Once the aspirants had left, Keiji and Yuuki explained the purpose of their visit. Their destination, the Bokuso glades, had had an insurgency of bandits from the outlands. The Daigaku had charged the preceptor duo to oust them.

Keiji had proposed to Overlord Senju that the trials aspirants be included in the mission. It would be a training exercise with exposure to the real world, which wasn’t as forgiving as the comfortable training grounds.

After some deliberation, the Overlord had granted permission for the same. However, he had set the condition that a military squad shall accompany them at all times. He realized that the mission could help the young ones receive hands-on experience of the Legacy Unit’s work. On the other hand, it was rife with danger.

Bandits were strong and cunning adversaries. They were survivors of the stateless, dog-eat-dog outlands. Living under extreme conditions, they were hardened and cold-blooded.

Bandits could navigate any terrain with ease. However, kitsu manipulation remained elusive to them since it was an art taught only in the village-nations. Thus, they had a tremendous handicap during battles with warriors. A kitsu-trained child could make a grown bandit bite the dust without breaking a sweat.

Chief Strategist Hakaku was intrigued by the lamia story. He tugged on his beard several times during the narration and stared into nothingness, as if solving ciphers in his mind. Finally, he spoke.

Hakaku: “While lamia do prey on humans, they don’t possess the brute strength to dislodge a kitsu-infused boat. Moreover, research has shown that kitsu is disorienting for their taste. Hmmm. Something is definitely out of place. Let’s see. You said you touched them, Keiji? The lamia? Did you perceive any raiki in their bodies?”

Yorokobi: “Raiki in beasts?”

Keiji: “That’s correct. When I seized them from the water, I sensed they had dense, unstable kitsu cores, which reacted to my mugen. Their bodies exploded or disintegrated.”

Hakaku: “I see. Lamia are mindless creatures, lacking the perseverance to chase boats upstream for long periods, the way it happened today. Perhaps someone fed them kitsu-fortified meat. But that would usually cause them indigestion. Hmm. Another, more realistic possibility is that an outside agent was controlling them.”

Yorokobi: “Controlling beasts? Is that even possible?”

Hakaku nodded and left his seat. He rifled through some documents in a chest and picked up a scroll. The Strategist returned, holding up the unfurled paper to display its contents. The scroll had a caricature of a vile-looking man’s face. A Karasuma seal with a kill-on-sight decree was splashed across it.

Hakaku: “This is Akuma, a notorious bandit from the western outlands. He is infamously known as the beast whisperer. The miscreant is capable of kitsu-manipulation and has obliterated several of our military squads over the years. I believe he possesses a kitsu-art through which he makes beasts submit to his will.”

Yorokobi: “Impossible!”

Hakaku: “But it has been a long time since he made his last appearance, and if he is indeed in Bokuso, your mission will not be an enjoyable time.”

Yorokobi: “Keiji-dono, is it safe to bring the young ones with us against such a formidable criminal? Especially the Mikashita heir?”

Keiji: “The die has been cast, Lieutenant. We cannot turn back now. It would dishearten my students while disrupting their training regimen. Besides, don’t underestimate our aspirants. One of them almost got the better of Yuuki.”

Yuuki: “Almost.”

Yorokobi: “But-”

He turned to the Chief Strategist and urged him to intervene.

Hakaku chuckled and rolled up the scroll.

Hakaku: “If the Daigaku preceptors believe in their students, then who are we to say anything, Yorokobi?”

Yorokobi: “That is… Yes, you are right, Lord Hakaku. Apologies.”

Hakaku: “In any case, I will ask the Overlord to send a squad from the citadel to control the lamia population. We cannot have such incidents happen so close to the village. It would be detrimental to our reputation. Was there anything else, Keiji?”

Keiji: “Yes. It is a significant matter. Err… Something that the Overlord is concerned about. We, preceptors, support his position as well.”

Hakaku: “What is this about?”

Keiji: “Will you reconsider sending Uzziah to train with Daigaku preceptors?”

The Chief Strategist’s face turned to stone.

