(Kai POV – Dormitory, Kai's Room)
I flop onto my bed the moment the door clicks shut behind me.
The mattress is comfy, dipping under my weight, and for a moment, I just lie there, staring up at the ceiling before turning my head toward the window.
Outside, the sky slowly bleeds into dusk and dark clouds roll lazily overhead, tinged with faint orange from the setting sun.
"The dorms aren't bad." I mutter.
The room itself is simple, but comfortable. A neat 3-by-3 space with a bed, a desk, a wardrobe. It's nothing fancy, but more than enough.
My eyes slowly drift shut. 'A lot happened today.'
Reincarnating, joining a school of monsters, almost fighting Saizo…
'Moka.' I think as a faint smile tugs at my lips.
Her laughter, sweet personality, and just her presence…
"Definitely not a bad first day." I muse, and for the next few minutes, I let myself sink into that feeling.
Then I exhale slowly and sit up as reality sets in.
"At my current strength…" I mutter, my gaze sharpening. "…That happiness won't last."
I open my status, and my eyes are immediately drawn to it.
[Mortal Enemy (18)]
The red text seems to pulse faintly, like a heartbeat. Reminding… warning me not to grow complacent.
"That's way too far from the current me to worry about." I sigh.
For now, I've got more immediate problems to consider.
"I'll probably be fighting Saizo tomorrow." I ponder, my fingers tapping lightly against my knee.
He's strong. Not overwhelmingly so, but much stronger than me.
'While Sunlight Spear is strong… relying on one move, a move I can only use a limited number of times, is far too risky.'
My gaze drops lower on the interface.
[1 × Silver Trait Gacha Ticket.]
Which I got as a reward for standing up to Saizo, but didn't have time to pay attention to until now.
And without hesitation, I use it. And a few seconds later…
[Provocative]
|Uncommon Trait|
[You are very good at getting under people's skin, whether angering them or breaking their composure with humor or flirtation. It becomes harder for others to keep their composure around you.]
I blink, before nodding slowly. "That makes sense."
It's not exactly what I wanted, but not entirely useless either.
'Depending on the situation, it could be more effective than a combat trait.' A small smirk tugs at my lips.
"I guess I can annoy him to death if nothing else." I chuckle.
Still…
"My luck's been amazing so far. Getting a worse pull was just a matter of time."
Closing the interface, I stand and walk over to the mirror mounted on the wall.
And for the first time since arriving, I get a look at myself.
"…Damn."
The guy staring back at me looks like what you get when a perfectionist spends way too much time in a character creation screen.
Sharp jawline and clear skin, as well as ear-length, curly black hair. And piercing, grey eyes…
Then there's the body.
Lean, but defined. Every muscle sculpted to perfection, toned without going overboard.
I turn slightly, inspecting myself from another angle.
"Yeah." I grin. "Z might be a bastard… but he's got good taste."
Though I'm not sure how much of this is him, and how much of it is due to my traits. Mainly, Hanma and Natural Restoration.
After a few seconds of tasteful narcissism, I step back from the mirror.
Even after the long day, I feel no fatigue.
'Natural Restoration really is broken.' I mutter. 'I'm basically a perpetual motion machine.'
I'd probably function fine even if I stopped eating.
"So that means…" A slow grin spreads across my face as I drop to the floor without hesitation in a push-up position. "It's time to abuse it."
My breathing steadies almost immediately as my body begins moving smoothly.
Then, I activate Multitasking, splitting my mind into two segments.
One part controls my motions, and the other resists, using antagonistic muscle groups to oppose every action.
Invisible tension wraps around my arms, my back, and my core as my body fights against itself.
"…There we go." I groan, genuinely pushing myself to the limit.
Normal training be damned.
I can afford to be brutal to myself, so I'll abuse myself.
My rhythm builds quickly as I move faster, muscles burning for a few seconds, then… they don't.
The burn fades as fast as it appears, replaced by a strange, almost addictive, albeit miniscule, surge of strength.
Again and again, I don't stop.
I won't stop.
My heart pounds, not from exhaustion, but excitement and anticipation.
"Saizo…" I mutter under my breath, but my push-ups don't slow. "If one night isn't enough…" A grin spreads across my face. "I'll make it enough."
The sky outside darkens completely, but I never stop as hours pass.
Push-ups, sit-ups, squats, jogging…
I scour my brain for any and every exercise I can think of and perform it…
"Because tomorrow…" My eyes sharpen, resolve burning bright. "I'm not losing."
(Kai POV – Dormitory Entrance)
I lean against the rough bark of a withered tree just outside the dorms, arms loosely crossed as I wait.
Students pass by in small groups, their chatter low and casual as they make their way toward the main building.
Meanwhile—
'Morning people and night owls…' I smirk to myself. 'I've surpassed both.'
