Chapter 10 – New School

(Ten Years Later – Jin Kyoto, Age 16)

Jin Kyoto walked through the streets of his neighborhood, hands in his pockets, eyes slightly narrowed. It had been ten years since he first returned to this world. Ten years of waiting, hunting, and searching for answers.

Yet, despite all his efforts, he had never been able to leave this world again.

For some reason, he had only encountered weak ghosts.

The system required World Keys to travel, and he had two ways to acquire them—waiting for the natural energy to accumulate or absorbing spirit energy from ghosts. After a decade, his total reserve was 15 years' worth of energy.

10 years from natural absorption. 5 years from the weak ghosts he had exorcised.

But despite exorcising over a thousand ghosts, their combined energy had only amounted to a mere five years—a painfully slow process.

Jin clicked his tongue in irritation.

"A thousand ghosts for just five years… That means most of them barely had any usable spirit energy," he muttered.

Even though he had trained relentlessly, fought tirelessly, and eliminated over a thousand ghosts, he had never once encountered a truly powerful spirit. He had almost started to believe that this world was filled with nothing but weak, wandering ghosts.

Still, he wasn't going to give up.

Today was a new beginning.

Jin had recently transferred to Kinjo High School, and today marked his first day.

After eating a quick breakfast, he put on his uniform—a standard white shirt with a dark blue blazer—and slung his school bag over his shoulder before heading out the door.

His goal was simple: Go to school, act normal, and—if possible—find stronger ghosts.

Lunch Break – A Presence on the Rooftop

The morning classes had been uneventful. Jin spent most of the time listening quietly, occasionally answering when the teachers called on him. He wasn't particularly social, but he blended in well enough.

It wasn't until lunch break that things became… interesting.

While eating in the cafeteria, he suddenly felt it—a presence.

A faint but distinct trace of spirit energy coming from above.

Jin's eyes flickered slightly, and he immediately turned his gaze toward the rooftop. His senses, sharpened by years of experience, told him that a ghost was lurking there.

'Finally, something decent,' he thought.

However, since it was broad daylight and students were still around, he decided to wait until after school to deal with it.

When classes ended, Jin quietly made his way to the rooftop, his heart steady and his mind sharp.

As he pushed open the door, a chilling breeze swept past him. The air felt heavier, filled with a strange, oppressive energy.

There, floating near the edge of the rooftop, was a humanoid wearing a black yukata.

Its face was twisted, it has four long arms extended unnaturally, and a low, guttural growl escaped its mouth.

Jin cracked his knuckles.

"This might actually be fun," he muttered, stepping forward.

Just as he was about to engage, another presence arrived.

***

Minato Yaiba.

Minato Yaiba a Spirit Master

Minato Yaiba, a 25-year-old Spirit Master from the Spirit Tower, had received a mission earlier that day—a Level 18 Ghost had been spotted at Kinjo High School.

As an exorcist, it was his duty to eliminate it.

However, when he arrived, he was met with a shocking sight.

A teenage boy, no older than 16, was already fighting the ghost.

Minato's sharp eyes locked onto the boy's movements. His footwork was precise. His attacks were deliberate.

And then he felt it—the energy.

His expression changed.

"This energy…" Minato thought. "It's the same as the spirit energy I detected ten years ago."

Back then, a Level 5 Ghost had been mysteriously exterminated at Kinshin Park. Minato had investigated the scene, but his superiors dismissed it as an unimportant case, assuming a random exorcist had taken care of it.

At the time, he had no reason to doubt them.

But now, seeing this boy, wielding that same energy…

Jin, fully aware of Minato's presence, didn't let it distract him.

Instead, he focused on the ghost.

It lunged toward him with inhuman speed, its claws slashing through the air. Jin dodged effortlessly, his body jumped back a little.

Then, with a deep breath, he activated ☯Spirit Cloak☯.

A cyan aura burst forth, wrapping around his body like a flowing mantle of energy. His strength and speed surged instantly.

Jin clenched his fist, spirit energy crackling around it.

And then—

BOOM!

A single spirit-enhanced punch sent the ghost crashing into the rooftop floor, shattering the concrete beneath it. The creature screeched, writhing in pain.

"☯Spirit Cloak – Energy Blast☯."

Jin extended his hand, channeling all his energy into his palm.

A concentrated wave of pure cyan spirit energy shot forward—

Piercing straight through the ghost's chest.

It let out one final, agonized shriek before vanishing into nothingness.

Jin exhaled, the Spirit Cloak fading as the battle ended.

Minato's Shock

Minato remained silent, watching the entire fight unfold.

It wasn't just that Jin had won—it was how easily he won.

A Level 18 Ghost was not weak. Many young exorcists would struggle against one, and yet… this young kid had obliterated it in seconds.

Minato slowly stepped forward.

"You," he called out, his voice firm but curious.

Jin, still catching his breath, turned his head slightly.

"What organization are you from?" Minato asked.

Jin blinked.

"Organization?"

For a brief moment, he was confused. But then, his mind worked quickly.

Over the past decade, he had done some research and suspected that there were hidden groups that specialized in ghost extermination, and also based on the logic of his previous world it was impossible if there is none.

And now, hearing Minato's words, he had confirmation.

After a moment of thought, Jin responded calmly, "I'm not part of any organization."

Minato narrowed his eyes. "Then who trained you?"

Jin smirked. "No one. I'm just a passerby exorcist."

Minato didn't believe him.