Chapter 16 – Learn a Lot
The first—and currently, the only—form of Void Breathing was known as Mirror Flower, Water Moon.
But calling it a sword technique would be… misleading.
Or more precisely, it wasn't a technique in the conventional sense. It was a method of manipulation—one that used the resonance of Void Breathing to influence perception and consciousness.
A kind of illusion.
Or rather… hypnosis.
And right now, Hikaru himself was the target of that hypnosis.
He implanted a belief deep within his mind—one that convinced his body it had already mastered the highest realm of breathing technique...
And just like that, he broke through the final wall.
He entered the domain of Total Concentration Breathing: Constant—without intense training, and without long months of trial and error.
—Something like that was… possible.
After all, the human body could change drastically based on perception.
See fire, and you feel heat, even if it doesn't touch you.
See water, and a chill runs through you, even if you're not submerged.
These are subconscious reactions.
And Hikaru had taken full advantage of them—twisting his body's perceptions to leap across the threshold.
Of course, that didn't mean he could just use this trick to master every other power.
—Every technique had its limits.
Breathing styles were born from perception, and perception was intertwined with consciousness—and deeper still, the soul.
To influence oneself or others with illusion required a mind of steel and a spirit like tempered glass.
The only reason this worked for Hikaru… was because he had already stood at the brink.
His body had the muscle memory, the instinctive familiarity with the technique. All it lacked—
Was subconscious belief.
The inner conviction that he could do it.
By casting the illusion upon himself—an illusion he would never resist—he triggered a breakthrough that his conscious mind had long prepared for.
That… was the limit of this technique.
But even so, it was a very far limit.
"How surprising," Shinobu murmured, tilting her head as a glint of awe sparkled in her eyes.
"But in the end... you did it, didn't you?"
Hikaru responded with a small, quiet smile.
> [Void Breathing: Constant — F+ Rank]
The highest state of mastery over Total Concentration Breathing. The breathing technique becomes second nature—active even during sleep. The body maintains peak condition at all times.
New streams of information flowed into Hikaru's mind.
And the sensation flooding his body grew clearer.
Energy surged without end.
His breath merged with the rhythm of his inner flow.
Everything felt stronger.
Faster.
More alive.
All of his physical attributes had increased.
Magic and Noble Phantasm still remained at zero, but his strength, speed, and endurance—each had risen from F to F+.
From a man with strong physical stats…
He had crossed the threshold beyond ordinary human limits.
"So this is… the strength of mastering Total Concentration Breathing?" Hikaru whispered, gazing at his hands as they trembled with the new energy coursing through them.
"Yes," Shinobu replied gently. "Congratulations. You've passed."
Her eyes fixed on him with quiet pride.
"With this, you're standing on the edge of Hashira-level strength."
Those who mastered Total Concentration Breathing: Constant… stood as candidates for the title of Hashira.
"Then… maybe I should take a little break for now?"
The sky had fully brightened. Warm sunlight washed over the world, brushing the trees and hills in the distance with a soft summer glow.
Hikaru looked out over the rolling green forests, the wind brushing his face in a soothing caress.
He exhaled, long and slow.
As if…
He could hear the breath of the world.
The pulse of the earth.
"…So, he really did it."
Elsewhere in the Butterfly Mansion compound, a man stood knee-deep in a gentle stream. His long, dark hair clung to his face, soaked by water, as his deep black eyes opened slowly.
His expression remained cold and sharp.
But there was no mistaking it—
The aura pulsing from the mansion's direction wasn't from any of the existing Hashira.
And yet… it was close.
He didn't need to guess.
There was only one person who could've reached that level in such a short time.
It was an unbelievable leap.
But considering that boy was the founder of the "Hikaru-Style"...
It almost made sense.
This world was never lacking in geniuses.
After all, every single Hashira… was a genius in their own right.
Hikaru's potential was shocking—but not unmatched. The others had reached incredible heights too.
And it wasn't just Giyu Tomioka who noticed.
In fact, every Hashira at headquarters had sensed it.
Total Concentration Breathing was a technique that resonated between users.
When one reached a new height, the others could feel it—deep within their instincts.
A brief moment of surprise.
Then understanding.
Hikaru had done it.
But rest was not the end.
There was still so much more he needed to do.
Like—
Perfecting his synchronization with Void Breathing: Constant.
Even with mastery, his body still needed to adapt to the new rhythm running through it at all times.
And of course…
There were achievements to fulfill.
Click.
With a simple flick of wire, Hikaru unlocked the old iron padlock on a dormitory door.
"Ah—thank you so much! I was so clumsy I forgot my room key!" a logistics staff member called out from behind.
"If you hadn't helped, I might've had to sleep outside tonight!"
"You're exaggerating," Hikaru chuckled, spinning the thin wire in his fingers. "I just did what I could."
> [Lockpicking (F- Rank)]
The ability to unlock old iron padlocks with basic tools.
— — —
"Here, your clothes are ready."
Hikaru handed over a neatly sewn uniform.
"Eh?! You can sew too?" Aoi Kanzaki exclaimed, her twin ponytails bouncing as she blinked in surprise.
"My family used to be poor. I learned a bit back then," Hikaru replied with a sheepish grin.
Though in truth, this was his first attempt at sewing clothes—yet the result looked clean, crisp, and perfectly serviceable.
> [Sewing (F- Rank)]
Basic sewing skills. Can be used to make simple clothing without special attributes or effects.
— — —
Sewing (F-). Smithing (F-). Carving (F-).
Combined together, they created:
> [Craftsmanship (F Rank)]
A level of manual skill sufficient to craft basic tools and everyday supplies.
("Why does a guy like you know how to do all this…?" — Aoi Kanzaki, genuinely baffled)
Hikaru poured his heart into everything he did.
He treated this world like a game he loved—
Clearing achievements one by one, filling page after page of his ability list, and… enjoying every moment of it.
"Still not quite there…"
"I can probably compress this function a bit more…"
"Maybe balance the materials for better control…"
Night had fallen.
The stars twinkled faintly in the sky, veiled behind a soft, ghostly mist.
Inside a small laboratory, beneath a gently swaying lamp, Shinobu watched as Hikaru busied himself mixing ingredients for a potion.
His movements were smoother now.
More natural.
There was admiration in her eyes as she observed him.
"…He really doesn't stop, huh," Shinobu whispered, lightly biting her lower lip.
She honestly didn't know how many things Hikaru had done by now.
Maybe… even he had lost count.
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