Female Swordsman Training Dojo

"Stop repeating the same thing over and over, you idiot Haru, get to the point." Shiranui Ran urged her companion as she watched the shrine maiden pull out a pocket watch from who-knows-where.

There's no way around it, charging one yen per minute for phone calls is just too much!

"Why the rush..." the girl on the other end of the phone complained energetically, then got down to business, "Sakura brought some friends to me, saying she wants me to help her search the soul of a cat demon. I initially refused, but one of them is Lord Hei's disciple~ so..."

Shiranui Ran interrupted her: "Minamoto Yukisakura and Saten Yoko?"

"Eh?"

"Big Sister, did you know about this before?"

"Hmm, Xiaochun, you should be home now, right? I'll come over to find you now."

"Ah... well..." the girl's voice became hesitant, "I, now..."

"Where?" Shiranui Ran skillfully interrupted the other party's sophistry.

The other side obediently reported their location: "We are currently at Base Three."

Then she continued to explain, "Big Sister, you know about my family..."

"Stop pretending, it's not like this is your first time. Just wait there for me... Oh, and tell Saten Yoko that she'll be coming from the teacher's college too."

"Hi~ Big Sister~" Her lively and playful voice, now full of energy, was melodious and captivating, instantly conjuring up the image of a spirited, giggling girl.

"Ugh……"

Placing the receiver back on the phone stand, Shiranui Ran looked at Harunobu, who was also looking at her: "Shall we set off now?"

The shrine maiden handed the asagi back to Harunobu: "What I said earlier still works, but I think you probably have other ideas, right?"

indeed.

Combining the unusual incident during his battle with Vortigern where he took damage for his disciples, the awakened Mind Guardian, and the words the priestess had just spoken, Harunobu deduced that his Zanpakuto's ability was mostly defensive. In other words, once Asauchi's Shikai was released, he would naturally obtain the ability he desired.

And it doesn't cost a penny.

The premise is that the initial solution can be completed as soon as possible.

Harunobu scratched his head: "I'll think about it some more, thank you, priestess."

“Alright.” The shrine maiden held out her hand. “Then, please settle the phone bill.”

Shiranui Ran blinked and looked at Harunobu. It wasn't that she didn't have money, the problem was that she only carried one or two yen in loose change when she went on missions, and couldn't afford to pay for phone calls.

Haruno rolled her eyes: "Put it on my tab—remember to pay me back later."

"You money-grubber..."

With a sigh, Shiranui Ran bid farewell to Harunobu, picked up her teacup again, and headed towards Shiranui's third base in Tokyo.

port area.

Saten Yoko bowed politely to the girl in front of her: "Thank you, Tsuchimikado-sama."

The girl touched her head and gave a bright smile: "No need~ Anyway, I..."

Chapter 262

I really want to use magic too~

As she spoke, she looked at the open ground to the side.

The intricate patterns formed a neat circle, but inside the circle were countless chaotic lines, outlining a dizzying design. The disheveled head of the nine-lived cat was placed at the center of the circle.

Is this a magic circle?

Saten Yoko asked with some curiosity.

"Yes, I designed the magic circle myself!" Tsuchimikado Haru proudly put his hands on his hips and puffed out his chest, which was about the same size as Saten Yoko's. "With this, even someone who knows nothing about magic can easily cast the Soul Searching Technique as long as they have enough magic power!"

"It's a pity Hoshino isn't here today, otherwise we could start casting the spell now, so that Sister Lan wouldn't..."

"So what?"

"She keeps whining about how it's unsafe and a waste, even though she can't even master the Soul Searching Technique properly. Humph, all my hard work teaching her is wasted. She's such an idiot, not even as smart as Hoshino."

"Oh, so that's it."

"Yoko, your voice sounds so strange, how come..." Halfway through her sentence, Tsuchimikado Haru finally realized something was wrong. Saten Yoko's voice shouldn't be this mature. Moreover, the direction the voice seemed to be coming from seemed wrong. Saten Yoko was right next to her, but the voice seemed to be coming from the doorway.

Trembling with fear and clinging to a sliver of hope, she turned her head away from her perfect masterpiece and went to the doorway.

She saw Shiranui Ran standing at the doorway, her arms crossed over her chest. A cold gaze emanated from behind her white fox mask, and she could even picture Shiranui Ran's angry, clenched teeth in her mind.

I'm doomed—Xiaochun, I'm going to die today.

In her grief, Tsuchimikado Haru saw Minamoto Yuki and Fujiwara Kaguya huddled to one side, gazing up at the sky, and she was furious. Those two bastards! They should have at least alerted their boss when they realized she was back!

Wait... who is that guy next to you...?

Could it be Taira no Nobu?

Haru Tsuchimikado's eyes lit up, instantly forgetting the sadness of being caught talking badly about Ran behind her back. But Ran, who hadn't received an apology yet, couldn't hold back any longer and walked over: "You brat, so that's how you see me? Hmm?"

Tsuchimikado Haru immediately flashed a fawning smile, rubbing her small hands, still stained with black ink, together: "Hehehe, Sister Ran, why are you back so soon?"

