Not Even Started, Already in Trouble

The ship slowed, not abruptly, but like it was finally allowed to breathe.

Shhhhhh

Wood creaked under tired feet, and the waves, after a whole night of chaos, softened into something strangely quiet.

Captain Tenshin’s voice echoed across the deck.

“Due to last night’s incident, we are behind schedule.”

Murmurs spread instantly.

“You have three hours before the tournament begins,” he continued.

“Rest if you can. Eat. And don’t be late for registration. I’m sorry for the trouble.”

The reaction was immediate.

“Three hours? That’s insane.” , “I barely slept…” , “So much for proper preparation.”

Complaints overlapped, mixing with nervous laughter that didn’t quite hide the stress, while some candidates rubbed their eyes and others clenched their fists, already imagining what waited ahead.

The ramp dropped, and movement followed naturally.

Boots hit stone. Bags shifted on shoulders. The ship slowly emptied, like a body letting out a long-held breath

Akira stopped near the end of the ramp, stretching slightly as if nothing could really shake him.

“I’ll head this way. My family has a place here.” he said lightly

He waved once, already turning away, and disappeared into the crowd before Rei could reply.

Rei watched him go, and only then did the tight knot in his chest make itself known.

He glanced at Enshin.

“And us? Where are we supposed to sleep?”

Enshin smiled calmly, as if the question barely needed answering.

“Don’t worry. The organizers reserved a room in an inn for every candidate.”

He adjusted his coat, already moving forward, while beside him Itsuki let out a faint, quiet smile.

“Come on, Let’s find the inn.”

The moment Rei set foot on Mahōjima, his pace slowed without him realizing it.

His eyes wandered everywhere at once.

Stone buildings lined the road, worn smooth by time and sea air, and the packed earth beneath his boots felt uneven, unfamiliar.

No cars. No engines.

Just carts pulled by tired horses, their wheels creaking like they belonged to another era.

People flowed around them, vendors shouting from small stalls, bells ringing softly somewhere above, while the smell of food, metal, and salt tangled together in the air.

Rei’s gaze dropped to the people passing by.

Long coats with Robes. Belts heavy with pouches. Nothing modern.

At the crossroads, guards stood watch, steel armor catching the light, spears resting easily against their shoulders.

Rei’s eyes widened, a quiet spark of excitement lighting up his face before he could stop it.

“Wow… it feels like we’ve been teleported into a fantasy world.”

Itsuki chuckled beside him.

“First time on Mahōjima?”

Rei nodded, a short laugh escaping.

“Yeah. It feels so unreal.”

And yet.

A girl passed by, phone pressed to her ear. Next to her, a boy wore headphones and modern Tokyo-style clothes

The contrast made Rei’s head spin.

Magic and technology running side by side.

He tightened his grip on his bag, relief mixing with something close to pride.

My gadgets aren’t that strange here after all.

His eyes kept wandering, scanning left and right, until he bumped softly into Enshin, who had stopped without warning.

Enshin sighed, then pushed open a heavy wooden door.

“We’ve arrived.”

Ding.

The inn greeted them with the smell of polished wood and warm bread, and a small bell jingled as they stepped inside.

A cheerful innkeeper approached, bowing slightly.

“Welcome, honored guests! Are you here as candidates or spectators?”

Itsuki raised his silver ticket.

“Both candidates. Gen Rei and Akane Itsuki.”

Enshin followed, calmly presenting his badge, while Rei searched nervously, patting his pockets for his ticket

The innkeeper squinted at the list, then smiled.

“Ah, here you are. Room 21 for Mister Enshin and his candidate, and Room 22 for Mister Akane.”

Itsuki glanced at Rei, amused.

“Oh, lucky. Our rooms are next to each other.”

Rei grinned, almost bouncing on his heels.

“That’s awesome!”

They climbed the narrow staircase together, Rei struggling to keep up with Enshin’s steady pace, until Itsuki stopped outside his door and turned back with a grin.

“See you at the tournament. And this time, don’t be late.”

Rei laughed nervously.

“Ahaha, I won’t!”

Click.

Inside their room, the door closed with a quiet click that felt heavier than it should have.

Enshin turned to him, expression calm but sharp.

“Be careful who you get close to. Some of the Sekgetsu might have slipped in,” he warned.

Rei frowned, memory flickering.

“The Sekgetsu, ah, you mean the ones that attacked us in the park?”

Enshin nodded.

“With what happened on the boat, don’t let your guard down.

And especially, don’t stay alone.”

His tone hardened slightly.

“Always stay near me or Akira. Understood?”

Rei straightened, puffing his chest out of reflex.

“Yeah, yeah! I’ll be careful!”

