The storm had passed during the night, but the grounds of Yokai Academy were still breathing with that heavy mist that settled after violent winds. Fog was drifting through the forest like pale ribbons, slipping between the trunks with a soundless presence. The dormitory roofs were still dripping as the first thin light of morning filtered through the grey sky, faint and cold. Valentin was walking along the path, his uniform slightly damp from the wet air, his steps steady despite the bruises burning under his shirt. His back still ached from the confrontation against the berserker troll, and every movement reminded him that the previous day had nearly broken his ribs.
He kept walking anyway. His breathing was calm, disciplined. The system window had appeared in his vision upon waking, floating with a faint blue shimmer.
Skill Progression Update:
Enhanced Physiology: 34% → 47%
Regeneration: 12% → 19%
Demonic Impulse: Stabilized
Emotional Resonance → Triggering Threshold Lowered
He exhaled slowly. The last line was worrying. Every time Moka or any of the girls got too close, he felt something crawling under his skin—heat, instinct, a pulse that wasn't entirely human. It wasn't only desire. It was a predator's instinct trying to surface. And he feared what would happen when Moka's rosary would come off next to him while this instinct was awake.
He reached the training courtyard. The stone tiles were slick with moisture, and steam was rising from the wooden stands where someone had been practicing early. Mizore was there, sitting on the edge of the roof with her knees slightly apart, licking a strawberry popsicle as if the cold of the morning didn't concern her at all. Her purple eyes followed him with that calm, unsettling intensity only she had.
"You're early," she murmured, her voice cool and gentle.
"I needed to move," Valentin answered.
"You also need rest," she added, letting the popsicle melt against her lips. "But you never listen."
He tried not to look at the way her tongue traced the frozen surface. His heartbeat reacted anyway. And the system pulsed again.
Warning: Emotional Resonance approaching threshold.
Valentin inhaled sharply and stepped onto the courtyard. Mizore slid down from the roof silently, landing close behind him. Her proximity was a cold breeze brushing his neck.
"You're worried about the tournament," she said.
"I'm preparing for it."
"You're preparing for everyone," she corrected. "But not for yourself."
He didn't reply. She leaned toward him, her breath icy.
"I'll be watching your match. Don't lose. I'd hate to freeze someone for beating you."
She turned and walked away slowly, hips swaying just slightly—almost imperceptibly, but enough to make his pulse jump. As she disappeared into the mist, he exhaled again.
She's going to kill me one day, he thought.
He resumed training, each punch sending echoes through the courtyard. The pain in his ribs sharpened, but he kept going. Sweat mixed with rainwater dripping from his hair. His muscles warmed. His focus strengthened.
Then he heard footsteps. Familiar ones.
"Valentin!" Moka's voice rang with its usual bright tone, cutting through the morning haze. She hurried toward him, her pink hair bouncing lightly around her shoulders. Her smile was radiant, soft, warm—dangerously warm.
She skidded slightly on the wet tile and almost fell forward. He caught her quickly by the waist. Her hands pressed on his chest, her body colliding against his with softness that made his breath stop for half a second.
"Are you okay?" he asked, releasing her slowly.
"Yes! I just— I heard you were injured yesterday." Her expression changed, growing serious. "I was worried."
"I'm fine," he answered.
"You don't look fine." She placed her hand on his side instinctively, and he tensed. The bruise burned sharply. She looked up at him with concern. "Valentin… you don't have to force yourself."
He held her gaze. "I do. The tournament is coming."
"I know," she whispered. "But I don't want you to break yourself for it."
She stepped closer, her eyes softening. "Let me help. Drink some of my blood—it will heal you."
His heartbeat jumped violently.
"Moka—"
"It's fine," she insisted, raising her hand to touch the rosary at her chest unconsciously. "Besides… I like when you rely on me."
The system pulsed aggressively.
Emotional Resonance: 94% – Risk of Demonic Impulse Trigger.
He backed away a step. "No. Not now."
She blinked, surprised. "Did I… did I do something wrong?"
"No," he said quickly. "It's not you."
"Then what—"
Before he could answer, a powerful gust of wind burst across the courtyard. Kurumu landed on the railing above, her wings folding elegantly behind her. Her blue hair fluttered around her, and her confident grin widened at the sight of the two.
"Well, well, good morning lovers," she teased, jumping down and wrapping one arm around Valentin's shoulder. Her chest pressed firmly against him, intentionally and with zero shame. "Training without me? That hurts."
"Kurumu," he sighed.
"You're injured," she said, tightening her grip. "I can smell it. Your heartbeat is uneven."
Moka tensed instantly. "Why are you clinging to him like that?"
"Because he likes it," Kurumu answered with a smirk. "Right, Valentine-kun?"
He didn't answer. Kurumu leaned closer, brushing her lips near his cheek. "Maybe I should give you a little succubus energy to warm you up."
Moka stepped forward. "Kurumu, stop—"
"Oh? Look at you. So jealous this early in the morning."
"I'm not jealous!"
"Really? Then you won't mind if I take him to my room for a quick—"
"That's enough!" Moka stepped between them.
The tension rose instantly—heat from Kurumu, pressure from Moka. Their eyes locked, sparks flying.
Valentin exhaled sharply.
If they fight here…
A sudden cold wave surged behind them.
"Move." Mizore's voice cut the air.
Both girls froze literally—frost creeping at their feet.
"Valentin is training," Mizore said, stepping closer. "You're distracting him."