"Still laughing!" Shiranui Ran poked Tsuchimikado Haru's forehead hard, feeling both embarrassed and annoyed.

Normally, it would be fine to hear Tsuchimikado Haru say this, since it's a fact that everyone already knows. But this time, there are outsiders here! The dignified fire demon of Shiranui, a two-hundred-year-old fox spirit, is actually not good at learning magic?

Or maybe we should just kill them to silence them. There's a barrier in the base, so unsealing their true forms for a while shouldn't be a problem.

Harunobu, caught in the crossfire, could only shrug and say to Shiranui Ran's loud plot, "What can I say? Whatever makes you happy."

"Teachers' College!"

Saten Yoko didn't care about Shiranui Ran's dilemma and quickly came to Harunobu's side. Harunobu naturally hugged his cute little Yoko tightly.

"Well done, Ye Zi!" Qingxin praised loudly, "You truly deserve to be my personal disciple! It was absolutely right to have you do this!"

When Saten Yoko mastered her mind control, Harunobu had already received the notification that the mission was complete. But this didn't stop him from praising his disciple lavishly, especially since Yoko had indeed completed his mission and made a significant contribution.

Hearing Harunobu's heartfelt praise and recognition, Saten Yoko felt a tingling sensation throughout her body, like the feeling of being brought to orgasm by a teacher's whip. But she didn't feel tired; instead, her mind was filled with even greater satisfaction.

It's like... well, I can't think of anything.

This was the first time she'd ever felt this way. If she had to use an analogy, it was like suddenly eating a delicious meal after being starved for days. Her body and soul were completely filled; she didn't even want to die now… No, no! She wanted more!

Among the group of people watching the couple, who were also master and apprentice, showering each other with affection, Shiranui Ran and Minamoto Yuki Sakura both looked speechless.

How could someone's purity of thought increase just from receiving a compliment?

What exactly are you thinking?

The author says:

Author's Note: The Onmyoji girl is about to make her appearance.

Chapter 241: Hesitation

Harunobu didn't linger with Saten Yoko for long, after all, there were outsiders present, and children were also there. Not to mention, there was a yokai waiting to be dealt with.

He patted Saten Yoko's buttocks, his fingers expertly brushing against her private area. She shuddered, knowingly releasing her grip on Harunobu's hands, but her blush deepened. Besides the physical reaction to being touched in her private parts, she was already thinking about how to play with Shihan that night.

According to the rules established by the normal school, students who make meritorious contributions can obtain priority access to the normal school... Of course, the normal school must agree, but the normal school, being such a lecherous organization, has never refused.

Looking at Saten Yoko, who was leaning shyly against Harunobu without any awareness of her surroundings, Shiranui Ran was alright, but Minamoto Yukisakura and Fujiwara Kaguya were so shocked that their mouths were agape. They found it very difficult to reconcile this shy girl with the valiant and decisive female swordswoman they had seen before.

Even the basic aura has changed!

Hiraharu Nobu, terrifying indeed—

The two suddenly felt a little apprehensive, and their gazes towards Harunobu changed. It was as if they were looking at some kind of bewitching monster, keeping their distance with a sense of awe. Especially Minamoto Yukisakura, who became even more determined not to become Harunobu's disciple.

Apart from the three of them, Tsuchimikado Haru seemed to have no reaction, but she became lively again as Shiranui Ran's death gaze disappeared.

"This must be the legendary dragon-slaying swordsman, Lord Taira no Harunobu? Nice to meet you." Tsuchimikado Haru approached Harunobu and bowed gracefully. "I am Tsuchimikado Haru, I'm 19 years old, so you can just call me Haru-chan~"

"Nice to meet you, I am Hirahara Harunobu." Harunobu also bowed politely to Tsuchimikado Haru. "Miss Tsuchimikado, please take care of me as well."

"Yes~ Yes~" Tsuchimikado Haru looked at Shiranui Ran with excitement, "Hey, hey, Ran-nee, shall we do it? Let's do it!"

Shiranui Ran put her hand to her forehead and shook her head helplessly: "Yeah, we have to do it. Let's go prepare."

"Everything's ready!" Tsuchimikado Haru excitedly raised his hands. "We can start now."

"No, go check it again." Shiranui Ran said seriously, putting her hand on Tsuchimikado Haru's shoulder and turning her around 180 degrees. "Go now!"

Tsuchimikado Haru reluctantly returned to the vicinity of the magic circle, and Shiranui Ran followed. Before leaving, she said to Harunobu and the others, "You guys stay in this vicinity and don't go near the magic circle."

Harunobu didn't understand magic, so he listened to advice. Saten Yoko and Minamoto Yuki were also calm; they were practical by nature, so Harunobu wasn't surprised. Fujiwara Kaguya, however, obediently stayed behind Minamoto Yuki, which was unlike the Kaguya Harunobu knew.

Seeing Harunobu staring at Fujiwara Kaguya, Minamoto Yukisakura's lips curled up slightly, and she kindly explained, "When Koharu wasn't as powerful before, the magic circle malfunctioned, and Kaguya wasn't as well-behaved back then... Anyway, she had a green face for a week."

