A few days later, deep within Tokyo Jujutsu High, inside Tombs of the Star Corridor.
Eichi came to find Tengen.
Currently, the two sat at a tea table. Besides tea and a fruit platter, there was also a large screen.
Of course, it wasn't an electronic screen but a Barrier Technique Tengen used to observe the outside world.
The two watched the images displayed on the barrier screen while sipping tea and eating fruit.
"There's one thing I've always been curious about."
Eichi rested one arm on the table, propping up his face. His expression looked very relaxed.
"What is it?"
Tengen asked, one hand supporting the bottom of the cup, the other gripping the body.
"This body isn't physical, right? Can something made from Barrier Techniques even taste food?"
Eichi was genuinely curious.
Ever since Tengen refused to assimilate with the backup star plasma vessel last year, her physical body began evolving, transforming into a higher Rank of life.
Because of that, Tengen's physical body was actually dormant beneath the great tree at the center of Tombs of the Star Corridor.
This thumb-sized form outside was a new body Tengen had created, enclosing her fading consciousness with Barrier Techniques.
This body wasn't made of flesh and blood.
So, seeing Tengen eating like normal made Eichi truly wonder.
"Oh, that."
Tengen put down her teacup.
"The soul has senses too."
She extended a hand that resembled a withered branch, or perhaps a clump of earth.
The color of her hand began to change, gradually becoming transparent.
"Though the soul's perception isn't as vivid as that of the physical body, it still experiences things."
Tengen's right hand, formed by Barrier Techniques, became fully transparent, with faint blue-white light points glowing inside.
Eichi recognized that as Tengen's consciousness, preserved through Barrier Techniques, containing a portion of her soul.
"Through this perception, the soul can sense the body, influence it, and even interfere with the world."
Tengen placed her transparent right hand on an apple.
Sizzle, sizzle.
Under the effect of the Barrier Technique, the apple was gradually decomposed and absorbed.
Eventually, it transformed into red and yellow light particles that appeared in Tengen's right hand.
"By perceiving the information within food, I can still 'taste' it the same way I did when I had a physical body."
She lifted her right hand. Originally slightly blue-white and transparent, it now had a red tint from the apple's skin and yellow from the flesh.
The colors faded gradually before being gathered and expelled from her palm.
"I see."
Eichi nodded.
"And going to the bathroom is way easier now."
Tengen, who had just picked up her tea again, paused.
She clearly hadn't expected Eichi to go there.
"It is indeed much more convenient."
Tengen's four eyes narrowed, offering a smile that was either embarrassed or benevolent.
"But I feel like I'd be missing out on a lot of life's fun."
Eichi scratched his head, his tone a bit troubled.
"Such as?"
"Like a good, satisfying trip to the bathroom~"
Eichi spread his hands.
"Hehe, but you gain new joys too, right?"
Tengen seemed already used to Eichi's way of thinking.
"Are you well-versed in the soul?"
Eichi continued asking.
"I know a little."
Tengen shook her head.
"What I do now is all based on research into Barrier Techniques, not true understanding of the soul."
"I see."
Eichi dropped the subject.
"After all this time, have you found anything?"
Eichi looked at the screen on the table.
He had to admit, this barrier screen was incredibly convenient. It could be deployed or stored at will, was ultra-thin and transparent, and had excellent clarity.
Lightweight, high-resolution, portable...
"Still nothing."
Tengen also turned to the screen.
She reached out and pulled the image, expanding the original view from a mountainous area of Mutsu to encompass the entire region.
After failing to locate Kenjaku's secret stash, no matter how hard he searched, Eichi came to consult Tengen.
Kenjaku's Barrier Techniques were exceptionally advanced.
Tengen had once said Kenjaku's Barrier Technique skills were second only to her own.
So it made sense that Eichi couldn't locate it by himself.
After all, Japan may be small compared to other countries, but scouring the whole nation for a hidden stash was still like looking for a needle in a haystack.
That was why Eichi came to Tengen.
Besides, there was something else he wanted to confirm.
"Speaking of which, what was going on in Sendai? So many Cursed Spirits were gathered in one place, and yet no one noticed."
Eichi leaned back in his chair, tone full of confusion—and complaint.
"It really is strange. It's hard to believe that so many Cursed Spirits were confined in the same place."
Tengen nodded.
"You think so too, right? To construct a concealed Barrier Technique like that, capable of imprisoning that many Cursed Spirits, the user would need high-level skill. Do you have any suspects?"
Eichi's gaze dropped slightly, concealing the suspicion in his eyes.
"A Barrier Technique of that level…"
Tengen raised her right hand, thumb and forefinger pinching her chin, deep in thought.
Eichi didn't interrupt, quietly waiting for the answer.
Tengen's response would determine Eichi's next move.
"The only one I can think of is Kenjaku."
After a long silence, Tengen spoke.
The doubt in Eichi's eyes eased significantly.
That was a good answer.
"Kenjaku? The one from last year's star plasma vessel incident?"
Eichi followed up.
"That's right. The only one with that level of Barrier Technique skill and the ability to control that many Cursed Spirits is him."
"Yeah, during that attack last year, he effortlessly led several Cursed Spirits into the Barrier Technique at Tokyo Jujutsu High. From that angle, he is definitely the most suspicious."
"What's his goal? It's been over a year. Have you discovered any clues?"
Eichi picked up his tea and took a sip.
"His goal… I only know he's been researching the possibilities of Cursed Energy."
"As for clues, he's very cautious. And since he's skilled in Barrier Techniques, he knows how to evade my detection."
Tengen responded calmly.
"I see…"
Eichi set down his teacup.
"So the omniscient and omnipotent Lady Tengen isn't actually omniscient or omnipotent…"
Eichi sighed.
"Indeed. 'Omniscient and omnipotent' is just something kids like to say."
"Even I have things I can't see through."
"Like what?"
Eichi perked up, interested.
"I can't see through people's hearts."
"Oh, that."
Eichi looked a little disappointed. That was too ordinary an answer.
"Actually, it's better not to be able to see through people's hearts."
"Hmm?"
Tengen gave Eichi a puzzled look.
"If I could see through people's hearts, today would be a lot more troublesome."
One of Eichi's Command Spells vanished.
"Come to my side, Medea."
(To be continued.)
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