Disqualified?!

“You failed.”

The words cut through the mist, sharp and cold, sinking straight into his chest. His heart slammed against his ribs.

Around them, the forest felt heavy, quiet, as if it were holding its breath.

Rei froze.

“Failed?” The word stuck in his throat, bitter and small.

“You stepped off the official path,” the examiner said, calm and sharp. “That is disqualification.”

Rei’s gaze dropped for a moment, his voice wavered.

“I know. But I heard someone calling for help. I thought a real person was in danger.

He swallowed hard, fists clenching briefly as a shiver ran down his spine.

“And I couldn’t just keep running.”

“That was noble. But rules are rules.”

Rei understood.

If this was the price, then fine, It had been his choice from the start. But letting his friends fall too, no. That, he couldn’t accept.

So, he stepped forward.

His back straightened, fists clenching slightly, eyes locked on the examiner, determination hard in his gaze.

“Then eliminate me. But don’t eliminate them.”

Akira’s eyes widened, disbelief flashing across his face.

Rei glanced at Akira and Itsuki behind him.

“They weren’t hypnotized. They only left the path because of me. I made the choice. I take full responsibility.”

The examiner’s gaze sharpened.

“And what about that choice? Do you regret it?”

Rei lifted his eyes, steady, unwavering.

“No. Isn’t that what exorcists are supposed to do? Protect innocent people when they’re in danger?”

The words hung in the air.

The examiner’s gaze didn’t waver, sharp and cold. But Rei spotted a flicker, like a small hesitation, almost invisible. An opening.

So he pressed on, stepping closer, voice steady and sharp.

“And Sarutobi never said we’d be eliminated for stepping off the path. That follow-the-leader game wasn’t the real test. It was meant to identify who was hypnotized, right?”

He stepped forward again, eyes blazing.

“So eliminate me if you want. But my friends passed the trial.”

“Right.” Itsuki reacted immediately. “And if someone breaks free from hypnosis,”

He locked eyes on the examiner. “they can still reach the crystal before the time limit, right? ”

Rei nodded, voice low but firm.

“Right, that’s why we have a timer, isn’t it?”

The examiner stared, unblinking. Then a low, amused chuckle rolled out, cutting through the fog.

“Indeed. I’m impressed. You understood the true purpose of this trial.”

Relief surged in Rei’s chest, warming him from the inside.

The examiner turned slightly, gesture sweeping toward the fog-filled forest.

“You may proceed. But hurry.”

He tapped his wrist.

“You don’t have much time left.”

Rei’s watch lit up.

05:00

Ok, the race against time had begun.

Rei didn’t think, he just ran as fast as he could toward the main path, still hidden in the thick fog. Every step burned his lungs, every breath felt sharp, but he pushed on.

They ran and ran.

Then, suddenly, a line of the main trail appeared, faint but real through the mist.

Rei’s chest eased a little, relief hit him like a jolt of warmth.*

“Look, the main path is right there!”

03:00

Finally on the main trail, but the clearing ahead was empty. Normal, they were the last candidates.

Rei pushed forward, hope flickering with each step.

Maybe he’d see the crystal soon or maybe some candidates to make sure they were on the right track.

But the fog was thick, swallowing everything. They were still too far.

02:00

After a moment, shapes appeared in the distance, blurry and shifting.

Rei felt a spark of hope they probably weren’t far from the finish line. But the feeling didn’t last.

The shadows vanished, swallowed by a strange swirl of fog.

He squinted, trying to make sense of it.

“Could that be where the crystal is?” he asked, pointing to the circle where they disappeared.

His friends nodded,

“Probably,” Itsuki said, eyes scanning ahead, tense but calm.

They kept running, moving closer, step by step, heart racing.

01:00

All the shapes vanished, only faint echoes of movement

remained.

Rei’s chest tightened , pulse raced, every step urgent.

“We’re too slow”

He glanced at his watch and the circle.

“It’s over , we won’t make it.” his voice cracked, though the fog.

Then he felt Akira’s hand on his shoulder. Calm, firm.

“Close your eyes,” he said.

00:10

A flash of brilliant light.

Rei felt everything at once , speed, wind, movement, like they were tearing through space.

Then it stopped.

Their feet hit hard, dust and mist flying, splintered bark cracking beneath them.

00:01

Rei opened his eyes and look his watch. They had made it. They were in the circle. Just in time.

