“Seriously?” Rector fell back in his chair, rolling away from his laptop. “Amamizu Rei is just an ordinary boy?”

  Sophos hummed in the affirmative. “That’s what my tests indicated, and yes, I’ve performed retests. I’ve recalibrated my equipment. I’ve double- and triple-checked everything, but you can read the report yourself: there exists no anomalies in Amamizu Rei.”

  “That’s impossible,” Rector said, “we’ve seen him perform during the Scare. He has a natural sense for Alternates. He’d detected Astraria before everyone else had, not to mention his [Broken Sword] techniques. A boy his age shouldn’t know how to sever concepts. He shouldn’t have an Inner Mirage. These abilities have to be innate, pointing to something anomalous.”

  “Don’t forget you have a certain family who has incredible [Skills].”

  “That's different. They have [Awakened Skills]. Rei, he’s closer to Chie and Aiden.” Rector bit his lip, his fingers tapping on the armrest from discomfort. “I’ve already run that lead dry.”

  Sophos sighed, dismissively waving her hand. “As I said, nothing came up during the tests. We can infer more conclusions than you think with our current information: one, the very absence of anomalies is an anomaly itself; two, he inherited his anomalies from a mysterious source; and three, he magically obtained these inexplicable abilities due to a roll of the dice. More than one thing can be true, obviously, but this is how I see it.”

  The case of Amamizu Rei was mind-boggling, much like most members of the Special Task Force. It’d be simpler if he was the heir to a mysterious kensei; however, to be more receptive of cosmic entities such as the Alternates had worrying implications. Then, to have nothing reflected in his biological data?

  He was a puzzle on the same difficulty as Alexander and Althea Shen.

  Rector sighed, rubbing his head as his poor, unintelligent mind wracked through the possibilities. “We’ll have to see if the vixen is any useful.”

  “I’m offended that you prefer that fox rather than your resident genius; though, I suppose if you want an onmyouji, there’s no one better than the Fushimis.”

  “Unfortunately, we need to rely on you both. It'll be a nightmare rotation of characters.”

  “Oh please, I’m wonderful.”

  ***

  “Senpai! There you are! I was looking for you!”

  As I was leaving the Wings, I was suddenly accosted by a hyperactive Japanese boy.

  This time, he didn’t use me as a human shield.

  Stars sparkled in his eyes and for a good reason; in fact, he was wearing the reason. Among the new members of the Special Task Force, his [Loadout] was finished first. Unlike the rest of the team, he was starting from zero and had to theorycraft his image from the ground-up. He had his teammates to bounce ideas off of, some better than others (Victor), but in the end, he followed Kotone’s lead.

  Victor looked like a stupid knight from a fantasy medieval kingdom, Chunhua was obviously a cultivator, and Kotone wore streetwear like she was trapped in a dystopian city.

  Rei, then, resembled an urban ronin in dystopia Japan: baggy and breathable clothes mixed with traditional Japanese elements and colors. A rebel but still possessed the soul of the Land of the Rising Sun. Surprisingly, the style suited him pretty well. If he went for a typical haori or kimono like most other kenseis, he'd become yet another face in the crowd. That wouldn't do for the boy who wanted to take down Yomiya Yasuyuki, right? Plus, traditional Japanese clothing clashed with his signature sword.

  Well, swords.

  “How do I look?” Rei moved around, showing off all facets of his [Loadout]. “Aren’t you surprised that I chose something modern?”

  Not really. Kotone showed me a sketch of his [Loadout] a while ago, but let’s amuse him: “I thought you’d wear a haori, but hey, looks good. I see Chie and Overseer have your signature figured out."

  Again, I already knew about his signature but let's pretend I didn't know. When I mentioned his new sword, he somehow got even more visibly excited.

  “Yes!” he exclaimed. “Have a look!”

  Rei showed the "sheath" of his signature: a steel box with nine silts organized in rows of three. Inside each silt was a katana-length blade, but unlike normal katanas, the base was shaped into a "hooked key."

  “Because of my, erm, troublesome techniques, Chie-chan designed [Hyakken (百剣)]! It allows me to repeatedly use my kenjutsu without rendering myself ineffective in battle! Well, uhm, I have a limited number of uses, but nine is an improvement over one! Watch!”

  From his belt, he drew an unorthodox sword-hilt that partially resembled the traditional tsuka (handle) of a katana; however, it was without steel. This was the other half of [Hyakken]: the "lock" to the "keys." There was a hole within the handle where the blades could hook in like a coupler. A simple mechanism, and hopefully, the lock was strong enough to handle the stress of high-intensity combat.

