July 30, 1508 of the Marine Calendar arrived before anyone knew it.
Only two days remained until the ranking finals of the Top 100 Tournament.
Many things had happened during that time.
For example, Giyu Tomioka and Shinobu Kocho's Shinto wedding.
It had concluded smoothly under the witness of their many friends and relatives.
That day, Perona, who was still studying at Onmyo Academy, had also joined Teacher Kanao for the festivities.
Three in the afternoon.
The sun was as gentle as an old friend's embrace, warmly comforting without being scorching.
Fresh out of school, Perona walked and chatted with Miada, Rin, and Hakaion Hato, the three girls who lived in the same dormitory building, stepping over the snow along the bluestone road back to Spirit Capital.
Carriages pulled by Guardian Roosters occasionally sped along the main road.
They were the preferred means of travel for those in a bit of a hurry, but not desperately so.
After all, anyone truly seeking efficiency could simply use a teleportation gate.
As for Perona and the others, they were merely walking out of personal preference.
"I heard you really stole the show in practical class today~"
Rin, dressed in a white shrine maiden uniform, looked at Perona, who was two years older than her, as they walked.
"Apparently, you used some kind of spiritual art that could control a vicious spirit from a distance?"
Hakaion Hato, floating through the air alongside them, looked doubtful.
"I heard about it too. They said you didn't use any talismans?"
Only Miada, the eldest among them, remained silent due to her personality.
But her beautiful golden eyes were also fixed on Perona.
"Horohorohoro~"
"Mm, I just wanted to try out the technique I'd finally learned~"
"I didn't expect it to cause so much discussion."
Also dressed