Volume 4
Side Story 4
Be Satisfied
with What You Have, and Still Strive to be Better
Translator : PolterGlast
―Early Morning After the Festival
The autumn sky was
clear but still held a hint of chill. A lonely gust of wind whipped around Saki
Rindou, causing her to pull her collar tighter over her clothing.
She blew into her numb
fingers, trying to warm them. Heat danced between her fingers before
dissipating into the cool air.
The clanging of a
tram's bell signaled its departure, filled with passengers. As the vehicle sped
away, Saki lingered behind the bustling crowd.
―The people of the Central Capital were in danger at
one point, but life was already on the verge of getting back on its feet.
With a sense of
relief, she watched the throngs of people and then began to walk again, her
pace gradually quickening.
The Kannamesai
Festival, their greatest concern, had gone smoothly. As Central Capital
returned to its daily routine, so too did Akira and Saki.
Hurrying down a street
still bearing the scars of the disaster, Saki entered the garrison's training
camp. Beyond the open sliding door, she heard the shouts of the trainees.
"Offensive step! Overhead
stance!"
"Sei! Sei! Sei!
Se~ii!!"
The young trainees,
covered in sweat, repeatedly practiced their basic stances with perfect form.
They cycled through the five stances in a harmonious sequence.
Saki, while calming
her tanden, stood beside Akira, who was practicing with a wooden sword in a
separate area. They were in their usual positions. Without a word, they both
swung their weapons down from overhead.
"Alright, that's
enough for sword swings."
""Thank
you!""
Akira and Saki replied
in unison to Genji's instruction.
Clang, Akira's spirit
weapon clattered to the ground. He coughed, his breath shallow. Sweat dripped
down his face, blurring his vision.
"Are you alright,
Akira-kun?"
"―Yes."
Saki asked, her voice
also tinged with fatigue.
The other trainees,
who were getting ready to leave, looked at them curiously.
Their doubts were
natural. After all, from an outsider's perspective, there was no significant
difference in the training time between Akira, Saki, and the other trainees.
"You must be
tired, right? This is how you'll feel if you are not relying on the blessing of
the spirits.
―It's a great opportunity for your body."
"That's true,
but... Uncle, what's the point of this?"
Saki protested weakly.
Genji had assigned
them a training regimen that involved using concealment to suppress their
external abilities and training without using their internal energy as well.
"Without the
blessings of spirits and divine pillars, all you have left is your own body.
Even among the trainees, who currently receive the blessings of low-ranked
spirits, the difference would be obvious if there were none at all."
She didn't expect an
answer, but Genji replied casually, contrary to Saki's expectations.
"Akira, when you
first started learning spirit techniques, do you remember that you had combat
training against Saki-ojou?"
"…I remember
losing to Saki."
"I explained
before that it was simply a difference in pure training. But to be more
accurate, it's whether or not you're fully utilizing your blessings."
Light footsteps echoed
on the wooden floor as the young trainees left one by one, offering their
greetings.
"The battles of
the guardians are primarily based on the use of spirit power. No matter what,
the strength of a guardian ultimately depends on their blessings."
In the quiet dojo,
Genji's calm voice resounded.
While blessings could
be broadly categorized, their effects varied greatly. They could provide
protection from illnesses, reduce injuries, increase resistance to miasma, or
enhance the quantity of spirit power. The blessings of high-ranked spirits, in
particular, unconsciously supported their hosts in significant ways.
"But the strength
of a blessing can also compensate for the pain your body should feel. Akira,
have you forgotten how you used to cough up blood during training half a year
ago?"
Akira nodded weakly in
agreement with Genji's observation. He was acutely aware of how much less
strenuous his training had become compared to half a year ago.
"A decline in
physical fitness is nothing more than a deterioration of the vessel that
receives the blessing. This training is essential for fully enjoying the
benefits of your blessing."
While Saki, being a
woman, was often overlooked, it was an area she could no longer ignore if she
were to stand alongside the guardians of the Eight Families.
—The same was true for Akira, who had been promoted to
one of the Eight Families.
Until now, Akira had
only fought relying on his powerful blessings.
In addition to his
immense blessings, he had the ability to learn spirit techniques simply by
seeing them. Even with these abilities, he could not compensate for the reality
of his physical limitations.
He was forced to
realize that there was a limit to what he could do.
---
Half an hour later,
Yuge Kojou, accompanied by Nakiri Jin, entered the training hall.
Due to it being a
holiday, there were few people around. Seeing this, Jin snorted and shrugged.
"…Gosh, aren't
they all gone already?"
"If Genji doesn't
start training before sunrise, I'll be surprised if it doesn't snow
tomorrow."
After all, he was even
sleeping in a garrison room, using the fact that he had not been using it as an
excuse.
Kojou couldn't imagine
his friend wasting a precious day off doing anything other than training.
