The messenger from Shouhei

Chapter 1: The messenger from Shouhei.

The great lands of the vast horizons that were blessed by the heavens, the once barren lands flourished with people, rich resources and capitalism. It was filled with life. The lands were split into territories. The empire of Suiren, Kouha, Yuuya and Shouhei. There once was a clan who were veteran experts in their invincible martial arts philosophies. Since the ancient times, they had served the emperor of Kouha in resolving incidents and cases that the public servants of Kouha could not. They were revered as the descendants of the heavens. An ancient clan who had survived the countless challenges since the development of the land. The people of the revered clan possess mysterious ability, were veteran martial artists and are apathetic by nature. They are the Kouha Empire’s best executioners. Their name was once prominent and exalted throughout the vast lands of the horizons.

The name of the renowned clan was the Hisakawa clan.

The Hisakawa clan lived deep in the mountains near the borders of Kouha and Shouhei. The master of the Hisakawa clan had beloved a daughter. His wife was slaughtered by bandits when she was at the age of four. It saddens the master, and since then, the clan had hidden themselves deep in the mountains due to their special blood. The Hisakawa clan who inherited the special ability are believed to be descendants of the heavens. Their special bloodline was revered as godly, many seek and desire their precious blood. The members of the Hisakawa clan had often experienced misfortune and misery because of their blood. The dark desires of man drove them to even take part in selling off their own kin. Human trafficking. And the worth of people from the Hisakawa clan fetched for a hefty price. The members of the clan who served the master of the Hisakawa clan swore to protect the master’s beloved daughter at all costs. The name of his beloved daughter was Hisakawa Kagami.

[Bell chimes]

"Okay, that's all for today. Remember to do some revision! This will be on your next test." The professor spoke, followed by groaning voices of reluctant students in the lecture hall. The professor smirked. A student who sat right next to the exit in the last row had a blank stare. He's enjoying this too much! Bastard. She tossed her notes into her bag and stood, preparing to leave. Just as she turned to the door knob of the exit, she heard her professor's sarcastic voice.

"Hisakawa Kagami. Where are you going?" The professor smirked, as if admiring his piece of work. Tch. Koharu clicked her tongue. She turned on her heels and faced her professor, with her insouciant stare burning right into her professor's face. How did he detect me this time? 

"Yes, Professor Jung? I believed the bell had chimed. It's time for my next class." Her peers snickered and started whispering to each other. The sound of Kagami’s voice was calm and unperturbed. She was a veteran at refuting and repudiating her criminal law professor. As the only daughter of the Hisakawa family, rumours and gossip tend to spread. Kagami's reply was deadpan as ever. Her professor eyed the strange student and sighed.

"Come and see me after class. No excuses allowed."

Kagami huffed, her heels clacking loudly on the ground as she stormed out of the classroom. The  students left in the classroom were left in an awkward situation. And for the umpteenth time, they blamed Kagami for it. It was Kagami's perfect stunt against their law professor. No one possessed the guts of steel like her. And because of that, their class was given additional assignments thanks to Kagami's perfect stunt as punishment. Seconds after she walked through the door, students filled out through the lecture hall main entrance. Kagami froze, agitated and frustrated at her professor playing tricks on her, again. One of Kagami’s friends slapped Kagami on the back as she chased after Kagami’s lithe and delicate figure.

“Nice one you got there, Kagami!” She draped her long arms around Kagami’s shoulders and snickered. She was laughing her head off. She laughed so hard that tears formed from laughing too much. “Professor Jung’s expression was priceless! HAHAHAHA!”

