Chapter 25:

"My basic knowledge with onmyodo is that you use your spiritual powers directly as your main weapon. You can apply it by knowing the famous nine symbolic cuts by heart. The symbols you will need to harness depend on your target's strength and your power increases as you continue to master it." Kaede instructed.

"Is it possible that an onmyoji can defend itself?"

"Yes. You can actually do it now. You just have to set up a barrier. Though you will need a lot of concentration."

"That's amazing…! Then, I want to try setting up a barrier first."

"Okay. It's the same as when you heal a person. But this time, you should do it as if you are healing yourself."

Arisa took a deep breath, and then clasped her hands; her index fingers pointing upward together as the sign for making a barrier.

However, as soon as she was half-way towards completing a barrier, she would stop as it was becoming difficult for her to retain her concentration. And she had to try and try again. Eventually, there were times that she wanted to give up, but Kaede always encouraged her, that she only had a day to at least accomplish it.

"Kaede-san! I…I need a break!" she called out, huffing.

"Sure you can." Kaede said with a chuckle.

"Healing is a lot easier than putting up a barrier…!"

"I guess you could say that, as it was born in you to be a healer. But as you explore other techniques, it is quite challenging."

Arisa sighed.

"Oh well. I have no choice but to bear with it."

Throughout the day, she had been doing her best to concentrate in order to finally complete a barrier. Ultimately, late at night, she was able to successfully put up a perfect light blue barrier, much to her happiness.

"Kaede-san! I-I did it!"

Kaede mirthfully laughed. "That's great!"

"Continue on, and we'll see how long you'll be able to put it up."

Arisa tried all her might and she could put it up at the maximum of only 30 minutes.

"…that's it?" she mumbled in a disappointed tone.

"Don't be so down about it. For a first-timer like you, that is already an accomplishment. Mind you, I was only able to do so for only 10 minutes during my first time." Kaede reassured.

"R-really…?"

"Yes. It seems you really have a hidden, strong potential."

"There is so much more about barriers. You will need to learn how to put it up while concentrating and at the same time, doing other things. Also, you will need to learn how to conceal it."

Overwhelmed by the subtasks, Arisa scratched her head forcefully.

"No way…"

Kaede laughed. "Do not worry. You will learn them in no time. But, we need to rest. It's almost midnight."

"Alright… but first, I need to check on Ah-un."

"Be sure to come back right after. Demons are lurking everywhere."

"Yes, I will."

She went to the forest where the village men placed Ah-un, and there she found him sleeping soundly just under the sacred tree. She lightly approached him, and hugged him.

"Please wait a little longer, Ah-un."She whispered, waking the creature up. He licked her cheeks twice, before she bid goodbye and went back to Kaede's hut, and slept.

The next day.

"Kaede-san. I will learn onmyodo today."

"Are you sure…?"

"Yes. I will continue the barrier lessons tomorrow."

"Okay. Wait for me."

Kaede said as she went out. She went to the shrine located above her hut, where she hid some scrolls and books regarding onmyodo. Before returning, she stopped for a while beside the grave near the shrine – her elder sister's grave.

Kikyo-onee san, a powerful one has appeared in this world. But I wonder what her purpose is…

Kaede laid out a few of the scrolls and books that she got from the shrine in front of Arisa.

"First, we'll start by memorizing the nine symbolic cuts: Rin, Kyo, To, Sha, Kai, Jin, Retsu, Zai, Zen."

Arisa nodded as she continued to listen, while starting to familiarize herself with the symbols.

"The first three cuts represent a simple attack on demons or evil spirits. You can only use one when it is just a weak yokai. Use the three if they are your average wandering demons. Apply the five cuts if they are stronger than normal."

After that, she showed the hand signs for Rin, Kyo, To, Sha and Kai. She gave Arisa an hour to manipulate them. After which, she continued to discuss the sixth up to the ninth cut.

"The sixth to ninth symbolic cuts, known as the verse cuts, however, require more power and concentration. Since it is literally a verse - meaning, you cannot use one symbol alone; Jin, Retsu, Zai, and Zen are connected. It is indeed a potent magic, but when you use it all the time, it will eventually drain you. In worst cases, it could make you unable to move for days."

Arisa gasped. "I see…"

"You could use it to kill bigger and stronger demons like Naraku. Do you perhaps know him?"

She flinched at the sudden mention of the guy. "Y-yes…"

"He is an example of which you can apply the verse cuts. Unfortunately, he is the cunning and despicable type and is currently using the power of the sacred jewel. Though he will definitely be injured if you try to use it, he can still manage to escape. So, before you try the verse cut on him, you will have to separate him from the sacred jewel."

Kaede proceeded to show the hands signs for Jin, Retsu, Zai and Zen. This time, she gave her two hours to manipulate the signs.

"I'm done, Kaede-san."

"By the way, you can silently utter the symbols aloud or in your mind. Either is fine, but do not forget the hand signs. The faster, the better. I will now explain if you use all of the cuts."

Arisa swallowed hard, as she had a feeling that it was quite a burden to handle.

"Using the entire cuts make way to a stronger technique: Eternal sealing. The sealed individual will be alive, but he or she will never be able to escape, unless another powerful onmyoji such as you will free him/her. Although, it is quite a rare appearance."

She was rather surprised at Kaede referring to her as a powerful onmyoji; whereas she was just a college student in the modern life.

"However, there is a big, inevitable consequence once you apply the seal. It can only be applied once by the caster, and after which…the caster dies." Kaede said, her tone grim.

Arisa found herself unable to react. She was too shocked at the corresponding consequence.

"I just hope that there won't be a time where you will need to use the entire cuts, most especially when encountering Naraku." Kaede said worriedly.

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