Kaitansha HQ——
Hayate and Marin were looking at a feed of the Kitakyushu Dungeon, which showed the dungeon gate slowly rising from beneath the ground.
"Right on time," Hayate noted. "It would seem that most of our forces plan to venture into that dungeon. What do you think, Marin?"
"I believe it's a reckless endeavor," Marin replied. "Making such a huge jump in strength is not worth the deadly risk that dungeon holds. Many won't make it out. And we've already lost so many to Kagoshima."
"Ha," Hayate chuckled. "You are right. But we have an ace up our sleeve this time—-Omariro Nyugawa."
He turned to her. "Speaking of which, did you hear that he's gotten young as of late?"
Marin's face turned red, but she quickly regained her composure. "I've heard. Either way, he alone won't be enough to save all our troops from death. Do you believe the rest of the Kaidanchō can hold up?"
"Let's hope so," Hayate stated. "With the monsters in our land growing by the day, we need all the strength we can get."
The feed flickered, before resuming as normal.
Shinkaidan Mansion—-
When the kids arrived in the dojo, they noticed Omariro sitting with a white-haired woman.
"Uh, sir," Zaria wondered. "Who's that?"
The woman raised her hand. "Hi! My name is Seshina Shikōki. I'll be helping your Master teach you today."
"Auntie!" Sōshin realized, immediately wrapping the lady in a hug. The woman returned the hug, lifting Sōshin into the air.
"Is that you, Sōshin?" Seshina wondered. "You've gotten so big! Last time I checked, you were still a pesky little AI computer!"
"Yep! Mom and Dad freed me!"
She set the boy down. "And these must be your friends. Zaria, the hotheaded spear girl with a brave fighting spirit that not many can match."
She winked at Zaria, who gave her a confused stare. Seshina turned her attention to Rika. "Rika, the compassionate but very dramatic healer who keeps the team steady."
Rika nervously waved.
"Can't forget sweet little Rei," Seshina laughed. "So bubbly, but there's a lot more to you than meets the eye, sweetheart."
"Hi!" Rei greeted. "I get that a lot!"
"Nonoka," Seshina remarked. "The cynical but very talented Sōunsha that always somehow comes in clutch."
"Eh."
Seshina finally locked her eyes onto Han. "And of course, Han! The smart, isolated Kōbisha with a heavy burden on his shoulders."
Han looked at her. "Hmm?"
Seshina put a hand on his shoulder. "I'm relieved you managed to rid yourself of that Herald's influence by yourself. Usually, it would take the usage of very powerful Soul Jugen to accomplish such a thing. Like mine, of course."
"I'm pretty sure it had to do with the fact she didn't really want me," Han pointed out. "But that's no excuse for my actions."
Seshina stepped into the middle. "Each of you has great potential inside of you. All we have to do is let it loose. Let the energy within all of you flow free as can be."
Rika raised a hand. "Master summoned you to teach us?"
"More like dragged me from my retirement, but I'm always happy to help the Legendary Kaitansha with whatever he needs."
"Focus, woman," Omariro ordered. "Children need teaching."
"I will! Remember our deal? I teach in my way, you watch and assist with anything I need during the lessons."
"Woman deal irrelevant."
Seshina shook her head. "And to think I trained you once…even if barely."
She sat in the middle of the dojo. "Everyone, sit around me."
The kids all did so, while Omariro watched from the wall, sitting in a chair. Seshina's body began to glow as she extended a hand.
"Jugen-Mahōshi: Tamashii no Kakudai."
Each kid's body began to glow in different colors, and they all looked at themselves in awe. Seshina stood up. "I want each of you to focus hard on what your powers can do. Then throw those out the window."
"Huh?" Zaria questioned. "What for?"
"Jugen has multiple applications," Seshina explained. "Soon, you'll find even basic skills have totally opposite uses than you once thought. Come, Zaria."
Zaria stood up.
"Form your spear."
She did so.
"Now, try to extend it."
