Volume 5 Chapter 34 [Interlude] Training In Secret With Tenhou And Ouka
"Hey, Tenhou."
"Hm? What's up, Shouou?"
"Can you help me train with the Mirror of Shadows Reflection?"
That request came from Shouou one quiet afternoon.
The Mirror of Shadows Reflection was one of the Four Fiends—Chaos Arts.
Its effect: to erase the self and become a mirror that reflects all, allowing one to perceive everything within their surroundings.
When fully mastered, it grants the user the ability to evade attacks effortlessly—
Not just that, it also sharpens one's senses enough to anticipate the enemy's moves and land the first strike. A true counter technique.
Shouou was currently learning this skill under Master Raikou.
However, she hadn't reached the point where she could use it proficiently.
That's why she sought to practice until it felt natural.
"I understand. What would you like me to do?"
"Well..." She paused, thinking. "Could you walk around while suppressing your presence?"
After a brief silence, she spoke again.
"I'll face the wall over there," she said, pointing to the far corner. "While I do, you can move however you like. I'll try to follow your movements using the Mirror of Shadows Reflection."
"Alright."
"Thanks. Let's begin."
Shouou moved quietly to the corner of the room, standing with her back to me.
I took in a slow breath, calming my spirit.
Then, I began moving, focusing on minimizing my presence as much as possible—
a practice that aligned well with my sword forms.
From the Five Divine Sword Techniques—I began with Seiryuu Transformation.
Though I had no blade in hand, I let my arms trace the motion of an ever-shifting dragon.
Silently, I transitioned into Storm of the Lurking Dragon King.
Careful not to brush the ceiling, I gathered my inner energy—and landed softly, absorbing my own momentum.
Without pause, I flowed into the next form—Seiryuu Untenbu, a motion akin to a dragon soaring through drifting clouds.
Then—I stopped.
I held my breath, keeping still, and watched for her reaction.
Shouou, who had remained motionless, slowly tilted her head.
"...That was Seiryuu Dragon style, wasn't it?"
Her voice carried a hint of disappointment.
"It's too easy to follow. Can't you do something... less predictable?"
"Any suggestions?"
"For example... what if you tried to come at me from behind?"
Her tone was neutral. But the moment the words left her lips—
"N-No! Wait, that's not what I meant!!"
Flustered, Shouou waved her hands in panic.
A deep red flush crept up her ears and across her neck.
"I-I just meant, like... 'What if Tenhou came from behind?' for the sake of training!" she added quickly.
"Of course," I said, keeping my voice even.
"I want to try detecting a presence behind me using the Mirror of Shadows Reflection. It'd be good practice, right?"
"...But that could be risky."
"Then..." She paused. "What if, instead of an attack, you just... touched me?"
"Touch you... from behind?"
"Yeah. I'll try to dodge before you make contact. If I can't avoid it... well, then I still need more training."
"...So it's for training?"
"...Of course it's for training."
...Right. If it's for training, then there's no reason to refuse.
"Understood. Let's try it."
"R-Right. Please do."
"...Here I come."
"...Let's count together. One, two, three—"
"Then—one."
"Two."
"Saa—"
Thud.
"...!?"
Both Shouou and I turned at the same time.
A soft set of footsteps approached from the hallway.
"Brother! Kaou-sama! I brought you some tea!"
The voice belonged to Seirei.
"I figured you might be talking, but it's Kou family tradition to serve guests tea! So! I brought it! Brother, Kaou-sama, may I come in?"
"...Yes," I replied.
"I don't mind," Shouou added.
"Excuse me, then!"
The door slid open. Seirei entered, carrying a tray with a teapot and cups.
Her eyes quickly scanned the room, settling on us standing together in the corner.
"Brother and Kaou-sama... what were you two doing?"
"Martial arts training," I replied.
"Training?"
"Yes. It's to sense aura. Shouou faces away from me and tries to detect my movements purely by reading the flow of energy."
"I see, Seirei-kun," Shouou said, glancing over her shoulder.
"But it's too easy for me to sense Tenhou. I was thinking of trying something more challenging."
"Really?"
"Because... Tenhou and I are very close. I understand his movements almost instinctively."
"I see..."
"So, I wanted him to do something less expected. If not, I'd pick up on his actions too easily. That's the problem when two people know each other too well."
"...Ah."
"Thank you for the tea, Seirei-kun. I was just getting thirsty."
"I'm glad it's helpful."
"Let's drink together, Tenhou. Since Seirei-kun went through the trouble. Once we finish, we'll resume training..."
"Shall I assist?"
Suddenly, Seirei turned her gaze to me.
"Kaou-sama can read your movements too easily, right? Then maybe you need a new partner. I can help."
"You, Seirei-kun?"
"If it's me, I can make moves Kaou-sama wouldn't expect."
She reached out and gently took Shouou's hand.
"I believe I can help with your training. May I join you?"
"Seirei-kun makes a good point," Shouou said, turning toward me. "What do you think, Tenhou?"
