Chapter 3: I'll kick your ass for sure
Kashai instructed the guards to open the gates.
The gates swung wide and my eyes widened. This universe was heavenly, tall, magnificent buildings, beautiful flowers lining the paths, and a huge waterfall roaring in the distance.
Takai's mouth hung open.
"Damn, this is so much better than Skyverse. The demons can have it for all I care," Takai said.
I rolled my eyes.
"All of you! Gather here now!" Kashai commanded. Without hesitation, everyone assembled where he stood.
"Adults, both male and female, will stay at this quarters," he said, pointing to a tall building on the left.
"As for the children, you all shall stay at the other quarters," he added, pointing to a smaller building. I wondered if it would even fit all of us.
"Now disperse! By dawn tomorrow you'll begin your training!" he said firmly, then strode back to his own quarters.
Eren, Takai, and I glanced at each other.
"Guess this is going to be survival of the fittest," Eren said, flicking his fingers.
We hurried to our quarters. Kids were sprinting everywhere, trying to claim beds.
"Guys! Let's run!" I yelled, grabbing Eren and Takai. Fortunately, we managed to secure one medium bed.
"Let's just stay here," I said.
"But how can this fit all of us?" Takai asked.
Before I could answer, two huge, fat boys barreled toward us, shoving people aside.
"Get out, you fucks! This is our spot!" one of them roared.
"What the hell are you on about? We got here first!" Eren shot back.
"Shut up!" one of the boys roared, then punched Eren in the face.
I clenched my fists and lunged at one of the boys, punching him hard in the belly.
"Arghh! Fuck!" he groaned.
"You and your other fat fuck better get outta here now, before I kick your groin!" I yelled, raising my hand to strike again.
The boys looked at me, fear etched across their faces.
"You better thank your stars I don't hit girls!" the other fat boy snarled.
Then they left.
"Motherfuckers," I muttered, rubbing my knuckles. They hurt a little from the punch.
"Thanks," Eren said flatly, not even sparing me a glance.
All the other beds were full, so we had no choice but to sleep on the medium-sized one. We squeezed together until we fit.
"Argh, Takai, take your smelly legs off my face," Eren grumbled, shoving Takai's legs away.
A faint chuckle escaped me.
The next morning
Bang! Bang! Bang!
A loud, harsh bell woke me.
"Wake up, you bunch of losers! It's time for training!" a guard yelled.
Eren, Takai, and I got up and headed outside. We lined up, ready for war.
"Now! If you have any martial-arts skill or can fight at all, come to this side!" our instructor ordered.
Eren, I, and some other kids stepped forward. My father had always made sure I attended judo and taekwondo classes, he even taught me some moves himself.
The instructor eyed us, a faint smirk on his lips.
"So all of you here can fight, huh? We'll see," he said. "Each of you, pick a partner."
Eren and I looked at each other.
"I'll kick your ass for sure," he said, glaring.
"Yeah, sure," I replied, rolling my eyes.
"Good. You've chosen your partners. Now both of you! " he pointed at Eren and me, "fight each other!" he commanded.
We stared, then lunged. I used gripping judo throws and quick taekwondo kicks, sweeping, then twisting, then driving my weight through him. Eren fought back hard, but I kept my balance and kept the pressure on. In the end, I pinned him down. He tried to rise, tried to push me off, but I held firm. Akira won.
---
I stood up and brushed off my hands.
The instructor looked at me, his expression blank.
"You!" He pointed at Eren.
"Get back to the crowd. You're a loser!" he barked.
Eren stood up and shot me a deadly stare.
Confusion spread across my face. I couldn't tell if he was upset with me… or just angry that he lost.
Then the instructor turned back to me.
"You! Go sit over there. From now on, you're in the Kanoto, the third rank, just below the highest among demon hunters. If you improve your skills and prove yourself worthy, you'll be promoted to kinoto the second rank,then to Hashira, the highest rank." His tone was sharp, almost cutting.
My eyes widened. I quickly scrambled to the bench where I was told to sit.
"I'll train as hard as I can. I will become a Hashira," I muttered under my breath.
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Eren glaring at me with that same deadly stare, while Takai beamed at me, flashing a proud thumbs-up. I smiled back at him.
The other kids fought their matches one after another, and the winners joined me. Together, we sat at the higher rank.
"For the rest of you losers," the instructor's voice boomed across the grounds, "you'll remain at the lowest rank—Mizunoto. If you train hard and sharpen your skills, you'll climb to Kanoto, then Kinoto… and maybe, just maybe, reach the almighty Hashira!" His grin stretched wide. "Training continues tomorrow. Now disperse!"
We all returned to our quarters, where food was already waiting.
"Man, I'm starving," Takai groaned, stuffing his mouth without a care.
I was just as hungry. I grabbed my plate and took a big bite. I hadn't eaten since the massacre.
I glanced over at Eren, who sat silently in the corner of the bed, his expression unreadable.
"Congratulations, Akira. If you train hard, you'll reach Hashira one day. That's amazing," Takai said through a mouthful of food.
"Thanks, Takai." I gave him a small smile.
"Eren, why aren't you eating?" I asked.
"I'm not hungry," he muttered flatly, his fists clenched tight.
I nodded faintly and went back to eating. I still couldn't tell if he was angry with me… or just angry at himself.
---
Ten years later
"Congratulations to all of you! You are now Hashira. After ten years of relentless training and dedication, you've proven yourselves worthy. Congratulations!" the instructor announced, a wide smile spreading across his face.
I stood tall at the front, like a proud soldier. My hair swayed from side to side in the breeze.
I had finally achieved my goal. I was now at the highest rank, the Hashira. A wide smile spread across my face.
Across from me stood another crowd, gathered under the watch of a different instructor.
Among them were Eren and Takai, their broad muscles and chests glistening under the sun.
"Now!" their instructor barked, his voice sharp. "You have all been promoted to Kinoto, the second rank, just below Hashira. I will not congratulate you until you reach the very top, but still… well done. Ten years of hard work have brought you this far. Now your only aim should be Hashira!" His tone was stern, unyielding.
Takai grinned wide, pride lighting up his face.
Eren, on the other hand, stood expressionless, blank, as if Kinoto wasn't good enough for him.
"All hail Lord Kashai, ruler of the demon hunters!" one of the guards bellowed as Kashai strode toward us.
We bowed our heads in respect.
"I see we have new faces among the Hashira," Kashai said, his gaze sweeping over us. "Well done."
Then his voice hardened, and his eyes turned cold.
"Just make sure you don't disappoint me… like some of your parents did ten years ago."
A chill ran down my spine.
"I will be sending both the Hashira and the Kinoto back to Skyverse," Kashai declared, his lips curling into a wicked grin. "You will infiltrate their universe and slay those bastard demons one by one. You shall disguise yourselves as demons so the plan unfolds flawlessly."
He paused, his grin widening.
"As for the losers at the lowest rank… they will be banished from this universe. They are of no use to me, or to anyone."
One of the instructors stepped forward, panic written across his face.
"But Lord Kashai… don't you think it would be wiser to send the Hashira alone? I fear the Kinoto aren't—"
"Silence!" Kashai's roar shook the air. "Do not dare oppose me, or I'll have you thrown out this instant!"
The instructor froze, then bowed quickly and slinked back to his corner.
Kashai raised his hand, his voice booming across the courtyard.
"Now! The Hashira and Kinoto must prepare. You leave for Skyverse at once!"