Hakaku: “That is not open for discussion, Keiji. The Overlord has no authority over how I raise my child. Perhaps this is one of those rare cases when Senju and I disagree on something. I know that Uzziah’s cousins, the Yamazaki-kin aspirants, are training in the citadel with preceptors. But then you haven’t considered our position. My family and I may bear the Yamazaki name, but we are banished. It would be dishonorable to join the rest of the kin aspirants in the citadel. Besides, Uzziah was raised here, trained by me, Midori, and the Wajin tribe. Our battle tactics and values are different. We would not want him to start all over, would we?”

Yorokobi: “But surely, citadel-trained warriors are better fighters?”

The Chief Strategist raised an eyebrow.

Hakaku: “Oh, really? Then, we should try to break that mold. Shall we put your claim to the test, Lieutenant?”

Yorokobi looked puzzled. What was Hakaku proposing?

Hakaku: Keiji, if you choose to accept the challenge, Uzziah will battle your best warrior in open combat. Whether citadel training is supreme will be decided once and for all.”

Keiji pondered over the proposal for a moment.

Yuuki: “That sounds like a good idea, Lord Hakaku. The children will be thrilled. A contest is just the thing they need to take their minds off the lamia nightmare.”

Keiji nodded at both.

Hakaku: “Well, that is settled then. We shall have the bout tomorrow at the break of dawn. Before that, I have planned a challenge of my own for the younger aspirants in the evening. We can end this meeting if there isn’t anything else?”

Keiji: “There is another matter, yes, Lord Hakaku. But it is privileged information. Lieutenant Yorokobi, will you excuse us for some time?”

Yorokobi: “Certainly.”

The Lieutenant bowed and left the reading room, sliding the paneled door closed. Keiji and Yuuki looked uncomfortable.

The Chief Strategist crossed his arms and asked the preceptors to proceed.

Keiji: “As you are already aware, Lord Hakaku, Kento is kitsu-blind and-”

Hakaku: “You wish to teach him how to use mugen.”

Yuuki: “As expected of our Chief Strategist. Nothing escapes you.”

Hakaku: “I was there with the family when Kento was born. I saw the infant, the darkness seeping out of him. He has the curse, without a doubt.”

Yuuki glanced at Keiji. People misunderstood mugen users very often and ostracized them. It was over and above the humiliation brought by kitsu-blindness.

Hakaku: “I have already made my position clear on this matter to Senju. If you introduce Kento to mugen, it will shorten his life. Do you want him to follow in your footsteps? And I am shocked how Senju has agreed to risk the lifespan of his son. What if Kento goes over to the dark side? Or have you forgotten your past, Keiji?”

Keiji: “I remember everything, Lord Hakaku. I have used mugen, and mugen has certainly used me. It changed my body and spirit in ways I could never imagine. And more often than not, it led me over to the dark side. But as a child awakening to the world of mugen-sekai, I was alone, with nobody to guide me. Kento is a different case. He was raised in the discipline of Karasuma. However, if he accidentally awakens his powers without the knowledge, something terrible might happen. He could be lost in mugen-sekai forever. If he learns to control it now, he will develop extraordinary abilities in due time. After all, he is to rule over Karasuma one day.”

Hakaku’s face showed a picture of conflicting emotions. His hand went to his beard, which indicated pensive contemplation. He gave up and let out a deep sigh.

Hakaku: “Very well. Since you are his teachers, you have the discretion to train him in the art. While I do not agree with this wholeheartedly, your credentials as preceptors are beyond questioning. I believe I can entrust him to your tutelage. But I will also have an escalated discussion with the Overlord soon. We will require regular reports of his progress.”

Keiji: “You have my gratitude, Lord Hakaku.”

Hakaku: “Hmm. Before you introduce him to your dark world, there is something that you must know about the boy. It is a long-kept secret that has stayed between Senju and me for sixteen years now. Hmm. I believe that is why the Overlord has sent your party to my abode. He is clever, delegating uncomfortable topics to his best friend.”

The Chief Strategist chuckled while the preceptors shrugged. What is special about Kento?

Hakaku: “I will make those revelations shortly. First, swear to me that this secret shall never leave this room.”

Keiji: “I swear on my life and honor.”

Yuuki: “I swear on the Goddess.”

Hakaku: “Very well. Now listen closely. Kento is--”