---
đź“– Chapter 2: The Demon King Awakens
"Wake up."
The voice was deep, echoing like it came from the bottom of the earth.
Yuuta's eyes snapped open. A man with silver hair and calm, dangerous eyes stood in front of him.
"W-Where am I?" Yuuta scrambled back. "Who are you?"
The man gave a relaxed smile. "Ah, right. I forgot introductions. I'm Reiji. And this place—" he gestured around them, "—is God Academy."
Yuuta blinked. "God… what?"
"It's like Demon Slayer training camp. We hunt demons. Train wielders of the Ord. You, Yuuta, were brought here because… well, you're not normal anymore."
Reiji turned serious.
"You hold the Second Ord—the God of Destruction. The Demon King."
Yuuta froze. "You're kidding."
Reiji chuckled. "I wish I was. That's why you can't just go back to normal life. If the world found out what you are, some would fear you. Others would come to hunt you."
Yuuta clenched his fists. "Then… why help me?"
Reiji looked away. "Because I want this war to end. And for that, I need the Demon King on our side. With your power, you can control demons instead of becoming one."
Yuuta looked down. "…I can control them?"
"Not yet. But one day, yeah. And not just that—" Reiji smirked. "—if all seven Ord are gathered, you can make any wish come true."
Yuuta's eyes widened.
> Flashback
His sister, lying in a hospital bed, weak and pale.
"I'm sorry… I won't be there to protect you, little brother."
Flashback over
"I can bring her back…" Yuuta whispered.
"Stop daydreaming." Reiji tossed him a black uniform. "Class starts in ten minutes."
---
Yuuta walked through the halls beside Reiji, dressed in his new uniform. Students passed them, some whispering.
"There are four class levels," Reiji explained. "Class A—elites. Class B—advanced. Class C—intermediate. Class D…" He smirked. "…you."
"Lowest of the low. Great," Yuuta muttered.
They stopped at a classroom door.
Reiji pushed it open. "New student. Try not to blow anything up."
The teacher sighed without even looking up. "Name?"
"Yuuta Shiranami," he said, déjà vu washing over him.
"Take a seat."
Yuuta glanced across the room. At the back sat someone familiar.
"Hey, Shino," he said softly.
She didn't reply. Just stared at her desk.
---
After class, the teacher called, "Group D, report to the mission hall."
Yuuta followed, puzzled. "What's going on?"
"You need a team of at least three to be assigned a Serten—a personal mission mentor," Shino explained, not bothering to look at him.
They entered a large, empty training hall. Reiji stood in the center.
"Hey," he grinned. "Glad you made it."
Yuuta blinked. "You again?"
Shino crossed her arms. "No way. You're our Serten?"
Reiji laughed. "That's right. Fun reunion, huh?"
Yuuta raised an eyebrow. "You two know each other?"
"When I was little," Shino muttered, "he was my bodyguard. Followed me around like a duckling."
"Things change," Reiji replied. "Now I'm here to kick your butts."
He held up a silver bell. "If you want to pass, take this from me."
Yuuta stared. "Isn't this… like that test from Naruto?"
Reiji smirked. "You watch good anime. Let's begin."
---
They stepped outside. Shino summoned a glowing red blade.
Yuuta gawked. "You had that this whole time?!"
"All students have powers," she said flatly. Then she vanished.
Shino's sword slashed at Reiji, cutting through air like lightning. But he dodged with ease and countered with a palm strike—sending her flying.
Yuuta caught her.
"Let me go!" she hissed.
"You okay?"
She stood, angry. "Why are you just standing there?"
Shino charged again. This time, she unleashed a barrage—over a hundred sword strikes. Still, Reiji danced between the blades.
Then—boom!—he was behind her. One kick, and she flew back again.
Yuuta stepped in—and Reiji knocked him into the wall with a single punch.
---
Lying on the ground, Yuuta winced. But something was strange—his injuries were… healing?
"I… regenerated?"
His head throbbed.
> A deep voice echoed inside.
"Feed me… I'm hungry…"
Yuuta stood, dazed. He bit his hand hard, drawing blood.
A red light flared in his eyes.
"Finally waking up?" Reiji taunted.
With a sudden burst, Yuuta disappeared—reappearing in front of Reiji with a powerful punch. The shockwave sent wind blasting across the field.
"Damn," Reiji muttered. "He's strong."
Shino charged beside Yuuta. "Wind Blade!"
Reiji dodged again—but then stopped.
"…Wait."
He looked down.
"The bell's gone."
He turned just in time to see Shino catch it as it fell.
Yuuta smirked. "That punch knocked it right out of your pocket."
Reiji laughed. "You passed."
---
Later…
Yuuta stood at a board labeled "Quest Board."
"What's this?"
Shino explained, "We earn points through missions."
Reiji appeared behind them. "Take this one."
He handed them a scroll:
Mission: Break the Curse.
Shino scowled. "Why this one? It's ranked high."
Reiji leaned closer. "Do you really think your father would be proud if you played it safe?"
Her eyes went wide. Her lips pressed tight.
"…Fine."
She grabbed the scroll and stormed off.
Yuuta followed her silently.
---
The two arrived at a crumbling, abandoned building.
Yuuta looked around—and froze.
Bodies. Everywhere.
Shino stepped forward, calm. "Get used to it. This is what we do."
Yuuta clenched his fists.
He didn't feel ready.
But something inside him—something red and ancient—was.
> To be continued…
---
⚔️ Next time:
Yuuta and Shino face a cursed beast in the shadows of death. Will the Demon King awaken again… or consume