Ba my home, I looked in on Shaeu, atg a magical girl anime while drinking beer, though I did note she was idly spinning away at roulette, only giving it a bare fra of her attention. Damn, anyone else doing that would go bankrupt quickly, but the numbers on the s don’t lie! Even as I watched she won arouy pounds on a spin, which a few months ago would have been a nice windfall, but now was merely loose ge.

  Leavio it, I went bay own room, pulling out a notepad and making a quick list of pns for the uping week, trying taters. “Right. Tomorrow iernoon I io visit the Detective in the hospital and discuss what he owes me. Then after that… damn, I don’t want to do this…” I exhaled loudly, morose. Meeting Haru-san’s father here is going to be hell. Sure, I’ve asked her a lot of things only she and he would know, but even so…

  Putting that unpleasant task aside, Wednesday was kept free, as the Anchor would plete, finally, so I would need a signifit amount of time tanise and upgrade everything. Still, that would definitely be a pleasurable task. I expect that’ll run right through until Thursday at the earliest.

  I would also o speak to Shuta-san regarding his support, and I also wao see if Kin Examination would work on him. After all, I s his Territory since he’s a Vassal to me. I had my doubts, however. In addition I would o go shopping fifts for Eri and also my family.

  Friday evening I was out with the uni crew for drinks, and that would e the whole night, no doubt. After that, early Saturday I’d have to catch a train to Nishimorioka, where I would remain until Monday m, when I was due to return. The training school should be finished by the time I return, barring internal decorating and the basement areas, of course. Putting up a six-story building in three weeks was not bad going, especially with the extremely spaulti-level basement area, but moalked. Of course, the internal furnishings, equipment, the swimming pool, sauna and various utility hook-ups were likely to take as much as another week, although parts of it would be serviceable from Monday evening onwards. That means robably start the training in ear, which means a st meeting with Hikawa-san as the highest ranking shrine involved… I pencil that in for Monday then, and start the training on Tuesday, at least the basics?

  Looking at the timetable on the pad in front of me, I shook my head. “And to think I said I wasn’t busy this week! Even when I’m not busy, I’ve somehow still got a packed schedule.” And there was oher thing I wao do, though it definitely wait until my Territory build queues are in hand, so week sometime…

  Thinking about training, I checked the clock. There was still time before I o make dinner, so I might as well practice improving my dual wielding. Ulfuric had advised me to stay away from wielding ons during that particur training, as I wouldn’t have armaments with a simir bao the Twin Fangs, so it might throw me off. Instead, he suggested trying two different tasks at once, oh each hand, alternatiween porecision exercises, to train both my body and mind.

  Juggling heavy barbells with my left hand I tried to draw with my right, oask requiring precision, the other brawn and speed. At first it was still a struggle, but after a couple of hours I had it down so I could even alternate by throwing the pen as to opposite hands. My ability to learn is outstanding… maybe I should think about pig up some more fn nguages as well?

  I quickly rinsed myself off, not having time for a full bath, and started making dinner. It was then that the doorbell rang, and before I could even move to a, Kana- came running in, lookiremely flustered. On seeing me looking into the corridor, her expressihtened, and she raced over to me.

  “All right, deep breaths, calm down.” I advised, looking at her breathless red face. “What’s up?”

  “Oh, big bro!” she wheezed, which made me think Kana- definitely needed more fitraining. Oh well, that’s for week. “We’ve got some visitors, they say they are here to see you and Shaeu! Just… just how do you know them?”

  “First I’d o know who has arrived.” Visitors? I wasn’t expeg any, was I? The otion had brought Shaeu out of her room, equally curious.

  “The cars they came in were really expensive, bck fn cars.” Kana- tinued. “They have bodyguards and everything. When they came up to the main shrine my father nearly passed out. They are on their way here now, so I ran to warn you.”

  “Good job.” I praised her, earning a small smile iurn. Bodyguards huh? I did say we weren’t starting the traini… Shaeu, thinking the same thing, merely shrugged, and a few moments ter our thoughts were firmed, as two burly Fujiwara Security personnel opened our door and checked out the inside.

