This Tree Represents Our Bond

"Kenji, can we take a break... I'm so worn out...!" Mai expressed, fatigued.

"Sure, under that tree then," Kenji pointed towards it. The tree stood tall and formidable, impervious even to a sorcerer who mastered bone-crushing spells.

They exchanged glances before walking up to the tree. Settling down against its bark, Mai unwrapped the food her father had given her. As Mai looked up, the leaves seemed to blend seamlessly with the sky due to the tree's towering height.

"This tree is truly enormous."

"It's a Sequoia sempervirens; those trees are massive."

Kenji's eyes wandered through the forest, and Mai's gaze lingered on him longer than she intended. *He's quite knowledgeable. Ah~ he's so cool...*

"I- I already knew that!" Mai asserted confidently.

Then, a hush fell between them. The silence became so pronounced that it seemed to pierce Mai's thoughts with embarrassment. "Um, Kenji-"

"Yes?" Kenji responded quickly, came another significant pause. Kenji unwrapped his sandwich amid the quiet before Mai spoke again.

"Where are we headed?" Mai fidgeted. *Why am I feeling nervous?*

Kenji was about to take a bite of his sandwich, but he paused, looking at Mai with a face of disappointment. He replied, "We're heading towards Easyork, the city of swords."

"What will we do there?"

"You'll see when we get there."

"By the way, you mentioned that you were a N..Night? Knight? something! reaper... What is that?"

"You'll see when. We. Get. There," Kenji reiterated sternly.

"What are you? A demon?" Mai asked genuinely.

Ignoring Mai's persistent questioning, Kenji continued to chew his sandwich at a slow pace. Mai stared at Kenji, expecting a response, but received none. She groaned and shrugged it off, grabbing another sandwich and clasping her hands together, "Itadakimasu!"

The sky darkened, Kenji stood up abruptly, causing Mai to flinch.

"Let's go find somewhere to stay for the night."

Mai rose to her feet, and they both walked, with Mai trailing behind Kenji. "Careful, and stay behind me."

"I am though."

"Just stay behind."

Confusion clouded Mai's expression as she gazed at Kenji. Suddenly, she heard rustling sounds coming from the bushes in front of them. Her eyes widened as she saw a large black figure emerging. It was a demon, towering as tall as a house with a robust frame and needle sharp claws. The creature fixed its gaze on Kenji and emitted a guttural growl.

"Do you wanna fight that demon?" Kenji pointed at it and said with a straight face.

"Me?! I don't have a death wish, sorry, but you deal with that thing!"

Mai trembled in fear, clutching onto Kenji's shirt from behind. "What spells can you use?" Kenji asked, but before Mai could respond, the demon leaped on them. Mai lifted her arms and covered her head, she screamed in terror, Kenji glared at the demon, activating some kind of spell that vanished the demon.

"W..where'd it go?" Mai slowly lowered down her arms.

"Gone."

"Obviously! I mean, how were you capable of doing that? What did you do?"

"I read it's Ki. Surprisingly, it was remarkably low compared to its appearance."

"You should teach me!" Mai exclaimed with admiration.

The demon was classified as a Z-Rank. Demon rankings were categorized based on their Ki, analogous to how humans have Mana. While humans could achieve Ki and demons could harness Mana, their respective levels indicated their strength. Higher Ki levels denoted greater strength. 

This demon possessed a low Ki level. Despite having the ability and opportunity to vanquish the demon, Mai had doubts about her skills.

For normal sorcerers, it's a hard ability to be able to read a demon's Ki. Sorcerers normally had to master and obtain Ki to read a demon's Ki.

Kenji ignored Mai and started walking forward.

"We better get moving and find an inn before it's too late. Otherwise, more demons will come." He sighed. Mai grabbed Kenji's arm swiftly and hugged it tightly. "You'll protect me right?"

—

"Kenji...you left us. Why? Why did you? You said you'll guard us. Y———" The voice faded away.

Kenji's eyes shot open, he sat up quickly and felt around his chest. His heart beated rapidly. A knock approached the door, prompting Kenji to turn his head at the door. It slowly opened. It was Mai. "I was just checking in on you, you were deep asleep, I didn't wanna wake you." She paused. "Anyways, since you're now awake, the buffet is open." Mai smiled warmly causing Kenji to give a smile back. She then closed the door and left.