He pushed open the
sliding door, making it creak.
"Se~eriaa~a~a~!!"
"Your side is
open! Don't raise your waist!"
The sudden shouts
confirmed Kojou's imagination.
The wooden swords
clashed, and in a single exchange, one was knocked aside. Akira withstood the
force that threatened to sweep him off his feet, relying solely on his core
strength.
Disregarding the
tingling in his biceps, Akira quickly measured the distance.
—About 5.5 meters.
Phew. Akira lowered
his stance and closed the distance. Genji, on the other hand, maintained an
overhead stance, waiting.
Genji's fighting style
was essentially one: an overhead stance that directly countered techniques. His
stance, which implicitly rejected the use of any supplementary techniques, made
both defense and evasion difficult.
For the inexperienced
Akira, taking the initiative against Genji was an absolute requirement.
With a speed that
seemed like teleportation, he darted forward. He landed his left heel firmly,
striking with a horizontal strike from a side stance.
Clash. The wooden
sword shrieked as the surface of the oak was shaved off. The clash of blades
dully echoed over and over again.
"Don't rely on
speed! Endure with your core!"
"―Haaaa!!"
With each attack that
lacked precision, Genji would deliver a counterattack and a scolding. Despite
the seemingly impossible demands given their difference in physique, Akira
managed to keep up.
The intense clash of
blades filled the air, yet there was no trace of spirit energy. The battle was
fierce, but the spirits remained calm.
---
After his turn, Akira
exchanged places with Saki. Leaning against the plastered wall, he took a deep
breath. He felt a male presence beside him. He had noticed someone entering the
dojo.
And he was also aware
that it was someone he had gotten to know well recently.
"Training your
body by suppressing your spirit to the limit... It's important when you reach a
high level, but I didn't expect you to be at that stage already."
"Yuge-sama. Are
you here to see Captain Asogi?"
"Genji is just a
side note. I'm here to see you today."
Akira noticed that
Yuge Kojou's gaze was fixed on him. Even among the Three Imperial Families and
Four Sovereigns, and even among the Eight Families, it was undeniable that the
charm of Kanna-no-Mikura was irresistible.
Facing the boy who
held such coveted value, the strongest person in Takamagahara spoke in a gentle
tone.
"The Jinrouin
family and Kagura-sama have returned to Hakudo Province.
...All due to the fact
that the Sanazaki clan was corrupted."
"Even
Shiro-sama's golden eyes couldn't see through Nurarihyon?"
It was a well-known
fact that Tsukishiro, the great divine pillar of Hakudo Province, possessed
golden eyes that could see through everything.
As far as he had
heard, those eyes had never missed a deception.
"Even golden eyes
aren't omnipotent.
There were no rumors
about the Sanazaki family, so there was no reason to suspect anything."
"A method to
deceive divine oracles. What a troublesome trick."
"It wasn't that
big of a deal. Although Sanezaki Yukitsuna had been in office for a long time,
he had been governing the territory very properly."
"Ravana being
proper?
...No, I see. That's
what you mean."
It was a surprisingly
mild assessment for a Ravana impersonator.
A question came to
mind, but Akira shook his head and switched his thoughts.
"Was the Sanazaki
family a route to infiltrate Santen-ryō?
If they were to be
suspected and deemed unworthy of being one of the Eight Families, it would be a
disaster."
"According to the
report, they had been leaving the territory frequently on business lately.
That period coincides
with the activities of the [Holy Church of Guidance]. It's likely when he had
to lead the [Holy Church of Guidance] as Padre."
For Hakudo Province,
the [Holy Church of Guidance] was nothing more than a trans-provincial
organization.
Shuka's oracle, as
well as Benedetta's, were vague and lackluster.
"Anyway, I plan
to return to Hakudo Province as soon as my business in Central Capital is
finished.
I thought I'd see you
and Asogi one last time."
"Thank you for
all your help, Yuge-sama."
"Don't mention
it. It might be impolite, but it's been quite exciting for me lately.
...Ah, there's one
more thing I wanted to ask."
Kojou, who had been
leaning against the wall as if his business was finished, turned around.
His tone was
unexpectedly sincere, and it was imbued with a curiosity that could not be
concealed.
"Yes?"
"What kind of
technique was Kagetsu Koukou?
To be honest, I didn't
expect you to be able to see through it."
A secret technique of
the Ugetsu clan that instantly accelerates spirit power and allows for the
immediate use of water-based spirit techniques. Kojou mentioned that he
couldn't gather more details from his fragmented conversations with Souma
Ugetsu.
"If you don't
want to answer..."
"Simply put, it's
a technique that directly forces Aragamioroshi into the spirit weapon."
Catching Kojou as he
was about to withdraw, Akira spoke up. He hesitated slightly, but he knew that
if it were Kojou, he would eventually discover the truth.
