The Spirit Training Grounds of the Sacred Oath Academy are a vast, circular arena located deep within the second underground level.
Thick talismanic arrays encircle the space, and the walls, which are etched with spirit realm sealing runes, seem to absorb all light and warmth.
Kazama Rei stood at the centre, feeling the bone-chilling cold of the metal floor beneath his feet.
Today marked his first official 'Spiritual Combat Test' since being assigned to the Student Council's Special Investigation Unit.
On the observation platform, Student Council President Jinguji Kai sat composedly; his calm exterior concealed an unmistakable sharpness in his eyes.
Vice President Shirogane Byaku stood in the shadows with his arms crossed, his gaze as sharp as a blade.
Natsume Rin and Yuki Makoto adjusted the spirit energy instruments.
Across the field, Kirishima Ren slowly stepped into the spotlight.
Black wrist guards bound his arms and his short hair was slightly tousled; yet his gaze was razor-sharp and focused.
As a physical-type spirit user, his spiritual pressure was steady and formidable; his reputation was well known among the first years.
'Kazama Rei,' Kirishima Ren said softly. 'I'll give it my all. I hope you won't take it lightly either.'
Rei took a deep breath and nodded.
'I'll do my best.'
However, deep within his left eye, that uncontrollable fluctuation stirred restlessly.
Jingūji Hai raised his right hand.
"Both of you, prepare."
The arena fell instantly silent, except for the faint hum of spiritual energy flowing through it.
"Begin!"
The floor talisman array glowed with a pale golden light.
Kirishima Ren charged forward first, his body moving like a whirlwind. His spirit-powered strides left almost no visible afterimage.
"Quick—!"
Before Rei could react, Kirishima's figure closed in on him.
He delivered a low spinning kick, his leg coated in spiritual energy and trailing a pale blue arc.
Thud!
Rei was sent tumbling backwards and crashed hard onto the floor.
A dull ache shot through his chest and a metallic taste coated his throat.
Natsume Rin gasped, "Ren, that was way too hard!"
Karasu remarked coldly, 'That was the most restrained version. If he can't handle this, he won't be assigned any missions.'
Li forced himself to stand up; his vision was slightly blurred.
On Fog Island, Ren didn't press his advantage. Instead, he took a step back and resumed his defensive stance.
'Again,' he said in a low voice.
Rei clenched his fists, forcing himself to focus.
Spiritual energy surged within him and, whether from pain or fear, his left eye began to blur.
The energy pulsed through his blood like electric currents, stinging him sharply.
'No... not now...'
Rei covered his left eye, his fingers trembling.
Kirishima Ren frowned. "Kazama, your condition—"
"Ren, step back."
Jingūji Hai interrupted, his voice deep and resonant.
Kirishima Ren obeyed immediately.
The next instant, Rei snapped his head up.
His left eye had completely changed colour.
Deep within the pupil, light shattered as if swallowed by a black-gold vortex, and spiritual energy surged so violently that the talisman array covering the entire arena flared with blinding light.
"Spiritual pressure — skyrocketing!"
Natsume Rin watched the instrument readings spike wildly, her face instantly draining of colour.
Yuki Makoto took a step back. 'This... higher than the President's...?'
Karasu's eyes narrowed. 'No, it's just a concentration spike. His body can't handle it.'
The air vibrated under the pressure. Rei's breathing became laboured, each exhalation seeming to burn away spiritual energy.
Kirishima Ren narrowed his eyes, his spiritual power surging instantly. 'There's no escaping it now!'
Rei's left eye locked onto Kirishima with fierce intensity.
The perspective shifted and grayish-white images of sinful karma swirled around Kirishima's form: anger, repression and the scars forced upon him.
Like smoke, these images coiled around him and morphed into twisted, beastly shadows.
BOOM!
Rei's hand shot out uncontrollably, unleashing a golden-black spiritual pressure that slammed forward.
Although it carried no intent to kill, it was sufficient to shatter the soul defences of an ordinary student.
Fog Island Ren gritted his teeth and crossed his arms to brace himself against the spiritual force.
The impact sent him staggering back five steps; his arms were numb and tingling.
"This isn't the power a newcomer should possess!"
Rei's body trembled uncontrollably and his left eye nearly split open.
Light erupted violently as the talisman array strained to its operational limit, its golden threads emitting a shrill resonance.
Shinjuku Hai finally moved.
He teleported close to Rei and pressed two fingers against the spiritual meridian junction on his chest.
"Seal."
As if crushed by a thousand pounds of force, Rei's entire spiritual wave was forcibly suppressed.
The black-gold light in his left eye faded rapidly, as if being sucked away.
Watching this scene, Kirishima Ren felt cold sweat trickle down his forehead.
In those mere ten seconds, he had grasped the profound meaning of taboo-level spiritual energy.
Rei braced himself before collapsing to his knees. His gasps were like those of a drowning man finally surfacing.
His left eye throbbed unbearably, as if something was trying to burrow out from the depths of his soul.
Jingūji Hai released his grip, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable weight. "Kazama Rei, your power has approached the forbidden," he said.
Shirakawa added a colder remark:
'Perhaps you are more dangerous than the last inheritor.'
Rei lifted his head, his vision still blurred.
He saw the faces of those around him — alert, shocked, even fearful.
Kirishima Ren stepped closer, his expression complex.
'Kazama, that strike you just delivered... Had you not held back, I wouldn't have been able to block it.'
Rei bit his lower lip; his voice was hoarse.
'I... didn't mean to... I didn't want it to be like this."
Jingūji Hai looked down at him, his gaze seeming to read every ounce of his struggle.
"Whether you like it or not, this is the power you possess.
'And the burden you must bear.'
Rei bowed his head deeply.
In that moment, no one spoke.
Only the lingering aftereffects of psychic energy reverberated through the air like an echo within the training grounds.