Volume 1, Chapter 7 - "The enemy turned friend turned enemy"

(10 days later)

I was in a dream walking down a dark hallway. There were paintings of people on both sides of the walls, whom I didn't recognize. It felt like hours walking until I saw a light at the end. I eventually made it to the light and was transported to a garden of some sort. There were a wide variety of flowers. None I had seen before.

"Hello, Konpeki Seiryu. It's been a while since we met."

A person appeared in front of me. My first thought was that they looked like me. Their body was "less" covered with clothing and instead with this organic kind of armor.

"Who are you?"

"Hmm? I thought you knew about me?"

They manipulated the space around us to form chairs. Well this is my dream.

"Come. Sit."

I sat down in front of them. Seeing that nothing bad could happen to me since it was my dream.

"Alright. Why don't you answer my question first? Who are you?"

"I don't know."

You don't know? Oh well. If they were some inner demon of mine then I think I would have relinquished it. But some part of me is telling myself that they aren't lying. However, I do want to make sure.

"Answer me truthfully."

"Hmmm. I guess you can say that I am the manifestation of your power."

[BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP]

I woke up to the sound of the alarm clock. I never thought I would ever want to wake up to its annoying sound. To think that I didn't want to wake up this time. But seriously? That person is my manifest? Usually manifests, according to extensive research done by the Research Bureau of Manifests, stated that manifests take on the form of a beast or monster of some kind in dreams. Mine was humanlike. But I didn't dwell on it too much as I was about to be late to the academy.

I did the usual morning routine and headed for the academy. Dai joined up with me on the way some time later. We were permitted to skip classes thanks to the headmistress, which was a godsend because I got pretty bored there.

Of course, I've been developing a new technique to combat the nosferatu's abilities, however with how diverse abilities can be, I chose a peculiar way to deal with them after hearing that from Yoru, who was Nosferatu herself. Also Dai is the guinea for my tests, but I should probably have someone like Fujiwara help me as Dai gets "tired" after a few tests. However, I know that he doesn't because he has unlimited stamina thanks to his manifest of the Phoenix.

It got late pretty fast. It was like this for the past 10 days since we have been training for the raid. I was given the opportunity to spar with Yoru, who was Nosferatu, a couple days ago which was great practice against many more yet to come. Of course this was under the supervision of some of the others involved in the raid. But man, she is really skilled with her abilities. Her bloodhound was a problem some time ago, but now it was easy work.

"Hmm. You had a lot of problems dealing with my bloodhound last time, but you've figured out it's weakness that is the core. However, some of my peers can summon blood beasts that do not hold a core. Even my Shadow Step was no use.

It was all thanks to my Mystic Eyes. I could perceive things that many could not. It could even let me see into the future 2 seconds beforehand so it was a huge advantage. It was also the factor that helped me win against Shinji.

"However, I do have a question if you don't mind me asking."

"What is it, Yoru?"

"How do you plan to deal with our leader?"

Ah the leader. Now that I think about it, I have not seen the leader, let alone know how powerful they are. Headmistress Lisagarte did hint that they could possibly level entire towns with just a flick of their finger. Of course this was all just purely speculation according to what we heard from Yoru herself.

"I have been developing a new technique to counter all attacks, however it's still in the experimentation stage. Although I do have my Second Singularity technique, it can only reverse physical attacks."

If someone like Shinji were to make a full powered punch with the additional boost from his manifest at me, then I would use my Second Singularity technique to simply switch places with him and adopt the strength although for a short moment.

"Interesting. I also have another question. Just what is your manifest? I have heard of no power capable of reversing casualty between the two fighters. I was also there during your match with Shinji disguised as a student."

Huh, well that explains it even more when Headmistress Lisagarte revealed the footage to me before. Oh well that's in the past now. But about the identity of my manifest? I have no clue. But I do have a general understanding of it a bit thanks to the dream I had with the figure.