  Rei slotted the handle into the top-left blade, and they satisfyingly snapped together like puzzle-pieces. Slowly, to not startle the pedestrians walking around us, he freed [Hyakken] and raised his glorious sword toward the golden sun.

  Despite the fancy set-up, [Hyakken] resembled an ordinary katana.

  “With this, I can finally consider myself as a genuine kensei!” exclaimed Rei before smoothly sheathing [Hyakken].

  I said, “Not just yet. According to the System, you haven’t decided on a codename. ‘Amamizu Rei’ doesn’t have the same authority compared to other plain-name swords.”

  A couple notable examples were Shui Yuan and Jin Junjie. They had the privilege of using their full-names as codenames due to how powerful their families were. Sort of like having the honor of being referred to as "doctor" after getting the right degrees. Thus, mimicking the practice was seen as arrogant and courting death unless your family had notable accolades to their name. With that said, unless Rei was secretly the child of a powerful family, he shouldn't tempt fate. Hell, there should be only one secret heir in the team but we already had two. Three was way too many.

  Jokes aside, Rei was likely told the same thing by the others. He laid a mindful hand on [Hyakken]'s handle, watching small critters roll through the cracks in the pavement. “Rector had tasked me to create my codename, but even now, a fitting name escapes me. If you were to bestow a name, what would you pick?”

  “I can’t answer that,” I told him honestly. “The only person who knows you best is, well, you.”

  “That’s the problem, senpai. I’m…” Rei’s nails dug into the handle's wrappings. “I’m not quite sure what kind of kensei I am. For Leona-senpai, ‘Celestial Empress’ was inspired by her late parents. Kenseis of great clans proudly brandish their full-names as a term of reverence. The ‘Cloud Blade’ and ‘Cutting Tempest’ were named after their famed techniques. Names are important for every Slayer, but names define a kensei’s legacy. What name can define mine…?”

  I wish I knew. I hadn't known Rei long enough to make that decision.

  I suggested, “Let’s start off simple: why pick up the blade? Of all things, why kensei?”

  Rei pumped his fist, his eyes bright and determined like a child ready to conquer the playground. “My ambitions go further than becoming a regular kensei, senpai. Someday, I shall return to Japan and challenge the current Kensei Throne, Yomiya Yasuyuki of the Yomiya Clan, and take his place in the Three Martial Heroes! My kenjutsu can surely rival his—!”

  Someone sneezed really damn loudly close to us.

  Rei said, “Bless you! Now, where was I—? Yes! I’m positive my techniques can overcome his swordsmanship—!”

  That same someone coughed loudly too.

  “Bless you again! As I was saying—!”

  “Goodness, can you shut up already?!” The asshole finally showed himself, entering our conversation without grace or courtesy. He had a noticeable Chinese accent but the language barrier didn’t stop him from flashing his ego. Everything about him screamed loud, rich, and fancy: his shit-eating expression, his finely-woven “cultivator robes” doused in pigments too rich for computers to read, and his holier-than-thou posture.

  Call it a hunch, but he was from Martials Guild.

  Rei blinked a couple times at the guy, confused. “Do you need something, sir?”

  “Do you genuinely believe that your swordsmanship outclasses Yomiya Yasuyuki? That’s—hehe—that’s absurd, haha! I’m sorry, I can’t finish a sentence without wanting to turn over in laughter—”

  “Of course! My kenjutsu—”

  Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

  “Your ‘kenjutsu’ is an infant like yourself, little girl.” (“I’m not a girl!”) “Any whelp with a sword can outclass you—!”

  “I’m sorry, who the fuck are you?” I spat, having enough of the bullying already. “Pretty sure you’re not an Angel.”

  The man smirked. “How astute, you musclehead brute. Call me Wang Qiu (王秋) of the Wang Sword Family, now recent recruit of Martials Guild.”

  Called it.

  Instead of being intimidated, Rei was excited to meet another “xia” from the Jianghu. “Ah, so you’re a cultivator!” (“Correct!”) “Perhaps you know about the Maolin Sect!” (“Huh?”) “One of my good—and very scary friends—had been a member there!” (“What are you talking about—?”) “She's a proud practitioner of the spear—!”

  “Wait, stop talking for a damned second!” Wang Qiu roared. “I don’t know what this ‘Maolin Sect’ is and probably for a good reason! Don’t associate that low-class name anywhere near me!”

