The morning air in Hikarimachi felt… different.
Cold. Sharp. Disciplined.
He stood in the middle of the training grounds, watching the others.
Every movement was precise. Every strike controlled. No wasted energy. No chaos.
Unlike him.
He clenched his fist.
This is Ein Kage Dan…
He had chosen this place. Chosen this path.
Then why did it feel like he didn't belong here at all?
"Focus."
The voice cut through his thoughts.
Before he could react—
BOOM.
A burst of energy exploded from his hand, cracking the ground beneath his feet.
Silence followed.
All eyes turned toward him.
Some curious.
Some annoyed.
Some… wary.
"…Again?" someone muttered.
He gritted his teeth.
"I didn't mean to—"
"Intent doesn't matter."
A calm voice interrupted him.
Kaito Homuragi stood a few steps away now. He didn't remember seeing him approach.
That alone told him everything.
Strong.
Very strong.
Kaito's eyes scanned him once… then stopped at his trembling hand.
"Your power isn't unstable," he said.
"It's uncontrolled."
That hit harder than the explosion.
"Try again."
The command was simple.
He raised his hand.
Focused.
Controlled his breathing.
Just a little… slowly…
The energy gathered—
Then—
CRACK.
It burst out again, wild and uneven.
This time, he stepped back before it could damage anything.
But the whispers grew louder.
"He's dangerous…"
"Why is he even here?"
"He'll hurt someone at this rate."
"Enough."
Kaito stepped forward.
In one smooth motion, he grabbed his wrist.
Everything… stopped.
The energy that was about to surge—
Vanished.
Just like that.
His eyes widened.
What… was that?
"Power without control is just destruction," Kaito said calmly.
He let go.
"Is that what you want to become?"
He didn't answer.
Because he didn't know.
"…Then what am I supposed to do?" he asked quietly.
For the first time, Kaito's expression shifted slightly.
"Bind it."
"…Bind it?"
"In Ein Kage Dan, we don't suppress power," he said.
"We give it rules."
Kaito stepped back and raised his hand.
"Watch carefully."
He stood still.
Completely open.
No defense.
No movement.
Then—
A training construct lunged at him.
Fast.
Sharp.
Lethal.
And yet—
He didn't move.
Not until the very last moment.
Then—
FLASH.
One strike.
Clean.
Instant.
Overwhelming.
The construct shattered.
"An Oath," Kaito said, lowering his hand.
"A restriction you place on yourself."
"The stricter it is… the stronger you become."
He stared.
"A restriction… makes you stronger?"
"Try it," Kaito said.
He didn't hesitate.
If that's what it takes…
"I'll make one."
Power gathered again in his hand.
Unstable.
Violent.
But this time—
He didn't release it.
He closed his eyes.
An Oath…
Something I can never break…
Faces flashed in his mind.
Fear.
Pain.
That moment—
When he lost control.
When someone got hurt.
Because of him.
His hand trembled.
"…No."
His voice was low.
But firm.
"I won't hesitate again."
The energy around him slowed.
For the first time—
It listened.
"I will sever evil."
The air grew heavy.
Still.
"If I fail to do so…"
His grip tightened.
"…then this power has no right to exist."
Silence.
Then—
BOOM.
A surge of power exploded outward—
But it didn't destroy.
It stabilized.
Condensed.
Refined.
His eyes snapped open.
The energy in his hand—
Was steady.
For the first time.
"…He did it," someone whispered.
"No way…"
"That fast?"
Even Kaito was silent for a moment.
Then—
"…Interesting."
He looked at his hand.
No shaking.
No chaos.
Just… control.
This is it…
This is how I get stronger.
But then—
For a split second—
Something felt… wrong.
The energy flickered.
Just once.
Like two forces colliding inside him.
"…?"
He frowned.
But it was gone.
Just as quickly as it came.
Kaito's eyes narrowed slightly.
He had noticed it.
But he said nothing.
"Training starts now," he said.
"Don't waste that Oath."
He clenched his fist.
This time—
It didn't shake.
"…I won't."
Far away—
Deep within him—
Something stirred.
Watching.
Waiting.
Smiling.
TO BE CONTINUED...