"Spells cards training - Part one"

It has been one thousand and three years;  thousand and three years since I arrived in Gensokyo: three years of thinking about time there and a thousand years of training in a spatial and temporal dimension to defeat a powerful opponent.  My violet hair remains forever white;  sign of a huge emotional shock.  Kasen gained a thousand more years there, having stayed with me to train and help me.  I hope I haven't been a burden on her.  Come to think of it, Yumemi and her assistant couldn't return to their world.  So they stay in Gensokyo helping Keine with education.  Meira continues to train after losing to Ika in hopes of surpassing me because I have become her rival and inspiration.  Rika has finally created her ultimate tank and several hundred others.  I go to see the oniis or vice versa every weekend.  During my days, I get up very early to practice satre, then go around Gensokyo - without going through the lost wood - then I train with Kasen in his dojo until it is eight o'clock.  I return at this moment to Yukari to get up and have breakfast with Ran and Chen.  What am I doing at yokai of the breaches?  I let you become from time.

She decided that you come to live with her without giving you much choice.  And you try to keep your pain in patience.

You summed it all up.  However, I doubt that this remains the only reason because once finished, the master of the place appears behind me then whispers in my ears:

- So, did you miss me?  She asks me with a honeyed voice.

Yes, we have been together for a year.  Hence the fact that I am one thousand and twenty three years old now.  At the same time, it passed so quickly.  As for me, her biased hugs make me blush more than anything to the point where Ran is embarrassed and covers Chen's eyes.

- With all due respect mistress, there is a room for that, she said more and more embarrassed.

- That's Ran, Yukari ironically, won't I continue to please her more?  And then he likes it a lot.

So, Yukari and personal space is not his forte at all.  However, it remains true that I remain more receptive, but much more when my opinion is asked.  Otherwise, I put more and more reserve.  Consent is very important to me.  This is how, after kissing him gently on the forehead, I ask him:

- What are we doing today?

Except she lifts her head so my lips touch hers before responding with her tongue.  Ahhhh what a woman!  Anyway, her expression changes right after reveling in my roars.  Having become serious, she takes me into the forest of magic via her portals and more precisely in front of Marisa's shop.

- Kenpyri, so far you haven't created your own Spells cards.  I didn't say anything because it wasn't time yet.  You had to be able to defend yourself and get to know yourself.

- So all these exercises are aimed at improving myself on a personal level.  That doesn't explain things.  So, where do I start?

- Your first lesson will be to learn how to create your first spell and you will have to do it here, in the forest of magic.  That's why I took you to Marisa.  She can help you!  So ...

- Hey!  Don't go right away!

- You will come back only when you are finished, and no going anywhere else outside the forest ~ I see you! ~

And she left... I hate when she does that!  So, to start, you might as well knock on the door.  Here, there is no one.  All that is missing is that the person concerned is outside.  So I decide to go it alone for once.  After reading the word of God, I think I found what I'm going to name my first spell: Sign of Faith: The Arts of Creation.  I see a black hat staring at me then yells at me.  The latter, named Marisa, therefore listens to the explanations of a man like me before accepting directly.  To start, she gives me a book on spell cards to read while she works on her mushrooms.  In this regard, here is the definition of this art.

"Spell cards (スペルカード Superukādo) (often abbreviated as "Spells") play an important role in creating powerful spells. While using a Spell Card, the user's offensive and defensive abilities are greatly increased.  In some cases, the user becomes completely invincible during the entire use, however, the user can only use the spell listed in advance on their card, limiting their general usefulness.

NB: Spell Cards manifest in various ways.

In shooting games (Danmaku combat), Spell Cards act as a source of danmaku by enemies;  they then launch a specific pattern of attack while the player tries to dodge them.  They all have names, which typically use quotation marks.  In so-called classic fights, Spell cards generally exist as "supers" (attack with special condition, high damage, and high priority).  Additionally, they act as enemy special attacks.  Spell Cards are arguably the first instance of special, custom names given to attack patterns in shooter games.  The first boss to use the system was Rumia in the Embodiment of Scarlet Devil event.

