Akito completes his training on his 36th Day. Sumiyoshi's sword still rejects him on Day 37.
🔸 Day 24–26: Stage 5 – Spirit Awareness
Sumiyoshi sat blindfolded beneath the whispering trees.
The wind rustled, insects hummed, water dripped from leaves.
But the presence of the Guardian Spirit? Nothing.
He clenched his fists, furious at himself.
But on Day 26, when he let go of force — when he simply breathed and listened —
he felt it.
A pressure behind the trees. A warmth around the fire.
✅ Stage 5: Spirit Awareness – Complete.
🔸 Day 27–30: Stage 6 – Combat Tactics
Now began the hardest phase yet.
Illusion spirits. Multiple opponents. Moving unpredictably.
Sumiyoshi was slow at first. His balance was off. He got knocked down.
Over and over.
He got bruised. Bleeding. Winded.
But he refused to stay down.
By Day 30, he could anticipate the opponent's next step, dodge two attacks, block the third, and land clean counterstrikes.
✅ Stage 6: Combat Tactics – Complete.
🔸 Day 31–33: The Wall Before the Final
Stage 7: Final Acceptance.
All warriors said — it wasn't something you passed through skill.
It wasn't a trial of speed or strength.
It was the blade's choice.
Sumiyoshi meditated daily. Practiced his swings. Spoke to the sword softly.
He asked questions aloud like a madman:
"What do you want from me?"
"What am I still lacking?"
No reply.
The blade sat like stone.
🔸 Day 34–36: Doubt Creeps In
Akito passed his trial on Day 36.
There was no jealousy in Sumiyoshi's heart… but there was silence.
An awful, screaming silence in his own chest.
He had done everything. Every form. Every trial.
He tried again — clean swings, mind clear, body calm.
Still — nothing.
🔸 Day 37 – The Breakdown
He stood at the summit. The cold mountain air bit through his skin.
Sumiyoshi knelt before the blade one last time.
His fingers trembled.
He whispered,
"Please… I've come so far. I've given everything I had."
The sword did not glow.
Did not hum.
Did not flinch.
It just… remained cold.
Sumiyoshi gritted his teeth.
And in a sudden snap —
he roared and slammed the sword into the rocky ground.
"You piece of garbage…! WHY?! What am I doing wrong?! WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT?!"
His voice echoed across the cliffs.
He didn't get an answer.
That night, Sumiyoshi sat alone.
His shoulders shook.
Tears streamed silently down his face.
The Guardian watched from the shadows.
And then, in a calm, quiet voice, said,
"You don't need to be chosen today.
But you will keep swinging —
because that's what warriors do."