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The sun was bright over the Shiritsu Academy.
Hayato dropped Takashi at the front gates. With a rare, teasing smirk, he ruffled his son's dual-colored hair. "Have fun," he said, before turning and walking away.
Takashi stood alone, gripping the straps of his bag.
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"HUBBYYYY!"
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A high-pitched, ecstatic scream pierced the courtyard.
Takashi froze. He didn't even need to turn around. Aira came sprinting toward him, her face flushed red with pure, uncontrollable happiness. She was practically flying, completely ignoring the stares of the older students.
A massive wave of embarrassment washed over the five-year-old boy. Blushing deeply, he ducked his head, turned around, and practically sprinted toward his classroom, his gloomy aura returning in full force.
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He stepped into the classroom and found an empty seat. But the peace didn't last.
"Hey, look. It's him."
"What is he even doing here? He doesn't have a single drop of Shin-Noa."
"Is he here to learn how to sweep?"
A group of boys snickered, purposely igniting small sparks of elemental Shin-Noa in their palms, showing off their awakened power.
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SLAM.
The classroom door was kicked open.
Aira marched in, her face beaming with joy as she looked for Takashi. But the moment she heard the snickering, the moment she saw the boys pointing at him, her smile vanished.
Her aura exploded.
Her eyes snapped open not the innocent eyes of a child, but the blood-red, terrifying Nightmare Mode of the Kaimetsuza Clan.
Itazurashiritsu (Phantom Rhythm): Terror.
The air in the classroom instantly dropped below freezing. The mocking boys choked on their own breath, their eyes rolling back in absolute, paralyzing fear as terrifying illusions hijacked their minds.
Aira didn't stop there. She released a burst of pure physical energy.
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CRACK.
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A crater spider-webbed across the solid stone floor beneath her feet. The entire class went dead silent, trembling in their seats.
Having made her point, the terrifying red faded from her eyes. The sweet, blissful smile returned instantly. She skipped happily over to Takashi, practically bouncing as she sat down next to him.
Takashi just stared blankly at his desk, remaining completely silent and lost in his own gloomy world.
The teacher hurried in, sweating nervously as he looked at the cracked floor. "Ahem! L-Let us begin with introductions!"
One by one, the children stood up. When it was Aira’s turn, she stood up proudly.
"I am Aira Shizukami!" she announced cheerfully.
The class erupted into furious, terrified whispers.
Wait... Shizukami?
But those red eyes... she’s the Princess of the Kaimetsuza!
Why is she using his name?
A boy in the front row nervously whispered back, they got married a few days ago! But she still lives with her parents.
A collective, shocked "Ooooh!" echoed through the room.
Beside her, Takashi didn't even blink. He simply rested his chin on his hand, completely ignoring the drama.
Outside the walls of the city, the world was holding its breath.
The political marriage had bought them time. The fears seeded by Shinsei were temporarily suppressed. Hayato felt a rare moment of freedom from the crushing weight of politics.
He used that freedom immediately.
The five-year limit had been reached.
In utter secrecy, Hayato Shizukami, his most trusted friend General Kazuki, and young Takashi slipped out of the Central Point City. Their destination: The Grand Forest of Monsters.
Their target: The X-Rank Legendary Divine Spirit Wolf.
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The tension in the air was suffocating. They were marching into hell. But Hayato’s eyes held no fear. Only a dark, unyielding resolve.
To save his son, he was prepared to cross any line. If he had to summon the blood-soaked monster he used to be... if he had to become the "War Demon" once again a title that terrified even his own memories, he would do it without a second thought.
The world was shifting. Destiny was turning its gears.
Back in the estates, away from the impending battle, life was quietly blooming.
Three new lives were already on their way into the changing world.
Jun’s wife was pregnant.
Ema was pregnant. Takashi was going to be a big brother.
And Tsugumi was pregnant. Aira was going to be a big sister.
The future was coming. But first, they had to survive the present …
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