A Team Forged at Dawn

The room was quiet.

Only the faint hum of machines filled the air could be heard.

Rei sat on the edge of the bed, fingers brushing the railing.

“Alright, tomorrow’s a team trial. We’re missing two members. Any ideas?”

Itsuki leaned against the wall, arms crossed, eyes dark while Akira’s head hung low, unable to meet Rei’s gaze.

Neither spoke.

Then a calm voice cut through the silence.

“I want to join your team.”

Rei blinked as the voice was unfamiliar.

“I’m Daichi Tsuchikage,” the man continued , “The monk with the white cloth over his eyes and a red bead necklace.”

Rei’s lips curved into a small smile.

“Oh right. I remember you. You felt strong. Perfect. What do you think, guys?”

Itsuki’s dark eyes narrowed.

“Why? … Why pick us? “

“You don’t know if Rei will regain his sight. Logically, you should

have avoided us.”

Daichi didn’t hesitate.

“I heard him choosing others over himself during the first trial.

That’s enough for me.”

“Beside I’m also blind, so I know it’s not the end.”

Rei smiled faintly. A spark of excitement.

Itsuki looked away, jaw tight .

Akira gave a small nod, a thoughtful smile tugging at his lips.

“Looks like we’ve got our fifth. Welcome to the team, Daichi.”

Then he glanced at the clock.

“It’s late. We’ll talk strategy tomorrow. Rest well”

The door slid open and closed again.

The room fell silent again.

Enshin, seated beside Rei, glanced at Itsuki.

“I need a word with Rei. Mind giving us a moment alone?”

Itsuki clicked his tongue and moved toward the door.

“I’ll be right outside.”

The exorcist leaned forward, jaw tight, eyes dark.

“I… shouldn’t have dragged you into this… If I’d known, I wouldn’t have… sorry.” he murmured, voice low.

Rei faced the exorcist, calm and heartfelt.

“Enshin,” he whispered, “I’ll always be grateful. You showed me magic exists, and gave me the chance to save my mother.”

He took a breath.

“I knew the risks… I chose this. No regrets.”

Enshin exhaled, shoulders loosening slightly.

Then he shifted, tone careful.

“You said you want to rely on Kaitsuki.”

Rei nodded once.

“But are you sure he’s still working?” Enshin continued.

Rei’s chest tightened as he remembers. The Darkness Zone had wrecked everything electronic. He froze a moment, then a hand hovering over his earpiece.

“Kaitsuki, are you here? Please answer me!”

Silence. One second. Two.

Then—

“I’m here.” the rabbit’s voice said, crisp and steady.

Relief washed over Rei.

“Good. You’re still working” he muttered.

Enshin’s shoulders relaxed. Just a fraction.

“I’m glad,” he said quietly.

“Remember, you’re not alone. Stick with your team tomorrow. Don’t push yourself too hard. If things feel off… step back.”

“I know,” Rei replied, nodding.

Enshin stepped back.

“I have a council meeting,” he added.

“Rest well.”

The door slid shut.

Itsuki re-entered, hand in his pocket.

Silence stretched between them.

Rei turned toward Itsuki.

“You’re staying?” he asked lightly. “It’s late… shouldn’t you get some sleep?”

Itsuki let out a dry chuckle.

“What? You trying to get rid of me already?”

Rei shook his head, a soft smile on his lips.

“No, not at all. I’m glad you’re here.”

Itsuki smirked.

“Then I guess I’m crashing here tonight.”

Rei raised an eyebrow.

“Really? You don’t have to, you know.”

“I know,” Itsuki muttered, voice low.

A faint shuffle from across the room. He’d already made himself comfortable on the bed beside Rei.

The quiet stretched for a moment.

Itsuki’s dark eyes narrowed as he shifted, sitting up, one leg bent, the other stretched out.

“I swear… that guy’s going to pay.”

Rei tilted his head slightly, calm, thoughtful.

“What’s the point of vengeance? It won’t bring my sight back.”

“Hatred chains us to the past. I’d rather focus on what I’ve learned.”

Itsuki snorted softly, hiding a grin.

“Lessons, huh? Let me guess… that exorcists are all idiots?”

Rei let out a small laugh, shaking his head.

“Come one. One hurt me, yes, but the others saved me. Don’t lump everyone together.”

Itsuki leaned back, arm behind his head, a faint smile breaking through.

“Yeah… I get it. Not all are useless. But still …”

The room fell silent, the faint hum of machines filling the background.

Rei exhaled slowly, letting the calm night settle around them.

“Sleep well, Itsuki.”

“You too, Rei.”

Finally, side by side, they drifted into quiet, deep sleep. The weight of the day slowly fading into the night.

Itsuki nudged Rei.

“Morning… sleepyhead.”

Rei’s eyes fluttered open, shapes and shadows swimming.

“Itsuki… I can see you!” His voice cracked with excitement.

Itsuki raised an eyebrow, smirking.

“Never thought my face would make you grin like that.”

Rei laughed, still half-blind.

“I do but that also means I’m not permanently blind!”

“And… I can still join the tournament!”

Rei fumbled for his VR glasses.

“Can you… pass me my sunglasses?”

Itsuki smiled, holding out the glasses.

“Let me guess… these will make you see perfectly?”

Rei grinned.

“Exactly!”

He put them on, and a soft hum from Kaitsuki analyzed his vision. Within moments, colors sharpened, edges aligned.

“Perfect. I see clearly now!”

Itsuki blinked, impressed.

“Your magic… it’s insane. How do you even—”

Rei chuckled, adjusting his glasses.

“A magician never reveals his secrets.”

They stepped out, the morning air crisp. Their steps echoed on the pavement.

A commotion ahead caught their attention.