Kagami, however, was the least impressed. “Hmph. I don’t care. He can rot in hell. Eunice, let’s get some food. I’m hungry.” Eunice was a friend Kagami met when they were in elementary school. Eunice Forrest. Eunice’s family had moved from the lands of Suiren, and was extremely foreign to the empire of Kouha. Kagami remembered their first meeting. Eunice had lost her way, and had stumbled into the forbidden lands at the borders of Kouha and Shouhei. Normal humans usually are unable to see the gateway to the mystic forest under the reign of the Hisakawa clan. Although amused, Kagami said nothing but helped Eunice to return to the mainland of human. And that was how they had kept their friendship throughout the years they have been together. They were best friends.

They headed for the cafeteria and ordered some sandwiches and hot cocoa. Kagami let out a sigh and she unwrapped her share of sandwiches. It was past lunchtime, the cafeteria was silent and empty. Eunice was amused. Kagami was always in a bad mood after their law lecture on Tuesday mornings. "Why the long face? Can you stop being a child every time after Professor Jung's class? You look like you have a crush on him. Although I don't mind the both of you fighting cats and dogs like an old married couple." She smiled brightly.

Kagami glared at her friend. "Wha- T..That bastard isn't worth my love! I'll gladly plunge my sword into his heart. Hmph." She took a sip of her hot cocoa. "Are you playing jokes on me? You know that doesn't work on me." Kagami's phone vibrated, and a new message popped at the top of the screen.

King of Sarcasm: Come to me office. Now.

"Oh look, speak of the devil." Eunice smirked. Kagami let out a litany of curses and insults in one breath. I can’t even eat my lunch in peace. How dare he mess with me every single minute?! Agitated and frustrated, Kagami tossed her phone into her bag. Picking up her empty tray, she grabbed her bag and walked towards the exit. Dropping the empty tray into the cafeteria basin, Kagami bid Eunice goodbye before walking into the hall of death, a.k.a Professor Jung's office. "Ha ha…" Eunice let out a cold laugh as she watched her friend reluctantly stormed loudly towards the faculty office. As a friend, Eunice found their tale amusing. It was a typical romance tale.

"What do you want, Sadist Professor?" Kagami glared at her professor as she pulled open the door to his office entrance with a huge bang. It was a surprise the door was not slammed into splinters. Kagami had extraordinary control of her strength that her professor had often thought Kagami possessed amazing potential in nugatory talents. It was also students like Kagami that the society needed. And the professor preferred nurturing students like Kagami.

"Did your parents not teach you any manners? You should knock before you come in, Hisakawa Kagami." Her professor had a huge smirk on his face. Kagami growled. Look at that face. He's a real devil.  “Maybe I should pay a visit to your parents for such a poor etiquette. Don’t you think so?”

Kagami clicked her tongue. "Who cares. Because of you, I've been misunderstood again. How are you gonna make up to me? Don’t think you can do whatever you want because you’re my professor."

Professor Jung placed a huge stack of paper in front of her. "Ho ho. Oh really? You've been misunderstood for a long time. Look at all those rumours. Aren't they cute? An additional won't do you any harm. What\, teachers are humans too. We have eyes and ears too." Kagami was frozen stiff. Her legs were glued to the floor. Never knew the last person she wanted him to know had known all along.  "Now do this for me. Your detention." This professor was a real piece of work. He was waiting for the right chance to play his cards. This damn sadistic professor. She stared at the enormous amount of papers in front of her. The letters which were bolded in big capitals  at the top read: **The Music Room Murder Case\, 25 July 2xx0. **

“The hell? Are you telling me to sort your court files?” Kagami questioned. She just had to reconfirm her postulation. She had attended her sadistic professor's classes long enough to discern the true nature of the fake professor. Kagami knew he would be willing to deliberately find fault with any loopholes he could find. Psychologically and physically.

“Get going. Or you’ll be here all night.” Her law professor smiled. Kagami heaved the massive pile of papers onto an empty desk near the door. The desk was practically for Kagami’s use. There was no one on record that possessed nerves of steel like Kagami. Their law professor was notorious even among their law faculty. Kagami was the sole individual who had gone against Professor Jung of Criminal Law. You could say that table was there for Kagami’s sake. Professor Jung leaned in his chair as he relished the sight of Kagami managing files in his office. His lips broke into a thin smile as he continued with his students’ papers. Despite having an incredible attitude, Professor Jung had to admit that Kagami was an excellent student.

