Chapter 774: God's trial

The next morning, Seiji summoned his knight order members and explained to them and Natsuya about what'd happened last night regarding Chiaki. Seiji expressed that everyone should try using the Spirit Image in his Spirit House's dojo to try Visualization and undertake the "god's trial."

If it was confirmed that Visualization was the proper way to undertake that god's trial, then the Spirit Image might become a huge assistance to everyone in the form of Seiji Kamijou!

With him around, it should be possible to pass the trial, or even more: to directly face the god!

If he didn't show up, then everyone would have to react according to the situation.

Regardless, it would likely be far less risky to face off against a god in the Visualization dream world rather than in the Realm of Cherry Blossoms.

Natsuya and the others all agreed with Seiji's way of thinking.

The knight order members all mentally prepared themselves to undertake a god's trial.

"Thank you, everyone." Chiaki bowed deeply to express her thanks.

Seiji then summoned his Spirit House and led everyone to the dojo.

When Chiaki saw the Spirit Image, she suddenly became dazed for a moment as she recalled something deep within her mind. She felt a mysterious connection of sorts forming... This mysterious mystical feeling lasted only an instant.

After this instant passed, Chiaki recalled the information she'd received from the god in her dream.

"I remember now..." Chiaki suddenly spoke up. "The trial is indeed to take place during Visualization. I can now remember the specifics of how to begin the trial!"

Everyone looked towards Chiaki.

"It seems that my guess was correct... Can you remember anything else apart from this?" Seiji inquired.

Chiaki shook her head.

"Then, we're still going to do the same thing. It's just that we've now ascertained how to do it."

Seiji asked Chiaki what everyone should do. Chiaki had everyone find a place to sit down first.

"Now then, I shall begin the ritual... or maybe I should call it a spell. After the spell's effects show up, gaze at the Spirit Image and begin Visualization."

After saying this, Chiaki cleared her throat and began singing with her beautiful voice.

Her voice sounded wondrous and mystical, divine and pure. It took only a moment for everyone to feel that there was something magical in the air.

Chiaki didn't know what she was singing. She was simply doing her best to remember this song given to her in her dream.

Chiaki then raised her hands and began to slowly dance.

This was the same God-suppression dance that she had learned during her first Visualization!

This dance was a ritual, a spell, and also a performance.

The wondrous sensation Chiaki had from before naturally appeared on its own. Chiaki immersed herself fully in dancing, feeling like she'd reached a previously unknown realm.

Everyone was mesmerized by her performance. Imperceptibly, cherry blossoms began to bloom and fall... Chiaki's clothes suddenly transformed into beautiful Sakura Island attire. She danced alluringly together with her divine singing, seeming so pure yet also seductive, beautiful and ethereal.

"So pretty..." Mika couldn't help but utter some praise.

Everyone was astonished or quietly enjoyed the scene. Some, like Mika, couldn't help but offer praise.

"Look at the Spirit Image!" Seiji had to remind everyone to do this.

Only then did everyone remember to look at the giant watercolor painting.

The three figures who had their backs turned on the painting transformed into many hazy figures as white mist appeared with all the falling cherry blossoms. Everything suddenly seemed icy and deep.

Everyone felt themselves being drawn into the painting as the white mist approached and enveloped everyone...

The mist was incredibly dense.

Not only was it dense, it was also freezing to the point where ordinary people would find it difficult to withstand it.

However, not a single person gathered here was an ordinary person.

Yin Yang Masters, Spirit-branded Retainers, spiritual ability users, Spirit Controllers... everyone present was here for the sake of a single girl.

This girl named Chiaki was wearing beautiful Sakura Island attire. She was currently dancing and singing within a holy temple, concentrating whole-heartedly on a ritual.

This ritual absolutely couldn't be allowed to be interrupted.

However, there were those who wanted to interrupt the ritual.

The brave individuals gathered here all wanted to protect the girl and the ritual!

