Reina glared angrily at Akira.
— Master, I know this kid. I think the one on the right, where the spirit entered… and the one on the left is the one who went berserk in the exam hall. Am I right?
Akabane replied.
— No. It's the other way around.
Reina was shocked.
— Impossible!
— Why do you say that?
Reina spoke with a mocking tone.
— There's no way the one on the left could be that strong! He can't even use that energy.
Akira grinned proudly.
— Hahaha! You should show respect when you see someone stronger than you.
Reina scowled.
— What did you just say!!
Akabane stepped between them.
— Shut your mouths! I'm here to remove the spirits from both of you.
Sato stepped forward.
— Start with me! I want to get out of here immediately.
— Fine. Extend your arm.
Sato extended his arm. Akabane placed her hand on it and closed her eyes. Black energy began to flow out of Sato's body. The spirit tried to escape, but Akabane easily sealed it into her own body.
Akira was impressed.
— Wow… that was amazing!
Sato was equally amazed.
— Incredible…
Reina shouted.
— That's a council member in front of you! Show some respect!
Akabane pulled Sato out of the cage, then turned her gaze to Akira.
— Your turn, hot-headed brat.
Akira frowned.
— Hey, speak prop—
Reina suddenly covered Akira's mouth.
— Extend your arm.
Reluctantly, Akira stretched out his arm. Akabane placed her hand on it.
But at that moment… her brows furrowed.
Akabane thought:
— Why is this taking so long…
Suddenly, Akabane's hand snapped back violently.
— …The technique didn't work, I see.
Reina, knowing the power of the technique, couldn't understand why it had failed.
— Master! It's impossible for your technique not to work!
Akabane replied sternly.
— Some spirits can resist this technique.
Akira asked curiously.
— So… can I leave now?
— No. You'll stay here until the council decides, brat.
Akira's spirits sank.
— But…
Akabane left the room.
— Let's go, Reina.
The two walked through the palace in silence.
Along the long corridors, dim light from the moon reflected on the stone floor. Akabane walked with heavy steps, followed quietly by his loyal student Reina. Flags hung on the walls fluttered in the faint wind.
Suddenly, a soldier appeared and bowed respectfully.
— Lady Akabane, the council has convened.
Akabane nodded slightly, her face cold.
— Fine… Reina, return to the palace. It's time to select the candidates.
The girl bowed her head, her eyes disappearing into the shadows.
— Master Akabane… I don't think anyone else is needed besides me.
Akabane shot a sharp look at his student.
— Shut your mouth… and do as I say.
Reina's lips trembled, her courage faltering.
— O-okay…
Akabane quickened her pace without looking back, heading to the most magnificent part of the palace—the council chamber. She opened the door and saw that almost everyone had already taken their seats around the long table. One chair remained empty.
Noa smirked mockingly.
— You're late.
Akabane frowned.
— I had business.
Noa approached, the mocking smile lingering on her lips.
— What could be more important than the council?
Akabane snapped coldly.
— Sorry I didn't spend the whole day relaxing in the palace like you.
Noa laughed.
— Hahaha! You should try an ice bath sometime.
Daigo leaned forward from the table.
— Leave the girl alone.
Noa narrowed her eyes.
— Still got a problem with me, firehound?
Daigo clenched his fist.
— Yes!
Tension rose as Arisawa's calm voice intervened.
— Enough. Let's focus.
Akabane looked around sharply.
— Where's Hoshigaki?
Sorane, known for her timid nature, stammered.
— H-he said he w-would be a bit l-late.
Arata raised his eyebrows and shouted.
— What did you say? I can't hear you!
Kuronuma sighed deeply.
— It's his fault he's late. Let's begin selecting the candidates.
Noa nodded.
— You're right.
Akabane's frown deepened.
— Let's wait for Hoshigaki.
Kuronuma smirked contemptuously.
— What's the matter? Can't make a decision without your young lover?
The words created tension at the table. Akabane clenched her fist and shouted in anger.
— Shut your mouth!
Arisawa intervened again.
— Calm down. Waiting for Hoshigaki is the right thing. Remember, the council has twelve members.
Izumi narrowed her eyes, speaking in a cold tone.
— I still oppose him being a council member. Why did we take him in after he killed his father?
Natsuhara placed his hands on the table.
