Yōtsuki: "Yes, our training is essentially complete. Of course, it is not enough yet. From now on, we will intensify it. Every exercise you have done so far, you will now do twice as much. Then three times, four times, and more. After two months, we will begin meditation. Slowly, you will start to feel your Reikyō awakening."
Yōtsuki continued training his students relentlessly. Each of them progressed at a steady pace. As the village's guardians, the early stages posed little difficulty. However, when the training increased to three times their usual workload, exhaustion began to show. Their breathing grew heavy, muscles screamed in protest.
At that point, Yōtsuki introduced katana training and instructed them to bring their swords.
Yōtsuki: "Look at these katanas. Their condition is unacceptable. We will replace them. After that, the training will increase to four times the usual workload—and this time, with the katana."
Morizuki, drenched in sweat, raised his head and looked at Yōtsuki.
Morizuki: "Four times?! I'm done, sir. I can't go any further."
Yōtsuki: "I am not forcing you. But remember this—if your village is attacked again, if your family is in danger, I will not be there to protect them if you fail to act."
The wind passed through the clearing. Morizuki's eyes fell upon the grass swaying under its touch. Memories surged forth—helplessness, fear, the screams of his village.
Morizuki: "Haah… You're right, sir. I'll continue. My family comes before everything."
Engetsu: "Keep whining like that, and I'll surpass you and crush you beneath my feet, Morizuki."
Morizuki: "We'll see, Engetsu. I'll be the one who makes you give up."
Suddenly, silence enveloped them—broken only by the faint sound of crunching.
Hyōgetsu: "Mm… delicious!"
All eyes turned toward him. Hyōgetsu froze, his face flushing red as he hurriedly hid the crackers behind his back.
Engetsu: "Hahaha! Look at our cool-headed boy!"
Morizuki: "Haha! You've got crumbs on your face, Hyō!"
(Yōtsuki smiled.)
"Thus begins the journey of precious memories and loyalty."
Night fell quietly. One by one, the students drifted into sleep. Yōtsuki remained awake, leaning against a tree as a gentle yet cold wind brushed past him. His hair swayed softly. Beside him rested a bottle of homemade wine, dense with the essence of grapes. Its surface reflected his face.
Tears often fall from sorrow—but Yōtsuki's tears flowed as his lips curved into a faint smile. These were tears of joy, born from memories long past.
Yōtsuki: "I will entrust my search to others. I will walk with them, so they may find the purpose they lack. I will be loyal. And if necessary… I will die for them. You would have wanted this too, wouldn't you, my love?"
Dawn broke in brilliant light. The sun rose high. The students awakened, answered their mothers' calls, ate hastily, and rushed to the training grounds. Even now, they could feel something stirring within their veins.
They stretched, warmed up, and ran—everyone except Hyōgetsu.
Yōtsuki: "Hyōgetsu, late again."
Hyōgetsu: "Sorry."
Yōtsuki: "If you continue like this, you will fall behind your friends. Begin immediately."
Hyōgetsu: "Okay."
After completing their run around the forest, the students collapsed in place.
Morizuki: "Haah… haaah… I'm done."
Sweat drenched them all.
Yōtsuki: "Sit down."
Engetsu: "What? But the training isn't over yet."
Yōtsuki: ""This is training—meditation. A journey to the place where your soul will meet you. Now that your bodies are ready, your souls will accept the meeting."
Engetsu: "And how does that happen?"
Yōtsuki: "Empty your mind. Within the void, you will find your soul."
Morizuki: "I don't understand… yet somehow, I do. I'll try!"
Morizuki sat down, assuming a meditation posture. The others followed.
Yōtsuki: "Erase everything from your thoughts. There is an easy way—focus on something simple. Fruit yogurt, for example. Nothing else. When the time comes, even that must disappear."
Morizuki: "Rice pudding… rice pudding… hmmm…"
Engetsu: "Say it in your head!"
Hyōgetsu had already drifted far beyond—into the depths of souls and distant universes.
(Inside Hyōgetsu's mind)
Hyōgetsu: "Cold… Why is it so cold?"
He stood upon a frozen lake, surrounded by endless snow-covered mountains.
A distant voice echoed.
???: "The power you seek… should it flow through your body as well?"
Hyōgetsu: "Who are you? Where are you?"
???: "Behind you…"
Hyōgetsu turned.
Hyōgetsu: "What...? You look like a girl."
Hyōgetsu's Soul: "You already know what I am."
Hyōgetsu: "I think I do. You're my soul. I need power—power that flows through my body."
Hyōgetsu's Soul: "Why ask your own soul for help?"
Hyōgetsu: "To protect my family. To protect those I love. I will never allow my village to be harmed again. I refuse to rely on others ever again."
Hyōgetsu's Soul: "That is… sufficient."
She observed him quietly.
Hyōgetsu's Soul: "Touching me should be enough."
Hyōgetsu: "Touching?"
He reached out—
(Ice cracking sounds)
His body froze mid-motion.
Hyōgetsu: "What is this?!"
Hyōgetsu's Soul: "Are you not ready, Hyōgetsu?"
Hyōgetsu: "I am ready! Something is wrong."
He struggled, but the cold bound him completely.
Hyōgetsu: "Why can't I move?"
Hyōgetsu's Soul: "…"
Hyōgetsu: "Say something! Aren't you my soul? Come closer. Let me touch you."
Hyōgetsu's Soul: "If you were strong enough, you would have already done so."
Hyōgetsu: "I am strong enough. I trained for this. Please… hold my hand."
Silence.
Then, slowly, his soul stepped forward.
Hyōgetsu: "Closer… please."
She aligned her chest with the tip of his finger.
With all his strength, Hyōgetsu touched her.
The cold shattered. Warmth surged through him.
Hyōgetsu: "This… this is what I needed."
Hyōgetsu's Soul: "May I embrace you?"
Hyōgetsu: "Of course."
They embraced. The mountains dissolved into nothingness.
Hyōgetsu's Soul: "You will return, won't you?"
Hyōgetsu: "I will. Just stay with me in this world."
Hyōgetsu opened his eyes.
Yōtsuki stood before him.
Yōtsuki: "I knew you would awaken first. How was your journey?"
Hyōgetsu: "Strange… I feel different."
Yōtsuki: "Normal. Did you meet your soul?"
Hyōgetsu: "Yes."
Yōtsuki: "And contact?"
Hyōgetsu: "I did."
Yōtsuki: "Good. Now… we wait for the others."
Morizuki remained motionless.
(Inside Morizuki's mind)
He stood in a world of endless grass, flowers, and towering trees—
a forest more beautiful than any he had ever seen.