Zaria scratched her head. "Huh? Ain't like I'm that lanky, you know…"
"It has nothing to do with your build. Focus on attacking from a distance. Try to pierce this dummy from where you're standing."
Seshina grabbed a dummy and placed it at the end of the dojo. Zaria attempted to slash with her spear, but nothing happened.
"Why don't I just kick it?"
Seshina motioned to her. "Go ahead. See how that works."
Zaria tossed the spear into the air, kicking it at the dummy. Seshina easily moved it out of the way before the spear could hit.
"What—-?"
"That's why. Your kicks are strong and devastating, but a fast or perceptive enemy can see them coming. But a surprise attack from the spear itself will be much harder to react to. Now, try again. Extend the spear."
Zaria sighed, grabbed her spear, and returned to her former position. "Right. I got this."
She spun the spear in her hand before turning around and attempting to pierce through the dummy's chest from her position.
Sure enough, nothing happened.
"You sure this is the right way?"
"Hmm. You're a bit rigid," she noted. "Sōshin, honey. Come here for a second."
"Okay, Aunt Seshina!"
Sōshin zoomed over to her as she examined him. "You're a lively one, nephew. It seems you can alter the speed of things, and you also can turn objects into vehicles."
Seshina extended her arms. "Turn me into one!"
"What do you mean, Aunt Seshina?"
"Use Jiritsu Sharyō Henkei. It should allow you to control my movements and harness me as your own source of movement."
"Alright, Aunt Seshina!"
Sōshin touched her face. "Jugen-Sōunsha: Jiritsu Sharyō Henkei!"
Seshina's body began to crack and jerk, and sure enough, two wheels formed underneath her shoes, allowing Sōshin to control her body.
"Whoa!" the kids gasped.
With a wave of his arm, Sōshin sent her zipping across the room, before she slammed headfirst into Omariro and crashed to the ground, leaving the old man standing.
"Ow…next time, be more gentle, Sōshin."
"Will do, Auntie!"
Seshina cracked her shoulders. "See, Zaria? Your Jugen isn't just a set of rules like a dungeon is. Come on! Try giving me a strong blow to the chest!"
Zaria sized up her spear. "If Sōshin can make something shake, then I should be able to."
She went back to her spot, getting into a thrusting stance. With a growl, she pulled her spear back and jabbed it forward, but only a small burst of purple energy shot out, slashing the floor near Rika's foot.
"Gah! What was that?" Rika yelped.
"I think it came from my spear?" Zaria pointed out.
"Jugen," Seshina noted. "There's an abundance of it in your weapon."
Seshina touched the tip, which recoiled with a shockwave of energy. "Ah, and it's relentless too! Almost as if it's itching for a chance to unleash itself. Here. Try doing the same thing you just did."
Seshina put the dummy closer to Zaria, and Zaria thrust her spear hard. Dark energy shot out like a bullet, forming a small jagged spear tip that impaled itself into the dummy.
"An impressive start," Seshina complimented. "We will work on it more. Rika, dear, would you like to come for a moment?"
Rika took Zaria's place, visibly nervous. Seshina lifted one of Rika's arms. "You can heal and create health-related sigils, correct?"
"That's right."
"Have you tried to merge two sigils together?"
Rika paused. "What?"
"Creating two sigils and merging them to create one potent effect. Have you heard of Reaction Attacks?"
Rika nodded. "Rei's told me about them."
"Then you know different Mahōshi powers can create different reactions. The same goes for sigils."
"Really?"
"Try summoning two right now. Either or. It doesn't matter."
Rika turned her palms sideways, clasping her hands together. "Jugen-Kaiseisha: Chiyu no Shirushi."
Two sigils appeared.
〈Sigil Created: Siphon.〉
〈Sigil Created: Iron Skin.〉
"Ah, good," Seshina noted. "You've created both an offensive and defensive sigil. Now then, try slamming them together, would you?"
Rika looked at the sigils in her hand before reluctantly bringing them together. They bounced off, clattering to the ground. "Ugh! Didn't work!"