The other candidates were scattered where the circle had been, moving nervously, eyes searching through the thick fog.

No crystal.

Rei’s heart skipped as doubt clawed at him.

“Are we really in the right place?”

Then he spotted Sarutobi in the distance, standing calm and watchful.

“Everyone who made it this far has succeeded,”

The three exchanged quick glances, breaths heavy but smiles forming.

“Now, the last trial begins. This time, no need to follow me. You have one hour to find the crystal.”

The watches on everyone’s wrists lit up.

01:00.

The circle shimmered then vanished in an instant.

The fog rolled back in, thick and suffocating, swallowing trees and paths alike.

Whispers turned into panicked shouts.

“Where exactly is the crystal?”

“How are we supposed to find it?”

Then a voice drifted through the haze, distant but sharp:

“It’s easy, it’s over there.”

Frustrated cries and groans broke out.

“Where over there? We can’t see a thing!”

“It was hard enough to follow Sarutobi before but now it’s impossible!”

The wind howled through the mist, carrying muffled steps, shuffling feet, and the occasional thump of someone tripping.

Fear and confusion clung to everyone, thick as the fog itself

Rei’s chest tightened.

He looked at Itsuki and Akira, both were panting, faces pale, sweat dripping in the cold fog.

Akira swayed, nearly collapsing. His light flickered weakly, barely holding in the mist.

“Sorry. I can’t keep up. The teleport drained me completely.”

Rei shook his head, determination flaring.

“We finish this together,” he said firmly, gripping Akira’s shoulder.

“No one gets left behind.”

Itsuki’s eyes were sharp, almost cutting, reality heavy in his gaze.

“Remember, in the end there’s only one winner.”

Rei smiled softly.

“I know. But I want to stay with you as long as possible.”

Itsuki’s stern expression softened.

With a flick of his fingers, a card appeared in his hand, a 2 of hearts. Two glowing hearts rose from the card, enveloping Rei and Akira in warm light.

Akira’s glow flared bright, his power and strength returning.

Same for Rei.

When the energy flowed through him. He could feel it. His fatigue melted away and his strength back.

“Wow… Itsuki’s spell is incredible. I feel unstoppable.”

He glanced at Itsuki, eyes wide with wonder.

“His power are amazing.”

But Rei noticed he only use defensive skills so far.

“I wonder what else can he do?” Rei thought, excitement bubbling.

Akira smiled softly.

“Thank you. Both of you.”

Itsuki waved a hand dismissively.

“Don’t get the wrong idea. My magic won’t do much here. We need your light.”

Akira nodded, a gentle smile forming.

“Understood. I’ll do my best to guide us through.”

But even as he spoke, his glow flickered weakly.

“There’s so little light, my power is weak here.” he admitted.

“If you had more light, would it help?” Rei asked

Akira tilted his head.

“Yes, but how? Oh right, your element is fire. Maybe that can boost my light magic.”

Rei grinned, eyes sparkling with mischief.

“I have something even better.”

From his pocket, he pulled a super-powered lamp, its lens slicing through the fog with brilliant white light.

Itsuki smirked, voice dry:

“As always, you’re well-prepared.”

The trio moved forward, pushing through dense fog, shadows flickering at the edges of vision, alert, ready.

Suddenly, yōkai lunged from the mist.

Claws scraped the trees, teeth gleaming, low growls echoing through the fog.

Itsuki snapped his card.

Small shimmering barriers shot up, slowing the creature, forcing some to stumble.

Rei flung fire orbs.

They burst into bright sparks, blinding them for a moment, and Akira finished them with a strike of his sword.

They moved as one, fast, precise, unstoppable.

But something felt off.

Some monsters fought back, claws ripping armor and skin, leaving shallow cuts. But most of them vanished instantly, puffing into nothing. Stranger still, most cast no shadows.

Rei’s eyes narrowed.

Then a cold realization shivered down his spine.

“Wait… I think most of these are illusions.”

Itsuki studied them, jaw tight, eyes scanning for subtle traces.

“I think you’re right, but not all of them, right?” he said, calm but alert.

Akira frowned.

“How do we know which ones are real?”

Rei’s lips curved into a confident smile.

“I have an idea.”

Itsuki raised an eyebrow, already guessing.

“Let me guess… you’ve got a gadget for that too.”

Rei’s grin widened , he reached into his pocket, fingers brushing against something hidden.

“Exactly.”