More than four days had passed since Serena Yuuki began her training at the White Fox Temple, yet her progress remained far behind what she had hoped to achieve.
Every morning, she woke before sunrise, followed Tamayo to the training room, and attempted to gather the Spiritual Energy that surrounded her. Every afternoon, she repeated the same exercise until her fingers trembled with exhaustion and her patience wore dangerously thin. Even after dinner, she often found herself thinking about the leaf, replaying her failed attempts in her mind and wondering why something that seemed so effortless for her sister remained so frustratingly difficult for her.
It wasn't a lack of determination that held Serena back. If anything, her stubbornness was the very thing that kept her returning to the training room day after day. She had refused to give up when she first struggled to sense Spiritual Energy, and she still remembered the satisfaction she had felt when she finally managed to surround a leaf with a faint blue glow on her first day. That small success had convinced her that, with enough practice, she would master the technique in no time.
Unfortunately, the days that followed had taught her otherwise.
Gathering Spiritual Energy once was one thing. Learning to control it consistently without allowing her emotions to interfere was an entirely different challenge. Now, on the fifth day of her training, Serena was beginning to feel as though she had made no progress at all.
Morning sunlight filtered through the paper windows of the training room, casting pale golden rectangles across the polished wooden floor. The familiar scent of cedar lingered in the air, mingling with the faint fragrance of incense drifting in from the temple corridors. Outside, birds chirped cheerfully among the trees, their songs providing a peaceful backdrop to what had become Serena's least favorite daily activity.
Seated cross-legged on a cushion in the middle of the room, Serena stared intently at the small leaf resting between her fingers. Across from her, Tamayo watched with the patience of someone who had already explained the same lesson more times than she could count.
"Remember what I told you," Tamayo said calmly. "Don't try to force the Spiritual Energy into the leaf. Feel the energy around you, allow yourself to become aware of it, and guide it toward your target. You don't need to chase it."
Serena nodded without looking up. "I know."
"Then stop treating it like an enemy you're trying to defeat."
"I'm not!"
Tamayo raised an eyebrow, and Serena's indignant expression faltered.
"...I'm trying not to," she admitted.
Her older sister smiled faintly but offered no further comment. Serena took a slow breath and closed her eyes, concentrating on the air brushing against her skin, the warmth of the sunlight passing through the windows, and the quiet presence of the trees surrounding the temple. She tried to recall the sensation she had experienced on her first day, when she had finally felt the faint warmth of Spiritual Energy gathering around her fingertips.
There.
For a moment, something seemed to respond. Serena could almost feel the energy moving toward her hands, as though the world around her had become a little more noticeable. Carefully, she directed her attention toward the leaf and attempted to guide that sensation into its delicate surface.
A faint blue shimmer appeared along one of its edges.
Serena's eyes brightened.
There it is!
She concentrated, determined to hold on to the sensation this time. The glow spread slightly across the leaf, illuminating its veins with a delicate blue light. She could feel the energy gathering, and for one brief moment, she believed she had finally discovered the consistency she had been searching for.
Don't lose it. Don't lose it this time.
Her breathing became uneven as she focused on the faint glow. If she could maintain it, perhaps Tamayo would finally acknowledge that she had improved. Perhaps she could move on to the next lesson. Perhaps—
The blue light flickered.
Serena's eyes widened. "No, wait—!"
The glow vanished, leaving the leaf completely ordinary once again.
For several seconds, Serena sat motionless, staring at it between her fingers. Then her shoulders slumped, and a long, weary sigh escaped her.
"...Seriously?"
Tamayo remained silent, giving her younger sister a moment to collect herself. Serena looked down at the leaf as though it had personally betrayed her. She had been so close. She had felt the Spiritual Energy gathering and watched the blue glow spread across the surface. Yet the moment she began thinking about the result, her concentration had fallen apart.
Again.
It had happened so many times over the past several days that she was beginning to dread the exercise before she even started. She had tried breathing slowly, clearing her mind, and remembering Tamayo's instructions word for word, but nothing seemed to work for very long. Meanwhile, Tamayo could perform the same exercise as casually as someone picking up a cup.
