Hardcore Exorcist: Reborn to Grind

The moment I step into the magic workshop, a foul stench punches me in the face—something rotten, something wrong.

My instincts flare. There are things in here I’m not meant to understand.

It’s called a workshop, but damn, it looks like a bomb went off. Lady Ayano clearly isn’t a fan of organization.

Ancient-looking, tall cabinets line the walls. Books are jammed in like sardines, paper bundles tied up with string, files crammed into every crack.

I turn my head—rows of grotesque specimens stare back. The sheer volume could rival an anime nerd’s figure collection.

And then there are the jars. Filled with body parts.

Did I wander into some medieval necromancer’s lab?

“Don’t touch anything over there—that’s Professor Capella’s domain.”

“Who is Professor Capella?”

“Who indeed? Hmm, what can I say? She’s a Mage who’s been with the Akai family since forever. She conducts research and teaches classes at the private academy. She’s stubborn but a good teacher.”

“Sorry for all the questions, but this private academy is...?”

Lady Ayano explains with a proud expression.

I learn about the Akai family’s role not just as “a clan of Exorcists” but also as “magical nobility.”

With great magical power comes great responsibility: turns out nobles are expected to fund magical research. The more scholars they employ, the more research they publish, the more prestige they earn. It’s a status game, plain and simple.

They also run schools for magical kids—private academies inside their estates.

Just as regular children attend schools, magical children study at private academies within the estates. In Europe, these educational institutions have been formalized as magic schools.

The nobles don’t do the teaching. They hire Mages, same as a university would hire professors. Do your research. Teach a few classes. That’s the deal.

“Ikaku, please lie down there.”

She sweeps a stack of grimoires off a desk. I lie down.

“I’m going to figure out why you can’t use magic. Oh no, wait. Ikaku, please wait a moment. I forgot some tools in another room—I’ll go get them.”

While I’m lying there, holding Little Master Mikael in my arms and inhaling his healing fluff, the door creaks open.

Footsteps. Someone’s moving behind the shelves.

Lady Ayano steps out—with a different outfit. Light blue hoodie. Cat-ear headphones. Her hair’s changed too, streaked with matching blue.

She’s holding a fat book to her chest and scrolling through her phone with one hand. The vivid hues stand out with every step she takes.

Our eyes meet and she freezes mid-step. One second passes. Two. Three.

Then, slowly, she lowers the headphones.

Sniff sniff.

“...”

Sniff sniff.

“Meow~.”

“…”

“...Lady Ayano? What’s with the new look? Sniff”

“Glacies, In Aeternum Claude—!”

She throws out a hand and chants in some clipped, unfamiliar tongue.

Suddenly, my body locks up. Chest. Shoulders. Waist. Ankles.

I can’t move.

Ice spreads like wildfire, crackling as it grows. Thick sheets of it climb over me, sealing me in place.

Neck down, I’m frozen solid.

“Lady Ayano? What are you—”

“Mikael, come here… There, there, are you hurt? Poor thing.”

“Meow~♪”

She sweeps in, looking terrified, and scoops up Master Mikael like she’s saving him from a house fire, and bolts.

Click.

The door opens.

Then I hear voices from behind the shelves.

“Oh? Yukino, is that you? Where are you rushing off to?”

“Big Sister, there’s a creep in the lab… he was sniffing Mikael on the worktable. I froze him, but I think we should call security.”

Two Lady Ayanos emerge from behind the shelves.

The one in the white dress laughs like this is all a big joke.

“I’m not a bad, suspicious person. Nice to meet you, Lady Yukino. I’m Candidate Tanpakushitsu Ikaku.”

“He’s my childhood friend, Yukino.”

The other Lady Ayano—Lady Yukino—looks confused but places Master Mikael on my face.

She dispels her magic with an awkward look.

“…Sorry. I overreacted.”

“I don’t mind at all. Please don’t worry about it, Lady Yukino.”

