Part 1
I followed her through almost all buildings and facilities of the campus, this place is even bigger than it looks like!
She tells me about the time the places are open, where I can go and when. She's a real handful, for a demon that is.
When our tour ends, the sun is almost setting
"That's all Kageyama-kun, hope you'll enjoy it here!"
Turns out it wasn't a trap, in fact, I don't even think she knows I'm an esper
"Thanks for bearing with me, I'm really grateful"
"You're welcome, if you have any questions please feel free to contact the student council."
"Don't worry, I'll definitely..."
Suddenly, I remember something.
Oh no!
"Please tell me what time it is!"
She makes a confused expression and looks at her watch
"Hum? It's almost..."
This late?!
CRAP! I gotta run!
"Sorry, but I have an important appointment to attend, thanks for everything!"
I bow towards her and dash outside
Oh wait...
I dash back and ask her
"Do you know where the nearest store is?"
"Hum? There's a convenience store close to the school, you just have to turn right at the school gates, cross the street at the stop sign and follow all the way"
"Thank you!"
I run towards the store as fast as I can.
It's right there! Now I'm mentally praying
Please don't be sold out, please don't be sould out!
I go inside the store, walk to the counter and make my request as clearly as I can
"Sir, give me this month's edition of Jojolion!"
...
The cashier looks at me quizzically
"... Boy, Jojo only comes in tomorrow, what day are you in?"
What?
I look at the calendar behind him
HOLY SHIT! I got the wrong day!
"Look, come here tomorrow morning, then I might have it for you"
I'm disappointed, I honestly thought it was out today...
"S-sorry, I'll just have something to drink then..."
I leave the store and make my way home, still sad about it...
Since I was a kid, "Jojo's Bizarre Adventure" is one of my favourite series.
Mom and dad never really liked it, but they were never bothered by it
The thing I always loved the most is that, despite their amazing powers, they never rely on it alone, all stand users use their intelligence and skills to make the most out of their powers and even a villain that seems harmless at the beginning can turn out to be a great threat depending on how he uses his abilities.
I'm a simple guy when it comes to battle, so I don't know if I would be able to elaborate a complicated battle strategy
I also kinda envy the protagonists, I wish I could be brave like Jonathan, smart like Joseph, cool like Jotaro, funny like Josuke or, well, you get the picture...
Ah, guess it's time to go home!
My parents rented me a small house in the 10h district, nice place, the only problem is that I have to cook for myself... and I'm not really good at that.
I wish I had a girlfriend who knew how to cook...
I start to think about the girls at school, not only the ones with Issei, but almost all the ones I saw untill now were really cute, specially Rias, the feminine voice I heard earlier in the room was also really charming, I wonder who was the girl behind it.
No, no, no! What the fuck am I even thinking? Rias is an inhuman, whoever was the owner of that voice must also be an inhuman, I can't fall in love with them!
Damn, for once in my life I wish I got lucky with girls...
You might have guessed by now, but I never had much luck with women, never had a girlfriend, not even something close to that. I already liked some girls, but never got too close. My powers are one of the things that hold me back from it.
I thing that, if I get a girlfriend, would I be able to love her properly while having to control my emotions? Knowing that if she ever gets harmed I might cause pain or even death to a lot of people?
I hope to change that someday, I think falling in love would be really enjoyable, that's a motivation that drives me to control my feelings, to fully control my 100% and maybe someday the unknow percentage.
*BZZZZ*
My cellhpone rings and I look
It's a call...
From mom!
Well... I am her son and I am in another town, so it's obvious she will keep in touch with me...
But I don't know what to tell her!
I can't ask for her help, knowing her, she'll probably get pissed and tell me to destroy the whole school and go back home
That or she will tell father and he might have an even worse reaction, he's always been very protective of me, sometimes even more than mother.
Both options are bad! I wanna live a normal highschool life for once!
If I can get the school rid of those demons then there'll be no problem, right?