Kurumu scoffed. "You're the last person to talk about that, stalker-girl."
Moka frowned. "Everyone, please calm—"
"I'm not stalking," Mizore said calmly. "I'm watching."
"That's literally stalking!"
Valentin pinched the bridge of his nose.
This is getting out of control.
He straightened. "All of you. Enough."
They turned to him immediately.
"I appreciate your concern," he said, voice firm. "But I need to train. Alone."
The courtyard fell silent. Moka lowered her eyes, Kurumu clicked her tongue, and Mizore remained expressionless but stepped back.
He took a long breath. The air vibrated lightly.
The system chimed.
Emotional Resonance stabilized.
He resumed stance. The girls watched him a moment longer before slowly dispersing.
But only for now.
---
The morning passed in relentless effort. His punches cracked through the damp air, his kicks sliced arcs through the mist. Sweat rolled down his spine, mixing with the cold breeze. His ribs screamed. He ignored them.
Every movement strengthened his control—over his fist, over his breath, over the restless impulse under his skin.
But control was fragile.
At noon, the academy bell echoed across the forest. Students poured across the grounds. Monsters of every kind shifted to their human forms, blending into the crowd. Valentin walked among them, quiet, lost in his thoughts.
The bulletin board near the main hall was covered with colorful papers, but one stood out—a large red announcement stamped with silver characters:
YOKAI ACADEMY GRAND MONSTER TOURNAMENT
First Round: Match List Released Today
Students gathered in loud excitement. Valentin approached slowly.
Then he saw his name.
VALENTIN vs. KAIRO THE IRON OGRE
He felt a cold ripple in his stomach. Kairo was notorious—brutal strength, iron skin, no restraint.
Behind him, Kurumu blew a whistle. "Oh boy. That guy? He nearly destroyed the arena last year."
Moka bit her lip. "He's extremely strong. His last opponent was carried off unconscious."
Mizore appeared beside him, silent as ever. "I'll handle him if you want."
"No," Valentin said. "This is my match."
Kurumu smirked. "Of course it is. But after you win, you're carrying me back to the dorm. I love a man covered in sweat and battle scars."
Moka pouted. "Kurumu!"
Mizore tugged Valentin's sleeve gently. "I can freeze his legs before the match. No one will know."
"No cheating," he said, shaking his head.
"Not cheating," she replied quietly. "Assistance."
He couldn't help a faint smile.
Then the voice of the Commissioner echoed through megaphones across the campus.
"All fighters report to the arena for the preliminary evaluation. Attendance is mandatory."
The crowd began moving.
Moka stepped close to Valentin, her hand brushing his. "Please… be careful."
Kurumu grabbed his other arm. "Don't die. I still haven't shown you my special charm technique."
Mizore placed her hand on his back where the bruise was. "If he hits you there, your rib will snap."
"Thank you for the optimism," he said dryly.
The girls followed him as he entered the arena gates.
The sand smelled of iron. The stands were empty now, but the silence was heavy. Kairo the Iron Ogre was already there—towering, muscular, arms like boulders, skin glimmering with a metallic sheen. His golden eyes locked onto Valentin instantly.
"So," Kairo rumbled. "You're the human who thinks he can stand here."
Valentin stepped forward, steady.
"I don't think," he replied. "I stand."
Kairo grinned, revealing sharp metallic teeth.
"Good. I like breaking confident ones."
The ground trembled when he stomped. A shockwave rolled across the arena.
Valentin tightened his fists. His ribs hurt.
This is going to be brutal.
But he wasn't afraid.
He was ready.
The preliminary test began.
---
He dodged the first charge by a hair. The shock of Kairo's fist hitting the stone created a crater. Dust exploded upward. Valentin rolled, pain flaring across his side. He regained footing instantly.
Kairo charged again. Another earthquake punch. Valentin slid under the strike and countered with a clean blow to Kairo's jaw.
Metal rang like steel on steel.
Kairo didn't even flinch.
Valentin's knuckles throbbed violently.
Kairo laughed.
"This is going to be fun."
The fight continued—power against speed, brute force against evolving instinct. Valentin moved faster, slipping past each devastating strike, but every dodge strained his ribs further. His breath grew harsher.
The system pulsed.
Adrenal Response Boost Activated.
Enhanced Focus Triggered.
He moved again, this time faster, weaving through Kairo's arms and landing a punch directly between the ogre's ribs.
Kairo staggered.
The students watching from afar gasped.
Moka's voice echoed, panic and pride mixed. "Valentin!"
Kurumu whistled loudly. "Show him, handsome!"
Mizore's eyes glowed faintly. "Finish it."
Kairo roared and lifted both arms.
A double-fist smash.
If that landed, Valentin would be crushed.
He stepped forward instead of back.
Straight under the blow.
And struck upward with a full-force, rising punch.
Kairo's jaw snapped back.
The ogre fell.
The arena trembled as the giant crashed onto the sand.
Silence.
Then the commissioner's voice echoed:
"Evaluation complete. Valentin qualifies."
The girls rushed toward him.
Moka hugged him first—too tightly, and he hissed in pain.
"Oh! Sorry! Sorry!"
Kurumu grabbed his arm. "You were amazing!"
Mizore placed a hand on his shoulder. "You're shaking."
He was. Exhaustion hit him like a wave.
But he stood tall.
Tomorrow was the tournament.
And everything would escalate from here.