A week later.
The autumn sun shone over the Gojo family's training grounds. A cool breeze stirred, sending maple leaves drifting lightly through the air. Ieiri Shoko stood at one end of the field, her usually gentle face unusually serious. At the opposite side, Riko clenched her fists, her expression firm.
"Riko," Shoko said softly, "this time we'll only use Kidō below number thirty. You've mastered the basics. Now it's time to put them into practice."
On the sidelines, Satoru, Suguru, and Shunichi watched in silence. The faint tension in the air was undeniable.
Let me see your progress, Riko.
Shoko raised her right hand, the tips of her fingers beginning to glow.
"Hadō #1: Shō!"
A sharp shockwave shot out from her fingertips. It was the most basic Kidō, yet in her hands it carried remarkable speed and precision.
Riko reacted quickly, raising her own hand. "Hadō #1: Shō!"
The two shockwaves collided mid-air, rippling outward in visible waves. Shunichi nodded slightly. You've already grasped the foundation of Kidō.
"Not bad," Shoko said with a satisfied smile. "Then let's try this. Hadō #4: Byakurai!"
A dazzling light burst from her palm, forming into a blue-white bolt of lightning that lanced straight toward Riko. The air cracked with static.
Riko remained composed, forming a seal with both hands. "Bakudō #8: Seki!"
A round shield of spiritual energy formed from her palm, intercepting the lightning. The crackling current jumped along the surface of the shield before dispersing into the air.
"Good reflexes," Satoru remarked with interest. "Seems her training wasn't wasted after all."
Shoko didn't hesitate, immediately chanting again. "Hadō #11: Tsuzuri Raiden!"
Electric currents surged across the ground, snaking toward Riko from below. This type of attack, traveling through the ground, was notoriously difficult to guard against.
Can't get trapped in one place. Riko's mind raced. She slammed her palms onto the ground. "Bakudō #21: Sekienton!"
A thick cloud of smoke rose instantly, shrouding her position. Taking advantage of the cover, she swiftly relocated.
"Using a smokescreen to reposition," Suguru nodded. "Her tactical sense is sharp."
From within the smoke came a clear incantation. "Hadō #12: Fushibi!"
Golden runes wove into a net across the air, spreading to ensnare Shoko. Each rune pulsed with dangerous light, ready to explode upon contact.
To lay out such a complete ambush... Shunichi's eyes flickered with surprise. This kind of talent is rare.
Shoko narrowed her eyes. "Bakudō #26: Kyakko."
A faint light wrapped around her body, distorting her form as though the air itself warped. She quickly followed with another chant. "Bakudō #4: Hainawa!"
A rope of light lashed out through the air, aiming to capture Riko. But Riko was ready.
"Disintegrate, you black dog of Rondanini! Look upon yourself with horror, then claw out your own throat! Bakudō #9: Geki!"
Scarlet energy shot from her fingertips, clashing with Shoko's rope in mid-air. The two Kidō struggled, releasing a trembling hum.
"Incredible," Satoru said quietly. "She's only just begun, yet she can already weave Kidō together so naturally."
Shoko suddenly shifted her stance. "Bakudō #30: Shitotsu Sansen!"
Three glowing beams shot from above, forming a triangular formation that tried to pin Riko in place. It was the strongest binding spell within the thirty-level range.
Come on! A spark of fighting spirit flashed in Riko's eyes. She quickly formed a seal. "Bakudō #1: Sai!"
Instead of binding her opponent, she turned the spell on herself, momentarily binding her own arms to give her leverage for a rapid retreat. The three beams slammed into the ground where she had stood.
"That kind of application..." Suguru's eyes widened. "To twist the most basic Kidō like that... it's brilliant."
"Ninth Bakudō: Geki!" Shoko seized the opening, sending another restraint forward.
"Disintegrate, you black dog of Rondanini! Look upon yourself with horror, then claw out your own throat! Bakudō #9: Geki!"
A crimson rope of energy shot toward Riko, this time from an impossible angle. With no way to evade, she raised one hand. "Hadō #1: Shō!"
The shockwave burst forward, not strong enough to stop the attack but enough to deflect its trajectory, allowing her to barely escape the bind.
"That's enough," Shoko said with a sudden smile. "The exam ends here."
Applause came from the sidelines. The Kidō duel had been far more exhilarating than any of them expected.
"What terrifying talent," Satoru shook his head with a laugh. "Looks like I'm a pretty good teacher after all."
Suguru thought to himself, Kidō under level thirty wielded so skillfully... if she added the power of a Zanpakutō...
Shunichi watched Riko's back closely. As expected of a Star Plasma Vessel. Her comprehension of power is extraordinary.
Riko was panting, yet her eyes shone with joy. "Teacher Shoko, I..."
"Well done." Shoko approached and placed a hand gently on her shoulder. "You've completely mastered the fundamentals. Next, we can begin advanced techniques."
"Satoru, I passed the basics test! You really are a good teacher. Now, please continue teaching Shoko Kidō properly!"
"But let's have another round," Shoko said, smiling at Riko. "This time we'll focus on the combined use of Kidō."
Riko wiped sweat from her forehead and nodded seriously. Her breathing steadied, and her gaze burned with determination. Sunlight filtered through the maple leaves, scattering mottled shadows across the ground, adding solemn weight to the scene.
Shunichi stepped forward. This focused look... it reminds me of Satoshi when he was young.
"Watch carefully," Shoko said, her tone turning serious. "In real combat, a single Kidō is too easy to predict. The true strength lies in combining them."
She formed seals with both hands, movements fluid as water. "Hadō #11: Tsuzuri Raiden!"
Electric currents raced across the ground, this time spreading far wider. Just as Riko was about to dodge, Shoko began a second incantation.
"Bakudō #26: Kyakko!"
(To be continued.)