I pick it up
"H-hi mom"
"Tatseyo! Hi son! How was your first day?"
Seriously, her voice is just like a child, she hasn't changed at all, anyone listening in would think that I'm speaking with my little sister rather than my mom.
Not that'll ever say it to her...
"Things are pretty calm, the school is nice and I'm really enjoying it here, what about over there?"
I'll have to lie this time, sorry mom, sorry dad, but you sent me here so I could experience a normal life for once, right?
"So calm that it's boring, it even makes me miss my heroine days, your dad was worried of you not being able to adapt though"
Heh, if he only knew...
"So long it's been fine, the teachers are good and everyone has been really nice to me"
"Good, but if anything happens don't hesitate to call us, understand?"
"OK"
"And if anything happens, remember the three Esper principles: 3SF, alright?"
I sigh
"Don't worry, it has been well screwed in my head"
"So..."
She then makes a pause as if she wants to ask something
"Mom?"
"Are there any cute girls in there?"
I nearly fall backwards at this sudden question
"W-what are you talking about?"
"C'mon! You are our son, it's your duty to spread the genes of our family! I wanted you to find a nice esper girl, like Kuriko, but you two just wouldn't get along..."
There was one time when mom tried to make me and Kuriko hook up, it didn't end nicely, just thinking about this makes me embarassed, so please spare me from the flashback!
"...Then I thought it was because you were dating that pirokinetic girl, but you two have never done anything right?"
Don't call Ayumu 'pirokinetic girl'!
"I already told you that there's nothing between us!"
"And that's unfortunate! Right now I don't even care if it's a normal girl, in the end your child would probably inherit you powers anyway, so please work hard and give me a grandchild, your father is worried too you know?"
Father too?!
"What did he said?"
"He's worried because you are not showing any interest in girls at your age, even he had a crush besides me before we met, so we are worried about your health you know?"
"My health is fine, thank you very much!"
"So what's the problem? You like girls don't you? We won't judge you if you don't but..."
This conversation just keeps getting weirder!
"I like girls, okay? It's just that I have more important things to worry about!"
"Like what? We sent you over so you could have a normal highschool life, so please act like a normal highschool boy and get a normal highschool girlfriend okay?"
What's with the 'highschool' and 'normal' repetition?!
"I-if you're just going to talk about that then I'm going to hang up!"
"Wait, Tatseyo!"
"W-what is it?"
She pauses for a moment and replies in a calmer voice.
"...Have you been eating properly? You were never a very good cook, so we are worried about it too."
I sigh, even after all this embarrassing and weird talk, she's still my mom
"Yes mom, I tried to learn a few things before moving, so I'll be alright."
"Okay, goodnight son, I love you"
"Love you too mom, say hello to father"
With that we hang up
I feel even more tired after this conversation, I'm going to take a shower, eat and go to bed.
But even while I do that I'm still thinking over the first part of my conversation with mom.
3SF
That is the number one rule that every esper obeys regarding evil supernatural activity:
Strike First, Strike Fast, Strike Fiercely
Destroy it before they cause trouble and make sure it doesn't come back
A lot of people wait untill bad things start to happen before they call an exorcist, by then it can already be too late, so that's how we are taught to deal with curses and evil beings.
Not killing those demons the moment I noticed them is already breaking the first rule, but it's an exception, when there are so many people that could be hurt by direct confrontation, then it's best to wait untill I can take them out with minimun risk.
Before going to sleep I message a friend of mine the pictures of the pentagram
He's a doctor and an esper
He is also an expert on the other world. He was one of my teachers and knows even more than mom and dad. If there is someone who can give me answers, it's him
...
I need to meditate before sleeping
Meditation is important to keep my power and emotions check
But more than just meditation, what I do is an "out of the body experience", I project my soul out of my body, this is also a thing some espers can do, being free from your physical body makes meditation much more effective
OK, now it's time to sleep
Part 2
My cellphone rings
I pick it up and check the time
It's 4:32 AM! Who the hell is it?
