I Am The Strongest Ghost Hunter

Chapter 12

Akito dragged Raito through the underground maze like he owned the place, pointing out everything with a casual flick of his hand.

Training mats? Sweaty, stained, and smelling like pure effort. Weapon racks? Loaded with wooden swords, dull blades, and a few scary-looking practice daggers. Gym corner? Kids grunting under weights heavy enough to crush a normal human.

Then came the restrooms.

Akito shoved the door open and steam rolled out like a living thing—thick, hot, and reeking of cheap soap and teenage sweat. Dozens of guys crammed the space, some half-naked, some straight-up naked, water splashing everywhere. Buckets sloshed. Guys scrubbed each other’s backs without a second thought, laughing and shoving like this was totally normal.

Raito’s face burned. He tried to look anywhere except directly at anyone.

Through the thin wall came giggles, splashes, and high-pitched chatter from the girls’ side. One single wall. That’s it. One pathetic slab of tile separating total chaos on both sides.

Akito leaned in, grinning. “That’s the girls’ restroom right there. Any dude dumb enough to cross that line? Gone. They’ll deal with you fast and ugly.”

Raito swallowed hard. 'One wall. One tiny, stupid wall between naked guys and naked girls. This place is insane.'

Before he could die of embarrassment, a crackling voice blasted through hidden speakers:

“ALL JUNIORS TO THE ASSEMBLY HALL. NOW. MOVE IT!”

Panic hit like a wave. Guys grabbed towels (or didn’t), slipping and cursing as they bolted for the door. The girls’ side exploded into frantic squeals and faster splashing. Everyone scrambled.

Minutes later, Akito led Raito into the assembly hall—a massive, cold room with rows of hard metal chairs lined up like soldiers. The air was tense, buzzing with nervous energy. Kids filed in, dripping wet hair, half-dressed, shoving for seats.

Raito dropped into a chair next to Akito, heart still racing from the restroom madness.

Up on the raised podium stood an old man—tall, grizzled, hair and beard streaked black and white like storm clouds. A jagged scar cut across his chin, old and mean. He looked like the kind of guy who’d killed ghosts with his bare hands back in the day.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

He smacked the microphone, testing it. Feedback screeched. Everyone winced.

“That’s a senior from Helix District,” Akito whispered. “Big deal. He’s here to scare us about finals.”

The old man leaned in, eyes sweeping the room like he could see straight through every kid there.

“Listen up,” he growled, voice deep, calm, and scary as hell. “You all know why I’m here. Final exams. One week. I hope you’re ready—because most of you aren’t.”

He paused, letting that sink in.

“This isn’t some cute little test. You don’t pass alone. You need a team—three members minimum. And when it’s over? Only three of you may walk out promoted. Three. Out of all of you.”

Murmurs rippled through the hall. Raito felt his stomach drop.

“You’ve got days—not weeks—to train harder than you ever have. Find your team. Make it strong. Or get left behind. Questions?”

Dead silence.

The old man nodded, satisfied. “Good. Then I’ll assume—”

A hand shot up in the front row.

The senior’s eyes narrowed. “Question?”

Every head turned.

And there he was—the guy actually named Subarashii, standing up slow and smooth like he owned the damn room. Tall, perfect hair, sharp jaw, the kind of face that made half the girls in the hall sigh out loud. Hearts practically floated above their heads.

Subarashii smiled—cool, confident, untouchable.

“Sir,” he said, voice clear and silky, “if we pass… what happens next?”

The senior actually cracked a tiny smirk. “Good question, kid. You pass—you earn your cursed weapon. Chosen based on how well you performed. Then? You get promoted to senior rank. Real hunts. Real ghosts. Real stakes.”

He scanned the crowd again. “Any more questions?”

Subarashii sat down gracefully. “No, sir. That’s all.”

The old man nodded. “Then get the hell out of here and start preparing. One week isn’t mercy—it’s a warning.”

The old man stepped back, and the podium lights shifted—catching the next speaker as she climbed the steps like she owned gravity itself.

Sina.

Long dark hair tied high, sharp eyes that could cut glass, and a face so stunning half the room forgot how to breathe. Every line of her was flawless—elegant, dangerous, the kind of pretty that made you feel underdressed just by existing near her.

The entire hall erupted.

“SINA! SINA! SINA!”

Cheers bounced off the walls like thunder. Girls squealed. Guys tried (and failed) to play it cool. Even the tough ones sat up straighter.

She leaned into the mic, voice smooth as silk but laced with steel.

“Listen close, babies,” she purred, and the room went dead quiet. “This isn’t some cute little test you can cram for. This is the exam—the one that decides if you’ve got the guts to wield a cursed weapon and call yourself a real ghost hunter.”

She paused, letting those words sink in like claws.

“No favorites. No mercy. That’s why seniors from other districts are running it. You get seven days. Seven. Train until you bleed. Get stronger. Find your perfect team. Or stay weak and watch someone else take your spot.”

Her gaze swept the crowd, cold and unapologetic.

“Prove you belong… or get left behind. your official training starts tomorrow”

With a sharp flick of her wrist, she dismissed them. Chairs scraped. Kids surged toward the exits like a dam just broke.

Raito stood up with Akito, still reeling, when that velvet voice cut through the chaos again.

“Raito Kobayashi.”

Full name. Dropped like a bomb.

He froze mid-step. Whispers exploded around him—girls giggling, guys snickering. “Ooooh, Sina’s got a crush already?” “New kid’s barely here and he’s getting special treatment?”

Raito’s face burned. 'How the hell does she know my surname?'

He turned anyway. “Sure!”

Akito shot him a quick grin. “Don’t worry, man—I’ll catch up later. We just need one more body for the team.”

Raito’s throat tightened. For the first time in years, someone was actually counting on him. Including him. Like he mattered.

He swallowed the lump in his throat. “Thanks. I won’t let you down.”

Akito laughed. “Name’s Akito, by the way. Gotta go scout our third before someone else snatches the good ones.” He bolted into the crowd and vanished.

Raito followed Sina backstage, trailing a few steps behind her and the scarred old senior—James—from Helix.

They walked in silence for a bit, heels echoing down a dim corridor.

Sina glanced at James. “How many overseers you bringing for the exam?”

“Dunno,” James grunted. “Five, six. Maybe more.”

He scratched his scar. “This year won’t be like last year. We’re making it thorough. No more mistakes. No more… tragedies.”

The word hung heavy. Sina’s perfect face darkened for a split second.