The final stretch of the mountain staircase seemed to rise directly into the sky.
Serena could no longer see the road below them.
The clouds had begun to gather beneath the mountain ridge, turning the distant valleys into a sea of pale white. The morning sunlight poured over the treetops, illuminating the countless cedar branches that surrounded the ancient staircase.
Her legs were beginning to ache.
She had lost count of how many steps they had climbed.
Tamayo, however, continued forward without showing even the slightest sign of fatigue.
Serena stared at her older sister's back.
"How much farther?"
Tamayo glanced over her shoulder.
"Almost there."
"You've said that three times."
"Because we were almost there three times."
"That's not how distance works."
Tamayo laughed.
"You're getting impatient."
"I've been climbing stairs for almost an hour."
"Two hours."
Serena stopped.
"...Two hours?"
Tamayo nodded.
Serena stared at the endless staircase behind them.
"Why does our family have to build temples on top of mountains?"
"Tradition."
"That's not a good enough reason."
"It is for our family."
Serena sighed.
She continued climbing.
Despite her complaints, there was something strangely nostalgic about being here.
She hadn't visited the White Fox Temple in years.
The smell of cedar.
The distant ringing of bells.
The white paper charms hanging from ancient branches.
Even the cool mountain air felt familiar.
It reminded her of being a child.
A time before she understood what being a Geist truly meant.
A time before she had begun fighting Poltergeists.
A time before her father became so protective of her.
And now...
She was returning as a student.
Not a child.
Not merely the daughter of Reige Yuuki.
A Geist who had survived a Calamity-Class Poltergeist.
A girl who had been entrusted with learning one of her family's oldest techniques.
Haikirin.
Serena looked ahead.
The staircase finally began to level.
Tamayo stopped.
"There."
Serena raised her head.
Her eyes widened.
The final step opened onto a massive stone courtyard.
Beyond it stood the White Fox Temple.
The sight was breathtaking.
The temple complex covered the entire summit.
Several traditional wooden buildings surrounded the central shrine, each constructed with dark timber and white walls. Their roofs curved upward at the edges, decorated with intricate carvings of foxes and ancient spiritual symbols.
Smaller shrines stood throughout the grounds.
Some were surrounded by stone lanterns.
Others were hidden beneath enormous cedar trees.
White banners bearing the symbol of the Yuuki family fluttered from tall wooden poles.
The entire mountain summit seemed to belong to another era.
Serena slowly stepped onto the courtyard.
"...Wow."
Tamayo smiled.
"Welcome home."
Serena looked at her.
"You really live here?"
"I've lived here for years."
"Alone?"
"Not exactly."
Tamayo pointed toward the buildings.
"You'll see."
Before Serena could ask what she meant—
Footsteps approached.
Several women dressed in traditional shrine garments emerged from one of the wooden buildings.
They walked toward Tamayo and Serena in an organized line.
There were perhaps a dozen of them.
Some appeared young.
Others were older.
All wore white robes with red accents, and each carried herself with the quiet dignity of someone accustomed to serving within the temple.
As they reached the sisters...
They stopped.
Then, simultaneously—
They bowed.
"Welcome back, Lady Tamayo."
Their voices echoed across the courtyard.
Serena froze.
She looked from the women to Tamayo.
Then back again.
"...Lady Tamayo?"
Tamayo simply smiled.
"Good morning."
She returned the bow.
"You've all been taking good care of the temple?"
"Yes, Lady Tamayo."
Serena's eyebrows rose.
Tamayo turned toward her.
"Everyone."
She raised one hand toward Serena.
"This is my younger sister."
The temple maidens immediately turned toward Serena.
"Serena Yuuki."
Serena straightened awkwardly.
"Uh..."
She wasn't used to being introduced like this.
Tamayo smiled.
"She'll be staying here for her training."
The maidens bowed again.
"Welcome, Lady Serena."
Serena quickly bowed in return.
"Thank you."
She raised her head.
The maidens remained perfectly composed.
Serena leaned slightly toward Tamayo.
"You have people calling you Lady Tamayo?"
Tamayo shrugged.
"I'm responsible for the temple."
"That doesn't explain everything."
"It explains enough."
Serena narrowed her eyes.
"You never told me you were basically the boss here."
Tamayo laughed.
"Would it have changed anything?"
"Yes."
"How?"
"I would've teased you about it."
"Exactly."
Serena smiled despite herself.
Tamayo turned toward one of the younger temple maidens.
