The place we were led to was very similar to what I would expect from a meeting hall in feudal Japan, except sized slightly bigger to accommodate the large oni. Tatami mats lined the floor of a large room, with plush cushions lining the sides. The walls were simple but elegant, made of paper supported by a post and lintel frame of dark wood. There were bamboo lanterns along the floor, though there was still some light from the setting sun shining through the exterior wall.

  The most impressive feature in the room however, was the figure sitting at the far end. Even sitting, it was easy to tell that the oni was massive. He had obsidian black skin with long white hair, yellow eyes, and a pair of long straight horns on his forehead. His clothes were a traditional Japanese kamishimo, white with red and black accents and a red belt. The kimono he wore under it was left loose and open, exposing a torso that looked like it had been sculpted to compete with Greek gods. The oni had a demeanor and bearing that only enhanced his intimidating figure.

  “Kuroyama-dono,” our escort rumbled, voice echoing in the quiet hall. “I have brought the strangers. They arrived with the young tanuki girl not long ago.”

  The oni – Kuroyama – grunted, a sound that felt less like displeasure and more like acknowledging a completed task. He gestured with a hand, dismissing the guard who retreated to stand silently by the entryway, a hulking shadow against the fading light.

  “Konbanwa,” the big oni said, voice surprisingly smooth despite its low booming quality. “I am Kuroyama Isamu, Lord of Maho no Kosaten. Welcome… strangers.”

  Relief washed over me. Despite the obvious power radiating from him—enough to make the hairs on my arms stand on end—he didn’t feel hostile. The stories about oni varied wildly, but many depicted them as monsters, driven by rage and a need to dominate. This one seemed…polite. Dignified, even.

  I straightened, offering a short bow. “I am Ryuzaki Cai. It is an honor.” I gestured to my companions. “This is Tamamo no Yume, and Aisling Manalán.”

  Yume followed my lead, her bow graceful and perfectly executed. She offered a soft, “Pleased to meet you, Lord Kuroyama.”

  Ash, on the other hand, looked impatient and confused. She offered a jerky, half-hearted bow, her violet eyes darting around the room with curiosity. “Uh, I guess we're all bowin' now?” She mumbled in English, then added under her breath, “I've gotta learn this language.”

  I shot her a glance asking her to be patient, to which she shrugged one shoulder and bit her lip. Honestly, sometimes managing her curiosity felt like corralling a hyperactive hummingbird.

  Kuroyama’s yellow eyes flickered over us, pausing on Ash with a hint of amusement. “You are…unconventional. A kitsune warrior," He nodded to Yume as he took in her polite but ready posture, "I sense the fey in you, little Ash. And a powerful spirit in you as well.” He directed his gaze back to me. “It has been a long time since anyone braved the fog and the Mahō no hashi. You arrived at our town with little Suzuki-san. Tell me, why have you come?"

  I hesitated a moment before speaking. Mahō no hashi roughly translated to magic bridge, which I supposed could be another name for the Causeway. Ash and Yume had told me once that one could wander the astral by venturing into the fog at the edge of a realm. If one travelled deep enough, they would reach the Causeway. It was a dangerous no man's land with strange rules, though I knew nothing more about it.

  My mind made the connection quickly, and I decided to go with the assumption that he thought we were wanderers. “Suzuki-chan needed assistance,” I explained, recalling the oku that had been attacking her. “We intervened. As for why we have come, it is not so simple.”

  “Indeed.” Lord Kuroyama steepled his fingers, studying me. “I would like to hear more of the circumstances surrounding Suzuki-san. First however, tell me why have you come to Maho no Kosaten? And what brings you here with such…unique company?” His eyes flit back to Ash, who was now hovering in the air over my shoulder as she looked around with curiosity and a touch of impatience.

  I gave a small smile. "Forgive my friend. As you surmised, she is of the fey, and doesn't speak this language." I didn't say Japanese—Nihongo—since I didn't actually know what they called it here. "I hope you don't mind if my friend translates?" I asked, gesturing to Yume.

  He agreed with a nod and I continued while Yume began explaining to Ash in English. A part of my mind wondered about the seemingly subliminal sharing of knowledge between realms, and how language could work as a concept, while the other part explained our circumstances to Lord Kuroyama. I didn't go into great detail, but I explained that we were on a quest to find allies against imminent danger.

  I hesitated to bring up the Material plain and Earth. I didn't know this man yet, and I didn't want to be responsible for releasing chaos should he prove untrustworthy. I did, however, explain that I had been summoned by a voice that warned of new realms that would soon be joined, and that strange forces would soon threaten everyone.

  The silence stretched, thick and expectant. Kuroyama-dono didn’t interrupt, didn’t fidget. He simply listened, his yellow eyes unwavering, absorbing every nuance of my explanation. It was… unnerving.

  Even so, I was patient and stood in the silence without complaint. I had faced Tamamo no Mae, the legendary nine-tailed fox of legend. Even more impressive, I had braved my aunt's displeasure on multiple occasions while growing up, and still retained my composure. Compared to that, this oni was barely worth mentioning.