Harunobu stared at the slightly upturned corners of her mouth and the hand that was pressing down on Fujiwara Kaguya's head, leaving the latter only able to rage helplessly. He was certain that this genius, beautiful swordswoman was also a wolf in sheep's clothing.

However, this kind of thing has happened before, no wonder Shiranui Ran insisted on checking it again.

With one arm around Saten Yoko, Harunobu observed Tsuchimikado Haru as he carefully examined the magic array.

She was wearing a black hakama (traditional Japanese jacket and trousers), a very popular style of clothing these days, especially among young people.

Chapter 263

Among the female students, the attire mainly consisted of a wide-sleeved long robe and loose-fitting long hakama (horns). The hakama were tied over the robe, with the belt either around the waist or extending down to below the chest, depending on personal preference. The hakama reached all the way to the feet, only vaguely revealing the round-toed leather shoes or boots underneath.

Haru Tsuchimikado is currently wearing the most ordinary outfit, a black top and black hakama that looks a bit dull, but her cheerful and energetic personality not only dispels that dullness but also creates a more adorable contrast.

Her thin face was now filled with seriousness, her round eyes scanning the magic circle on the ground without blinking, and her fair lips moved slightly, as if she was chanting something.

Well, she seems like a very serious and cheerful girl, and she's also an SR.

It's a pity, it seems she prefers and is more skilled in magic, something he can't teach. Just like her Lan-jie, Harunobu had also considered having Shiranui Lan as a disciple. But Lord Fire Demon is even more of a heavyweight; getting her to be a disciple would be too difficult. He'd better look at the SSR in the distance.

Harunobu looked at Gen Yuki, who keenly noticed his gaze and moved to the side.

Are you serious about taking half a step back?

Helpless and with no other choice, Qingxin could only hold Xiaoyezi tightly in his arms. In this cold and heartless world, only his wife in his arms offered him a sliver of warmth.

"By the way, how did you manage to catch this cat demon?"

It seemed that Tsuchimikado Haru's conversation wasn't going to end anytime soon, so Harunobu decisively changed the subject. And when this was mentioned, Fujiwara Kaguya got really into it.

She shook her head to break free from Yuan Xueying's restraint and came to Qingxin's side, proudly recounting the previous battle.

Harunobu was quickly captivated by her vivid and unembellished description, much to Tsuchimikado's dismay. Her earnest efforts hadn't been stopped by her rival, Saten Yoko; instead, she'd been betrayed by her friend.

You idiot Kaguya-hime, you'll regret this!

She stole a glance at Qingxin and sighed inwardly.

"What's wrong? Where did you go to have the courage to talk bad about me earlier?" Shiranui Ran's voice came from afar, faint yet clear.

This is the art of sound transmission.

Haru Tsuchimikado knew this spell very well; she could even complete every step of the casting process with her eyes closed, or perfectly draw the spell circle with one hand while eating—but she still couldn't cast this simple spell.

Not only that, but she couldn't even use the Firefly spell, which any spellcaster could master.

Because she was merely a useless stone incapable of cultivating magic power, despite possessing the highest-grade bloodline of the country, inherited from Abe no Seimei, the son of the white fox, she couldn't cultivate even a single drop of magic power. Without magic power, even if she could set up the most perfect magic array, its final activation still required someone else with magic power to act as the presiding person for it to take effect.

Therefore, it's easy to imagine her situation in the Tsuchimikado family, where almost everyone is a spellcaster. If she weren't a direct descendant and being taken care of by Ran Shiranui, she probably would have been severed ties and kicked out of the Tsuchimikado family long ago.

She didn't care about that cold old home, but if she was kicked out, she would have no way to learn magic. This was the only way she could gain power. She couldn't really think about becoming a monster or a demon, could she? She could get power that way, but whether she would still be herself was another matter.

Shiranui Ran wasn't surprised by Tsuchimikado Haru's silence. She didn't know how to use telepathy, so she couldn't very well shout a reply. Instead, she continued, "Are you really sure about this? You should know what happens to that guy's disciples, right? Besides, that guy doesn't know magic. Are you going to start learning swordsmanship from scratch?"

"If that's all there is to it, I can teach you the Shiranui style."

Tsuchimikado Haru shook his head. The Shiranui style was actually not bad, but it took too long to learn. Or rather, most sword techniques required too much time to become stronger, with the only exception being the Tennen Seishin style, for which there were already many examples.

"Since you're so sure, why haven't you made your move yet? That's not like you, Xiaochun."

Because she wasn't sure if she would be taken seriously. Although, given Hiraharunobu's reputation, a beautiful girl like her would definitely pass the apprenticeship exam, what she wanted to learn swordsmanship wasn't to become another of Hiraharunobu's spoils of war. She would never use her body as tuition, because then there would be no point in her becoming stronger.

Moreover, there is a major problem: does she... have the talent to learn swordsmanship?

The author says:

Author's note: I'll add the illustrations later; I didn't find a suitable one. /_ Routine request for votes.

Chapter 242: Soul Search