Damn it !  Still happy that I'm not going to get into magic after all.  I'm saved on that side.  Once the reading is finished, I refile this article then wait.  Marisa, for her part, has just finished her experiments before joining me.

- So, are you okay?

- Yes and for my first spell, I think I have an idea.  But for that, you would have to throw projectiles at me.

- Hmmmmm that seems fair to me.  You still resisted a thousand years of torture, I tell you.  But don't expect to slack off!  So get to work!

- It's understood !  I will create a Spell Card that looks like me!  We leave for training.  I will give everything!

It is at the beginning of a massacre!  The problem is not in the execution but in the intention.  I try to appeal to nature, but as I associate this power with magic and sorcery it blocks.  Suddenly, a case of a few hours turns into days, then almost a week.  That's when I start to taste the star of Marisa in full training.

- Hmmmm it's sweet!

- Yeah !  Want to know how I did?  Already, successfully create your Spell!

- About that, I think I have an idea.  This time send me your Master Spark, unless you're afraid to kill me.

- Fine, you wanted it.  Sign of Love: Master Spark!

If I have to imagine imagining a Spell card, it would be like visualizing that something is going to happen believing that it has already happened.  As a result, with regard to communion with nature, it is clear that I can succeed and this thanks to the hermit arts but above all thanks to God.  And God is the creator so...

- Sign of faith: The works of creation!

I have only to replace arts by works to create several six orders - which while turning - will absorb Marisa's technique to return it multiplied by six.  As a result, she dodges it in time, so anything behind her takes the impact.  Surprisingly, nothing is shaved, even if the passers-by have all lost consciousness, the same for Rinnosuke who passed by.  Super awesome for now!

Spell Cards are created based on the personality of its creator.

- Everything's good ?

In response, she gives me a friendly pat on the back and then gives him a hug, congratulating me:

- Not bad !  It lacks explosions but it's quite impressive.  Can you teach me how you did it?

- Of course !  And I can give you a few little clues.

This is how I spend two more weeks teaching him, and therefore improving myself in the forest of magic.  We exchange a few turns, and discuss a long time.  Of course that doesn't prevent me from going to see Alice and chatting with her dolls, in the end Rinnosuke, the one I knocked out.  Speaking of him, he analyzes me for several minutes before declaring:

- I would like to make you a sword.

As we say at home, a gift cannot be refused, unless the intentions behind it are unhealthy.  Speaking of epee, I continue to train with it while struggling with my newly learned technique.  And for that, fairies, witches, pumpkins, and dead trees do the job very well, in addition to Alice Margatroid who with her dolls gives me a hard time.  In the end, three weeks in all pass that Yukari comes herself to see my progress.  Several hundred yokais, fairies, and witches remain on the ground and no longer move thanks to my power.  I get a call from Rinnosuke who is there.  This one gives me the famous sword, but he warns me:

- This sword is conscious and chooses its possessor.  Handle it while staying on the straight and narrow.  If you walk away from it, you will die!

I instinctively back down, even if in the end, I accept this offer afterwards.  Yukari tried to stop me though.  Alas, the sword itself comes between her and me.  His name is already chosen.  It belonged to my mother, so I decided to leave it to her.

- Hey Ishiha!  I'm Kenpyri.  Delighted !

Thus, Ishiha sparkles with a red glow to the point of not letting anyone else get too close to me.

Good.  Your journey begins now, Kenpyri!

The second lesson resumes at the same time.  Considering the fact that Ishiha puts a distance between Yukari and me by lighting up at the slightest rapprochement on his part;  it is always she who takes the first step even during our childhood.  It saddens me a bit when I think about it.  Even when I want to do it, she gets ahead of me.  For once, she accompanies me to the Yokai forest and leaves me there, while giving me instructions:

- You will have to cross this forest, then cross the misty lake before finally reaching the scarlet mansion.  A vampire named Scarlet Remilia and a witch Knowledge Patchouli can help you create your second Spell.  I'll see you when finished!

She leaves with these words without my being able to reassure her.  Alright, let's not lose hope!  Suddenly, a blonde in a black outfit with red eyes rushes at me.

