Ding Dong, Dong!
The school bell rang loudly, echoing through the corridors and signaling the end of the day. Finally, the school day was over. As I packed my things, I sensed Nishio approaching me.
"Kagenou, are you alright? You've been absent for two weeks. Do you need my notes? Oh, and are you free? I need to talk to you about something," she asked, concern evident in her voice.
"Sorry, Nishimu-Nishio, but I'm swamped right now. And as for the classes, the teachers have already given me everything I need. Goodbye," I replied curtly.
Seriously, just after getting out of the hospital, I have an appointment with the leader of the Tenth Division, and Akao is supposed to pick me up.
As I stepped outside, I noticed Akao smoking next to a motorcycle. Before I could say anything, she spoke.
"Move your ass; Captain Aaron doesn't have time for you," she said bluntly.
If you want to get there quickly, we should run. It would be much faster!
As I climbed onto the motorcycle behind her, I couldn't help but think about how annoying she was.
As we sped down the road, a question crossed my mind. "Hey, Akao, where are we going?"
"To a little-known bar called the Bar of Fortune," she replied.
A bar? What's a powerful Devil Summoner doing in a place like that? And aren't I about to have the equivalent of a job interview? Strange place for that. I also wondered how I would get in since I'm underage. Soon, we stopped in front of a set of stairs leading down. At the bottom of the stairs was a door with a symbol of two serpents biting their own tails.
So this bar belongs to the Tenth Division. Do all the captains have secret lives? They play the role of a nobody but are powerful Devil Summoners in the shadows! How I envy them! As we entered the bar, I took in the chic decor: a polished wooden bar gleaming under the soft, ambient lighting, the surface immaculate and reflecting the numerous bottles lined up neatly behind it. The shelves were stocked with an array of exotic liquors, their colors casting a mesmerizing glow. The bartender, an elderly man with gray hair and a calm demeanor, moved with the precision and grace of someone who had perfected his craft over decades.
The room was a blend of modern sophistication and timeless elegance. Plush leather seats and dark mahogany tables were arranged with meticulous attention to detail, each piece of furniture contributing to an atmosphere of understated luxury. Soft jazz music played in the background, creating a relaxing yet sophisticated ambiance.
At the far end of the room, a sign marked "VIP" in gold letters on a black background stood out. The letters were elegantly scripted, catching the light in a way that made them almost seem to glow. The door beneath the sign was made of heavy, dark wood, adding an air of mystery and exclusivity to whatever lay beyond.
"Hello-" I began, but Akao cut me off.
"Old man, we're taking the VIP room. Sorry for the trouble," she said dismissively.
Be more polite, even I am more respectful than that! I thought. As we entered the VIP room, something felt off. In the center of the room, I sensed Magatsuhi. Then, Akao activated her own Magatsuhi, resonating with it. Suddenly, my vision blurred, and the next instant, we found ourselves in a vacant room with only what seemed to be an Amala Drum, as Burroughs had described it to me.
Teleportation... No, wait, maybe the original room itself was an illusion? I'll have to ask her as soon as this interview is over!
As Akao and I approached the terminal, she began to touch it, channeling her Magatsuhi into the device. The drum started spinning at a phenomenal speed, producing Magatsuhi and emitting a blinding light that flooded the room. Unlike before, when my vision became blurry, this light was so intense that it blinded me. I felt weightless, as if I had ceased to exist...
Whoa! I found myself in a room similar to the one before. Akao stood beside me, wearing a mocking smile. "You know, you have a funny look on your face right now. But don't worry, everyone does during their first time," she said, heading towards the door. "Are you coming or not?"
"Ah, yes!" I snapped out of my trance and followed her. As we stepped out of the room, a breathtaking view greeted me.
The sky-or whatever you could call it-was a deep, unnatural red, resembling a barrier that enclosed the entire area. In front of me stood a gigantic manor, possibly the largest in the world. Surrounding the manor was a sprawling city, blending various architectural styles: some buildings were futuristic, while others had ancient or contemporary designs. I could see Devil Summoners walking alongside their demons.
"Hey Akao, what is this place?" I asked, my curiosity piqued by the surreal surroundings.
"This is the headquarters of the Tenth Division, also known as the Wheel of Fortune. The HQ itself is called the City of Fortune," she replied.
We made our way through the manor's magnificent garden, the lush greenery and vibrant flowers contrasting sharply with the eerie red sky. As we approached the main door, I noticed Akao's demeanor change; she looked serious, focused. It was the first time I'd seen her like this. I wondered what kind of person the Captain of the Tenth Division was to make her act this way.
Suddenly, Akao's COMP beeped. She opened the door, and instead of a normal foyer, there was a swirling red portal.
"Step inside, and you'll be taken to the Captain's office. Good luck with the interview," she said, giving me a thumbs up.
I hesitated for a moment, the portal's ominous glow casting long shadows on the ground. Then, taking a deep breath, I stepped through the portal.
I felt a strange sensation, as if I was being pulled apart and reassembled simultaneously. When the disorientation faded, I found myself in a large, dimly lit room. The walls were lined with bookshelves filled with ancient tomes and scrolls. At the center of the room was a large, ornate desk, behind which sat the Captain of the Tenth Division. His presence was commanding, almost overwhelming.