Geez, if you work for the public court don’t come to our university then. Kagami thought bitterly as she expertly and skillfully sorted all of her professor’s paperwork he had assigned. It wasn’t the first time he had given her court papers to work on as detention. It was a little after lunch when she started to work on her professor's court files. She didn't believe him when he said she'll be there all night. She never imagined in her wildest dream that someone would come to turn a wise man's saying into an analogy of the current situation. It was absurd. And there was one. Professor Jung Eun-Ho of the Criminal Law Department, Law Faculty. That was the name of the singular entity criminal law professor in ChungNam University.

It was dusk when the professor and Kagami left the faculty office. The sky was pitch black. Kagami sighed and she gripped her bag tightly with her slender and delicate fingers. Professor Jung smirked, staring at the delicate figure of his student as she took off for home. Her attendant had dutifully waited patiently for Kagami at the entrance of her university. She huffed at her professor before being taken home. Professor Jung wasn't ruffled in the slightest by her childishness. In fact, he was extremely concerned with the masterminds of evil who lurks in the darkness. Professor Jung however had felt a presence in the bushes and turned swiftly. He frowned at the bushes behind him. He swore he had certainly felt a presence following him. Or was it after Kagami? He had a bad feeling. A feeling that something would go wrong. And it will happen soon. He ought to be more careful. After all, he was a man who fought for justice in benevolence of the empire of Kouha.

Eun-Ho placed his files onto the kitchen table after he had arrived home. He took off his coat and threw himself onto the couch. The photo on the coffee table lost its balance and fell. Eun-Ho sighed as he picked up the old photo. From the state of the photo, it was evident that the photo was at least a decade old. It was a photo of himself and a girl who had looked exactly like Hisakawa Kagami. It was as if they were carbon copies. Anyone would believe they were twins. They wore refined layers of traditional clothes of the Shouhei empire. Eun-Ho treated the treasured photo as if it was his first love. A rose by any name would smell as sweet. After a long span of being apart, the picture was all he had. He didn’t have any clues that would be steps nearer to solving the mysterious identity of his first love.

The very next morning, he dragged Kagami along to the public prosecutor office. Kagami was extremely speechless at her professor. “P..Professor….what in the world am I doing here….” she drawled as she was dragged along the streets. Eun-Ho was in a good mood, and the display of interaction shared between the pair piqued the interest of the public as they walked towards the courthouse. She couldn’t believe her professor had called her at six in the morning just to drag her along to the courthouse.

“This is the national courthouse, Hisakawa Kagami.” Professor Jung said promptly.

Kagami gaped at her professor. She didn’t know he was beyond nuts. The rumors were true. “Professor…. Even a child would know that’s a courthouse. I want to know WHY am I here?!”  Eun-Ho however said nothing. He hummed merrily as she dragged her along, into the public prosecutor office. She hid behind her professor as they stopped in front of the door. It had a sign that read: Chief Prosecutor Jung Eun-Ho. Kagami sighed. It was another misfortune with her criminal law professor. So he was a real prosecutor after all. It wasn’t a lie. 

Eun-Ho was warmly welcomed by two inspectors in the office. They were ambushed at the entrance. “Prosecutor Jung!” Their delighted faces were shining. “How rare of you to come to the office. What brings you here? Aren’t you busy with the lectures at ChungNam University?” Judging by their faces, Kagami concluded that they were twins. They had the exact expressions, gestures, behaviours and even habits. They were literal carbon copies. They were mirages of each other.

Eun-Ho wriggled himself away from his team’s embraces. He walked to his table and dropped the heavy files of the case he was working on. “Seo Jun, Seo Hyun. It’s been awhile. I have an upcoming trial. This. Someone came to see me and insisted that I have to see through this case. The victim could have some complicated situations. Can you check something for me?”