Serena tightened her grip on the leaf.
"Why can't I do this properly?"
Tamayo tilted her head. "What was that?"
"Nothing."
Serena lowered her eyes and tried again. She released the leaf, placed it carefully on her open palm, and began the exercise from the beginning. Once more, she focused on the energy surrounding her, carefully guiding it toward her hand before attempting to direct it into the leaf.
A few seconds passed, followed by ten.
The familiar sensation began to return, and a faint blue glow appeared around the leaf. Serena held her breath as the light trembled at its edges. Determined not to repeat her previous mistake, she concentrated harder, trying to keep the energy steady.
The glow flickered again.
"No, no, no..."
She attempted to calm herself, but frustration had already begun creeping into her thoughts. The harder she tried to hold on to the energy, the more she worried about losing it. Her shoulders tensed, her breathing grew shallow, and her mind filled with the same anxious thoughts that had ruined her previous attempts.
The blue light disappeared.
Serena's expression darkened. She stared at the leaf lying in her palm, her fingers trembling slightly as the last of her patience slipped away. Unable to contain her frustration any longer, she seized the leaf between both hands and tore it apart.
The soft tearing sound seemed unusually loud in the otherwise quiet room.
"There!" Serena snapped, glaring at the torn pieces. "Happy now?!"
Tamayo blinked.
Serena immediately realized that she had just shouted at a leaf as though it were responsible for her failure. She dropped the torn pieces onto the floor and buried her face in her hands.
What am I even doing?
Her frustration wasn't really directed at the leaf. She knew that much. She was angry with herself for repeatedly making the same mistake, for losing control at the worst possible moment, and for failing to reproduce something she had already accomplished once before.
She wanted to become stronger. She wanted to learn her family's Cybernetic Protocol and stand alongside the people she admired. Most of all, she wanted to prove that her father's decision to allow her to continue her Geist training hadn't been a mistake.
Yet here she was, struggling with a single leaf.
Tamayo released a quiet sigh. She had watched Serena's expression change throughout the exercise. At first, her younger sister had been focused and determined, but as the failed attempts accumulated, frustration had gradually replaced concentration. By the time Serena tore the leaf apart, her mind had become so clouded with disappointment that continuing the lesson would accomplish very little.
"All right, Serena. That's enough for today."
Serena lowered her hands and looked up in surprise. "What?"
"We're stopping here."
"But I can still—"
"No."
Tamayo's voice remained gentle, but there was no uncertainty in it. Serena closed her mouth, and her older sister leaned forward slightly, resting her hands on her knees.
"You need a break."
Serena looked away. "But I haven't made any progress."
"You have."
"Then why does it feel like I'm getting worse?"
"Because you're measuring your progress by how many times you succeed instead of paying attention to what you're learning."
Serena frowned as Tamayo gestured toward the torn leaf on the floor.
"You've learned to recognize the sensation of Spiritual Energy. You've managed to gather it and direct it toward a target. What you're struggling with now is maintaining your concentration without allowing your emotions to interfere. And right now, your frustration is interfering with everything else."
Serena's cheeks warmed. "...I know."
"Do you?"
She glanced at her sister, who offered her a faint smile before continuing.
"You're so focused on becoming stronger that you've forgotten to give yourself time to learn. You keep trying to force the result, and every failure makes you more impatient. By the time you try again, you're already expecting yourself to fail."
Serena lowered her gaze. The words stung because she knew they were true. She had been treating every attempt like a test she needed to pass. Whenever the energy disappeared, she regarded it as another failure instead of an opportunity to understand what had gone wrong.
Tamayo gently picked up one of the torn pieces of the leaf and examined it before placing it on the small table beside her.
"Spiritual Energy isn't something you can control simply by wanting it badly enough. You have to understand it. That requires patience, and patience becomes difficult when your mind is overwhelmed by emotion."
She looked at Serena with a quiet seriousness.
"If you continue like this, you'll exhaust yourself without learning anything new. I don't want you to associate your training with nothing but frustration."