[ Unsheath me!  I'll take care of it !  ]

All right !  I draw Ishiha then use it to cut the bubble of darkness without hurting the yokai in front of me.  I smile at this fact.

- So you listened to my wish, I point out to him.

[ Of course !  And also, I listen to your deepest wishes;  those buried in your heart.  That's why I arranged for you and Yukari to be away.  Indeed, you did not want to be close to her because you are afraid of being controlled by her and of not being worthy of her, again.  ]

He just sees.  This is also why I do not find the strength to oppose.  In truth, I don't care about power in general.  Otherwise, I would not be up one against thirty-one at this precise moment.  Should I have died in chapter 1?

No

No

[You are seriously mistaken.  Besides, the fight has only just begun!  ]

I dodge my opponent's onslaught before punching him in the stomach and imprisoning him in a cage of faith.  She tries to struggle in vain, to the point where she ends up crying.

- You tricked me!  I have never seen such beautiful magic before...

I dream where she has just complimented me.  Well, maybe I'll free her once her urge to eat humans is gone.  While explaining to her that I cannot be killed, I stroke her hair until I open the cage for her to escape.  I win the fight but the serious things start now.  Once near the Misty Lake, my leg gets frozen by an incompetent fairy.  The result is that I kill her from a distance, then stare coldly at the larger one for her to run away.  Anyway his comrade will come back, since their species is immortal.  Two days later, I arrive in front of the gate of the mansion.

- Well, I'll try to speak with the guardian of the portal.  If she fails, I will face her on her turf and beat her with ease.  After all, I fought against oniis.

Confident, I put my plan into action, but this one punches him in surprise for which I thank my reflexes.

- You are the famous Yakumo Kenpyri, and I was expecting you!  I challenge you to a duel with my bare hands.  My name is Hong Meiling!

In response, I drop Ishiha and my two other katanas with my stuff on the ground, then take all the blows and techniques based on my opponent's ki, while pretending to be in pain and then respond with a punch.  in the face which propels her to the pillar of the mansion, destroying the portal in the process.  Then, I pick up my belongings and weapons before recreating the portal until it is identical to the one before.  Instead of entering, I wait for her to open the door, except - instead - it's the head servant of the manor who greets me with her knives which I dodge without difficulty,  while paying me the luxury of catching them all and storing them in a pouch for silver utensils.  Her eyes then turn red but she arrives:



She bites her hand and holds a bell in her hand while bowing to me.  Mistrust on the other hand, she must undoubtedly be angry with my blood.  In view of his gaze, it is quite possible.  Finally sated, she orders her servant:

- I want to speak with him, alone.

She replies:

- As you wish, mistress!

Then she leaves, not without giving me a piercing look.  Now both, the mistress of the place carries me in princess mode, then flies to her office.  During this journey, I cling to her so as not to fall before she gently puts me down.  The discussion begins after we are seated on the armchair:

- Good evening Mr. Kenpyri!  Please forgive my guardian and servant for this unwelcoming reception.  Indeed, your performance at the tournament of dreams was impressive that they got a little carried away.  I see that you have managed to come this far despite your shortcomings in flight.

- I would like to tell you the same for this charisma break on your part, but this is not the time for politeness, Miss Remilia.  I came to ask for your help with my second Spell under Yukari's recommendation.

- I know, but I have a question for you: What would I gain by helping a potential threat to my mansion and for me?  You've destroyed a deity, defeated a super powerful onii, and traveled through the underworld and Makai.  How would my help be useful to you in these cases?

- I have to deduce that you won't be able to tell me more for once?  Dear Scarlet Remilia, you seem to be knowledgeable about me in general but ignore the most important points: Firstly, so far I have never come here alone.  Without the help of the people I've met, I won't be the man you seem to fear so much.  Already, without the help of Yukari and a woman in a blue red outfit, I will definitely be dead.  And even before coming here, it's still the same.  If I'm envious today it's not thanks to me.  With that, I'm going to leave.

- Not so fast!  You're not going to leave without answering my question.

- And for here it is: You are free to help me or not but I will create this second Spell!

