I, the spiritual mentor of beautiful girls from all over the world

“I was there at the time.”

With just one sentence, everyone's attention was instantly drawn to him.

Sanemi Shinazugawa released the poor "hidden" and sat down again, but his eyes were still full of suspicion.

"Her aura is completely different from before."

As Yoshiyuki Tomioka recalled how he felt at the time, a subtle hint of seriousness flashed in his blue eyes.

"It has become...like a knife."

"A knife... that exists solely for killing."

Upon hearing this, even the most carefree Yuzui Tengen's playful expression faded somewhat.

For someone as withdrawn and expressionless as Giyu Tomioka to give such an evaluation, it seems that things are far more outrageous than described in the battle report.

"Our lord has arrived!"

As the announcement was made, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, supported by his two white-haired daughters, slowly walked out.

He still wore that gentle smile, one that seemed to encompass everything in the world, but the purple markings on his face appeared to have grown even larger.

“My children are all here.”

His voice was soft, yet it possessed a peculiar magic that could instantly soothe the irritability and astonishment in everyone present.

"I know everything about Shinobu."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki smiled and turned his gaze to Kanao Tsuyuri, who was kneeling in the center of the courtyard.

"Kanao, tell everyone what you saw."

Kanao's body trembled slightly. She raised her head, and for the first time, her usually empty eyes revealed an emotion called "confusion".

Following her own intuition, she took out a copper coin.

Front view, open.

The opposite: silence.

Ding--

The coin arced through the air and landed in her palm.

It's the front.

She took a deep breath and began to speak in an almost wooden, emotionless tone.

“A few days ago, Sister Ren… suddenly disappeared.”

"Then, he suddenly came back."

"After she came back, she stopped smiling."

"Her scent... has changed too. It used to be the gentle fragrance of wisteria lingering from my older sister. Now... there's no scent, only a... cold feeling."

"She locked herself in the pharmacy and read not pharmacology books, but many... books about human anatomy and chemistry that I couldn't understand."

"The way she wielded her sword was completely different from before. It was no longer Flower Breathing, but a breathing technique that I had never seen before, faster and more ruthless."

Kanao's description, though straightforward, struck the hearts of all the pillars like heavy hammers.

The smile disappears.

The air was icy cold.

The study of human anatomy and chemistry.

A completely new breathing method was created...

These clues, when pieced together, outlined an image of Shinobu Kocho that felt completely unfamiliar to them.

An uproar ensued.

What kind of extraordinary encounter could cause such a complete transformation in a person in just a few days?

This can no longer be explained by "sudden enlightenment".

If the previous battle reports only shocked them with the dramatic change in Shinobu Kocho's fighting strength...

Kanao's words sent a chill down their spines.

"children."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki spoke again, his voice carrying a hint of gratified laughter.

"Shinobu's growth is a great thing for our Demon Slayer Corps. We should be happy for her."

He paused, then dropped a real bombshell in a nonchalant tone.

"It seems that Kanae left behind the 'flower pillar' vacancy."

"Soon, her sister will be able to make up for it."

boom--!

The entire courtyard was completely in an uproar!

"My lord!!" Sanemi Shinazugawa was the first to exclaim in surprise, "She's only fifteen years old!" (I'm tentatively setting this to three years before the start of the story, with Muichiro Tokito being 11 years old and becoming a 'Pillar' at 14, but he hasn't appeared yet.)

Kyojuro Rengoku's eyes, which always burned with fire, widened in surprise: "Hmm! While the growth of the Butterfly Girl is commendable, isn't it a bit too early for her to become a 'Pillar'?!"

Even the most flamboyant Yuzui Tengen abandoned his nonchalant attitude and his expression became serious.

Becoming a "pillar" is not only a symbol of strength, but also means taking on the heaviest and most dangerous responsibilities!

How can you expect a fifteen-year-old girl to bear all this?!

However, Kagaya Ubuyashiki simply smiled and shook his head.

His gaze seemed to pierce through layers of space, revealing something deeper that they could not comprehend.

He had no idea what Shinobu Kocho had encountered.

But his almost prophetic intuition was clearly telling him the truth.

This sudden, mysterious force, capable of altering the course of the battle, will be a crucial variable in the centuries-long war between the Demon Slayer Corps and Muzan.

This hastily convened meeting of the pillars came to a close amidst the astonishment and shock of the assembled pillars.

But the "mysterious upheaval of Shinobu Kocho" is like an inescapable fog, shrouding everyone's hearts.

They racked their brains but still couldn't figure it out.