  “All clear. No suspicious activity detected.” one said, stepping aside, revealing the charges they were esc. First was a grumpy looking Hiroto-san, looking fashionably dressed, and behind him was his sister and her bodyguard, both wearing an old-fashioned and modest sailor-style school uniform, in a rich bck with crimson ribbon and edging. And that wasn’t all. Behind them were twirls in the same uniform, though they were carrying several rge, ed buhat seemed heavy. Yeah, that doesn’t lht when they aren’t in hakama. Although the big question was still why they were all here.

  “Well, isn’t this rather… modest?” Hinata-san said, looking around with some i.

  Spoiler

  [colpse]“Don’t mind my sister.” Hiroto-san sighed. “She doesn’t mean to be rude. It isn’t often… or ever, she gets to see the house of a oner.”

  At that term, Kana- struggled to keep her face impassive. At least Tsumura-san and her guard were being politely quiet, everything with sparkling eyes. “In that case, I guess you should e in and I’ll prepare some tea. Shaeu, show uests to the living room, okay?”

  Shaeu strode forwards, taking and with her royal poise. “Very well-well. Though this dwelling is rather humble, it is but-but a stepping stone on our path, so please five our insuffit hospitality.” With that she gave a rather imperious bow, and I was once more reminded Shaeu was quite the stateswoman when she wao be.

  “You go if you want.” I whispered to Kana-, who nodded gratefully. “Though you’ll have to get used to them eventually, sihey are taking our training too.”

  “Yeah but… not today. I ime to psyche myself up for it.” she murmured back, and I uood. Yeah, the girls radiate high-css, like an aura. As Shaeu shepherded the guests inwards, Kana- gratefully made her escape.

  Right then, time to untahis mess. I quickly prepared some tea, knowing it would probably disappoint them. It was det, as I had the money for luxuries, but hardly top-of-the-line. Upon taking in a loaded tray of tea and snacks, I saw Shaeu at the tre of the group, the irls siting politely in the unfortable seiza position on their knees, apart from Hinata-san, who rawled out on our sofa, legs outstretched. On seeing my gaze, she looked a little abashed. “I’m poor with seiza. Besides, I heard it is bad for the knees.”

  “My sister is never oo do what she doesn’t want to.” Hiroto-san sighed. “A case in point, here we are today. I was supposed to be meeting a few people at a mixer. There would have been some cute girls there, I just know it.”

  At that, Hinata-san leaned over to smack her brother on the shoulder, annoyed. “Don’t be stupid. This is more important. Now Tsumura-senpai is involved, if we don’t stake our cim, all the achievements will go to them.” Suddenly realising Tsumura-san was listening, she smiled apologetically. “No offesumura-senpai. It’s just we o secure our position as the fifty-eighth noble house, while Tsumura house is one of the highest ranking, only below the big three.”

  “Even so…” As I handed out the tea, which the girls and Hiroto-san took politely, I asked the most perti question. “So, I still don’t see why you are here. The training hall isn’t finished yet, and we weren’t pnning to start until week.”

  After taking a sip of her tea with perfect elegasumura-sa dowly and bowed fwlessly. “Indeed, Oshiro-sensei. However, I fess to being uo restrain my eagero begin. Our family Arts of spear, sword and bow will finally find a use. How could I not be excited?”

  Spoiler

  [colpse]“What Tsumura-sama means to say is…” Hori-san also bowed politely, speaking formally and with a surprisingly geone. “… is that she begs your fiveness, but she has been distracted ever since she met you on Saturday, and her schoolwork is suffering, which is undignified for a daughter of Tsumura house, so she begs your indulgen this and would ask for some tutege.”

  “Yes, I heard the same.” Hinata-san smiled, not even hiding her disdain for the quality of my tea. Grimag, she put it down. “If we are to be studying here for ah of time, you simply must get some det refreshments. I’d be ashamed to serve this to guests.”

  At that Shaeu scoffed. “Indeed, however, you did-did drop by rather uedly, did you not-not? ns, but they were to wait until the school is plete. So for now, make do with what we have. I shall not-not tolerate any rudeowards my Akio!” Her eyes bzed amber, and Hinata-san flinched, pig up her cup and taking another sip.

  “Fine. I will admit… it’s not undrinkable.” She tried to retain her poise, striking her brain as he ughed at her expense.

  “In any case, you are here now. So I suppose Shaeu could at least run through the basic course, right?” I asked her, and she nodded.