His inspector assistants gave a huff. “That’s the prosecutor we know. Don’t worry, we got that covered. We’re your personal mole diggers. By the way, who’s that?” Seo Jun pointed to Kagami. Kagami was flustered and stunned. She was frozen still at the entrance. She had no idea why she was even here in the first place. Her observant eyes scrutinized every detail of the scenes playing out before her.

“Kagami, why are you standing there? Come in.” Eun-Ho smirked. Kagami glared at her professor. Bastard. You knew this would happen. What kind of tricks are you playing on me this time? Eun-Ho turned to his assistants. “This is my student. Hisakawa Kagami.” Seo Jun and Seo Hyun perked their ears, and were extremely intrigued by the person Eun-Ho had chosen to bring to his workplace. Eun-Ho was a living legend in the world of justice. He was renowned for his ruthless judgement and was admired by people who practice law. He worked like a robot, and people began to believe he wasn’t humane. Even his assistants believed it too, until Eun-Ho had a crazy idea and decided to become a law professor at ChungNam University. It was the first time Seo Jun and Seo Hyun saw their prosecutor in such high spirits. Right now, he looked the most humane than all the times they had gone through together.

“Ho ho, a student, eh?” Seo Hyun remarked. “What nice hobby you have there, Eun-Ho.” He chuckled. Kagami was made to sit on the couch in the office and orange juice was served in front of her.  "Nice to meet you, Hisakawa Kagami." Seo Hyun gave Kagami a smile. "My name is Kang Seo-Hyun. I am Chief Prosecutor Jung's assistant. On the side note, I am the younger brother."

"And I am the elder brother. My name is Kang Seo-Jun. I'm also that guy's assistant." Seo Jun chuckled, pointing at Eun-Ho. "Feel free to kick him to death, we don't mind. Although he's good, he doesn't care about us." Seo Jun faked a tear from his eyes. "Always leaving us alone in this office to have fun at the university… ah, it must be nice."

“What are you insinuating, bastards. You guys know the reasons better than anyone else.” Eun-Ho replied, not taking a break from his computer. "Don't be stupid. Get on with it." The trial would be held soon, there was no time to waste. Seo-Jun and Seo-Hyun soon began their assignments  requested by their chief prosecutor. They shrugged as they worked. Kagami was beyond speechless. Was she dragged here to witness a melodrama between justice officers? She sighed as she picked the code of law from the bookshelf and began reading. It wasn’t her style to read the code of law which many students have refrained from its thickness of the book. Kagami was bored. The hours she spent in her professor's office dreaded on. Seeing Kagami reading the code of law in a corner, Eun-Ho’s thin lips broke into a smile.

Kagami had looked forward to the moment she would be released from her devil professor’s clutches at the end of the day. The small light of hope became a nightmare. Because Eun-Ho had taken a few weeks of absence due to the preparation of his upcoming trial, he clearly knew that Kagami's schedule would be empty. He had deliberately dragged her to his office so she could observe with great scrutiny on how the justice office runs. He was well aware of the rare ability Kagami possessed. It was why he knew she would be suited to become a prosecutor. Despite Kagami's reluctant behaviours, he knew she would scrutinize the office with great detail. It was one of the reasons why Kagami was often picked by Professor Jung. Kagami had the potential others didn't.

Kagami had been appalled that her professor had pulled her along, and today was the fifth day. She sighed. Why isn't Professor Jung bored of this? She rolled her eyes. Her professor would not let go of her delicate palms, their interaction became a routine of romance display to the public. "Aren't you afraid you'll be sacked for doing this?" She questioned Eun-Ho.

"Why, are you worried?" Eun-Ho smiled brightly at her. Kagami sighed. Is this guy even a teacher? The air around him seemed different compared to the days before. Kagami was curious. She pushed her teacher’s face away from her.

