Rain fell over Seishin Tōitsu Academy.
The sound of droplets striking the windows filled the classroom as the students watched the teacher standing before the blackboard.
Tadashi Kawasaki slowly walked between the rows with his hands in his pockets. His expression was calm, almost lazy.
Behind him, countless spiritual symbols and diagrams covered the board.
He stopped.
Picked up a piece of chalk.
"Many people enter this academy believing that techniques are talents."
The chalk scraped across the board, forming a perfect circle.
"They are wrong."
The students remained silent.
"Reikon is not a gift."
He tapped the circle.
The chalk cracked slightly.
"It is an extension of the soul."
Tadashi resumed walking.
"Every human possesses Reikon."
"But possessing something... and controlling it... are completely different things."
He glanced toward the window.
"Before learning techniques..."
"You need to understand a simple truth."
The rain continued to fall.
"Power always comes at a price."
Silence filled the classroom.
Tadashi wrote three words on the board.
Formula.
Model.
Expression.
Turning toward the students, he adjusted his glasses.
"Now answer me..."
"What is Shiki?"
A girl raised her hand.
She wore round glasses and carried herself with a serious posture.
"Shiki is a system that allows Reikon to be transformed into techniques."
"It converts spiritual phenomena into reproducible formulas."
Tadashi smiled.
"Excellent answer."
"I expected nothing less from Sarada Fushigoro."
Ren's eyes widened.
"She's smart, Ezonku."
"Shut up, dumbass."
The classroom door opened.
Everyone turned toward it.
A girl with long blonde hair entered calmly.
Her blue eyes immediately drew attention.
She greeted Tadashi and walked toward her desk.
Before sitting down...
She smiled at Ezonku.
Ren grinned mischievously.
Ezonku immediately looked away.
Tadashi continued his explanation.
"Shiki uses emotions, interpretations, and spiritual phenomena."
"And transforms them into reproducible formulas."
"Every technique has an internal logic."
He wrote another example.
Technique: Transform Fear into Blades.
Requirements:
• The target must feel fear.
• The user must maintain eye contact.
Restriction:
• The greater the fear, the greater the mental strain.
"That is why techniques can be refined, cataloged, and studied."
"Shiki is, essentially, a spiritual science."
Suddenly...
The blonde girl stood up.
She walked toward Ezonku.
Leaned forward.
And kissed his cheek.
The entire classroom froze.
Ren's jaw dropped.
So did Ezonku's.
The girl returned to her seat.
Smiled.
And vanished into mist.
Silence.
Tadashi started laughing.
"So..."
"What did you think of my illusion technique?"
The classroom erupted into chatter.
"Wait!"
Ren pointed at Ezonku.
"So the girl who kissed you was fake?!"
Ezonku's face turned red.
"Shut up, you idiot!"
Even so...
Even he looked impressed by how realistic the illusion had been.
At that moment, the bell rang.
"Very well."
"That concludes today's lesson."
The students began leaving the room.
Ren walked through the hallway.
"Tadashi-sensei's technique is amazing."
"Shut up."
Akira approached.
"What are you guys doing now?"
"I'm heading to math."
Ren stopped.
"There's math here too?!"
Akira stared at him.
"Are you serious?"
Ren nodded.
Akira let out a long sigh.
"I should've expected that."
He turned toward Ezonku.
"And you?"
"None of your business."
"I was just asking..."
Ren grinned.
"Wait..."
"You're not going to take a nap after that illusion, are you?"
Ezonku's face turned red.
Flames appeared around him.
"What did you say, bastard?!"
"I'll turn you into ashes!"
"Calm down! Calm down!"
Akira tried to separate the two.
Then a shadow covered the hallway.
The three looked behind them.
A tall man stood there.
His presence resembled that of a military commander.
Daichi Inuzuka.
Head of the academy's security.
"Ren."
"The principal wants you to come with me."
Without waiting for a response, he began walking.
Ren pointed at himself.
"Me?"
"Yes."
A few minutes later.
The two stood on the training field.
The wind blew across the wet grass.
Daichi remained silent.
Ren began feeling uncomfortable.
"So..."
"Are we getting equipment?"
"Or balls?"
Daichi turned toward him.
His gaze was cold.
"Attack me."
Ren blinked.
"What?"
"Attack me."
"Wait..."
"Is this one of those anime scenes where I attack and then get yelled at?"
"Attack."
His tone never changed.
Ren sighed.
"Alright."
"But don't regret it later."
He rushed forward.
Punch.
Another.
And another.
Daichi blocked them all.
Without moving his feet.
Without effort.
Ren stepped back.
Confused.
He was using all his strength.
And nothing was happening.
"Now I'm going all out, old man!"
He charged again.
Faster.
Stronger.
More aggressive.
Daichi kept defending.
As if he were playing.
"That's all?"
"Don't make me laugh."
In a single movement...
He grabbed Ren's fist.
And drove a punch into his stomach.
BOOM.
Ren was launched several meters backward.
He fell to his knees.
Unable to breathe.
His chest burned.
"I can't breathe..."
"What kind of punch was that..."
Daichi began walking slowly toward him.
"What's wrong?"
"Are you scared?"
"Where's that smile you had when you defeated a Shinrei?"
Ren clenched his teeth.
"You don't even possess Reikon."
"You don't even have a technique."
"And yet you claim you want to become a Hunter?"
Every word weighed on him.
Like a blow.
Ren lowered his head.
Then he heard that voice again.
"Fight."
"Keep fighting."
His eyes opened.
Slowly.
A smile appeared.
He stood up.
Even trembling.
Even injured.
He began walking toward Daichi.
Daichi watched him.
For the first time...
He seemed satisfied.
"Then come."
"And show me who you really are."
Elsewhere in the academy...
A figure held a phone.
"I'm ready."
Silence.
"Yes..."
"Understood."
The figure's eyes became serious.
"I will not fail."
The call ended.
The person placed a hand over their chest.
And replied:
"For the Order."