Hardcore Exorcist: Reborn to Grind

We cruise for maybe two minutes from the orphanage—basically a warm-up jog at this pace.

Turns out the Akai Orphanage sits right inside the Coral Eldarian estate, but this place is so massive you’d need a full marathon just to get from one end to the other. 

Cars and bikes are how everyone gets around here.

As we roll around this huge wing of the building, the entire mansion flexes into view.

Coral Eldarian. Now that’s a name with some serious mass to it.

These pointed towers stretch up like they’re trying to hit a new PR, radiating pure power and authority. Looks like something straight out of medieval Europe.

I’m spotting crosses everywhere I look—on rooftops, tower tops, gates, windows, even carved into the fountain sculptures. When you’re battling Demons, I guess you stack every divine supplement you can get.

We cruise across grounds that could house an entire theme park, heading around to the mansion’s side, when suddenly—BANG BANG BANG!

Gunshots rip through the air. I haven’t heard those before.

“Target practice,” the agent explains. “Got your heart pumping, right? Those markings on the fence? Carved by Akai family Mages—it’s called Silent Code. Sound suppression spell. The noise level inside versus outside is like night and day.”

“Sound-canceling magic?”

“Exactly.”

The Director told me the Akai are a clan of Mages.

Apparently, Mages have been around since ancient times, embedded in civilizations worldwide, serving alongside kings, nobles, and clergy. Protecting people through Exorcism has always been their main lift.

As we hit the modern era, capitalism and modernization cut into their dominance. Even so, Exorcism remains their core duty. They’re still the ones doing the heavy lifting.

In other words, becoming an Exorcist means I’m about to acquire mana. How insane is that?

I’m pumped to see what kind of magic they’ll teach me.

I follow the agent’s lead, hauling my luggage into the dormitory. First phase of Boot Camp starts today, so no time to waste. Time to get to work.

“Hold up, that’s...”

The agent stops mid-stride as we’re heading to my room.

Following his gaze, I spot two figures walking down the dormitory hallway.

One’s a blonde, distinguished guy who looks late thirties. Western European. Handsome as hell. Even I’ve got to admit his goatee looks sharp.

He’s dressed in this elegant reddish-brown formal suit, carrying white gloves and a walking stick. A pistol hangs at his waist like it belongs there. Every movement is refined—guy radiates nobility without even trying.

The other’s a little girl, maybe six years old. Also Western European, with golden hair and crystal-clear blue eyes.

Her beauty hits you like a perfect form deadlift—impossible to ignore. She’s dressed like a porcelain doll with this bratty expression that screams “I’ve been spoiled every day of my life.” You can read that background like a workout log.

As these two approach us head-on, the agent quickly grabs my hand and pulls me aside to clear the path.

They’re obviously high-ranking people. Maybe the lord and young lady of the Akai household? If so, maybe I should make a good impression.

Time for a double bicep pose?

But then, a knife clatters to the floor at my feet.

I can’t believe what I’m seeing.

Silver blade, about six inches long. Reminds me of the one I saw at the end of my previous life.

The little princess who just passed by with her noble companion dropped it.

“Pick it up.”

The princess commands, looking me straight in the eye.

Reflexively, I pick it up and hand it over. “Here you go!”

Nice, scored some points there. Perfect first impression.

The knife hits the floor again.

What? Did she fumble the catch?

“Pick it up.”

“Here you go!”

“Pick it up.”

“Here you go, here you go!”

Finally, she makes this annoyed face and chucks the knife far down the hallway.

I think maybe she’s just restless, but then I realize...

“Go fetch it!”

“You threw that on purpose, didn’t you?”

“Yes! I did! So go fetch it! You simpleton!”

“—That’s enough.”

The distinguished gentleman delivers a firm knock to the girl’s head.

The girl’s eyes well up with tears as she looks up at her father with this “Why did you hit me?!” expression.

“Noblesse oblige doesn’t mean acting superior to others. You can’t confuse the two, Lia. That behavior is completely undignified. It’s shameful arrogance.”

After saying this, the distinguished gentleman makes a slight gesture with his hand.

Something incredible happens. The knife that got thrown far away floats gently through the air back to his hand. Unbelievable. It’s like magic.

Actually, it is magic.

“My apologies, young man. I was explaining to my daughter the duties and responsibilities that come with noble power. She misunderstood slightly. Let me apologize on her behalf.”

“It’s fine. Kids will be kids.”

“Hahaha, well said indeed. Lia, observe—this is gracious behavior. Learn from it. Now then...”

The distinguished gentleman turns to leave with the girl.

I call out to his retreating figure.

“Forgive me, but I want this young lady to apologize to me herself.”

“Wha—! You want me to apologize?!”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying. I don’t think your father should apologize for you. People need to take responsibility for their own reps. That’s how it works.”

The girl looks up at her father, seeking rescue.

The distinguished gentleman’s expression turns dark—but then he relaxes into a smile.

“You’re absolutely right. You speak truth, young man. Lia, apologize.”

“Ugh, ngh...”

The girl called Lia has tears forming at the corners of her eyes, her face twisted with frustration.

After hesitating and struggling internally, she gives a small bow.

“I... I’m sorry. It was my fault.”

“That’s fine. I forgive you.”

“What an interesting boy. You’ll make an excellent Exorcist, I’m sure. What’s your name?”

“Ikaku. My surname is Tanpakushitsu.”

My official name on the registry is Tanpakushitsu Ikaku. No doubt the Director and Sisters came up with it on a whim, but I’ve grown attached to it. Sounds tough.

“An orphanage child, I see. Hmm. I’ll remember that.”

The distinguished gentleman smiles as he says this.

As they leave, the girl looks back at me with tears in her eyes and a murderous glare. Her expression screams “I’ll destroy you!”

What a terrifying kid.

“Who was that?” I ask.

“Guests. Head of the Luxor family and his daughter, I reckon. They’re European magical nobility who’ve had close ties with the Akai family for over a century.”

“Incredible... magical nobility?”

“They’re not the kind of people us common folk usually deal with. Showing disrespect could cause serious problems. It’d cause trouble for the Akai family too. We just need to mind our manners around them… Though I guess it’s too late to tell you that now.”

“Yeah.”

“You’ve got way too much nerve, kid. Had me sweating bullets.”

“Well, I’m just a kid, so I don’t really get that stuff...”

I got irritated, so I pushed back.

There was a chance she might’ve been the Akai family’s daughter, but if that were the case, I figured it was a retainer’s duty to speak up against wrongdoing.

I did think before acting, though.

The father seemed rational and kind, and I figured between being a child and all, I’d probably get forgiveness even if I was being rude.

“Someone as smart as you should understand that those are important people. But that was a satisfying comeback. When you become an adult, you develop a habit of swallowing your words. It’s good to take plenty of risks while you’re still a kid.”

The agent grins and ruffles my hair.

After that, I drop my luggage off in my dormitory room and immediately head to the training grounds.