Ryuma Irgo

"RYUMA!!! RYUMA!!! Oh for heaven's sake,"

Ryuma sound asleep and blissfully unaware of the approaching figure heading towards his room, was woken up to the feeling of a hard pillow slamming into his face.

"Arghh!" Ryuma grunted. "Mom, what the hell!? A normal shake would suffice!"

"Today is the test for your placement in the order, and you want to sleep in late? How do you expect a good spot if this is your first impression?"

Ryuma scowled. Most mothers would be tearful on their kid's placement test. She'd have to be the only mom in the Skylands to want to kick her kid out of the nest.

Damn that woman She could stand to show a little affection. Fake it at the very least. "What are you talking about? I got two more hours before school even starts," Ryuma complained.

"Don't think I didn't take your route into consideration. You're going to go cavorting with that dog of yours, aren't you?"

"Toga? Mom, you got to let this whole dragon, dog thing go. Toga's a good guy," Ryuma said.

"You know I have a problem with the dogs in the East. He may be a good guy, but I don't trust him. The dogs need to go back West where they belong,"

"If it's trust you have a problem with, don't worry. Toga's loyal to a fault. Betrayal isn't in his nature,"

"Yes… to a fault,"

Ryuma rolled his eyes. For as long as he's known his mom, Shoko Irgo has never liked anybody in the Red Dogs. It took him a while to realize how prejudice his mom was but arguing with her was always fruitless. Ryuma finally decided to scoot both his legs off the bed and onto the floor.

"Make sure you remember to darken your hair again. It looks like your streak is starting to show," His mom said, before leaving his doorway.

Ryuma dragged himself to the mirror and saw that amongst his dark black hair, there was a streak that was dark grey instead of jet black like the rest of his hair was. It wasn't obvious now, but if he didn't darken it every so often, his white streak would start to show.

It was another rule his mom forced him under. Always hide his streak and show nobody. He's never argued about it before, mainly because he never really liked it himself, or knew why he had it. This was just something he always followed her advice on.

The young man finally got dressed in his priest gear. Pure white clothing with black linings. The color scheme would've matched his hair in reverse if he'd wash out the dye. Having done his morning preparations, Ryuma ran out the door with that same tireless expression he always carried on his face.

"RYUMA, WAIT!" Shoko called.

What was it now?

He sighed, and went back to the front door his mom was standing in. "I thought you wanted me to hurry?"

"I know… I wanted to give you something first," She dug into her pocket and pulled out a ring. Grabbing his left hand, she slid the ring onto him.

Ryuma blinked. This was a spatial ring. Even up here, they couldn't afford such a thing. How did his mom get a hand on this? Better yet, why would she entrust it to him?

She saw the confused look on his face. "There's nothing but ink dye in it. I don't want you getting your hair wet, but just in case, make sure to put this on immediately,"

"Don't you think you're overreacting a bit? This is just the placement test. It's not as if I'm going anywhere yet," Ryuma said.

Shoko pulled him in for a hug. "Can't a mother like me be even a little worried for her son?"

Now that he thought about it, it was a bit embarrassing for a mother to fawn like this. He was more comfortable the way she was before. Especially now that they were out in the open. She finally let him go.

"I'll miss you too mom. Can't wait to see you when I get home tonight," The sarcasm was lost on her.

"Just… make sure you take care,"

Ryuma hand waved her away. Though he did have to admit, his mom seemed a bit off today. Now that he thought about it, there was something that had been going on with her for about a while now. Though she wouldn't admit it, he'd often catch her staring at him out of the corner of her eyes this past month, especially so this past week.

He brushed most of that aside, however. He wasn't trying to pry into her thoughts unless there was something she wanted to say. Not only did he want to respect her privacy, but he also had his own problems to think about. Like that test that was about to come up. Passing it was the goal of everyone trying to join The Order.

And joining The Order, was the only way you can get to the lower world, to slay the demons.

That's right. Ryuma Irgo lived in East Heaven's Island. A city that floated above the clouds. Like a barrier, he couldn't even see what was below. He'd always heard about the ground level in the lower world, but all he knew was this island and the city in it. The only way to get to the lower world, was to join the Order and become a Demon Slayer.

This was his day. Passing the test would be nothing to him. He was the best in his school, a talent that transcended class. He could even already take on low level order members at least in the Tithe's level. If he were to take the test now, he felt as if he could skip that level and join the Sentry.

It was better for him. He wanted to jump straight into saving the lives of the people down there over collecting there offerings. He didn't think a job like that suited him.

"Ryuma! Is that you!" He heard a voice calling out to him.

Speak of the devil. "Hey Mr. Taku. I take it you finished your rounds," Ryuma asked. He gave him a half smirk. Ryuma wasn't one to full out smile, but even he could crack a smirk when he saw an old friend.

Mr. Taku was a big man in his forties. He was pretty bear like, and had a clear mustache he took pride in. Whenever Ryuma saw him, the man was always in a jovial disposition. It seemed like he enjoyed his position at the Tithe level. Even to Ryuma, he clearly had the strength for promotion, but collecting offerings was all he ever did.

"Hey old man. You're still extorting the people down there?" Ryuma asked.

"Nonsense my boy. The people love the Order and all it stands for. Why, we couldn't turn their gifts away if we wanted to," Mr. Taku said.

"Yeah, yeah. I still say you should have promoted by now. Leave the collecting to younger ones and slay some demons. I think you'd be good at it,"

"Hmmm… let's see. Face giant wings, jagged teeth, and monstrous faces all day, or greet the smiling young faces of the citizens. I'm letting you know kid; this was my retirement package before I even started working," He chuckled

"Gee… that's your ambition? Oh well. Whatever keeps you making it back old man," Ryuma agreed. His heart might not be in it as much as he expected someone from the Order should be, but Ryuma cared about his well-being first. If fighting the big ones wasn't his thing, who was he to judge.

If there were people like him to want to fulfill that role, everybody shooting for the top wasn't a necessity.

"Oh, today is your placement test is it not? I can't wait to see how you fair. A boy of your talent, you wouldn't even have to deal with any of this collector's business,"

"Thank you for your kind words. I'll be sure to do my best,"

"Even showing modesty. I can imagine the young ladies are all over you. Can't wait to see the looker you pick," There was a lecherous gleam in his eye.

Ryuma held his hand up in defense, smiling in embarrassment. "Let's leave the romance talk for some other time. I'm not really good with that sort of topic,"

Sure enough, if it were anything that could break Ryuma out of his stoic nature, it would be a topic regarding woman. He was not at all versed on how to foment a relationship, and he was the most awkward person he knew. Instead, it was better to focus on his career until he got that part of his life sorted out.

"Ahh… I see. Well if there's anything you need to know about woman, you just come to me my boy. I'll be sure to sort you out,"

"Will do, I appreciate the help," Ryuma said, backing away whilst giving the thumbs up in advance.

It was nice running into Mr. Taku, but he needed to continue his way to the secret cave. Hopefully, Toga would have gotten there by now.