Chapter 42

I am still shocked at what just happened. After having witnessed the by far strongest being there ever will be, I am shaken. Not by happiness like many others, but by fear.

Lunari defeated one SS-Rank Yokai. Phanes defeated three. Yet, the difference in power between the two of them far succeeded this difference. It felt as though Lunari had defeated a single A-Rank Yokai whereas Phanes killed all of Yokai-kind. I look over at Hibiki who slowly stands up and leaves the district.

Just a few moments later Iwata and Okubo rush after her. I see it. I think I might be one of the only ones noticing it. The rest, the teachers included, are still shocked and overwhelmed by what had just happened.

I poke Sherlock. “Iwata is probably going to jump Hibiki again… I’ll be right back, okay?”

“What? You gonna stop that?” Sherlock stands up dramatically himself. “Worry not: I shall help you, my dear!”

The two of us stand up and slowly leave the district. A few moments later Itoh and Nagano join us.

“Iwata is about to pull some shit, right?” Itoh grins a bit. “Let’s beat his ass.”

I only want to stop exactly something like that from happening but it seems as though the battles have just motivated the others to fight with all they’ve got as well.

Oh well.

When we entered the hallway we saw Okubo and Iwata standing in front of Hibiki. Hibiki was as interested in them as always - so not at all. Okubo already drew her knife and is holding it tightly with both hands. Seems like she really doesn’t want to lose it this time. Before anything starts, Itoh’s voice echoes through the hallway.

“Iwata, you piece of shit!” He clenches his fist and grins at Iwata.

Iwata slowly turns around and looks at him. “What is it, idiot?”

Hibiki just simply walks away. She is simply going to the restroom, not really caring what happens here.

Meanwhile Itoh comes closer to Iwata. He looks at him, determined. Smart move. By getting closer to him Iwata’s blessing becomes next to useless. Okubo does still have a knife though.

“Stop acting all high and mighty all the time, you piece of trash!”

“Or what?”

“Or you’ll get what yo-”

Okubo slashes at him with her knife without hesitating even a single second. Luckily, Nagano pulls him back at just the right moment.

“Are you insane, Okubo? Chill out! And you, calm down as well, Itoh!” Nagano seems to be the voice of reason.

“Nah, come on.” Iwata grins cocky. “Come at me, Itoh. Then I will beat the shit out of you and I’ll beat the shit out of your boyfriend here right after!”

The situation is about to escalate when we hear a single person clearing their throat behind us. When we look at the source of said sound we see Miss Headmaster, Shinohara Masuyo.

It is the first time I have ever seen her outside of her room - and judging from the looks of my peers, it’s the first time they’ve seen her outside as well.

“How lucky. Listen up-” She hands me a sheet of paper. “I just got the new tasks for us. Here. This is one for a larger group… Go do it right now, alright? Like… Right. Now. No more stalling.” And then she just leaves.

The six of us stand there pretty flabbergasted. Then I read out the task she had just given to me.

“There is a building which is haunted by a few Yokai. Defeat the Yokai inside.”

Huh.

“Sounds simple enough. Good, where is the building? I’ll do that on my own.”

“Like hell you are!” Itoh looks at Iwata, still mad.

I have an idea to perhaps ease the situation a bit.

“Let’s all do that task together. And whoever defeats the most yokai wins, alright?”

Not even remotely close to being the battle the others want, but it does serve a similar purpose: Iwata wants to show that he is the best. And, through challenging him to this contest, he can prove it. In the same way, the others can prove him wrong by being stronger than him.

We leave the stadium immediately. Everyone is ready and pumped for the Yokai-hunt we are about to start. Phanes really did awaken the inner beast that wants to battle in each one of us it seems.

While it is kind of unfortunate that we won’t see the end of the tournament… It’s Phanes anyway. There is no other possibility for this tournament to end besides Phanes absolutely mopping the floor with his last opponent.