Turns out Yukino Akai is the fourth daughter of the family. Ayano’s younger sister. But they look the same age.

Apparently, the Akai family has quadruplets. Sisters with similar faces.

No wonder I got it wrong.

They’ve tried to set themselves apart since childhood, usually with clothing. If they dress the same, even the staff can’t tell them apart.

Neither can I.

Later, Lady Ayano runs her tests, but like Dr. Kobe before her, she can’t find a reason for my magic inability.

Just gives the same conclusion: “Your magic seems to be gone.”

* * *

The Next Day

* * *

I’m eating with Master, Senior Brother Ron, and Senior Brother Lee in the dining hall. The other candidates avoid me like I’ve got the plague, so I’ve joined this bunch instead.

“Mixing up sisters. A rookie mistake,” Lee says, shaking his head. “A tad air-headed, I’d say. Ron and I knew even though we joined after you.”

“You should take more interest in human relationships, Ikaku,” Ron adds. “Connections matter. In Exorcism, they’re everything. No man stands alone.”

Master chuckles. “Come on, give the boy some slack. He got magicked by the Coral Sisters and lived. That’s worthy of a war story. I’m proud of you, Ikaku.”

“You’re too soft on him, Master.”

“Someone has to be. Ikaku’s already too hard on himself.”

Over dinner, I learn that the Akai sisters aren’t just famous around here—they’re known across the entire magical world. Genius quadruplets with tremendous magical power.

One top Mage even said, “For the next century, the strength of the East belongs to the Akai family.”

Yeah. That level.

After we eat, we head to the back of the West Wing for training.

One girl waits, arms folded. She opens her eyes slowly as we approach.

She’s beautiful—wearing a cherry-colored hakama, sword in hand. Pink streaks highlight her black hair, subtle but striking.

She sizes me up with cool eyes. A calm, calculating gaze. She moves like someone who’s spent years on the mat. Her ki is disciplined. I’m already being evaluated.

What catches my attention is her outfit.

Her hakama has a slit at the waist. Through it, I catch a glimpse of white string. Underwear?

Is this a tactic? A distraction? A way to throw off the opponent and open a gap in their guard?

I just can’t find any other reason why such a dignified person would show such an immodest gap.

“I see disturbance in your heart. Two openings already. I could have ended you.”

Her voice is soft but sharp. Her spirit hits like a blade.

But still—panties?

How the heck can I not be disturbed?

Ugh…

“I heard you fought my brother Issei. Sent him flying with your fists. You’re the magicless candidate—Ikaku Tanpakushitsu?”

“That’s me. The candidate with the weird name.”

“You do have skill, as I thought. I request a match.”

She draws her sword and lays the sheath gently on the ground.

Then steps back—five paces.

Master tosses me a six-shaku staff.

I spin it once, twice.

White oak, dense and heavy. Doesn’t bend. I’ll keep that in mind.

It’s a good tool.

“My name is Ouka Akai,” she says. “Don’t worry—the blade’s been dulled with magic.”

So it won’t cut. Just bruise.

“Allow me to face you fair and square,” I say.

“Come at me whenever you’re ready.”

She takes a middle guard. Solid form. Sword’s about two shaku—sixty centimeters.

My staff? A full six shaku. Reach is mine.

I lunge without warning.

The tip of my staff clashes with her sword. She twists, redirects, pulls the force away.

My thrust veers off, scrapes the ground.

Whoosh—I whip the staff back fast. It’s all in the lats.

I kick off the ground to gain distance. Peck-and-poke from range—that’s how you win with reach.

Cheap tactic? Maybe. Still the right way to go.

But she’s faster.

One step and she’s in my zone.

No good.

I swing mid-level. She deflects, slips underneath. My torso’s wide open.

Bad spot.

Lady Ouka takes middle guard again. She lunges—sword forward, full-body thrust.

I twist. Her blade grazes my cheek. Blood spatters.

