Finally showing some interest, Mitsuba looked at Doma, who was deliberately acting profound before her, and sat back down.
"Continue. What do you want to do?"
"To be honest with you, Holy Maiden, I've recently been struggling with writing a movie screenplay in the European medieval style—a vampire and demon hunter theme.
The main difficulty lies in that I want to write about a demon hunter who possesses vampire bloodline without knowing it, and how he gradually betrays his companions as the story develops, eventually falling into becoming the very monster he once despised most.
But regarding the core emotional conflict of this story, I can never grasp it precisely, and don't know how I should depict it.
So I wanted to ask Holy Maiden to help me with a small favor—to perform this story in reality for me, so I can collect some materials and inspiration..."
"So Doma, you mean that you hope to borrow my ability to create a 'Child of Destiny' for the Demon Slayer Corps.
Then according to your ideas, design a predetermined fate trajectory for this Child of Destiny.
And along this trajectory, push the development of this story to see what it eventually evolves into—is that right?"
Mitsuba finally understood Doma's purpose for coming today.
"Exactly!"
Doma nodded deeply, snapping his fingers.
"I believe with Holy Maiden's current Blood Demon Art abilities, you can definitely accomplish this easily!"
"Interesting... Very well, I agree."
After thinking for only a very short moment, Mitsuba agreed to Doma's request.
Such an interesting matter—how could she possibly refuse?
"However, I have one condition."
Showing a smile, she immediately added:
"The selection of the 'protagonist' actor must be done by me. Additionally, I want to participate in the screenplay writing as well."
"Of course that's no problem! I've always believed in Holy Maiden's abilities!"
Doma nodded repeatedly, then suggested:
"Um, if Holy Maiden doesn't mind, shall we go ask everyone in the Twelve Kizuki and let them participate together as well?"
"Good idea. Let's go."
"..."
---
"Thus, in the second year of Emperor Jomei, which was the fourth year of Zhenguan in the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Jomei at that time sent the first envoys to Tang..."
Ding-ling-ling~
"Class dismissed! Hakuji, want to have lunch together today?"
"No, I still have some homework to do. You all go ahead."
"Uwaa~ You really are studious, never eating with everyone..."
On the Tokyo University campus, as morning classes concluded, students left in groups of twos and threes heading to the cafeteria to get lunch.
The large classroom quickly emptied out. Only Akaza remained, writing furiously, copying the blackboard notes.
Times had changed. Nowadays, Akaza wore a black men's school uniform, kept a clean short haircut, and wore glasses. The whole person had the appearance of a literature youth.
No one could tell that this studious literary youth was actually the legendary Upper Rank Three of the Twelve Kizuki, the fourth most terrifying demon in this world after the Demon King!
That's right—Akaza was currently attending university.
And he was a student in the First Division of the Literature Department at Tokyo University, majoring in History, Philosophy, and Political Science.
To prevent any misunderstandings, Akaza needed to clarify for himself.
He didn't get into Tokyo University through backdoor connections. He truly got in through his own genuine abilities!
The Akaza from two hundred years ago, who had been forced by Mitsuba to read various Four Books and Five Classics, would never have imagined that nowadays he would gradually come to appreciate the unique pleasures within these texts.
To the point that in order to study more classical works of ancient sages, he actively applied to human university and studied hard.
Perhaps, this was also a manifestation of how different people have different aspirations...
"Hakuji, your family is here to see you."
Suddenly, a classmate called from outside the classroom door.
"My family? Who?"
Immediately putting down his pen, Akaza turned back and asked in confusion.
"Seems to be your older brother and sister."
"Brother? Sister?"
His expression became even more confused, and he even had a faint bad premonition. Akaza immediately packed up his books and walked toward the classroom door.
The moment he stepped out, he saw two "familiar faces" standing in the corridor.
"Good afternoon, Hakuji. I'm your older sister Mitsuba~"
"I'm your older brother Doma~"
"I knew it!"
Looking at these two plague gods before him, at their smiling expressions, Akaza—who strongly sensed something amiss—instantly dropped his face and unhesitatingly turned to run.
In the next instant, two ruthless iron hands simultaneously pressed down on both of Akaza's shoulders, forcibly dragging him back.
"Don't go, Hakuji. As the saying goes, 'When friends come from afar, is it not delightful?' Is this how you treat your good older sister?"
"Yes, yes~ Clearly your good older brother hasn't seen the adorable Lord Akaza for so long. For you to run away the moment we meet, it truly breaks one's heart~"
"Let me go! What do you two want again! I warn you! This is a school! No school bullying allowed!"
Completely unable to break free, the weak, pitiful, and short Akaza could only be dragged by Mitsuba and Doma—one holding each side—to a corner of the corridor.
"Don't be nervous. We just wanted to ask if you have any interest in playing some games related to the Demon Slayer Corps."
"For example, playing the behind-the-scenes big villain who gets killed by the destined protagonist or something..."
"Huh?"
"What we mean is, we've recently decided to find some entertainment for the Demon Slayer Corps, but we're still short a few suitable actors. It just so happens that Hakuji, you look good and are strong, so we were thinking..."
"Absolutely not! I don't want to participate in your messy affairs! I need to focus on studying! After this I still need to take the doctoral entrance exam for a Doctor of Literature degree!"
"Little Hakuji has become so diligent now?"
Facing Akaza's righteous and solemn speech, Mitsuba was somewhat surprised.
"I clearly remember you hated reading when you were little. Back then, getting you to properly read one book was really difficult..."
"Yes, yes, Lord Akaza. How is reading more fun than making movies? Come quickly and make movies with us~"
"You two bastards get the hell out of here! Stop affecting my serious studying!"
Facing Mitsuba and Doma's repeated temptations, Akaza roared angrily.
Already over three hundred years old, he was still striving to fight for himself a healthy growth environment.
He really wanted to study too much.
"..."
---
That afternoon, at another end of Tokyo city, there was a curious antique shop on the street named "Exquisite Jade Pot."
The interior lighting was dim. Shelves everywhere were filled with porcelain pots from various dynasties, diverse in patterns and dazzling to the eyes.
It was said that the owner of this antique shop was a bad-tempered eccentric.
Not only did he never leave from behind his counter, but he also couldn't stand anyone saying anything bad about any pot in his shop.
If someone said even the slightest thing, the owner would inevitably engage in fierce argument and debate with that person, until the other party retracted their previous statement and completely admitted defeat.
"Boss, this pot of yours seems asymmetrical!"