Wait, so this is the safe place? An ACADEMY? Are you serious?" Akane asked, in disbelief.

"Why not? You can live here---All the facilities will be provided to you, and you can enjoy school life just like you used to." Henry answered.

"What about the fees? We don't have the money to study here." I asked.

"That, you need not worry about. It can be taken care of. You'll be starting the next week. Besides, assess the situation here---where else can you expect to go now? Your residences have been compromised, and now---"

"THAT WAS ALL YOUR FAULT! YOU BROUGHT THIS WHOLE SITUATION UPON US!" Akane said, in an angry tone.

"I understand. And hence, I took it upon myself to make you study here, free of cost. You'll be safe here, I promise you. So please, co-operate with me."

He's right. We have nowhere to go other than here. Guess we'll just play on. Akane must be thinking the same... I feel bad for her---she was just a few months away from graduating, and now... Wait, will she also be studying in this school?

"I know what you're thinking, boy, about her place in this academy. We'll talk about it later, but for now, it's best if we hurry to the principal's office."

"The principal, what is she like?" I asked.

"Scary wouldn't even do her justice---How does worst nightmare sound?"

School principals are always scary---my former one was himself a tough personality. He was strict, yet compassionate. I guess you'd expect a leader to be so.

We've been walking for the past 10 minutes. How big is this place!? No, I can see more than just the school building---Cafés, shopping centres, roads... This campus is basically like a miniature town. And it's really cold here, since it's situated in the mountain-side. There are even people here walking about---this really does feel like a town. Might not be too bad, here, studying.

After another 10 minutes of walking, we're finally inside the building. The hallways seem like that of a normal high school, except, a slight bit futuristic---automated doors, windows, super-cool looking vending machines... Awesome!

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"We're here. Now, best if you two don't talk much. Let me do most of it. And remember, stay calm. Don't be agitated."

Henry opened the doors---more like opened the gates of hell... But I could see a beautiful lady standing in front of the window---her long, silver hair waving due to the cold winds, while wearing a kimono, and holding onto a... sword?

"I've been expecting you... Come in. Good job, Henry."

"Yes. Glad to be of service. Now, I'll be waiting outside."

Henry walked out. It's just the 3 of us in the room now.

"Come here, Akane. Let me see your face... It's been far too long. I knew you were alive. I just knew it."

In that instance, she hugged her, and started crying. It's been far too long? Do they know each other? Judging by this situation, it looks more like a reunion.

"Wait, wait, lady! Stop crying! I don't know you!" Akane said, while pushing her away.

"It's me, Yuriko-sensei!"

"Sensei? What the hell do you mean, crazy lady? Get a hold of yourself!"

Sensei? Is she serious? So it IS a reunion.

"Who are you, exactly?" I asked.

"Ahem... Sorry for that. Got a little emotional. My name is Motomi Yuriko. I'm the principal of Kibouyama Academy. Regular classes will start next week---You'll be provided with your uniform, so you need not worry, boy. As for you, Akane, we'll work on fixing that brain of yours. It seems you've lost your memories. But I'm so glad you're alive... You had me worried for such a long time! Do you know how hard these past six months have been for me without my favourite student?"

"Memories? What do you mean? I clearly remember that I don't know you." Akane said.

"Perhaps this will make you believe."

She showed us a photograph---And what do you know? Both the principal, and Akane were in it. She's so young in this... It's definitely been taken quite a few years back. What happened, exactly?

"I-It's me, and you... What am I doing here in this photo? Who took this?"

"Six months ago, you went missing while on a mission, and we all thought that you might have died. But I didn't give up hope. I knew you'd return someday."

"So, was I a student here?"

"Until 5 years ago, yes. And, not just ANY student---the President of the Student Council. You were a prodigy. Even for a yurei, you were amazingly strong. Even after graduating, you were a role model for a lot of students. I personally trained you to become stronger. I still remember you wanting to become an instructor here."

"No, I don't trust you. I-I... I don't know what's going on anymore."

She's trembling. This is her reality now. One surprise after another... She was a yurei all along. Then why did Henry claim that I was responsible for awakening her power?

"For now, you're going to stay with me, Akane. As for you, boy, Henry claims that you're a rekishiya---I don't. It's unheard of him to make mistakes. Surely, his age must be getting the best of him. Let's test you, shall we?"

She's about to draw her sword out. And not just any sword---a katana. Is she planning to cut me!?

"The rules are simple--survive my strikes for 30 seconds. Any kind of underhanded move is allowed. Just go all out."

"What happens if I get cut, or stabbed?"

"Worst case scenario---you die."