"Now that we've decided on our general direction, there's something I want to ask Shion and Oliver. How exactly did the two of you become transcendents?"
At my question, Shion and Oliver briefly exchanged glances.
Shion was the first to speak.
"I kind of forced my way through the wall of the principles using the spirit's eye in my right eye with ice spirits. Man, that time was rough—blood tears came out of my eye, my head felt like it was splitting open, and then I was bedridden for several months afterward. What about you, Oliver?"
"Pretty similar for me. But I also had [Magic Convergence], so the pain wasn't as bad. I think I was only bedridden for about a week."
"What the heck, that's unfair!"
"What do you mean 'unfair'? You're the one who did something reckless by breaking through the wall of the principles with just a spirit's eye when you normally couldn't."
"I couldn't help it! If I didn't go that far, I wouldn't be able to catch up to Orun!"
Before we knew it, the two of them had started bickering.
It was a sight I had seen many times in our childhood, and I couldn't help but smile.
"You two really get along well."
Luna was also watching the pair with a warm smile.
"We're childhood friends, after all."
Fuuka cut into their exchange.
"The conversation is getting off track."
At Fuuka's words, both Shion and Oliver shrugged at the same time with slightly awkward expressions.
"…Yeah, you're right. This is supposed to be a serious discussion."
Shion scratched her cheek and looked away, while Oliver cleared his throat.
"Our stories end here."
Oliver tried to brush it off by raising his voice, then turned his gaze to Luna.
"That said, Luna is a user of [Spirit Domination]. When it comes to the spirits you can handle, you're far above the spirit's eye, so it might actually be easier for you, right?"
"…Me?"
Luna blinked in surprise.
"Honestly, in terms of pure talent, you're probably above both of them."
I also affirmed Oliver's words.
"If it's just breaking through the wall of the principles, Luna's power should be a huge help."
"…I see."
Luna took a small breath to steady herself, then looked up as if she had just remembered something.
"By the way… Fuuka, you're also a transcendent, right?"
"Yeah."
Fuuka nodded shortly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Um… how did you become a transcendent?"
At Luna's serious question, Fuuka thought for a brief moment before answering casually.
"I became one when I synchronized with the demon blade."
"..."
Shion and Oliver froze at the same time.
"I can handle youkai power, so I think my case is an exception."
Fuuka stated it plainly.
But the way she said it so nonchalantly somehow made it feel even heavier.
That was when I suddenly realized something.
"…Come to think of it, I've been meaning to ask this for a while. What exactly is youkai power? I know it's different from both magic power and ki, but I still don't really understand its true nature."
At my question, Fuuka stared into space for a while as if thinking, then answered, "I don't really understand it either."
I couldn't help but slump my shoulders.
"Well, you're the intuitive type, so I guess it can't be helped if you don't know."
Fuuka opened her mouth again in response to my shrug.
"That's why I'll make the one who knows the details explain it."
With that, she summoned her blade—White Cherry Blossom—from the storage magic tool at her waist.
Seeing it, both Shion and Oliver frowned in confusion.
"…Is that blade the one who knows the details?"
"No way, the sword isn't going to talk…"
Fuuka didn't answer. She quietly opened the guard of her sword.
The blade that peeked out began to emit a faint glow.
The once silver blade gradually took on a pale cherry-blossom hue.
"—Sakura Mochi, come out."
The moment she called, mist rose from the blade.
The mist swayed, gathered, and took shape.
What appeared was a fluffy, pale cherry-blossom-colored fox holding its round, bud-like tail close to its body.
Its four legs did not touch the ground; it floated gently in the air.
Its form, drifting as if freed from gravity, looked like nothing more than an adorable fluffy ball.
"That's why I told you to stop calling me that!"
The fox that appeared immediately shouted in protest.
The moment the fox glared sharply at Fuuka, a mysterious pressure mixed with its cuteness.
In contrast, Fuuka simply tilted her head.
"You said you didn't like the name 'Wataame,' right? So I changed it to 'Sakura Mochi.'"
"Don't mess with me! Why are all your name suggestions fluffy-sounding!?"
"U-Um, Fuuka… What is that fluffy, cute creature?"
Shion pointed hesitantly.
Fuuka answered matter-of-factly.
"My pet."
"Haaah!? Who the hell are you calling a pet!?"
Ignoring the fox's—Sakura Mochi's—protest, Shion cautiously reached out with both hands.
The moment her fingertips touched the cherry-colored fur, her expression completely changed.
"W-What is this fur…!? It's so fluffy and warm…!"
As Shion let out a sigh of admiration, Luna also jumped in and began enjoying the fluff.
"S-Stop it—! Don't pet me! I'm a being that humans should fear!"
Ignoring its desperate protests, the two of them freely indulged in petting Sakura Mochi.
The fox flailed wildly, but every time its round, bud-like tail was grabbed, it squished softly, looking exactly like a real sakura mochi.
"Yeah, the name Sakura Mochi really suits it."
When Fuuka said that proudly, the fox perked up its ears and screamed.
"That's why I told you to stop using that name!!"