The moon hung high as the trio Klaus, Sofie, and Tatsuki walked back toward the castle, the cheers from the crowd still echoing faintly behind them.
Tatsuki broke the silence first, skipping ahead with hands clasped behind her head like a child who'd just won a festival prize.
"Now I get why Kuro thinks you're really worth it!" she said, turning around mid-walk and grinning. "You're a fun one to teach, Klaus!"
Klaus and Sofie shared a glance and simply followed, Klaus dragging his feet slightly, every muscle still sore.
Tatsuki suddenly stopped and spun toward Klaus. "Alright, my boy! Katana training starts tomorrow!"
Klaus stopped mid-step. "Wait, what? This quick? I thought I'd have to pass your crazy ten-day trial first!"
Tatsuki shrugged with a mischievous smirk. "Yeah, that was the plan. But you impressed me. And honestly... I don't have the patience for that trial crap anymore. You're more fun this way." She twirled around, whistling to herself.
As they arrived at the castle gates, Tatsuki waved lazily. "You two, off to your rooms. Rest up. You'll need it."
And with that, she vanished down a corridor like a ghost.
Klaus and Sofie moved quietly through the castle halls, the silence of the place oddly calming. But as they approached their room.
Klaus stopped cold.
There was a shadow at their door. A black mist-like figure, no taller than a man, its mouth curled into a wide, unnatural smile.
Klaus instinctively moved in front of Sofie. "Back up. Now."
His breathing slowed. The pressure in the hallway grew tense...
Then—it vanished.
Sofie looked around, eyes wide. "What? What's wrong? There's nothing here."
Klaus shook his head slowly. "I... I saw something."
She smacked his arm. "You're still loopy from the fight, you dumbass!"
"Oi—what was that for?!"
"You hallucinate a demon, and your first instinct is to fight it shirtless and bandaged up like a mummy?!"
Klaus grunted. "Better than crying and running."
She glared at him. "You're lucky I find you cute."
With playful shoves and grumbles, they made it into the room. Sofie helped him out of his coat, and soon, they both collapsed into bed, letting sleep take them under the warm moonlight.
---
Splash!
"UP, MAGGOT!"
Klaus flailed under freezing water as his blankets were ripped off his body by a screeching banshee.
"What the hell—Tatsuki?!"
She was already in full samurai mode, arms folded, glaring down at him like a war general.
"Rise and slice, soldier! This ain't nap time!"
Groaning, Klaus dragged himself out of bed like a soggy cat. "Do you ever not yell?"
"Nope. Here—put these on." She threw folded robes at him.
After changing, Klaus looked down at himself. The uniform was sharp, traditional—a dark brown inner layer with a deep navy sleeveless coat and a patterned obi belt holding a sheathed wooden katana.He looked exactly like—A samurai.
He stepped out. Tatsuki gave an approving nod. "Not bad. You clean up nice."
They made their way through the castle courtyard, passing by soldiers in full gear, hundreds training in synchronized drills. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting long golden shadows across the stone paths.
Eventually, they arrived at a traditional dojo—the wooden walls glowing with sunlight, the floors polished to perfection.
It looked just like something from a legend.
Klaus stepped inside the dojo, the air heavy with silence and discipline. Tatsuki followed, handing him a wooden practice katana.
"Stand over there. Feet firm. Posture ready. Don't blink."
Klaus nodded.
Tatsuki unsheathed her katana slowly, holding it sideways. Then—without warning—she threw a deck of cards into the air. They scattered like confetti.
She moved in a blur.
A single slash.
When the cards fell to the floor, each one was cleanly bisected.
Klaus's eyes widened.
"You used... Ryōki, didn't you?" he asked.
Tatsuki smirked. "Smart boy. That technique is called Sai Tok. It's the first basic art I'm going to teach you."
She stepped closer. "Users of Sai Tok can cut through anything—metal, stone, magic... even the will of others. All it takes is precision... and intent."
Klaus tightened his grip on the wooden blade.
"You want me to try that?"
"Of course. But not with cards yet. First—feel your Ryōki."
"Still don't get what the big deal about Ryōki is."
Tatsuki tapped his forehead. "Then listen up."
"Ryōki," Tatsuki began, pacing slowly, "is the manifestation of your willpower. Think of it like your soul punching the air."
Klaus blinked. "...That's not helpful."
"Shut up and let me finish."
