The countdown had already begun.
š On the road
Ren leaned forward in his seat, barely able to contain himself.
"Manā¦ I still can't believe it," he said, grinning like a kid. "I'm really going to become a Slayer. I feel like I'm about to explode from excitement!"
Tadashi chuckled softly from the front seat.
"It's good to see you this motivated."
"Yeahā¦ but," Ren scratched the back of his head, "it's a shame Itsuki didn't come."
ā³ Hours earlier
"Why don't you come with me?" Ren insisted.
Itsuki crossed his arms, indifferent.
"Because I have work to do."
"There's nothing important here!"
"Just because you don't want to be a monk doesn't mean I can't," Itsuki shot back. "Besides, Slayers depend on monks more than you think."
Ren pausedā¦ then smiled.
"All right then. Let's make a promise."
Itsuki raised an eyebrow.
"I'll become the strongest Slayer in the worldā¦ and reach the top."
A beat.
"And you," Ren pointed at him, "become the greatest monk ever."
Itsuki sighed.
"ā¦Fine. I promise. Now get out of here."
š Back to the present
Tadashi smiled faintly.
"It really is a shame Itsuki couldn't come."
Ren shrugged.
"It's fine. He was never the type to leave home anywayā¦ Hey, Tadashi, when are we getting there?"
Tadashi slowed the car.
"We're already here."
š¢ Arrival
Ren stepped outā¦ and froze.
A massive building towered before him.
"Incredibleā¦"
Tadashi scratched his cheek, awkwardly.
"Renā¦ the headquarters is on the other side."
"ā¦Huh?"
Ren blinked.
"A school?!"
š« Seishin TÅitsu Gakuen
"Yes," Tadashi said. "Welcome to the Tokyo Slayer Headquarters."
"ā¦You're kidding. The headquarters is a school?!"
"It's a cover," Tadashi replied calmly. "Andā¦ I also work here as a teacher."
Ren stared at him.
"Seriouslyā¦? Then what about that huge building?"
"Just a real estate company."
Ren deflated.
"ā¦What a scam."
Tadashi opened the gate.
"Come on. The admission test is about to start."
Ren froze.
"ā¦Wait. A test?"
"Yes. Your physical and mental abilities will be evaluated."
Ren's soul almost left his body.
"I'm doomedā¦ I didn't study anything!"
Tadashi laughed.
"You won't need to."
āØ Inside the academy
As the doors opened, light flooded Ren's vision.
When his eyes adjustedā¦ he froze again.
People everywhere.
A huge, luxurious interior.
Everything shining.
"This is insane!" Ren shouted. "All thisā¦ this is one of those rich schools, right?!"
Tadashi nodded.
"One of the most prestigious academies among Slayers. Even the strongest were trained here."
Ren's eyes sparkled.
"That's amazing! And you're a teacher here too? You're incredible, Tadashi!"
Tadashi looked away, slightly embarrassed.
"It's nothingā¦"
š¤ The Announcement
A man stepped forward, his voice sharp and commanding.
"Welcome to Seishin TÅitsu Gakuen."
Silence fell instantly.
"My name is Kentarou Takahashi. I am the vice director of this institution."
His gaze swept across the crowd.
"Here, you will prove your worth as Slayers."
A pause.
"Those who failā¦ will be sent home."
Tension tightened the air.
"Nowā¦ I will hand the word over to the director."
šļø The Director
A calm, imposing presence stepped forward.
"Welcomeā¦ new generation."
Hayato Moriyama.
"I see the excitement in your eyes," he said. "It brings me joy to stand before individuals with such potential."
His voice softened.
"Give everything you haveā¦ and never stop fighting."
š„ Ren (no filter)
Ren raised his handā¦ and shouted with a wide grin:
"Don't worry! I'm not planning to lose anytime soon!"
A beat.
"Just watch, Director!"
Silence.
Thenā
The beginning of somethingā¦ far greater than he imagined.