The transfer student

"Ayo! What's this!?"

The loud voice came from Suzuki Ren, a high school student training with spirit friends in the middle of the night. He shouted without concern that his echo could reach the sleeping people in their houses from afar and wake them up. 

Apparently, his new vision narrowed his view on others' health.

Yes, his new vision. His perception was completely different. Does a colorblind person see the world like this? Ren wondered. Different colors occupied his vision.

"It really worked!?" Rui asked, baffled. "I wasn't expecting that to work. Wow, Words of Power can help anyone. See, Haiji? Lack of magical power means nothing!"

"Incredible! Rui-sama, I'm as surprised as you," Haiji completed, grinning with his fox mouth. "Haha! You did it, Ren-dono! You did it!"

"I did it!"

Ren bumped his fist into the air and began jumping in circles like a child. The happiness meters in his brain exploded, and he needed to expel the excess.

"Boy, what do you see?"

"I see colors," Ren answered, still unsure. "Several colors. Red, blue, purple, yellow, white, black, and what's that color? Anyway, I see them everywhere."

"Your brain hasn't got used to the Spiritual Sight yet, Ren-dono. Give it some moments, and the colors will assimilate eventually."

"Rui-san, what do I do now? Wahh! It is so cool!"

"For the moment, wait. Your brain can't process the world you're seeing. Once it's settled itself, I want you to go hunting."

"Huh? Hunting? Why? Are you hungry or something?"

"Not animals, fool. Hunt spirits, weak ones. Beat them to oblivion. Now you can see and touch them. Physical attacks damage the spirits through your spiritual force. It's complicated to explain, so, in a nutshell, if you punch them enough to lower their vital force, they will be sent back to the spiritual world."

"You want me to purge spirits?" Ren frowned. "Will that make me level up and give me a skill point?"

"Not really. It's just training. I need to make your body get used to the Spiritual Sight. So, go. You'll feel which spirits are the weakest. If you encounter a strong one, run."

"I still find this strange."

"She's asking you to do her job," Haiji interfered. "Although I reckon that it may accelerate your growing, Ren-dono."

"Hey, Haiji!"

"What's the problem with the truth?"

"Guhh. W-well, it is my job, but, boy, you need to see other spirits. You're already with the Spiritual Sight activated, but, I mean, if you want to rest..."

"That's a low blow, Rui-san," Ren answered, gesturing a blow to the heart. "I'll do it. I can lose a night of sleep once in a while."

"Ouch... Awn"

Seeing the world with other colors made stairs a powerful opponent. Ren arrived tumbling in the street, rolling to the middle of the highway.

"I'd be totally dead if a drunken driver suddenly appeared."

Ren heard motor sounds, making his eyes shoot wide. He rose fast and hopped to the sidewalk. A moment later, an expensive car flew like lightning. 

"Damn."

Ren walked a little. The surroundings were all dark, but he could see almost perfectly. He spotted a strange dust cloud floating above the ground. An opaque gray light made it distinguishable from the environment.

The dust cloud moved around like a living being.

"A spirit."

Ren steadily approached the cloud. It showed no sign of moving. He kicked it, and it dissipated.

"That was it? I guess that was the first I defeated."

Kreek! Ren heard a metallic sound. An intense presence triggered Ren's instincts. He looked behind and spotted a big animal. It was similar to a boar but with the size of an elephant and a fiery bright horn.

"Now, that's a spirit," Ren got animated. 

It emitted gray light, too. But it was much stronger this time.

The boar spirit glanced at Ren menacingly. It snorted a radiant fire came.

Ren grinned. His body began to feel hot. 

"I've always wanted to fight a big monster!"

The monster boar acted first. Running like a stampede, it lunged at Ren, who hastily rushed laterally, making the spirit get its horn stuck in a concrete wall. 

"An opening!" Ren shouted ecstatically.

But the spirit had brutally taken out its horn, completely destroying the concrete wall and the dumpsters near it. Ren had to retreat. Trash started to rain from the sky. 

The rain distracted him, and before he knew it, a heat wave struck him and burned his skin lightly. In sequence, the boar growled and ran over everything in his path. 

Ren slid under the large gap between each leg. 

He was in a good position.

"And this is my second spirit!"

He punched the spirit with all his strength. That blow would definitely defeat the monster.

Gahh!?"

Or so he thought.

However, blood spilled from his hands. The boar's skin was too hard. It felt like he had punched a spiky wall. The spirit turned around, casting a shadow over Ren. Its breathing was hot like a hair dryer.

"I am fucked!"

Ren did not hesitate to abandon the fight and run. The spirit pursued. Each of its steps felt like an earthquake. 

