The Sekirei’s Covenant

In the following days, Sora trained with the three girls deep in the mountains.

Unlike the polluted and noisy city, training in the deep mountains allowed one to reach a clear state of mind. Feeling the breath and heartbeat of nature, Sora and the three girls improved rapidly every day.

On a steep and dangerous cliff, several figures were climbing upward. Looking down at the misty valley below, where falling stones made no echo, even Sora's heart raced.

Ena led the way, followed by Kaoru. Though both were daughters of noble families, they weren't just pretty faces; they climbed like monkeys, fast and agile.

Sora followed last, silently annoyed that the two had casually left Yuri, the newcomer, to him.

Though also a high-ranking miko, Yuri specialized in spiritual vision, and her physical stamina was almost negative. She got out of breath after a few steps, so expecting her to conquer the cliff was impossible!

Sora held onto the rock wall with one hand and supported the miko with the other, afraid she might fall. Sweat poured down as he felt the trembling body of the girl on his back, unsure if it was fear or embarrassment, stirring strange feelings in Sora.

Normally, Sora might have enjoyed some daydreaming, but now he had no time. If he accidentally became a flying human, he wouldn't even have a place to cry.

Cursing the two ahead, he struggled upward. Occasionally, Yuri would shyly wipe his sweat, which was a small comfort.

…

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Somewhere in the forest, the ground trembled as hundreds of wild boars charged down the mountain, about to catch the fleeing four.

Ena jumped nimbly into a tree, Kaoru summoned a giant paper crane with her shikigami and flew into the sky. As for Yuri, well, she lay flat on the ground, about to be trampled into a pulp!

Seeing Ena and Kaoru smiling coldly without helping, Sora covered his forehead and ran back, kicking away a charging boar. Amid the miko's screams, he lifted her onto his shoulder.

Sora suddenly regretted agreeing to train with them.

…

By a pond, Kaoru munched on wild berries, soaking her feet in the water with a relaxed expression.

Nearby, Yuri busily prepared dinner. A noble who only ate and didn't cook, two who could cook but were lazy, so the responsibility naturally fell to the diligent Yuri.

Standing up, the miko wiped sweat from her forehead and smiled knowingly at Sora and Ena chopping wood nearby, her eyes filled with envy.

Seeing Sora, ragged but still energetic, the miko blushed faintly, quickly lowering her gaze and becoming flustered.

…

Crackling…

As dusk fell, heavy rain poured in the mountains. Inside a cave, Sora and the three girls huddled around a fire, which occasionally crackled.

After this time of outdoor training, the girls were as ragged as Sora. The rain had soaked their clothes, clinging to their bodies, revealing patches of white and alluring skin.

"Hey, Kaoru, can you tell me about your organization and that thing you called 'curse power' or 'magic power'? I don't really understand."

To ease the awkward atmosphere, Sora asked Kaoru.

"Heh… I thought you'd never ask! Sure, as long as you promise to join our Official History Compilation Committee, I'll tell you anything you want."

Brushing her hair, unconcerned about her exposed skin being seen by Sora, Kaoru smiled slyly.

"Cut it out, then!"

Sora replied irritably.

These days, whenever there was a chance, she tried to recruit him, almost using seduction. Sora wasn't foolish enough to agree so easily!

"Hehehe, Sora, if Kaoru won't tell you, Ena will. She knows a lot too!"

Ena put an arm around Sora's shoulder.

Since they started training, the two fought every day and had become very close, almost like sworn siblings.

"Sora-san… Ena…"

Yuri blushed again. In the past, she would have scolded them for their improper behavior, but now she just lowered her head, either completely hopeless or for some other reason.

"Ha… Ena, you traitor! Fine, fine, I agree."

Kaoru rubbed her forehead, speechless.

Ena smiled carefreely and didn't argue further. As the head of the Tokyo branch of the Official History Compilation Committee, Kaoru naturally understood these things better than her.

"I really don't know what kind of weirdo you are. You already possess such powerful strength, yet you don't even understand some of the most basic common knowledge!"

A hint of reproach appeared in her beautiful eyes as Kaoru began to teach Sora a basic lesson—

"The so-called cursed energy is like the essence of water and earth; it is a mysterious power that our bodies cultivate through special training. Sorcerers call it cursed energy, ninjas call it chakra, magicians call it mana, and martial artists in China call it internal energy. In short, they are all the same thing."

"This power is the foundation for performing curses, ninja techniques, magic, and some advanced martial arts…"

Without holding anything back, Kaoru started explaining from the most basic common knowledge to Sora. From what cursed energy is, to the powerful factions and organizations around the world, she explained everything clearly. Finally, the novice Sora gained a relatively clear understanding of the hidden power system in this world, which ordinary people do not know about, lurking in the darkness.

Well, although Sora felt a bit amazed inside, he wasn't too surprised. Whether they were magicians, sorcerers, or ninjas, he just listened out of curiosity and had no intention of dealing with those people.

"Hmph, I knew you, a spineless guy, wouldn't react much even after hearing all this. Since that's the case, I'll tell you something that will truly surprise you!"

After spending some time together, Kaoru had pretty much figured out Sora's bad habits. Although she had expected his calm expression, seeing it in person still made her feel a bit annoyed!

"Oh? Something that will surprise me? Go ahead, tell me!"

His eyes lit up, intrigued by Kaoru's words, Sora asked.

There weren't many things that could surprise him, and knowing Kaoru was definitely not one to speak without purpose, Sora couldn't help but start looking forward to it…