Despite being up the entire night, I feel better than the few times I've ever woken up refreshed.
Just as I'm basking in my own greatness, a familiar figure steps out of the dorm entrance.
My eyes narrow slightly. "…Tsukune?"
He flinches, his whole body tensing before quickly turning toward me, eyes wide—
Then he exhales, shoulders dropping.
"Oh… it's just you, Kai…" His voice is strained and shaky, even with the relief.
He glances around again, almost instinctively, like he expects to get attacked at any moment.
On closer observation, it's obvious. Dark circles under his eyes, messy hair, slouched posture, and a general sense of fatigue.
"Didn't sleep?" I ask softly.
Tsukune lets out a weak laugh. "Not really…"
He rubs the back of his neck, eyes drifting downward.
"I kept thinking about it… over and over…" His voice is small. "What happens if someone finds out I'm human… what they'd do to me…"
He swallows. "…How I'd even survive here."
For a second, he just stands there, staring at the ground.
I don't interrupt.
'Yeah… that's the normal reaction.'
No sane person could just accept suddenly being surrounded by monsters, and unlike me, he doesn't have a system that would grant him enough power to survive.
In a place where life and death is uncertain, fear will dominate.
"I tried to sleep." He continues with a strained chuckle. "But every time I closed my eyes, I just… imagined the worst-case scenarios." He grips his sleeve slightly. "I don't think I've ever been this scared before."
"No one's going to find out if you don't tell them." I sigh, but explain calmly. "All things considered, it's quite peaceful."
Tsukune nods automatically… but it's clear that alone isn't enough.
A silence descends between us. It stretches on, and eventually…
"I've decided to leave." He says firmly. Still nervously but resolved. "I don't think I can stay here for three years."
I study him for a moment.
"…Are you sure?" I ask seriously. "This isn't exactly something you get a second shot at."
He lets out a breath, almost like he expected that question.
"I know." He says. "And that's exactly why I thought about it so much."
He looks up at me, forcing a small, self-deprecating smile. "I'm just… a normal guy, Kai."
His voice carries quiet acceptance.
"I panic easily. I overthink everything. I mess up under pressure…" He exhales. "If I stay here… it's not a matter of if I slip up."
"It's when." His hands clench tightly. "And when that happens…"
He doesn't finish the sentence. There's no need to.
The silence returns, and this time, I step forward and lightly pat his shoulder.
"I think you're underestimating yourself." I say honestly. "When thrust into an unfamiliar environment, no one can adapt instantly, or accept that change suddenly."
He lets out a small laugh.
"Maybe…" He sighs. "But I don't think I want to gamble my life on a 'maybe.'"
Fair enough.
"…Alright." I say.
I think his choice is the right one. The worry and stress alone would be torture.
'And without Moka to motivate him to stay… why would he?'
"I'm guessing you already wrote your withdrawal letter?"
"Yeah." He nods. "I was heading to hand it in now."
I glance toward the dorm behind me.
"I'm waiting for Moka." Then I look back at him. "If you want… we can walk you there. See you off properly."
Tsukune hesitates.
For a moment, it actually looks like he's considering it.
Then he shakes his head.
"…No, it's okay." He smiles awkwardly. "I don't want to inconvenience you guys more than I already have."
There's a bit of distance in that statement. Rather than rejection… it's closer to not wanting to burden anyone.
"Besides…" He adds, scratching his cheek. "It's probably better if I just go before I lose my nerve."
"…For what it's worth, I think you'd have done well here, even as a 'regular guy.'" I say with a small smile.
He lifts a hand in a small wave. "Thanks… for everything, Kai."
'I've done nothing worth thanking me for…' I think.
"No problem." I say. But before he leaves… "mind giving me your address?" I ask him.
He seems surprised, but agrees, writing it down for me. And with that, he turns and starts walking toward the academy.
His steps are a little stiff, but he doesn't stop.
I watch him go without another word.
'If he doesn't think he should stay, I can't force it.' I exhale slowly and lean back against the tree again. 'But at the very least, I'll give him something to make up for it all one day.'
I hold the piece of paper with his address, before storing it in my bag.
The Chaos Gacha has numerous wonderful items. I'm sure one of them would count as compensation.
'I know I have no obligation to compensate him for anything… but I want to.' I think.
Time passes and more students trickle out of the dorm. Life continues to march on.
And eventually…
"Kai!" A bright, familiar voice cuts through the morning air.
I look up and see Moka run toward me, waving happily, her smile as bright as ever.
And despite everything…
I can't help but smile back.
"Were you waiting for me?" Moka comes to a stop right in front of me, a little out of breath from running. She looks up at me with a small, slightly nervous smile. "Did I keep you waiting long?"
