I'm in the middle of a forest, in front of the entrance of a cave

It's almost midnight and in front of me stands dozens of youkais

They have different shapes and sizes, all inhuman monstrosities

A deep, grotesque voice yells at me

"Leave now brat! You won't even serve as a night snack for us!"

I take a step forward and walk towards them, ignoring their words

The annoying voice speaks again

"Did you came all the way here to die brat? Very well then, BECOME ONE OF US!"

They charge towards me from left, right, front and above

My aura envelops my arm as I swing it...

And they are gone

I walk inside the cave, this must be the center of the activity

I can sense other evil spirits in here, but they are hiding...

*STOMP STOMP*

A huge creature, about 9 or 10 feet tall walks towards me

It's horrendous, with six arms, wide and bright yellow eyes, gray, lizard-like skin, two oversized horns in the head and a wide mouth with sharp teeth

"You were the one who dealt with the the guards in the entrance? Hahaha! You surely are no normal human, you'll definitely make a meal suitable for a king!"

So this monstrosity thinks that he is a king? That's amusing...

"King? Look, I wanna head back to the camp so let's just do what we have to do, alright?"

The monster grins and another disgusting laugh echoes through the cave

"Hahaha! You are an insolent one! Very well then, have it your way!"

The other creatures who were hiding come towards me, leaving out guttural screams as they fly in my direction, but they die before even touching me

Seeing his servants killed, their "king" seems mad

"Heh, good job in taking the small fries out, sadly, your efforts will be for nothing, I'll just eat you and create more!"

He charges towards me, mouth wide open

I don't want that near me

I push him away and paralyse him

"Hohoho, so you're quite a powerful brat aren't you? Take this then!"

From his horn comes some sort of large energy blast

It hits me directly

But my barrier stops it and I don't feel anything

Now he seems worried

"J-Just what are you? Are you even human?"

"Yeah, I'm just an esper"

"W-what?"

I use my power to make him bow

"AAAAAGGGHHHHHHHHH!"

He screams in pain as he's pinned with his hands and knees on the floor

"I said I am an esper, and you are not a king"

And I exorcise him out of this world

...

It's done

I walk out of the cave and I see them...

The instructors and the espers who are in training

I smile and wave towards them

A girl walks towards me

"Great work Tatseyo! As expected of the legendary esper's son! You did the work that not even a whole team could do without a scratch!"

They are flattering me, I really don't know how to answer...

"It was nothing really, I hope you guys could get something out of it"

They know what I said wasn't entirely true...

A normal esper would have a hard time in there

But dad told me to be modest

'Remember, we are just humans, commoners, our talent does not make us better or more special than anyone' - It's what he uses to say

One of the boys who seems to be around my age steps forward

"This cave has been the center of anomalies for almost 60 years! You trully are amazing Tatseyo!"

I start taking out my robe and my mask off, I carefully analyze to see if the creature didn't damage it. The beak, the glass visors and the leather are all intact, his power wasn't enough to get through my aura.

"Thank you, but I already said it was nothing"

The chief instructor comes forward

"This demonstration was great Tatseyo! Trully fitting of an esper of your caliber!"

He then turns his back and looks at the young espers gathered around us

"Okay boys and girls, time to head back. We all have a full day of work tomorrow, and you can say goodbye to Tatseyo later. Be ready cause we're going to analyze this demonstration"

The young espers let out "ahhhh" and annoyed sighs, sorry, but it can't be helped, I wish I could train with you guys.

"Well, my job here is done then."

The chief instructor answers

"I guess so, I'm really thankful to you, the son of the legendary esper couple, to think that you would have a mission here and would let us tag along, you did something great for the espers who are still in training"

I was actually just doing a favour for a friend, I really think it wasn't that much

"No, I am the one who should be thanking you, usually these missions are really lonely, but I had a great time in here with you all, thank you for your hospitality"

I bow to him

"Now, now, lift your head! Don't you think you'll be leaving without a farewell party!"

Farewell party? Man, I really wanted to get some rest after this, well, at least there'll be food, I'm kinda hungry right now.

We make our way back, the other espers go ahead of us while I and the chief instructor talk

"Are you excited about the new school? I heard it's a really good one"

Yes, the new school, when mother heard it was now accepting boys as well she almost forced me to join in, father was also happy since now I would attend a normal school like he did

"Not very much... I've spent most of my education being home schooled and learning from other espers, this might be very weird to me"

He taps my back

"C'mon, cheer up, I heard there are a lot of girls in there, maybe it'll be the start of your spring Tatseyo! Though I don't know if 'that person' is going to like you snooping around. Ahahahaha!"

"What are you talking about! I already told you there is noth..."

Before I can finish answering his remark, something, or rather someone, jumps at me wrapping it's arms around my neck

"Tachan~~!"

