Griffin finally arrived in Reishin. He paused for a moment, quietly observing the surroundings before walking forward again. As he reached Reikōsha Academy, something caught his attention a faint presence, something heavy… a soul filled with sorrow.
"I found it."
He followed the feeling until he saw the boy. Goro.
Griffin sighed and slowly knelt down in front of him, adjusting his coat slightly.
"Tsk… this boy."
He studied him carefully, his sharp eyes analyzing every detail.
"His energy is… abnormal. Far beyond others."
Griffin placed a hand on his chin, thinking.
"Energy Replication… he observes first, then copies. If he encounters someone powerful, he could replicate it even durability."
He paused, watching Goro cry silently.
"…What a dangerous ability. Beautiful, even."
Standing up, Griffin continued speaking as if recording everything in his mind.
"And Energy Emulation… he doesn't just copy power, he imitates how it's used. He can perceive, scan, and recreate different energies… though control may become unstable."
He turned away, fixing his hat.
"I'm glad I discovered you."
He took one last glance.
"Farewell… boy."
And then he left.
Far away, in Dragonbone Ridge, darkness swallowed the land.
A man stood alone… laughing.
His eyes glowed red, marked by a strange symbol.
"If I destroy the world… the gods will come to stop me."
His voice was calm but filled with madness.
"And when they do… I will erase them."
He raised his hand toward a nearby animal. In an instant—
Gone.
"I'll use this power… to erase even the gods' existence."
He laughed again, louder this time, before vanishing into the shadows.
Morning came, but Dragonbone Ridge no longer felt normal.
Dead animals were scattered across the area dogs, cows, fish… all gone without a trace. Panic slowly spread among the villagers.
Inside a small house, a woman clutched her chest as tears fell from her eyes. She stared at a picture of her husband.
"He's been missing since last night…"
Her voice trembled.
"He didn't even say goodbye…"
Not far away, a man was casually buying bread when he suddenly noticed someone nearby. His expression twisted in irritation as he kicked the person down.
"Look who's on their knees, you—"
Before he could finish—
The man disappeared.
The figure slowly stood up… and laughed.
People around him began to panic, stepping back, whispering in fear.
"I'm going to destroy this world," he said calmly, smiling. "And create a new one… where only me and my wife can live peacefully."
An old man stepped forward, shaking but determined.
"You can't do that! People here are living peacefully!"
Others followed.
"We have families too!"
"We won't let you!"
Yoshiro smiled.
A cold, empty smile.
"Why would I care?"
His voice dropped.
"Did anyone care when my world was destroyed?"
Silence.
"You're all the same."
He slowly raised his hand.
"I possess an Advanced Energy…"
He smirked.
"Can you handle it?"
In an instant people began to vanish.
No blood. No screams.
Just… erased.
The remaining villagers ran in terror as Yoshiro laughed, his voice echoing across the ridge.
"This… is my happiness."
Suddenly, he stopped.
His expression shifted.
Fire.
For a moment, everything went quiet.
"…I hate fire."
Memories flooded his mind.
His clenched fists trembled slightly.
"…It reminds me."
His voice cracked but only for a second.
Then his eyes locked onto a man running away at incredible speed.
"…Fast."
Yoshiro smirked.
"Do you really think you can escape me?"
In a blink, he caught up.
If the world destroyed my life… why?
Did I do something wrong?
I lived normally… I worked… I endured…
His thoughts grew louder.
But they still took everything.
Tears formed in his eyes.
"I promise you…"
His voice softened.
"I'll bring you back… no matter what."
Back at Reikōsha Academy, the atmosphere couldn't be more different.
Kairo sat casually, drinking a cocktail, while Tyouro sat beside him eating onigiri and laughing.
"Man… do you ever wonder about those warriors?"
Kairo glanced at him.
"What warriors?"
"Divine Warriors," Tyouro said, leaning back. "I heard they use something called Forbidden Energy."
Kairo blinked.
"…Eh?"
"Oh come on," Tyouro laughed. "You definitely know something."
Before Kairo could respond—
"BOO!"
Both of them nearly jumped out of their seats.
Sensei Shougo stood behind them, grinning like a kid.
"Sorry~"
Kairo blinked.
"…Is he okay?"
"I don't know," Tyouro whispered back.
Shougo clapped his hands.
"Alright, listen. Things are getting dangerous lately."
His tone shifted more serious now.
"I'm assigning you all a mission."
"A mission?" Yura's voice came from behind.
They turned. She and Kimimaru were already there.
Shougo smirked.
"Good. Saves me time."
He crossed his arms.
"This won't be easy. It might even be dangerous… but that's exactly why you're doing it."
Tyouro grinned.
"Heh… finally something interesting."
Yura nodded slightly.
"We'll handle it."
Kimimaru stayed quiet, but his eyes were focused.
"…If it's just one target, it should be manageable."
Tyouro immediately frowned.
"Are you dumb? Just because it's one doesn't mean it's weak."
He leaned forward.
"What if they can copy us? Our speed, strength… even our energy?"
Kimimaru paused.
"…Fair point."
Meanwhile, inside the faculty room, the mood was tense.
Shougo stared at a newspaper, his expression dark.
"…This is bad."
Judas Iscariot leaned against the wall, sighing lightly.
"The energy involved… it's not normal."
A senior teacher spoke quietly.
"His name is Yoshiro Kagetsu."
Shougo's eyes widened.
"Advanced Energy user… capable of erasing existence itself."
Silence filled the room.
"I'm not letting my students face that," Shougo said firmly.
Suddenly, a hand rested on his shoulder.
Griffin.
"Let them," he said calmly. "This is what will make them stronger."
Shougo turned sharply, eyes filled with anger.
"Stronger? They could die before they even react!"
Judas stepped forward.
"…If you don't let them face reality, how will they grow?"
Griffin adjusted his hat.
"They're smarter than you think."
Shougo looked at them both, his expression cold.
"…No."
His voice dropped.
"I won't risk them."
He stepped closer to Griffin, eyes burning with intensity.
"And if they die…"
A pause.
"I'll kill you."