Demon Sword Maiden

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Rinne looked at Shimizu without replying to her provocation. Her expression remained calm as she spoke, "Miss Shimizu, many things are shaped by fate and the karmic flow. I cannot explain further. But from what I've seen, it's clear you care for Lily. That touches me. Still, your behavior could use more restraint."

Shimizu frowned. "Is that so? And what exactly are you implying?"

A soft glow flickered in Rinne's eyes.

"Lily is a gentle soul, but her life has been filled with hardship. As her sisters, we should offer her comfort, not control. If your affection becomes possessiveness and you punish her for disobedience, that is not love; it is harm."

Shimizu scoffed. "Senior sister, is that what you call yourself? I still don't understand the meaning of that title. You act like you're something more, but I see nothing extraordinary in you." Her tone darkened. "You talk as if you know her, but you don't truly understand Lily."

Rinne simply smiled and said nothing.

"You think I'm bullying her? That I need your correction?" Shimizu ran her fingers through her hair with a smug look. "You don't get it. Deep down, Lily enjoys the way I treat her. I understand her better than anyone else."

Rinne's gaze grew heavy with sorrow. "You're mistaking Lily's kindness for consent, Shimizu."

With one hand, she gently combed through Rinne's hair. Her other hand, however, moved lower, creeping toward her chest.

"As I thought, you can't feel anything with that spirit body of yours," she murmured. "Tell me, who are you really? Some hidden part of Lily? You act so regal and composed, but maybe deep down, you're just like her."

Rinne remained silent, her head slightly bowed.

"Why so quiet, senior sister?" Shimizu whispered, gently tousling her hair.

"It's strange. You look exactly like Lily, but you don't stir anything in me." Her thoughts deepened. 'Could it really be that a woman's presence matters more than her looks? You may be the most beautiful woman in all the realms, senior sister, but your charm can't compare to Lily's. Do you envy her for that?'

"But I suppose it doesn't matter. Even if I don't like you, you're still her senior sister, aren't you? I could help ease the loneliness you carry. After all, there are things Lily doesn't yet understand… things she can't give you."

As she spoke, her hand slid downward with quiet intent.

"Minamoto no Shimizu, that is enough." Her voice dropped its warmth, now echoing with cold authority. She lifted her hand, and golden light shimmered into being, filling the dim chamber as it swiftly enveloped Shimizu.

"What?" Shimizu gasped, feeling a warm yet overwhelming force wrap around her. The energy pulsed with a strength that felt capable of shifting stars.

The energy flowed like water, soft and formless, yet it offered no escape. Shimizu found herself powerless to resist, unable to move against it.

The golden light surged forward, binding Shimizu in an instant. Within the stone chamber, the seventh door, long sealed until now, slowly creaked open. The radiant energy pulled Shimizu's spirit body into the newly revealed chamber.

'What is this?' Shimizu was baffled. Instead of fear or panic, she felt only curiosity and a reckless calm. Being restrained didn't fluster her in the slightest.

As she was drawn fully into the seventh chamber, the stone door behind her closed with a slow, deliberate rumble.

Rinne didn't turn to look. Her voice remained serene as she said, "Only three may enter that room at once. It is a sacred place for Celestial Maidens to temper their consciousness. But it can serve other purposes as well."

Because Shimizu had entered the Mirror Dimension, Lily could observe her actions if she wished. Yet, knowing her senior sister had requested privacy, she refrained from looking in and returned to her meditation.

After some time passed, Lily opened her eyes and saw Shimizu still sitting beside her. It seemed her spirit remained within the mirror realm.

'Are they still talking?' Lily wondered, unsure what kind of conversation could last this long.

She shook off the thought and returned to her training. Lily had no intention of wasting time. Since her moment of self-punishment had been interrupted earlier, she now considered it resolved. Her heart felt lighter, as if a burden had been lifted. She had found clarity in her reflections.

Now, it was time to attempt her breakthrough into the Celestial Stage.

The process was arduous. Lily began by reviewing the standard method detailed in the Lunar Blossom. She memorized every step, then practiced the technique multiple times to become fully familiar with its circulation, even though she knew success wouldn't come immediately.

As expected of a rare prodigy, Lily mastered the technique's flow within a few hours, her mind absorbing every detail with ease.

She could now circulate the technique flawlessly. But that alone wouldn't lead to a breakthrough. It was like mastering how to aim a bow without yet hitting the target. The method merely guided her along the path. The real challenge lay in repeating the attempt until the opportunity aligned.

More than anything, she needed the right opportunity. These moments were unpredictable, unique to each adept, and impossible to force. The result always came as a surprise.

Still, as the saying went, all roads lead to Rome. With her natural talent, Lily knew her moment would come sooner than most. All she could do now was keep trying.

After countless attempts, she found herself performing the process instinctively, yet without any progress. Realizing it was time to pause, she stopped and refocused her mind. Repeating it aimlessly would bring no benefit.

When Lily trained, the world outside often faded from her awareness. As she opened her eyes again, she saw Shimizu still seated quietly beside her.

'How much time has passed? Are they still talking in there?'

But something felt strange. Shimizu's aura had shifted. She remained seated on her knees, but her complexion had changed. Her face was now flushed with a faint red hue.

Her breathing was shallow, almost like she was gasping. Her brows tensed slightly, as if she were resting and resisting something at the same time. Though her eyes remained closed and her lips barely moved, Lily knew better than to disturb her. With her consciousness inside the Mirror Dimension, she wouldn't awaken anyway.

'What's going on with Sister Shimizu?' With growing concern, Lily sent her own spirit into the Mirror Dimension.