(Kai Hino POV – Yokai Academy Bus)
I sit quietly, forehead resting against the cool glass of the bus window as the world slides by outside. Trees blur into green streaks as mountains drift closer with every passing second.
Ahead, carved straight into the rock face, is a massive tunnel. Its darkness seems to swallow every light.
'That's it… the entrance to Yokai Academy.'
My chest tightens as the bus rumbles forward.
The bus is mostly empty. Just me… the driver, Nurari, smoking a cigar as he drives… and one other student.
Aono Tsukune.
"…I never thought I'd flunk all my high school entrance exams." He mutters to himself, shoulders slumped.
I don't look at him, but I hear the helplessness in his voice.
'And I never thought I'd die and wake up in an anime world.' I think dryly.
I woke up right after Tsukune boarded the bus. The doors had already closed behind him, and any chance to escape the main plot was gone.
'Not that I'd want to run away.'
My curse, Z's desire for entertainment, and even my own desire to meet my favorite characters made real would've kept me seated here.
Information had been shoved into my head the moment I woke up. Everything I need to know about the world and my background.
'Kai Hino…' I muse. 'At least I got to keep my name.'
I have no parents, home, money…
Just a neatly packaged identity and a one-way ticket to Yokai Academy.
'Damn that lazy bastard, Z…' I snort quietly. 'He could've at least given me a human identity I could use.'
All I've got are the clothes on my back, a suitcase in the overhead rack, and paperwork that says I exist.
It's a bleak start, but I don't let it discourage me.
'With enough power, life is simple.' I tell myself. 'And getting power is the least of my worries.'
My gaze drifts to the translucent panel only I can see.
──────────────
STATUS INTERFACE
──────────────
Name: Kai Hino
Age: 16
Blood Type: RH-null
Ability Slots (0/1):
• (Empty)
<
• (Empty)
<
• (Empty)
<
• (Empty)
<
• (Empty)
<
• Mortal Enemy (18)
──────────────
CHAOS GACHA
──────────────
Random Golden Ticket ×3
Random Platinum Ticket ×1
──────────────
My status could be described as desolate.
'Why is my blood type being shown as well? I haven't heard of that blood type either.' I wonder, but choose not to think on it too deeply.
I also deliberately ignore the curse, glowing an angry red, and focus on what matters… my tickets.
Three Gold, and one Platinum…
Random tickets can pull from any category—abilities, traits, skills, and items.
My fingers curl slowly against my thigh.
This decides how well I'll survive in this world.
The tunnel grows closer outside, its darkness swallowing the road ahead.
I take a breath, bracing myself.
'…Let's do this.' I think, deciding to start with the golden tickets.
The moment I will it, the panel changes. Light floods the screen as entries begin to scroll way too quickly for me to read.
My pulse pounds in my ears.
'Come on… anything decent, and I'll be happy.'
Eventually, its motion slows.
The first result locks into place.
[Thick Skin]
|Uncommon Trait|
Your skin is way denser and tougher than the average person's, and it is very smooth and nice to touch. This toughness scales with your physical stats, being able to serve as natural armor at higher levels.
'A defensive trait?' I blink. 'That's good. I won't die as easily.'
The panel scrolls again.
[Multitasking]
|Rare Trait|
You are very good at multitasking, being able to divide your attention into multiple sources without a decrease in efficiency. Your efficiency may decline with too many tasks at once.
My eyes widen slightly. 'This… is amazing. It's not very powerful now, but still useful. And its growth potential is quite high. I can use it anywhere.'
My heart lifts slightly.
Then the final line appears.
[Sunlight Spear]
|Rare Ability|
Allows you to conjure a spear of lightning imbued with the power of the sun that you can throw as a projectile. This spear possesses penetrative power and deals increased damage against draconic entities and unholy beings.
I try to suppress an ecstatic grin.
I actually got an attack skill.
As they say, offense is the best defense.
The tunnel yawns wide as the bus enters, darkness swallowing the windows.
"So… entering Yokai Academy, huh?" Nurari says as the bus rolls into the tunnel. "Not many students like you two these days. Heh."
The atmosphere dims as the tunnel swallows all light, save for the headlights.
"Huh?" Tsukune blinks. "What do you mean? Is there something… weird about us?"
I stay quiet, keeping my gaze on the window.
"Heh… you're unique." Nurari murmurs. His glowing eyes flick briefly to Tsukune, then linger on me. "And you, boy… even more so. I don't recall you entering the bus."
"…I just hope my quirks help me fit in." I reply calmly. "And please don't say something so ominous. How else would I be here?" I say jokingly.
While I look calm, my heart's pounding.
Nurarihyon, Supreme Commander of Monsters. A being of great power, that because of Z's lazy ass, now has their attention on me.