  “Five at once is challenging, however my Aetheric Chirurgery Skill has reached Rank five and is signifitly stronger. I - manage.”

  “Skills, ranks? Sounds like a puter game.” Hiroto-san observed, and I couldn’t help but agree silently.

  “A puter game?” Tsumura-san asked, perplexed. Beside her, Hori-san also looked curious.

  “Yeah, figures the girls wouldn’t know about those.” Hiroto-san sighed. “The girls who attend Hanafubuki are all extremely sheltered. Even their phones are loaded with software restrig what they access. Some girls don’t even have a television. I think it’s rather shitty, but luckily while us men are also restricted, we are certainly less trapped. The noble daughters are like birds in a cage, just waiting for marriage.” He looked sad at that, and I couldn’t say I bmed him. Sounds like it’s rough being a sheltered noble girl.

  “We simply have to use Fujihones for security. We ’t let ruffia hold of our numbers.” Hinata-san sighed. “In fact, other than you, father and grandfather, Oshiro-san here is the first man I've ever had a number for. Oh, and brother… I do know what puter games are. What pany do you think our family owns?”

  “Yeah, well, you are an exception.” He turo Tsumura-san, speaking very carefully due th station. “So, Tsumura-sama, do you know?”

  “I am afraid not.” She shook her head gently.

  “Okay, well… I see we might o include a little education on that.” I surmised. “It just so happens a talent of mine is the ability to measure ability in a game-like way, which greatly helps with improving, as you assess increases to your abilities and talents easily. So, Shaeu… want to start?”

  “I shall.” She stood, moving towards Hiroto-san. “However, what-what is this Hanafubuki?”

  “Oh, Hanafubuki Private Academy is the school for noble girls. Us boys have a different o least when we go to uy we get to mingle freely with the opposite sex, though we still have a ton of rules to follow and are stantly… hey, yetting rather close.” He flushed, as Shaeu was right o him, peering at him with glowing eyes.

  “Oh, do be silent.” Shaeu scoffed. “I have no i in you, before Akio you are simply dust-dust.”

  Wow, that’s harsh! Eg my sister, I expio the watg girls what Shaeu was doing, as she began to el her aether into Hiroto-san, causing him to cry out in pain as his inactive, rgely ent Chakra work was wrenched open and restructed. She’s way less careful with guys than girls. Still, she won’t make a mistake, I’m sure… “Right, so… well, how to put this. The world has ged, and a small number of people have been chosen to receive supernatural power from… well, for want of a better wods. This has e with warnings that humanity will be wiped out unless we grow strong enough to prevent uping trials. It sounds mad, I know… but the proof is right here.” Levitating a cup with wind, I lifted it into the air. A few droplets spilled, but with wind I blew them bato the cup, a feat I didn’t have the touch for not too long ago. Yeah, my trol is improving all the time…

  As Tsumura-san looked on with clear excitement, the two bodyguards tensed, unwilling to allow any threat to their mistresses.

  “So anyway.” I tinued, l the cup. “It turns out that various old bloodlines had some faded vestiges of power, like the shrines. Apparently Fujiwara-san…” As I didn’t use -sama for him, the bodyguards frowned, but I ighem, carrying on with the expnation. “… knew about this, so he wasn’t surprised wheer powers appeared. He wants to be ready to preserve Japan against foes both Earthly and, well, mystical. I ’t say I bme him, I agree. Luckily, I have Shaeu, who isn’t human, but a Fae from another realm. Aalents are magnifit.”

  “You will not-not get anything if-if you ftter me.” Shaeu said, still w on Hiroto-sa her flushed features showed she leased.

  “In any case, we have a system to increase our strength, based on the old traditions of Chakras, though with a few… Fae… tweaks. And the first stage is to open up your Chakras and start strengthening your works. With that, your strength, skill, even intelligend memory, they’ll all grow stronger. For now, that is what the training school is for.” Though eventually, to grow further than that they’ll have to ehe Boundary.

  “This is very exg, is it not, Natsumi?” Tsumura-san was enthused. “Our Tsumura Arts must have been passed down for this day!”

