Chapter 70: 'Heavenly Child'
A Bitter Winter.
Snow and wind were raging outside. Although they had not yet turned heaven and earth into a vast expanse of white, they had still claimed most of the landscape's colors, making the world seem somewhat monotonous.
Inside a luxurious mansion, the atmosphere was lively, unlike the cold outside.
At that moment, many people dressed in kimono had gathered in a dojo-like hall. They stood around the edges, leaving a large open space in the middle.
Surrounding the open space, the people whispered among themselves while intently watching the two youths in the center.
The two boys, who were of similar age, stood facing each other. At a glance, one seemed slightly older, while the other appeared more immature. Both wore kimono, and each was surrounded by wooden puppets without even facial features.
A man named Akaba Kukan sat cross-legged at the head of the hall, his face turned toward them as he watched from afar. After a while, he nodded at a man who seemed to be acting as the referee.
The other man immediately understood. He stepped forward, came between the two youths, and raised his hand.
"The puppet exercise between Lord Akaba Tenzenn and Lord Akaba Narukami begins now. Both sides, pay respects."
Hearing this, the youths named Akaba Tenzenn and Akaba Narukami simultaneously stepped forward.
The two youths had completely different auras. One appeared dignified and steady, while the other seemed lazy and childish, forming a stark contrast.
Yet when everyone present looked at these two youths with their entirely different styles, there was only one emotion in their eyes.
Respect.
Under those gazes, the two began to bow to each other.
Immediately afterward, surging magical power began to pour from their bodies.
"Vmmm!"
Amid a faint hum in the