"I agree."
Shouou had been able to read my movements too easily.
If the goal was to hone the Mirror of Shadows Reflection, then incorporating Seirei's unpredictability might actually raise the training's effectiveness.
Seirei's actions were often difficult to read—unconventional, even chaotic at times.
If Shouou could learn to sense and follow her movements, then perhaps it would signal real progress in mastering the technique.
"Then, Seirei, we'd appreciate your help. It may be a bit intense."
"That's fine. If it helps my brother, I'll do anything."
Seirei nodded with quiet determination.
"Just to confirm, Kaou-sama," she asked, her tone crisp, "should I move freely within the room, without a set pattern?"
"Exactly. Move however you like—so long as it's unpredictable."
"Understood."
After that, we took a moment to enjoy the tea Seirei had brought.
A brief pause, a quiet breath. Then—
"Let's resume, Shikei."
"Right. On the count of three, then."
"Got it. One."
"Two."
"Three."
Shouou turned to face the wall once more.
I began to move with careful, quiet steps, suppressing my presence as much as I could.
And then—Seirei moved.
"...Seirei?"
"...Shh."
She placed a finger gently against her lips.
Right. For this kind of training, silence was key.
But... why was she suddenly so close?
Without a sound, Seirei had wrapped her arms around my neck, her body pressed softly against mine.
She leaned into me, her weight shifting ever so slightly.
Though her lips didn't move audibly, I could feel the message in her intent—
This is part of the unexpected movement, wasn't it?
...I see.
This was her idea of unpredictable action—meant to confuse Shouou and raise the difficulty of the training.
It was... effective.
There was no discernible form, no technique—only instinct and spontaneity.
The way she clung to me resembled the form from the Heaven-Earth Guidance Technique—specifically, Grooming of the Monkeys, where practitioners attach closely to one another.
But this version clung from the front, not the back.
Certainly... this would catch Shouou off guard.
"...Tenhou? Seirei-kun? I can't tell your presences apart...?"
Shouou's voice wavered slightly.
Being pressed so close together, Seirei's and my presences were blending.
To separate them in such a state would require much sharper perception—precisely the kind of refinement the Mirror of Shadows Reflection demanded.
...Incredible.
Seirei had thought that far ahead.
"What is this feeling... Every time I reach out to sense your presence, something strange prickles inside me... Why...?"
Shouou's voice trembled. Her body seemed to sway with uncertainty.
Before I realized it, I had lifted Seirei into my arms—
cradled gently, as if in the Young Monkey Cradle form from the same Heaven-Earth Guidance Technique.
It was an advanced stance, typically for partner balance and harmony.
Still... this was too close.
In the standard form, you didn't place your hands on your partner's cheeks, nor bring them this near.
We were close enough to feel each other's breath.
"...Seirei? Are you... sleepy?"
Her eyes had grown soft, lids half-lowered with a dreamlike haze.
"Why can't I separate your presences? Where are you, Seirei-kun...?"
Shouou clutched her head, tapping her feet against the floor.
Then, with a sudden burst of clarity—
"I get it! The reason I can't tell you apart is because you're clinging to each other! You're like one single creature now! That's why your presence is fused—"
She spun around, charging toward us.
"That's it! Thanks to you two, I feel like my sensing ability has evolved! Thank you, Seirei-kun!"
"You're welcome."
"...Mmph."
Shouou puffed her cheeks in frustration.
Even if this was all in service of Mirror of Shadows Reflection training... perhaps we went a bit too far.
I simply went along, thinking it would deepen the challenge.
In hindsight, maybe I should've been more careful.
"Well then," Shouou said, flashing a sharp smile, "now it's your turn, Tenhou."
"My turn?"
"I want to see how you handle sensing presence. I'd like to observe your approach and use it as reference."
"Of course."
Since she had just managed to isolate our fused presences, she was probably hoping to capture that sense before it faded.
"I'll take the corner of the room, then. Shikei—"
"Yes. I'll attack from behind. Or rather—I'll do something unexpected."
"...Didn't you just say 'attack'?"
"Just a figure of speech."
"Is that so?"
"Absolutely. Then Tenhou will stand over there—"
"I want to help too!!"
Suddenly, Seirei raised her hand high.
"If I help again, we'll get better results! I'm sure of it! Please, let me join!"
"Seirei-kun really isn't backing down, is she..."
"I won't!"
"Alright then. Let's proceed fairly."
"I knew Kaou-sama would say that."
"I respect your initiative."
"And I'm happy to stand beside you, Kaou-sama."
"The honor's mine."
"That's my line."
"...Um, what exactly are you two doing?"
"Tenhou (Brother) is going to the corner of the room (please and thank you~)"
"...Understood."
Pressed by their momentum, I stepped toward the designated corner.
As I turned my back to them, a countdown began.
"Ready, Tenhou? One, two..."
"My heart is prepared. Nin—"
"Three!!"
What happened next... is better left unspoken.
Out of respect for all involved, the record ends here.
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