Hiruma nodded as she stood up and gazed at the mountain." I understand," she said firmly.

Isamu studied her for a moment, then gestured toward the towering silhouette of Mount Kuotsuki."Good, now get going; however, be prepared for the unexpected," He said, his voice calm yet commanding. "I will be awaiting your return, don't keep me waiting, " he said as he opened the cottage door.

Hiruma glanced up at the imposing mountain before her. The summit was shrouded in mist, the path ahead obscured y dense trees. A realization set in that she would have to rely on her instincts to survive and pass this.

'Alright, I can do this. I just need to focus.' Hiruma thought, clenching her fist as she started making her way to Mount Kurotsuki to ascend to the top to make her way back down before the sun was fully up.

Isamu watched her for a moment before disappearing inside his cottage."We see if she has the resolve to pass this test like you did Manami," He murmured to himself.

The initial climb was straightforward, the path winding gently through a forest of towering trees. The soft crunch of Hiruma's footsteps was the only sound, accompanied by the distant chirping of crickets. The air grew cooler as she climbed higher, the fading sunlight casting long shadows across the trail.

Hiruma kept her senses sharp, recalling Isamu's words about being prepared for the unexpected. It seemed peaceful, but knew better than to trust appearances. As the light dimmed, her pace quickened.

Twilight gave way to night, the darkness enveloping her like a shroud. Hiruma paused briefly scanning the surroundings. As the soft glow of the moonlight illuminated the path ahead, but it also heightened her awareness of the shadows creeping around her.

The forest's stillness was unnerving. The gentle chirping of crickets and the rustling of leaves now felt distant, swallowed by the oppressive quiet of the mountain. Hiruma's breaths were shallow as she pressed on. She reached a steeper incline, where loose rocks and tangled roots made each step treacherous. Her muscles strained as she climbed, the weight of her resolve pushing her forward. The mist thickened, obscuring her vision, but Hiruma kept moving forward, her instincts guiding her as she finally reached the top.

'Now I just need to negative my way back down.' Hiruma thought as she attempted to catch her breath from climbing up here.

Hiruma then began making her way back down the mountain and back to Isamu's cottage where he was awaiting her return. as she started back down a faint sound caught her attention a soft creak like a branch bending under pressure. Hiruma froze her eyes darted around the foggy trail for the source of the sound.

A split second later, a log sprang towards her. Hiruma barely leap back in time, the log narrowly missing her.

'A trap? Isamu must of set these. So this what he meant by unexpected. I managed to avoid them on the way up, so he must of place them in a way I would only encounter them going back down.' Hiruma thought in realization.

She took a deep breath as she tightened her resolve and continued, her movements now deliberate and focus. Every step felt like a gamble as she scanned her surroundings for any sign of danger. The mist made it hard to see more then a few feet ahead, forcing her to rely on her instincts.

'With this mist it be impossible to find all the traps and avoid them. If i get caught by them I never make it back down before the sun fully up, I might freeze first from this cold air. No I have to make it back in time. ' Hiruma thought shaking those negative thoughts out of her head she wasn't going to fail on becoming a demon slayer.

Hiruma ran with all her might when her foot slip on a rope as she stepped onto what seem like solid ground, until it gave way beneath her. Hiruma barely managed to grab onto the rope her legs dangling over a pit. Her kimono's sleeve tore as she pulled herself up.

"I need to focus on sensing the traps, " Hiruma muttered under her breath, her voice trembling but full of resolute as she rushed forward her indigo hair swaying with each step.

As she descended further, Hiruma encountered a series of traps as she nearly avoided a barrage of small stones flying towards her a cleverly disguised net that nearly caught her from below. Each one tested her agility, perception, and her resolve.

Her movements grew sharper with each challenge, her young body adapting to the physical demands of the test. Her mind began to anticipate the traps, but still fully not able to avoid them all in time.

'He testing more then my reflex and agility. He forcing me to think under pressure.' Hiruma thought the realization pulling her forward despite each obstacle that got in her way.

Hiruma reached the final stretch of the trail, her body was weary, her muscles aching from exertion. The began to thin as she reached the bottom as a faint glow of pink and gold slowly painted the horizon. She could see the clearing ahead where's Isamu's cottage stood, a beacon of sanctuary after the grueling descent.

Hiruma pushed forward panting as she stepped into the clearing, her legs trembling but her spirt unwavering.

Isamu sat inside of his cottage, arms crossed as he awaited for Hiruma return as a pot was cooking over a fire. He turned as the door to the cottage opened as Hiruma entered. His purple eyes studied her carefully, noting the torn sleeve of her kimono, the dirt smudges on her fair skin, and the gleam in her eyes.

"You've made back," He said simply, his voice calm but tinged with approval.

Hiruma stopped a few feet in front of him falling to her knees in exhaustion.

"You are now my new student Hiruma Wantanabe. You have shown me your resolve," Isamu said with a faint smile. "Rest for now and eat to recover your strength."

Here is chapter three of The Ink Pillar and the beginning of the first arc of the story. In this chapter, Hiruma face her trial of climbing and descending Mount Kurotsuki while nagativing the traps set by Isamu Seta. This test was not only physical but mentally as it was designed to push her limits and resolve. I hope you enjoyed the chapter.

Thanks for reading!

Question of the chapter: Are you ready for Hiruma's training to begin?

[Meiji period secrets]

-Isamu Seta not sure if Hiruma will be capable of Blue Lighting breathing so he will teach her how to create her own breathing style as well as teaching her at least trying to teach her the first form.

- Isamu is a fan of watching rainstorms.

Word count: 1,037