"In this way, these members are actually benefitting from being in your presence."
Shortly after, Tsukabishi Tessai's voice echoed through the training grounds, steady and powerful.
Upon hearing the Grand Kido Chief's voice, the crowd stopped their training and gathered toward him.
"You have already learned the basics of dual incantations, but true dual incantation is more than just the synchronization of spiritual pressure."
"It also requires the parallel execution of the incantation verses."
Everyone perked up at his words.
"In other words, you must chant two different Kido incantations at the exact same moment."
He paused, his gaze scanning the crowd.
A low murmur of discussion rippled through the training grounds.
"Chanting two different verses at the same time?"
"The verses and spiritual pressure must be in sync... the difficulty of that is..."
Ignoring the chatter, Tsukabishi Tessai continued.
"I will demonstrate it once. Listen carefully."
He took a deep breath, and then, two distinct incantation verses began to flow from his mouth simultaneously.
Two completely different sets of syllables, rhythms, and cadences interwove and ran parallel to each other.
At the same time, red and blue light flared in front of him.
Two masses of spiritual pressure fluctuated at their own frequencies, perfectly matching the rhythm of the incantations.
Then, he thrust both hands forward.
Two Kido spells, their power intentionally suppressed, struck the distant targets simultaneously, shattering them instantly.
Hasumi Ren stood in the corner, his eyes fixed on every one of Tsukabishi Tessai's movements.
In his field of vision, fragments were drifting off Tessai's body.
[SYSTEM: Obtained Advanced Kido Insights x2, Kido Experience +200]
[SYSTEM: Kido Branch Skill—Dual Incantation proficiency increased by 4%]
Tessai settled his spiritual pressure and slowly looked across the field.
"Even though I have provided a demonstration, do not be overeager for success. Continue to solidify your foundations."
"Alright, resume your practice."
Watching the bewildered members, a hint of disappointment flashed in his eyes.
Since the founding of the Gotei 13, although the Kido Corps maintained its status, it had gradually devolved into a support organization working behind the scenes.
While this greatly ensured the safety of its members, it also meant they lacked proper tempering.
These noble children who had been shoehorned into the ranks had lived in luxury since childhood; when had they ever truly faced danger?
Their talent wasn't lacking, but their mindset was poor.
If this continued, the Kido Corps would only become more marginalized and rigid, just like...
Tessai pushed aside these overreaching thoughts and subconsciously looked toward the corner of the field.
There, Hasumi Ren had already walked up to a target, his hands half-raised and his lips slightly moving.
Tessai's eyes narrowed slightly.
A few members standing near Ren also began to notice something was wrong.
They turned their heads to look at him.
"What is he doing?"
"Is he reciting an incantation?"
"So what? It's just an incantation. I'm reciting mine too."
But immediately after, the pupils of one of the members contracted sharply.
"Wait, this spiritual pressure!"
Sensing the change in spiritual pressure, the others all looked over.
The incantation flowing from Ren's mouth was changing rapidly—not with a single rhythm, but with two completely different verses alternating and running in parallel.
Soon, the Kido took form.
"How... how is this possible?!"
Boom!
A sudden explosion rang out.
Everyone followed the sound and saw two different Kido spells being released from Ren's hands.
Blue and red light wove together into a spiral, smashing the target in front of him to pieces.
It was exactly like the demonstration Tsukabishi Tessai had just performed.
The training grounds instantly fell silent.
Everyone stared blankly at that corner, watching as Ren slowly lowered his hands, his expression as calm as if he had just completed an ordinary practice session.
Some showed looks of shock, while others were in disbelief.
There were also those whose faces were dark with resentment.
When training ended and the sky grew late, Ren packed his things and bowed to Tessai before taking his leave.
In the training grounds, several noble children stood together, watching that figure disappear into the twilight.
Silence.
A heavy, oppressive silence.
"Hmph."
Finally, someone let out a cold snort.
It was the black-haired youth who had been scolded by Tessai that morning; his face was currently clouded with gloom.
"What's so great about him?"
He spoke through gritted teeth.
"He just got lucky and happened to have a breakthrough, didn't he?"
A person beside him chimed in.
"Exactly. He's an outsider who's only been in our Kido Corps for a few days. What real skill could he have?"
However, another person frowned.
"But he actually succeeded. When the Grand Kido Chief demonstrated it, we couldn't even manage the first step..."
"What are you trying to say? Defending an outsider? Who knows if he practiced this beforehand?"
"I didn't mean that, I just..."
"Enough."
The black-haired youth at the head of the group interrupted their argument.
He stared at the closed gate, his eyes filled with resentment and indignation.
"The Grand Kido Chief spoke to us like that today just to use him as an example to lecture us, didn't he?"
He turned around to face his companions.
"'Complacent,' 'lacking initiative,' 'relying on ancestral protection'..."
He repeated Tessai's words one by one, his expression darkening with every sentence.
"He's of noble birth himself, just with a bit more seniority. What right does he have to talk to us like that?"
"Exactly."
"The Grand Kido Chief really went too far today."
The more they spoke, the more agitated they became, their tones filled with indignation and grievance.
However, they didn't notice that a figure had been standing in the nearby shadows for a long time.
The man wore a dark kimono, his face thin and his eyes sinister.
He listened quietly to the noble children's complaints, a smirk gradually spreading across his lips.
Only when they had vented most of their anger did he slowly step out from the shadows.
"Young masters, you seem to be in high spirits."
His voice wasn't loud, yet it gave them all a start.
"Who's there?!"
They looked back to see a figure standing at the edge of the corridor's shadows, half his face obscured by the twilight, making it impossible to read his expression.
But the man took a step forward into the light.
The black-haired youth paused, recognizing him.
"Nagano?"
The newcomer was Nagano Masayasu, a minor noble who was unremarkable in aristocratic circles.
Word was that his family had recently fallen on hard times and was on the verge of collapse.
Nagano Masayasu bowed slightly.
"Pardon the intrusion. I happened to be passing by and overheard your conversation. I couldn't help but want to offer a word."
He paused, a gentle smile on his face.
"I deeply sympathize with the grievance you've suffered today."
"What's your point?"
Nagano Masayasu didn't answer directly.
He looked toward the closed gate and spoke in a low, ethereal voice.
"Regarding that Hasumi Ren... my master has a few things he would like to discuss with you."
The group frowned and exchanged looks.
"What does this have to do with you? What, are you trying to use us as tools?"
"It wouldn't hurt to meet with my master first before deciding."
Nagano Masayasu looked at the resentful noble children and slowly uttered a certain surname.
In the night, his eyes were exceptionally deep.
"If you are interested, we can find another place to chat at our leisure."
He stepped aside and made an inviting gesture.
"I know a place where the tea is good and we won't be disturbed."
They looked at one another.
The black-haired youth at the front hesitated for a moment before finally nodding heavily.
"Lead the way."
Nagano Masayasu's smile deepened.
He turned and walked deeper into the corridor.
Behind him, several sets of footsteps followed closely.