  Finally, the oni lord leaned forward, the tatami mats creaking faintly under his weight. He placed his massive hands on his knees, and stared at me with intense yellow eyes.

  “You speak of dangers unseen, of realms colliding, and the winds of change throughout the Astral,” he rumbled, his voice resonating in the room. “At the least, I am appreciative of the warning. If what you say is true, then we must be prepared.” A flicker of something akin to a smile crossed his lips. “But appreciation does not equate to alliance.”

  Lord Kuroyama paused, looking me directly in the eye. “I do not readily pledge the loyalty of Maho no Kōsaten to an unfamiliar entity. You claim good intent, but words are cheap. You must prove it.”

  My mind raced, already cataloging potential points of negotiation. I'd anticipated needing to earn his trust, but hadn't planned for a formal trial. “I understand, Lord Kuroyama. How can I prove my sincerity?”

  He straightened, his gaze sweeping over me, Yume, and even Ash, who had grown more serious as Yume translated the conversation. The fairy dragon now stood in the air with her arms folded.

  The oni lord continued, “There are two considerations. The first is a test of character. Several men from the town have gone missing these past few weeks. There doesn't seem to be a connection between them, nor any signs of struggle. The town guard has made little progress. Prove to me your intent to help, and solve the mystery of the missing men.”

  That sounded… manageable. Difficult, and dangerous, potentially, but certainly not insurmountable. I glanced at Yume, who nodded almost imperceptibly. She was more familiar with the yokai, and I was relying on her to help me spot any potential pit falls. If she thought we could trust the words of this man, then I was willing to at least try.

  Then Kuroyama-dono continued, and my internal calculations screeched to a halt.

  “The second,” he said, his voice dropping to a low growl, “is a trial of strength. I will not follow a leader who is weaker than myself. Once you have proven your character, you must defeat me in honorable combat.”

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  Honorable combat? Against that?

  I forced a calm expression, though my heart hammered against my ribs. “You… propose to fight me, Lord Kuroyama?”

  He chuckled, a sound that rattled the paper walls of the hall. “It is the way of the oni. Respect is earned through strength. I offer you a challenge; a fair contest. If you can stand against me, then I will consider your alliance seriously. If you falter… well, then perhaps your warning was simply a prelude to another threat.”

  My mind spun. A duel with Kuroyama-dono himself? It felt… reckless. Suicidal, even. But he was right. Respect wasn’t given, it was earned, and in a place like this, strength was respect. To refuse would be to insult him, and to immediately brand myself as weak and untrustworthy. An alliance built on anything less than genuine respect wouldn’t be worth much in the long run.

  Before I could formulate a response, a new oni came flowing into the room. This one was a woman, towering head and shoulders over me, though still shorter than the few other oni I had seen. Her skin was a striking shade of blue, contrasting with the white hair and piercing yellow eyes she shared with the man sitting before us. She was dressed for combat, with leather bracers and cuirass over a martial robe. Despite her imposing stature, she possessed a fierce beauty and a sharp intelligence that radiated from her features.

  The oni woman moved with a grace that belied her size, stopping just beside Kuroyama-dono and offering a deep respectful bow, her two horns dipping low. “Uncle, forgive my intrusion. I am sorry to interrupt your discussion.” Her voice was clear and strong, carrying a hint of steel.

  Kuroyama-dono’s expression darkened slightly. “Rin. I was in the midst of a conversation.” It wasn’t a reprimand, exactly, but his tone carried a clear indication of his displeasure.

  “My apologies,” she replied, unfazed. “However, I felt compelled to speak. These…strangers… arrived unannounced, bearing tales of danger. We should not be so quick to trust.” She turned her gaze to me, assessing me with an intensity that made me wary. “The best way to understand a person is through their blade. Allow me to test this, Ryuzaki-san, before letting him roam our city. Let me gauge his strength and character through combat.”

  A pause hung in the air, thick with tension. Kuroyama-dono’s eyes narrowed as he considered her request. It was clear he was debating the merits of allowing this woman to have her challenge.

  Finally, he shrugged, a gesture that seemed to dismiss the entire situation with a wave of his hand. “Very well. Perhaps a demonstration of strength is in order. Ryuzaki-san, I offer you a chance to duel my niece, Shirogane Rin. If you can prove your strength, you will gain respect with the oni. That respect would no doubt aid you in your investigation.”

  The oni lord looked at me expectantly, a subtle challenge in his eyes. I glanced at Yume and Ash. Yume’s expression was unreadable, but Ash was practically vibrating with excitement.

  I was feeling a little excited myself. I had been working hard to gain the strength I would need to protect everyone. This would be another chance to prove myself.

  “I accept,” I said, my voice firm and unwavering. “Let us begin.”

  The oni smiled and clapped his hands before getting up to lead us outside to an open area meant for sparring. I took that time to look inward and attempt to use the essence I had gained from my last battle. Unlike with the Potential I had once fought with, this was relatively simple and intuitive.