He had striking white hair, styled in a tousled and slightly spiky manner. His piercing red eyes were hard to miss; they had an intensity that seemed to see right through you, yet there was a calmness to them, a stillness that suggested they were always in control. For some reason, though, there was also a melancholic air about him when he looked at me. He wore an open white shirt that revealed part of his chest, with a small pocket on the left side.
I bowed politely. "Minoru Kagenou, sir. It's an honor to meet you."
"Aaron Ceres," he introduced himself. "Do you know why you're here, Minoru?"
"Yes, Mr. Ceres. It's to see if I am worthy of joining the Tenth Division and to explain how I obtained the COMP."
"Good, but you don't need to be so serious. And call me Aaron if you want, I don't mind. Now, tell me everything from your arrival in the Vortex World."
Hmm? Well, that's a surprise. Given Akao's attitude, I thought he would be strict and very serious, but he's actually quite laid-back, I thought to myself.
I then recounted everything I had experienced in the Vortex World, from how I obtained the COMP to the battle with the Oni. I only omitted the dreams with the specters. After my explanation, Aaron seemed to be deep in thought.
He leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers on the desk rhythmically. "You've been through quite a bit," he said finally. "And your story matches the reports I've received. You've shown resourcefulness and strength."
I felt a surge of relief and pride at his words. "Thank you, sir-Mr. Aaron," I corrected myself.
Aaron gave a small smile. "You're welcome. But even though some mysteries remain unresolved, like who the former owner of the COMP was-someone not found in any of the organization's databases-and why the connection to the True Demonic Compendium has been severed, I think you're fit to join my division. But remember, being part of the Tenth Division means more than just strength. It's about loyalty, teamwork, and a willingness to face the unknown. Are you ready for that?"
"Yes, I am," I said with conviction.
"Good," Aaron said, standing up. "Follow me. I want to show you something."
I followed him through a hidden door behind his desk that led to a narrow staircase. As we climbed, Aaron continued to speak.
"The Circle of the True Reincarnation isn't the only organization out there. Two others stand out. The first is the Cult of Gaea, who believe in free will and that the strong should rule. Then there's the Order of Messiah, who believe in assisting the weak and promoting egalitarianism, but at the cost of a collectivist social order. Although the latter sounds noble, they're religious extremists who won't hesitate to exterminate anyone they consider heretical. I'm warning you because, even though they aren't very present in Japan, you might still run into them, especially the Cult of Gaea."
Why is he telling me all this now? Sure, it's useful information, but I just got here. Is he trying to prepare me for something bigger, or is this just part of the initiation?
As he continued talking, we reached the top of the stairs and stepped out onto a balcony that overlooked the City of Fortune. The view was breathtaking, with the red "sky" casting an ethereal glow over the eclectic mix of architecture and the bustling activity below.
"Any other questions?" Aaron asked, lighting a cigarette in the same casual manner as Akao.
Wait, why did he stop talking? He should be giving me a speech about how this is the city we must protect or something like that. Did he just come up here to get some fresh air and smoke his cigarette on the balcony?
Alright, let's get serious. It's time to get some answers.
"Mr. Aaron, do you recognize this symbol?" I asked, describing the mysterious emblem I had seen in my dreams.
His eyes widened, and he dropped his cigarette. "You're a Kuzunoha!"
Kuzunoha? Wait, did I really slip up just after getting accepted? And how does he assume I'm from that clan just from the description of a symbol? I could have easily found it in a shrine or something. Alright, let's see if I can talk my way out of this.
"Mr. Aaron, why do you believe I belong to the Kuzunoha clan?" I asked, trying to sound genuinely curious.
Aaron regained his composure and began to explain. "There are two reasons for that. First, the symbol of the Kuzunoha cannot be found anywhere in the areas you've traversed in the Vortex World. And second, Raidou Kuzunoha XV died under mysterious circumstances, which triggered the process known as the Ritual of Succession. This ritual begins with a meticulous search for any potential heirs who could inherit the title and become Raidou Kuzunoha XVI, so all Summoners with Kuzunoha lineage are closely monitored."
Damn! Why does the trope of being from a legendary clan have to fall on me? It makes me stand out even more! This Ritual of Succession probably ends with a deathmatch between all the heirs, which could be cool. Wait! Does that mean the ghosts in my dreams are former clan leaders, my ancestors? Seriously, what kind of ancestors order their descendants to kill each other because they suffered a defeat?! As I renewed my composure so I could ask Aaron my other questions, he spoke again.
"You're probably wondering what this world is," he said, noticing my curiosity. I nodded, eager to hear the explanation.
Aaron smiled and continued, "This dimension was created by the head of our organization, Termiboros Mercurius. He created one for each of the 22 divisions, and each one is the size of a small planet, which I think is way too big. Seriously, we could have made something the size of a metropolis at most. And don't even get me started on the HQ-it's literally an entire universe."
I stood there, stunned. I had always sought magic to gain power for feats like surviving a nuclear bomb, but this! The scale was beyond belief. An entire universe created by one person. I realized at that moment that if I wanted to survive in this world, I had to aim higher than the power of the atom; I had to aim for something greater...