Kenji
The next morning rolled in like muscle memory—training, breakfast, then huddling around the mission board. Most of the assignments looked like yesterday's leftovers… except one.
"No weapons?" Taka muttered, narrowing his eyes at the parchment. "Didn't they just tell us the forest isn't safe?"
He turned to leave—probably to interrogate Miss Annette—but I caught his arm, flashing a grin that said everything he didn't want to hear.
He sighed. "We're really doing this without weapons?"
"Yup," I said, tossing him a bag. "You're coming with me. Yushiro, cleaning duty again."
Yushiro offered a casual salute and an annoyingly serene smile. Two large bags sat waiting beneath the board. Our task? Collect dusk flowers from the center of the forest.
Seemed easy.
Too easy.
We stepped outside, the cool forest air brushing against us like a familiar cloak. Yushiro waved us off with exaggerated cheer. I ignored it, tightening the strap on my bag.
"Race you there," I said, locking eyes with Taka.
"Kenji, don't—"
Too late. I bolted, weaving through trees with a head start.
He'd catch up. He always did.
The forest floor blurred beneath my feet—mushrooms, moss, roots daring me to trip. I leapt over a fallen log, adrenaline pumping. But then something shifted. The energy changed.
Too quiet.
I skidded to a stop and crouched low, setting my bag down.
Where were the beasts? Moments ago, the forest buzzed with life. Now? Empty.
Then, rustling.
A blur shot from the trees, black and fast. I threw myself sideways just in time. The creature thundered past—massive, jet-black fur, tusks like swords. A boar, but unlike any I'd seen before.
It turned toward me, eyes locked.
Then it charged.
I clenched my fists, instinct screaming to summon my hashi—but the boar was already on me. I dodged again, barely missing its tusks.
White light shimmered faintly around its body.
Oh no.
It was activating its core energy.
It barreled toward me a third time, faster, heavier. This time it clipped me—hard. I slammed into the ground, pain blooming across my ribs. I coughed, dragging myself upright.
Alright. Enough.
I focused and let my hashi flow. The rush of power was instant, heat flooding my limbs, sharpening my senses.
The boar's tusks pulsed with silver now. It shrieked and came again.
I stood my ground.
Right before impact, I slammed a fist into its skull. Felt like punching a boulder.
The beast tumbled but rolled back to its feet. Its eyes—now blazing—locked onto mine.
I grinned, heart thundering.
"Oh, you wanna play for real?"
My hashi flared brighter, raw energy crackling around me.
I sprinted forward.
"BRING IT!"