Serena remained silent for a moment before releasing a long sigh.
"...I'm sorry."
Tamayo's expression softened. "There's nothing to apologize for."
"But I lost my temper."
"That happens."
"I even tore the leaf apart."
"Fortunately, I don't think the leaf will be filing a complaint."
Serena stared at her.
Tamayo maintained a perfectly straight face for approximately two seconds before the corners of her mouth lifted.
"Although, considering how you've been treating it, I wouldn't blame it."
"Tamayo!"
Her older sister burst into laughter. Despite herself, Serena felt some of the tension leave her shoulders. She still wasn't happy with her performance, but the ridiculousness of the situation made it a little harder to remain completely miserable.
Tamayo stood and brushed the front of her clothes.
"Go outside for a while. Get some fresh air, clear your head, and come back when you're feeling better. You don't have to think about Spiritual Energy every second of the day."
Serena looked up at her. "Really?"
"Really. The temple isn't going anywhere."
Tamayo started toward the door, but she paused beside her younger sister and glanced back.
"And Serena?"
Serena turned toward her.
"Don't confuse taking a break with giving up. Sometimes, knowing when to stop is part of becoming stronger."
Serena considered those words before slowly nodding.
"Okay."
Tamayo smiled and left the training room, allowing Serena to gather herself without feeling as though her sister were watching her every move.
For a little while, Serena remained seated, staring at the torn leaf on the table. She was still frustrated, and she still wanted to succeed, but perhaps Tamayo was right. If she continued forcing herself to practice while her thoughts were tangled in disappointment, she would only repeat the same mistakes.
With another sigh, Serena rose from her cushion, straightened her clothes, and headed toward the door.
She needed some fresh air.
Preferably somewhere far away from leaves—and from her own thoughts.
Stud was waiting in the corridor when Serena stepped outside.
The little Poltergeist floated near one of the wooden pillars, apparently occupied with inspecting a decorative ornament hanging from the ceiling. The moment he noticed Serena, he abandoned his investigation and drifted over to her.
"Finally," he announced. "I was beginning to think you'd become one with that training room."
Serena gave him a tired look. "Do you ever stop talking?"
"No. It's one of my most admirable qualities."
"It's one of your most annoying qualities."
"Those two things aren't mutually exclusive."
Serena rolled her eyes and continued down the corridor. Stud floated beside her, keeping pace with her steps despite having no need to walk.
"So, how did training go?"
Serena didn't answer.
Stud studied her face for a moment. "That badly, huh?"
She continued walking, which he apparently took as permission to keep guessing.
"Let me guess. You stared at a leaf, tried to make it glow, failed, and then threatened it with bodily harm."
Serena stopped and slowly turned her head toward him.
Stud fell silent.
"...I was close, wasn't I?"
"Keep talking and you'll be the next thing I throw at a wall."
Stud floated backward in alarm.
"See? This is why I prefer the company of reasonable people."
"Then go find some."
"I would, but unfortunately, you're the most interesting person here."
Serena resumed walking, pretending she hadn't heard him. The two of them passed the training building and entered one of the wider temple walkways, where sunlight filtered through the cedar trees and scattered shifting patterns across the wooden floor. Several shrine maidens were tending to the courtyard, sweeping fallen leaves into neat piles and arranging offerings near a small shrine.
One of them noticed Serena and offered a respectful bow.
"Good morning, Lady Serena."
Serena returned the greeting with a small nod. "Good morning."
Floating behind her, Stud attempted to imitate the bow. His tiny body tipped forward too far, and he nearly spun upside down before managing to right himself.
The shrine maiden smiled politely and continued with her work.
Stud waited until they were out of earshot before muttering, "Everyone here is far too formal. It's exhausting."
"You didn't have to bow," Serena replied.
"I was being polite."
"You were nearly upside down."
"Politeness comes in many forms."
Serena shook her head. Despite her lingering frustration, the familiar banter helped distract her from the training room. She continued along the walkway, passing the courtyards and small shrines she remembered from her childhood.
