Chapter 184

I guess so.

Hasegawa Izumi brushed it off lightly.

Now, let's get to the main topic.

He sat on the sofa, turned on the TV, and asked, "So, Eriri, did you finally confirm that what I said was true only through Aunt Sayuri?"

"I suppose so. Gasang came back this afternoon with a painting. Apparently, it's a painting that Shiina specially gave to you and me. Even Shiina today would find it difficult to create a masterpiece like this..."

"Furthermore, I've also heard from Kōko about the secrets hidden behind the Far East Magic Society you founded. I never imagined that your organization would actually replicate those mysterious organizations from the anime..."

Besides resentment, Eriri's eyes also held a hint of envy.

The resentment stems from the fact that the gap between the two still exists, and is even greater than before—a world apart from that between an ordinary person and the supernatural.

Envy stems from the innate human desire for mysterious powers, and even a proud and arrogant Young Lady like her is no exception.

"That's right. As visitors from another world, even if we're not favored by the New world and are targeted, we can still seize the initiative..."

He tapped his forehead slightly.

"A visitor from another world? Which world are you from?"

Eriri looked suspicious.

Although she acknowledged the existence of the supernatural, such stories still sounded too far-fetched, though she didn't completely rule out the possibility.

After all, the supernatural has already appeared, so it's understandable that our imaginations might run wild a bit, right?

"I can't remember anymore, I've been to too many worlds. But tracing back to the source of countless ages, it should have originated from Earth in some other world, from some mysterious ancient Eastern country..."

Hasegawa Izumi tried to recall it.

"Wow, so Izumi, you're a foreigner after all! No wonder your behavior sometimes seems a bit awkward."

Eriri stood up excitedly, pointing at him, but quickly realized what was happening.

"Ah, no, it's transcended time and space... it's no longer just a difference between countries."

The girl quickly sat down.

As a mixed-race person, she didn't pay much attention to it, nor did she take these unverifiable words to heart, because she had more important things to do.

"So, what does it feel like to have superpowers?"

"It's nothing special, just average."

Versailles, right?

Eriri seemed to have a few black lines appearing on her forehead.

"What abilities does Izumi possess? Can you demonstrate them? I'd like to see."

"Me? I'm omnipotent... theoretically speaking."

"You'd be more believable if you said you were a god!"

She clenched her fists, looking like she wanted to hit someone.

"But since you want to know these things, Eriri, I'll explain them to you in a little way."

Hasegawa Izumi raised her finger, and a wisp of spiritual energy at the tip of her finger shone brightly, like starlight.

The dazzling beauty of this moment stirred the girl's heart, and memories flashed through her mind of that night when the two of them leaned against the tree and gazed at the starry sky together.

"This is spiritual power, considered the foundation for transcendence in this world..."

After hearing his explanation, Eriri finally had a concrete understanding of mystery.

Whether it was spiritual power or the awakening of abilities, it all broadened his horizons.

All of this information corresponds to certain rumors that have been heard recently.

She fully understood the importance of this information, since even the Sawamura family's understanding of the new era was far from being this clear.

"So, does that mean Shiina entered that realm through her painting skills?"

Eriri only then realized this clearly, and her expression turned one of admiration.

Ordinary people's awakening relies on luck, which is enviable, but this method relies on strength, which cannot be envied.

"I couldn't be completely sure of this without seeing it with my own eyes."

Hasegawa Izumi stated.

"Oh, right, I brought Shiina's painting. You can judge it."

Eriri remembered this and handed over the painting that was next to her.

"Huh?"

He casually took it, glanced at it, and saw more in the painting.

Beyond the artistic conception of the painting itself, it also contains the painter's thoughts, or more precisely, a wisp of longing that even an Ability User would find difficult to capture.

He opened his heart and accepted this lingering thought.

The afterglow of the setting sun cast a golden glow across the sky.

The nearby trees were also bathed in the soft light of dusk, their leaves swaying gently in the breeze.

The girl sat on the grass, her sketchbook open on her lap, her slightly phoenix-shaped eyes fixed on the scene. She held a pencil in her hand and was sketching the landscape before her.

Before long, a boy carrying a tree branch emerged from the nearby woods and casually sat down beside her, enjoying the beauty of the sunset together.

"Speaking of which, why does Mashiro like being with me? I'm a boy, you probably have more to talk about with girls."

The boy suddenly asked.

"Have no idea..."

The girl stopped what she was doing, answered in a soft voice, paused for a moment, then turned her head away, composed herself, and spoke in a long sentence that was unusual for her.

