Another day, another challenge in this body that still doesn’t quite feel like mine. I woke up early and, before Ei could say anything, I got up and went to take a bath. The warm water wrapped around me as I sank into the tub, trying to relax.

“Hmph… I see you’re starting to understand how things work,”
Ei said in my mind, with that tone of satisfaction that almost sounded like a small personal victory. I let out a heavy sigh without replying, simply enjoying the brief moment of peace.

After the bath, I dried off and got dressed. Braiding my hair wasn’t as difficult this time, though my coordination was still terrible. I stretched and left the room, preparing myself to face whatever Ei had planned for me today.

“Turn left and then keep going straight,”
Ei said in my mind, acting as always like my personal GPS. I wasn’t sure where she was taking me, but I trusted her—after all, I didn’t have many options. After a few minutes of walking, I arrived at what looked like a training field. The troops were practicing with discipline, the sound of swords and shouted orders echoing through the air.

Before I could ask why I was there, a firm, authoritative voice caught my attention.

“Shogun, what brings you here?”

I flinched slightly, but managed to hide it. I turned to see who had spoken, and standing before me was a tall woman with an imposing military bearing. Before I could say anything, Ei intervened in my mind, clarifying the situation.

“Careful. That’s Kujou Sara. General of the Tenryou Commission and the closest thing I have to a right hand.”

“God, Ei! Why don’t you tell me these things beforehand?”
I thought irritably. But this wasn’t the time for complaints. I took a deep breath and waited for Ei to tell me what to say.

“Sara, I would kindly ask that you not approach me like that when I am deep in thought,”
I said with a sigh, trying to sound as indifferent as possible. Kujou Sara showed no emotion, inclining her head slightly in apology.

“My apologies, Shogun. It won’t happen again,”
she replied with a small bow, respectful yet firm. I could feel the loyalty in her voice, but also the pressure of maintaining an imposing image.

“Now follow my instructions,”
Ei said in my mind, continuing to guide me.

“As for my presence here, I came to ensure that the troops’ training is progressing properly. Resistance against the Vision Hunt Decree has not ceased, and with the arrival of that traveler… we cannot afford to falter.”

I repeated Ei’s words almost verbatim, though I couldn’t help wondering what she meant by “the traveler” and what that decree truly entailed. But this wasn’t the moment to question it. Kujou Sara looked at me and nodded seriously.

“Understood, Shogun. The troops are training rigorously to meet your expectations,”
she replied with determination. I could see in her eyes the absolute devotion she felt toward Ei, toward the Shogun—which only increased the pressure on me not to ruin anything.

“What traveler? What decree? And what is a Vision?”
I wondered to myself, feeling the confusion grow in my mind. Ei, as if reading my thoughts—well, technically she could—answered immediately.

“Visions are artifacts granted by the gods to humans. They give them the power to control the elements, but for my ideal of eternity, they represent a threat. They are symbols of change, and change is the greatest enemy of stability.”

I nodded slowly, trying to process what she was telling me. Although her reasoning still felt somewhat strange to me, I began to understand why the Vision Hunt Decree was so important to her. Still, that didn’t explain who this traveler was.

“Recently, a traveler arrived in Inazuma. She is… an exception,”
Ei continued.

“She doesn’t need a Vision to control the elements. She joined the resistance fighting against the decree, and her presence has complicated things. We cannot allow her influence to grow.”

My mind filled with questions. How could someone control the elements without a Vision? And why was this traveler so special as to be considered a threat? But before I could ask anything else, Kujou Sara continued.

“The training has been rigorous. We are preparing for any eventuality, both to suppress the resistance and to face that traveler. Don’t worry, Shogun—we will not falter.”

I nodded, feeling a bit more at ease thanks to Sara’s words. But inside, my mind was still full of doubts.

“Ei, do you really think this traveler is such a big threat?”
I asked in my mind.

“She is an anomaly. Someone outside the rules of this world. I cannot predict what she will do or how she will affect Inazuma. That is why we must act with caution,”
Ei replied seriously.

I fell silent, watching the training field as the troops continued their routine. It was clear that something big was approaching—and I was only just beginning to piece together this puzzle.