Character Quotes — Kyouichi Tendo:
"That night, I realized for the first time that there are far more problems that a sword can't solve than it can solve. Yet he still drew his sword."
[Act 1: Forbidden Boundary]
The time rewinds to four years ago.
East Cloud Academy, East Test Area, Area K, Underground Tower.
This officially undisclosed "Dimensional Trial Ground" is restricted to those with S-Class Battle Power privileges.
That night, Tendo Kyouichi and Fushimi Blade were summoned at the same time due to their "Mental Wavelength Synchronization Index exceeding 95%."
"You are among the few who possess the aptitude for crossing abilities."
The Director of Training's words were cold and direct.
"What you are facing is not an opponent, but a 'gap in the world.'"
Fushimi remained silent, slowly gripping the hilt of his sword behind his back.
Kyouichi, on the other hand, was vaguely aware of an unspeakable tearing sensation in the air as if the "rules" were being stripped away.
[Act 2 — The First Crack of the Otherworld]
The moment the trial device was activated, the entire underground tower shook.
The ground beneath them shook like water. In the next second, the surrounding area transformed into a "perverse space."
This was the Mirror East Cloud.
Everything looked the same, but there were no voices, no people, and not even shadows.
Only the gray sky and the "stream of words" that kept appearing remained.
[Trial — Beta Version: Confront the Nameless Body — No-Form]
A "flowing thing" with no substance or boundaries descended from the void. It resembled a black waterfall and seemed to be a manifestation of consciousness.
Sword techniques are ineffective here.
Kyouichi tries to activate the "Triple Unbreakable," but finds that his movements are distorted and he cannot focus his power.
Fushimi, however, was calm.
He pressed down on Kyouichi's shoulder with one hand and drew his sword with the other.
"Listen to my command."
"Step left, spin right, blade reverse — you can't beat it with your set of 'rules.'"
At that moment, the two entered an odd state of synchronization.
Like two swords searching for the same rhythm in the midst of chaos.
Ultimately, it was Fushimi's sword that cut against the grain, establishing a new set of rules based on "irregularities."
"If the rules don't work, then I'll create a new one."
The nameless body was repelled, and the space gradually disintegrated.
[Act III: The Truth and the Price]
Before sending them back to reality, the training director offered only a few final words:
"You have passed."
However, due to 'active use of an unlisted forbidden style,' Fushimi Blade will be transferred to the 'Black Domain Watch List.'"
Tendo Kyouichi angrily asked, "He saved my life. Why is he being punished?"
The Director of Training replied:
"Saving a life is instinct; breaking the rules is the motive. Tokumo does not train uncontrolled weapons."
From that moment on, Fushimi Blade was no longer a member of the Swordsmanship Department.
Instead, he was exiled as a forbidden person.
[Epilogue: Whispers of the Otherworld]
Night.
Fushimi sits alone on the bleachers of the training ground, holding a piece of "debris" left over from the otherworldly trial in his hand.
It was a piece of a nameless body, resembling a frozen black star with unknown patterns.
Tendo Kyouichi came to his side.
The two were silent.
After a long time, Fushimi asked softly,
"Are you afraid?"
Kyouichi nodded but smiled.
"But scared as I am, I still want to fight you again."
Fushimi laughed softly.
"Then you must get stronger quickly. When I come back, I'll draw my sword."