“Get away from me. You’re unbecoming of an adult, Professor.” she scowled at him. Today was a strange day. Instead of his usual choice of clothes, Eun-Ho was dressed in black and white two-piece suit, and black robes over his suit. The rimms of his robes were maroon-colored. Was there supposed to be a special occasion today? Kagami’s train of thoughts had pulled her consciousness into a world of her own. Again. Eun-Ho smiled as he felt Kagami was lost in a world of her own again. As if reading Kagami’s mind, Eun-Ho had replied. His clear irises harbored none of the feelings of trepidation like most chancellors of the court would. Only a novice chancellors would experience that. Eun-Ho was straight forward and confident. Eun-Ho was different. He was revered as a godly, a living legend.

It was the day of the hearing.

Regaining her orientation, she realized they had reached the front gates of the national courthouse. Kagami paled. Never she dreamt one day she would be standing in front of the great courthouse. Behind him were Eun-Ho’s assistants, Seo-Jun and Seo-Hyun. In their lithe hands were the stacks of documents and files of the case Eun-Ho was going to present. Instead of being worried about the hearing, Kagami was extremely worried about being estranged in a situation where she and her criminal law professor would be easily misunderstood. Kagami had a genuine faith in the Will of the heavens, prayed that she would be camouflaged and hidden among the crowd of people at the courthouse who were attending the trials and hearings held. Jung Eun-Ho was a renowned prosecutor which many across the vast lands had travelled miles just to take a glimpse of his display of veteran skills as a legendary prosecutor. Seo-Jun and Seo-Hyun ushered a reluctant Kagami into the first row of the gallery in the courtroom. At that moment, she felt that her sarcastic professor was extremely stunning. Her observant eyes which had followed his toned figure as he walked into the court, along with the judges, juries, defense counsels, court reports, court clerks, paralegals, court interpreter and prosecutors filing into the courtroom.

No words could describe her feelings at that moment. Her heart fluttered. Jung Eun-Ho was just amazing.

The case Eun-Ho was going to represent was nicknamed the Music Room Murder Case. It started with the victim who was found dead in the music room of In Chang High School. In Chang High School was a prestigious high school blessed with strong teams of talented individuals. Famous musicians were alumni of In Chang High School. Among the four music rooms, there was an unused music room which was believed to be cursed. It was the third victim of that year. They were all female students of In Chang High School. Among the three victims, all of them had a similarity. They were excellent students who were chosen to represent their school in musical competitions. The most recent competition was said to be where talented students were scouted to become professional musicians. The name of the victim was Park Ji-Yeong. The forensics medical examiner in charge of her autopsy had declared the cause of death was poisoning through potassium cyanide.

It was a long hearing. Kagami witnessed the outburst of the convicted offender just as she decided to walk through the doors. She believes that even without her measly presence, her professor would present his case perfectly. "H...how can this be?! I'll kill every one of you!" His cuffs were unlocked, his hands were liberated. "I've been framed! Are you even a prosecutor?!" He glared at Prosecutor Jung. The people started to get away as far as possible from the violent, now declared criminal. The one seated nearest to the defense counsel table was Kagami. Lee Dae-Jun ran past the rails, despite the bailiffs' restraints, warnings and protests. He grabbed Kagami by the collar. The gallery and people started to panic. They wanted to help, their dilemma of aggravating the situation made them human. Their thought-processes and their body could not synchronize with each other. Perplexity was the by-product of their obfuscation. Many of them were diffident with their poor skills, despite being trained and were known for their expertise. Seo-Hyun and Seo-Jun were exceptions.

"You're going to be first. Count yourself unlucky." His face was marred by evil, desire and greed. This was the true face of Lee Dae-Jun.

