Before the Storm

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

“Faster, Rei!” Enshin shouted, leaning forward, eyes locked ahead.

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

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

The city rushed past.

People jumped aside, eyes wide. A vase tipped over, and Rei jerked hard, almost falling.

Finally, the port came into view.

He glanced at his watch. Two minutes left. Maybe enough… if nothing got in their way, like the guard standing stiff at the gate.

The guard raised his arm like a stop sign.

“No one else can pass.” he said, voice cold and sharp.

Rei’s chest pounded, panic rising, thinking fast how to convince the guard. Then, Enshin calmly 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 burned as he pedaled, heart hammering in his throat, wheels rattling on the ground.

Vrrr …

Too late, the ship’s horn already roared, smoke hissing 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 snapped 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.

“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 landed on the deck in one smooth, perfect motion, wind whipping and sparks dancing.

Rei 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 sigh, his shoulders dropping hard,

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

After all, it was the scariest… but also the coolest thing he’d ever done!

The noise of the port faded behind them, replaced by the low hum of the ship, and the faint smell of smoke and salt in the air.

Rei took a deep breath, letting the chaos of the city fade, but relief didn’t last long.

Several guards quickly formed a tight circle around him and the fire exorcist, hands hovering near their weapons, eyes sharp and wary.

Rei froze as panic clawed at his chest.

Did we just walk into the wrong place?

Enshin stayed calm. He stepped forward and showed his silver badge.

“Easy, I’m an exorcist.”

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

Rei swallowed, his stomach tight, while Enshin hesitated, unsure how to prove he was on their side.

Then footsteps echoed from the upper deck.

A tall man appeared, uniform spotless, posture sharp. The air seemed to tighten around him.

He raised a hand.

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

The circle broke instantly. Enshin let out a breath and scratched the back of his neck.

“Captain Tenshin, thanks for your help.”

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

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

He turned to Rei, sharp gaze scanning him from head to toe.

“So… this is the boy you’ve chosen?”

“Can’t wait to see what you can do.” he added, reaching out to ruffle Rei’s hair gently, warm and 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.

Then the boy glanced at Enshin and he couldn’t help but wonder… who exactly was this guy that even Captain Tenshin treated him with such respect?

The captain glanced slowly around the deck, then nodded.

““Alright… everything’s fine. I’ll get back to my rounds”

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

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

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, and a graceful presence. Honestly, if you imagined an angel, this is exactly who you’d picture.

A radiant smile spread across the young man face.

“Mister Enshin! You made it just in time, had me worried there for a sec 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 glanced 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. Haven’t eaten since yesterday,” he 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, eyes darting across glittering chandeliers and endless tables of food.

He turned his head left and right.

Nobles and dignitaries mingled, chatting and laughing, while 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, feeling a little lighter.

Time passed quickly.

He tried a bit of everything, tasting new dishes, and laughing along with Akira. Everything was overwhelming, but exciting.

After a while, Rei realized he was a little dizzy, too much noise, too many smells.

He needed air.

Rei quietly slipped away, stomach full but mind restless.

Monsters, magic, the tournament, the ship… everything since meeting Enshin had come crashing together.

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. He stood out in plain black clothes, a simple T-shirt and pullover. But he carried himself like he owned the wind.

Calm eyes, with a flicker of sadness.

The boy’s eyes met Rei’s, and a small smile curved his lips.

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

Rei blinked, he thought he was the only one feeling so out of place.

“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, glanced at Rei, then his eyes widened.

“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.”

Well… actually, it was the other way around, though he couldn’t admit it.

The boy extended a hand, smile soft but playful.

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

Rei grinned and shook it firmly.

“Rei Genma. Nice to meet you.”

A sudden jolt threw Rei off balance as the deck jerked violently.

In the distance, dark shapes twisted through the fog.

Yokais.

Then the calm of the ship shattered instantly as sharp, panicked shouts rang out.

Rei’s heart raced.

“Demons… already? ” he thought, panic and disbelief warring inside him.

And just like that, chaos erupted around him.