  I cycled my qi, focusing on gathering it in my root chakra where it pooled and swirled. Yume had explained that the chakra were somewhat like engines or generators for qi. It would allow me to refine and circulate my qi much more rapidly once they were active.

  To my relief, the process was quick and easy; something about having the essence making my body and spirit ready for the progression. To my dismay, however, it had some unintended side effects.

  There was a brief moment of pain followed by a wave of power and energy as my qi circulation and accumulation spiked. I felt exhilarated as the world suddenly seemed to come into sharper focus.

  I understood that I was now in the Foundation Establishment realm of cultivation. With my root chakra active, it would be a far simpler process to gather and condense my qi to create my soul palace in my soul space.

  You have unlocked your root chakra and increased your realm of cultivation.

  With your increased qi circulation and your continued use of the ability, Self Healing, you have evolved the ability Self Healing to Regeneration, making the process passive.

  You have increased in strength. Your level has increased.

  My elation only lasted a moment before I noticed the draw back to my sudden ascension. My steps faltered and I had to put my arm around Yume who was walking beside me. She looked at me in concern as I tried to pretend like she wasn't supporting me. I had just experienced a sudden increase in vigor, and that had certain implications that I hadn't anticipated.

  Ash followed my gaze down to my pants, and I only barely covered her mouth in time to prevent her laughter from echoing around the space. It only took Yume a moment longer to notice my predicament, and her cheeks turned an instant crimson.

  I groaned. "Ash, I get that it's funny, but at least hide your laughter. I don't want to draw attention."

  Ash nodded, and somehow managed to muster the focus to create an illusion that mask her reaction. Unfortunately, there was nothing I could do to help Yume. Rather, I focused all my will and effort on diverting blood flow.

  Shirogane-san and her uncle stopped at the field, turning and giving Yume a concerned look when they noticed her blush.

  "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Shirogane-san asked.

  Yume stammered for a moment before I stepped in. "She just gets excited by the prospect of a good fight." Yume let out an indignant squeak and pinched my butt. I had to fight to keep from squirming.

  Sudden understanding dawned on Rin's face. "That makes sense. Oni also get excited at the prospect of a good fight. It is not uncommon for oni to fall in love in the midst of battle." She paused as she realized what she said, then gave me an apologetic look. "Don't get your hopes up though. I don't think I could fall in love with a man who is smaller than me."

  "I'll try to regret with dignity." I said flatly, though Shirogane-san gave a satisfied nod.

  Before moving to square up with the oni woman, I pulled Yume closer while plucking Ash from the air. "I hope you two are ready. I get the feeling this problem is going to take some work to get through."

  With that, I stepped up to my opponent, still doing my best to keep my blood flowing properly. My efforts weren't entirely successful, though when Shirogane-san noticed she simply smirked before tossing me a wooden practice sword.

  We bowed to each other, and got into ready stances. The match began with a shout from Lord Kuroyama.

  The tall oni woman came at me like a freight train, sweeping her blade diagonally from high to low. I was instantly glad I had taken the chance to level up. Despite the minor inconvenience, I was sure if it had been the me of a few minutes ago, I wouldn't have been fast enough.

  I ducked to the side and swiped my sword at my opponent's leg. She twisted her hips and took a step back, recentering on me. We squared up again, though this time there was a little more respect in Shirogane-san's expression.

  Her eyes opened wide a second later, when I successfully met her blow and matched her strength. I smiled, though my muscles strained with the effort of holding her at bay.

  The ensuing fight was intense. While I could match the oni woman's strength, she had far more reach than me, and I was having to compensate with speed. Unfortunately, my opponent only seemed to get stronger as the match continued.

  I activated my Aetheric Eyes and was able to clearly see a blue glow building around her. It didn't look like mana or qi, which left me confused about what it could be. The only other energy that Yume had mentioned so long ago was aura, but I didn't know much about it. Whatever it was, the glow was getting stronger, and I knew I had to end this before she got too powerful.

  I gritted my teeth as I developed a plan. I didn't like it, but I would have to show more of my cards. During our next exchange, I allowed my sword to be knocked from my grasp. I leapt back, trying to create distance between me and my opponent.

  Shirogane-san smiled as she sauntered toward me, and her blade began to glow the same blue as her aura. "You should give up. I don't want to hurt you."

  I returned her smile and nodded behind her. "I don't think that will be necessary."

  The blue oni woman furrowed her brow and turned, only to see my sword floating behind her, leveled at her throat. She looked back at me with a frown, but it slowly turned to a smile. "You are much stronger than I expected from a human. You'll have to share your story with me sometime. Also, I never expected you to be a wizard."

  I shrugged, "I wouldn't say I'm a wizard. I've just picked up a few tricks. As for my story, I would love to tell you more. For now though, I'm afraid we'll have to leave. I have more to accomplish elsewhere."

  We bowed to each other to show respect at the end of a match. She told her uncle she approved of me, stating that she could sense my character through my blade. I wasn't entirely sure I understood what she meant, but I was glad for her support.

  One thing was clear. I would have to get a lot stronger before I faced her uncle. If the young oni woman was this strong, I shuddered to think what it would be like facing that monster.