Chapter 11: Exam Days -2

Night three of the Final Selection. The wisteria forest had become my playground, a twisted obstacle course where demons lurked behind every gnarled tree and shadowy corner. I had already dispatched seven more of the ugly blighters, their ashes mingling with the damp earth. Kinetic Breathing was proving its worth, turning me into a one-man demon-slaying machine.

But as I ventured deeper into the woods, a chilling roar echoed through the trees. My "Walmart Byakugan" kicked in, and I saw a scene that made my jaw drop.

A monstrous demon, its body a grotesque mass of writhing limbs and gaping maws, towered over two figures. One was a boy, his face set in a grim determination, his movements swift and precise. The other... was a girl. A kid, really, her small frame dwarfed by the looming demon.

"A kid...?" I muttered in disbelief. "What the hell is a child doing in this death trap?"

The boy, who I later learned was named Sabito, lunged at the demon, his katana flashing in the moonlight. But the demon was too fast, too strong. Its multiple arms lashed out, blocking his attack and sending him sprawling backwards.

The girl, Makomo, tried to provide support, but she was clearly outmatched. The demon's next attack was aimed at her, its claws poised to tear her apart.

"No way am I letting that happen," I growled, my instincts kicking in.

Ichi no Kata: Kasoku Geki / First Form: Accelerated Impact!

I exploded into motion, a blur of speed and power. A glowing trail followed my dash as I closed the distance in the blink of an eye. The demon barely had time to register my presence before my katana sliced through one of its arms, severing it cleanly.

The demon howled in pain, its severed limb dissolving into ash. Makomo, wide-eyed with surprise, stumbled back, narrowly avoiding the falling appendage.

Sabito seized the opportunity, leaping towards the demon's exposed neck. But as he swung his katana, a sickening crack echoed through the clearing. His blade had snapped in half.

The demon let out a triumphant roar, its remaining arms closing in on the defenseless boy.

"Not so fast, you overgrown octopus!" I shouted, channeling my energy into my legs.

Fourth Form: Jōshō Kasoku (Rising Velocity)!

I launched myself into the air, my body glowing with a faint aura. The demon's attention snapped towards me, its surprise evident even on its monstrous face.

With a powerful downward strike, I cleaved through another of its arms, the impact sending a shockwave through the clearing.

"Stay back, you two!" I commanded, landing gracefully between the demon and the stunned children. "Leave this one to me."

Sabito and Makomo exchanged a hesitant glance, then nodded, retreating to a safer distance.

I turned to face the demon, a confident smirk playing on my lips.

"Alright, ugly, let's finish this," I said, my voice echoing through the moonlit forest. "It's time for a lesson in Kinetic Breathing."

The demon, now a pulsating stump of rage and flailing limbs, let out a roar that echoed through the wisteria-draped forest. Its remaining arms, each tipped with claws that could rival Wolverine's, lashed out in a frenzy, tearing through the air and leaving deep gouges in the earth.

From the sidelines, Sabito watched with a grim expression, his jaw clenched in frustration. Makomo, ever silent, stood beside him, her eyes filled with a quiet concern.

Meanwhile, I was having a blast.

"Come on, is that the best you've got?" I taunted, dodging a swipe that would've turned me into a human kebab. "I thought demons were supposed to be, like, scary."

The demon's fury intensified, its roars echoing through the forest like a symphony of rage. "You insolent brat!" it bellowed. "I'll tear you limb from limb!"

"Ooh, kinky," I quipped, sidestepping another attack. "But I'm not really into that whole dismemberment thing. How about we keep all my limbs attached, and you just, you know, disappear instead?"

Third Form: Ikioi no Gekidō (Momentum Surge)!

I launched into a whirlwind of motion, my katana a blur of steel and energy. Each strike, each parry, fueled the momentum, the power building with every movement. I was a one-man hurricane, a symphony of controlled chaos.

The demon's attacks grew more frantic, its claws tearing through the air, leaving trails of displaced energy in their wake. But I was always one step ahead, my "Walmart Byakugan" giving me a front-row seat to its every move. I could see its muscles straining, its demonic heart pounding like a bass drum, its rage-fueled bloodlust pulsing through its grotesque form.

"You're predictable," I mocked, ducking under a wild swing. "Like a bad horror movie villain. C'mon, give me something to work with!"

The demon's roars turned into incoherent screams of frustration. It was losing control, its attacks becoming less precise, more desperate.

"Alright, playtime's over," I said, a grin spreading across my face.

Sixth Form: Mugen Dō (Infinite Motion)!

I vanished from sight, my movements too fast for even the demon's enhanced senses to track. The air crackled with energy as I danced around it, a phantom of speed and power.

The battlefield became a kaleidoscope of motion, a symphony of light and shadow. My katana, a blur of silver, sliced through the demon's limbs with surgical precision. One by one, its arms fell, its body reduced to a quivering, helpless mass.

"Any last words?" I asked, my voice a whisper in the sudden stillness.

The demon could only gurgle, its eyes wide with terror.

With a final, decisive strike, I ended its miserable existence. Its head tumbled to the ground, followed by the rest of its body, disintegrating into a cloud of ash.

Silence descended upon the clearing, I stood there, panting slightly, my body buzzing with residual energy.