"Shit, shit, shit, shit! I'm sorry! Ahhhhh!"

The monster was faster than Ren, but he could slow it down by making sharp turns in the alleys. His main objective was to create a distance. His best shot would be walking in circles on different paths.

Badum! Badum! Badum! Wrarhh! The spirit approached, growling.

"Ahhhhhhh! Run, run, run!"

Inevitably, Ren reached a dead end.

"Oh, no!"

The gigantic monster closed his only way out. He could not escape anymore. He would need to fight until his last breath.

"I see. Is that how you want to do things!? Come on! Show me what you got!"

His only response was another growl, followed by a heat wave from its nostrils. A stampede shook the ground. In a second, the boar lunged at Ren.

He brought his fist forward.

And at the instant that the fist and horn would meet.

A lightning spear struck the boar.

Ren heard a neigh, and the spirit turned into thin blue particles that disappeared into the air. At the point of the lightning spear, he saw a human silhouette that looked at him before instantly vanishing with another burst of light.

"What the..."

He needed clarification. What had happened? Lightning burst through the night sky and killed (?) the boar spirit, but it was not raining. What about the human silhouette he saw? Someone had saved him, but who could have been? Was it Rui? 

Ren was left alone with no answers to his doubts.

******

Ren was at school the next day, waiting for the class to start until Miyamoto Hana came to talk.

"Good morning, Suzuki-san," she greeted.

"Ah. Hello, Miyamoto-san," Ren answered, looking tired.

"Did you know that a new student will be coming today? A transferred student, if I'm not wrong. Two new faces in the same class this year, that's a record for this school."

"A record, you say?" It was peculiar for that to be a record, but it seemed plausible for this small town. "Whatever. Talk more about this new student."

"Hm. for starters, she's a girl."

Ren raised his eyebrow with interest.

"It also seems that she comes from a distant country. She lives alone here and–that's all I know. I haven't seen her yet."

"Even the president has their limitations," Ren shrugged. 

The two kept blabbering trivial stuff until their teacher Yoshida Yoshino arrived. Alongside her, there was a girl with round glasses, braided brown hair over her shoulders and

"Large breasts."

He had to whisper this to himself.

"Good morning, everyone," the teacher started. "This is your new classmate that has transferred to our school. She was already registered here but couldn't attend classes for personal reasons."

"It's a pleasure to meet you all. I'm Hirawa Otohime," the girl presented herself. "I'm looking forward to this new year with you!" She bowed fast to the class.

Hirawa Otohime.

"Hm, she looks nice," Ren quietly muttered with a satisfied expression. "But something's off..."

Tiny particles of white light orbited Otohime. It was abnormal, but Ren let it off as a creation of his imagination.

"Alright, Hirawa. There is a vacant place right there," Yoshida pointed to the place behind Ayumi, who was happily smiling."

Otohime made her way to her new seat. Everyone was eyeing her silently, but that did not make her uncomfortable. Ayumi, noticing the awkward situation, got up and spoke up.

"Hello, Hirawa! It's nice to meet you. I'm Yukihira Ayumi, vice president of the student council."

"Oh. Hi, Yukihira. It's nice to meet you too," Otohime smiled thinly. "You're a member of the student council? How cool! I've never had one in my class."

Seeing an opening, Hana, who was a little far away, entered the conversation.

"This class also has the president," Hana said as she touched her chest. "In that case, me."

"Wow! That's amazing! I Can't wait to study together with you. Back at my other school, it's an honor to be in the same class as one of the student council members."

"What an eccentric school, haha!" Ayumi giggled. 

"Anyway, Hirawa-san. We're particularly receptive to our new students. Would you like help with something? There's another new student here that can prove our effectiveness. Suzuki-san?"

Suddenly called on, Ren had no choice but to stand up and enter the conversation. He did so with an annoyed expression, but nobody saw it.

"Hello. Hirawa-san, right? I'm Suzuki Ren. Glad to meet you," Ren nodded receptively, using that as a mask to investigate the dim white light.

The light was still there, coming from Otohime's body. However, now that he could see it closely, the light was slightly brighter next to her chest. He frowned. Was that reminiscent of the Spiritual Sight? Why would it be bright on her specifically? 

"Suzuki-kun, hello. Nice to meet you, too. So, you are a new student as well?'"

"I am. And I can confirm: Yukihira and Miyamoto-san know what they are doing. You can trust them."

"Oh, thanks, Suzuki-san."

"I'll blush if you say that way, Suzuki," Ayumi said jokingly. "You heard that, Hirawa."