"It's probably because the color of the spring is so attractive, so beautiful, that you can't see it on anyone else."

"That's a rather abstract statement, but since you, Mashiro, can see things differently, perhaps we'll meet again someday."

"Goodbye? Are you leaving, just like everyone else?"

The girl thought of the people who were gradually disappearing from the art studio.

"That's right, I'm setting sail tonight, but unlike those people, I don't dislike Mashiro."

The boy emphasized it.

"Dislike? Am I disliked?"

The girl's eyes revealed an innocent naiveté, untouched by the ways of the world.

"You can't understand it yet, so don't overthink it... Anyway, from now on, Rita will take care of you in my place."

"A spring is a spring; there's no substitute for it."

"I understand what you mean, but if Rita heard this, she'd definitely hear a completely different meaning, hahaha..."

A boy's loud laughter echoed through the mountains and fields.

Back to the present.

Hasegawa Izumi slowly opened his eyes. The memories that were stirred up touched his emotions, and he couldn't help but smile.

"Why did you suddenly laugh? That's so strange!"

Eriri stared at his face, looking very puzzled.

"It's nothing, just thinking about happy things."

He remained calm and continued, "It seems that Mashiro has Mashiro achieved enlightenment through painting. Just as I predicted, the gap between you two has widened even further."

Eriri's lips twitched, and she looked to the side.

Why bring up something you shouldn't talk about?

She can keep this to herself.

"Eriri, do you want to catch up with Mashiro? Or are you just going to give up like this?"

"Quan, you mean...?"

The girl instantly tossed her twin ponytails, her eyes sparkling with hope.

"That's right, I have a way to help you achieve enlightenment through painting, just like Mashiro! But..."

Hasegawa Izumi pondered for a moment.

"There are no 'buts', just tell me what you need!"

Eriri immediately interrupted.

She didn't want to lose to that person.

In every sense of the word.

74 You should be glad that he was your Childhood Friend.

"It's good to have determination, but keeping up with Mashiro's pace won't be so easy."

Hasegawa Izumi smiled with satisfaction.

Having spent so many years with Eriri, he had naturally figured out the girl's personality long ago.

Beneath her usual pampered and delicate demeanor, a hideous, passionate, and fanatical nature is revealed once the Young Lady is torn away.

Although this kind of personality might not be easy for many people to get along with, it's surprisingly easy to handle once you understand it.

This is a bit off-topic...

In short, the girl has a strong sense of self-esteem, which is somewhat extreme. Precisely because of this, if guided correctly, she can also reach areas that ordinary people cannot.

Because of his profound emotions, he was also able to excel in swordsmanship!

"Don't mention her! I wasn't born into this world to chase after her!"

Eriri denied it repeatedly, but her eyes betrayed her true feelings.

"Alright, stop keeping me in suspense! You're really trying to drive me crazy."

The girl grumbled and cursed, showing her cute little tiger teeth as if she was about to bite.

"Haste makes waste."

Hasegawa Izumi casually uttered a simple proverb, then glanced at the Path of Painting, "If you're willing to endure humiliation, then you can use this painting as a guiding light for your studies."

"It's not as simple as it sounds... And isn't it way too late for me to start learning oil painting now?"

Eriri completely ignored the so-called humiliation, her gaze worried, focusing on the problem.

"This line of thinking is clearly wrong. The important thing is not the technique itself, but the 'meaning' behind it."

"Meaning? What's that...? That's a bit too abstract."

"When you look at a painting, it's because you're moved by the meaning within it that you experience that feeling."

"Is that so?"

She lowered her head slightly, her eyes thoughtful.

"When you can truly experience the existence of intention, it means you are not far from entering the path... However, just doing that won't guarantee progress, so you need a way to deepen this understanding."

Hasegawa Izumi continued.

This is the key point!

Eriri listened intently, her expression solemn.

"To enter the Dao through this method, the key undoubtedly lies in one's own cultivation. If you are not strong enough, you will not be able to break through this barrier..."

"As for you, Eriri, although you also draw, your focus is on manga, so you must be even more dedicated and selfless in this area..."

"Next, I will teach you how to do it."

He then began to teach Eriri a method of immersive painting, similar to Meditation Method, but with subtle differences.

In fact, he could have directly helped Eriri awaken using his own power, especially since Eriri already possessed the Seed of Spiritual Power he had previously left behind.

However, such easily obtained power is not so easy to control, especially given Eriri's personality; it still needs careful refinement.