It was Tsukimi celebration day, and the night streets of Kurenai village were alive with festivities. Paper lanterns adorned the Meiji Period Japanese buildings, which displayed bamboo and pampas grass.
Ignoring the growing tension around Kurenai Village, the people on the streets exchanged some items to wish each other good luck. Various performances took place in the middle of the street, including a play featuring an Asian dragon dancing and flying through the clouds.
The crowd watched in awe as the lady leading the play released fire from her mouth through the dragon's head, spelling out "H-A-P-P-Y---T-S-U-K-I-M-I" in flames. The audience cheered, showering her with sakura blossom petals.
Meanwhile, at the edge of X-You Mountain, twenty-year-olds from Kurenai City gathered, ready to take the most crucial test of their lives. This compulsory test, free for all, was the only one of its kind.
Passing it would grant them the title of Grade 1 Tama-Artist, a prerequisite for receiving missions from the village. Failing would mean repeating two years at New Star Academy or never receiving missions.
The students, wearing beige obis over their kimonos, had spent four years preparing for this moment. They desperately showcased their fire-related Tama abilities to their instructor.
In Kurenai Village, owning at least one fire-based Tama was mandatory for passing the test. The yugen students had already passed, leaving the Shinsei and Samurai to demonstrate their skills.
Their instructor, wearing a navy hakama with the emblem of the Katsuragi-rin Clan, scrutinized their performances. The emblem signified her affiliation with the Fortress Clan of Kurenai Village, making her a formidable figure. Some students, lacking backing, tried to impress her, but she remained uninterested. (1)
As she watched the students, she couldn't help but feel a sense of monotony.
'Next year, I'll be doing the same thing again... and the same goes for the years after that.'
She sighed, her almond-shaped brown eyes gazing at the new pink moon. A hint of a smile crossed her lips. 'It was fun at first, boring in the middle, and now I don't know how I feel... Is it because I'm secretly recruiting talents for the Katsuragi clan?'
Her dark brown hair fluttered in the wind, revealing her heart-shaped face. Composing herself, she turned to the students, her expression cold and detached.
"That's better... but not to the level I expect from you people."
At Emiko's comment, the students froze, their expressions turning solemn. They knew this was a life-or-death issue, unlike the advancement test to become a Grade 2 Tama-Artist, where they had to complete a few missions to prove themselves. The Grade 1 test was notoriously difficult, especially since they had to impress their exam instructor, Emiko Katsuragi-rin, who was infamous for failing many students and having a cold attitude.
Seeing their pale expressions, Emiko clicked her tongue in disdain.
"I'll head to the top of the mountain. Follow me, but be warned: you'll encounter profound beasts along the way, some of which possess Tama."
She turned around, her kimono flapping in the wind, and said, "Good luck."
With that, she began levitating toward the summit of X-You Mountain, leaving the students in awe.
However, upon closer inspection, one could see that Emiko was standing on small threads, using them to ascend the mountain quickly and avoid the beasts.
As she gazed out at the breathtaking scenery, she thought, 'Even though the previous Shojo killed almost all the male mortals a year ago, X-You Mountain remains as beautiful as ever. That's to be expected from the first wonder of the world!'
She felt ecstatic about climbing this legendary mountain, and like everyone else in the village, she didn't care about the mortals. To her, they were just insignificant ants.
Emiko landed on the summit, a smile forming on her face.
"Maybe I should patrol around until the students arrive."
Just as she spoke, she felt a massive pressure coming from behind her. Quickly, she used one of her Tama, creating swirling brown threads that stopped the surprise attack, but not the force behind it.
She was pushed back a few inches, and as she was touched her back, a soft voice whispered, "Gekkojutsu." (1)
An explosion erupted from her back, sending her flying into the distance. Her hakama was slightly burnt, but she managed to use her Itorishirabe Tama to manipulate threads and break her fall.
Emiko stood up, her cold gaze fixed on the two individuals wearing black armor with red coats. She sized them up, asking, "Who are you? Didn't your instructor teach you never to attack someone from behind?"
The two shook their heads in denial, implying that their instructors were shameless. Tsukino unsheathed her katanas and pointed them at Emiko.
"Surrender now, or prepare to die."
Emiko scoffed at the ridiculous threat.
"Don't get cocky, younglings. You still have a long way to go before you can even think about fighting a Grade 2 Tama-Artist like me."
The moment Emiko finished speaking, Shoji threw a punch toward her gut, yelling "Testujin no Kosei!" (2)
A Buddha-shaped Tama absorbed some of his brown Rei, amplifying his strength as he released a fierce punch, enough to crush a boulder to pieces.
However, Emiko, the academy instructor, managed to react in time, using her Tama to levitate herself and narrowly dodge the attack.
Her eyes shrunk to pin size as she gazed at the spot where she had been standing just a minute ago, muttering in shock, "He tore the ground apart with a single punch... what kind of brute strength is that?"
A sweet voice came from behind her, "Isn't it amazing?"
Emiko nodded earnestly, "Indeed... a man like him would be among the top-ranked samurai."
Her words trailed off as she realized she was no longer alone. She turned back to meet Tsukino's cold face and stuttered, "H-h-how?"
Her gaze fell to the ground, and she saw that Tsukino was still standing in her previous position.
Tsukino sighed, "I told you to surrender."
Gekkojutsu. A crescent moon Tama absorbed some of Tsukino's gray Rei, and the person behind Emiko exploded.
Boom!
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1 — Gekkojutsu (Moonlight Manipulation): Tsukino Akihime can control and manipulate moonlight to create powerful blasts of energy, heal people to the point they get regain their souls from the next life, and create illusions. - only under a full moon. - This also means if she dies (during any day) she would come back to life once there is a full moon.
2 — Tetsujin no Kōsei (Iron God's Strength): Shoji can increase his physical strength to incredible levels.