She continued"It's ambition. Aspiration. Drive. Vigor. The will to conquer. The spirit to endure. Ryōki is spiritual energy made real. Everyone has it. Few can use it."
She circled Klaus like a hawk. "It lets you sense the intent of others, coat your body in protective energy, and overwhelm opponents with sheer will."
Klaus blinked as the words echoed in his head.
Tatsuki continued , her tone calm. Ryōki is the pure manifestation of willpower. And with the katana… you'll primarily be using Willpower Manifestation."
Klaus raised an eyebrow. "Willpower manifestation?"
Tatsuki stepped forward, her geta clicking softly on the stone tiles beneath them.
"Notably," she began, "Ryōki originates from an individual's spirit—not their physical body. So even if someone's mind is transferred into another body… they'd still be capable of using their Ryōki to the same degree they normally could. Even if that new body isn't a Ryōki user."
Klaus narrowed his eyes, his hand slowly opening as he tried to feel something—anything—in his palm.
"What else can I do with this?" he asked, focusing as faint sparks of pressure curled at his fingertips.
Tatsuki's voice grew more serious.
"It's divided into three distinct types—but only truly usable once you've unlocked all seven aura stages."
Klaus's gaze sharpened. "Three types?"
She nodded.
"The first is called Kenbunshoku no Ryōki," she said, still pacing around him like a hawk. "It grants the user a sixth sense of the world around them—allowing them to sense the presence, strength, and emotions of others. Even those far out of sight."
She smirked slightly.
"It also grants limited precognitive abilities. At an advanced level… you can sense your opponent's intentions, and predict their actions before they happen."
Klaus blinked, then gave a skeptical glance. "That sounds a little…"
"Try to hit me," Tatsuki said flatly.
"What?"
"I want you to strike me—but do something you think I can't predict."
Klaus hesitated, then darted forward with a feint left—only to pivot and swing wide from the right.
He didn't even get halfway through the motion.
CRACK.
Tatsuki's palm stopped him mid-swing—two fingers pressing lightly against his chest.
He froze.
Tatsuki's voice was calm, almost amused. "An advanced user of Kenbunshoku can actually see a short distance into the future."
Klaus took a step back, stunned. "That's… insane."
She didn't stop.
"The second type is called Busōshoku no Ryōki—the 'Armament Will'. It allows you to turn your aura into a form of armor—both defensive and offensive."
She raised her katana.
In an instant, her blade turned obsidian-silver. The edge of the metal shimmered with a flame-like aura, dancing with power.
"You can coat any part of your body—or even your weapon. A strong enough coating turns jet-black with silver flame patterns."
Klaus stared, nodding slowly. "Okay… that's sick."
Tatsuki sheathed the blade smoothly. "The third type," she said, her tone suddenly sharp, "is the rarest."
"Haōshoku no Ryōki."
Klaus tensed just from the sound of it.
"This," she said, "is the Imperium Will. It lets you unleash your very spirit to overpower others—forcing weak-willed enemies into unconsciousness just by presence alone."
She exhaled slowly.
"It can also apply raw pressure—crushing objects and shattering the weak in both body and mind. And unlike the other two types… Haōshoku is innate. You're either born with it… or you're not."
Klaus swallowed. "That sounds like a monster's power."
Tatsuki didn't deny it.
"And a small handful," she added, "can take it further—infusing their Imperium Will into their strikes, amplifying physical and elemental attacks beyond normal limits. Only a few of the strongest sword masters reach that level."
Klaus exhaled, feeling the weight of it all settle on his shoulders.
"…That's a lot to train for," he muttered.
WHAP!
Tatsuki slapped the back of his head.
"Idiot," she snapped. "Most people who use Ryōki specialize in one. One type they train with and rely on. But if you've got the will… you can master all three."
She stepped back, arms crossed.
"Each type has its own depth. Even two users of the same Ryōki can be leagues apart depending on their training. And yes—it's possible to use two types at the same time. Just… takes more will than most can handle."
Klaus stood still.
Speechless.
Overwhelmed.
"Too much?" she asked with a smirk.
Klaus laughed weakly. "Yeah… but…"
Then he straightened up—grinning fiercely.
"I'm ready to learn it all."
Tatsuki's eyes gleamed.
"Incredible," she said. "Then start swinging that blade—two thousand times."
She turned.
And walked away.
Klaus's eyes widened. "Wait… what!?"