(Narration)
The next day—
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The classroom felt… different.
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Empty.
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Quiet.
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After school hours.
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Only three people remained.
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Haru.
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Shimi.
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Yamado.
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Team 5.
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"…Why are we still here…?"
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Haru asked softly.
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Shimi leaned back in her chair.
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"…Adryn Sensei told us to wait."
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Yamado clicked his tongue.
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"…Hope it's not another trash job."
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Silence.
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Minutes passed.
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Then—
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The door opened.
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Adryn walked in.
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But this time—
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He wasn't alone.
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Trian followed behind him.
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The atmosphere shifted instantly.
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"…Trian…?"
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Shimi sat up straight.
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Yamado's expression sharpened.
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"…He's actually here…"
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Haru looked between them.
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"…Is that rare…?"
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Shimi replied quietly.
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"…Very."
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Trian stepped forward.
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Calm.
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Composed.
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Watching them.
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"…I came for a reason."
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Silence.
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"…To test you."
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Haru stiffened.
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"…Test…?"
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Trian continued—
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"I have a mission for you."
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A pause.
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"…A high-rank mission."
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The room went still.
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"…What rank…?"
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Yamado asked.
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Trian looked at them.
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"…A Rank."
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Silence.
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Then—
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"…A RANK?!"
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Haru stood up.
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"…Isn't that too high?!"
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Shimi's eyes widened slightly.
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Even Yamado looked serious now.
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Trian nodded.
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"…Listen carefully."
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A pause.
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"Mission ranks indicate danger levels."
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"…S Rank missions…"
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"…are restricted to S Rank Exorcists only."
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"…A+ Rank…"
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"…assigned to A and A+ level Exorcists."
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He paused.
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Then—
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"…This mission…"
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"…is A Rank."
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Silence deepened.
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"…Meaning…"
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"…It won't be easy."
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Haru swallowed.
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"…There's… a strong devil…"
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Trian nodded.
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"…Very."
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The Mission
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Trian walked slowly.
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"…Your objective is simple."
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A pause.
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"…Assist your seniors."
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"…Third-year students."
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Shimi frowned.
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"…Assist?"
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Trian continued—
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"They completed their mission."
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"…But…"
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"…They're trapped."
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Silence.
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"…Trapped where…?"
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Haru asked.
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Trian looked at him.
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"…Inside a building."
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A pause.
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"…A building…"
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"…consumed by a devil."
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Haru froze.
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"…Consumed…?"
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Yamado leaned forward.
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"…So the whole structure is alive…"
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Trian nodded.
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"…Yes."
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"…It devours."
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"…It traps."
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"…And if necessary…"
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"…It kills."
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Silence.
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Heavy.
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"…Your task—"
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"…Rescue the seniors."
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"…And…"
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A brief pause.
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"…Exorcise the devil."
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Haru clenched his fists.
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"…That's… insane…"
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Why Them?
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Shimi looked up.
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"…Why us?"
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Trian answered instantly.
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"…Because you're next."
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Silence.
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"…The second-years…"
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"…are already on another mission."
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"…So I chose first-years…"
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"…with real combat experience."
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He looked at each of them.
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"…That includes you."
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A pause.
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Pride.
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Excitement.
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"…We're the first first-years…"
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"…to get an A Rank mission…"
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Haru whispered.
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Yamado smirked.
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"…Not bad."
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Shimi crossed her arms.
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"…We won't mess this up."
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Backup
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Trian turned slightly.
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"…You won't be alone."
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They looked at Adryn.
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"…Sensei…?"
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Adryn raised his hand lazily.
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"…Yeah, I'm coming."
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Trian nodded.
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"…You'll need someone…"
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"…to watch your backs."
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A pause.
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"…And there's no one better…"
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"…than Adryn."
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Yamado smirked.
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"…True."
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Urgency
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Adryn stretched slightly.
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"…We're leaving now."
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Haru blinked.
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"…Now?!"
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Adryn looked at them.
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"…The longer you stay inside that building…"
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"…the worse it gets."
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A pause.
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"…It might take over your body…"
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"…Or just kill you."
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Silence.
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"…Great…"
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Haru muttered.
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But—
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His eyes were determined.
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"…Let's go."
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Departure
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They walked out together.
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Team 5.
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Their first real mission.
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High risk.
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High stakes.
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No turning back.
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The door closed behind them.
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Aftermath
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Only one person remained.
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Trian.
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Standing alone.
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Silent.
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Then—
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"…Adryn…"
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A pause.
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"…I'm expecting something."
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His gaze shifted slightly.
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"…Make Haru use his power properly."
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Silence.
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"…Or at least…"
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"…teach him how to control…"
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"…the Devil's flow."
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The room stayed quiet.
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But the weight of those words—
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Followed them.
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Into the mission.