Before the Storm

Rei’s heart pounded as he pedaled like crazy through the crowded streets.

“Faster, Rei!” Enshin shouted, leaning forward, eyes sharp with urgency

“I’m going as fast as I can! Can’t you use your fire to ...” Rei gasped, muscles burning, eyes fixed on the road.

“Nope. Not allowed in front of civilians.” The exorcist replied.

The city blurred past.

People jumped aside, eyes wide. A vase teetered, and the boy swerved hard, almost falling.

Finally, the port came into view.

The massive ship waited, engines hissing, smoke curling.

But a guard blocked the gate, arms crossed.

“No one else can pass .”

Calmly, Enshin pulled out a silver badge.

“Oh? My apologies, I didn’t realize … Go ahead, but hurry, the ship is about to leave.”

The guard stepped aside.

Rei’s legs screamed as he pedaled, heart in his throat.

The ship’s horn blared. Smoke hissed from the engines.

“Go! Go! Go!” Enshin shouted.

“I… I can’t! We’ll never make it!” the boy yelled.

Then, before he could think, a firm hand grabbed him by the back of his jacket.

“Wha—?!” Rei screamed, flying like a rocket.

The exorcist flicked his lighter casually, flames licking the air, cool as if nothing unusual was happening.

“Stupid Enshin , at this speed… if I hit the ground, I’m dead!” the boy shouted.

With a single leap, Enshin snatched the bike with one arm, Rei with the other, flames streaking around them.

They slammed onto the deck in one perfect motion.

Rei crouched under Enshin’s arm, like it weighed nothing.

The boy gasped, chest heaving as his pulse raced.

“You’re crazy!” he shouted, a mix of awe and disbelief still shaking his voice.

Enshin smirked, pulling out a cigarette like it was nothing.

“Why?” he asked, calm as a summer breeze. “That was the only way to catch the boat. No harm done, right?”

Rei let out a long, dramatic sigh, shoulders sagging in exaggerated exasperation.

“Ugh… I swear, you’re impossible,” he muttered, but his grin betrayed him.

The gangway creaked beneath their feet as they finally stepped aboard.

The noise of the port faded behind them, replaced by the low hum of the ship.

Rei took a second to breathe.

The chaos of the city felt far away.

But relief didn’t last.

Several guards immediately formed a tight circle around him and the fire exorcist. Hands hovered near their weapons, eyes sharp and wary.

Rei froze. Panic clawed at his chest.

Did we just walk into the wrong place?

Enshin stayed calm.

He stepped forward and showed the silver badge.

“Easy,” Enshin said, lifting one hand. “I’m an exorcist.”

The guards straightened, but their hands stayed close to their weapons. Eyes narrowed. Doubt lingered.

Rei swallowed.

Enshin hesitated, unsure how to prove he was on their side.

Footsteps echoed from the upper deck.

A tall man stepped into view. His uniform was spotless. Posture sharp. The air itself seemed to tighten around him.

He raised a hand.

“At ease,” he said calmly. “I know him. Resume your patrol.”

The circle broke at once.

Enshin let out a breath and scratched the back of his neck.

“Captain Tenshin,” he said “Thank you for your help.”

The captain raised a hand, a faint smile on his lips.

“No problem. But next time, try to act more like everyone else. Ok?”

He then turned to Rei.

“So… this is the boy you’ve chosen?”

His sharp gaze ran over Rei from head to toe.

“I can’t wait to see what you’re capable of.”

He reached out, ruffling Rei’s hair gently, warm, reassuring.

Enshin’s lips curved into a faint smile.

“He’s got potential.”

The captain’s expression softened.

“If you say so, I trust your judgment.”

Rei’s eyes widened.

“Wow… this guy seems so strong,” he whispered.

Rei’s gaze drifted away.

It stopped on Enshin.

The man stood apart : clothes worn , messy hair, dark circles under his eyes, a careless attitude.

Nothing about him screamed power.

And yet…

The captain treated him with clear respect.

Rei frowned, trying to make sense of it.

Who are you… really? Is Enshin truly that powerful?

The captain glanced slowly around the deck, then nodded.

“Since everything’s fine, I can go back to my duties.”

He started to walk away, then paused and looked back at Rei.

“And I hope you get along with my son.”