I hear the girl's voice as I lose my balance

"Ouch!"

I fall to the ground and the tanned, energetic girl falls on top of me

"Ayumu! Be careful!"

Ayumu Yatsushiro, the only childhood friend I have, a high class esper, expert on pirokinesis.

"You are so awesome Tachan! I'm starting to get jealous of you! Ahahahaha!"

She declares loudly while not moving an inch to stand or remove her arms from around my neck

We've know each other since we were kids, at that time I thought she was a boy, she has short hair and an energetic attitude since she was a child, no matter how I look, pirokinesis is definitely a power that matches her personality.

Also, she was flat as a surfboard a few years ago, but lately...

"Ayumu, could you please let go off me?"

I can feel her breasts pressing against my chest! Seriously, when did they grown like that?

Seeing me so flustered, the instructor decides to intervene

"Yatsushiro-chan, we were just talking about you"

"Uhm? Really? About what?"

Ayumu looks at me confused, this asshole really likes to put me in a tight spot!

"Nothing! More importantly, have you been getting hurt lately?"

One of the reasons why Ayumu became my friend is because she is one of the few who can stand close to my level, but her pirokinesis and explosion power are so big that she has problems controlling them, causing harm to herself sometimes

She shakes her head

"No, it seems I'm getting better at controlling it! Hehehe, soon I'll be able to stand at your level Tachan"

*Sigh*

I'm glad she's not hurt but this girl worries me a lot.

Oh, and about this nickname, "Tachan", I've already asked her to stop calling me that more times than I can count, but she just kept ignoring to the point I got used to it.

"That's good, but don't push yourself so much, okay?"

She nods happily

"Okay!"

*Caham*

The instructor clears his throat to call our attention

"Are you two planning to stay like this the whole night?"

Ayumu puts her tongue out

"Sorry, sorry~~"

She then jumps, landing on her ankles and regaining her balance

I just stand up normally

"By the way Tachan, Kuriko-san said she wanted to see you"

I feel a chill down my spine hearing this name

"K-Kuriko?"

Ayumu nods to confirm what I said

"Uhum, she said that she had something important to talk to you"

The chill I felt only got worse, what could Kuriko possibly want to talk to me?

"Couldn't she send me a message with that telepathy she loves so much? Or just teleport here instead of asking you?"

Ayumu shakes her head

"Apparently it's very serious, she wants to meet you in person and without anyone else around"

This is only getting worse

"Tachan why do you look so worried? Do you hate Kuriko-san or something?"

"No Ayumu, I don't hate her. It's just... she is a really complicated person don't you think?"

She tilts her head

"Complicated?"

Kuriko, the girl who is considered the world's most talented young esper, just like me she inherited her powers from her parents and through constant evolution she reached the stage she is now. Just like me, she barely did any training, relying on talent and experience alone to move forward, but unlike me, she disdains most of the esper community, it's like she sees those weaker than her as underdogs or something, I'm one of the few espers outside her family who has direct contact with her.

And that wouldn't be a problem if it wasn't for her personality, she is a very arrogant person that believes to be on top of every existence and to make it worse she talks in a very confusing way

"What is it Tatseyo?"

The coach asks me

"I think Tachan is scared because she's stronger than him~"

Ayumu says in a teasing tone

"C'mon, you guys don't think there's something weird with her? Like she's hiding something from everyone?"

Ayumu shrugs

"There's no way we'd know that, she doesn't talk to us"

Ah, yeah there's that too, she is so arrogant she won't even talk to someone she deems unworthy of her time, I was surprised she actually asked Ayumu to talk to me.

I sigh

"Oh yeah, she does that, frankly she's so full of herself..."

The instructor laughs it off

"Haha, but maybe that's to be expected isn't it? I mean, in terms of power she is probably above all the young espers, it's normal for someone, specially on her age, to act like that if they are so talented, people like you and Ayumu are rare in this world, Tatseyo"

I shake my head

"Stop that! Me and Ayumu wouldn't think we are better than any of you, it shouldn't be rare for people to respect others despite their power level"

Ayumu comes forward and hugs my arm

"That's why I like you so much Tachan!"

"He-hey! Ayumu let go!"

I can feel them on my arm! But she doesn't care and just keep clinging to me

"Hehe, even if you are powerful you always treat everyone nicely"

She shouldn't be clinging to someone like this, it was fine when we were children but it seems she just didn't learn restraint

"I would never treat someone poorly because of that"

"You guys sure are one of a kind..."

Both me and Ayumu laugh at his words, yeah, there's no way we would become so arrogant because of our powers

"Hey, Tachan, have you managed to find it?"

I look at Ayumu confused

"Find what?"