Kagami glared at the criminal. She stepped on the criminal’s feet with her high heels. A traditional japanese sword had appeared in her pale, delicate hands. She used the scabbard and whacked it on the criminal’s head with all her might. Wincing and groaning in pain, Lee Dae-Jun released his iron grip on Kagami. Eun-Ho widened at the sight of the familiar sword in Kagami’s hands. It was as if it had appeared out of thin air. Eun-Ho ordered the people to leave the courtroom. Eun-Ho, Lee Dae-Jun, Eun-Ho’s assistants and Kagami were all that was left in the courtroom. The courtroom was sealed from the outside to prevent possible dangers to the people of the empire.

Kagami took a leap and jumped several meters into the air. With a swift kick, she landed her signature strike onto the criminal’s face. “Who are you?” The criminal was sprawled on the floor, groaning from the pain Kagami had inflicted. He was astounded. He could not believe such a delicate lady could pull off such a ridiculous attack. One thing was clear. Kagami was an exceptional martial artist. Kagami and Eun-Ho frowned. Behind the offender, purple mist began to form. It condensed, a man appeared in its place. He had familiar features which greatly resemble the spirits from the legends. It was as if the ancient legends had come to life. Eun-Ho and his assistants were relieved. Extremely relieved that Kagami had single-handedly repelled Dae-Jun’s attacks.

“Hoho, I can’t believe you’re doing this, Brother.” The man who called Eun-Ho his brother materialized and released Dae-Jun from his control. “Keeping the princess to yourself.” He eyed Kagami with extreme perspicacity and discerned observations. Dae-Jun was disoriented and passed out. It was as if a spirit had possessed him. Eun-Ho stared at him, blased at his sordid deeds he had done to mankind.

“I knew it. This is your doings. I am not your brother.” Eun-Ho displayed his perfunctory interest against the foreign character. Kagami pointed her katana at the man. He glared at him. The courthouse would never summon someone like him for such an ordinary case. Afterall, he had retired as a prosecutor three years ago. The public office who still kept his office was still a mystery.

The man sighed. "You're so cold. We both know the link between us isn't that simple."

“Who are you?” she demanded once again. The man was hovered. Although barely centimeters difference, Kagami’s instincts told her that the man before her was different. He approached Kagami, his slender fingers caressed the fallen strands of her silky, golden hair. “It’s been a long time, princess. It’s time for you to open your eyes. You can’t sleep forever.” His face was marred with a smile which said it all. He had something in mind. The way that he knew everything, Eun-Ho didn’t like it one bit. He pulled the man away from Kagami.

“You can’t do that!” Eun-Ho was desperate. He remembered the promise he had once sworn. He swore that he'd protect Kagami from the dangers that would return after the time was up. He was prepared for it. That nightmare had become reality.

"You're interested in me, aren't you?" The man flashed a toothy grin at Kagami. Kagami was void of expressions. Kagami took a step backwards. She scowled. He’s too close. "Listen carefully. I am a fox spirit, the divine servant of the Jun’ichi-sama. My name is Kohaku. I am a divine messenger from the forbidden land, the empire of Shouhei.”

“Jun..i’chi?” Kagami unconsciously read out loud. The name was foreign, a name she had never heard of before. Kagami was about to attack the man who had revealed himself to be a fox spirit, a second strike with her katana. Instead, Kagami felt a warm nostalgia of familiarity from the name, ceasing her strikes against Kohaku. Kohaku nodded. Eun-Ho swore Kagami’s clear golden irises flashed orange. It happened so fast. It was a fleeting moment, Kagami’s sword vanished into thin air. Kohaku grabbed onto Kagami’s sleeve, sending Eun-Ho a satisfying look before vanishing. As if saying, return to our master’s side. Kagami was gone. Kidnapped by the fox spirit. Eun-Ho sighed. No one would believe him if he were to report that Hisakawa Kagami was kidnapped by a spirit. One thing was clear. Kagami had fallen into his arms. He recalled Kohaku’s last words before disappearing.

“The time has come, princess.”

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