There Is a Condition
Shihei Estate training ground.
"Art of the Giant Rock."
As the shaman's will manifested, the incantation rippled across the world. Kr-r-rack! A sudden fissure tore through the earth, and a massive boulder erupted from the ground.
Sawamura Cento, the master of this incantation, controlled the surging power while locking onto her next target—an assault objective. A man gripping a dagger.
"Go."
Rumble-rumble! Waves of rock surged at her command, crashing toward the enemy.
Ichimaru Shiki, the narrow-eyed man, grinned ear to ear and straightened his dagger.
"My, if that hits wrong, I'll die, you know?"
As the rocky sorcery bore down on him, he kicked off the ground without hesitation. Weaving through the leaping boulders, he closed the distance head-on. Dodging the incantations assailing him from all sides with split-second precision—a scene that should have been nail-bitingly tense, yet he looked utterly relaxed.
"...What do you mean, 'die'?"
Cento furrowed her brow, preparing her next spell, while Shiki steadily narrowed the gap. He'd reach the shaman before she could cast twice more. Mages and shamans lost their edge if enemies got close. That's why they needed a frontliner.
The sword-wielding boy charged straight at the encroaching man. His target: the sinister narrow-eyed foe. Kenichi closed in and swung his greatsword with a mighty roar.
"——SHIKIIII!!!"
The blade hurtled forth with his shout—not a mere bludgeon, but a strike lethal enough to decapitate. Shiki scanned the boulders erupting everywhere and Kenichi dead ahead, assessing the situation.
Blocking other paths with sorcery, Kenichi up front.
A solid encirclement tactic. It pinned the foe—no escape—but notably, no rocks rose along Kenichi's path. Not a total abandonment of that flank; a boulder jutted right under his chin, proof of controlled sorcery around allies.
"Manifestation speed's a letdown, but..."
For his novice level, control was passable. Shiki inwardly graded the shaman Sawamura Cento, then slashed his dagger forward.
Partial credit, but the big picture? Not great. Frontliners only held encirclements if they could tank—the key flaw here.
"But Kenichi can't possibly stop me, right?!"
Boom! Greatsword met dagger head-on. Despite the overwhelming mass difference, the heavier blade buckled.
Screeeeech! Kenichi's eyes bulged as the sword bore relentlessly toward him. Grimacing, he poured every ounce into his arms and finally hurled his opponent back.
"Uwaaaah! Who says I can't?!"
"Oh?"
"Sawamura!!"
Shiki, beaming like an idiot, flailed midair. Comical as it was, no one bought he'd lose. Seizing the moment, Kenichi recovered his swing and lunged. Cento finished her spell.
"Rise, thorns."
Rumble... The ground swelled as if about to spew something. Similar to prior arts in eruption, but the payload? Worlds apart. The power infused? Night and day.
"Thorn Tree, Art of Punishment."
The incantation complete. Kr-r-rack! After the final boulder, trees sprouted—grotesque things, branches bare save for clusters of dark red thorns. The thorns quivered, priming to launch.
This might be dicey.
Shiki stepped on air and swung his dagger. Time slowed. In that instant, dozens of crimson thorns unleashed a barrage on one target.
Kaboom-boom-boom! Too many to evade. Each tiny barb packed boulder-level force, densely packed. Shiki had no intent to parry them all—just punch through one side.
Wham! Kicking off the sky, he charged Kenichi. Thorns en route? Sliced in a flash. Then, blades clashed again.
"...What?"
No—Kenichi didn't clash. Unlike usual, Shiki parried the strike aside and, in a blink, carved dozens of slits across his body.
Rip-rip-rip! Kenichi's training robes shredded, fluttering away. Strength drained from his limbs; he toppled slowly toward the ground.
Shiki whispered in his ear.
"Slow. Even falling."
"...Fuck off."
Thud! Leaving the limp Kenichi behind, Shiki bolted for the defenseless shaman. Cento dodged, firing minor spells to buy time for the next big one—but it wasn't enough. Foot speed alone was worlds apart.
Before total rout, Cento raised both hands in surrender and murmured.
"Our frontliner's incompetent."
"Agreed."
"..."
Sprawled on the ground, Kenichi seethed at their words.
...These bastards, running their mouths.
Regaining his senses, he checked the marks Shiki left.
...No deep cuts anywhere.
Just bruises from hilts. Flashy, but no real harm. Grateful, sure—but it grated all the same.
"Oopsie, Kenichi. Tripped on a rock? Not a scratch on you."
Kenichi vowed anew.
One day, I'll kill this guy.
As killing intent hardened, Shiki shrugged unexpectedly.
"Got something to handle. Rest up till I return."
"...Ohhh."
Kenichi beamed. Broken by training hell, this surprise break felt like bliss. The instant Shiki left, he flopped flat.
...Ah, heaven.
He planned a rare nap, but a voice intruded.
"Get up. Train."
"...What? Sawamura, Shiki said rest."
"Front's getting swiss-cheesed. Need countermeasures now, or we'll keep losing."
"...Damn it."
Couldn't ignore that. Grimacing, Kenichi rose and gripped his sword.
Kr-r-rack... The monster's body split from head to groin, collapsing.
Normally, he'd toy a bit first—but not today. Butchering the unsatisfying beast, one thought dominated.
"More than usual today."
Tokyo's shamans buzzed busier than ever amid surging yokai numbers—yet encounters doubled. Barely a month since seals broke, daily spawns multiplied manifold.
Tucking the dagger in his sleeve, I stepped into the street and recalled the looming full moon cycle.
"Hmm, not long now."
Time for the next stage.
Next morning, Cento and I arrived at school early as usual. Our bond deepens. Nodding proudly, Cento muttered blankly from beside me.
"People think we're dating more and more. Maybe drop the obsession with walking side-by-side every day?"
"Eh? Isn't our friendship growing?"
"Not at all."
"Aw, liar."
Bantering, in came Ichinose Hotaru—diligent, if not quite our level.
"Hey, everyone."
"Morning."
Come to think, she needs growth chances too. Tough scheduling amid all these wards. Idly stroking my chin, someone burst in.
"Hey! You!"
Blonde shrimp: Eris Betelgeuse. Shorter today? Panting urgently, she sidled up and whispered.
"...Got more of what you gave before?"
Fruit of the gift at last. Seeking more antidote meant progress, if not cure. After so long, she sees my sincerity. Beaming inwardly, I whispered back.
"Oh, plenty more."
"...Then more!"
"But there's a condition."
"...What?"
Eris blinked, blindsided. My gift's value seemed to plummet, but I smiled gently.
"Just grant me one little request?"
The world runs on give and take.