Sabito approached cautiously, his expression a mix of awe and relief. "That was... incredible," he said, his voice filled with admiration.

Makomo stepped forward, her gentle eyes conveying a silent gratitude. She bowed her head slightly in acknowledgement of my skill.

"Thanks," I replied, trying to downplay my accomplishment. "Just another day reducing the demon population"

But inside, I was buzzing with excitement. The Sixth Form, Mugen Dō, had exceeded my expectations. It was like I had tapped into an endless well of power, my body moving with a speed and precision I had never thought possible.

The Final Selection was just getting started, but I was already feeling pretty damn confident.

++

As the first rays of dawn pierced through the wisteria canopy, casting a soft light on the bloodied clearing, a wave of exhaustion washed over me. The adrenaline rush of the fight had subsided, leaving me feeling like I'd just run a marathon... while carrying a boulder uphill.

Sabito stood silently, his gaze fixed on the pile of demon ashes. Makomo, ever the quiet observer, remained by his side, her gentle eyes conveying a mix of concern and determination.

Suddenly, Sabito spoke, his voice laced with a bitterness that surprised me. "I'm done."

Makomo's head snapped up, her eyes widening in disbelief. "Sabito-kun?"

"I can't do this," he continued, his voice a low growl. "I'm not strong enough. That demon... it was toying with us."

He kicked at the broken remnants of his katana, frustration radiating from him like heat from a forge.

I couldn't just stand there and watch this emo-fest unfold. Time for a pep talk, Akio-style.

"Hold up a sec," I interjected, stepping forward with a smirk. "You're throwing in the towel after one tough fight? C'mon, man, where's your fighting spirit?"

Sabito glared at me, his pride clearly wounded. "It's not just one fight," he retorted. "It's the reality of it. We're weak, and the demons are strong. It's pointless."

I let out a hearty laugh. "Pointless? Dude, have you even heard the tales of the legendary demon slayers? They faced impossible odds, overcame their weaknesses, and emerged victorious. You think they were born with superhuman strength? No way! They earned it through blood, sweat, and tears."

Sabito's scowl deepened. "This isn't some storybook tale," he snapped. "People die out here. We could die."

"Yeah, and people die crossing rivers or climbing mountains too," I countered. "Doesn't mean we stop exploring the world. Besides, if you quit now, who's gonna protect all those innocent folks back in the villages? You think they'll be safe without demon slayers like us?"

Sabito's expression softened slightly, a flicker of doubt crossing his features.

I pressed on, my voice taking on a more serious tone. "Look, I get it. This is tough. It's scary. But that's what makes it worth doing. We're fighting for something bigger than ourselves, something worth risking our lives for."

I walked over to the pile of demon ashes and rummaged through the debris. My "Walmart Byakugan" spotted a glint of metal – a katana, its blade chipped and stained, but still intact.

I picked it up, feeling a surge of respect for the fallen Demon Slayer who had wielded it. I bowed my head, offering a silent prayer for their soul.

Then, I turned to Sabito, holding out the katana. "Here," I said, my voice firm. "Take it. And don't you dare die on me."

Sabito stared at the offered weapon, his eyes wide with surprise.

"It belongs to whoever can use it to slay demons," I retorted. "And right now, that's you."

I looked at Makomo, offering a reassuring smile. "You too," I said.

"Don't give up. You both have the potential to be great demon slayers. Let's meet after the final day of the selection. Don't you dare die on me."

With a final nod, I turned and walked away, leaving them standing there in the morning light.

As I ventured deeper into the forest, I couldn't shake the image of Sabito's conflicted expression as he gripped the katana.

I hope you make the right choice, kid, I thought to myself. The world needs more heroes, not quitters.

(To be Continued)

End Author's Note

Over9000words lets out a low whistle, wiping away a fake tear. "Man, that scene with Sabito and Makomo... I'm not gonna lie, I almost got choked up. Akio, you've got a real knack for inspiring speeches. You should totally bottle that up and sell it!"

Akio raises an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Inspiring speeches? I was just trying to stop the guy from having a full-blown emo meltdown in the middle of a demon-infested forest. Besides, I'm pretty sure my pep talk was more 'tough love' than 'inspirational.'"

AI-sensei chimes in, their voice a mix of amusement and admiration. "While Akio's methods may be unconventional, I must admit, his words seemed to have a profound impact on Sabito. Perhaps there's a hidden motivational speaker lurking beneath that sarcastic exterior."

Akio scoffs. "Yeah, right. More like a hidden comedian trying to survive in a world full of bloodthirsty monsters. Atleast, if my witty remarks can inspire a few people along the way, I guess that's a bonus."

Over9000words grins. "See? You're a natural! We should totally start a side hustle: 'Akio's Inspirational Insults: Guaranteed to motivate or your money back!'"

Akio rolls his eyes. "Oh, please. I'd rather face a horde of demons than become a self-help guru. Besides, I'm pretty sure my brand of 'motivation' would get me kicked out of the Demon Slayer Corps faster than you can say 'Hashira.'"

Over9000words laughs. "True, true. But in all seriousness, Akio, you're doing great. Keep up the good work, and don't forget to have some fun along the way!"

End of Chapter 11