"You've got to use more force, sweetheart," Seshina insisted.
"Okay, fine."
Rika picked them up and slammed them together in the palms of her hands with all her might. A bright glow shone through her fingers, and a large sigil rose from her hands, easily the size of Rika's head.
"Wonderful!" Seshina complimented. "Now, let's see what you've created!"
〈Sigil Created: Ultimate Defense. User can absorb and redirect all forms of damage for 1 minute. Charges: *1.*〉
"Oh. My. Goodness!" Rika gasped. "Is that really mine? Is it supposed to be this large?"
"Well, yes," Seshina nodded. "The more power a sigil holds, the larger it grows. Let us test it out, shall we? Crush the sigil."
Rika crushed it in her hand.
〈Sigil Activated.〉
Seshina waved her hand like a wand. "Let's see if it is truly immune to all attacks. Jugen-Mahōshi: Konpaku Bunri!"
White hands appeared out of the air, striking Rika with extreme force and attempting to grab her face. The moment they tried to rip her soul, the attack got reflected backwards, knocking Seshina over.
"Ahh! Goodness, you caught me by surprise for a moment!"
"Sorry! Are you okay?"
Seshina stood up. "No worries. I'm glad it did what it was supposed to do. Experimenting with your sigils is key, young lady. They can take you far."
"I'll do my best!"
Seshina scanned the others. "Now, Nonoka. Would you like to demonstrate your abilities?"
Nonoka shrugged. "They're nothing special. Just buffing myself or other people. I'm here off my raw capabilities alone."
"Is that so? Have you tried a double buff?"
"Double…buff?"
"Yes. Your Humanity Discarded form. I believe that increases your raw power by a tremendous amount, no?"
"Yeah…?"
"Try entering that state and buffing your teammates, no?"
Nonoka hesitated. "I dunno, that sounds like it'll put a lot of strain on my body…"
Seshina gave her a warm smile. "Well, if you can't handle it, I'll be sure to give you some more 'beginner-level' training, no worries!"
"What? Screw that! I'm not a baby!"
Nonoka touched her neck. "Jugen-Sōunsha: Ningensei Tōki!"
Her body shifted into her dark form, and with her remaining strength, she held out a hand. "Jugen-Sōunsha: Noroi no Sukiru Kyōka!"
〈Buff Applied. 200% Buff to Current Party Members.〉
"Awesome! Rei, try firing off an attack at me!"
"Oh, okay!"
Rei unleashed a moon beam which was over triple the size of her usual attack. As it tore through the dojo, Omariro quickly erased it with a clap as Seshina awkwardly laughed. "Well, it would seem it worked, didn't it?"
"Woman playing games in my house," Omariro grunted. "Will stop now."
Nonoka shifted back to her normal form, collapsing to the ground as Zaria and Rika caught her.
"How unfortunate," Seshina lamented. "It would seem her body doesn't have the strength to support using both her abilities at once."
"N—no, I can—!"
Nonoka fainted.
"She'll need more practice," Seshina sighed. "Han, dear, would you like to give it a shot?"
"Do I have to?"
"Come, now. Don't be shy. There is no judgment here."
Han reluctantly walked up. "What should I do, then?"
"You have a cube that can scan for ways to escape danger, no?"
"Yes."
"Have you ever wondered if it can scan more than that?"
Han shook his head. "Nope. I just tell it to scan for solutions, and that's what it does."
"Really? What about a person's intentions?"
"Ahem, could you repeat that?"
She placed a hand on his forehead. "Kōbisha have the best senses of any Jugen class. It's a must for capture and control types. Sensing the breathing, tiny movements, and sounds a person makes before they attack can give away their whole strategy. Have you ever wondered if your cube can do that?"
"It's a possibility, but I've never actually given it thought."
Seshina motioned him forward. "Then we shall give it a test today. Summon the cube."
Han took a deep breath. "Jugen-Kōbisha: Hexagon Cube."
He waited, lifting his palm…
…but shockingly, nothing happened.
——