rejected by the reincarnation system

Baptism by fire

The air was humming. Not with life--but power. Malicious, ancient, and eager to devour. It poured in like

invisible smoke, prickling the skin, making Hinata's breath catch.

Alis stood still, her curved blade drawn, eyes narrowed on the horizon. "He's close."

Hinata could barely speak. "Who is he?"

Alis didn't look at him. "Greed."

The ground trembled as a hulking figure emerged from the shadows. The creature was grotesque--twisted gold

embedded in bone, seven arms of mismatched size, and a crown of melted coins fused into its skull. Its eyes

gleamed like polished treasure.

"Alis..." it rasped in a gothic shimmering voice. "Still running errands for the fallen gods I see?"

"I'm mentoring," she replied dryly. "Try not to kill my student too quickly." she said to it sarcastically

The demon turned its gaze to Hinata. "This worm? I smell no sin. No power. Since when did you start mentoring such small fry"

Hinata gulped. "Nice to meet you?"The Demon of Greed roared, its laughter shaking the world.

Alis snapped, "This is a real fight, Hinata. You'll lose. But losing doesn't mean dying--if you learn."

"Not helpful! Like not helpful at all" Hinata shouted as the demon lunged at him with a look that screemed I want to eat you for dinner.

He rolled just in time, heat from the demon's claw searing his back. He scrambled up, heart thundering, fists

clenched.

"Fight back!" Alis yelled. "Use your instincts! Swing! Scream! Spit if you have to!"

Hinata roared and charged. His punch did absolutely nothing. The demon didn't even flinch.

With a flick of its claw, the demon sent him flying. Bones cracked. Pain screamed.

"Ugh... Alis... help?"

"No. This is your fire."

The demon grabbed Hinata by the throat, lifting him like a toy. "You have nothing. No soul mark. No class.

No name. Just filth."

A flicker of something stirred in Hinata's chest. Cold. Burning. Confused. Like a scream trapped inside a

whisper.The demon paused. "What... is that?"

Hinata's eyes flared--briefly. A glimpse of dark blue, swirling with embers.

He drove a knee into the demon's jaw. It actually stumbled back. Just a step--but enough.

Alis raised an eyebrow. "Huh. That was new."

Hinata dropped to his knees, gasping. "What... was that?"

The demon growled, more cautious now. "You hide something. Dangerous."

Alis stepped forward. "That's enough. He's learned."

With a burst of flame, she appeared beside the demon. A single slash of her obsidian blade--and the beast

staggered, roaring in pain.

"This isn't over," it hissed. "The Greed Court will remember him."

It vanished into smoke and gold dust.

Hinata collapsed. "I thought... I was gonna die.""You were," Alis said, kneeling beside him. "But you didn't. That spark in you? That wasn't normal."

"Is that... a good thing?"

She smirked. "It's terrifying. But yes."

He groaned. "Next time can I fight a demon of laziness or something?"

"No such thing," she said. "We killed him. Too lazy to run."

Hinata chuckled weakly.

Then fainted.