The air was unnaturally still that morning, a silence heavy with anticipation, broken only by the faint crunch of snow beneath boots. Félix moved forward, katanas sheathed, senses stretched taut. The previous encounters had honed his control, coordination, and rhythm, but today promised a confrontation unlike any before. Rumors from the village spoke of a Lower Moon minion lurking in the mountains, a cunning, deadly creature whose intelligence and combat instinct surpassed ordinary lower-ranked demons. Félix's pulse quickened—not with fear, but with resolve.
Tanjiro walked beside him, calm as ever, eyes scanning the treeline. Zenitsu, pale but determined, whispered to himself, "No fainting, no screaming… stay sharp," while Inosuke bounded ahead, eyes gleaming with excitement, nostrils flaring. Félix's focus was absolute, centering on the forest's subtle shifts: the faint rustle of branches, the slight depression in snow indicating movement, the almost imperceptible scent of blood and demonic energy.
The Hashira who had observed the last battle appeared silently at a higher vantage point, arms crossed, eyes unblinking. Félix acknowledged the presence, understanding that today's trial would not only test his mastery of Ice Breathing but also his judgment under the scrutiny of one of the Corps' most skilled warriors. The final technique, Absolute Zero, was at the forefront of his mind—a devastating, culmination of all previous forms, capable of overwhelming multiple opponents and asserting complete control over the battlefield.
The Lower Moon minion emerged first, stepping silently between snow-laden pines, red eyes scanning the group with calculating intent. Its form was lithe, unnervingly fast, movements precise and deliberate. Félix exhaled, drawing his twin katanas as the chill of Absolute Zero seeped into the air, coating the edges of his blades with a faint, shimmering frost. The forest seemed to hold its breath.
The demon attacked with uncanny precision, targeting Zenitsu first, anticipating hesitation. Félix pivoted, executing Glacial Veil in combination with Frozen Torrent, intercepting the strike while unleashing rapid, controlled slashes. Frost erupted outward, deflecting the demon's assault, the snow scattering in a crystalline spray. Each motion was deliberate, flowing seamlessly into the next—Frost Fang, Ice Whirl, Frozen Torrent—building rhythm, controlling space, and maintaining defensive coverage.
Zenitsu, bolstered by Félix's composure, struck at the demon's flank, while Inosuke launched reckless, powerful charges that Félix subtly guided, turning unpredictability into strategy. The demon countered aggressively, circling, feinting, and testing their coordination. Every move demanded adaptation; every strike required precision. Félix's body moved as one with the battlefield, instincts heightened, judgment absolute.
The first significant opening came when the demon overextended a strike at Inosuke. Félix capitalized instantly, executing Absolute Zero, a surge of concentrated ice energy that radiated outward in a controlled explosion. The frost spread across the forest floor, encasing roots, rocks, and tree trunks in crystalline patterns, immobilizing the demon's lower body. Its upper body continued to struggle, claws swiping wildly, but Félix pivoted, Frost Fang and Diamond Frost combining in a deadly series of strikes that shattered its offensive capability.
The demon roared, thrashing, but Félix remained steady, guiding Zenitsu and Inosuke to exploit openings. Tanjiro's calm voice carried across the clearing. "Focus on precision and rhythm. Let the technique dictate the flow." Félix executed a combination of Ice Whirl and Glacial Veil, creating a protective barrier while pressing the offensive. Snowflakes shimmered in the air, moving as if in harmony with his strikes, each blade cutting with lethal elegance.
The battle intensified as the demon attempted to flee, leaping between trees with unnatural agility. Félix pursued, Absolute Zero extending in reach through precise, controlled motions. The air itself seemed to freeze under the pressure of the technique, each step and pivot executed with flawless calculation. Zenitsu's strikes, guided by Félix's rhythm, found gaps, while Inosuke's chaotic energy disrupted the demon's strategy.
Finally, a decisive moment presented itself: the demon misjudged the range, overextending its claws toward Félix. He executed a final sequence—Frost Fang, Diamond Frost, Absolute Zero—delivering a crushing combination of strikes that immobilized and incapacitated the creature. Frost crystallized across its body, sealing its movements, while the forest returned to an eerie silence.
The Hashira descended from the observation point, approaching the group. His gaze was sharp, yet not unkind. "You have done well," he said, voice resonant. "Absolute Zero is not a technique to be wielded lightly. You demonstrated control, precision, and judgment under pressure. Many would falter, overwhelmed by the sheer power. You… have begun to master it." Félix bowed, absorbing the praise without arrogance, understanding the weight of the words and the responsibility they implied.
Zenitsu slumped in the snow, pale but exhilarated. "I… I think I finally understand… sort of," he murmured. Inosuke, chest heaving, removed his boar mask, grinning fiercely. "We didn't die! We didn't die! This is amazing!" Félix allowed himself a faint smile, acknowledging both the encouragement and the truth in their words.
Tanjiro placed a hand briefly on Félix's shoulder. "Today you faced not only a powerful adversary but one that required tactical judgment. You led your allies, integrated all techniques, and succeeded under observation. Remember this: leadership and mastery are inseparable. Your strength is amplified not just by skill but by your awareness of others and the battlefield."
As evening fell, the forest was silent except for the faint whisper of the wind through frost-laden branches. Félix sheathed his katanas, feeling the lingering chill cling to the blades. He had completed the full range of Ice Breathing techniques, culminating in Absolute Zero, and survived the first true test against a Lower Moon minion. The experience solidified his understanding of flow, control, and responsibility—both to himself and to those around him.
The return journey to the village was quiet and contemplative. Félix led, boots pressing softly into the snow, eyes alert, mind processing lessons of the day: the eighth, ninth, and now tenth techniques, coordination with allies, strategic adaptation against intelligent opponents, and the moral weight of wielding such power. Ice Breathing was now fully realized—not merely a set of techniques, but a philosophy of rhythm, precision, and responsibility.
By the time they reached the village, stars glittered overhead, reflecting off the snow with an almost sacred brilliance. The forest behind them, dark and silent, held the memory of their trials. Félix allowed himself a rare moment of stillness, contemplating his journey: mastery of all ten Ice Breathing techniques, leadership of allies, and the observation of a Hashira whose presence hinted at future guidance and challenges.
The day had tested his strength, judgment, and resolve. Tomorrow would bring new missions, more complex threats, and continued development of skill and philosophy. Félix stood at the threshold of true mastery—not yet complete, but unmistakably begun. Ice Breathing was no longer simply a weapon; it was his path, his discipline, and his promise to defend humanity against the shadows that lurked in every corner of the world.