The halls of the ruined trial grounds trembled as the roars of demons echoed from every direction. Smoke drifted from collapsed buildings, the bitter scent of dust and scorched earth swirling in the air. Aiko wiped blood from the corner of her lip and tightened her fists. The four-armed red-skinned demon towered before her group, its body thick and corded with muscle, each arm covered in black stone-like plating.
They had already been fighting for minutes that felt like hours.
But the demon wasn't tired.
It was enjoying this.
Aiko teleported behind the demon, using the orange flash of her ability to strike quick kicks at its exposed ribs—but the demon twisted unnaturally, rotating one arm backward to block her heel. Rin shot three massive icicles at its side; the demon caught them with all four hands and crushed them like brittle sticks. Tsubasa swooped down from above, wings spread wide as he released a hail of razor feathers. The demon ripped a chunk of pavement from the ground and swung it like a massive club, swatting Tsubasa from the air. Kenshin rushed in, blades flashing, but the pavement shield slammed into his swords, forcing him back.
It laughed.
A horrible, guttural sound that vibrated through their bones.
Then the demon clapped.
The sound exploded outwards in a shockwave.
"Brace—!"
Too late.
The blast sent all four of them flying. Aiko crashed through a crumbling wall and rolled onto the dirt. Dust billowed around her. Pain lanced up her arm, but she pushed herself up, coughing.
As the dust cleared, she noticed something—no, someone—peeking from behind the cracked remains of a collapsed building. A head sticking out. Eyes wide in terror.
Aiko narrowed her eyes.
"…Alex?"
He flinched and tried to stand tall. "O-Oh! Aiko. Hey. Uh—I just got here."
He said it like a child trying to lie to a teacher.
Aiko stared. "Have you been hiding this whole time?"
"What?! No!" He put both hands on his hips, trying to look heroic. He failed miserably. "I was… scouting. Yes. Scouting."
Aiko sighed. She didn't have time for this. And unfortunately—she knew exactly what needed to happen.
Alex was the only one who could defeat that thing.
She hated it, but it was the truth.
"Alex," she said, stepping closer. "We need you. You can help us beat that demon."
His eyes flicked to the monster. Then to Rin, Tsubasa, and Kenshin still fighting desperately. His face drained of color.
"Nope. Absolutely not," he said. "That's their choice. My choice is to stay alive!"
Aiko grabbed his arm. "Alex. Listen to me—"
"No! Don't make me go near that thing! I'm not built for this!"
"And what will Chiaki think of that?" she said flatly.
Alex froze.
Aiko pressed on, knowing she had struck the nerve she needed. "What will your sensei think when she finds out you left your team to die? What will she say when you return alone? Will she even look at you anymore?"
Alex swallowed hard. His face twisted—fear, then shame, then something painful but determined.
A tremor of power throbbed behind him. A golden circle burst open in the air.
Two massive golden arms emerged from the portal, each one wrapped in glowing script and ancient blessings.
Alex's expression hardened. "You're right… Chiaki wouldn't be proud of me if I walked away."
The giant arms lunged at the demon, closing around its torso. The demon snarled and fought back, muscles bulging as it barely forced itself free. It leapt away, landing on a fallen structure.
The arms struck again—but the demon dodged.
Aiko teleported beside its head and thrust her heel into its jaw.
The demon recoiled.
Rin shot a barrage of icicles, forcing it to block. Tsubasa rained feathers. Kenshin attacked with fierce slashes, each hit pushing the demon back.
Every time the demon tried to avoid the golden arms, Aiko's group attacked. Every time it turned to them, the arms tried to grab it again.
They were finally controlling the fight.
But the demon grew furious.
With a roar, it tore chunks of stone from the ground and threw them at the group. The rocks flew like missiles.
Alex thrust his arms forward. The golden arms mirrored the motion, blocking the projectiles with thunderous impacts.
Aiko turned toward him. "Alex! When I give the signal—use your trump card!"
He nodded, sweat dripping down his brow.
Aiko teleported, striking the demon's spine. Rin fired more icicles. Tsubasa's feathers tore across the demon's skin. Kenshin charged with both swords raised high.
The demon stepped backward—onto loose rubble.
It slipped.
"NOW!" Aiko shouted.
One golden arm withdrew into the circle. When it reappeared, it held a massive two-edged spear, glowing with divine blessings.
Alex roared and swung the phantom arm.
The spear ripped through the demon's body, cleaving it in half.
The demon gurgled a final shriek before dissolving into black smoke.
Silence.
Then all five exorcists collapsed onto the ground, gasping for breath.
The battle was finally over.
They took several minutes to rest, their bodies aching, clothes shredded, and energy low. After regaining just enough strength, the group headed toward the entrance of the trial grounds.
Bodies littered the hall—not corpses, but exhausted students sprawled across the floor. Some were nursing wounds, others lying flat, staring at the ceiling in disbelief that they were still alive.
Aiko, Alex, Rin, Tsubasa, and Kenshin entered.
Chiaki and the old sensei hurried toward them.
Chiaki's expression softened with visible relief. "Thank god you're alright. You five were the last to arrive. If you took any longer, we were preparing to launch a rescue."
"I told you they'd make it back," Itsuki-sensei said proudly, arms crossed. "My students never die."
Chiaki shot him a glare. "I still can't tell if you have genuine faith in them… or if you're enjoying watching them struggle."
Itsuki-sensei ignored her and marched to the center of the hall.
"Congratulations, students! You've all passed the first round of the trials!"
Masato raised his hand immediately. "Why were there upper demons inside the block? Isn't that insane?!"
A chorus of other students joined him.
Itsuki-sensei shrugged. "Last time everyone said the trials were too easy. And nobody died this time, so it's fine."
The students stared at him, horrified.
"Now," the sensei continued cheerfully, "those who found a scroll—bring them up!"
Jay blinked, surprised to see Sota holding a scroll. "Wait—you found one too?"
Sato nodded. "Hidden under a pile of rocks. Scythe-demon must've knocked it loose."
Rin looked over at Kenshin and Tsubasa, stunned. "You two have scrolls as well?!"
Tsubasa rubbed the back of his head. "Ah… yeah. We found ours buried under the bricks after that shockwave."
Kenshin nodded. "It must've been placed there as part of the challenge."
One by one, the eight selected students approached Itsuki-sensei and handed over their scrolls. The old man inspected them carefully, humming a tune under his breath.
Once finished, he straightened.
"Excellent. The eight of you…"
Everyone held their breath.
"…will proceed to the final stage of the exorcist initiation."
A wave of whispers spread through the hall.
Jay exchanged glances with Sota and Masato.
Alex straightened with pride.
Rin and Kenshin shared relieved smiles.
Aiko exhaled, shoulders relaxing.
Then Chiaki stepped forward, her expression serious.
"The next stage will be harder than anything you've faced so far. Rest, recover, and prepare yourselves. What comes next… will determine whether you walk out of here as true exorcists."
The hall fell silent.
Even the strongest students felt a chill at her words.