Takumi walked behind Kohaku and the headmaster, feeling the weight of what was about to come.
Finally, he broke the silence.
"...So, what will my trial be?"
Kohaku turned his head with his usual smile, a blend of mockery and amusement.
Takumi crossed his arms, uneasy.
"Don't tell me… am I supposed to fight you?"
Kohaku froze.
A brief silence… then he burst into laughter, as if Takumi had just told the best joke of the week.
"Fight me? Oh, please! Kid, don't make me laugh~~."
"Why are you laughing like that? I'm serious," Takumi pressed, frowning.
Kohaku leaned closer, a mischievous spark in his eyes.
"Because the thought of you surviving even one second against me is… how should I put it… adorable~~."
Takumi sighed, exasperated.
"Stop talking to me like I'm a child."
The headmaster, who had been silent all along, finally spoke with calm authority.
"No, Takumi. You won't be facing Kohaku."
"Thank goodness…"
"You'll be facing me."
Takumi blinked.
"...Excuse me?"
Kohaku's grin widened.
"Nothing entertains me more than watching someone underestimate the headmaster~~."
"But… with all due respect, sir, you're—"
"Old?" the elder cut in with a half-smile.
"That's not what I meant…"
"Don't worry," he replied coolly. "You won't be the first to think age makes me weak."
With three sharp strikes of his staff against the ground, he announced their arrival.
Kohaku let out a theatrical sigh.
"Ahhh~~. You almost make me pity you, Takumi-kun~~. But hey, if you lose, at least you'll have a good story to tell… if you survive, that is."
Takumi swallowed hard.
"How strong is he?"
"Class Satu," Kohaku answered with a grin. "Just below Semi-Special and the E-Rank of Special."
A chill ran down Takumi's spine.
That's the level of those who can wipe entire villages from existence.
The headmaster gestured for him to follow.
"Come, boy. Don't keep me waiting."
The gate before them was solid wood, covered in archaic inscriptions. The old man brushed his hand across its surface, and it opened without a sound.
"No key…?"
"With Jaki, Takumi-kun~~," Kohaku sang. "That energy you still can't use~~."
Takumi stepped inside. A traditional dojo stretched out before him, pristine, with old tatami mats and open walls that let in the sunlight.
The headmaster positioned himself in the center and turned with serenity.
"Very well. Attack when you're ready."
Takumi eyed him warily. The elder stood there completely defenseless: slouched shoulders, empty hands, no stance.
And yet…
An overwhelming presence pressed down on him.
Something's wrong.
"Takumi-kun~~, aren't you going to move? You'll look like a coward~~~," Kohaku teased from the sidelines.
Takumi clenched his teeth. He stepped forward.
And lunged.
His fist shot straight for the elder's face—
Until suddenly, the world shifted.
The headmaster straightened his posture and let go of his staff with a single, fluid motion.
In that instant, Takumi knew he had made a mistake.
"—AH?!" was all he managed to say.
A sharp strike landed on his abdomen.
His body shot backward like a bullet, crashing across the dojo until it slammed against the wall.
He collapsed, gasping, his stomach caving from the pain.
"Gah…!"
Kohaku whistled.
"Well, that was a solid kick."
"What the hell just happened?!" Takumi groaned, clutching his stomach.
The headmaster walked toward him, calm as ever.
"Never let your guard down," was all he said.
Then—he vanished.
Takumi barely had time to look around when a shadow burst from his right.
Another blow. This time to his ribs.
"AAAGH!"
He was hurled through the air, slamming into the tatami and rolling to a stop like a broken doll.
The elder stood over him, serene, without even breaking a sweat.
"This is my technique: Sequential Combo."
Kohaku began counting on his fingers. With every three strikes, the headmaster's power grew. He chuckled gleefully.
Takumi felt his Jaki being drained, funneling into the old man's fists, each strike bringing more pain.
He tried to stand, but his body barely moved.
"What… what kind of monster is he…?"
The elder leaned down slightly.
"If you don't defend yourself now, the next will be worse."
Takumi trembled. His breath came in ragged gasps. Sweat dripped down his forehead, mixing with the metallic tang of blood.
"I don't… want to die…"
But I don't want to run anymore…
Not again.
The twelfth strike crashed into him like a bullet. It left him unconscious for seconds.
When he came to, the headmaster had him by the collar, holding him up with no effort.
"Why did you come here?"
Takumi said nothing.
"What are you? A warrior? An exorcist?"
BAM!
"Or just a child with delusions of grandeur?"
BAM!
"Answer me."
Takumi could barely open his eyes. Each word hammered his consciousness.
The elder slammed him against a tree, bark scraping his back.
"Agh…"
Another blow. And another.
From a distance, Kohaku no longer laughed. His face showed something else. Not compassion… but not mockery either.
Takumi tried to grab the old man's arm, but his hands shook with pain and fear.
I don't want to die…
But if I run again… I'll never forgive myself.
"WHY ARE YOU HERE?!" the headmaster roared one last time.
And Takumi screamed.
It wasn't loud. It wasn't brave.
It was a broken cry, soaked in fear, pain… and resolve.
"To survive!" he rasped, voice cracking. "To live a simpler life!"
The elder froze.
Takumi shook, drenched in sweat, blood, and dust. But he did not look away.
"…That's why I came! That's why I won't give up! No more running! And to try saving people like me!"
The old man's expression softened.
Slowly… he let go of Takumi's collar.
The boy dropped to his knees, gasping, unable to move but still conscious.
The headmaster stepped back and turned to Kohaku.
"Kohaku, take him to his quarters. Give him his uniform."
Kohaku raised a brow.
"Fine. Though I'd have done better," he said, his signature grin returning.
"He's afraid. He hesitates. But he didn't run," the old man replied gravely. "That's enough."
Kohaku nodded, stepping barefoot toward the boy.
"Well, Takumi… you did better than I expected."
Takumi slumped to the ground, exhausted, a faint smile of relief tugging at his lips.
"…Idiots," he murmured, before his eyes finally closed.
The wind blew gently, carrying a few dry leaves across the dirt floor.
And for the first time since arriving… Takumi slept without nightmares.
Note: If you're interested in learning more about the character, you can follow me on my social media (X, Instagram, Tik Tok, Facebook) channels, such as Krolik, where I upload previews of the drawing.