"Not at all." I shake my head, letting out a soft chuckle. "I just got here."
Then, after a moment, I add lightly, "Besides… I'd feel pretty lonely if I went off by myself."
I extend my hand toward her.
"Come on." I grin. "Let's go."
She blinks in surprise for a second… then her expression brightens, and she places her hand in mine.
"Yeah!" She nods, suddenly serious. "We can't be late."
Her hand is warm, fitting nicely in mine as we start walking together.
Almost immediately, I catch the hostile stares, and ignore them completely.
"Kai! The rooms here are amazing!" Moka suddenly says, her voice full of energy as she swings our joined hands slightly. "The bed was so soft, I almost didn't manage to get up today!"
I laugh. "I might've ended up waiting all day."
"Of course not!" She protests. "Next time I'll come early."
She continues, bouncing from one topic to another. Her room, the view, the strange noises she heard at night, how excited she is for classes…
It's all small things… pointless things.
But somehow… not a second feels wasted.
I find myself responding without thinking, the conversation flowing easily between us.
Before I know it, the academy building is already in sight.
And that's when something clicks.
"…Hey, Moka?"
"Hmm?" She tilts her head slightly, looking at me.
"Aren't you hungry?" I ask suspiciously.
She pauses.
"Just… a little." She admits with a small, sheepish laugh. Then quickly adds, "But I can wait until lunch!"
I raise an eyebrow.
'Is she worrying about me…'
"We had a deal." I remind her, giving her hand a small squeeze. "Three meals a day at the minimum."
I grin. "Don't tell me you're already trying to break our promise?"
She pouts slightly at that. "I'm not breaking it… I just don't want to take too much from you."
There's genuine concern in her voice.
The same hesitation from before.
I sigh softly, but there's a smile behind it.
"I'll tell you if it's too much." I say. "So stop worrying." Then, a bit more lightly— "You're not doing me any favors by starving yourself. I'll just worry more about you."
She studies my face for a few seconds, searching for falsehoods and finding none.
"…Are you sure?" She asks again, her voice serious.
"Positive. I wouldn't lie to you."
After a moment, she finally relaxes. "…Okay."
She steps closer.
Our hands slip apart as she gently places both of hers on my shoulders, rising onto her toes.
My heart skips.
'Focus.'
Even now, there's still that instinctive moment of—
'This feels way too much like it'll end in a kiss—' I cut the thought off immediately. 'It's just platonic blood drinking… for now.'
I hold her waist, supporting her, and her breath brushes faintly against my neck, then…
Chomp.
A sharp, but now familiar, sting.
I exhale slowly, relaxing as she drinks.
I can almost feel her quiet enjoyment, as she savours my blood like fine wine, drinking slowly.
I can feel the warmth of her body, the faint rhythm of her breathing…
It's… calming.
After a few moments, she pulls back.
"Phew…" Moka exhales softly, a satisfied smile spreading across her face.
"Thanks for the meal, Kai." She smiles brightly. "Maybe it's just me, but you taste better than before?" She says uncertainly.
"Maybe." I smile cryptically. "Besides, it's no issue. Feel free to have a drink anytime." I say, the bite already closing.
Then I flick her lightly on the forehead. "Next time, don't worry so much."
"Ah—!" She covers the spot, blinking in surprise… before giggling.
"Okay…" She nods, her smile returning just as quickly.
We fall back into step naturally, side by side this time as we head toward class.
********
A/N: Hello Everyone! How are you all?
So, this is the chapter. Sweetness mixed with a bit of sadness. Tsukune leaving is probably the best move. I don't have any beef with him, and while if have liked him around because of a few things that'd be beneficial to the plot... Overall, it's much easier if he leaves, for a lot of reasons.
As for Kai wanting to compensate him, yes. He does. Obviously, nothing too big. Maybe a supernatural item or something, and he's done. It is technically his fault for stealing Tsukune's opportunity big time🤣, and he'd do it again. But Tsukune ain't a bad guy. Why make him suffer just cause?💀
As for the ability, tbh, I had pulled Hera's Breastmilk initially (even mentioned it on discord), and while writing, realised he'd get a trait ticket, not a random one, and rerolled Provocation. Not... As great. But useful in its own ways🫠. Well, they can't all be winners.
Finally, I'm curious, cause it's been bothering me, so I'd like to hear some thoughts from you guys, do you think they should kill Saizo? I mean, he just comes back later only to get one-shot, so... Why keep him alive?
Oh, and the image is what he looks like. I'd like to thank Ernestly for it. He contributed greatly, and I just did some touch up🙂↕️.
You can also read 2 chapters ahead and support me at [email protected]/AMV_WEAKLY
Anyway... That's all from me. Hopefully you enjoyed the chapter, and have a wonderful rest of your day/night 😁