The White Fox Temple was particularly peaceful during the morning hours. The distant sound of flowing water drifted from a garden near the residential quarters, while the breeze carried the fragrance of damp earth and cedar bark. Sunlight streamed between the branches overhead, illuminating the narrow paths that wound through the temple grounds.
Serena realized she hadn't really explored the area since arriving. She had spent so much time concentrating on her training that she had barely given herself an opportunity to enjoy the place.
Perhaps she should take advantage of the opportunity now.
Her gaze settled on a narrow path leading away from the main buildings, and a small smile appeared on her face.
"Let's go for a walk."
Stud followed her gaze. "Where?"
"The forest."
His expression immediately changed.
"No."
Serena blinked. "No?"
"No."
She stared at him. "Why not?"
"Because it's a forest."
Serena waited for him to elaborate, but Stud seemed convinced that his explanation was perfectly reasonable.
She sighed. "You're unbelievable."
"I'm a Poltergeist. We're allowed to be cautious around forests."
"You're scared of trees?"
"I'm scared of getting lost among trees. There's a difference."
Serena laughed. "Relax. I know these woods like the back of my hand."
Stud looked at her suspiciously. "That's what people say right before they get lost."
"I used to explore these paths when I was younger."
"How much younger?"
"Elementary school."
Stud stared at her.
"So, years ago?"
"Yes."
"And you remember everything?"
"More or less."
Stud slowly turned toward the forest, then looked back at Serena.
"I would like to formally request that we remain within sight of the temple."
Serena smirked. "Request denied."
Before Stud could protest further, Serena stepped off the wooden walkway and headed toward the trees.
"Hey! Wait for me!"
He hurried after her, his tiny tentacles waving indignantly.
The forest surrounding the White Fox Temple was far more expansive than it appeared from the courtyards.
Tall cedar trees rose toward the sky, their thick, weathered trunks supporting branches that spread across the mountain slopes. The ground was covered in layers of fallen leaves, moss, and exposed roots, while narrow trails wound between the trees and disappeared into the deeper woodland.
Sunlight filtered through the dense canopy in scattered beams, illuminating drifting specks of dust and pollen. Somewhere nearby, a bird called from a high branch, followed by the distant rustling of something moving through the undergrowth.
Serena stepped onto a broad tree root and looked around.
The scent of the forest brought back memories she hadn't thought about in years. She remembered running through these woods as a child, chasing Himari between the trees and occasionally getting scolded by the shrine maidens for straying too far from the temple. Back then, the forest had seemed enormous, almost like an endless maze waiting to be explored.
Now, standing among the trees again, Serena found that the place felt strangely familiar. She could remember the old paths, the large cedar with the split trunk, the rocky slope leading toward a shallow stream, and the clearing where she and Himari used to sit whenever they needed a break from playing.
A small smile appeared on her face.
Stud, meanwhile, floated beside her with increasing unease.
"All right," he announced. "We've seen the trees. We've smelled the trees. We've acknowledged the existence of the trees. Can we go back now?"
Serena ignored him and looked upward. A series of sturdy branches stretched between the trees, forming a natural path above the forest floor.
Her eyes brightened.
Stud noticed immediately.
"No."
Serena crouched slightly.
"No, no, no. Whatever you're thinking, don't do it," Stud warned.
"Follow me."
"Absolutely not!"
Serena jumped.
Her feet left the ground, and she landed lightly on a thick branch several meters above the forest floor. The wood flexed slightly beneath her weight, but she maintained her balance with ease.
Stud stared up at her.
"SERENA!"
She grinned down at him. "Come on!"
Before he could respond, Serena pushed off the branch and leaped toward the next tree. She landed on a sturdy limb, bent her knees to absorb the impact, and sprang forward again, carrying herself farther through the forest with quick, controlled movements.
"YOU CAN'T JUST DO THAT!" Stud shouted.
Serena laughed as she leaped between two branches. "Why not?"
"BECAUSE SOME OF US HAVE NORMAL HEARTS!"
"You don't even have a normal body!"
"THAT'S NOT THE POINT!"