I look the name, it's him, the expert I contacted
I decide to answer the call, it might be important
"Edmond, do you know what time it is here in Japan?"
An haitian accent answers me on the other side of the phone
"Yes, and I'm sorry, but about the pentagrams you messaged me..."
His voice... is he nervous?
"What about it?"
"Well, you see, it's not a cult nor a religious one, it's a devil's clan pentagram."
"Clan? What's this?"
"Son, you don't know what a clan is?"
I always fought against demons, ghosts, evil spirits and youkais and I never knew they had this sort of organization
"No, could you enlight me?"
"You see, these types of pentagrams can only be used by members of a same family or by the ones who are commited with the clan."
Only those commited to a demon clan right? So that's why the man with a goatee didn't used it! Because he's a fallen angel he can't use a devil's pentagram!
Edmond continues
"Demons like that are very dangerous, not only they have their own hierarchy and specialities, many of them are survivours of the spiritual wars"
The spiritual wars, I already heard about that
Demons, Angels and Fallen Angels fighting for control.
So Edmond believes in that? I always thought it was just a legend the church made up.
"Do you know which clan this crest belongs to?"
Edmond makes a pause
"I'm a bit rusty, but I believe this is the Gremory's seal"
Gremory? As in 'Rias Gremory'?
FUCK! First Azazel and now this? It's like they are not even making an effort to hide themselves, like they are taunting us!
"Kageyama? Are you still there?"
"Yes, listen, have you ever fought against these types of demons?"
"No, it is not my place to interfere, this war means nothing to espers, it's a war among the inhumans and if you didn't know about it then you are better like this, it doesn't concern us"
"So, do you think I can handle them?"
"Considering you are your parents son, I think you can stand up to them, but if you want an even better advice then listen: As I said, this war means nothing to us espers, let the church handle these types of inhumans, it's a war of the other world, we should focus on protecting our world"
Again, someone mentions my parents, that's nothing new to me, but what surprises me is the "advice" he just gave me.
This is one of the few times I disagree with Edmond, if these devils are on the school, living among regular humans, doesn't that make them a threat already? Is there something he's hiding from me?
"I take it you haven't told them about what happened?"
I shake my head
"No, it would just worry them, please don't tell them"
"I will not, but I urge you to be careful"
"I understand, but I think I have to go deeper into this, don't worry, I'll be careful."
"If that's what you wish..."
It seems like he's ready to hang up, but I still got another question
"Hey Edmond, another thing, I've already seen humans who became possessed by demons and some hibrid youkais, but can another creature be turned into a demon without possession or hibrid procreation?"
"It's possible, if they make a pact or are transformed by some method or curse..."
Curse?
"And that would make them stronger than a normal demon?"
"Not necessarily, it depends on the kind of the creature, their talent, innate powers and some can even get stronger through sheer training or going through probations"
"How much stronger?"
The strength hiden within Issei was no joke, I've never sensed that kind of energy.
"Tatseyo, is there something you want to tell me?"
I don't want to make Edmond worried, he already doesn't seem very approval about my intentions of proceeding with this investigation
"No, nothing, it's okay, thanks for the update"
"You're welcome Kageyama child, goodnight"
"Oh, and Edmond..."
"What is it"?
"Please, unless someone is dying, don't ever wake me up like that again"
"I apologize, but the situation seemed urgent..."
"No worries, goodnight"
"Goodnight, and remember: No matter what happens, don't stray away from your morals, no matter how desperate the situation, do not go for the dark arts."
I turn my head to look at the cabinet, inside of my case, along with several other things, there is a set of artifacts I sworn to never use.
"Don't worry, even if things run bad I would never use it, goodnight"
I hang up and I'm left with my thoughts again, what am I gonna do?