- In that case, see you tomorrow evening at the same time.  And don't be late!~

I leave the place, holding myself back from slamming the door, the darkest look since my arrival in Gensokyo, except for Yukari's nonsense.  And here is a brat who comes to give me lessons on the pretext that she has inquired... In spite of everything, every beginning has an end that corresponds to it.  It's without counting on an official servant who leads me to a guest room.

[ ... ]

- Upright !  It's time !

I've been training at the Scarlet Mansion for four days.  To start, we work on the physique as well as on the level of endurance with Sakuya, followed by an obstacle course with the other fairies.  Patchouli is in charge of teaching me the theoretical lessons.  Meiling challenges me every day in clinch between two breaks.  Finally, the hardest will be against Remilia against whom I will have to fight, of course with a Spell Card, or even two if I manage to master it.  And I have an idea for this one.  I take out my two blades then inflict two cuts on my arm.  Even if it awakens his thirst for blood, I remain calm then think about how to turn this blood into plasma then put it to execution.  By heating it, it becomes a red liquid whose smell spreads throughout the room to the point of destabilizing the target;  which leaves me free to put my blade close to his neck, ending this training.  Happy to have succeeded, I put away my sword, cleaning up the mess caused by my fault.  Suddenly, once his back is turned, Remilia bites my neck to suck my blood without giving me time to react.  Well, she doesn't seem to have too much of an appetite considering her small body;  which, however, does not prevent having pain.

- Ouch!  No, but it's not!  You almost killed me!

- Come on, don't tell me you didn't like it ~ And then it's your fault if we think about it.

- In short, it's not all that, but I'm going to leave now.  Did I pass my training on this?

- Stay a little longer!  I'm still hungry, please.

- I refuse !  I really need to get back there, and then if Yukari...

- Well, know that normally you still have to spend a month you only did four days.

She starts drooling while getting closer to my neck:

- Do not worry !  It won't hurt you.  And if that's the case, I can inject you with a drug so that you don't feel the pain.

And shit!  Why on the other hand Ishiha does not intervene?  Come to think of it, she's just feeding herself.  And then killing me is useless.  Despite her race and her dangerousness, I do not consider her a threat, even if her behavior does not help to appreciate her.  I sigh during his lunch break and then finally give him a smile.

- You finished ?

She ends up falling asleep right after.  I carry her in my arms after the skin regenerates.  Sakuya bursts in when I tell her to be quiet since her mistress is resting, then confides in her by saying:

- Please take care of her!  She needs it !

- Of course !  However, what happened between you two?

- What happens when a vampire and a human meet.

I leave on these words in order to recover from this interview which will remain in my memory.  On the other hand, I do not recommend this to anyone, not even my worst enemy, because I lost consciousness for sixteen days, because of the pain.  So, it's been six weeks since I started my lesson and I'm getting a huge brake on my progress.  Patchouli examines me and tells the others that I need rest.  But why ?  Is it because I got screwed as a beginner?

Do not lose hope !

All I want now is to pass this test and finally have my questions answered.  After the tournament, I did receive the answers to all my questions.  This is how I know everything about me, my origins as well as that of my entire family, also about Yakumo Ishiraiki.  But, I did not have the most important thing for me, the thing for which I was brought on this earth.  It remains a failure on all counts.  Yet, I keep smiling, I continue to have faith.  Right now I am praying in my heart for inner healing.  When I wake up, two months and two more weeks have just passed and - at the same time - the creation of the second Spell card.  For this, I take a drop of blood which liquefies to the point of turning into plasma.  My enemies are simply disturbed, or literally lose consciousness.

- Plasma Sign: Vampiric Blood Mist.

Remilia smiled at the understanding of that name, proudly.  The joy is short-lived, however, when Yukari arrives.  It is suddenly time to leave.  The farewells remain short but I have the impression that it will not be finished.  Once on the way, I get closer to her then try my luck:

- Yukari.

- Yes ?  What's happening ?

I kiss her gently on the lips and then answer her while she is red as a tomato.

- We can start the third lesson.

To be continued