No Turning Back

Rei fell.

Wind whipped past his face.

For a heartbeat, everything fell into chaos.

Then, his boots caught the rope.

A sharp jolt. A swing. He landed on it like a tightrope walker.

Hands in his pockets. Calm, like nothing had happened.

“Safe and stylish… show must go on,” he muttered, a sly grin flickering

Akira’s eyes widened, impressed.

“You’re really unpredictable.”

Itsuki chuckled, walking carefully on the barrier next to him.

“You never make it boring, do you?”

Rei smirked.

“A magician must always wow the audience.”

He glanced down. The drop below yawned dark and empty.

Heart still racing, but poker face intact.

“This… isn’t as stylish as flying,” he whispered, a hint of disappointment slipping through,

“But forward is forward.”

A soft voice came from beside him.

“Don’t underestimate you,” Itsuki said.

“I think this is far more impressive.”

Rei’s face brightened instantly.

“…Really? Thanks.”

Itsuki smiled, clearly amused.

A few careful steps later, solid ground met their feet.

Both reached the safety of the cliff.

Rei exhaled. Shoulders finally relaxing.

This was more dangerous than I expected

On the other side, Sarutobi waited. Calm. Unbothered.

After a brief moment, he checked his watch.

“Time’s up. Those who didn’t make it… out.”

He paused, scanning the group. Then he smiled.

“The other … Congratulations. You pass the first checkpoint!”

Rei exhaled quietly, relief mixing with adrenaline.

He glanced at the glowing blue crystal in the center.

Other candidates murmured excitedly.

“Oh, look! A crystal. Must be the finish!”

Sarutobi shook his head.

“Don’t celebrate yet. This is only one zone. Every zone has a crystal. Think of it as a checkpoint.”

“Reach it before time runs out… or you’re eliminated.”

Groans rippled through the group.

“How many zones are there?” one asked.

“And how much time for each?” another called.

Sarutobi’s smirk widened.

“Good questions… but where’s the fun if I tell you now?”

Rei understood immediately.

So… it’s not just strength. It’s a test of the mind too.

The examiner’s sharp voice cut through the murmurs.

“Alright, kids. Fifteen minutes. Rest, sit, drink, eat whatever you need.”

Relief spread through the group. Some sank to the ground, exhaustion written all over them.

“Finally… a break. This trial is brutal. I’ve burned almost all my magic,” one groaned.

“Oh man… how much longer is this going to last?” another muttered.

Itsuki lowered himself beside the crystal, hands on the ground, head resting lightly.

“Wow… this trial is exhausting. Endurance… plus all that magic. I wonder how long it will go on,” he said, voice calm.

Rei chuckled softly.

“Ahaha, right.”

A small grin tugged at his lips.

“Lucky I don’t use magic… I’d be wiped out too.”

He looked around. Most of the others were drained, mana nearly gone, sweat dripping, shoulders slumped.

Fifteen minutes passed. Sarutobi raised his hand.

“Time’s up. Back to the crystal. Let’s move to the next zone!”

Groans filled the air again as candidates rose reluctantly.

Rei and Itsuki shared a quick grin, ready to move on.

The air shifted.

In an instant, the group vanished from the rocky cliffs.

They landed softly among trees glowing faintly in the dim light.

Tiny golden lights floated like fireflies, weaving through the mist.

Strange plants swayed without wind.

Blue flowers shimmered, almost humming in the soft breeze.

Whispering voices, soft and melodic, drifted through the air.

Rei’s eyes widened.

“Wow… this is unreal,” he whispered, heart racing.

“Listen carefully. You have thirty minutes to reach the crystal.”

Sarutobi’s voice rang through the trees.

He paused.

“Oh, and one more thing.”

“Now, focus on my voice. Jump, duck, look left, whatever I say, you do it”

He started running, weaving between trees.

“Sarutobi says… stop!”

Immediately, the candidates froze.

The examiner turned, scanning their faces.

“Good. You’ve got the hang of it. Let’s go again!”

He ran on, calling out a new instruction every couple of minutes.

“Jump!”

“Look left!”

“Duck!”

Rei blinked, raising an eyebrow.

A simple game of follow-the-leader?

This tournament is so … strange. I expected danger. Not… this.

At first, it felt like some weird TV game show. Fun. Easy.

Too easy.

Then Rei noticed it.

Something felt off.

Some candidates were drifting sideways, slowly leaving the main path.

Ignoring Sarutobi’s commands completely.

““Hey… where are you going?” Rei asked between breaths.

No one answered.

Their movements were stiff. Empty.

Their eyes were unfocused, their faces empty, like they were being pulled by invisible strings.

Like zombies.

Rei kept running, forcing himself to stay on the official path.

But after a few minutes, his own body began to react.

A strange sensation crept into his chest.

A pull.

Subtle at first.

Then stronger.

Like a soft shock, tugging at his mind, drawing him toward the depths of the forest.

Rei felt his feet veering slightly off the main path.

A sharp grab at his arm yanked him back.

“Don’t listen to the music. It will hypnotize you!” Akira warned, eyes intense.

