"Alright, alright… so this is how we're playing it, huh?"
Kisaragi Akira's grin twisted into a laugh fueled by exasperation."I'll give you full marks for that little act of yours."
Unconsciously, Aizome had just played a subtle trick on him. And yet… there was nothing Akira could do about it.If anyone else had said such a thing, he would have scoffed.But it was Aizome—and that made all the difference.
Aizome ignored Akira's dramatic reaction and turned back to explaining the finer details of the Kidō patterns.
Thanks to his exceptional calligraphy skills, even his casual strokes carried a unique rhythm and depth.
Arcs of electricity danced and crackled through the air, the sparks tracing the delicate curvature of the pattern.The sharp, sizzling noises paired with the elegant arcs perfectly captured the essence of White Thunder.
Since it was only the Number 4 Breaking Spell, the pattern itself wasn't overly complicated.With Akira's talent, mastery would come quickly.
After a brief pause, Aizome asked,"Remember it?"
Akira nodded."Now, write it out in the style of White Thunder."
To be safe, Aizome decided to have him demonstrate first.He had taken too many losses from overconfidence in the past—better to be cautious.
Akira, unsuspecting, let his fingertips spark with electric arcs, tracing the Kidō pattern in an instant.
It wasn't quite as precise as Aizome's, but the overall form and details were perfectly correct.Seeing this, Aizome relaxed slightly and prepared for the third step.
"The next step is crucial."
"White Thunder's raw power is limited, but once the spiritual pressure reaches a certain threshold, its destructive potential is immense.""So you must be careful."
After repeated warnings, Aizome began explaining his latest research to Akira.
Ever since discovering the unusual changes in Akira's spiritual body, he had been conducting deeper analyses—occasionally taking a bit of blood or a strand of hair for observation.
To his surprise, when Aizome requested this, Akira didn't hesitate or question him.He simply offered his arm, trusting completely.
"We're friends, after all!" Akira said with a grin."Not life-or-death companions, but close friends."
Aizome had studied him intently, hoping to spot any trace of deceit in his eyes.He found none.Akira was pure—astonishingly, almost impossibly pure.
"Imprinting a Kidō pattern isn't just about sketching marks on the body."Aizome's tone grew serious."Many have tried this approach before… all failed."
"A regular Shinigami's spiritual body has a limit to what it can sustain.""Without spiritual pressure defenses, even a normal sword strike can injure it.""Let alone Kidō."
"So, to imprint a Kidō pattern, the body must first be able to withstand its destructive force…"
He deliberately avoided technical jargon, describing the method in simple terms.But he may have overestimated Akira's patience—or underestimated his trust.
"None of that matters." Akira waved a hand."Just tell me what to do."
Aizome sighed, unsurprised.This kid seemed allergic to thinking unnecessarily.
"It's simple."
"Imprint the Kidō pattern into your flesh.""Let the spiritual particles in your body flow along the paths of the pattern."
Aizome was about to caution him further, but Akira had already begun.
Electric arcs flickered and darted across his body, stabbing with sharp pain that made him reflexively curl and twist.But Akira's iron will overcame it quickly.Early struggles in the Reverse Bone District had forged his determination to steel-hard levels.
Moments later, his face lit up with triumph."Yes! I did it!"
As the words left his lips, the arcs faded and merged into his body, leaving a single streak of lightning on his left pinky finger—the Kidō pattern of White Thunder.
"Notice any changes?" Aizome asked, his voice betraying the slightest tension.
Akira moved, testing his body carefully.Soon, he executed a series of complex motions flawlessly, as if a fledgling eagle were taking flight.
"Overall strength has improved.""And now… this!"
He opened his fingers, sending arcs of white lightning dancing into intricate, interwoven patterns.Under his control, the sparks briefly formed a youth wearing suspenders, then a proud little chick.
When he tried combining both images, Aizome suddenly interrupted:"Perfect mastery of White Thunder… almost instinctual?"
Akira blinked, then nodded.
"Energy consumption?"
"Same as before."
Aizome pondered this.The success was expected—White Thunder was relatively weak, and Akira's current spiritual body could handle it easily.Even a direct strike from another White Thunder wouldn't cause serious injury.
Yet the results were still impressive.Remember, White Thunder was just the Number 4 Breaking Spell—far weaker than double-digit or high-level Kidō.If imprinting White Thunder could yield such results… what might happen with the Scarlet Cannon?Or Thunder Roar, Twin Lotus Azure Flame, Flying Dragon Thunder Strike, or the Black Coffin?
Aizome calmed himself and turned his gaze to Akira, who was experimenting with integrating White Thunder into swordplay, Hakuda, and Shunpo.A small smile curved his lips.
"White Thunder is just the beginning. The main event starts now.""You've mastered the Scarlet Cannon from Tessai-sensei's class, right?"
Akira nodded and demonstrated with practiced skill.
"This is the Kidō pattern for Scarlet Cannon."Aizome traced a new pattern in the air with his fingertip.
"When did you…?" Akira started, then seemed to remember something and clamped his mouth shut."Forget it. Never mind."
Once Akira had the Scarlet Cannon pattern, he began to experiment.Neither he nor Aizome had anticipated the difficulty.
Immediately, his face flushed crimson, blood rushing to his head.
Aizome's expression shifted sharply as he reached to intervene.Suddenly, a surge of scorching heat burst from Akira, crimson flames erupting in the dojo and drawing countless gazes.
Tessai, who had just returned, froze in awe at the blaze, muttering,"A true talent…"