  “Ah, gomen…” Rei’s eyes drifted downward, embarrassed. “I-I thought you knew because you’re a xia. Was I mistaken…?”

  A visible vein popped in the asshole’s forehead. “You insolent child! Do you seek death that badly?!” (“I’m sorry!”) “Of course I’m a xia—of course I know about this, erm, ‘Maolin Sect.’ Mhm! Yes, I do! In fact, I think I’m remembering right now! I recall that name very vividly!”

  Rei stopped and stared at him. “I thought you didn’t know the name—”

  “You were mistaken once again! I’m very familiar with the Maolin Sect and everyone involved—!”

  Rei’s eyes brightened. “You know Li Chunhua then—!”

  “Who the hell is that?!”

  “So you don’t know?! She practices spearmanship there—!”

  “Shut up! I have no recollection of this ‘Li Chunhua’ and that’s for a good reason! Don’t associate that low-class name anywhere near me!”

  “No way! I assumed you knew because you’re a xia! Was I mistaken again?!”

  “You stupid child! You’re seeking death—!”

  I’m just…going to stop paying attention for the sake of my own sanity.

  They both completely forgot I was there.

  By far, this was the stupidest conversation I had the displeasure of listening to.

  After awkwardly smiling and waving at a few staring pedestrians, the “argument” was finally coming to a close despite the intelligence of its participants. Wang Qiu and Rei had exhausted themselves with their impromptu comedy routine, both of them heavily breathing from how much they were yelling.

  Wang Qiu, however, refused to have his pride wounded by the kid. “I… I had enough of your arrogance, little girl!” (“I’m not a girl!”) “We’ll settle this not without words but through blades! Your feeble swordsmanship against the honored art of my family! Tomorrow at noon!”

  Somehow, those words went through Rei’s ears and got jumbled up inside his head. Rather than putting on a mean face, he got more excited. “You'll allow me to see your Wang Sword Family techniques?!”

  “Yes! I—erm, you'll see my techniques in all its splendor!"

  “That’s wonderful! I always wanted to see more sword techniques! Thank you for giving me the opportunity!”

  “I, err, you won’t be thanking me after my blade shines true!”

  Rei positively hummed. “I expect nothing less from a cultivator of a high status like yourself!”

  Wang Qiu gritted his teeth. “Don’t mock me, boy! You’ll take back those words after you show me your techniques!”

  “It’s an exhibition, then!” said Rei enthusiastically. “I hope my techniques will live up to your expectations, Wang Qiu!”

  “They won’t, but mine will!” (“I hope they do!”) “What?! You stupid—ugh! You’re ridiculous! Whoever taught you to use that tongue of yours ought to be executed!”

  Wang Qiu turned around and made his leave, his robes flowing beautifully in the wind yet his expression was anything but. “You, Amamizu Rei, will regret your ambitions for the Kensei Throne! I’ll prove it to you. I will send the details later. For now, I must take my leave away from this damned guild!”

  Like a stray cat, he scampered away.

  Rei waved although Wang Qiu didn’t see. “I’ll see you tomorrow, fellow swordsman!”

  I cleared my throat, and the kid jumped after seeing me there. “You do realize he challenged you to a duel, right?”

  “Huh?” He blinked a couple times.

  “You’re fighting him tomorrow. At noon.”

  “WHAT?!”

  ***

  “So lemme get this straight…” Aiden said, after we found him and Chie in the workshop, “...you have a duel with some rando from Martials Guild tomorrow at noon?”

  Rei sniffled and nodded. “I-I didn’t mean to insult his pride that much!”

  I coughed a few times. “You… Never mind.”

  The kid insulted Wang Qiu more brutally than I ever could.

  “I see.” Chie sat on her royal throne—a worn rolly-chair that’d seen thousands of hours of use—and rubbed her chin like a diabolical villain. “I see. I see…”

  Rei whispered to Aiden and me, “What does she see?”

  Aiden whispered back, “She’s thinking. Whenever she’s like this, what she says next can be pretty terrifying—”

  A crisp finger-snap echoed throughout her workshop.

  “I got it!” Chie hopped off her chair and dramatically pointed at the kensei. “We’ll frame Wang Qiu and get him kicked out of Martials Guild!”

  “I'm down.”

  “Seriously?”

  “I don’t want that!”