What kind of mysterious "master" or "miracle" could forge a fragile butterfly into a poisoned blade capable of killing Lower Moon Three in such a short time?

A legend about "Shinobu Kocho's mysterious adventures" began to circulate quietly among the highest levels of the Demon Slayer Corps.

Meanwhile, the mastermind they had wildly imagined, a figure like a ghost or god, was currently in Soubu High School's office, sighing and lamenting about next month's expenses.

Chapter 27: Yang Nai's Second Test, the Ultimate Problem

Time is a wonderful filter.

It can cause a thrilling rescue to gradually fade into a vague legend in the daily chatter on campus.

It can also allow a lifeless soul to quietly sprout a tiny, insignificant bud under the unnoticed companionship.

In the blink of an eye, a week has passed.

Lynn's life seemed to have returned to that familiar track called "salted fish".

He rubbed his temples, which were a little sore from lack of sleep, and sighed helplessly as he looked at the rapidly shrinking number in his bank account.

Raising a younger sister is really expensive.

Meanwhile, the door to the safe house was no longer opened for Shinobu Kocho.

Lynn tried calling out to it, but only received a cold, robotic notification from the system.

[Note: Visitor 'Shinobu Kocho's' interim assignment 'Practical Test' is not yet complete, and the return channel cannot be opened.]

[Completion Criteria: In a real battle, using the knowledge you have learned, defeat a powerful enemy who poses a life-threatening threat.]

"The waning crescent moon, isn't that enough?"

Lynn rubbed his temples, having roughly guessed the system's judgment logic.

For Shinobu Kocho now, the Lower Moon Demons are no longer a "threat," but rather "minor fodder."

To complete this assignment, I need to open the portal again...

Her opponent must be at least the Upper Moon of the Twelve Demon Moons.

"Tsk, that's a really strict KPI assessment."

Lynn felt helpless.

Although the absence of a diligent and studious student made him much more relaxed, for some reason, this extremely empty safe house gave him a sense of... boredom.

Habits are a terrible thing.

……

In the Service Department's activity room.

Kasugano Sora was still holding the black rabbit doll, sitting quietly in her usual corner seat.

She still didn't say much.

But she no longer completely shut herself off, isolating herself from the world with an invisible barrier, as she did at the beginning.

"Xiao Qiong, this is for you, it's the newest flavor!"

Like a cheerful little squirrel, Yui Yuigahama presented a piece of strawberry daifuku to Sora. Her bright and energetic face was filled with a warm yet slightly cautious smile, and her signature bun swayed happily.

Qiong raised her head, her empty gray eyes looking at Yuihama, then at the pink and cute pastry.

A few seconds later.

She reached out her little hand and took it.

Then, she spoke softly, in a barely audible, gentle voice.

"……Thanks."

Although it was only two words, it instantly revived Yui Yuigahama, making her so happy she almost jumped for joy.

"No, you're welcome! I'll bring you more tomorrow if you like!"

Yukino Yukinoshita, who was standing to the side, was holding a hardcover book with an elegant posture. When she heard this, she merely raised her eyelids slightly, and the corners of her mouth curved into a very faint smile that she herself did not even notice.

very nice.

The thought flashed through Lynn's mind.

Allowing Qiong to integrate into the school and interact with these girls who have different personalities but are all kind-hearted was an absolutely correct decision.

Her world is gradually being transformed from a pure, lifeless black and white into the colors of "everyday life".

Although these colors are still very light and pale.

But one day, they will all come together to form a magnificent rainbow.

It's worth mentioning that Qiong also has a fan support group at school, whose full name is "Silver Moon Princess Qiong's Guardian Knights".

A group of overly energetic boys spontaneously patrol the corridor every day, using wolf-like eyes to drive away any suspicious people who try to get close to Qiong.

Whenever Lynn saw this group of delusional idiots, who were in the late stages of chuunibyou, solemnly saluting in front of her and reporting, "Everything is normal today, and Her Highness the Princess has not been disturbed in any way," she couldn't help but laugh.

……

Tokyo, the top floor of the Yukinoshita family's business building.

Yukino Yukinoshita looked at the still blank investigation report handed over by her subordinate, and the playful smile on her beautiful, alluring face disappeared.

"Still... we can't find anything?"

“Yes, Miss.” The bodyguard in black bowed and said, “Lynn’s past is like it has been thoroughly cleaned by professionals, so clean that it’s… abnormal.”

"Ha ha……"

Yang let out a soft, ambiguous laugh, his narrow, fox-like eyes gleaming with a dangerous yet excited light.

Since the prey is hiding in the cave and not coming out.