— Because the laboratory is one of the kingdom's most vital resources for a hundred years. If the research is interrupted, it would be a disaster for Velmorya.
Daigo slammed the table in anger.
— Researching those damned spirits is nonsense on its own!
Noa raised an eyebrow.
— I don't think I need to remind you about the great war a hundred years ago.
As the argument escalated, Akabane silenced everyone with her voice.
— Shut your mouths. The council has decided. We will wait for Hoshigaki.
Izumi frowned.
— No one has made a decision yet…
Daigo shouted in anger.
— You're acting on your own again, Akabane!
Meanwhile, in a dimly lit cage beneath the palace, Akira leaned against his chains, his eyes closing from exhaustion. The heavy door creaked open. The man entering was bowed to by the soldiers.
— Master Hoshigaki.
Akira jumped to his feet.
— Get me out of here now!!
The man squinted.
— Don't you recognize me?
Akira sneered.
— Sorry, I couldn't tell.
One of the soldiers stepped forward angrily.
— Watch your tone, you brat—
Hoshigaki raised his hand.
— It's fine.
Akira gritted his teeth.
— The only council member I know is that fraud Arisawa.
Hoshigaki smiled and inclined his head.
— Maybe if I say Mito… or was it Meto?
Akira paused as a memory flickered in his mind.
— You…! The man I met behind the bushes at the laboratory door!
The soldiers exchanged surprised glances.
Hoshigaki nodded.
— That's right.
Akira's eyes widened.
— That day… a spirit entered me in the laboratory.
Hoshigaki murmured softly.
— And you maintained control… Interesting.
Akira leaned forward.
— Why?
Hoshigaki explained seriously.
— Normally, powerful spirits kill the host and take over the body.
Akira shrugged.
— Guess the old spirit inside me can't do that.
Hoshigaki raised his eyebrows.
— …Old spirit? So the spirit is elderly?
Akira laughed.
— It had an old voice. And completely white hair. Definitely an old geezer!
Hoshigaki asked.
— Does it give you power?
Akira shook his head.
— No. It just keeps talking about some "agreement."
Hoshigaki muttered thoughtfully.
— I see… That explains why I came. I wanted to see if you had control. Now, I'll go up to the council chamber. We'll select twenty-seven candidates. Our decision about you will be made there.
He vanished for a moment. The next second, the council chamber doors opened.
— Apologies for being late—
Before he could finish, Akabane's fist struck his face.
Hoshigaki brushed his eyebrows.
— What was that, Lady Akabane?
Akabane shouted in anger.
— Do you realize you're ten minutes late?
Hoshigaki took a deep breath.
— …Yes. I had business.
Arisawa spoke.
— Now that Hoshigaki has arrived, let's begin. I've written my recommendations and teams on the documents in front of you.
Akabane picked up the papers and examined them.
— Well thought out… but I've researched too. These two are not the best fit for my team.
Arisawa calmly replied.
— Then let everyone choose their students. If the same student is selected by multiple members, the council will decide.
Noa pursed her lips.
— Clever.
Daigo grumbled.
— These kids already limit our options.
Izumi spoke coldly.
— Yes, half of the exam hall skipped. Seventy-five remain. Choosing twenty-seven candidates won't be difficult.
Arisawa clasped his hands.
— Let's take time to think. The documents contain all students' ID cards and abilities.
Noa chuckled.
— I don't think Arisawa did all this.
Arisawa shrugged.
— Of course, while I slept, my servants did it all.
A short laughter spread across the table. After several minutes of silence, everyone finished their selections.
Finally, Arisawa spoke.
— My choices: Yui Volt, Raiga… and Akira Valen.
The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly.
Noa asked in shock.
— Valen?
Daigo shouted angrily.
— Hey! That kid… he's the monster kid, isn't he?
Sorane spoke, trembling.
— T-this is terrifying…
Izumi narrowed her eyes.
— Does he have any connection to Mira Valen?
Arisawa replied calmly.
— He's Mira Valen's brother.
Daigo yelled in disbelief.
— What!? Such a beautiful girl has a brother who's a monster?
Makise intervened in a cold voice.
— This is related to the spirit. The boy isn't a monster.
The debate grew heated as everyone began speaking at once. Finally, Arata spoke up.
— I have a suggestion. If he can make a pact with the spirit, let him. If he can't… we kill him.