We’re too close for either weapon.

I jam my staff against her sword in a test of strength.

She presses in.

That’s my cue.

I drop my weight into a kick—straight to the knee as she steps in carelessly.

The axe-blade motion slams into her pivot leg. She crumples.

“Nngah!”

She falls on her rear.

I follow with a Seismic Kick. She bounces up and escapes.

My stomp hits the ground. Cracks explode outward.

Using the recoil, I spin my staff in a wide arc. Sweep attack.

Miss.

She jumps—twice my height—from a seated position, just pushing off with her hands.

Not normal. Human body shouldn’t move like that.

I get it now. But adapting? That’s another thing.

* * *

Three Minutes Later

* * *

“Haah… haah…”

Lady Ouka’s breathing hard.

Her grip’s shaky.

“Lady Ouka,” Master calls out, looking satisfied. “What do you think of my disciple?”

“…Tremendous Kung Fu. So this is Eightfold Soulfist… Pure martial prowess, untouched by the sludge of magic. It’s a level beyond belief.”

Lady Ouka exhales softly, picks up her sheath, and slides the blade home.

“I believed combining martial technique with magic would make me the ultimate fighter. That’s why I take lessons from that strategist Grandfather recommended. Why I train every day. But… if this is all I’ve got? I’m honestly disappointed in myself.”

“Lady Ouka, you barely used any magic. You were holding back, weren’t you? If you got serious, someone like me—”

“Stop. I don’t need flattery. What’s the point in beating someone without magic by using brute magical force? You’re my age, yet far ahead of me in martial skill. That’s a fact. If I don’t face it, I’ll never grow.”

“Unlike you, Lady Ouka, with all your cards on the table, this is the only one I’ve got. So I’ve pushed it to the limit. I wouldn’t be surprised if I pulled ahead for a day.”

“…Didn’t I just say I don’t need consolation? Really now.”

She wipes her sweat with a towel. Glances at me, then looks to Master.

“Would you mind if I joined your lessons sometime?”

“Of course, Lady Ouka. I’d be delighted to teach you.”

She nods and walks out.

“Well done, Ikaku. That was a splendid match.”

“I didn’t expect anyone in the Akai Clan to be training in martial arts.”

“Turns out there are a few of us. Since last year, the old family head took a sudden interest in martial arts—probably after hearing about me. Lady Ouka’s likely riding that same wave.”

“…Last year? How long has she even been practicing?”

“Only saw her pick up a sword recently… Huh. Makes sense now. She’s probably the intuitive genius type. Don’t let it get to you, Ikaku. Walk your own path. No use comparing yourself to the bloodborn elite.”

Still… It gets to me.

I’ve gotta push harder. Gotta stay ahead.

* * *

The Next Day

* * *

The West Wing training room is a temple of gains. Top-tier machines everywhere, more than enough to keep me moving without waiting.

Today’s plan: total burnout. Strength training only.

I’ve got the whole place to myself. Feels good.

“Alrighty then.”

But ten minutes in, she walks in. A girl who looks a hell of a lot like Lady Ayano.

My whole body tightens. I rack the barbell, scan her with trained eyes.

She’s in skintight workout gear, stomach showing, carrying a tablet, water bottle, and towel.

Calm, confident, and all business—she’s got the vibe of a high-end fitness pro.

She’s adding plates to the bench press. Two twenties. With the bar, that’s fifty kilos. 

No way someone that delicate can lift that much—unless she’s not ordinary.

A Mage, probably. She could amp her body with magic like it’s nothing. Her looks don’t tell the whole story.

She lies back on the bench. Her chest arches high, pressing into the air like twin mountain peaks.

Then she grips the bar. Starts benching.

Her form’s clean—until gravity does its job.

“Uuuh! Uwaaah~! This can’t be happening…!”

“My lady!”

Saw that coming.

Still nearly fall over sprinting to help as the bar crushes her back to earth.

