Seeing the information from the sign-in system, Lexon tried to circulate the brand-new breathing style and discovered a wisp of mist emerging from the corner of his mouth.
'Mist?'
'The result of combining Flame Breathing and Water Breathing is Mist Breathing?'
Lexon was amazed and immediately named this "Unknown" breathing style the Mist Breathing style.
'If the combination of the two great basic breathing styles, Flame and Water, is Mist, what would the breathing style be if I fused all of them?'
'Could I obtain the origin of all breathing styles, Sun Breathing?'
Lexon was a little curious.
The next moment, Lexon discovered that he could switch between Water Breathing, Flame Breathing, and this new breathing style.
'This is good too. After all, I haven't explored this Mist Breathing yet...'
Lexon thought.
'By the way, besides the future Tanjiro, has anyone else in this world mastered two breathing styles? If so, then there might be a precedent for a fused breathing style.'
"Mr. Rengoku, has anyone ever mastered and combined two basic breathing styles before?" And so, Lexon asked Kyojuro Rengoku.
"Two breathing styles..." Rengoku said thoughtfully. "As of now, it seems there hasn't been. There have only been cases where a swordsman masters one basic breathing style and then derives other breathing styles from it. Why do you ask?"
Lexon didn't respond. Instead, he drew his Nichirin Sword again, holding it semi-raised with one hand.
He circulated the Water Breathing style.
Rippling water manifested and flowed along the blade.
The next moment, the flowing water vanished.
He circulated the Flame Breathing style.
Raging flames bloomed and burned on the blade.
Seeing this, a look of astonishment appeared on Kyojuro Rengoku's face.
Then, the flames disappeared.
He circulated the Mist Breathing style.
A faint wisp of mist rose from the blade.
"Mist?" Kyojuro asked in wonder.
The breathing style stopped, and the mist vanished.
"This is the result of combining Water Breathing and Flame Breathing. I call it Mist Breathing," Lexon said.
"That's a very fitting name," Kyojuro said with a laugh. "No wonder you asked me for the Flame Breathing training method before. Was it to try and cultivate another basic breath?"
"Yes."
Lexon had already prepared for this, to dispel any doubts Kyojuro might have.
"Is it impossible for others to cultivate two basic breathing styles?" Lexon asked.
"Yes," Kyojuro nodded. "After we cultivate one basic breathing style, we are unable to master any others. From the looks of it, you must have a special constitution."
'Then I can't "borrow" anything for Mist Breathing from anyone else.'
Lexon was slightly disappointed.
"Caw! Caw!"
At that moment, Lexon's exclusive Kasugai Crow flew down from the sky and landed on his shoulder.
"Is there a mission?" Lexon turned his head to look at Jet.
"A man-eating demon has been discovered at the Shika family estate in the Kyoto suburbs! Demon Slayer Corps member Lexon, please proceed to exterminate it at once!"
'Ah... I was hoping to stay a while longer and test out this fused breathing style more with the Flame Hashira.'
"Go on," Kyojuro Rengoku said. "This should be your first mission. Good luck."
"I will, Mr. Rengoku," Lexon replied.
"After the mission is over, come and have a serious spar with me. The kind where we both use our full strength! I'm looking forward to our duel!" Kyojuro said with a smile.
'A duel at full strength...'
"Alright," Lexon reluctantly nodded in acceptance.
After all, he had been fleecing him for so long. He felt a little uneasy not even agreeing to this small request.
...
The Demon Slayer Corps' logistics were excellent. They had already prepared the necessary items for Lexon's journey and planned out the entire route.
Lexon only needed to carry a few of his own things before setting off.
Before departing, Lexon paid a visit to the Master and managed to touch him in the form of a handshake. But for the first time ever, he didn't sign in for what he needed; he failed to sign in for the Ubuyashiki family's [Short-term Foresight] ability.
Since he didn't get it, there was nothing he could do. Lexon could only use it as an excuse to ask about Tanjiro's recent situation.
It had to be said, the intelligence-gathering ability of the Demon Slayer Corps' founder was truly impressive. He knew many things about Tanjiro in great detail.
Thus, Lexon learned that Tanjiro was also currently on a mission near Kyoto, the same as his own.
'After I finish my mission, I'll go see him if it's convenient.'
Lexon thought to himself.
"What are your thoughts on Tanjiro's sister?"
Before Lexon took his leave, the Master, sitting on his bedding, spoke.
The atmosphere seemed to freeze in an instant.
The Ubuyashiki matriarch, who was attending to him at his side, even began to breathe more cautiously.
"She will not eat people. That is what I believe," Lexon said.
"The Demon Slayer Corps does not permit its members to harbor demons."
"You will permit it, Master."
Hearing Lexon's words, Kagaya Ubuyashiki was silent for a moment before continuing, "The Hashira will not agree."
"Tanjiro and I have the same master."
Lexon's meaning was clear. His position was with Tanjiro.
After spending so many years together, he had already come to consider Tanjiro a friend.
'The Hashira won't agree... then I'll just have to make them agree.'
"Is that so..." Kagaya Ubuyashiki said thoughtfully.
"Then I will be on my way, Master."
Lexon said his farewells and left the estate.
"An abnormal rate of progress, immense strength, a user compatible with two basic breaths... and also... Mist Breathing..."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki watched Lexon's departing figure, his expression calm, his thoughts unreadable.
...
"Woo... woo..."
The sound of a coal-fired train, something he had only heard in old movies and TV shows, reached his ears.
Lexon sat in a seat in one of the train cars, watching the scenery pass by like a slideshow outside the window.
This mission was in the suburbs of Kyoto.
The distance was a bit far, so a train ticket had been arranged for him. After his arrival, there would be a dedicated person to guide him to the location.
This could be considered a sign of the importance the Demon Slayer Corps placed on him; ordinary swordsmen would not receive such treatment.
After growing tired of the scenery outside, Lexon closed his eyes to rest, the details of the mission flashing through his mind.
The details were that members of the Shika family in the suburbs of Kyoto had recently been disappearing in large numbers. When found, only remnants like clothing were discovered. It was suspected that a demon had appeared, so Lexon had been dispatched to resolve the situation.
That was all the information there was, pitifully little. He would have to investigate personally for specifics.
"Life without the internet is so hard..."
Unconsciously, Lexon's thoughts had strayed.
Compared to the transportation Lexon had experienced in the new era of China, the train's speed was much slower. But Japan was only so large, and the distance to Kyoto wasn't absurdly far. Therefore, not long after Lexon closed his eyes to rest, he arrived at his destination.
"Wooo... wooo... chuff..."
The train came to a stop at the station.
While on the train, Lexon had noticed a woman in the uniform of the Demon Slayer Corps' logistics team standing properly on the platform.
At this time, Lexon was not wearing his Demon Slayer uniform, so the logistics member didn't recognize him.
It wasn't until Lexon walked up to her that she reacted, bowing respectfully.
She had heard that the person before her, although having only recently joined the Demon Slayer Corps, was extremely powerful.
Someone with great strength who voluntarily joined the Demon Slayer Corps to kill demons and protect others naturally earned her respect.
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]