"Ayumi, let's do the same thing we did for Suzuki-san here. Hirawa-san, would you like some help to know the city? We can take you for a tour."

"I appreciate your offer, Otohime said reluctantly. "But I already know the surroundings of this city."

"Oh, is that so? Too bad. Well, you can help you in an–"

"Okay, okay, you there. I've allowed you to introduce yourselves to Hirawa, but we can't lose more of the class. Get back to your seats," Yoshida cut them off, sending everyone to their places. 

"I'm sorry, Hirawa-san. We'll talk again later."

"I trust you, Onii-chan. You can take care of yourself," Kuriko said without any particular reason. 

It was not like Ren was too lazy to prepare something to eat. It was not like he was upset because Kuriko would not be home for the rest of the day. It was not like he would feel lonely without her. 

"Okay, Kuriko. Have fun. Just don't get home too late."

For context, Kuriko will spend most of the day at a friend's house. Her friends arrived soon after, and she parted away with them. Alone, Ren got on his way back home. While walking, he remembered he needed to buy some things and went to a convenience store near his apartment. 

"This is where I met Rui-san," Ren muttered before entering the establishment. "Before then, I never thought that magic and stuff were real. Haha."

Ren bought all the goods he could grasp out of his memories. Leaving the store, he spotted a strange dog, which looked more like a wolf, staring at him from the next sidewalk. He lowered his head in disbelief.

"Rui-san..." 

Ren crossed the street and met with Rui, who was wagging her tail happily. Thinking that that wolf was supposed to be a person made it all weird. 

"Boy."

"Wait, we can't talk here. There are too many people. I don't want to seem like a crazy person."

It would be hard to find an empty place. Ren looked around but did not find anything. It was then that he noticed a park where some children were playing. 

Ren made his way there, stopping at an uncomfortable bench. He put the plastic bags away on the bench and let his arms rest. 

He was now pretending to be a parent looking after their children.

He asked the white wolf beside him, "Won't you call too much attention? You're too big for a normal dog. Someone might question it."

"I'm not using my true physical form. So ordinary people won't notice me."

"Is that so?" Ren shrugged. "What are you doing here? It's rare to see you outside of the temple."

"Haiji is wandering around, and I can't stand loneliness, so I got out a bit. It was then that I saw you walking by. As your master, greeting you is the minimum."

"How ironic. My sister's also wandering around. We were both abandoned, Rui-san!"

"Oh, really? I was expecting to meet your sister again. She might have treated me with something," Rui stated bluntly. Did she not have any pride?

Ren frowned but continued.

"Why not use your human form? It would be easier."

"I would need to hide my ears, which annoys me. Moreover, I only wear kimonos, which would stand out too much. I prefer this form, as I can conceal myself and walk freely. Differently, my human self cannot escape human eyes."

"Really? But what about that talk about 'wanting to be seen' or whatever."

"We, animal spirits, need worship and adoration. However, sometimes, we want some privacy, you know?"

Ren and Rui continued talking until some children arrived at the local. Ren would not endure innocent children staring at him if he kept talking to the "white wolf beside me." (He told the toddlers about it.)

"Haha, I'm just kidding, kids! People my age don't have imaginary friends. But you should! Haha! Goodbye, little folks!"

Ren had to retreat as quickly as possible. He was starting to attract the attention of the parents.

''Let's go to the temple," Rui whispered to him.

So the two made their way to Rui's temple.

"I have something to teach you," Rui said as bright mist covered her body. Before Ren knew it, she was back to her stunning human form with bestial ears twitching atop her head.

"Something to teach me? What is it?"

"A little trick that might help you out in your future fights. You know, the Art of the External Energy can drastically increase your physical strength if you infuse your body with the magical power of the environment. But that may be quite hard."

Ren nodded, waiting for Rui to continue.

"I once met a man called Xiao Xinyi. Just like you, he had no magical power. And that was in a time when practically everyone was a magician or sorcerer of some type. He created the Art of the External Energy to compete with traditional magic. He couldn't use miracles or sorceries, but that did not stop him from becoming a powerful magician. "

"You've already told me that. A magician who could not use magic. A magical fighter."

"I know. I only want you to know that the most relevant thing that made Xinyi a powerful magical fighter was his ability to enhance his physical capacities. What I'll teach you now."

"Is that the trick you mentioned?"

"Yes. It might work well with you, boy. You're more powerful than the average person, well well-trained, and I also have to recognize the fast pacing of your evolution. Warrior blood must run through your veins," Rui praised. 

Ren was not used to praising, so he could not help but feel slightly embarrassed. He averted his eyes. Rui continued speaking.