The leader of all the girl's defenders was named Seiji Kamijou. He was a famous and respected Yin Yang Master.

He had brought two of his Spirit-branded Retainers with him: "Snow Girl" Kagura and "Insect Demon" Kaho.

There was one other Yin Yang Master present, who was named Natsuya Yoruhana. She'd also brought two Spirit-branded Retainers with her: "Inugami" Hitaka and "Cat Demon" Rana.

Four spiritual ability users were present: "Spirit Clothes" Mika, "Spiderweb" Yukari, "Thunderfist" Hisashi, and "Galewing" Kaede.

Three Spirit Controllers were also present: "Eagle Controller" Hoshi, "Doll Controller" Mayuzumi, and "Demon Controller" Kazuko.

"I'd really like to have a good drink while enjoying such a performance," Hisashi commented while watching the dancing beauty Chiaki.

"This isn't a performance. It's an important ritual." Kaede narrowed her eyes.

"Of course, I realize that. Still, it's so enjoyable to watch. I don't think there's anything wrong with also calling it a performance. Don't you agree, Seiji-sama?"

"Everyone is welcome to have their own opinion. It's fine if you want to call it a performance." Seiji smiled. "As for having a drink... We can have a party after all of this is over."

"I knew that Seiji-sama would say this!" Hisashi was delighted to hear it.

"That was your goal, wasn't it? Making Seiji-sama treat us all to a party." Kaede sighed.

"It's alright to treat everyone to a party. You all deserve it for the risks you're taking here. Of course there should be some form of payment." Seiji opened up a light blue paper fan on which the words "love and peace" were written in large lettering. "What payment would you all like? Feel free to mention it to me."

"I don't have anything I want. I'm happy to be of help to Chiaki," Mika stated.

"It's the same for me. Being able to fight together with Seiji-sama is payment enough," Yukari mentioned.

"It's also the same for me. It's enough for me to be able to fight together with Seiji-sama and help out Chiaki-san," Hoshi added.

"I'm receiving excellent material for my story. I don't need any other payment." Mayuzumi smiled.

"I actually do want some payment... but we can talk about that later," Kazuko said.

"Nobody has anything that they want? That actually makes me feel awkward." Seiji closed his paper fan. "How about you, Natsuya?"

"I want you to accompany me for an entire day." Natsuya smiled movingly. "Would that be alright?"

A subtle silence suddenly filled the area.

"I would like the exact same payment," Kaede immediately mentioned.

"That's not wise, my dear sister. Rather than having Seiji-sama accompany you for an entire day, it would be much better to have him accompany you for seven nights. Something will definitely happen between the two of you then," Hisashi recommended.

"Don't butt into my business!"

"I think that's an excellent idea. Could I request such a payment?" Kazuko's mouth arched upwards.

"If possible, I'd like it as well..." Mika followed up with this.

"Same for me..." Hoshi also joined in.

"You shouldn't be joining in, young Hoshi... but that doesn't seem bad at all." Yukari blinked.

"I agree... as expected of Seiji-sama." Mayuzumi's face flushed red.

Seiji was rendered speechless.

"I'd be quite happy to spend time together with everyone, but that doesn't really count as payment." He opened up his paper fan again, this time revealing the words "pretending to be ignorant is so hard."

At this moment, cherry blossoms started falling.

Everyone noticed this as their expressions became serious.

"We'll fight as we've arranged during our strategy meeting beforehand... Do we need to go over it one more time?" Seiji closed his paper fan.

Nobody needed another rundown.

"Let us protect this place until the ritual is finished," Seiji told his companions in a serious tone. "I believe that we can all achieve this. We'll definitely be victorious! Not only that, none of you are allowed to fall here. I won't allow a single sacrifice!"

Not only would he protect this place, he would also ensure everyone's safety. Seiji Kamijou held such conviction that he was letting off a powerful aura.

"Battle, start!"