I woke up slowly, feeling my body still processing the rest from the night before. I sat up lazily, rubbing my eyes as my mind gradually cleared. I looked around the room—everything seemed in place. Then I glanced at Kaori's futon... but she was gone. Maybe she had gone out to train or was in the kitchen having breakfast.
I decided to head to the bathroom before doing anything else. I wanted to take a shower to start the day off right. The hot water began pouring over me, and as the steam filled the room, I felt my muscles relax and the weight on my body slowly melt away. I stayed there for a while, enjoying the moment. I wasn't just cleansing my body—I was trying to refresh my mind.
After a good bath, I stepped out of the tub and began drying myself with a towel. Without rushing, I returned to the room to get dressed. Just as I entered, Kaori was there, kneeling and fixing her futon. The moment she saw me, she reacted instantly:
—Aaaahhhh!!! Idiot! Knock before coming in! —she shouted, throwing a pillow straight at my face, followed by one of her shoes.
—Ow, ow, ow! —I complained, rubbing my head—. I didn't know that would hurt so much! Besides, I have a towel on! I'm not completely naked...
—That doesn't make a difference, pervert! —she replied, red with embarrassment, turning her face while crossing her arms indignantly—. Let me finish this, then you can get dressed!
—Alright, do what you need to do... —I muttered, crossing my arms and looking away—. Wait, wait… what did you just call me?
She snorted and answered sarcastically:
—None of your business. Just wait outside until I'm done. I don't want another "accidental show."
I remained silent while she finished. After a few seconds, she stood up, dusted off her hands, and said:
—I'll be waiting in the kitchen for breakfast.
—Wait, you haven't eaten yet? —I asked, surprised.
—No. I was waiting for you… and so were they —she said, glancing toward the door, her voice softer.
That answer threw me off, and I frowned.
—Why didn't you wake me up? Why didn't you all just eat without me?
Kaori turned around, a mix of frustration and sincerity in her eyes.
—First, we didn't wake you because after what you went through last night, you finally looked like you were resting. And second... it's something I can't tell you. Not me, not them.
I opened my mouth to reply, but she cut me off firmly:
—And put some proper clothes on. You're just wearing a towel and a t-shirt hanging like it's nothing.
Without giving me a chance to answer, she walked out of the room, her steps tinged with slight irritation.
I sighed and shook my head. I got dressed calmly, putting on a presentable black t-shirt, some comfortable training pants, socks, and sandals. Then I left the room and headed to the kitchen.
They were all already there, sitting and waiting for me. When they saw me, they greeted me with a collective "Good morning," to which I responded with a slight smile.
We sat down to eat together. The atmosphere was warm and familiar. Although it was already nine in the morning, it felt like the perfect time to start the day. Between the aroma of breakfast and everyone's company, I finally felt that despite everything strange that had happened... today might be a good day.
As we ate, everything was calm. The sound of chopsticks on plates, the soft hiss of steaming rice, and the crunch of someone biting into toast filled the room. However, that peace was broken when a phone call suddenly rang. The elder stood up and walked toward the landline phone on a small wooden shelf by the wall.
We all fell silent, listening. Only the faint echo of his voice could be heard as he spoke.
—Yes… that's fine. Four in the afternoon is perfect. Thank you for the invitation. —he said solemnly.
Invitation? I looked at him, confused. What was he talking about? No one else seemed surprised. That's when Tom, smiling with a hint of excitement, commented:
—We've been invited to that gathering again... Oooh, this will be interesting.
I was about to ask Tom what it was about, but before I could, the elder returned to the table and addressed everyone with a slight smile:
—Well, everyone... we've just been officially invited to the temple gathering and ceremony.
—Yes, understood, Master —they all replied in unison: Tom, Sakura, Ren, Masha, and Kaori.
I was the only one who didn't understand a thing. I looked at their faces and the natural way they accepted the invitation, like it was routine... but for me, it was completely foreign.
—Elder… what exactly is this ceremony and gathering? —I asked honestly.
The elder looked at me and let out a small laugh, as if he'd been waiting for that question.
—The temple gathering... is just what it sounds like. It's an annual event where the representatives of the 47 temples across the country meet—each one located in one of the 8 major regions. These temples train and protect people with supernatural abilities or powers, like Tom, Sakura, Ren, Masha... and Kaori.
I was stunned by that. So many temples? All with people who had powers?
—During this gathering —the elder continued— a special ceremony is held to welcome new members or even present new temple leaders. It's a respectful, traditional event.
—But that's not all, right? —I asked, feeling there was something more intense coming.
—Exactly, Leo —he said, a wider smile on his face—. After the ceremony, there's a tournament... a one-on-one combat in a special arena. It's no ordinary fight: it's where temples show off their best warriors. The winner earns the title of "Strongest of the Edition." And not just that—the temple they belong to also rises in rank.
—That sounds incredible! —I exclaimed, amazed—. And who's been the top winner so far?
The elder's face lit up with excitement at my question.
—I'm glad you asked, Leo. The reigning champion of the last five consecutive editions is a young man named Haruto, from the Tokyo temple in the Kanto region.
That name rang a bell... though I didn't know why.
—He's considered a prodigy. His fighting style is fast and precise. His main ability is to enhance all his senses to the maximum—beyond human limits. He's so quick he seems to teleport, and his awareness of his surroundings is nearly absolute. And… —he said, lowering his voice slightly— he has a psychic ability that lets him manipulate everything around him: objects, structures, even his opponents' perception.
I was speechless.
—They say he can break the laws of physics with his movements. That's why no one has been able to defeat him for years. His style is unpredictable, full of clever strategies, and raw power when needed.
—And his temple? —I asked, even more intrigued.