"To be honest, I don't know. Even though I awakened some time ago, I do not know of its identity nor what I'm even capable of. However, what I do know is that, if I want something to do what I want it to do, it will happen."

Huh, to reveal a lot of information that I don't normally tell people, to an enemy turned friend. What an interesting revelation I've made. But the part where "If I want something to do what I want it to do it will happen" thing is true, which was how I was able to make such techniques like my Second Singularity. Unfortunately it does not affect the laws of the world. I tried to make it so that the color, Red, wasn't a thing but it obviously didn't work.

"Your turn Yoru. What do you plan on doing after all this?"

Now back to the present day, 3 days later, I was making my way downtown to buy some groceries for my dear treasured sister, Sagiri. It was night, and even though this part of the town was as lively as can be, I kept my guard up. Hmm. I wonder if Sagiri would like curry tonight? I have been craving some lately.

After I paid the cashier, I headed home. To think that stores still existed today after 100 years of destruction still astonished me. Things like amusement parks and businesses were still a thing. Imports from the other 3 nations were seen. And to my surprise, I'm still even amazed that we had television after learning of the 100 year war.

[RING RING RING RING RING]

"Huh?"

I'm getting a call from the academy? I wonder what's wrong. I answered the call and sweat started to fall down the side of my head. Apparently, Yoru had knocked out her observers and escaped the academy and she's headed the opposite direction of my home, thankfully. That direction happens to be where the Nosferatu's base of operation is, and I wasn't that far away from it and I could probably intercept her.

I rushed as fast as I could to her location thanks to a tracker that the headmistress had me put on her during the little interrogation. By the way, she stopped in an alleyway. Man, it's like alleyways are my greatest enemy. I now came upon a figure. It was Yoru.

"Hey Yoru. You mind explaining what you did back at the academy?"

No response. She just stood there so still. I approached her until I was close enough to put my hand on her shoulder. She turned around with her eyes as red as blood.

"You shouldn't lay your hand on a woman without her consent."

A man's voice came from behind me.

"Huh?"

[BLOOD ARTS, CERBERUS CLAW]

A sort of liquid then formed in front of Yoru and a huge claw came out and swiped at me. I luckily dodged it in time thanks to my mystic eyes but our surroundings didn't. The walls around us were marked with a huge slash that the claw made.

"Hahahahahahaha. Ah, I knew you wouldn't fall for that trick"

"What?"

I turned around to see a middle aged man standing next to Yoru with his hand over her shoulder. He wore a red suit that had gold streaks.

"Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Baron V. Vlad, the leader of the Nosferatu. I believe your kind calls us, Vampires, but I can assure you, we are not. That race died out hundreds of years ago. Now nevermind that, I want to give you a small warn-"

[CLANG!]

I drew my sword on the leader without a second doubt. I don't know why but I just did as I dashed and swung at the leader. He countered by deflecting my blade.

"Hm. So disrespectful are you?"

Not even a second later, he grabbed my throat and slammed me against the wall to my right. His grip was so strong that he stopped my airflow. I didn't want to think that I was going to die. I tried to break his grip, but my efforts were nill. I looked at Yoru and I saw a face that looked to almost cry.

"Interesting. Now that I take a closer look at you, you do look like him."

Huh? What was he talking about so casually while choking me. And what does he mean? I look like "him"? "Who is him?" I let out a question, although raspy since he gripped my throat.

"I don't want to spoil you. However, what I will say is that you'd be very surprised once you find out- but, I think I'll leave it here."

His grip on me loosened and I fell to the ground coughing trying to catch my breath.

"I might as well leave a parting gift."

[BLOOD ARTS, RED DEAD SLEEP]

A red mist enveloped my face.

"Sleep well Konpeki Seiryu, I'm looking forward to our fight."

Before I lost consciousness, the leader left, but not long before Yoru looked back at me with guilt and a tear forming from her right eye. She let out a few words but I couldn't hear them.