She fidgets a bit before asking

"You know... your special skill"

Ah, so that's it

I scratch my head

"No, sorry, I still don't know what my special skill is"

Her eyes grow huge at my answer

"It's not important! Even if you don't have a skill you are still strong!"

"Ayumu is right Tatseyo, you have a lot of powers already, I don't think a skill would make any difference to you"

I look at the floor

"I know, but mom and dad have a special skill, even Ayumu has, it's hard for me to believe I wasn't born with one"

"Maybe your skill is being so strong Tachan!"

Ayumu says trying to cheer me up

"Thanks, but I don't think that can be called a skill..."

The instructor speaks while lifting his hand

"I wouldn't get so worked up about it Tatseyo, in the end a special skill never made any difference to you right?"

I nod my head

"Yeah, you guys are right"

I smile back at them

Ayumu hugs my arm even tighter

"I don't care about skills, you are amazing as it is"

Even though I would like to have one like mom and dad, what I have is more than enough.

"Oh, I almost forgot!"

Ayumu jumps back as if reminded of something

"I promised I would help in the preparations for Tachan's farewell party!"

"Uhm? You too?"

She puffs her chest forward

"Of course! I was the one who gave the idea!"

What?!

"So it was you?!"

"Duuh! I was the one who invited you here, it's only natural for me to be the one who suggested the party!"

Yeah, I don't even know why I was surprised, doing things like that is just like Ayumu

"Be sure to show up, alright Tachan?"

I nod

"Don't worry, I'll be there"

She smiles

"And be ready, 'cause I'll make you tell me everything you and Kuriko talk about!"

She says it before running ahead to catch up with the other espers

I feel the instructor's hand on my shoulder

"Heh, you should be happy Tatseyo, not many guys can say they have a friend like her"

I nod

"Yeah, Ayumu is a great girl"

He answers with a wide grin

"I'm sure she is"

"Don't have any weird ideas, I already said we are not like that!"

He gives small chuckle

"Anyway, there's something I wanna talk with you, if you still have time"

I nod my head

"Okay, it's not like I'm in a hurry to see Kuriko anyway..."

But it's better if we talk quick, she would just come after me if I don't show up

The instructor points at the luggage I'm carrying, inside of it is the robe and mask I was using before in the cave.

"Tatseyo, have you decided on what you are going to do? I've heard you were traveling around the country and even in foreign cities doing some errands as an exorcist, but your parents want you to finish school before you decide what you are going to do, you have any idea of what you want already?"

I frown at his question, this is a matter that I still don't know how to adress.

"I... still don't know, with the hero profession mostly over I still wonder if I can make the most of my abilities by being a professional esper. I have doubts about that and if it's even that what I want"

With the end of the organized monsters, the heroes soon lost their purpose. The hero association barely exists anymore and with that, many heroes have gone into hiding, some heroes have many enemies from the past and espers are disliked by pretty much everyone, even religious institutions don't like to be associated with us, so we decided it would be better to hide.

Heroes and espers had everything about them buried, this was the last favor granted by the, now nearly extinct, "Hero Association" to shield the ones who once protected this country and now want to live a quiet life.

Psychics now have the status of urban legends, we live hiding our true nature and I've even heard of some neighborhoods made specificaly for espers.

We now live either from normal jobs or taking bounty missions to hunt evil spirits and demons from governments, individuals or religious groups, though we are only treated as mercenaries. None of them are willing to share their intel with us. But we are fine with this, it's not like we want to get associated with them anyway.

"Hey don't frown so much, you are making me scared! You have some pretty scary eyes you know? Hahahahaha"

"So-sorry, sometimes I forget about that..."

He taps my back

"Sorry, don't look so upset, I was just joking, after the end of the monster association, most heroes either retired or are now working in other jobs, however, espers like me and your mom decided to keep working with the supernatural, even if we have to hide, but you know it's not an obligation, your father works at a normal job right?"

I nod my head

"Yeah, mom doesn't like it"

Even though she's retired, she still works every now and then when emergencies involving demons or evil spirits appear

"I think you have to choose what suits you the most, forget about what they expect from you, go with what you love and that will be the right choice."

I nod

"Yeah, I think you are right"

"Anyway, right now I think you should go see Kuriko, wouldn't wanna let miss 'strongest young esper' waiting"

I give a long sigh before agreeing

"Yeah, even if I didn't went she would come after me anyway"

"Tell her I said hi"

I wave my hand

"Will do"

Though, knowing her, she won't care...

Afterword: Alright! I've been working on this fic for a few months, it's my first one so I want it to be good and now I'm posting the first chapter here. If you liked it, if you have any questions or if you wanna give suggestions please tell me. I'm gonna mix elements from Mob 100 and OPM, but this story will be mostly settled in the Highschool DxD universe, only that my characters will be Espers instead of Sacred Gear users or magicians, look forward to it!