The Sword Transcending Time(AI novel) Episode 36: Completion of the Spiritual Training

The light of dawn quietly crept into the five small caves.
The long, long days of spiritual training were finally coming to an end.

It was the last day of Golden Week, Japanese spring holidays.
Kondo Isako, Hijikata Toshimi, Yamanami Keiko, Okita Souko, and Saito Kazumi──
Each of their hearts, after enduring their own silent battles, was about to reach a shared enlightenment.

Inside the caves, they squeezed out their final chants with all their strength.

At that moment──

Suddenly, as if the sky had split open, the light of dawn shone through.

**

Inside Kondo Isako’s cave.

At the moment she finished chanting her millionth mantra,
the sweet fragrance that had surrounded her gently faded away.

In its place, a soft golden light slid toward Kondo’s lips.

It was a light like gentle honey.

──Munch.

The instant she accepted the light, a strong power filled Kondo’s chest.
Her longing for comfort, her weakness, everything was embraced together with the light.

**

Inside Saito Kazumi’s cave.

The Disneyland ticket she had been clutching quietly turned to ash and disappeared.

──I chose this path.

At the moment she spoke her final syllable,
a pale blue light, like a shooting star, flew into the cave.

The light touched Saito’s forehead and gently melted into her.

All the lingering regrets and loneliness were washed away by the light.

**

Inside Hijikata Toshimi’s cave.

The illusionary handsome man who had appeared before her had vanished into the wind.

──My sword and myself. That is enough.

When she finished her final mantra,
a sharply shining white light silently flew into Hijikata’s chest.

She could feel her faith in the sword and her unshakable will growing even stronger.

**

Inside Yamanami Keiko’s cave.

Her Harvard University acceptance letter and plane ticket also dissolved like illusions.

──Seeking knowledge comes after fulfilling my mission.

When she finished her final prayer,
a gentle light rained down from the sky,
becoming a single thread of silver that was absorbed into Yamanami’s mouth.

The light felt like pure wisdom itself.
It would quietly, yet surely, illuminate her path ahead.

**

Inside Okita Souko’s cave.

The innocent voices of the children could no longer be heard.

──I will become strong, and protect everyone without fail.

When her final mantra spilled from her lips,
a flame-like light appeared and smoothly flew into Okita’s heart.

She was given the strength to carry forward, embracing her kindness, her strength, and even her sadness.

**

Outside the caves.

In the dawn sky, five shining stars twinkled.
As if the light of each of their souls had been etched into the heavens.

The land spirit, who had been quietly watching over the caves,
smiled while holding a wooden keisaku (a monk’s stick).

Each of the five had overcome their own weaknesses and truly become one who holds the sword.

The light of youth would never fade.
Now, within the five──and in the sky──it was surely burning bright.