"Perhaps…" He chuckles. "Maybe you'll stir up things and make things exciting." His smile widens as the tunnel grows darker. "I do wonder how you two will fare with the others."
He turns back to the road.
Tsukune shifts in his seat. "Uh… that didn't sound ominous at all…"
I don't answer, shifting my attention back to the Gacha.
With a thought, I use the Platinum ticket.
The interface flashes, entries racing by like lightning until one locks into place.
[Natural Restoration]
|Epic Trait|
Your natural healing works differently; instead of regenerating, your body heals itself at the same speed as your natural regeneration, but instead restores your body to its most healthy state constantly, affecting even curses, diseases and afflictions. Of course, the more severe an effect, the longer and harder it is for you to get restored to full condition.
I stare, rereading the words over and over.
'There's no way I'm this lucky…' My pulse jumps. 'Based on the description alone… won't it just slowly optimise my body?'
While regeneration can only fix damage, this ability goes a step further. And the moment the roll finishes, I feel something shift within me.
A warm current spreads throughout my entire body. My fatigue begins to fade away, mind clears, and I feel energised.
My skin tingles, becoming smoother and softer as well, while my mind expands, almost compartmentalized, and I can easily split my attention, focusing on both the Gacha, and everything occurring in the bus.
A grin almost breaks through my composure.
'If this works how I think it does… I don't think I need rest anymore. Physical training will yield greater returns, and I can recover from poison, curses… maybe even aging damage is restored.'
The only question would be how much it can enhance me. At worst, peak human, and at best…
Either way… I'm extremely satisfied.
'This is a great start.'
I rein myself in as my traits and ability reflect on the interface, and I slot Sunlight Spear into my only ability slot.
Knowledge of how to gather my energy, and form the spear appears in my mind. And from what I can tell…
'I can only use it about 3 times before running out of energy.' I analyse.
Abilities require energy to use. This energy is based on whatever energy I possess, regardless of the energy the ability used in its native universe.
Another limitation of abilities are Ability Slots. I gain an additional slot for every 5 abilities I acquire, and can only use abilities in a slot.
'Swapping out an ability makes me unable to change that ability slot for 5 minutes.' I hum internally. 'It's just like an in-game cooldown.'
Traits however, neither use ability slots nor energy. They're passive, and can be toggled off if their effects are undesired. So, I can use as many as I can get.
'I'm feeling a lot more confident now.' I think, my anxiety draining away. Whether it's because of Natural Restoration, or genuine relief, I'm not sure.
The next half hour passes in near silence, broken only by the low rumble of the engine and the wind howling through the tunnel.
Then, slowly, light bleeds in.
The darkness peels away as the bus bursts out of the mountain's mouth and grinds to a stop beside a sheer cliff. Below us, the ocean stretches endlessly, dark and restless.
Ahead, standing like a gothic fortress against the stormy sky, is Yokai Academy.
Beside the bus, a dead tree juts from the rocky ground, its twisted branches crowded with black crows. They watch us with unblinking eyes as thunder rumbles in the distance.
"…Welcome to your new school… kiddos." Nurari says, his voice eerily strange. A low chuckle follows. "You take care now…"
"Thank you." I reply with a polite smile. "Please, take care of yourself as well."
"H-Heh… yeah." Tsukune adds nervously. "Take care…"
The doors hiss open.
I grab my suitcase and follow Tsukune down the steps.
And just before I step off the bus—
'Tsukune… I'm sorry for what I'm about to do to you.' I think silently.
'But I'm not sorry for doing it.'
I'll make it up to you someday… maybe.
My fingers brush against a jagged piece of metal near the frame of the door.
I toggle Thick Skin off and press my palm against it.
A sharp pain bites into me, forcing me to suck in a quiet breath.
'…Yep. That hurts like hell.'
Blood wells up instantly, dripping between my fingers as I step down onto the gravel.
Tsukune turns and freezes.
"H-Hey—!" He rushes over. "You're bleeding! That's bad, there's so much blood. We need to clean that before it gets infected!"
He grabs my wrist gently but firmly, already looking around in panic. "There's got to be a nurse's office or something inside—come on!"
"Wait." I say, stopping him. "It's fine. Really. It's not as bad as it looks."
"That's not how wounds work!" He protests. "With that much blood—"
Riiing.
A sharp bell cuts him off.
"Outta the way!" A bright, high-pitched voice shouts from behind us.
I turn just in time to see a bicycle barreling down the path, completely out of control.
"Watch out!" I shout, shoving Tsukune aside as the bike slams straight into me.
The impact knocks the wind out of my lungs as something warm crashes into my chest. We tumble towards the ground together, the bicycle clattering away behind us.
As we stop, for a moment, all I see is sky, as something presses down on me.
Then pink hair, followed by large green eyes blink down at me in shock.
