Days slipped by, and one month went by silently.
Ryou remained at Butterfly Mansion, doing nothing but training his sword skills and using Natural energy to strengthen his physique. The result? His physique increased by just 10%.
The slow progress didn't surprise him as his Breathing Style was still at the basic level. Advancement comes with time and patience.
He even thought of going out to hunt the demons, but the Flower Hashira, Kanae, wouldn't allow it. Since he wasn't in any kind of rush, he trained honestly.
Finally, the day has come for him to travel to Mount Fujikasane and attend the Final selection. He had to leave today to reach the location by tomorrow.
After finishing his morning practice, Ryou went into the butterfly manner to pack his things to prepare for the trip.
As he entered the manor, he saw Aoi treating a Demon Slayer. Ryou didn't see them when he went out, meaning they were just admitted.
"Is he okay?" Ryou asked, walking to her side.
"Just some minor injuries and broken bones. They will heal in a few days!" Aoi replied with a sigh. Then, almost as if she couldn't hold it back anymore, she spoke with a heavy heart.
"You know, Ryou-san, I was supposed to be a Demon Slayer like others since I passed the Final Selection by luck, which was conducted a few months ago.
But, after facing a Demon... I just froze. I lost my courage to fight. I—I was too afraid. I'm a coward."
"What are you talking about, Miss Aoi? I think what you're doing now is even more admirable than fighting demons.
Saving Demon Slayer's life is more precious than slaying the Demons. By doing so, you are saving many innocent people's lives indirectly." Ryou said his heartfelt words, and Aoi's expression softened.
"I'm heading out for the Final Selection. I will be back in a few days, Miss Aoi." Saying this, Ryou walked to his room.
"Take care, Ryou-san. I hope for your safe return." Aoi whispered.
Packing his things, Ryou came out of the room and saw Shinobu standing outside.
"Came back safe, Ryou-san. We will be waiting for your return!" Shinobu said her good wishes.
"Don't worry. I will be back before you know it. Where's your sister? I haven't seen her for a day." Ryou asked.
"She went out earlier. I don't know when she will be back. I will inform her about your departure once she comes back."
"Alright. Tell your sister not to miss me too much." Ryou chuckled and gave a playful wave. "Haha! See you later."
--
By the time Ryou arrived at the foot of Mount Fujikasane, the night had deepened. A half-moon floated behind thick clouds, casting long shadows across the stone steps.
As he ascended toward the top, his eyes marveled at the breathtaking sight of Wisteria flowers blanketing the area. The glowing purple blossoms swayed gently, their soft radiance lighting the path.
At the top, a stone walkway led to a tall red torii gate adorned with Buddhist prayer flags. The place had a solemn, almost sacred atmosphere.
There were already many young people arrived before him. With a glance, Ryou could tell there were at least thirty.
He looked around to see if he could spot any familiar characters, but there were none. Most were dressed in dark uniforms, swords sheathed at their hips or strapped to their backs.
All of them are trained by retired Hashira or from various training grounds of the Demon Slayer Corps.
Seeing no one was speaking with one another, Ryou found a quiet spot and sat down. Waiting for someone from the Ubayashiki family to come and start the trial.
Nearly thirty minutes passed before a white-haired woman in an elegant kimono appeared from behind the gate, flanked by two children. Ryou immediately recognized her, Ubuyashiki Amane, along with her children.
Just then, a system notification rang in his mind. He opened the panel to take a look.
[~ Task: Complete Final Selection and Defeat Hand Demon.
Reward: 2 Demon Points ~]
'2 Demon Points? Such a low-level reward. Is there even a need to release such a task?' Ryou cursed in his mind and brought his attention back to the moment.
"Good evening," Ubuyashiki Amane greeted with a graceful bow and spoke in a gentle voice. "Thank you all for coming to the Demon Slayer Final Selection.
There are several demons on Mount Fujikasane, captured by Demon Slayers and unable to leave. Because wisteria, which demons hate very much, prevents them from leaving.
They bloom year-round from the bottom to halfway up the mountain. However, from this point on, there's no wisteria. Hence, demons roam free.
Survive for seven days. That is the only requirement to pass the Final Selection.
Now... begin."
With that, Amane stepped aside, allowing the candidates to proceed. One by one, the candidates began to walk past the wisteria-protected area and into the demon-filled forest. Most of them had their swords already drawn, ready to face the unexpected.
'I don't know how many will survive by the end of seven days.' Ryou too took off into the forest without an ounce of fear or hesitation.
--
Ryou met his first demon within a few minutes of his dash into the forest. A standard pale-skinned male demon with slit-pupilled eyes and saliva trickling from its mouth.
It leaped at him from the treetops with a roar. With one look, he could tell the Demon's clearly starved and was desperate, imprisoned without any food from its screaming and fanatic expression.
Ryou sidestepped to evade the demon's claw strike and drew his sword. His blade sang through the air, shing!, leaving behind a graceful silver arc.
The demon's body hit the ground with its head detached and started to disintegrate almost immediately because of the power of his sword.
'Too easy!' He thought. It's just a lowest-level demon with slightly enhanced strength and speed.
'+1 Demon Points' The system updated his demon points.
'Good. Two more, I can upgrade my Nature Breathing to an Intermediate level.' Sheathing his sword back, Ryou sprinted along the forest actively seeking the demons.
In his eyes, the demons are nothing but points for his advancement. The Final Selection is a good opportunity to accumulate the demon points.
He plans to make good use of it!