What do you think it feels like ... never resting?
Answer: it…sucks. Always having time to live on edge, fearing for our lives, for our family's lives. But it became a normal thing for me…. After I had reincarnated into the Demon Slayer world!
At first, it was like heaven. I had no family on earth, and when I was reincarnated, I had a loving family. Kind parents and an all-knowing big sister. I was truly happy then. But everything came crashing down.
On my sister's marriage day, a guest came at night. I didn't know it then, but that man was a demon. He killed everyone. The guests, the groom… The bride. Even my parents.
I got lucky… or unlucky that I was away, dropping an elderly relative off at the railway station.
I was angry. At everything, even myself, for living. But mostly, I was angry at that demon. So I trained. I was good enough to get noticed by the demon-slaying corps; I passed the exam and became an official demon slayer.
And as a man who realized that this was an anime world, I stuck to Tanjiro, who was my generation. I leeched off the sun breathing off him, replicating my best, and began to hunt.
I killed and killed and killed; I turned my whole purpose of life into eradicating the last demon on earth. But…I failed.
Muzan was far stronger than I thought, and without even lifting a finger, that guy killed me.
I'm sorry… Mom, Dad, Sis. I'm sorry, I couldn't avenge you. I just want to rest now…
But it seems fate had other plans for me; I was reincarnated again, back on earth. At least that's what I thought at first.
My life fell back into the normalcy of earth. This time I had parents, and they were alive and loving. I attended school like a normal person and did normal things; everything was going well.
Until one day, I decided to practice Sun Breathing a bit. Perhaps I was a bit rusty or my parents weren't normal. While I was exercising, sidelining our car. My mom saw me.
At first, I thought she would get afraid of me and things would spiral out of control. Spiral out they did, but not in the direction that I expected.
She stormed towards me; now that I think about it, she was fast, almost as fast as a typical hashira! She then hugged me and started congratulating me and began rambling about how thankful she is that I awakened my powers and that I can be a normie no more.
And that led to this.
.....
"Nevermore Academy, huh," I muttered to myself as I stood before the towering black gates. I could see some students inside, talking, laughing, and wearing uniforms. Do I need to wear one too? But none seemed…out of the ordinary.
"Mom, are you sure I just can't go back to my old school?" I asked, turning around to our car. She's taking out my luggage. She's a strong woman and doesn't need my help.
"Haah!" She let out a weary sigh, probably because this was the hundredth time I asked this. What's so special about this place anyway?
"Honey," she started, dusting off her hands, "This place is meant for people like us. People with powers. Everyone here is just like you."
"But the guys in there…look normal."
"Haha, that might be, but I can guarantee you they're not. Anyways, going back is a no-no!"
"...Fine." I mumbled in defeat as I grabbed my luggage, dragging it inside with mild dread while my mother's face beamed. With a small victory clap, she chirped, "Yay! That's my son! I'm sure you'll make a lot of friends!"
Friends…the last friend I had died in the hands of Kokushibo while I was saving someone from Doma. Haaah, nothing comes from thinking about the past.
Anyways, we entered the estate. I was slowly walking like a half-alive zombie, the suitcase rattling on the cobblestone as I dragged it behind. But my mom… "Honey, look! Over there, see that tree?! Your father and I used to…." God, I wish she were an introvert.
The walk itself wasn't that long; a hundred meters in, we were greeted with another entrance, a smaller one, with two gargoyle statues on either side. Seriously, what's up with the gargoyle statues and this place?! I spotted almost seven on the way here.
I turned to my mom, who seemed to be in her own world as she stared at the big mansion in front of us. "Ahh, how long has it been since I've been here?"
"Mom, can we go?"
"Ah, yes! Come on." She then grabbed my hand and began to drag me into the building. Just how strong is she?!
While I was being dragged, I observed the students. Each with their own group, some were fighting on the table, some were talking, and some—That's a yokai!!
I stopped in my tracks, my leg slid back as I lowered my posture, my hand inching towards my waist, towards a sword that was never there— a force of habit.
My mother stumbled as I abruptly came to a stop. Turning around, she looked at where I was staring and explained, "Oh, they are faceless people. Don't stare at them too much… Although they don't have eyes, they know everything that's happening around them!"
And as if to prove her words, one of them turned to me, as if sensing my gaze.
"Interesting…." I muttered, my brows still frowning, as I eased up. Staring at them for a moment, I looked back at my mother. "Let's go."
We then entered the building, walking around a black 1940s Ford car, and headed directly to the principal's office.
"The principal here is my senior. She once caught me and your father sneaking off…" Ugh, again with stuff I shouldn't hear. I began to tune out her ramblings, a skill I have developed after a few years of experience.
According to her, she phoned her senior, the principal. After seeing me sidelift a car, asking for my admission. And although it's the middle of the school year, due to my special circumstances and the friendship between her and the principal.
Thankfully, we soon reached the principal's office; it was written on a black wood door—Principal Weems. What a weird name. There's also a kid standing in front of the room, picking his snot and flicking it. Ugh.
My mom seemed to ignore him and just went on to knock on the door. "Senior Weems, this is Sarah, your junior!"
…don't the principals usually have an assistant?
It doesn't seem to be the case since, a moment later, "Sarah, please come in, and also, bring Vael in too!"
Oh? She seems to know my name.
My mom then turned to me, whispering, "Leave the luggage here," but I hesitated, glancing at the boy. Are you sure you want me to leave my spotless bag with this boy?
But she only squinted her eyes further. Fine, woman. You'll be the one cleaning the bag if it is covered with snot once we return.
Leaving the bag in a corner and giving the boy a long glance, I entered the office along with my mother, only to find out we aren't the people visiting the principal. There were three people, a fat pig, a beautiful woman, and a girl—why are you staring at me?
Walking over, my mother held my hand, a smile blooming on her lips, "Senior Weems, it has been a long time since we last met." She then turned to the beautiful woman laced in black clothes, "Senior Morticia, you too. How are you?"
The principal smiled at my mother while the other woman said, "I'm doing splendid, Sarah. It has indeed been far too long since we last met. Perhaps, you should visit me; we can chat over some tea."
"Definitely, Senior." My mother replied, a beaming smile on her lips, an extrovert indeed.
"Is that your son?" The black-clothed woman asked, eyeing me.
"Ye—"
"Yes, Vael is Sarah's son. He awakened his powers just recently, just like Wednesday here. In fact, they are in the same grade. Perhaps, they could become good friends!" The principal cut my mother off and answered, causing me to turn towards the girl sitting in the middle.
These people are really weird with their names. Poor girl. And stop staring at me! You've been doing it since I entered the room!
I frowned at her, Wednesday, stating my displeasure at being stared at. But it seemed to have done nothing as she stared at me more intensely.
Turning to my mother, I was about to say that I can't when she just nudged, "Go on, introduce yourself!"
…Ugh!
Turning back at the pigtailed girl staring at me, I grumbled, "Hi, I'm Vaeleric, Vael for short."
"...."
Girl! Say something! You have to introduce yourself! Just say your name and we'll be done—
"I'm going to dissect you!"
…What?