So, feng shui is a pretty complicated field.
It deals with the interplay of yin and yang, the five elements, celestial stems and earthly branches, energy flows, hexagrams and symbols—studying the connections between the ways of heaven, earth, and humanity.
It emphasizes timing, advantageous placement, and harmony, all to attract good fortune and ward off bad luck.
They touch on the basics in the introductory courses, just to give students a general idea.
Belno Light only knew a little about it herself.
But she did know that those who truly mastered feng shui were seriously impressive.
Back in her hometown, before her family opened their sports goods store, they had actually consulted a feng shui master to find an auspicious location.
Even now, business was still pretty good.
So, deep down, Belno Light felt feng shui was something you could trust.
Oguri Cap blinked, her expression completely blank.
The way of heaven? The way of earth? Did that mean some kind of celestial road?
It seemed like she'd definitely slept through that part of class, because Oguri Cap couldn't make heads or tails of what was being said.
"So, it's basically like a shrine, right?"
You visit sometimes, hoping it'll bring you good luck or something.
Immediately filing all this mystical stuff into the same category, Oguri Cap stuffed it into a mental box labeled 'mostly unnecessary knowledge.'
"Hey! Feng shui isn't some mystical nonsense like that." Hearing this, Copano Rickey's ears instantly perked up.
"Feng shui is a legitimate field of study! 'Wind' represents energy, 'water' represents matter, and the energy that influences human destiny is 'feng shui.' It's definitely not the unscientific, unreasonable mysticism you're talking about!"
The girl replied with utter seriousness.
"O-okay, got it, not mysticism, not mysticism..."
Belno Light waved her hands hurriedly.
No wonder Inari One said she had a hard time connecting with her.
When it came to this topic, Copano Rickey was just far too meticulous.
For people like them who didn't really understand, mixing things up was pretty common.
She thought just focusing on their own task would be smooth sailing, but it seemed the problem was starting right here with the local Tracen branch!
Belno Light felt a headache coming on.
But Copano Rickey wasn't finished yet.
"To prove that what I said is true," she pointed at Oguri Cap.
"Let's use her as an example! For a while now, I've been hearing it—the flowing sound of metal-born water coming from her."
"Metal energy is the vitality, and water represents depletion. In other words, her energy is currently leaking away."
"Energy is leaking away..."
Now that was a sentence Oguri Cap understood.
"Y-yeah, it's true. For a while now, my stomach's been really empty. My energy's draining fast, I need a refill."
Oguri Cap rubbed her belly.
This Uma Musume called Copano Rickey... she knew her stuff.
"I think the 'energy loss' she means probably isn't that..."
Belno Light couldn't help but interject.
She was likely talking about luck, or willpower, or something along those lines.
"Ahem, anyway, as long as you understand. Feng shui is a very logical field."
And she's just going to leave it at that!?
"And then I saw—"
Changing the subject, she looked towards the black-haired girl wearing a face mask.
"Form like a shadow, aura like a drifting spirit, without fixed shape or substance, its nature unseen and uncertain."
"Yet, though itself undefined, it influences the floating world around it."
Copano Rickey spoke slowly, "I'm curious, just what kind of person are you?"
"Since the day I was born, I've never seen an existence so... illusory and transient."
She hadn't even heard of such a thing; it surpassed Copano Rickey's understanding of 'life' built up over all these years.
These words made the black-haired girl, and Manhattan Cafe beside her, both widen their eyes.
Perhaps others didn't grasp the meaning, but they knew in their hearts.
She actually saw through it...
Those brilliant crimson pupils stared fixedly at the other girl.
Copano Rickey waited for an answer.
"Alright now, Copano Rickey."
After a strangely heavy silence, Maruzensky finally spoke, her gentle voice instantly drawing everyone's attention.
"Sunday Silence is a student of Tracen, and moreover, she's a student involved with the league matters. Let's not trouble her with such vague and confusing questions, okay? Otherwise..."
She offered a brilliantly sunny smile.
"Even if you're from a local Tracen branch, I might just get angry."
Her aquamarine eyes glanced at Copano Rickey.
The soul-piercing pressure in that gaze sent an involuntary shiver down Copano Rickey's spine.
"Ah, I was just asking out of curiosity, no other meaning, ahaha..."
A few drops of cold sweat formed on her forehead, the corner of her mouth twitched a few times, and Copano Rickey hurriedly explained.
"That's good. Only good girls are likable, right?"
"Y-yes, absolutely..."
Inari One, watching from the side, narrowed her eyes.
What in the world... have these people been talking about all this time?
--+--
Since they didn't need to tour the area outside the school, the schedule was considerably shorter.
The group headed straight for Tracen Academy.
"Whoa, this school is seriously huge."
Inari One couldn't help but voice her admiration.
She'd heard about it, of course, but seeing it in person was still awe-inspiring.
A wall stretching for kilometers completely encircled the entire Tracen grounds.
Without a guide, you could probably wander along this seemingly endless wall and never find the main gate.
It was a world apart from the Oi Tracen branch with its sandy training field and handful of small buildings—it felt like stepping into another universe.
"Right? We felt the same way when we first arrived."
Feeling like she was seeing her past self, Belno Light eagerly explained.
Nearby, Copano Rickey looked around, then lowered her head in thought for a moment before gazing towards the main school building.
"The feng shui here... it seems like it's been altered, hasn't it?"
Not only that, Copano Rickey could hear the sound of energy currents mingling within the academy.
Could it be that besides her, there was another feng shui practitioner in the school?
If so, she definitely needed to have a proper exchange with them.
"Starting today, and until the Academy League is over, please feel free to use Tracen's facilities. The specific schedule for their use will be formally arranged once your trainer arrives."
"Before that, let me give you a brief tour of the place."
Maruzensky began playing the role of senior guide.
"Can I make a suggestion?"
Oguri Cap raised her hand.
"Of course, what is it, Oguri Cap?"
"It'd be best to show them the cafeteria first. As the essential heart of Tracen, you should be able to find your way to the cafeteria with your eyes closed."
"Oguri!?"
What is this dummy saying now?!
"Sorry, Belno, but... ever since I heard the word 'feng shui,' my stomach started feeling empty."
A faint rumble emerged from her belly.
Besides, it was almost mealtime anyway, so heading to the cafeteria was perfectly reasonable.
So it all circles back to food, does it?!
Belno Light thought, exasperated.
"The cafeteria, huh... Well then, how about this. Now that we're inside Tracen, we don't need such a big group. Oguri Cap and Belno Light, you two go ahead to lunch. Manhattan Cafe, Sunday Silence, and I will show our guests around. How does that sound?"
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.