Days passed by, and nearly one month went by silently.
Ryou stayed at Butterfly Mansion, doing nothing but training his sword skills and using Natural energy to enhance his physique. The result, his physique increased by just 10%.
He couldn't do anything about the slow progress as his Breathing Style was at the basic level.
He even thought of going out to hunt the demons, but the Flower Hashira Kanae wouldn't allow it. Since he wasn't in any kind of rush, he trained honestly.
Finally, the day has come for him to travel to Mount Fujikasane and attend the Final selection. He had to leave today to reach the location by tomorrow.
After finishing his morning practice, Ryou went into the butterfly manner to pack his things to prepare for the travel.
As he entered the manor, he saw Aoi treating a Demon Slayer. Ryou didn't see them when he went out, meaning they were just admitted.
"Is he okay?" Ryou asked, walking to her side.
"Just some minor injuries and broken bones. They will heal in a few days!" Aoi replied with a sigh and opened her heart,
"You know, Ryou-san, I was supposed to be Demon Slayers like them since I passed the Final Selection by luck, which was conducted a few months ago.
But, after facing the Demon I lost my courage to fight them. I was too afraid. I am a coward."
"What are you saying, Miss Aoi? I think what you are doing right now is more outstanding than fighting the demons.
Saving Demon Slayer's life is more precious than slaying the Demons. By doing so, you are saving many innocent people's lives indirectly." Ryou said his heartfelt words and showed a grin.
"I'm heading out for the Final Selection. I will be back in a few days, Miss Aoi." Saying this, Ryou walked to his room.
"Take care, Ryou-san. I hope for your safe return." Aoi whispered.
Packing his things, Ryou came out of the room and saw Shinobu standing outside.
"Came back safe, Ryou-san. We will be waiting for your return!" Shinobu said her good wishes.
"Don't worry. I will be back before you know it. Where's your sister? I haven't seen her for a day." Ryou asked.
"She's out. I don't know when she will be back. I will inform her about your departure once she comes back."
"Okay. Tell your sister not to miss me when I am gone. Haha! See you later."
--
By the time Ryou reached the foot of the mountain, the night was dark with half-moon hiding behind the clouds.
As he climbed the stone steps to the gathering place for the final selection on top of the mountain, he marveled at the sheer amount of Wisteria flowers. The luminous purple flower dangled down from the trees is a sight to behold.
The gathering place is a stone walkway with a tall red wooden gate from which hung Buddhist prayer flags.
There were already many young people arrived before him. With a glance, Ryou could tell there were at least thirty.
He looked around to see if he could spot any familiar characters but there were none. Most of them were dressed in dark colors, with swords around their back or hip.
All of them are trained by retired Hashira or from various training grounds of the Demon Slayer Corps.
Seeing no one was speaking with one another, Ryou found a quiet spot and sat down. Waiting for someone from the Ubayashiki family to come and start the trial.
Nearly thirty minutes passed before a white-haired woman in a kimono appeared from behind the red gate, followed by two children of Ubayashiki.
Rising to his feet, Ryou looked in surprise as he knew them. It's Ubuyashiki Amane and her children.
At that moment, the system notification sounded in his mind. When he opened the system panel, he saw a new task.
[~ Task: Complete Final Selection and Defeat Hand Demon.
Reward: 2 Demon Points ~]
'2 Demon Points? Such a low-level reward. Is there even a need to release such a task?' Ryou cursed in his mind and brought his attention back.
"Good evening. Thank you for coming here tonight for the Demon Slayer's Final selection." Ubuyashiki Amane spoke in a gentle voice.
"There are several demons on Mount Fujikasane, captured by Demon slayers and unable to leave. Because wisteria which demons hate very much prevents them from leaving.
They bloom year-round from the bottom to halfway up the mountain.
However, from this point on, there's no wisteria. Hence, demons roam free. You'll need to survive for seven days to pass the Final Selection.
-And now, be on your way!" Amane bowed a little and made way for everyone to enter the trail.
The candidates began to walk past the wisteria-protected area and into the demon-filled forest. Most of them had their swords already drawn, ready to face the unexpected.
'I don't know how many will survive by the end of seven days.' Ryou too took off into the forest without an ounce of fear or hesitation.
--
Ryou met his first demon within a few minutes of his dash into the forest. A standard pale male demon with slit eyes and saliva trickling from its mouth.
It leaped at him from the air with a shout. With one look, he could tell the Demon's hungry imprisoned without any food from its screaming and fanatic expression.
Ryou sidestepped and the sword fluidly left the sheath drawing a beautiful sliver arc in the air. 'Shing!'
The demon's body hit the ground with its head detached and started to disintegrate almost immediately because of the power of his sword.
'Too easy!' He thought. It's just a lowest-level demon with slightly enhanced strength and speed.
'+1 Demon Points' The system updated his demon points.
'Good. Two more, I can upgrade my Nature Breathing to Intermediate level.' Sheathing his sword back, Ryou sprinted along the forest actively seeking the demons.
In his eyes, the demons are nothing but points for his advancement. The Final Selection is a good opportunity to accumulate the demon points.
He plans to make good use of it!