The atmosphere inside the ancient shrine became unbearably heavy.
Kairo remained frozen in place, his hand still resting near the handle of Black Spartan. The Evil Spirit standing before him did not move, did not attack, and did not even show hostility.
It simply watched.
That alone made Kairo feel more nervous than any battle before.
"...You're an Evil Spirit?"
Kairo slowly asked, his voice cautious.
The creature tilted its head slightly.
"That is what humans call us."
Its voice was deep and unnatural, echoing throughout the ruined shrine.
Yura stepped forward, her eyes sharp.
"Kairo, move away."
For once, Kairo didn't immediately rush forward.
He could feel it.
Something was different.
This wasn't like the Evil Spirits he had fought before.
Those creatures attacked because of instinct.
This one was thinking.
Shougo entered the shrine slowly, his eyes never leaving the creature.
"Everyone, stay behind me."
Tyouro looked surprised.
"Sensei?"
Shougo rarely gave direct orders like this.
Kimimaru tightened his grip on his Zweihander.
"...It's stronger than normal."
The Evil Spirit looked toward Shougo.
A faint smile appeared beneath its cracked mask.
"So this is the famous Shougo."
The room became silent.
Kairo glanced at his teacher.
"You know him?"
"No."
Shougo's answer was immediate.
"But it knows me."
The Evil Spirit slowly walked forward.
Each step created a small crack in the ancient stone floor.
"I have watched your academy for years."
Its crimson eyes moved toward Kairo.
"The old generation."
Then toward Yura, Tyouro, and Kimimaru.
"The new generation."
Finally, it looked back at Shougo.
"You continue training them... even though you know what is coming."
Shougo's expression remained calm.
"What are you talking about?"
The Evil Spirit laughed quietly.
"You really haven't told them?"
Kairo's eyes widened slightly.
"Told us what?"
Shougo didn't answer.
The silence itself was enough to make everyone uncomfortable.
Tyouro frowned.
"Sensei?"
Shougo finally spoke.
"Don't listen to it."
The Evil Spirit smiled.
"Still protecting them."
Suddenly, the pressure around the shrine increased.
Kairo felt his knees becoming heavier.
His body instinctively reacted.
The same feeling he experienced when facing Oko returned.
A threat.
A real threat.
But this time...
He didn't feel fear.
He tightened his grip on Black Spartan.
"I don't care what you know about us."
The others looked at him.
Kairo slowly stepped forward.
"But if you hurt innocent people..."
His eyes became serious.
"I'll stop you."
The Evil Spirit stared at him for a few seconds.
Then it laughed.
Not mockingly.
Almost like it was impressed.
"Interesting."
"Kurosawa Kairo."
Everyone froze.
Kairo's expression changed.
"...How do you know my name?"
The Evil Spirit ignored the question.
"Your energy is unusual."
A faint dark mist surrounded its body.
"Light."
Then it looked deeper.
"Darkness."
Kairo's breathing stopped for a moment.
The creature continued.
"You are carrying something you do not understand."
Shougo's eyes narrowed.
"Enough."
In an instant, the atmosphere changed.
The calm teacher disappeared.
For a brief moment, everyone felt the overwhelming presence of the strongest person in the room.
The Evil Spirit looked at him.
"Still the same."
"You always protect others before yourself."
Shougo stepped forward.
"This conversation ends here."
The Evil Spirit remained silent.
Then...
It turned around.
Everyone was surprised.
"You're leaving?"
Yura asked.
The creature stopped.
"I did not come here to fight."
It looked back at them.
"I only wanted to see the one who will decide the future."
Kairo frowned.
"Decide the future?"
The Evil Spirit's crimson eyes glowed.
"Whether this world survives..."
"...or falls."
The next second, the black mist surrounding it expanded.
Kairo raised Black Spartan.
"Wait!"
But before anyone could move...
The Evil Spirit disappeared.
The shrine became silent again.
Only the sound of the wind remained.
Tyouro looked around in confusion.
"Did we just let an Evil Spirit escape?"
Yura crossed her arms.
"No."
She looked at Shougo.
"Sensei let it leave."
Everyone turned toward him.
Shougo remained quiet.
After several seconds, he finally spoke.
"...The mission isn't over."
Kairo noticed something unusual.
For the first time...
Shougo looked worried.
Later that evening, the squad returned to their temporary camp outside Moonveil Forest.
The missing scout had been rescued, but nobody felt relieved.
The encounter left more questions than answers.
Kairo sat beside the fire, staring at his hands.
"Something inside me..."
He quietly whispered.
"The Evil Spirit knew something."
Across from him, Shougo watched silently.
"Kairo."
He looked up.
"Yes, Sensei?"
"Do not chase answers before you're ready."
Kairo lowered his eyes.
"But I want to know."
Shougo looked toward the dark forest.
"I know."
A small silence passed.
Then Shougo continued.
"That's why you need to become stronger."
Kairo clenched his fist.
Not because he was angry.
Because he understood.
There were still countless things he didn't know about himself.
His Reikou.
His Yami.
The strange power that appeared during his battle with Oko.
And now...
An Evil Spirit that knew his name.
Deep within Moonveil Forest, far away from the squad's camp, a faint red glow appeared between the trees.
The Evil Spirit stood alone.
Watching the distant lights of Reikosha's students.
"It has begun..."
It whispered.
"The next era is approaching."
And somewhere beyond the mountains...
Ancient powers continued to awaken.