Silence fell over the table. Finally, Arisawa spoke.
— I agree. Let's vote.
Hands went up one by one. The result was clear:
Nine in favor, three against.
The council had determined Akira Valen's fate.
After the council made their decision, Arisawa walked with heavy steps down to the basement. The dim lamps along the narrow corridors flickered, the silence broken only by the echo of his boots on the stone floor. When he opened the basement door, the soldiers inside noticed him and immediately bowed.
Akira, leaning against the wall behind the iron bars, eyes fixed on the ceiling, murmured in a tired and mocking voice.
— I wonder who's here again…
When his eyes fell on Arisawa, he suddenly straightened.
— You, you lying bastard!
Angrily, he reached through the bars, trying to grab Arisawa.
— Wasn't I supposed to stay here for only an hour? And there isn't even a bed in this room!
Arisawa tilted his face with seriousness.
— Calm down… I'm here to get you out.
Akira grumbled.
— Of course you are!
Arisawa unlocked the door and opened it slightly. Akira got up, rubbing his sleepy eyes, speaking with a careless tone.
— Lead the way.
Akira gave him a suspicious look.
— As if I'd believe you this time…
But Arisawa's unusually serious expression made Akira follow him despite himself.
As they walked down the corridor, Arisawa spoke.
— You need to make a pact with the spirit inside you.
Akira paused, frowning.
— A pact? Meto mentioned that too.
Arisawa raised an eyebrow.
— Meto?
Akira nodded.
— Yes, the young council member.
Arisawa was surprised, then murmured softly.
— I see.
Akira sighed.
— I told Meto, and I'll tell you too… I don't think that old geezer will make a pact with me.
Arisawa asked curiously.
— Why not?
Akira thought for a moment.
— He's shown up a few times before. He refuses to give me his power.
Arisawa took a deep breath.
— I think he's changed his mind now.
Akira's expression darkened.
— Are you talking about the ones at the exam hall?
Arisawa looked carefully.
— Do you remember?
Akira shook his head.
— No… but I know they were my doing.
Arisawa squinted.
— Using so much power without the spirit taking over your body… Very interesting. I've never seen anything like it before.
Akira remained silent.
Arisawa began explaining.
— Look, let me explain. Even if the spirit gives you its power, it won't give you all of it. There are reasons.
Akira asked curiously.
— Like what?
Arisawa spoke seriously.
— First, if you lose control, the spirit can die too. Second… do you know how spirits are formed?
Akira scratched his head.
— Hmm… don't people become spirits after they die?
Arisawa squinted.
— Then have you ever wondered why there are so few spirits, even though so many people die?
Akira's eyes widened.
— True… If what you say is correct, everyone should have a spirit.
Arisawa nodded.
— If a person uses a forbidden, cursed spirit technique before they die… even if their body dies, their spirit remains in this world.
Akira leaned forward with curiosity.
— Doesn't this technique have disadvantages?
Arisawa answered without hesitation.
— Of course it does. This technique absorbs most of a person's energy. Normal humans lose 90%, and strong users lose up to 70%.
Akira was stunned.
— So if the spirit inside me is really strong… it's only using 30% of its power right now.
Arisawa confirmed calmly.
— Exactly. Judging by the power in the exam hall, that spirit, at full strength, would be stronger than even the council members.
Akira shouted in shock.
— What!? Stronger than the council members too?
Arisawa added.
— But remember… it's only using 30%.
Akira muttered softly.
— That's still plenty strong…
Arisawa stopped in front of a door.
— Here we are.
Akira raised an eyebrow.
— What's in this empty room?
Arisawa opened the door.
— This room forces the spirit inside you to reveal itself. You can talk to it as much as you want.
After a short pause, Akira entered.
— Alright then, I'm going in.
In the middle of the room were two chairs. Akira sat in one. Arisawa closed the door and turned several locks.
Akira grumbled.
— Arisawa… Isn't all this locking a bit much?
Arisawa nodded.
— If my guess is correct, these locks are barely enough. Now… close your eyes and try to reach your spirit.
Akira closed his eyes and took a deep breath, feeling himself being pulled into a dark void.
After a while, when he opened his eyes, an elderly man with long white hair, wearing black clothes and a royal crown, sat before him.
Akira muttered.
— Arisawa… it didn't work… I got a familiar old geezer instead.
