After hours of relentless sparring and physical exertion, the training field was soaked in the scent of sweat and scorched demon blood. Sir Aster Malrick stood at the edge of the clearing, arms crossed, his gaze sharp beneath the brim of his armored helm.
"That's enough for today," he declared, his voice booming like thunder. "Rest up. Tomorrow, we begin the real trials."
Ren and Aria stood back-to-back, panting, finishing off the last demon construct with swift, fluid movements. Aria flashed a wink at Ren, her blade dripping faint embers as it shrank back to its compact form.
Ren gave a nod to Malrick. "Understood, sir."
As they stepped outside, the cool Kaigenshiro air hit them like a cleansing breeze. Ren's head hung low, his hair shadowing his eyes. Something weighed heavily on him—something darker than fatigue.
Aria glanced sideways at him, concern clouding her golden eyes. What's going on with him?
A truck pulled up near the gate. Itsuki and Ayame were already seated in the back. They waved as Ren and Aria approached.
Everyone climbed in without a word. The ride was silent at first, but tension clung to the air like static.
As the vehicle came to a stop at the residential wing, Ayame gently caught Ren's arm before he could leave.
"Ren... do you mind if we talk?" Her voice was soft, almost pleading.
But Ren pulled away, avoiding eye contact. "Sorry. I can't talk right now."
He stepped off without another word, disappearing into the building's shadow.
Itsuki frowned. "What's wrong with him?"
Aria crossed her arms, thoughtful. "I don't know. His mood just... shifted after training."
Ayame sighed, watching Ren vanish into the stairwell. "I need some air," she muttered and walked off on her own.
Itsuki hesitated for a moment, then followed Ren into their shared quarters. He found him sitting on the edge of his bed, staring at the floor.
"I just need to rest, bro," Ren said quietly, not even looking up.
Itsuki stepped closer, beads of sweat forming on his brow. "I hope this isn't about your demon powers again..."
"I'm not a demon!" Ren suddenly roared, standing with fists clenched. His eyes burned—not just with rage, but with pain. "I'm not... I'm not a demon, Itsuki!"
"You need to calm down," Itsuki said firmly, stepping forward. "But you saw what was in the book. We've read about your kind. Do you even know where you're from? Who your parents were?"
Ren's face darkened further. "You don't know me, Itsuki. Hell, I don't even know myself. That sword—the Blade of Crimson Sin—it wasn't just a weapon. It was a scanner. A damn detector for demonic presence. And I used it… every day."
His voice cracked.
"I'm a demon, Itsuki. I've been lying to myself, pretending I'm not. But this power—it's in me. And if they find out… I'm done for."
Itsuki reached out to him, voice calm. "No one's going to find out. We'll protect you. You're not alone."
But Ren suddenly flinched and pointed, his voice trembling. "She's behind you..."
"What?" Itsuki turned. There was nothing there.
Then Ren's eyes ignited—his right eye glowing red, fragments swirling. "I will kill you!" he shouted at the empty space.
Itsuki instinctively flipped open his grimoire. "Sanctum vinculum—claudite portam inferni!"
A ring of holy glyphs formed in the air, and a burst of energy slammed into Ren, knocking him to his knees. He screamed in pain, the demonic essence within him lashing out.
"STOP IT!" Ren roared. "MAKE IT STOP!"
But Itsuki held firm. "You'll calm down, or I'll keep you sealed like this forever."
Finally, Ren collapsed, unconscious, the glow in his eye flickering out.
Itsuki stood over him, chest rising and falling. He stared at his unconscious friend with a conflicted gaze. "What are you becoming...?"
Later, in his own room, Itsuki opened a vial—Ren's blood, stolen from a previous encounter. He hesitated, then injected a single drop.
The burn was immediate, but duller than before. Less painful... but strangely addictive.
He leaned back, eyes flickering with dangerous curiosity. "I want more..."