The Exorcist Academy was a sprawling, fortress-like complex hidden in the hills outside central Tokyo.
Inside a spacious training classroom lined with ancient scrolls and modern training equipment, three students waited.
Saki sat at her desk, arms crossed, still scowling.
Across from her, a cheerful boy with spiky brown hair named Haruto leaned forward excitedly.
Beside him, a quiet girl with glasses and long black hair named Yumi listened carefully.
”So that’s what happened last night,” Saki finished, voice tight.
“That monster nearly killed me.
If Sensei hadn’t shown up…” She clenched her fists.
“Its power was on another level.
Ancient.
I’ve never felt anything like it.”
Haruto whistled.
“Damn… Gashin, right?
The Devouring Eclipse?
I thought that was just a legend!”
Yumi adjusted her glasses, looking serious.
“If it really fused with a normal human body, that’s extremely dangerous.
The vessel might not even survive long.
What’s Sensei planning to do with—”
The classroom door suddenly slid open with a loud bang.
Kairo burst in like a whirlwind, arms spread wide, a massive grin on his face.
We have a new student!”
He immediately started wiggling dramatically, striking silly poses as he spoke.
“He’s got crazy potential!
Raw talent!
A walking disaster wrapped in chains!
This is gonna be so much fun~!”
Saki’s eye twitched.
“Sensei, just let him in already!
Stop dancing around like an idiot!”
Kairo froze mid-wiggle.
He looked down at the floor for a second, pretending to be scolded, then suddenly perked up again.
“Right, right!” He raised his arm high and shouted toward the hallway.
“Akira!
Come on in!”
The door slid open once more.
Akira walked in slowly, still wearing the black-and-silver uniform with the red talisman scarf around his neck.
He stopped at the front of the class, gulped nervously, and bowed slightly.
”Um… I’m Akira Kageyama.
Nice to meet you all.
I’ll be training here from now on, so… please take care of me.”
The room went dead silent for half a second.
Then—
Saki moved like lightning.
She slammed Akira against the wall, pinning him hard with her forearm across his chest.
Her face darkened with pure fury, spiritual energy crackling faintly around her.
”You—!” she snarled, eyes burning.
“Of all the people in the world…”
Akira froze in terror, back pressed against the cold wall.
His heart hammered violently.
Up close, he could still see the faint bruises on Saki’s face from their previous fight.
”I-I’m sorry!” Akira stammered quickly, voice shaking.
“I didn’t mean to— It wasn’t me!
That thing inside me— I didn’t have control!
I’m really sorry for what happened!”
Saki didn’t let go.
She whipped her head toward Kairo, still pinning Akira in place.
”Sensei!
Of all people, why him?!
Why did you bring this monster into our class?!”
Kairo scratched the back of his head and let out a goofy, carefree chuckle.
“Hahaha!
See?
This is exactly why it’s gonna be fun!”