"Could you show Serena to her room?"
The maiden bowed.
"Of course, Lady Tamayo."
She turned toward Serena.
"Please follow me."
Serena glanced at Tamayo.
"You're not coming?"
"I have some things to take care of."
Tamayo smiled.
"Go unpack."
"After that, we'll begin."
Serena's expression immediately became nervous.
"...Begin what?"
Tamayo's smile widened.
"Training."
Serena sighed.
"Right."
She followed the temple maiden into the main residential building.
Serena's Room
The interior of the temple was surprisingly warm.
Wooden floors stretched through the hallways, polished so carefully that they reflected the soft sunlight entering through the paper windows.
The smell of incense lingered in the air.
Serena followed the maiden through several corridors before stopping in front of a sliding door.
"This will be your room."
The maiden opened it.
Serena stepped inside.
The room was simple.
A traditional futon had been prepared along one wall.
A small wooden table sat near the window.
There was a cabinet for clothing and a shelf containing several blank scrolls.
The window overlooked the mountain valley.
Serena walked toward it.
The view was incredible.
Clouds floated beneath the temple.
The distant mountains rose beyond them.
For a moment, Serena simply stood there.
"...This is beautiful."
The maiden smiled.
"Lady Tamayo chose this room herself."
Serena turned around.
"She did?"
"Yes."
"She said you would appreciate the view."
Serena smiled faintly.
"She knows me too well."
The maiden bowed.
"I'll leave you to unpack."
"Thank you."
The door closed.
Serena finally exhaled.
She dropped her bags onto the floor.
"Okay..."
She rolled her shoulders.
"...Let's get everything organized."
She opened the first bag.
Clothes.
She folded each piece carefully and placed them inside the cabinet.
The second bag contained toiletries and several personal belongings.
She arranged everything neatly.
Her school uniform was placed separately.
She would need it when school resumed.
Then came the final bag.
Serena stared at it.
Something about it felt...
Heavy.
She frowned.
"...Why does this feel heavier than I remember?"
She grabbed the zipper.
Pulled it open.
Then—
A tiny figure suddenly emerged from inside.
"Are we finally here?"
Serena froze.
Her eyes widened.
The tiny Poltergeist floated upward from the bag.
His tentacles stretched lazily as he looked around the room.
Stud.
He looked toward Serena.
Then toward the window.
Then toward the ceiling.
"...Wow."
He slowly turned around.
"Fancy."
Serena's expression darkened.
"...Stud."
Stud looked back at her.
"Yes?"
"Why..."
She pointed at the bag.
"...Were you inside my luggage?"
Stud shrugged.
"I had to travel somehow."
"You could've told me."
"And ruin the surprise?"
Serena's eyebrow twitched.
"You are unbelievable."
Stud floated toward the window.
He looked down at the mountains.
"So this is the famous White Fox Temple."
He slowly whistled.
"Not bad."
Serena crossed her arms.
"How did you even fit in there?"
Stud looked offended.
"Please."
He spread his tiny tentacles proudly.
"I'm an experienced traveler."
"You hid in my clothes."
"Strategic transportation."
"You were sleeping in my bag."
"Efficient transportation."
Serena sighed.
"Tamayo is going to kill you."
Stud froze.
"...She doesn't know I'm here?"
Serena slowly smiled.
"No."
Stud's entire body stiffened.
"...Then perhaps we should keep that information between us."
Serena stared at him.
"Absolutely not."
Stud sighed.
"Humans are terrible at maintaining alliances."
Serena reached toward the door.
"Come on."
"Where are we going?"
"To tell my sister that you're here."
Stud immediately backed away.
"Wait."
Serena grabbed him.
"Hey!"
"You're coming with me."
Stud flailed his tiny tentacles.
"I haven't even unpacked!"
"You don't have anything to unpack!"
"I have dignity!"
"You lost that when you crawled into my luggage."
Stud stared at her.
"...Fair point."
Serena carried him toward the door.
Neither of them noticed...
That somewhere outside the room...
One of the temple maidens had stopped walking.
She had heard the voices.
She slowly turned toward Serena's room.
Her expression became confused.
"...Was Lady Serena speaking to someone?"
Inside the room, Stud whispered loudly,
"Please don't let them know I'm a Poltergeist."
Serena stared at him.
"You're literally a Poltergeist."
"I prefer the term..."
Stud paused dramatically.
"...temporary spiritual resident."
Serena sighed.
"This is going to be a long training."