No Turning Back

Rei fell.

Wind tore past his face, sharp and cold. Everything spun for a heartbeat.

Thud !

His boots hit the rope.

A sharp jolt ran through his legs, and he swung, landing on it like a tightrope walker, balancing effortlessly. Hands in his pockets, calm as if nothing had happened.

Akira’s eyes widened, clearly impressed.

“You’re really unpredictable.”

“You never make it boring, do you?” Itsuki chuckled

Rei smirked,

“A magician must always wow the audience.”

Heart still racing, he kept walking, though a little disappointed.

“This isn’t as stylish as flying, but forward is forward.”

“You’re wrong” Itsuki said “I think this is far more impressive”

Rei’s face brightened instantly.

“Really? Thanks,”

Itsuki smiled, clearly amused. Then a few careful steps later, they reached the cliff.

After a brief moment, Sarutobi checked his watch.

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

He paused, scanning the group, then he smiled.

“The others, congratulations. You pass the first checkpoint!”

Rei exhaled quietly, shoulders finally relaxing, relief mixing with adrenaline. He glanced at the glowing blue crystal in the center.

“A crystal? Is it the end?”

Sarutobi shook his head.

“Nope, this is only the first 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, shoulders sagging, tired eyes scanning the ground.

“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.

This wasn’t just an endurance test, it was 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.

Itsuki lowered himself beside the crystal, hands resting lightly on the ground, head tilted slightly as if testing the air.

“Wow… this trial is brutal. Running and using all that magic… it’s insane,”

Rei chuckled softly.

“Ahaha, right.”

He looked around.

Most of the candidats were drained, mana nearly gone, sweat slicking their temples, shoulders slumped.

Luckily, I don’t use magic or I’d be wiped out too.

When the 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, while Rei grinned, ready to move forward, his eyes glinting with determination.

The air shifted.

In an instant, the group vanished from the rocky cliffs, landing softly among the faintly glowing trees.

Rei blinked.

Awe tightening his chest as the forest unfolded before him, almost unreal in its beauty.

Strange plants twisted and leaned as if alive, while flowers hummed softly and whispers drifted through the mist, teasing his ears.

“Listen carefully”, Sarutobi’s voice cut through the forest. “You have thirty minutes to reach the crystal.”

A pause

“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.

He expected more danger. But since they start, they were only running. And now this. Honestly, it felt more like some weird TV game show than a real magic tournament.

Too easy.

Until Rei noticed it.

Some candidates were drifting sideways, slowly leaving the main path , completely ignoring Sarutobi’s commands.

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

But no one answered.

Their movements were stiff, unnatural. Faces blank, eyes unfocused, like puppets on invisible strings. Like zombies.

Rei kept running, but though unease crawled along his spine like ice.

Then, slowly at first, he felt it.

A pull.

A strange sensation tugged at him toward the depths of the forest, growing stronger with each step.

A sharp grab at his arm pulled him back.

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

Rei’s eyes widened, understanding flickering.

“That’s why Sarutobi made us follow his instructions so strictly. It’s 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? Clever. But how will you follow Sarutobi’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.”

Of course it doesn’t. Kaitsuki will relay the instructions, that way, he won’t hear the music.

They ran again, faster this time.

The fog thickened, curling around roots and trunks , making it harder to see, while the melodic whispers grew louder and more tempting, echoing from every direction.

Every step was a test, a pull against temptation.

More and more candidates slowed, their steps faltering. Even Akira struggled against the pull of the whispers.

But not Rei. Neither Itsuki .

They sprinted smoothly, no hesitation, following every command from Sarutobi like good little solider.

And then a faint, desperate cry pierced Rei earphones.

“Please… someone… help me…”

Rei’s steps faltered.

His chest tightened. Someone was in danger, and he couldn’t just stand there.

“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.

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

Itsuki shrugged, eyes cold.

“Rules are rules, Rei. 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. if not, someone will help them.

He shook his head, forcing himself to focus.

Stay on the path. Follow the orders. That’s what he repeated to himself, over and over, while he kept running.

But the doubts wouldn’t leave.

The voice echoed in his mind, growing louder with every step.

Eyes fixed on the shadows ahead, Rei clenched his jaw,

“I’m sorry guys.”

He didn’t want any regrets. If someone was really in danger and he could help then he would.

That’s why he stopped running and sprinted toward the voice instead.

Slowly the official path vanished behind him and he scanned the horizon looking for someone hurt.

Nothing at first, only trees.

Then he saw her.

A small figure sat on a fallen log, shoulders shaking as soft sobs escaped.

Rei’s heart tightened.

Someone needs help… I knew it.

He stepped closer, voice soft.

“Hey… are you okay?”

The figure turned, and Rei froze in place.

It wasn’t a girl.

The creature hissed, lunging forward with claws reaching for his face.

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

POP

Each burst exploded in blinding light, freezing the yōkai as it snarled, taken completely off guard.

Then Rei rolled behind a tree, heart hammering, and shout

“Fire. Now!”

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

But more came. Too many.

Rei’s chest tightened as panic rising.

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

Suddenly, streaks of light shot through the air, striking every yōkai. 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 and 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 blocking the path. Tall and imposing, it was an examinator.

“You can’t go back,” he said, cold and cutting.

“You failed.”