Arisawa's voice echoed in his mind.
— That… is the spirit.
Akira's eyes widened.
— Huh?! …AHAHAH!
Akira laughed loudly.
— I've been joking all this time… but you really turned out to be an old man!
The elderly man frowned angrily.
— My name is Valtherion. Forcing me to speak… you want to make a pact, do you?
Akira smirked mockingly.
— Geezer, how are you still alive? How old are you?
Valtherion shouted in a stern voice.
— Be serious, brat! Or I won't utter a single word for the pact!
Akira flinched in surprise.
— Wait… what? You want a pact too!
Valtherion grumbled.
— I don't want to. But… I can give you a small part of my power.
Akira pursed his lips.
— Huh? You've already lost 70% of your power. How is giving me a small part going to help?
Valtherion laughed, then became serious.
— 30%? You have no idea how much power I've truly lost.
Akira raised his eyebrows.
— …You lost more than 30%?
Valtherion's eyes darkened.
— I lost everything! My ten chaos… my old strength… my speed! It all was taken from me, destroyed as if I were trash!
Akira asked in surprise, raising his eyebrows.
— So… you lost all this while using the spirit technique?
Valtherion grumbled in anger, his eyes blazing.
— Spirit technique? Hah! Don't underestimate the Volgraths, brat! It was them who took all my power. They did this!
Silence fell. The hatred on Valtherion's face made Akira's hair stand on end.
Valtherion continued fiercely.
— When I used the technique, my power dropped from 30% to 15%.
Akira tensed, asking in a trembling voice.
— …Who did you say did that?
Valtherion became silent, eyes dark.
— They're dead. There's no point talking about them now.
Akira frowned.
— So… you have 15% of your power left… and you want to give me even a small part of that?
Valtherion slowly nodded.
— Yes. Right now, I can give you about a third.
Akira's eyes shone, sparks of hope igniting inside him.
— A third… Is that enough for me to become a king?
Valtherion responded firmly.
— You will be stronger than the council members.
Akira was startled with excitement, but immediately protested angrily.
— A third can't do that! …How strong were you normally?
Valtherion took a deep breath and spoke proudly.
— I've fought thousands of battles in my life. But I lost only once.
Akira paused for a moment, then bowed his head in respect.
— A pact is mutual. I'm sure you'll want something from me.
Valtherion smiled faintly.
— Foolish brat… I'm glad you understand.
Akira clenched his teeth in anger but remained silent.
Valtherion's eyes glowed with seriousness.
— Normally, I would demand much from you. But I will ask nothing. I will give you my power directly. You won't even need to wake me.
Akira leapt up in excitement, a pure joy on his face.
— Geezer, you're really something! When I first saw you, I thought you were a demon… sorry!
Valtherion smiled and extended his hand with heavy steps.
Akira also smiled and grasped his hand. At that moment, red lines spread from Akira's hand along his arm and across his right eye. The energy surged through his body, as if burning through his veins.
But suddenly… everything changed.
Akira found himself in the middle of darkness.
— W-where is this place?
He walked through the dark for a while. A bloodied door appeared before him. The doorknob was caked in dried blood. Shaking, he turned the knob and stepped inside.
Blood dripped from the ceiling, then poured like rain. The blood on the floor rose to his knees.
— T-this… looks like back then…
The darkness began to brighten. Akira froze.
In front of him was a mountain of hundreds of corpses. A white-haired corpse sat atop the mountain.
A man with short black hair, his face invisible, emerged from the darkness. He tossed the white-haired corpse next to Akira.
When Akira looked at the corpse… he saw Valtherion's lifeless face.
— V-Valtherion…
The corpse rose to its feet. The mountain of corpses behind it dissolved, and they all began running toward Akira.
— S-stop! Let go of me!
Akira ran for a while, but
Valtherion's corpse grabbed Akira and sank its teeth into his flesh.
— Aaaaghhhhhh!
Then the other corpses jumped on him. They began tearing him apart with their teeth.
— V-Valtherion!!! You tricked me!
His screams echoed through the room.
— YUIII!!! S-save me!! Please… someone…!
He suddenly opened his eyes. His breath caught. He sat up in bed, drenched in sweat and out of breath.
When he looked around… he was in a hospital room.
Akira took a deep breath. There was still a terrifying look in his eyes…