'The training grounds seemed older than the estate itself'
That was my first thought as we passed through the outer gate, stone worn smooth by centuries of feet, wood darkened not by rot, but by time. The air felt heavier here. Not oppressive, just… watched. Like cursed energy had soaked into the walls and never fully left.
Kumoge Kamo walked ahead of us, hands folded behind his back.
"This is the Kamo training hall," he said. "All combatants recognized by the clan passed through here at some point. Some never leave."
We entered a wide courtyard that split into several paths, each marked with a simple wooden placard.
"Training is divided into four stages," Kumoge continued. "Progression is not based on age, but results. Once a month, there is a formal evaluation. Pass the test for your current stage, and you advance. Fail, and you remain."
He gestured to the first path.
"Stage One focuses on the body. Physical conditioning. Cursed energy reinforcement. Before techniques, before weapons or cursed techniques you need to have a body capable of keeping up"
The second path branched wider, opening toward a series of open halls.
"Stage Two is combat. Hand-to-hand, or weapon-based, depending on aptitude. This is where most sorcerers stagnate."
The third path narrowed again, almost deliberately.
"Stage Three concerns cursed energy efficiency, control, and a barrier technique unique to the 3 great clans. This stage is not as difficult as the others, but thats not because cursed energy efficiency and control is easy, but that the standards to pass this stage are lax"
Finally, he gestured toward a path partially obscured by walls and talismans.
"Stage Four is cursed technique specialization. Blood Manipulation for most Kamo. Chiral Reversal, in your case. Combat application is emphasized."
Tomogui glanced toward it. I could feel his curiosity spike through our link.
We walked on until the courtyard ended and then stopped.
The path split.
Kumoge turned.
"For the first two stages, there are five different instructors" he said evenly. "Each teaches content differently"
His eyes moved from me to Tomogui.
"You will not be trained by the same instructor."
Tomogui frowned faintly.
"Even within the same stage," Kumoge added. "The clan does not train pairs. It trains individuals. You two should learn how to bond with the others in the clan"
A pause.
"Your instructors have already been assigned."
He pointed left. "Tomogui."
Then right. "Futago."
For a moment, neither of us moved.
*So this is how we get split huh* Tomogui thought.
*You heard him though, only the first 2 stages have different instructors, once we reach the third stage we will be doing the training together,* I replied.
Tomogui contemplated then nodded and stepped left.
That was when it happened.
"Hey wait."
A voice. Older. Curious.
A boy stood near the left path, maybe ten years old. Taller than Tomogui by a fair margin, hair tied back loosely, eyes sharp but not unkind. He looked Tomogui over openly, then grinned.
"You new?"
Tomogui blinked. Once. Then nodded. "Yeah."
The boy chuckled. "Figures. You look confused."
Tomogui didn't deny it.
Kumoge did not intervene..
The boy jerked his head down the path. "C'mon. First-stage instructor's brutal. Better to suffer with company."
Tomogui glanced back at me.
*I'll manage* he sent.
*Good luck, have fun,* I replied.
A flicker of amusement passed between us—and then he turned and followed the boy.
I watched until they disappeared from view.
Then I turned the other way.
Kumoge walked beside me now.
"You don't seem bothered," he said. "This should be the first time you and Tomogui have been separated."
I shrugged.
"He'll be fine."
That was all.
Kumoge watched me a moment longer, like he expected more. When none came, he spoke again. "Most twins react… poorly."
"Most twins aren't us," I said lightly.
We stopped in front of my assigned hall. The doors were taller than I was, wood scarred and reinforced with old seals.
"Your training begins tomorrow, today you will just be looking around" Kumoge said. "Stage One is harder for younger people to get through, since it is an evaluation on physicals, and younger people like you have not undergone puberty yet"
"Okay."
He blinked once at the answer.
I looked past him, down the corridor, where Tomogui had already disappeared. I didn't linger on it.
"You can go," I added.
For a second, it felt like he might say something else. Then he nodded and turned away.
The doors opened.
Inside was quiet. The people took a glance at me after entering, but quickly turned away and focused on their training again.
I stepped in without hesitation.
Behind me, the doors shut.
After a short exploration around this training halls I came to realize that the first area was pretty much just a gym, it had punching bags, bench press seats, dumbbells, everything you would expect from a gym. It makes sense since this area is mainly focused on our physical body.
Having explored the first stage of the training ground, I decided to wait at the entrance of the training ground for Tomogui to finish. After waiting for a while Tomogui came out, smiling while talking to that boy who was showing him around.
"You didn't have to lead me out y'know" Tomogui remarked to the boy.
"What do you mean, A true friend will always help his friends if they are in trouble" He quickly remarked with a righteous tone while striking at his chest.
"More like you wanted to skip training huh"
"H-how dare you accuse me of that, to think I went out my way to help you" The boy replied, seemingly disheartened by Tomogui's response, though his reaction was a little exaggerated.
"Hey Tomogui, we have to go home now" I walked over and interrupted their conversation.
"I'll see you later dude, me and my brother have to go" Tomogui waved to the boy and said his goodbyes while the boy also waved him off.
*You were smiling a lot when talking to him, he seemed fun what's his name*
*... I didn't catch his name*
*You were talking to the guy for the whole 30 minutes it took us to tour the training ground, and you guys didn't share names that whole time?*
We stepped toward the side of the courtyard, only to see Aiko kneeling on the floor, neatly stacking boxes and bundles of clothing.
"Ah, you're here," she said without looking up. "I've started packing your things and moving them closer to the entrance. The movers will take care of the larger items later."
"Need a hand?" I asked, stepping closer and lifting one of the smaller boxes.
"Please," Tomogui said, picking up another and setting it beside the others.
Aiko smiled faintly, finally glancing up at us. "Good. Most of this is just daily necessities. Clothes, books, bedding. It's easier if everything is organized ahead of time."
We worked quietly, stacking boxes and bundling items as she directed.
"Be careful with those," she said, nodding toward a small crate. "Those are personal belongings. Keep them separate from the linens."
"Yes, ma'am," we said together.
She checked a list on her clipboard. "Once everything is boxed and staged near the entrance, the transfer will be quick. You won't have to worry about unpacking in a rush later."
"Understood," I said. "Anything else that needs sorting?"
"Not for now," Aiko replied, tightening the string around a bundle of folded clothes. "Just help me finish this. The rest can wait until the movers arrive."