Souma had been too
careless in revealing it to others. This spirit technique was difficult to
replicate in many ways. So, Akira decided to be honest and earn some favor.
"As a
prerequisite, there was no difference between fire and water elements when
using Aragamiorosh.
So, there should be no
difference in the spirit power as internal power."
This was a fact that
Akira, as Kanna-no-Mikura, had been able to discern.
Spirit techniques are
broadly divided into two categories: internal and external power. The spirit
power takes on the attributes of the five elements when it is poured into the
spirit weapon as external power.
The heavy, unwavering
quality of water made it unsuitable for direct use in spirit techniques.
Therefore, by radiating it from the spirit weapon and accelerating it, the
stability and power of the spirit technique are increased.
Considering only the
aspect of acceleration, there is not much difference between Kagetsu Koukou and
Aragamioroshi. The difference lies in internal and external power, that is,
between a spirit weapon and a body.
Kagetsu Koukou is
simply a matter of realization. It's just a realization of directly pouring the
accelerated spirit power, which is Aragamioroshi, into a spirit weapon.
"In other words,
Kagetsu Koukou is Aragamioroshi directed at the spirit weapon."
"It's easy to
say."
"It's a simple
technique that anyone knows. But its application is so delicate that there are
countless challenges to overcome."
Accelerating internal
power and converting it into external power. If there was any residual spirit
power remained, it would interfere with the accelerated spirit power and cause
an explosion.
Akira had experienced
such an explosion when he first used it.
"That's just a
matter of my skill.
...I'm grateful. It
feels like I've seen a new era."
"No, I think you,
Yuge-sama, would be able to refine its use even further."
"Well, I expect
that will be your role.
...When I was talking
with Fuwa-dono, your name came up."
Kojou changed the
subject, recalling his recent meeting with Fuwa Noriyori. Although they had
only met once, he felt a sense of familiarity. Noriyori was the older brother
of Fuwa Naotoshi, his former mentor.
"I see..."
"We are the
closest in age among the Eight Families. Despite our past, we were friends.
He was worried about
you. Given the events of 400 years ago, he can't help but be concerned."
"Is that
so?"
"You may have
your own thoughts, but you should listen to his advice.
...For now, will you
be returning to Karen?"
Akira smiled wryly,
realizing the accuracy of Kojou's observation.
His heart wavered
between Tsudzura and Karen, unable to decide where he truly belonged.
Ultimately, even Akira
couldn't see the answer.
Before he knew it,
Genji and Saki had finished their training.
Kojou took a step
towards Genji to conclude his business.
"Speaking of
which, as a token of gratitude for teaching me Kagetsu Koukou..."
"There's no need
for gratitude."
"Well, listen.
It's only fair to return knowledge with knowledge, isn't it?"
Without waiting for a
response, Kojou began to speak.
"You know that
spirit techniques are broadly divided into three levels: Shoden, Chuden, and
Okuden.
There is a strict
order to this."
"Is it based on
power and difficulty?"
Akira's simple
question earned a nod from Kojou.
Spirit techniques, in
essence, are techniques that involve infusing spirit power into martial arts.
Their primary purpose
is to enhance martial skills.
The type of spirit
technique depends on what aspect of martial arts one wishes to enhance, such as
power, range, or area of effect.
"In Shoden, you
typically focus on enhancing one aspect. In Chuden, you either focus on
multiple aspects or specialize in one."
"And
Okuden?"
"You reach the
pinnacle of your five elements."
Akira looked down at
his palm, pondering Kojou's brief answer.
The use of Higannue,
an Okuden technique, still burned vividly in his mind.
"There is no
level beyond Okuden because everyone is convinced that it is the final level.
...But don't you think
that's a bit disappointing? Because spirit power is inherently limitless."
"There's a level
beyond Okuden?"
"I think so, and
so do others with ambition. That would be the Kyokuden (the ultimate
technique), the one yet to be discovered."
With his eyes shining
like a child's, the strongest person in Takamagahara exclaimed.
If one reaches Okuden
by mastering the five elements, then what comes next?
"To transcend the
five elements. That is the ultimate goal of spirit techniques."
No one has ever
reached this realm. However, there are two spirit techniques that are
considered the closest.
"Those are
Ugetsu's Kagetsu Koukou and my Tenrai. Both of them are on the verge of going
beyond the existing system."
"So that's why
you wanted to know about Kagetsu Koukou.
...I'm sorry to
disappoint you but it's merely an application of Aragamioroshi."
Kojou smiled wryly at
Akira's murmur.
Akira already had a
glimpse of it, he just hadn't noticed it yet.
Perhaps Akira would be
the first to reach Kyokuden.
Looking at Akira, who
was bewildered, Kojou turned away.
-----
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