Serena continued moving from tree to tree, using the branches as stepping stones through the canopy. Her physical conditioning had made the jumps manageable, and her familiarity with the forest helped her choose stable branches while avoiding weaker limbs.
The wind rushed past her face, lifting strands of her black hair and carrying them behind her as she moved. For the first time in days, she wasn't thinking about Spiritual Energy, the leaf, or whether she was making enough progress. She was simply moving.
The forest opened around her, revealing glimpses of the mountain landscape between the trees. Sunlight flashed across her face as she passed through bright patches beneath the canopy, and the cool air filled her lungs with every breath.
A laugh escaped her.
She had forgotten how much she enjoyed this.
Serena pushed off another branch and landed on a thick limb farther ahead. Pausing to catch her breath, she looked toward the distant temple buildings, which were now visible through gaps in the trees. The roofs appeared small from this distance.
She had traveled farther from the main grounds than she initially intended, but she recognized the surrounding landmarks and felt confident she could find her way back.
Maybe Tamayo was right. I really did need a break.
Then a familiar voice rang out behind her.
"YOU ABSOLUTELY INSANE GIRL!"
Serena turned just in time to see Stud flying through the trees at full speed. His tiny tentacles flailed wildly as he struggled to follow her route, and his expression suggested that he had spent the entire journey questioning every decision that had brought him to this moment.
He finally reached the branch where Serena was standing and stopped beside her. For several seconds, he did nothing but hover there, apparently catching his breath despite not technically needing to breathe.
Then he pointed an accusing tentacle at her.
"Temperamental girl! Don't you ever do that again!"
Serena looked at him innocently. "Do what?"
"THAT!"
Stud gestured wildly toward the surrounding trees.
"Flying around at ridiculous speeds! Jumping from branch to branch! Leaving me behind like some disposable accessory!"
Serena laughed. "You could have stayed on the ground."
"And let you disappear into the wilderness? Absolutely not!"
Serena's smile widened. "You were worried about me?"
Stud froze, his expression changing immediately.
"No!"
"You were."
"I was worried about myself! If you got lost, I'd have to find my own way back!"
"Of course."
"Don't use that tone with me!"
Serena chuckled and turned toward the forest, leaving Stud to mutter complaints beside her.
"Honestly, I don't know why I put up with you. First, you drag me into a temple full of terrifying Geists. Then your sister decides to interrogate me. Now you're trying to give me a heart attack in the middle of a forest. My life has become a series of unfortunate decisions."
Serena didn't respond.
Stud continued for another few seconds before realizing that she had become unusually quiet. He glanced at her, expecting another sarcastic remark, but the smile had disappeared from her face.
"Hey."
Serena stood motionless on the branch, staring toward the trees below. Her expression had changed, and her posture had become noticeably more alert.
Stud followed her gaze.
"What is it?"
Serena didn't answer immediately.
Something felt wrong.
Only moments earlier, the forest had been filled with small sounds. Birds had called from the branches, insects had chirped among the undergrowth, and leaves had rustled in the breeze. Now, as Serena paid closer attention to her surroundings, she became aware of an unsettling stillness.
It wasn't complete silence. Rather, it felt as though something nearby had disturbed the forest's natural rhythm.
Her instincts began to stir.
Serena slowly lowered her center of gravity, maintaining her balance on the branch while scanning the surrounding trees. Then she reached beneath the hem of her skirt and drew out the small spirit dagger she had kept concealed there.
The blade caught a narrow beam of sunlight.
Stud's expression changed.
He knew that look. Serena might be impatient, stubborn, and easily irritated, but she was also a trained Geist. When something caught her attention during a mission, she could become frighteningly focused.
Right now, she wasn't looking at the forest like someone enjoying a walk.
She was looking at it like a hunter searching for prey.
"Stud," she whispered.
He moved closer. "What?"
"Do you sense anything?"
For once, Stud didn't make a joke. His tiny body became still as he closed his eyes and concentrated on the presence around them.
Unlike Serena, who was still learning to understand and manipulate Spiritual Energy, Stud had spent much of his existence surrounded by Poltergeists and other spiritual beings. His experience allowed him to recognize certain disturbances that an ordinary person might overlook.