  “I am done-done.” Shaeu said, leaving the sweaty and sore Hiroto-san sprawled out, chest heaving as he sucked in lungfuls of air. “I shall teach you the exercises shortly. But first, I shall-shall move onto you.” She looked at Hinata-san, only to have her bodyguard Onoue-san leap up and block her path.

  “I shall go first. I’ll not allow anything to endanger Hinata-sama.” she decred boldly.

  “Fine.” Shaeu shrugged. “Though my Skills are sure-sure, the order matters little.” She reached out for Onoue-san, and I could feel her aether surge into the girl, who unlike Hiroto-san only shivered a bit, g her teeth.

  I note she didn’t step up to save Hiroto-san… As I was thinking this, Tsumura-san was untying one of the long bags she brought with her, revealing her crimson spear. Pulling it free she stood and bowed in martial-arts fashion. “Oshiro-sensei, I would like you to dispy some of the skills you have learned. I wish to reach the pinnacle of the spear, the sword and the bow. Watg you only help me, and will ence me that the path I have chosen is true.”

  With that, she bowed again, handing me her spear, and Hori-san gasped. “To think Motoko-sama would let anyone else wield her spear, Gurenyari…”

  Okay, the atmosphere here is pretty oppressive. I get the feeling this is a big deal. Still… I bowed too, and taking the spear it was heavier than I expected, surprising me again a girl could wield it freely. I guess her skills aren’t simply just talk. “In that case I’d be hoo show you. Shall we go outside?”

  Tsumura-san nodded, and she and Hori-san followed me out. Once we were on level ground, I started some warm-ups, remembering the moves Ulfuric had been teag me. The spear was a long ohough a bit shorter than I was using now in my own training, but I quickly found the bance, my practise sweeps and thrusts growing more elegant and swifter. The pretty rope tassels that were attached to the cquered crimson head danced around me as I accelerated, keeping my tration split between footwork and my hands. The spear was a crimson blur, moving far faster than should be possible, and I tio strike, running through basibat forms, until a murmured whisper interrupted me.

  “So… beautiful…” The words left Tsumura-san’s lips, and beside her Hori-san was equally fasated. Hearing their praise I started to slow down, finishing with a final thrust, the spearhead fshing forwards like a red bolt of lightning.

  “I thank you for the dispy, sensei.” Tsumura-san bowed in thanks, before Hori-san took the spear from me, bagging it up once more. “Your speed and grace was beyond my imagination. Though I must say, your forms were simple, purely for killing.”

  “Yeah.” I admitted, running a hand though my damp hair, sweeping out the sweat my intense workout had caused. “I’m still a beginner. In terms of that game-like cssification we were talking about earlier, I’m only Rank three. You might even be more profit. Fortunately, my speed and power make up for that.”

  Hori-san looked troubled, so Tsumura-san asked her what was wrong. Her answer surprised me. “I am fident in my skills as a bodyguard and your student, Motoko-sama. But even so, if Oshiro-setacked us, I have little fidence I could protect you.”

  Do I look the sort to attack girls? I‘m a little offended. I guess if it’s her job, she would take any threat seriously.

  “Now, Natsumi, do not be rude to Oshiro-sensei.” She apologised for her bodyguard. “Please five her. I know you are trusted by my grandfather and Fujiwara-sama. I am eager to learn in your care.”

  Eg the se, Hori-san also apologised, so with that we returo see Shaeu lecturing the three who she had worked her Chirurgery on. “…and you must be most-most careful, though the lunar Chakra is vital to perf at peak, it is not-not something mortals naturally possess. I believe that with my talents it is safe, but fear not-not, should you feel anything amiss, such as strange pains or sudden illness, Akio and I shall e-e to your aid immediately. I repair most issues, and should the worst-worst happen, for females, there is an emergency measure, with beneficial side-effects even.”

  “So, why is it you were far kio them?” Hiroto-san sulked. “And what if I have problems? What emergency measures do you have for me?”

  Ugh, no way man. No Lovers’ Link for you. I don’t swing that way. We aren’t close enough for me to make that sacrifice…

  “Naturally the inner ws of females and males are different, as-as are their bodies. There will of course-course be differences. Now do be quiet.”

  Hinata-san ughed at her brother’s annoyed look. “Well, it certainly felt nasty and straill, if it helps us secure our position, a bit of pain is worth it. So…” she turned back to us. “… how was it, Tsumura-senpai?”