"…Ow." I groan as I lie there, staring at her.
'Perfect…' I think. 'All according to plan.'
(Moka POV – Yokai Academy Entrance)
"…Ah…" A dull ache throbs through my head as I push myself upright, one hand pressed to my temple. The world still tilts slightly beneath me.
"I-I'm sorry…" I murmur. "I'm… anemic. I get a little dizzy sometimes…" I say softly through the daze.
"It's okay." The voice is calm and gentle. "I'm more worried about you. Are you hurt?"
When I finally focus, I realize… I'm sitting on top of a boy.
My eyes widen. "N-No! I mean, I'm fine! I ran into you, I should be asking you if you're okay…"
Then—
My nose twitches.
A warm, sweet and rich fragrance tickles my nose.
My gaze drifts downward on its own… to his hand.
Blood.
A small red pool flowing from his palm.
"…Oh…" My lips part. "Y-Your hand… it's bleeding…"
"Oh, this?" He glances at it casually. "It's nothing serious. It'll heal soon enough."
But my body doesn't care about how "serious" it is.
My throat tightens, and my heartbeat quickens.
"Oh no…" My fingers curl into his shirt as weakness floods my limbs. "N-Not again…"
I slump forward without meaning to, my cheek pressing against his chest. Heat seeps through his clothes. His scent surrounds me, and mixing with his blood… it's intoxicating.
"I-I'm sorry…" I whisper, even as my body leans closer.
I lift my head just enough to look into his eyes.
They're kind, confused, and concerned about me.
"I have to tell you something…" I say shakily. Our faces are close now… so close I can feel his breath. My gaze drifts to his neck before I can stop myself.
"I'm… a vampire." I whisper softly, hoping he understands my explanation.
'I'll only take a little.' I promise myself as my fangs brush his skin.
And then…
I bite.
Warm blood instantly floods my mouth.
Sweet.
So sweet.
My eyes flutter as I drink.
'This is… incredible…'
Tomato juice and blood packs could never compare. I don't think anything could ever compare.
His blood is rich, deep and bright, like it's alive with flavor. It coats my tongue, sending shivers down my spine.
His body stiffens beneath me.
I should stop.
I know I should.
But gulp after gulp slips past before I realize how far I've gone—
"H-hey…?" A hand taps my shoulder weakly.
"Huh…?" I pull back, dazed.
His face is pale… unnaturally pale.
"…Oh—!"
I scramble off him at once, kneeling beside him. "I-I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to take that much—I didn't realize—!"
My chest aches as I look at him swaying slightly. "Are you okay…?"
"I-I'll be fine…" He pants, managing a smile. "Just… need to sit for a bit…"
"Y-You drank his b-blood?!" The other boy yelps nearby.
My stomach twists.
'I did it again…' Tears prick my eyes. 'They're going to hate me for being a vampire… like always…'
But then, a hand rests on my head, and when I look up…
It's him.
"It was an accident." He says firmly. "She didn't mean to." He glances at the other boy. "She's a vampire, and I was bleeding. So it's not really her fault."
"…You… don't hate vampires…?" I whisper.
"Hate them?" He chuckles weakly. "Why would I? I love vampires."
My heart lifts so suddenly it almost hurts.
"I-I was so scared…" I hug him before I can stop myself. "Then… then we can be friends, right?"
He laughs softly and hugs me back. "Yeah. I'd like that."
"I'm Kai Hino." He says. "What's your name?"
"I-I'm Moka Akashiya!" I beam.
Warmth spreads through my chest.
'I thought I'd be alone again…'
But I'm not.
'I made a friend…'
***********
A/N: Hello Everyone! How are you all? If you've enjoyed the chapter, please consider leaving me some comments, reviews, or power stones. It really helps the book out.
I'll be honest... I rigged the platinum roll. Natural Restoration was the second roll, and I had to change the first one. I'm so ashamed to cheat. But you've got to understand, he got the ability "Man in the Mirror"... Yeah, from JoJo 💀.
An entire mirror dimension, complete invisibility, and the ability to instakill anyone by bringing just their head or heart into that dimension... Super OP. So yeah, we ended up here.
Now, as for the chapter... More mechanics explained, and as for him not knowing the blood type... It's super rare. I only knew it cause of "My 3 Beautiful Wives are vampires), and only 50 people today have it. And, it's an even better universal donor than Tsukune's O. So... It's much much more delicious. Hence why she nearly drained him dry.
Also, that progressed very quick. Quite contrary to my usual style, but that's just how things roll.
And the ability Natural Restoration is super OP. Even affects fatigue, and speeds up his healing, even if it's based on his natural speed. Maybe by like 10 times overall, but I'm not too sure.
So yeah, hopefully you all enjoyed, and I hope you all have a wonderful rest of your day/night😁