—Thanks to him, the Tokyo temple holds the highest rank of all: Rank Z+. A level no other temple has ever reached. It's feared, respected, and envied by everyone.
I swallowed hard. The thought of being present at such an event—of seeing the most powerful warriors in the country—was both thrilling and intimidating.
I looked at Kaori, who was eating calmly as if none of this mattered. Then at the others… they knew what was coming, while I was just beginning to grasp the world I had entered.
With my eyes sparkling from excitement, I couldn't help but ask enthusiastically:
—Elder, when will the temple gathering and ceremony take place?
The elder, always calm and composed, looked at me as he set his tea cup down and replied:
—It will be in six days, to be precise, on Saturday afternoon. And as usual, the tournament will be held the next day... Sunday.
When I heard that, I felt a spark run through my entire body. It was the first time in a long while that I felt this excited about something. Such an important event, full of warriors with unique abilities, battles, power... and I was going to be there.
I couldn't hold back my curiosity and asked another question with interest:
—Elder… what about the Kyoto temple? What rank is it exactly?
He nodded with a slight smile, as if he had been waiting for that question too.
—The Kyoto temple, located in the Kansai region, currently holds Rank A. It's a good, respectable rank. We're just below the Miyazaki temple, which has Rank S, and also below two very competitive temples that share Rank SSR: the Osaka and Hokkaido temples. Those two have been battling for second place for years, and many consider them just as strong as Tokyo, though lacking that... legendary touch.
I kept thinking, trying to imagine what those temples must be like—their warriors, their leaders.
The elder continued, a nostalgic tone in his voice:
—In the previous edition, our representative was Tom. His matches were impressive... his katana skills and enhanced speed got him to the quarterfinals. It was a tough battle, but he made us proud. His spirit was worthy of this temple.
I looked at Tom, who just nodded humbly. Everyone around gave him a look of respect.
And then, without thinking twice, I stood up, my heart pounding, and said to the elder with determination:
—Elder, please! Let me participate in the tournament! I beg you!
Everyone fell silent. Some eyes widened in surprise, others exchanged glances with hidden smiles. It seemed they hadn't expected me to say that so suddenly. Tom chuckled like he'd seen it coming, while Sakura raised an eyebrow at me.
The elder, far from annoyed, smiled widely and approached me.
—I knew you'd say that, young Leo —he said, joy in his eyes—. I like your spirit. I'll let you participate… it'll be interesting to see how you handle those kinds of battles.
My heart nearly stopped from excitement… until the elder added:
—But there's a problem. Most temple leaders already know about you… and your power, although they don't yet know it's divine. That might cause some tension. Some might try to eliminate you before you're ready to defend yourself.
Hearing that, my mind began racing. I didn't want to be excluded for something like that. After a few seconds of thought, I replied with an idea:
—Hmm… What if I use a bandage to cover half of my face? That way, maybe some won't recognize me so easily.
The elder stroked his chin, thinking for a moment, then nodded in approval.
—That's a good idea. It's settled then. You, young Leo... will represent the Kyoto temple.
There was a moment of silence.
—We have our representative! —one of the students shouted excitedly.
And then everything exploded.
The temple students began cheering, some applauding, others raising their arms to the sky. The sound of celebration echoed through the temple, bouncing off the hallways, reaching even the gardens in the back. It was a mix of joy, hope, and excitement.
I stood there, feeling everyone's energy around me. In that moment, I realized something: I was no longer just a spectator of this world... now I was part of it.
Suddenly, the temple air filled with the sound of traditional Japanese music. A soft taiko set the rhythm as flutes and strings joined in perfect harmony. Surprised, we all headed to the temple's central courtyard to see what was happening. Before our eyes, the temple students were dancing and laughing, decorating the place with lanterns, colorful ribbons, and banners fluttering in the evening breeze. The atmosphere was charged with joy, like a national celebration.
Confused, I looked around. Why so much fuss? I had only asked to participate in the tournament… nothing more. Still processing the scene, I heard the elder laughing beside me, his tone warm and wise as always.
—They didn't take long to celebrate —he said, a nostalgic smile on his face.
—What do you mean they didn't take long? What do you mean, Elder? —I asked, still not grasping the moment's significance.
He looked at me calmly and replied:
—It's a tradition in this temple. When the warrior who will represent us in the temple tournament is announced, a ceremony is held in their honor. Usually, we prepare it for the next day… but it seems this time, everyone was so excited about you they couldn't wait. They wanted to honor you today.
Hearing those words, I felt heat rush to my face. I got a little nervous and was probably blushing. Never in my life had anyone thrown a celebration for me… especially not like this. Just then, I felt a warm hand take mine firmly. I turned and saw Kaori with a big smile, gently pulling me.
—Stop asking questions and come dance! —she said, a special sparkle in her eyes, radiating a joyful, vibrant energy.
I didn't have time to respond. She was already leading me to the center of the courtyard, where more students joined the celebration. Tom, Sakura, Ren, Masha, and many others came to join. The tables were full of food: onigiri, yakitori, mochi, fresh fruits, and steaming dishes I had no idea how they prepared so quickly. Had they been planning this beforehand? Or was everyone here just a master at organizing?
I didn't know—and in that moment, I didn't care. I let myself be carried away by the music, the laughter, the scent of food, and the human warmth surrounding me. Even though I don't usually smile much, that afternoon… that night… something changed inside me. For the first time in a long while, I truly felt accepted, part of something greater, like I belonged here.
So I stopped thinking. I closed my eyes for a moment, felt the cool evening breeze, and allowed myself to enjoy that improvised celebration. Because even though the real challenge was yet to come, that moment was mine... and for everyone who believed in me.