If I happen to exorcise a lot of people from the school, that would bring attention. I'll have to be careful, give them no room to react, this has to be done for before they even realize what happened.
Another thing that's been bothering me is that I've never seem demons so human-looking, it's my first time dealing with a situation like this
Edmond seems to be hiding something from me, could it be that this "otherworld war" is not actually a legend?
That brings me another question: Are they total inhumans? Edmond just confirmed that people and other youkai can be turned into demons, but I have to confirm if that's the case before taking action
If they are just posessed and I could exorcise them without hurting anyone, it would be the best
Father always told me to never use my powers against people, mom hated that, she always said I was special, that the only way to survive in this world is to be strong, but I don't like the thought of hurting people who are weaker than me.
I take a deep breath and lay on my bed, drifting back to sleep
Part 3
I wake up and procceed with my daily ritual, as I'm dressing myself, I remember Edmond's words
'Do not go for the dark arts'
The dark arts... also know as curses
I go to one of my suitcases, the only one who has been closed since I arrived, and open it
Inside there are several books about curses as well as artifacts that can be used to lay or remove them.
We espers have the power to destroy evil spirits and curses, but we also have the power to create them.
Cursing is a taboo among espers, it is something that is frowned upon and if you are discovered using it, you'll be seen as someone evil.
Most of this rejection is actually the fault of one man, a very talented esper who was consumed by darkness because of the curse path.
Why do I keep things like that close to me? Well, because I also studied about curses. To be able to remove something you have to know how it works, I would never lay a curse on someone, but understanding it's mechanisms is essential for espers.
The first thing I did when I arrived at this house was hang seals against demons on every floor, since I arrived in this town I had the feeling that something was off, like this town had some sort of protection against the outside, but it was only after yesterday that I realized it was the school's fault, that's how I know it is the center of the demon activity here, I have to make sure this house is protected against demons.
I close the suitcase
Thinking about this is no good, I have to get ready to school.
As I'm about to leave, I look in the mirror...
I really do look a bit like dad
My white skin, black hair, dark eyes, they resemble my father when he was around my age, the only major difference is that I'm some inches taller, cut my hair in a different fashion and of course, my face and eyes.
...I wish I had mom's green eyes, they are very pretty. Would I look less intimidating?
I shrug these thoughts out of my head, I have more important things to focus on right now. I grab the backpack and make my way to school, the weather is rather nice today...
Today, the first think I do is pass by the store and buy the newest edition of Jojolion, this month's cover is amazing! Thank you, Araki-sensei!
Unfortunately, I don't have time to read it on my way to school, ah, I want to cry...
As soon as I arrive at school, I take a picture of the campus map
OK, let's do it
I can extend my awareness up to a radius of several kilometers around me, that's more than enough to feel the presences within the school
"Sensei, can I go to the bathroom?"
"Sure Kageyama-kun"
I go to the bathroom, get into the last cabin, and open the school map
(CLAIRSETIENCE)
An ability designed to sense the presences of anything and anyone based on their energies and flux of their aura.
...
Holy shit!
There are a lot!
There are many more than the 10 of the club room, with different types of energy too. This is gonna be harder than I thought.
I mark all the places where I can feel their presence: The school, the old building, the student council, the running tracks and more
Is it really okay to get rid of them? Wouldn't it be too suspicious if they just disappear?
No, I already said this before, I'll eliminate them before they have the chance to react, the other students might suspect, but it'll leave no clues.
That's to protect this school, the students and this town.
Now to make another test, on lunchtime
This one will be different, this time... I'm going to hurt one of them.
Afterword: Alright, another chapter done, let me know what you think. Since Issei is a fan of Dragon Ball, I wanted to make Tatseyo a fan of a shonen manga as well, so I decided to use JJBA. I'll be making more references to it in the future, but I think that even if you haven't watched it, you'll understand. Also, if you guys have been around Youtube lately you probably know where I got my inspiration for 3SF.