Ashes in Reverse

Leon walked over to the table chair and sat down. A yellow notebook and a pen were lying on the table. He picked up the pen, opened the notebook, and flipped a page.

"I can't afford to lose my memories. I'll write everything down - everything I know about my past."

He started writing: his old name, his career, his cause of death, his habits. But there were many things he couldn't recall where he lived, the country those shows he watched came from, what his past life was really like. He tried hard to remember, but nothing came to mind.

Eventually, he gave up. Leaning back in the chair, he rested his legs on the table.

"I don't know. I forgot all that. And I can't remember it. But still... I do remember a few things."

He held up four fingers, then put one down.

"I am Pratham."

Another finger went down.

"I wanted to be a game designer, but I don't remember if I ever became one."

The third went down.

"My cause of death was hunger. I guess that means I was broke and failed in life."

Then the last.

"My habit was watching those shows where the main character gets reincarnated in another world, enjoys his life with multiple girls, becomes a demon lord or hero."

He yawned and stretched.

"I forgot what my past life was like. I don't even know what my family was like. Did they love me? Hate me? Did they cry after my death? I know nothing. But what I do know now is that—"

He stood up, walked to his bed, and dropped down on it.

"I'm sleepy."

His eyes closed, and he fell asleep.

---

Next morning.

They were all in their training room inside the building. Leon was swinging a wooden sword through the air, sweat clinging to his body as he moved.

Celestine… that girl beat the hell out of me. I have to grow stronger than her - not to save her victims, because I understood… we're not heroes. We can't save everyone. Most people become entity hunters not to be heroes, but for money, for adventure, to grow stronger. But I have a dream and to make it come true, I have to grow stronger than everyone around me. Not to prove myself, but to protect my sister.

Kami and Hiroshi were dueling nearby. Hiroshi charged at her, but Kami jumped over him and came down with force. Hiroshi raised his sword to block, but it broke. Just when Kami thought she had won, Hiroshi used the broken blade and slashed her sword in half.

"Tie!" Alvis said, clapping his hands.

Kami threw her broken sword to the ground.

"Why is it always a tie? I always break his sword first!"

Alvis lit a cigar and spoke while adjusting his monocle.

"It's not about breaking someone's sword. You have to make them kneel, to trap them in a position with no escape and no chance to fight back. But every time, Hiroshi breaks your sword too. And in the rules of a swordsman's duel, if both swords break, it's a tie."

Kami glared at Hiroshi, her blood boiling. Sensing danger, Hiroshi took off running, and she chased after him.

"Come back, you moron! Because of you, our duel always ends in a tie!"

"Leave me alone! You can't beat me anyway!" Hiroshi yelled as he ran.

Leon smiled awkwardly.

They have too much energy for these childish things.

He stretched his neck and began swinging his sword again. Alvis watched him carefully for a moment before walking over.

"Leon, you're doing that wrong."

Still in the background, Kami and Hiroshi were running.

Leon stopped and looked at Alvis.

"What am I doing wrong, Master?"

Alvis took a drag from his cigar and pointed at Leon's stance.

"Your stance, it's not a swordsman's stance. It's closer to a martial artist's. From my observation, you're more suited to martial arts than swordsmanship. It's not like you can't grow as a swordsman, but your potential lies more in martial arts. Just my opinion, of course. Do whatever feels right to you."

Leon bowed slightly.

"I will consider your advice, Master."

Alvis walked off toward Kami and Hiroshi.

Advice from Master Alvis... maybe I should try martial arts. If I get stronger that way, it'll be good for me.

Leon looked up and saw Alvis grabbing both Kami and Hiroshi by the collar.

"Why are you two running for no reason?"

Yeah, yeah, you're doing the right thing, Master. Teach those kids a lesson! Leon silently cheered.

Alvis looked at them both, then grinned.

"If you're playing tag… then... I'M IN!"

He tagged Hiroshi and took off running. Hiroshi screamed and started chasing him. Kami followed.

Leon stood there, stunned.

You too? Is no one here mature?

Then Hiroshi suddenly tagged Leon and ran.

Why drag me in?! Fine, I'll treat it as part of training!

Smirking, Leon started running after them.

---

A few weeks passed.

Leon had taken an interest in martial arts. He picked up some basics from Hiroshi and Kami, who were both beginners but still ahead of him. He trained his hands and legs all day, often running non-stop through the garden.

Everyone was confused by Leon's constant running around the garden and building. Rumors even spread that he was circling the girls' hostel at night. Many girls ended up creeped out by him.

One night, after completing his daily run, Leon returned to his room and collapsed on the bed. His heart pounded in his chest. His arms and legs trembled, but he somehow grabbed his water bottle and took a sip. After a while, his breathing slowed.

It's been two weeks since I started running all day. I only eat in the morning, and then I run until night. We get food at seven in the morning.

He looked out the window at the giant clock on the main building.

It's ten at night. I'm soaked in sweat, I'm starving but I want to burn off all the fat. I'm not fat, but for martial arts, I need stamina, a lean body, maybe some muscle.

He looked down at himself. His body had changed. Slim and muscular, his frame had definition - abs, cuts, but not the bulk of a bodybuilder.

He stood up, left his room, and locked the door. As he walked down the hallway toward the boys' bathroom, he noticed something odd. The hall was too quiet. Unusually quiet. The lights were flickering.

A chill ran down his spine. He looked around, but saw nothing.

Is this a prank? Are the other HITs playing some horror game with me? I'm not falling for that.

He started walking toward the stairs that led to the ground floor. But the tension in his chest didn't ease, it only grew stronger with every step.

Suddenly, he froze.

It's real. I feel something behind me. Too close. I-I can feel its breath. This presence... it's terrifying. It's unnatural. I'm scared. I'm really scared.

His body began to tremble.