A yawn escaped him, betraying how exhausted he truly was.

Two sleepless nights hit him hard, but he couldn’t rest, not with the tournament about to start.

“ok, I should check my gadgets, make sure everything works before the tournament. And then …” he muttered, rubbing his eyes.

Enshin’s gaze softened.

He pulled out a cigarette and lit it, smoke curling lazily through the room.

“Before that, one last thing.”

Rei groaned.

“What now?”

“Sit down.”

Confused, Rei obeyed, easing onto the bed.

“Close your eyes. Count to ten.”

He did, half-expecting a gift or a lecture, but warmth spread instead, steady and reassuring, wrapping around him like a blanket.

The exhaustion won.

When Rei fell asleep, Enshin watched him quietly.”

“Rest while you can. After this, you won’t get a moment to catch your breath.”

Dring. Dring. Dring.

Enshin rubbed his eyes, stretching. He had also dozed off, but luckily remembered to set an alarm just in case. Smart move.

Rei watched the clock and bolted upright.

“No way! I’m late again?!”

The boy groaned.

“You could’ve set it a little later…”

With a hurried motion, Rei threw on his magician’s outfit, adjusting cuffs and hat.

Enshin raised an eyebrow.

“You’re really going dress like that?”

“Of course I’m a magician after all,” Rei replied with a grin, already bounding toward the door.

Enshin sighed, resigned.

He knew he had zero change to change his mind!

Clack.

They stepped out of the inn together, the streets buzzing as they walked, spectators coming in from all directions, flags waving above the gates while a distant drumbeat echoed.

Thump… thump…

Rei could feel the energy tingling at his skin, heart hammering.

At the entrance, Enshin stopped , calm as ever, and pointed to a guarded door.

“This is your entrance. I can’t go in with you. So Good luck, and stay sharp.”

Rei nodded, nerves and excitement colliding in his chest.

“Thanks. I’ll do my best.”

At the gate, another candidate arrived in a rush, rubbing his eyes and moving in slow, comical motions, clearly half asleep.

The guard scanned him, then handed him a small badge.

“All good,” he said.

Rei stepped forward confidently, but the guard raised a hand to stop him.

“Wait… there’s no magical aura. You can’t enter here. Spectators go that way.”

“I’m a participant,” Rei said, holding out his golden ticket firmly.

The guard’s eyes widened.

“Oh… sorry. I-I… didn’t know. You’re a Chosen One.”

He handed Rei a badge quickly.

“Here’s number sixty. You may pass.”

Rei pinned it neatly to the left side of his jacket. The guard lingered a moment, curiosity and caution flickering across his face.

Who is this boy?

The young magician slipped past the gate as it closed behind him, stepping into the waiting room alive with movement.

Young exorcists of every shape and style filled the space. Ninjas. Samurai. Traditional kimonos. Fantasy outfits. Some even looked like they had walked straight out of Tokyo street fashion.

It felt like a carnival.

Rei’s eyes widened, and a small laugh escaped him.

“Guess I fit right in.”

Indeed, his magician outfit didn’t stand out here at all. Rei even spotted a familiar face in the crowd , an old rival from a previous magic tournament.

Messy orange hair, sharp green eyes, and a crisp white, prince-like uniform. He carried himself like he owned the room.

So Hoshinaga Kazuto is a real magician… no wonder his tricks were so impressive.

Then he spotted Akira and Itsuki across the room. Rei waved, and they exchanged quick smiles.

“Well rested?” Itsuki whispered.

“Ready for the battle?” Akira added.

Rei nodded, eyes sharp and focused, determination written all over them.

A sharp voice cut through the chatter.

“All candidates, gather around and listen carefully!”

A man in official tournament attire stepped forward, holding a tray of large watches.

“Take one each. Wear it at all times during the tournament. And most importantly, do not remove it.” he instructed.

The candidates obeyed, snapping the watches onto their wrists.

“These watches show your physical and magical energy. HP and MP,” the guide explained.

“If your HP drops below twenty, we will intervene, and you will be disqualified.”

Kazuto glanced at Rei, smirking.

Then his gaze landed on his rival watch, and his smirk disappeared.

MP… zero?

Kazuto’s voice cut sharply through the room, his finger pointing straight at Rei.

“Hey! This guy has zero mana!”

“He’s not a real mage!”

Whispers spread instantly.

"A regular? No way, what’s he doing here?"

Rei’s heart raced.

No… this can’t be happening! After all my effort, right before the tournament, I can’t be rejected now!

The murmurs grew louder as other candidates turned their

attention toward him.

He clenched his fists, panic and determination crashing together.

I need an excuse. And fast.