(Kai POV – Classroom)
Aside from the murderous glares I receive from the rest of class… everything passed peacefully under Ms. Nekonome's watch.
Not that I could enjoy that peace much.
'School sucks… no matter what world you're in.' I sigh inwardly. 'At least I've done this once before.'
The lectures aren't exhausting… just painfully boring. I daydream and let my mind wander whenever Ms. Nekonome teaches things I've already learned before.
Occasionally I glance sideways.
Moka is listening with bright, focused eyes, nodding seriously at everything she's taught.
'It's… oddly adorable.' I smile.
And eventually, the bell rings as lunch time arrives.
The entire class erupts into noise as chairs scrape back and students stand.
And right on cue—
[Feat Achieved: Successfully Enroll at a Supernatural Academy for the first time. Reward: 1 × Random Silver Gacha Ticket.]
'Oh?' I raise an eyebrow.
I had hoped it'd be a feat, but gave up when I didn't get it immediately upon entering the school.
'At most, I expected a bronze, given that I basically did nothing.'
Without hesitation, I use the ticket immediately, not expecting anything too great from a Silver Ticket.
The gacha wheel spins across my vision, spinning too quickly for me to read before finally slowing, and…
[Hanma]
|Rare Trait|
[Baki - You are a Hanma. You are incredibly genetically gifted, possessing increased resistance to poisons and your physical stats grow way faster. In addition, you have so much testosterone in you, any other men may as well be a girl in comparison. Your talent in martial arts is also greatly increased. You are just a genetically gifted freak.]
My brain stalls.
'What the hell…?' I almost fall out of my chair. 'How is this only a rare trait?!'
But, the thought dies instantly as the trait activates.
A surge of heat Sears through my body.
At first it's subtle. My blood suddenly feels like it's a few degrees hotter… then my heart slams against my ribs.
THUMP.
It feels like the air is punched from my lungs, and I struggle to breathe.
THUMP.
My fingers twitch against the desk as something inside me changes.
Then the pain hits, flooding my brain.
Every muscle in my body tightens at once, like invisible hands are twisting my flesh apart and stitching it back together.
My spine arches as I curl into my table, letting out a muffled groan.
'FUCK—!'
I bite down hard enough my teeth ache.
Ever had a cramp?
Now imagine every muscle in your body cramping at the same time, but ten times worse.
My arms tremble against the desk as my muscles contract violently and heat floods through my veins like molten metal.
Everything changes from a genetic level.
My muscles tighten, getting denser.
Bones crack, rebuilding themselves to be sturdier.
Blood rushes through my veins, trying to speed run its circulation.
My vision blurs, and for one terrifying moment, I'm convinced I'm about to die…
I can already hear Z taunting me from the afterlife.
Using Multitasking, I barely keep myself from crying, screaming out loud, or doing something stupid.
I hold myself against the desk, my forehead pressing against the cool wood as my body trembles.
'Just… endure it.'
Breathing hurts.
Existing hurts.
"Kai?" Moka's voice cuts through the noise around us, sounding worried. I feel a hand touch my shoulder. "Kai, are you okay?"
Her voice rises slightly, worry bleeding through.
I try to answer, but my throat refuses to move.
"I'm… fine…" I force out weakly.
The lie is pathetic.
Moka immediately leans closer.
"You're not fine." She says softly, panic creeping into her tone. "You look like you're in pain!"
Around us the class is semi-empty as students rush out for lunch, their chatter loud enough to drown out Moka's voice.
Thanks to that, nobody pays us much attention.
My fingers dig into the desk as another wave of agony rolls through my body.
Then—
Just as suddenly as it began—
It stops.
The tension releases like a snapped cable as my body finally relaxes, and the pain fades.
And a deep, powerful calm spreads through my body.
"…Haah." I gasp, finally able to breathe again.
I exhale slowly, sitting upright.
My body feels… different.
Stronger… better, in every way possible.
And beneath it all, a strange sense of vitality pulses through my veins.
I turn, Moka's face just inches away, her eyes wide with worry.
"Don't worry. I'm fine." I laugh it off. "It was… just had a cramp."
"Does it still hurt?" Moka asks softly, her emerald eyes scanning my face. "Maybe I can help somehow."
Her voice is completely sincere, filled with genuine concern.
For a second, guilt pricks at my chest.
I hate lying to her… but explaining that I just rewrote my genetics using a cosmic gacha system isn't really an option.
"It's fine." I reassure her, sitting up properly. "I'm all better now."
Strength has already returned to my limbs, my body brimming with energy I didn't have before.
If anything… I feel better than ever.
'This trait is ridiculously OP.' It's a growth type trait, with boundless potential, but it's already boosted my strength by quite a bit. 'It synergizes with Natural Restoration too…'
It's an all-round improvement that raises my body's upper limit.
