Because of her worries, Kamisato Ayaka did not eat much breakfast. Zeyan's appetite, however, was quite good.
While waiting for Zeyan to finish eating, Kamisato Ayaka went to practice her sword again. This time, she did not practice in the courtyard, where the heavy rain raged, but chose the spacious reception room to wield the Amenoma Kageuchi in her hand.
When Zeyan noticed Kamisato Ayaka practicing, he subconsciously took his rice ball and walked over, standing outside the reception room, eating while watching her sword dance.
Beautiful yet sharp.
Was this the Kamisato Art Tachi Jutsu?
As he watched, Zeyan felt new insights surface in his heart.
"Kamisato Art Senho, comprehension increased to twenty percent."
Once again, Zeyan heard the notification sound in his ear, filling his heart with anticipation.
When the comprehension level reached one hundred percent, would he be able to fully master Kamisato Art Senho?
And not just the Senho. Could he also master Kamisato Ayaka's other abilities?
His future was worth looking forward to.
By the time Zeyan finished the rice ball in his hand, Kamisato Ayaka had also stopped her movements.
Looking at him, Kamisato Ayaka said softly, "I am sorry for keeping you waiting. Let us go to the Grand Narukami Shrine now."
As she spoke, she glanced at the distant Mt. Yougou, shrouded in heavy rain, and a hint of worry surfaced in her clear eyes.
Was this truly a path where hope could be found?
The rain was heavy, splashing water wherever it struck the ground, and the road looked muddy. It was hardly suitable for climbing the mountain, but Kamisato Ayaka could not afford to wait any longer.
She held an umbrella, carried a small package, and had the Amenoma Kageuchi hanging across her back.
Zeyan also carried an umbrella, his pack strapped to his back, and the Dull Blade in his hand.
After leaving the Kamisato Estate, they had not walked far before they reached the steps leading up the mountain. Trees, flowers, and grass lined both sides of the path, and ahead stood a vermilion torii gate with two fox statues on either side, slightly covered in moss.
They passed through the torii gate and continued up the stone steps. Along the way, stone lanterns glowed dimly, and small shrines with hanging lanterns could be seen tucked beside the path.
Right from the start, the place gave off a solemn shrine atmosphere.
After walking for a while, Zeyan suddenly stopped and looked ahead in surprise. "The road is gone?"
The steps ahead were broken. Huge rocks blocked the way, as if a landslide had occurred and buried the path.
Kamisato Ayaka took a deep breath. "Zeyan, it looks like we will need to climb the mountain the hard way. If you are unwilling..."
"I am willing."
Zeyan immediately interrupted her, firm and decisive.
Kamisato Ayaka turned her head to look at him, her beautiful eyes soft and warm.
Next, she took a running start, her figure light as a feather, and leaped onto the boulder. She tapped her toes a few times and effortlessly found footing on the new path ahead.
Watching this, Zeyan's mouth twitched slightly. Still, he imitated her, taking a running start toward the boulder. He jumped, trying to use his momentum to climb, but in terms of agility, he was clearly far inferior to Kamisato Ayaka. He could not manage to flip onto the boulder directly.
As he was about to fall, Zeyan instinctively thrust the Dull Blade forward, trying to anchor himself into the rock. However, he overestimated the blade's sharpness. It only scratched a faint white mark on the boulder, offering no support, and he began to slip.
"Zeyan!"
At the critical moment, accompanied by a delicate cry, a soft hand suddenly grabbed his outstretched arm.
So soft.
That thought flashed across Zeyan's mind.
He looked up, through the pouring rain and rumbling thunder, and saw Kamisato Ayaka's anxious, beautiful face. She knelt at the edge of the boulder, reaching out to pull him up.
Although Zeyan's skin was already quite fair, compared to the hand grabbing his own, her hand looked even more delicate and pale, like a work of art.
"Hold on tight. I will pull you up," Kamisato Ayaka's melodious voice rang out.
Only then did Zeyan snap back to his senses. He threw the Dull Blade upward, grabbed onto the boulder with his other hand, and with her help, managed to climb up successfully.
Just as he caught his breath, Kamisato Ayaka thrust an umbrella into his hands. "Use this umbrella. I will go get yours."
Before he could respond, Kamisato Ayaka had already leaped down from the boulder. She swiftly retrieved the umbrella he had dropped during the fall and effortlessly returned.
Once back, she did not intend to exchange umbrellas again. Smiling, she said, "It is really good that you are okay. You really gave me a fright just now. Thankfully, it was only a scare. I hope the rest of the way will not be frightening or dangerous."
Zeyan picked up the Dull Blade and nodded silently.
They continued up the mountain. Throughout the journey, Zeyan could feel the warmth lingering on the umbrella handle. It was Kamisato Ayaka's warmth, dispelling the cold air around him as he held onto it tightly.
Clutching the umbrella, he followed slowly behind her.
However, the path ahead was far from smooth. Due to the continuous heavy rain, Mt. Yougou showed obvious signs of landslides, burying many of the paths. Compared to the earlier blockages, these new obstacles were even more troublesome.
If it were just Zeyan, he doubted he would be able to make it far. But no matter how difficult the terrain became, Kamisato Ayaka always managed to lead him safely forward.
"With Miss Kamisato here, there should not be any problems..." Zeyan was saying when a sudden rumbling sound echoed from above.
He looked up and his face paled. Another landslide had begun further up the mountain, and this time, huge rocks were hurtling straight toward them.
In that instant, Zeyan realized he could not resist the force of nature.
"Zeyan, be careful!"
Kamisato Ayaka cried out and stood protectively in front of him, the Amenoma Kageuchi already drawn, its cold light gleaming through the heavy rain.
Even so, some falling rocks bounced off the mountainside and flew over her, smashing directly toward Zeyan.
Almost instinctively, Zeyan swung the Dull Blade in his hand.
He wanted to use Kamisato Art Senho, but with only twenty percent comprehension, he could not yet perform the technique. In the end, all he could do was swing the blade as best as he could.
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