I'm incompetent? I'm trying to be a part of this, to make a difference."
Rykeru Goro's patience snapped. "You were reckless, attacking the demon without a plan. Your impulsiveness nearly got you and others killed. Head back to your room."
The sting of his words was sharp, but it only fueled my anger. "Reckless? I was trying to help. You're saying I'm useless?" I looked at Yumi and Sjinji. "You all think I am."
Rykeru Goro's face hardened. "You need to learn to control your impulsiveness. Now, go back to your room. That's an order," Rykeru Goro's voice rose, his authority unmistakable. "Get back to your room, now."
With a final glare, I turned and stormed out of the hall. Kiyomasa was quick to follow, his concern evident.
"Takumi, wait up!" he called, struggling to keep pace.
I didn't respond, my anger still burning. Kiyomasa walked beside me as we made our way to my room, his presence a quiet comfort amidst my turmoil.
"Listen," Kiyomasa said, trying to calm me, "I know you're frustrated. But there's a reason Rykeru Goro made that call. He's trying to keep everyone safe."
"I just wanted to help," I snapped, trying to keep my emotions in check. "I wanted to be part of this. I can't stand feeling so useless."
Kiyomasa placed a hand on my shoulder. "I get it. But you have to remember, there are rules for a reason. Rykeru Goro's not trying to push you away. He's testing you, seeing if you're ready for more."
"Yeah, whatever," I said and he smiled.
"You're going to be fine, Takumi. I know it."
As we reached my room, I felt a mix of frustration and exhaustion. "Just focus on your training. You'll get your chance to prove yourself. Things will get better," Kiyomasa said.
I climbed my bed and laid on it without giving him a reply. I heard him whisper a goodnight before he moved to his bed.
In the middle of the night, I jolted awake when someone tapped me. It was Shinji, his face shadowed. "Get up," he said tersely. "We're going somewhere."
I rubbed my eyes, still groggy. "Where are we going at this hour?"
Shinji didn't answer but turned and walked out. Reluctantly, I followed him through the dimly lit corridors of the school. The night was cool, the stars twinkling overhead as we stepped into an open field on the school grounds.
Shinji glanced at me, his expression serious. "Are you hurt from the fall?"
I shook my head. "I'm fine. What's going on? How did it go with the demon?"
Shinji's gaze turned distant. "Rykeru Goro is sending trained soldiers out to the open soon. They'll stop any more demons from getting in. If they don't, our base will be completely compromised."
I nodded, but couldn't help feeling concerned. "You'll probably be chosen for that mission. You should get some rest," I said and turned to leave, I didn't want to imagine how I'll be so ignored or overlooked.
However, Shinji stopped me with a firm hand. "There's something you need to understand, Takumi. Fighting demons is different from battling with your training partners. In a real fight, hesitation can get you killed. Don't make the same mistake you did during the party."
I looked at him, confusion mixed with curiosity. "What do you mean?"
Shinji's eyes narrowed, his tone blunt. "You attacked without thinking. You acted on impulse, and it nearly got you hurt. Demons are ruthless and powerful. If you hesitate or act recklessly, you'll die."
The weight of his words settled heavily on me, I was still sleepy and didn't want to engage in an argument. "So, what should I do?"
"Train your mind as hard as you train your body," Shinji said. "Think before you act. Understand your opponent, and make your moves count. If you want to be ready for the real battles, you need to be disciplined and strategic."
I took a deep breath. "I'll remember that."
Shinji didn't look convinced. "I don't think you will," suddenly, his fist collided heavily against my face and I covered my nose with both my hands, wincing in pain.
"Why did you do that?"
"To make you understand that I'm not joking with your life."