'With enough time, could I actually eventually become as strong, or stronger than… Yujiro?'
The idea makes my lip twitch upward.
Of course, getting there would require lots of brutal training. But that's something I'm more than willing to work for.
Still—
'Note to self: never activate new traits in public again.' I almost shiver recalling the pain. 'I thought it'd integrate instantly and painlessly…'
But, it's always better to find out when you can still afford to mess up.
Moka is still watching me closely.
"…Are you sure you're okay?" She presses gently.
Her face is so close, I can feel her breathing.
I smile reassuringly.
"Better than ever."
That part isn't even a lie.
She studies me for another moment, trying to sense any falsehood.
Then…
"…Okay. That's a relief." She sighs as her body relaxes.
And just like that, her smile returns in full force, bright enough to light the room.
"It's lunchtime!" I say, pushing myself to my feet, and offering her my hand. "Why don't we walk around and explore the school?"
She blinks in surprise for half a second… before grinning joyfully.
"I'd love that!" She squeals.
But, instead of taking my hand, she loops both of hers around my arm.
She's warm, and very soft… but I'm not about to refuse this blessing, and accept it thankfully.
Moka hums happily as we walk out of the classroom together, completely unaware of the chaos she leaves behind.
The hallway is already bustling with students heading toward lunch. Conversations echo against the tall walls as footsteps clatter across the polished floor.
"Wow!" Moka suddenly gasps. She releases my arm just long enough to spin around excitedly. "Isn't this hallway amazing?!"
She points upward at the massive open corridor that stretches across two floors. A wide staircase stands against the wall, climbing toward the second level where more classrooms line the balcony-like walkway.
"Yeah." I nod, glancing around. "It's pretty impressive."
"Look over there!" Moka points again, eyes sparkling. "Let's check that out too!"
Without waiting for my answer, she grabs my sleeve and pulls me along.
I can't help laughing quietly.
'She's like an excited tourist.'
Every few steps she stops to admire something. Decorative statues, classroom doors, even the view outside the windows.
Somehow, her excitement is contagious. But above all else, I find the way she finds beauty in even the simplest thing mesmerising.
So much so, I spend most of the time observing her than the actual school.
More and more students turn to stare as we walk past.
Or more accurately—
They stare at her.
"Whoa… who is she?"
"Is that girl new?"
"She's gorgeous…"
Whispers ripple through the hallway like wildfire.
Meanwhile the boys' expressions slowly shift from awe…
…to murderous hostility.
"…Why is he walking with her?"
"That bastard…"
"How did that guy pull her?!"
I sigh internally. 'Yep. It's always gonna be like this.'
Yet Moka seems blissfully unaware.
She simply smiles, focusing on exploring the school.
'Hmm… if things go as I expect…' I think cautiously.
It should be—
Right about—
"They're right, you know." The voice cuts through the hallway chatter like a knife.
Students nearby instantly go quiet.
I stop walking, halting Moka, who tilts her head in confusion, as someone steps directly into our path.
A tall boy with long brown hair, broad shoulders, and a confident posture.
His aura alone screams trouble.
"You are cute." He says casually, eyes roaming over Moka with open interest. "Moka, isn't it?"
He smirks.
"My name's Saizo Komiya." His gaze flicks briefly toward me before returning to her. "Remember it."
A ripple of unease spreads through the surrounding students.
Some whisper, while others step back.
They all recognize him.
After all—
Saizo has a reputation.
A violent one.
Rumors say he was sent to Yokai Academy after causing serious trouble in the human world… especially involving girls.
And with the way the hallway went silent, none of them are willing to be his next target.
I knew this was coming since the very start, and had been prepared for this encounter.
My original plan had been to use Sunlight Spear to stun him when he grabs me. But even then… I wasn't too confident.
But now?
'Now… I think I'll be fine.'
My pulse pounds in my ears as Saizo's hand suddenly shoots forward, grabbing for my collar.
My body moves instantly, reacting on instinct, as my hand clamps around his forearm mid-motion.
The impact echoes faintly in the silent hallway.
For a moment, neither of us moves as the students watch in awe.
The air turns heavy.
Slowly, I step fully between Moka and Saizo, shielding her from view.
Saizo's eyes drop to my hand gripping his arm.
Then they slowly rise back to my face.
"Oh?" His lips curl slightly. "You're stronger than you look."
Behind me, I can feel Moka tense in surprise at the sudden hostility.
Saizo flexes his arm experimentally.
Muscles coil beneath his sleeve like tightening cables.
A faint crack echoes as his joints shift.
"But…" He continues casually, a condescending smirk creeping across his face. "…Not strong enough to grab me."
He pushes forward, the pressure hitting me like a battering ram, but I manage to resist.
'Two can play that game.' I don't move.