For several seconds, he remained silent.
Then his expression tightened.
"...Yeah."
Serena's grip on the dagger became firmer. "What is it?"
Stud slowly raised one of his tentacles and pointed toward the south.
"Over there."
Serena followed his gesture. Beyond the trees, the ground sloped downward. Thick branches partially obscured the terrain, but she could make out glimpses of exposed rock between the trunks.
She turned her attention toward the south.
"Are you sure?"
Stud nodded. "Something's there."
Serena didn't hesitate. She moved along the branch toward the nearest trunk and climbed down to a lower limb. From there, she dropped lightly onto a moss-covered rock and continued toward the source of the disturbance.
Stud followed closely behind her, keeping his voice low.
"Don't rush in without thinking."
Serena glanced at him. "I'm not rushing."
"You're literally moving toward something we both just sensed."
"That's called investigating."
"That's called how people end up in terrible situations!"
Serena ignored the complaint and continued forward.
As they moved deeper into the forest, the terrain became increasingly uneven. The trees grew farther apart, revealing a rocky slope that descended toward a narrow ravine. Loose stones lay scattered among patches of moss, and the roots of several old trees extended over the exposed earth.
Serena slowed her pace.
The air felt different here.
A faint, unpleasant sensation pressed against her senses, reminding her of the spiritual presence she had encountered during previous Poltergeist incidents. She tightened her grip on the dagger and carefully made her way around a large cedar tree.
Then the forest opened before her.
Serena stopped.
A cliff stretched across the edge of the slope, its rocky face descending into a deep ravine. Far below, the terrain was shrouded in shadows, and jagged stone formations rose from the bottom like the remains of a broken wall.
Serena approached the edge cautiously, keeping a safe distance from the unstable ground, and peered down.
At first, she could see nothing except rocks and darkness.
Then something moved.
Serena narrowed her eyes.
A strange figure floated near the bottom of the ravine.
It was unmistakably a Poltergeist.
Its body hovered several meters above the rocky ground, moving with a slow, unnatural rhythm. Even from this distance, Serena could make out the distorted shape of its limbs and the faint, eerie glow surrounding its form.
The creature drifted toward the far side of the ravine, where a dark opening had been carved into the rock.
A cave.
Serena held her breath as she watched it approach the entrance. The Poltergeist paused briefly before slipping inside, its strange silhouette disappearing into the darkness.
For several seconds, Serena remained perfectly still.
She had come into the forest to clear her head. She had wanted a break from training, a chance to enjoy the fresh air and forget about her failures for a little while.
Instead, she had stumbled upon a Poltergeist apparently entering a cave beneath the White Fox Temple.
Serena slowly lowered her gaze toward the dagger in her hand. The frustration she had carried out of the training room had disappeared, replaced by the familiar alertness she felt whenever she encountered something potentially dangerous.
Beside her, Stud floated closer to the cliff's edge but kept a careful distance from the drop.
"...Well," he muttered, "so much for a relaxing walk."
Serena didn't take her eyes off the cave.
"Stay quiet."
Stud immediately closed his mouth.
She watched the entrance for another moment, trying to determine whether the creature had gone deeper inside or was simply waiting in the darkness. The cave's interior remained hidden from view, and whatever lay inside was impossible to make out from their current position.
Serena's fingers tightened around the dagger's handle.
She knew she should return to the temple and inform Tamayo. Her sister had specifically told her to take a break, not investigate a potentially dangerous situation alone. If the Poltergeist was connected to something larger, rushing in without knowing what awaited her could put both herself and Stud at risk.
But the creature had been close to the temple.
Far too close for Serena to ignore.
She glanced toward Stud.
"Can you sense anything else?"
Stud looked toward the cave, his usual mischievous expression gone.
"...There's something strange about that place."
Serena turned back toward the dark opening. The forest breeze passed between the trees, stirring her hair as she stood at the edge of the ravine, her attention fixed on the entrance below.
Whatever she had discovered beneath the White Fox Temple, one thing was certain.
Her break was over.