  “It was magnifit!” Tsumura-san decred. “His teique was basic, he has no foundation in bat arts it seems, yet his speed, precision, power… all were beyond my imagination! If I could learn that…”

  Damn, she looks geous when flushed like that, her face like a maiden in love. Still, she loves my abilities, not me, and, not that I have any iion to do anything foolish, she’s a noble, so I have to keep things very hands-off!

  “That good, huh? Well, the trick with cutting the s was very amusing too.” Hinata-san mused. “So, you said your sister and anirl have dohis already… that would be the o at the restaurant, am I right?”

  At her question I agreed and she tinued. “Yes, so those two girls, how strong are they?”

  “Well, my sister hasn’t reached the basic mastery of the teique yet.” I allowed. “But Eri… she’s reached the first milestone and has grown somewhat strohere’s a long way to go, but…”

  As Shaeu began to work on Hori-san, starting to look quite exhausted from her efforts, I versed with Hinata-san and Hiroto-san, Onoue-san only occasionally speaking. I talked more about what to expe terms of boosts when one had a plete Chakra work, though I skipped all mention of the Boundary for now. I mentioned I was visiting home to see them at the weekend, and Hinata-san looked a bit ahat she would be uo train, but Shaeu scolded her, advising that until she had mastered the basics she was going to teach there would be no point in further lessons.

  Once she had finished with Tsumura-san, she ushered off the girls to another room to expin the way to pull iher and vert it tthen the fragile works they had been given, leavih Hiroto-san, who was looking at me seriously.

  “So, this is safe, right? One guy to another? After all, my sister is taking part in this. I ’t say I approve, but, well, I guess you are a brother too, you know how it feels.”

  “I do indeed. By the way, you want a beer, or something harder?” Sihe girls weren’t there, I fancied a drink.

  “I thought you’d never ask.” he ughed. A few moments ter we were drinking whiskey and I answered him seriously.

  “If it to me, I’d never let my sister do anything dangerous. But…” I emphasised the point. “… when I said the world has ged, I meant it. And I’d rather she had the ability to defend herself from those who would misuse such power. And I’ve had to fight several of those bastards, so they are out there. Besides, I trust Shaeu and her Skills, and…” damn, I ’t believe I’m saying this, but as a brother who loves his sister, I sympathise. “… in the unlikely event of disaster, I will take responsibility and save her, so as one brother to another, learn all you , grow stronger, and make sure your sister is protected!”

  “I drink to that.” We ked gsses. “And any women we care about tht?” He wi me. “Like your tweous girls.”

  “Damn right. Though trust me and stick to one girlfriend, you feel a right bastard cheating.”

  “I bet. But sadly for noble families, the girls have to be chaste a married off early, while the men py around and have fun, just so long as they take care and look after the girls they indulge with. Still, don’t get me wrong, I love flirting around, but I’ll always treat my girls right.”

  Girls, plural, huh? Well, I’m not oo judge, else I’d be a hypocrite. We tio chat until Shaeu brought the girls back, thoughtful looks on their faces.

  “It is now-now your turn.” Shaeu decred, pointing at Hiroto-san. “Shirt off.”

  Before he could make a quip, Shaeu scoffed. “Do not-not even think about it. As I have said, you are but dust to me. I am merely showing you how to gather ether.”

  Exging iserating looks with each other, I nodded, and Hiroto-san sighed, stripping off, the girls looking the other way…

  ***

  “That was quite the day.” I rubbed Shaeu’s shoulders, massaging them gently. Leaning bato my touch she looked up, her amber eyes showing her exhaustion.

  “Indeed. I managed five-five before, but Keomi and Maiko already had partial works, so it was far-far easier. Also I rather disliked having to work-work on a male. You should learn Chirurgery so I do not-not have to toue again.”

  “I get it. I am trying.” I iserated. “Still, it was only poking him a bit with a finger.”

  “You do not-not uand the heart of a female, do you?” she pouted. “Now-now, spoil me, I have worked hard!”

  Taking her up on her request I tio pamper her for several more hours, until it was time to ehe Boundary once more. Only a few Astral days left… time to gather as much ether as we so I go on a mad spending spree…

  ShipTeaser