Rei’s eyes widened.

“That’s why the examiner asked us to follow his instructions so strictly…” he whispered.

“To see who’s hypnotized… and who can resist.”

Akira’s hands glowed faintly.

“Use your mana to create a shield around you, or you won’t be able to resist!”

Itsuki glanced sideways, a smirk playing on his lips.

“If you can’t… I have some space in my shield.”

Rei shook his head and slipped on his earphones.

“I’ve got this.”

Itsuki laughed softly.

“Earphones? That’s smart. But how will you follow the examiner’s orders now?”

Rei grinned, lowering his voice.

“Magic earphones. Only the instructions reach me.”

Akira blinked, surprise flickering across his face.

“Oh… I didn’t know something like that existed.”

Rei thought to himself.

Of course it doesn’t.

Kaitsuki will relay the instructions.

That way, I won’t hear the music.

They ran. Faster. Shadows thickened. Fog crept. Every step a test.

The forest thickened.

Shadows stretched longer.

A cold fog began to creep along the ground, curling around the roots and trunks.

The soft golden glow of the firefly-lights flickered through the mist.

The melodic whispers grew louder, more tempting, echoing from every direction.

Other candidates slowed, their steps faltering, even Akira wavered under the pull of the whispers.

But not Rei.

Thank goodness for Kaitsuki… I couldn’t survive this trial without him, he thought.

He glanced at Itsuki, calm as ever.

Wow… his barrier is insane. Even Akira is struggling.

Rei sprinted smoothly, no hesitation.

And then… a faint, desperate cry pierced his earphones.

A human voice.

“Please… someone… help me…”

Rei’s steps faltered.

Someone was in real danger.

I can’t just stand here.

“Don’t!” Akira grabbed his arm, firm but worried.

“It’s probably a trap. Ignore it!”

“But… what if it’s real?” Rei’s voice trembled.

“Remember, the watch will teleport people with HP below 20%. They’re be safe,” Akira said firmly.

“But… what if they get hurt before that?” Rei’s heart pounded.

Itsuki shrugged, eyes cold.

“Rules are rules, Rei. Follow the examiner’s orders, nothing else. Step off the path, you fail.”

His gaze cut sharply.

“Don’t you need to win to save your mother?”

The words hit like a blade.

Rei’s jaw clenched.

Right. I can’t fail now. Probably a trap… but if not… someone will help them.

He shook his head, forcing focus.

Stay on the path. Follow the orders.

“Thanks… you two.”

He continued running, but the doubts wouldn’t leave.

The voice echoed in his mind, every step heavier than the last.

Eyes fixed on the shadows ahead.

Rei clenched his jaw, chest tight.

Then he stopped.

“I’m sorry… I won’t have any regrets. If someone is in danger and I could help…”

Determination flared in his chest.

He sprinted toward the voice.

The official path slowly vanished behind him, swallowed by the forest.

Somewhere ahead, a faint sobbing caught his attention.

A girl? Rei’s heart tightened.

Someone needs help… I knew it.

He crept forward, careful but fast, following the sound.

Through the trees, he saw her.

Small figure, sitting on a fallen log, shoulders shaking.

Tears glinted in the soft light.

“Hey… are you okay?” Rei called gently, stepping closer.

The figure froze.

A soft sigh, a small turn… and Rei froze.

It wasn’t a girl.

Glowing eyes. Claws. Teeth glinting under the blue light.

A yōkai.

“Wait…” Rei muttered, raising his hands.

The creature hissed, lunging forward.

Rei reacted instinctively, tossing small yellow orbs into the air.

Each burst exploded in blinding light.

The yōkai froze, snarling, taken aback.

Rei rolled behind a tree, heart hammering, and whispered to Kaitsuki.

“Fire. Now!”

Flames shot from Kaitsuki’s mouth, reducing the yōkai to nothing but smoldering ash.

But more came. Faster. Too many. Panic rising.

Rei’s chest tightened.

There’s no way I can fight all of them…

Suddenly, bursts of light streaked through the air, striking every yōkai in an instant.

Akira and Itsuki appeared behind him, their attacks sweeping the enemies away.

Yet, more yōkai pressed forward, drawn by the commotion.

“There’s too many!” Itsuki’s voice rang out. “We need to retreat!”

“We can’t,” Rei shouted.

“If we pull back now, the others will be in danger!”

Itsuki’s eyes narrowed.

“There are exorcists. They can handle it.”

Akira’s gaze was fierce, determination blazing.

“Rei’s right. Leave this to me.”

In a heartbeat, Akira unleashed a torrent of light and energy.

Every yōkai fell, dissolved into shadows.

Rei exhaled, awe written across his face.

“Wow… you’re really powerful.”

Itsuki didn’t even glance at him.

“No time to admire. We need to get back to the path before time runs out.”

They ran toward the clearing, the official route finally in sight.

But then…

A figure appeared before them.

Tall, imposing, silent. An examinator.

“You can’t go back,” the figure said, voice cold and cutting.

“You failed.”