A candidate stumbled, shoved by others. His mask fell, revealing jagged, sharp teeth. A low murmur ran through nearby exorcists.

“Half yokai?” one of them muttered. “They shouldn’t be allowed in this tournament.”

Denryuu’s eyes sparked faintly, electricity dancing over his fingers.

“What did you just say?” His voice crackled.

Itsuki stepped forward, calm but firm.

“Combat’s forbidden outside the tournament. Would be a shame to get eliminated over these losers.”

Rei crouched, picking up the fallen mask.

“Here. Your mask. Are you okay? Not hurt?”

The half yokai’s eyes narrowed as he took it.

“Thanks.” he said, voice clipped.

Rei tilted his head.

“What’s your name?”

Denryuu puffed up slightly, pride in his voice.

“Denryuu. The Electric Dragon.”

Rei’s lips curved into a small smile.

“Cool name! Want to join our team? We’re missing one member.”

Half‑yokai… useful if demons cancel human magic. And his powers could match Akira’s.

Denryuu’s eyes narrowed.

“Me? Why? I don’t need your charity.”

Rei shook his head, calm.

“It’s not charity. I can feel your strength. If you want, meet the others first, then decide.”

Itsuki smirked.

“Take it. Who else would accept a half‑yokai?”

A tense beat. Denryuu clenched his jaw… then relaxed.

“Fine. I’ll follow—but I’m not agreeing to anything yet.”

Rei nodded.

They started walking. The cafe was just ahead. Akira and Daichi were already outside, waiting.

Akira’s eyes widened at Rei’s glasses.

“Rei… you can see?”

Rei smiled, adjusting them.

“With these… I see perfectly.”

Akira’s gaze flicked to the newcomer beside Rei.

“And who’s this? Don’t tell me you’ve already found our fifth member?”

Rei’s lips curved in a confident smile.

“Yes. This is Denryuu. Strong addition… if you’re okay with that.”

Denryuu’s fingers sparked faintly.

“Just following for now… to see how things go.”

Rei ed them to a quiet corner, glancing at Denryuu with a small smile.

“This spot should work.”

Denryuu’s eyes scanned the space.

A place where he could safely take off his mask.

A faint smile touched his lips beneath the mask.

Maybe teaming up with them… isn’t such a bad idea after all.

They settled in.

Akira leaned forward, eyes bright, hands on the table.

“Alright… let’s introduce ourselves.”

“I’ve got light powers. Mostly sword work, but I can fire beams and projectiles too.”

Denryuu flicked static across his fingers.

“Electro. Quick. Lethal. Don’t underestimate me.”

Itsuki smirked.

“Someone’s showing off.”

Akira blinked, muttering.

“Without a tool? It’s mean …”

Denryuu’s eyes narrowed, on the defensive.

“Yeah , I’m Half-yokai. Problem?”

Akira raised his hands, grinning awkwardly.

“Sorry. Didn’t mean to… it’s good you’re here. Our powers fit.”

The others nodded, confirming it wasn’t an issue.

Denryuu’s surprised glance revealed he hadn’t expected such easy acceptance.

Daichi leaned back.

“Geokinesis. Tremors, rocks, barriers… I also have darkness. But I won’t use it, sorry.”

Akira’s jaw dropped.

“Two elements? That’s rare.”

Rei smiled softly.

“Your geokinesis is strong enough. And I really appreciated you using it to help me.”

A brief silence.

Itsuki stretched, drawing a card from his pocket.

“Guess it’s my turn. I have a magic card. Hearts heal, diamonds create shield.”

Rei raised an eyebrow.

“No attack? What about spades and clubs?”

Itsuki shrugged, a playful smirk on his lips.

“Nope. Disappointed? Gonna kick me out?”

Rei laughed, shaking his head.

“You know I won’t, silly.”

Itsuki locked eyes with him.

“Alright… you’re the last one.”

All eyes turned to Rei.

Curiosity thick in the air

He snapped his fingers , a tiny flame flickered, then vanished.

“I’m a fire exorcist. I can summon a yokai too.”

Daichi’s eyes narrowed, hearing the fleeting fire.

Did he just summon a flame? I can’t sense any magic… in it, or him. Intriguing.

Itsuki leaned forward, eyes locking with Rei’s

“You forgot something…”

Rei tensed.

“Really? And what’s that?”

Itsuki’s smile teasing .

“You’ve got a ton of cool gadgets.”

Rei exhaled, letting out a nervous chuckle.

“Ah right… we can use them to plan strategy. Since intros are done, let’s talk strategy.”

Akira stayed quiet, thinking:

He hasn’t explained how his yokai ties to the tech. Guess he’s keeping that secret.

Even though powers were shared, mysteries lingered.

Drinks arrived, followed by food. Laughter, chatter, brief silences. Ideas floated. Energy built. The team quietly began to exist.

A buzz in Rei’s earpiece.

“Master, your test is about to start.”

Rei rose, calm and composed.

“Sorry, everyone. I’ve got to head out. We’ll meet in the arena later.”

He slipped away, leaving the team, voices fading but spirits connected.

Rei stepped into the arena, heart racing.

Sarutobi’s voice cut through the air.

“I will test your reflex test, but first doctor check.”

The doctor approached, calm and precise.

“How your sight?”

“I can see with theses” Rei said, adjusting his VR glasses.

The doctor nodded.

“Good.”

He lifted Rei’s arm, fingers brushing his pulse. Then he froze slightly, eyes narrowing.

“Your magic… hasn’t returned,” he said quietly.

Rei’s stomach dropped.

“You won’t be able to take the test,” the doctor added.

Time slowed.

His mind spun.

I’ve had no magic this whole tournament… but I can’t say that.

Rei clenched his fists, heart hammering.

I need to find something and fast.