…Void
Darkness.
No ground.
No sky.
No sound.
Ren is alone.
A childlike voice echoes…
— That was really fun.
Ren frowns.
— …Fun?
The voice laughs softly… almost innocent.
— Yes.
You didn't stop.
You didn't back down.
A pause.
— It was fun to watch.
Silence.
— Keep fighting.
Ren looks around.
— Who are you? Where am I?
The voice answers… distant.
— Soon… we'll be together, Ren.
A final whisper:
— Just remember… never stop fighting.
Awakening
Ren slowly opens his eyes.
White ceiling.
The smell of medicine.
An unfamiliar place.
— Good morning, Mr. Ren. I see you're doing better.
Ren turns his head.
— Mr. Tadashi…? What happened? The test…?
Tadashi smiles faintly.
— Don't worry.
A pause.
— Congratulations, Ren.
— Welcome to the Hunter Academy.
Silence.
…and then—
— SERIOUSLY?! — Ren jumps out of bed, excited.
Tadashi watches him, thoughtful.
"Without Reikon…
And he defeated a Kurogane…"
— That's enough noise.
Keiko walks in, arms crossed.
— There are patients here, you know?
Tadashi gestures.
— Ren, this is Keiko. The academy's nurse.
Ren smiles.
— Hello! Thank you for taking care of me!
Keiko replies instantly:
— Don't thank me. Your friend was the one who healed you.
She steps closer.
Observes.
Analyzes.
Silence.
— …This is strange.
Ren tilts his head.
— What?
— There's no trace of Reikon.
She narrows her eyes.
— Your body is normal… but it isn't.
Footsteps
— I see you're awake.
Everyone looks.
Hayato.
The director.
Ren gulps.
— D-Director…
Keiko immediately frowns:
— What do you want? Want to get beaten again?
— Easy, Keiko. — he smiles
— I just came to see the most talked-about student.
He looks at Ren.
— The boy who defeated a Kurogane… with pure strength.
Ren is speechless.
— Has Tadashi explained everything?
— Y-yes… and… I'm sorry about earlier…
Hayato raises his hand.
— No need.
A faint smile.
— Among all the students… you were the only one who showed something special.
Ren lifts his gaze.
— The will to fight.
Silence.
— So keep going.
— Never stop.
Keiko interrupts:
— That's enough. He needs rest.
Ren and Tadashi whisper:
— She's scary…
Keiko slowly turns.
— I heard that.
— TADASHI, OUT.
He leaves immediately.
Hayato turns before exiting.
— I hope to see you soon, Ren.
— And remember…
— Never stop dreaming.
Ren smiles, moved.
— You got it!
Narrator
A smile can light up the world…
But not every light… lasts forever.
Academy Corridors
Ren walks beside Tadashi.
— Are we almost there?
— We're already here.
— And it's "sir."
— Yes, sir!
Ren smiles.
— The director is amazing… he's strong, right?
Tadashi answers:
— Very.
— One of the most well-known in Japan.
— Have you ever seen him fight?
— …No.
Ren looks confused.
— Then how do you know?
Tadashi looks ahead.
— By observing.
Ren's eyes widen.
— Incredible…
Classroom
The door opens.
Silence.
Cold stares.
Heavy.
Ren walks in.
And sees…
Ezonku.
He smiles and sits beside him.
— Hey—
— Who gave you permission to sit here, you piece of trash?
Tadashi enters.
— Very well.
— Congratulations to all of you for making it this far.
— My name is Tadashi Kawasaki.
— I will be your instructor for the next two months.
— Let's begin.
Somewhere else…
Darkness.
Shadows move.
— Are the preparations almost complete?
— Be patient.
— The Fallen have already accepted.
Silence.
— Then tell me…
— Why such interest in Hayato?
A pause.
The name echoes like thunder:
— The 5th Apostle… Kurokami Deizen.