Ultimately.
To creatures that revere power, words are the palest of things.
Just like male lions meeting on a wasteland, what determines their mutual status is never who roars the loudest, nor whose mane is the sleekest. Rather, it is whose fangs and claws are sharper, capable of tearing open the other's throat.
Thus, as a martial arts fanatic, Amou Kirukiru was not only well-versed in this path but was also a fanatical follower of this creed.
"A wise choice."
"I have received your desire."
"Although the current you is merely an uncut rough stone..."
"As long as you follow me, there will come a day when even the gods in the heavens will marvel at your edge."
"Now, rise."
Having spoken, Haimer looked toward the glass window.
His gaze penetrated the layers of school buildings, landing on a secluded direction deep within the academy.
There.
An extremely faint, yet abnormally keen aura was probing the commotion here.
Meanwhile.
Upon hearing this, Amou Kirukiru did not act coy; she stood up crisply and casually wiped a trace of blood from the corner of her mouth.
"Next."
"Follow me to meet the others."
Haimer wasted no more words, turning to leave.
Amou Kirukiru froze for a moment, then immediately followed two steps behind, her tone carrying undisguised arrogance.
"Others?"
"In this academy..."
"Are there any other existences worthy of your gaze?"
This was not conceit. It was a statement based on facts. After all, in this academy she had ruled for so long, the so-called Supreme Five Swords had all become her defeated opponents.
Regarding this.
"Whether they are qualified or not is not for you to judge."
"It is for me."
Haimer's indifferent voice drifted over.
Amou Kirukiru immediately ceased her doubts, her body following behind with extreme obedience.
After all.
This was the judgment of that God who was stronger than her.
...
...
The corridors of Aichi Symbiosis Academy were spacious and bright.
Only at this moment, the hallway that should have been full of noise appeared abnormally deathly silent.
Although that Divine Might, which felt like the sky collapsing, had already been retracted, the lingering fear still kept those ordinary students hiding in their classrooms, not daring to show their heads.
Now, on the corridor.
There were only two figures walking one after the other. The sound of footsteps echoed in the silence, appearing exceptionally distinct.
"They're here."
Haimer suddenly stopped.
His gaze was cast toward the corner at the end of the corridor.
There.
Two figures were blocking the inevitable path.
The one on the left. Short black hair, set off by a school uniform with a black collar.
What was eye-catching was the white Hannya demon mask covering the upper half of the girl's face. Hideous, twisted, revealing an ominous aura, it concealed the girl's countenance tightly, revealing only a pair of bottomless eyes and tightly pursed lips.
Aside from that.
That girl's right thumb was pressed against the sword guard of the katana at her waist. The blade revealed an inch of cold light. It was the starting stance, ready to draw and slash at any moment.
In contrast.
The aura of the girl standing half a body's length behind her right was significantly weaker. Pink short hair, hands tightly clutching a black telescopic baton.
Although she also wore the uniform symbolizing the privilege to be armed, and even had a badge symbolizing status pinned to her chest, those somewhat dodging eyes and slightly trembling legs unreservedly exposed the uneasiness in her heart.
—Onigawara Rin.
One of the core members of the Supreme Five Swords who armed and ruled Aichi Symbiosis Academy.
And her follower. The Second Seat of the Five Swords.
—Mozunono.
With just a single glance, Haimer recognized the identities of the two girls blocking the way.
...
"Halt!"
"A man I've never seen before."
"How did you sneak into this academy?"
"And..."
Onigawara Rin's gaze bypassed Haimer, landing on Amou Kirukiru behind him. Through the eyeholes of the mask, one could see her pupils contract violently.
"Amou Kirukiru..."
"You are actually following behind this man?"
"This isn't like your style."
Seeing this scene, Onigawara Rin even felt it was somewhat absurd. That Empress, who was so arrogant she regarded no one but herself and had defeated the academy's Five Swords one by one, was currently following closely half a step behind this man.
Even when Amou Kirukiru faced the Headmaster, Onigawara Rin had never seen such a posture.
"Does what I do have anything to do with you?"
"Also, move aside."
"I don't have time to play house with you children right now."
Upon hearing this, a trace of hostility instantly flashed through Amou Kirukiru's narrow eyes.
She had just found a new goal named 'God' and was in a state of fanatical excitement. Now facing questioning from a former defeated opponent, Amou Kirukiru's only reaction was annoyance and a desire to crush her.
After all, although she was as docile as a cat in front of Haimer, that did not mean she lacked fangs and claws before others.
Because of this, the tyrannical aura Amou Kirukiru had managed to suppress showed signs of spiraling out of control.
"Playing house?"
"Such a massive anomaly occurred just now, and the entire academy has entered a state of maximum alert."
"As a member of the Five Swords, I have a responsibility to eliminate all uncertain factors."
"Amou Kirukiru, even you cannot ignore the school rules at a time like this."
Onigawara Rin was clearly stung by that term, her voice raising in pitch. The fingers resting on her sword guard also tightened slightly.
"Moreover..."
"The aura on this man is very dangerous."
"I must investigate his identity clearly."
Having said that, Onigawara Rin locked her gaze dead onto Haimer. This keen intuition actually made Haimer think a bit more highly of her.
After all, when animals face a natural predator, they usually have two reactions: flee, or fight to the death. Onigawara Rin had obviously chosen the latter.
"Want to investigate?"
Amou Kirukiru let out a scoff, just about to step forward and teach this ignorant fellow a lesson.
However.
A hand barred the way in front of Amou Kirukiru. Haimer stopped her.
Since this trip was to recruit a Familia, and they happened to meet, there was no harm in attempting recruitment. After all, Onigawara Rin's swordsmanship talent wasn't bad, just reaching the standard.
However.
Onigawara Rin's heart as a swordsman was in disorder.
Because combining the information fed back from the memories of his past life... Her reason for wearing a ghost mask was that her mother loathed her resemblance to the father who ran away with a lover, thus she was forced by her mother to wear the mask since childhood. Even after leaving home to live at school, she hadn't changed this habit.
This was not good.
Because it related to the ancient sword style Onigawara Rin practiced—Kashima Shinden Jikishinkage-ryu.
This ancient sword style emphasizes the spiritual cultivation of tempering the mind and courage. Its scroll, 'The Ten Evils', explicitly forbids ten types of character flaws such as arrogance, greed, and fear.
The training process requires achieving perfection of personality through internal cultivation, believing that improvement in swordsmanship must be accompanied by the elevation of moral character.
Practitioners of the Edo period were required to realize the realm of 'Sword and Zen as One' during wooden sword training, combining technical training with Zen meditation.
Yet.
The current Onigawara Rin was clearly running in the opposite direction of the ancient sword style she learned. She sealed her self beneath the mask, attempting to gain a false sense of security through an outward hideousness.
This in itself was a form of escape.
But the sword will not smile upon a fugitive.
[Author's Note: Being roasted that the protagonist's name sounds bad. Dear readers, do you think this is good, or was the previous one better? The author is considering changing it back. The name inspiration is Oppenheimer.]
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