Chapter 241 - Plans (1/2)

Thank you Derrick Porter for contributing to the patron!

***

”Finally, it feels good to have all of you gathered together.”

Nik observed with a smile as his gaze swept past Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Inosuke, Rei, Aoi, Saya and Kanao. By now, he had forcefully established his authority as the group's instructor whether the group itself agreed or not. Their approval mattered little to the self-indulgent Incubus. From left to right, Nik paced in front of the group slowly while allowing the light from the waning sun to sprinkle over the group.

As his gaze matched Saya's bespectacled one's, she averted her face with a crimson tinge on her cheeks while her lips puckering into a wronged pout as her body itself showed a defensive posture with her toes pointing in and her arms in front of her body. Nik examined the changes with a satisfied heart and continued forward to match Aoi's ever determined gaze. With her arms beside her waist and her body as straight as an arrow, Aoi seemed to be the only one that could possibly surpass Tanjiro in the will to train.

Next, no matter how much Rei tried, Nik could still observe the occasional quivers passing through the orange-haired girl's knees. But the lady stood her ground and refused to kneel in face of impending training. It looked like she would soon require another massage session, Nik mused silently before giving the silent Kanao and Tanjiro's group a cursory glance. Kanao kept her serene smile, something she picked from Shinobu and showed no expressive emotion on her face. No anger, no apparent happiness, no fear, no indignation, no jealousy.

In short, Kanao was a doll. Inexpressive in the best of her abilities.

”Alright. All of you in the group has already been accustomed to the Breathing Techniques. Some hold more experience under their belt while others have just started the breathing technique a few days back.”

Nik gazed at Saya and Aoi for the latter part. While Aoi had finally managed to learn the entirety of Breath of Water due to Nik's self-hypnosis therapy, mastering the skill was a whole different matter and even if Aoi contributes a major part of her life to the technique, persistence can only get a person closer to the destination. To fully master the technique, Aoi would not only require luck, but also a lot of actual battle experience to even step on the path of Continuous Focus Breathing.

Even though Aoi, in reality, wasn't talented in any of the five basic elemental breathing technique, Nik reckoned that he merely didn't discover Aoi's true affinity. Every single person has an affinity to elements. Some rarer than others, holds the affinity to elements unimaginable by society. At least, this is what Nik theorised.

Meanwhile, Saya had managed to grasp the Breath of Fire rather easily. No self-hypnosis therapy was required and she had finally taken her first step towards the path of becoming a strong woman as a whole. With her mother alive and turned into a demon, Saya's thoughts regarding the complete extermination of demons had already taken a massive hit. Finally, Saya was able to witness the grey area of the society when her own loved ones were included.

With a clap, Nik attracted everyone's attention and replied somberly.

”Tanjiro, Inosuke and Zenitsu. From this point forward, you will train with Ray when he arrives.” It was best that Nik maintained his distance from the trio. Who know what nightmarish things they might say accidentally. While Zenitsu let out a relieved sigh, Tanjiro was anything but happy with the decision.

”But Nik-san! I want to train and grow stronger together with all of them.”

”Tamaboko Gonpanchiro is saying right! Nikkoni!”

Inosuke flared and misspoke both, Tanjiro's and Nik's name in a rowdy manner before unsheathing both of his jagged blades.

”Trying to keep me away from training? I'll rip all of your faces out!!”

Cackling, Inosuke jumped while spiralling his body with his arms stretched outwards, morphing himself into a whirlwind of blades. The attack came as sudden as Nik kicked from the side right on top of Inosuke's head, shooting him right into a tree, destroying an unfortunate product of nature as damage.

”He is an idiot!”

Zenitsu cursed under his breath as Nik looked at Tanjiro with a serious expression.

”Believe me, Ray wouldn't appreciate the fact that I taught you something without him knowing.”

Of course, that was a lie, too. Nik just didn't want the entire group under Ray's clutches to interact that much with him. It was quite a disgusting and demeaning thought, Nik understood the fact, but now, this is what he truly wanted and he will get things done in his own manner.

”Oh...”

Tanjiro muttered with a defeated sigh escaping his lips as he nodded in understanding before picking up the unconscious Inosuke. Of course, Zenitsu simply couldn't hide the giddiness from his steps and at this moment, Aoi finally spoke up.

”Why would you bring them here only to send them back?”

”I didn't bring them, the three of them tagged alongside Kanao, remember?”

Nik pointed out before taking a deep breath.

”Anyway. The point of this exercise is simple, to make your body accustomed to your Breathing Techniques. Aoi, Saya, you two will start practicing the sword techniques alongside the breathing technique.

Remember, you will only stop when you feel like giving up, not before and not after, even if your body cannot hold it any longer.”