“Nogu!” A faint sound echoed in the emptiness of my mind.

“Nogu!” Again there it was bouncing around in my head.

It sounded like that one girl from earlier. ‘Charlotte?’ The shouting sounded so concerned. Like they were trying to wake someone up. ‘Who’s asleep?’ My thoughts snapped into panic mode. ‘Where am I, why is it so dark?’

“Nogu! Get up dammit!” Screamed Charlotte. I could feel like someone was shaking my body. Light began to fill my mind along with memories of me winning the dash. Suddenly, the world around me became visible. “H-Hello?” I stammered.

A nurse was elevating my head off the bed and Charlotte was hovering over me eagerly. Charlotte noticed me say something and a look of relief washed over her face. “You big idiot why did you push yourself so hard?” She seemed frustrated at me as she asked it.

My mind seemed to be working fine now. In fact, it started racing because of Charlotte’s caring words. ‘What the hell, why does she care?’ I looked at her worried expression and smiled. ‘So, is she a friend now? I wonder what that is gonna be like.’

She noticed me gawking and her face flushed red. She turned away quickly and folded her arms and pouted. “Well, I’m just glad cause I obviously pushed you to do it. It would have looked bad if someone I pushed to do better died or something.” She walked away, arms crossed and all.

“Thanks, Charlotte!” I hopped back to my feet and waved gleefully.

Her face grew even redder now and a look of shock took over her. She shook off the expression and stomped away muttering. “Yeah, whatever Nogu.”

The nurse tapped my shoulder. I swiveled around to meet the eyes of an old lady. “Yes, ma’am?” I bowed slightly in greeting.

She chuckled in an old raspy way. “Young man, you have to be more careful, your youth doesn’t last forever.” She cackled this time in a very loud manner. “You’ll end up like me if you aren’t a careful boy!” She smacked me on the leg with a wooden spoon.

“OUCH!” it left a red mark across my leg. “Sorry, ma’am!” I rubbed the sore spot trying to brush away the sting. “Wait, what time is it?. Did you guys go on without me?” The exam proctor stepped into the room smiling. “Takeo, you’ve passed. That was the fastest 500-meter dash in history. Also, Roger insisted I pass you because of some weird reason like the soul of a fighter.”

I stooped and gripped my hair. “Shit, he did that? I could only get in because of my last name huh?” I looked back up at the proctor who wore a serious face. “Young Takeo… Are… YOU DOUBTING MY JUDGEMENT AND THE JUDGEMENT OF THE GREATEST FIGHTER IN AMERICAN HISTORY?!” His face was insanely scary. My body began to tremor at his immense anger. “N-Nevermind, thank you sir!” I bowed rigidly and shook my hand in the air begging for forgiveness.

His face broke into a smile again. “Good, now head home and go tell mother the good news Takeo. You have school starting next Monday so get ready to move into the Japanese national Martial Arts Academy dorms by Sunday.” He handed me an acceptance letter with a wax seal. “Make sure mother Takeo gets to hang this up.” He winked and exited the infirmary. “Oh hey, Roger!”

‘Shit it’s Roger I have to look presentable!’ I stood at attention as the huge man stuffed himself through the doorway. “Thank you, sir!”

“Yes, Takeo shake my hand.” Roger stuck out his hand for a handshake.

My body started shaking uncontrollably. ‘What the hell?’ I stared at his hand intensely and gulped. No matter how much I tried to lift my arm I couldn’t do it.

“What’s wrong young Takeo, it’s me Roger.” His voice distorted slightly as he spoke.

‘Wait, his pose. It looks like a stance. I don’t think this is Roger.’ A menacing aura emanated from fake Roger. “No, I think I’m good thank you.” I focused chi into my palms to once again see if I can make an escape. ‘Shit, where can I go? He is blocking the exit door’ I glanced to my right. ‘A window! Okay, I’ll act like I am going to handshake but then release my chi against his arm to push me towards the window.’

“Okay, here you go.” I outreached my hand and flicked my wrist and braced my arm behind it. A loud boom could be heard as I popped the air with my chi blast. ‘Shit, the adrenaline must have made it more potent.’ I soared through the air to the window. I was almost there, then my body hit something rock hard. “What?”

“HA HA HA hahahahaha.” The usual jolly sound of Roger’s laugh turned into demonic cackling. He somehow got behind me and placed his hand on my shoulder. “The last of dear departedTakeo’s bloodline, how pathetic.” He shoved me onto the ground and rested his foot on top of my head.

‘Who or what is this guy?’ my head was sideways on the floor.

“Takeo!” The voice was Roger, but this time it sounded normal. It came from the door. I heard Roger take a deep breath. “Azamuku, how dare you show your face again. He’s just a boy!”

The foot lifted from my head slightly. ‘Nows my chance’ I took a deep breath and slammed my palms on the ground in front of me, propelling myself into a handstand. I then flipped and landed on my feet next to the real Roger. “What is this guy? “

Roger sat in a readied stance. “I was hoping you’d meet him later when you were ready. This is a demon martial arts cultivator. His name is Oni-Azamuku or roughly translated as deceiver in English. Oni, is a title given to an ogre or demon. My Japanese isn’t that great, but I hope that explanation suffices.” He nods. “Leave, Azamuku! Before I send you back to the Underworld.”

The fake Roger’s form shattered leaving a very buff man-beast in a blood-red ninja-yoroi with gold accents in the shape of snakes. This armor matched his hellishly red skin that gave him a very monstrous appearance. Large black horns protruded from his head, this was the look of a mythological demon. “Ah, you wouldn’t let me have fun with the boy. What, a shame that is Roger.” He smiled wickedly. “Young Takeo, be ready for the trials ahead or you shall follow in your father’s demise.” He jumped out of the window and scaled the roof. “Mata chikai uchi ni ne. May we meet again!” He shouted as he went over the wall.

“Dammit!” Roger ran to the window, but there was no trace of him left. He sighed and turned to me. “Well, I guess I better start explaining a few things to you.“