Our First Mission

I opened my eyes. Everything was blurry at first, but my vision soon cleared, revealing the ceiling above me.

"H-Huh?" I mumbled.

"You're finally awake, Kaitou," a voice said.

I turned my head to see a woman standing beside me.

"Who are you? W-where am I?" I asked.

"I am Nurse Reina. You're in the infirmary. You've been unconscious for a week since your match."

My eyes widened as I recalled the fight. I had won against Fukui, but my legs had shattered in the process.

"A-are my legs okay?" I asked nervously.

"I healed them using my Broken Art: Rehabilitation. Your legs are fully restored, but you shouldn't strain them for the next two days," she warned.

"What happens if I do?" I hesitated.

"The technique will revert, and your legs will remain broken," she said with a serious expression.

I sighed in frustration. After being released at sunset, I returned to my dorm, her warning still on my mind.

The next morning, I got up, prepared for class, and made my way to the cafeteria for breakfast. Then, I entered the classroom, where Daichi-sensei greeted me.

"Welcome back, Kaitou! We all missed you."

"H-hello," I replied.

Akira waved with a smile, while Fukui glanced at me before looking away. Shoota, however, glared at me with irritation.

"We couldn't go on any missions because of you," he spat.

As much as I disliked Shoota, he had a point. My reckless use of Broken Ki had cost us all. I clenched my fists in frustration.

Daichi-sensei clapped his hands. "We may have missed the first mission, but that gave you all an extra week to train. Today, however, we finally have a mission."

"A mission?" Shoota asked.

"Yes. An Onryo has been sighted killing people. Our job is to eliminate it and prevent further casualties."

We all straightened up, knowing this was our first real battle.

"Fukui and Shoota, you'll be on offense. Akira and Kaitou, you two will handle evacuations and support. You'll be under my direct guidance."

Though I wasn't assigned to the front lines, saving lives was just as important. We headed to the mission site. As we moved deeper into the area, an uneasy feeling settled in.

"Where the hell is that Onryo?" Shoota grumbled.

"Keep your voice down, idiot," Fukui and Akira snapped.

I exhaled, trying to ease my nerves.

"Hey, maybe this won't be so—"

A crushing pressure slammed into me, cutting off my words. My body locked up as fear constricted my chest like chains.

"W-what the h-hell is this?!" Shoota stammered.

Everyone collapsed to their knees, completely paralyzed—except for Daichi-sensei. He stood firm, completely unfazed, as his sharp gaze locked onto two approaching figures.

"Looks like we found a bunch of sitting ducks, huh, brother?" one of them sneered.

"Yes. Let's exterminate them quickly," the other replied.

"Hey, why isn't that red-eyed mortal on the floor?"

The Onryos increased their overwhelming presence, but Daichi remained unaffected.

"Two Abnormal Onryos? This wasn't in the report," Daichi muttered.

He glanced at me briefly. "But they seem to be on the weaker side. The one on the left is stronger."

Before he could strategize further, one of the Onryos lunged at him with a kick aimed at his jaw.

"Don't think you're strong just because you can withstand our presence, you bastard!"

Daichi's eyes gleamed, his voice laced with menace.

"Hey. Stop interrupting my thoughts."

A wave of pure killing intent radiated from him, throwing the Onryo off balance. Daichi dodged effortlessly and countered with a devastating punch. But the Onryo vanished before impact, reappearing beside its partner.

The suffocating pressure suddenly stopped.

"What business do you have with us?" Daichi asked, his tone cold.

"We are here to retrieve Kaitou Iijima," one of them stated.

"What?" I gasped, still catching my breath.

Daichi's expression darkened. "Do they know about the Abnormal Onryo inside him? Never mind that—I need to finish this quickly."

He took a step forward, a smirk forming on his face.

"Do you really think weaklings like you can beat me? Don't make me laugh."

The Onryos snarled, their rage boiling over.

"I am Daiki, the Energy Onryo."

"And I am Akimitsu, the Banishment Onryo."

Daichi chuckled, eyes filled with amusement.

"I don't care who you are. You'll be dead soon."

Daiki's aura flared in fury. "Your arrogance will lead to your death!"

Daichi's smirk deepened as his presence turned terrifying.

"Arrogance? No, it's not that. I simply know I'll win. It's a fact. You two could never kill me."

Akimitsu scoffed. "You don't make the rules in this world, mortal."

Daichi's eyes shine as his aura erupted, warping the space around him.

"I don't make the rules?"

His voice was absolute, crushing.

I am the rules