"In any case, remember the grimoire you took when you saved me?"

"Yes, of course. It's hidden, as you suggested."

"Okay, I want you to think of it. Picture it in your mind."

"Okay?"

"Now, extend your arm. Like this," Rui stretched out her right arm towards the ground with her palm fully opened. 

Still confused, Ren did the same. 

"Now, say: Appear! Book of the weakest!"

Ren mentalized the image of that thick book. The one thrown away with a harmed dog attacked by some possessed jerks in a dark alley. He remembered when he got it. Its function. Its history.

"Uh. Appear! Book of the weakest!"

Nothing happened.

"Nothing happened."

"Wait. Don't move."

When Rui finished saying that, a loud sound resembling scrapping metal rang out.

In front of Ren's outstretched hand, a purple light manifested. 

"Wh-what's this?"

"I told you not to move!"

The purple particles started to gather, forming a rectangular figure that took the form of a thick book after some seconds. The book stopped floating and fell to the ground with a dull sound.

"The grimoire?!"

"Hehe. Surprised, aren't you? I didn't mention it before, but it's a magical item bound to your soul. That means you can summon it whenever you want."

"Seriously? How do you not mention such a thing?!"

Was this why Rui always insisted on contextualizing and explaining everything to him? Just so that he could summon this mysterious book? 

But why did she not mention that in the first place?

"I forgot. Aaaanyway," Rui shrugged, changing the topic to hide her mistake. "Open it."

Ren stood dazed and stared at Rui for some seconds. When he returned to reality, he did as asked and grabbed the book that appeared out of thin air, opening it carefully. The images he had seen days ago were still there. However, new ones were on the following pages, with more visually described movements. 

There were symbols that Ren could not comprehend, probably an extinct language.

Rui started talking.

"It's saying: 'First, breathe. Concentrate and feel the flow of magical power around you. Second, breathe. Absorb the power to your body. Third, breathe. Keep the power within you.' It might sound ambiguous, but it's all about breathing in a specific pattern."

Ren nodded. He had known breathing was the pillar of the Art. But it seemed now that everything revolved around breathing.

"The monk just punched a boulder and... destroyed it?"

"'Use your body as a vessel for magical power. And use your breathing as the link between you and the world. The magic will become your blood, muscles, and bones," Rui translated.

"The magical power will become my blood, muscle, and bones? That's how it works?"

"I don't know. I can't use it myself. But it's more likely a metaphor. The way the External Energy works remains a mystery to me. And even for their practitioners, for that matter."

"You mean me?"

"Well, yes. But I'm also referring to the ones before you."

"Oh, sure."

After that, Rui walked away into the woods. Before disappearing, she shouted for Ren to wait there. He stood in the same place, beginning to feel uncomfortable with the rumbling sound from the bushes. After two minutes or so, Rui returned carrying a large rock on her shoulder. 

It must have been heavier than Ren, but Rui revealed no sign of struggle. Ren almost dropped his jaw in surprise.

She threw the rock into the ground, making a thud and scattering dust.

"Wanna give it a try?" She asked.

"Uhhh. You want me," Ren pointed to himself, then pointed at the rock, "To punch that thing?! Hell no! It is literally almost my size!"

"Awn, come on. It's not that hard. Look."

Rui stepped back slightly, assumed a fighting stance, and thrust a direct punch to the rock.

"Crumble!"

"What the—!?"

Rui's fist left a massive hole.

"Yo-you can do that?!"

"Of course I can! Which master can't show their strength to their pupil?"

"T-that's amazing..."

"No flattering," a malicious smirk appeared on Rui's face. "Your turn now."

"I cannot do that!"

"You can! Believe in yourself! Remember the Words of Power trick? Just use it. With that, you can concentrate all your strength on just one part of your body! It's easy."

"But what should I say, though?"

"I don't know. It must be something that motivates you. Something from deep within your soul. It must occur naturally."

"Words from deep within my soul? How am I supposed to understand that?"

"You'll understand it eventually. Now, do it."

Ren saw that he could not win this discussion. No matter how many times he denied it, Rui would keep insisting. Seeing no other way, Ren approached the rock.

"Is it really necessary?" He asked.

"Yes."

He looked down at his right hand, already regretting his decision.

He took a fighting stance, breathed, and felt the power entering his body. A chilly translucid mist came out of his mouth as he exhaled air.

His fist flew like a rocket, hitting the rock at tremendous speed.

"Crumble!"

Ren stood still for some seconds.

A red liquid trickled down the rock as a transparent liquid dropped from Ren's eyes.

"Gh."

"Oh. Perhaps that wasn't a good choice after all."