Then he gestured ahead, toward the crowd.

“Ah… there he is.”

The railings creaked as a young man stepped forward.

Long blond hair, sky-blue eyes. Calm, with a graceful presence, he looked like an angel.

A radiant smile spread across his face.

“Mister Enshin, you made it aboard just in time. I was worried when I couldn’t find you,”

He turned his gaze toward Rei.

“And this is…?”

Enshin straightened.

“This is Genma Rei. He’s the tenth candidate, I picked . Could you look after him?”

The blond boy’s eyes lit up.

He snapped a crisp salute, full of discipline and pride.

“Yes, sir! You can count on me.”

Then he looked back at Rei, extending a hand.

“Hi, I’m Tenshin Akira. Nice to meet you.”

Grrrrr.

Rei stomach growled, loud enough to make him blush.

“Ah… sorry. I haven’t eaten since yesterday,” The young magician mumbled, scratching the back of his neck.

Akira’s face softened, breaking into a warm, bright smile.

“Don’t worry. Come with me. I’ll show you the buffet.”

Rei’s eyes widened as they stepped into the hall.

“Wow… this place is incredible!” he breathed, taking in the glittering chandeliers and endless tables of food.

He turned his head left and right.

Nobles and dignitaries mingled, chatting and laughing. 

Young people moved among them, all looking strong.

They’re probably the other candidates, Rei thought

A soft smile touched Akira’s lips as he watched his reaction.

“First time at an event like this?”

“Yes… I hope I don’t look out of place,” Rei admitted, voice low.

A warm beam spread across Akira’s face.

“Not at all. If you need anything, just ask me!”

Rei smiled back, a little relieved.

Time passed quickly. Rei tried a bit of everything, tasted new dishes, and laughed along with Akira.

Everything was overwhelming, but exciting.

After a while, Rei realized he was a little dizzy, and needed a break.

He quietly slipped away from the crowded banquet hall, his stomach full but his mind restless.

The chatter, the laughter, the clinking of glasses , it all felt too heavy. Too fast.

Since meeting Enshin, everything had happened at once : monsters, magic, the tournament, the ship.

He needed air.

The deck was quiet.

Cool wind brushed his face. He leaned against the railing, staring at the horizon.

That’s when he noticed him.

A boy.

Alone.

Black hair, grey eyes, dressed all in black , pants and a simple T-shirt with a pullover. 

Nothing fancy like the others.

But he carried himself like he owned the wind.

Eyes calm. Gentle. A little sad.

The boy’s gaze met Rei’s.

A small, knowing smile curved his lips.

“You… don’t feel comfortable with all those people either, huh?”

Rei blinked. Surprised.

“Not really. Feels like a completely different world. I barely know anyone here.”

The boy nodded slightly.

“Me neither. I met some other candidates in the pre-selection. But I wouldn’t call them friends.”

“Pre-selection?” Rei asked , confused.

“You don’t know?” The boy raised an eyebrow.

“The best nine candidates are picked from six main regions. Each region can choose one extra , the tenth.”

He paused. Eyes sharp. Curious.

“Don’t tell me… you’re one of them?! Must be strong.”

Rei scratched the back of his neck, cheeks heating.

“Ahaha… I just got lucky. Enshin picked me.”

The boy’s eyes twinkled. A hint of mischief.

“Enshin? Ah, the fire exorcist . By the way… quite an entrance you made.”

“Yeah… magicians like dramatic entrances.” Rei muttered, embarrassed.

The boy tilted his head, scanning Rei’s outfit and gadgets.

“Ah… I see . Cute. An exorcist pretending to be a magician.”

Rei’s mind spun.

Actually, it’s the other way around…

The boy extended a hand, smile soft but playful.

“By the way, I’m Akane Itsuki. And ... you are?”

Rei grinned and shook it firmly.

“Genma Rei. Nice to meet you.”

A sudden jolt threw Rei off balance.

The deck lurched violently.

Shouts rang out, sharp and panicked.

Dark shapes twisted through the shadows.

Shouts rang out.

Yōkai.

The calm of the ship shattered in an instant.

Rei’s heart raced.

“Demons… already? And we haven’t even reached the island yet…” he thought, panic and disbelief warring inside him.

This was only the beginning.