  Chie raised a finger, holding the room’s attention. “It takes guts to come into our house and challenge us to a duel! That’s practically a war declaration. That is a war declaration. In order to avoid giving Seraph and Rector more headaches, we’ll need to get rid of the agitator before he escalates the conflict further! Like, uh, let’s make a fake account posing as him and post really mean comments!”

  “Or,” I said, “we can mention the fact that he’s a fake cultivator.”

  Everyone stared at me like I spoke nonsense. Not this time.

  “Wang Qiu’s cultivator robes seemed legit, but it breaks several regulations established by the Court. It's like Leo, but at least she knows she's breaking tradition and carving her own path. Plus, he didn't know what the Maolin Sect was, which is a major red flag considering their spearmanship is one of the best in the land."

  Rei looked confused again. “Wait, he’s not a cultivator…?”

  Aiden commented, “Pretendin' to be a cultivator usually warrants a death sentence, right?” (Rei and Chie gasped.)

  I squinted at him. “No—well, not usually. I say he’s a ‘fake cultivator’ because he wasn’t born or raised there. However, he probably has Jianghu blood running through him. An urban prince, basically, using his family name for his own misguided benefit. Because really, what self-respecting cultivator would work for the Coward of Red Tears?" (Chunhua was an example, but that's besides the point.)

  Chie was rubbing her chin again. “Good, good… We’re forming a profile about this guy… Once we know every little secret, that’s when we can really strike…”

  Aiden rolled his eyes. “It’s just a dick-measuring contest, Chie. It’s nothin’ serious—”

  “This is serious!” Chie walked over and shook Rei by the shoulders like a ragdoll. He stood there and whined. “This is Rei’s first real duel! It’s a battle between swordmasters! Only one will come out alive!”

  “What?!” Rei’s eyes shot open and he jumped away from her. “One of us will die?!”

  “No one’s dying, no one’s dying…” I said, sighing at the end. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Aiden’s right. The duel is small-time. We don’t have to amuse Wang Qiu.”

  Chie fought, “But Rei has to prove himself to be a real kensei!” (“I do?”) “What’s a kensei without a sword duel? Imagine this!”

  Aiden complained, “Here we go…”

  “Amamizu Rei versus Wang Qiu at daybreak!” (“It’s at noon.”) “Standing in a field of reeds as the wind sways the long stalks.” (“It’s at Martials HQ.”) “They have their swords drawn, waiting for the other to take the first strike. Then, when the tension is at its highest—shing! Rei stands victorious!”

  “Wow…” Rei muttered to himself, lost in his imagination. “I really won…”

  “You still gotta kill him for real," Aiden said. "I suggest puttin' poison on your sword."

  "That's dishonorable!"

  I rolled my eyes. "Nobody is killing anyone. How about we come out and support Rei like regular teammates?"

  Chie clasped her hands together. “Alex.”

  “Yeah?”

  “I appreciate your attitude, but you're wrong.” She held a clenched fist close to her face. “We’ll support Rei by digging up Wang Qiu’s dirty secrets and exposing them to the world.”

  Aiden suggested, "How 'bout I politely tell him to fuck off? Like I dunno, breaking his legs or burning his house down."

  “There's no need,” a determined voice broke through the fog. That was the voice of the soon-to-be Kensei Throne of the Three Martial Heroes (maybe). “It’s what Chie-chan said. A kensei cannot be a kensei without partaking in a genuine duel! With Wang Qiu, he’ll be my first stepping stone toward building my legacy! I shall defeat him using my superior techniques and bring honor to the Special Task Force!”

  I commented, “The task force that’s supposed to be low-key.”

  “I will bring honor to all of Angels Guild! While the public knows us as recruits who’d passed the tryouts, we are truthfully veterans of the Summer Scare! When I reign victorious, my victory will be a victory for all of us!”

  “That’s right!” Chie pumped her fist high then began clapping proudly for the kid. “We'll root for you, Rei!”

  Aiden butted into the conversation, “So we’re just gonna act as cheerleaders? That sucks."

  Chie shook her head. “No, because our work’s just starting.” She rolled up her sleeves. “We’ll research everything there is about Wang Qiu so Rei can enter the duel completely prepared.”

  Rei confidently nodded. “After my victory, we shall enjoy the dessert of swordmasters: candied apples!”

  Pretty sure that wasn’t true, but I had a really bad feeling about this duel…

  Mostly because I got roped in and I was in too deep to back out now.

  Welp, let’s hope no one dies.