“Hah… hah… Thought I was gonna die…”

“Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine. Just got rescued is all. Oh my… you’re that famous one, aren’t you?”

“You know me?”

“I keep a database on every human I might meet. Face, name, age, magical affinity, hobbies, achievements—all updated automatically within my clearance range. That way I can respond to anything without getting flustered. Rational, right?”

“All of it?”

That’s some next-level genius. Probably just part of being a Mage.

“I owe you one. You like vanilla protein, don’t you? I’ll have a case sent over. Reika Akai always pays her debts.”

“Eh!? Is that really okay!?”

“Fufu. That reaction wasn’t calculated. You seem like the honest type, seeing how happy you are. Anyway, you were in the middle of training. Don’t let me stop you.”

“But my lady, training alone at an early stage is risky.”

“Fufu. You think I’ll make the same mistake twice? I’ve already recalculated. Based on my height, weight, arm thickness, and body mass, I’ve pinpointed my max output.”

She flashes her tablet. Charts, equations, raw numbers.

Kinda makes it hard to point out that she nearly got crushed…

“I’ve corrected the formula after that last fail. My theoretical one-rep max is 47.5 kilograms. Spending hours grinding reps is irrational and antiquated.

By reaching the muscle’s limit value in a single movement, I can theoretically achieve maximum results in the shortest possible time!”

She speaks with total confidence. Starts adjusting the weight.

I go back to my own reps, but I keep glancing over.

Can’t shake the worry. I peek again. And sure enough…

“Uwaaah~! I’m getting crushed~!!”

“My lady!”

And that’s how I met the eldest Akai daughter—Lady Reika Akai.

* * *

Several Days Later

* * *

Late night, I’m summoned to the main building.

By the man himself—Jinichiro Akai, head of the Akai family.

Candlelight flickers through the dark room, painting shadows on the walls.

It’s just me and the boss.

“My daughters speak highly of you, Ikaku.”

“Yes, sir. I’ve been strangely blessed to spend time with them.”

“So it seems. Strangely, indeed.”

“Yes, sir. Strangely lucky.”

Sixty percent chance I get murdered here. That’s the mindset I walked in with.

I’m aware I look like a dog sucking up to royalty. But hey, that’s just how things turned out.

“Hah. You have courage, and integrity as well. Somehow, you give the impression of being a trustworthy person. I imagine that’s the quality my daughters appreciate.”

“Thank you, sir. I’m honored.”

“You’re very intelligent. You know your place. That’s why I’ve got a request.”

“Anything, sir.”

“I’m not sure if they admire you or what, but reports indicate the trainees are showing interest in my daughters. What’s your assessment?”

“There’s definitely something in the air. I’ve even seen some of them returning Lady Ayano’s… ‘meows.’”

“A concerning development.”

“Agreed, sir. One hundred percent.”

“My daughters are at a critical point in their growth. I don’t want unnecessary distractions.

But I won’t clamp down, either. The magically gifted are unstable before their minds mature. Suppress them, and they drift toward darkness.

I won’t risk that. I want them to grow according to their instincts. It’s better for the magical world as a whole.

So here’s the job: discreetly—very discreetly—keep the wolves away. I think you’re up to it.”

“Mission accepted. And for the record, as one of the biggests pests myself, I’ve already been swatting away anyone who gets too close.”

"...Excellent. You seem capable of getting things done. We'll maintain surveillance on our end, but whether my daughters can grow up healthy depends on how well you perform."

“I understand, sir. I’ll give it everything I’ve got.”

“Good. I’m counting on you. That’s all for tonight.”

You might call it fighting poison with poison. In this case, pests with pests.

A glimpse of noble strategy—and I’m part of it.

Pretty gratifying. A secret mission straight from the patriarch himself.

I’m trusted, and I’m expected to deliver.

So I’ll prove myself useful no matter what.

Heart pounding, I head off for one last workout.