Instead, I quietly channel energy through my arm.
Normally Sunlight Spear gathers into a spear, but this time—
I gather the energy into my hand, then let it flow straight into his arm, releasing control over it.
Saizo's expression tightens as his muscles begin twitching violently.
Electricity crackles between our hands, too faint for anyone else to see clearly, but not weak enough for him to ignore.
His brow furrows as his smirk fades.
For the first time… he looks confused.
I slowly increase the output.
Just enough to make it hurt.
Just enough to serve as a warning.
His arm continues spasming, then slowly, veins bulge along his skin, as the cracking intensifies, and his arm starts to bulge slightly.
Saizo leans closer to me.
Our faces are barely a foot apart now.
"…What're you trying to do?" He mutters quietly.
"I'm warning you." I meet his gaze evenly. "Don't touch her."
For a brief second—
A dangerous look flashes across Saizo's face.
Bullies hate many things.
But what they hate most…
Is being challenged.
The air between us grows heavier.
His eyes darken.
"You really think…" He says slowly. "You can tell me what to do?"
His arm tenses again.
I feel the pressure building, as he puts more force, and I increase my energy output.
And strangely…
'Am I… actually looking forward to this?' My heart pounds in my chest, my body on full alert. Rather than fear or worry… it's excitement?
'The Hanma bloodline…'
Yep. That explains the feeling.
Saizo begins pushing harder.
Muscle against muscle.
Strength against strength.
Neither of us backing down.
If either of us escalates even slightly more—
"Sorry! Kai and I need to go now!" Moka's voice cuts through the tension instantly. And before I can react—
My body is suddenly yanked backwards, hard.
My feet barely stay on the floor as Moka grabs my arm and pulls me with frightening speed.
"Let's go!" She yells, and suddenly we're running.
Down the hallway.
Around the corner.
Fast enough that the stunned students barely have time to move out of the way.
I adapt quickly, matching her pace as we disappear into the crowd.
Behind us, Saizo doesn't follow.
(Saizo POV – Yokai Academy, Hallway)
My eyes narrow slightly as I watch them run.
"…Interesting." I slowly lower my arm.
The skin across my forearm is reddened. Thin wisps of smoke curl lazily from the surface as my muscles still twitch faintly from the residual shock.
'Huh.' I flex my fingers experimentally.
The ache is minor.
Annoying more than anything.
'What kind of monster is that guy?' I wonder. 'That wasn't normal electricity. It felt… different.'
Still.
I snort quietly.
'Strong… but not by much.'
If I'd transformed—
If I'd used my real strength—
That little trick of his wouldn't have done a damn thing.
My gaze shifts down the hallway.
Right where Moka disappeared, and my tongue slides slowly across my teeth.
"…What a waste."
That kind of beauty shouldn't be wandering around without protection.
Without someone claiming her.
Owning her.
Keeping others away.
And that idiot boy…
He actually thought he could stand between us.
I shove my hands into my pockets and start walking again.
Students scatter out of my way instantly.
'Good.' I think. 'That's how things should be.'
Fear.
Respect.
My smile slowly fades as the memory of that boy's eyes returns to mind.
The way he looked at me.
Calm.
Defiant.
Like he actually believed he could stop me.
"…Yeah." I frown slightly. "I didn't like that look."
My fingers curl slightly in my pockets.
'I'll make him regret that.'
Slowly, a grin spreads across my face.
After all…
"Moka will be mine."
One way or another.
And if she refuses?
I lick my lips.
"Well…"
Monsters eat what they want.
And no matter what choice she makes…
'She'll be delicious.'
*********
A/N: Hello Everyone! How are you all? If you've enjoyed the chapter, please consider leaving me some comments, reviews, or powerstones. It really helps the book out.
So, starting with the image. Spoiler, not spoiler, idk. But, couldn't find another suitable image🫠.
Anyway, into the chapter. Yes. Kai is weaker than Saizo. Hanna blood is OP, but it's just potential. He got stronger, but he won't reach Baki and Yujiro levels without actual training. And yeah, they could've just run, which, arguably, was the smartest thing to do... But, he's gotta protect the girl😭... Even if she is stronger than him💀.
And yeah... I actually pulled that. Didn't even consider Baki, so it was a pleasant surprise. NGL, only thing that if I pulled, I'd be sad about, is the Sharingan 🫠. I'd like it, but damn, I know people😭. Moment anyone sees Sharingan as a power, it's a bad book🤣. So, I'd reroll that one😖. (Or should I, of ever it were to happen)
But anyway, not much to say this chapter. Some things Kai does, seem stupid. Like enabling the trait in class. But keep in mind, he's also learning how it works. Prior experience taught him it'd be painless... And no he knows better.
But, that's all from me. Hopefully you enjoyed the chapter, and have a wonderful rest of your day/night 😁