"Honey!! You're here!"

A firm yet warm voice echoed behind them. Ryuu and Shigeru turned around to see a woman standing there, radiating an ethereal presence.

Her silky golden hair cascaded down her chest like liquid sunlight, and her dark brown eyes shimmered like the very essence of nature itself.

Sunlight danced upon her, making her appear as if she was the spirit of the forest, with butterflies flitting around her, gently landing on her outstretched fingers.

Her bright smile seemed to hold the warmth of the entire world.

"M-Master... Is she... really your wife?!"

Ryuu's voice trembled in disbelief.

He couldn't fathom how his scruffy, laid-back master could possibly be married to someone who looked like a living fairy.

Shigeru noticed Ryuu's stunned expression and sighed, giving him a side-eye.

"What? Do you think I'm not worthy of a wife like her?"

Ryuu, still wide-eyed, didn't hesitate for even a moment before answering bluntly.

"Yes."

Shigeru's face turned dumbfounded, his eyebrow twitching in mild irritation.

He looked away, pretending not to care, but his pride was clearly a little wounded.

Meanwhile, Ryuu was still reeling from the sight of his master's wife, trying to wrap his head around the fact that this goddess-like woman was married to Shigeru.

The woman—Akiko—began to walk toward them with a grace that made the butterflies follow her every step as if she were their queen.

Her presence was serene, like she was part of the very nature around her.

Suddenly, she broke into a sprint, rushing toward Ryuu, who immediately panicked and stiffened in place.

"W-what's happening?!" Ryuu thought as he instinctively raised his arms in a feeble attempt to protect himself.

He shut his eyes tightly, expecting some kind of intense magic training to begin. But instead of feeling pain or pressure, he felt something warm.

Akiko wrapped him in a tight hug, her bright smile never fading.

"Honey! Is this the boy we're going to train!? He's so cute!!" she exclaimed, squeezing Ryuu so tightly that he struggled to breathe.

"A-akiko!" Shigeru called out, alarmed by the sight.

"You're going to choke the poor kid! Let him go before you suffocate him!"

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Akiko gasped and quickly released Ryuu, her face filled with guilt and worry.

"Oh my! I'm so sorry, little one! Are you okay? I got a little too excited..."

Ryuu stumbled backward, gasping for breath as he tried to regain his composure.

His face was flushed, and his heart was racing from both the hug and the sudden realization that he was nearly crushed to death by a beautiful woman.

"I-I... I'm a-alright. Khu khu..." Ryuu managed to cough out between deep breaths.

Akiko crouched down and patted him on the back.

"Oh, dear, I really am sorry! I didn't mean to—"

Shigeru sighed and placed a hand on his forehead, clearly exasperated.

"Aramiya-kun, I apologize for my wife's... enthusiasm. She's not used to seeing anyone else up here except for me. Please, forgive her."

Ryuu, still catching his breath, looked up at Akiko, who was beaming at him with the same dazzling smile as before.

He couldn't stay upset, not when someone so kind and radiant was apologizing.

"N-nice to meet you, Akiko-san. I'm Aramiya Ryuu. I'll be in your care from now on,"

Ryuu said with a polite bow, despite his lingering shock.

"Oh, my!" Akiko giggled, gently patting Ryuu's head. "What a sweet boy. You're in good hands with us."

Shigeru, now more composed, clapped his hands together.

"Alright, now that we've all met, let's get started with the special training. Akiko will be helping us as well."

Ryuu blinked in surprise.

"Wait... Akiko-san is going to train me too?"

"Of course!" Shigeru said with a grin.

"My wife is not just here for decoration, you know. She's a powerful magic user in her own right, and she'll be guiding you through some of the more advanced techniques."

Before Ryuu could fully process this, Akiko cheerfully added,

"I'll make sure you're the strongest warrior by the time we're done, little one!"

The trio laughed together, excitement building as they prepared for the training that lay ahead.

.

.

.

.

Back at the training grounds, Ryoko sat beside Seichii and Masumi, her eyes distant as she stared up at the sky, lost in thought.

(Why do I feel this strange sensation all of a sudden?)

"Oko-san! Ryoko-san! Can you hear me?"

Seichii's voice broke through her reverie. He waved his hand in front of her face, trying to snap her out of her daydream.

"Oh! It's you, Seichii-kun. Yes, I can hear you,"

Ryoko replied absentmindedly, her expression still distant.

Seichii sighed, then grinned mischievously.

"What were you thinking about so deeply, huh? Let me guess... you were thinking about Ryuu?"

Ryoko's face flushed crimson, and she shot Seichii an embarrassed glare. Seichii chuckled softly, clearly enjoying her reaction.

"Haa, how lucky is that fool, Ryuu," Seichii sighed dramatically.

"To have someone like you thinking about him so much... Ah, why didn't the gods bless me with that kind of luck?"

He slumped to the ground in mock despair, while Masumi, who had been silently watching, averted her gaze with a slight blush on her cheeks.

(Masumi, stop thinking like that. You're not in Sengoku-kun's league. He's always so confident, kind, and friendly to everyone... and look at you. He'd never—)

Before she could finish her thought, a loud alarm blared across the training area, startling the trio.

They exchanged confused looks before rushing toward the sound.

When they arrived at the main grounds, they found the head instructor, along with the senior officers.

Standing in front of a large assembly of students, each one lined up in their respective divisions.

The chief instructor stepped forward, his commanding voice cutting through the murmurs of the gathered students.

"Good morning, students! As of today, your official training session begins,"

He announced, his voice carrying across the field.

"For the next month, you will undergo intense training to strengthen your abilities.

Each division will compete to prove their strength, and only the best will be recognized.

Prepare yourselves—this will be a trial like no other."

Ryoko, Seichii, and Masumi stood at attention, the weight of the upcoming challenges settling in.

Ryoko, however, couldn't shake the strange feeling that had been growing inside her.

(Stay safe, Ryuu. Whatever training you're undergoing, I hope you're ready for what lies ahead... because I'll be waiting for you.)

.

.

.

Back in the mountains, Ryuu and his new mentors stood before the great maple tree, ready to begin.

The peaceful surroundings masked the intensity of what was to come.

The real battle was about to begin, not just against demons—but within himself.

"Let's begin,"

Shigeru declared, the air around them crackling with anticipation.....