Chapter 13: The Trial in the Forest
The apprentice exam took place in a dense forest outside Ise Shrine.
A massive barrier enclosed the area, limiting the test to one hour. Failure to exit meant failing the exam. Repeated failures led to dismissal. Teamwork was allowed, but only in groups of up to three. Those unable to hold their own or lacking allies had no place as shrine maidens.
“Rikako, let’s go together!” Minamoto no Hatsuki hopped over with a bright smile, her group of six or seven girls trailing behind.
Riko eyed the group, startled. “Didn’t Lady Saio say teams can only have three?”
“You’re so naive,” Hatsuki said, poking Riko’s forehead. “We just split into threes when we exit. Everyone does it.” She stepped aside, revealing other pre-formed cliques.
The twenty-some girls had divided into three groups: Hatsuki’s, Kamo Nanako’s, and the loners.
“Even so, you might end up alone in there,” Hatsuki added.
“What do you mean?”
“The illusion’s tricky. People get separated for all sorts of reasons. That’s why the adults allow teamwork—they know groups won’t last long. But for us, even a short stretch together beats getting eliminated right away.”
“Eliminated right away? I thought you just had to exit to pass.”
“True, but many can’t handle it and use the bamboo tube to escape.” Hatsuki shook the small bamboo tube each maiden received—a teleportation spell that activated when uncorked, sending them outside the illusion.
So, like handing in a blank paper. Riko nodded. “Got it. Let’s go together.”
Hatsuki’s group cheered. “Yes, Rikako’s with us!”
“Awesome! With her charms, we’re set!”
“It’s not something to brag about,” a girl from Nanako’s group sneered. “No charms allowed in the exam. If we could bring them, Nanako’s father would’ve written a stack of super-powerful ones.”
“Yeah, I could get someone to write for me too.”
“So having a charm expert as a teammate is useless.”
Hatsuki fumed at the snide remarks but couldn’t retort.
“That’s true,” Riko said with a smile. “But if everyone knows charms aren’t allowed, why would I rely on them?”
The other group’s faces soured. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Exactly what you think,” Hatsuki said, revitalized, slinging an arm around Riko’s shoulder with a grin. “Knowing charms are banned, who’d focus on them?”
As the girls bickered, a massive orange barrier rose in the forest, and a glowing gate appeared—the illusion’s entrance. Shadows of something flickered through the trees.
Though the illusion’s contents were fake, the girls tensed.
They lined up to pass through the gate. Some emitted wisps of smoke.
“Told them no charms or items allowed. Why do they try?” a guarding shrine maiden said sternly.
“Let them,” another maiden giggled. “Pre-made items vanish anyway.”
Riko touched her pocket, holding paper and scissors. Good thing she hadn’t pre-cut paper dolls—they’d count as prepared items.
The illusion mirrored the forest outside, with three paths leading into its depths.
The loner girls exchanged glances and took the left path.
“Which way?” someone asked Hatsuki.
Hatsuki gave up thinking and looked at Riko.
Before Riko could speak, a voice came from behind. “The middle looks wider, Nanako. Let’s take it.” Nanako’s group pushed past, laughing as they headed down the middle path.
“Ugh, I’m so mad!” Hatsuki stomped, fists clenched.
Riko smiled. “It’s fine. Let’s take the right.”
Hatsuki swallowed her anger and nodded. “Fine, I don’t want to share their path.” The others agreed.
On the forest trail, Riko felt the sky darkening—or was it her imagination? As they walked, it wasn’t a trick. The darkness grew so thick she couldn’t see her companions.
“I’m scared! Let’s use the bamboo tubes!” the girls whimpered.
“That’s giving up!” Hatsuki’s voice rang out.
Riko pulled paper and scissors from her pocket, swiftly cutting lightbulbs. With a whoosh, she held a handful of glowing orbs, smiling at the stunned girls.
“What’s that?”
“A little spell.”
“That’s amazing!” They cheered.
Riko grinned, twisting her fingers to split one bulb into eight—she’d cut them from layered paper.
“Take one each.” She handed them out.
When only one bulb remained—hers—she reached for Hatsuki but froze.
Eight people, but she’d cut eight bulbs. Why was one short? Or rather, why was there an extra person?
Her eyes snapped up. In the dim yellow light, everyone admired their bulbs. No extra person, just eight shadows.
“What’s wrong?” Hatsuki asked.
“Nothing.” Riko calmly handed her the bulb, not wanting to alert the extra presence.
With light, the group grew lively again.
Tall trees cast dark shadows on the path. It was calm, but Riko felt a greedy gaze on her back. Then, something brushed her.
She turned casually to speak, but a scream pierced the silence.
Hatsuki looked toward the sound. “Came from over there.”
“Must be Nanako’s group,” the others said, smirking mischievously.
“What’s wrong?” Hatsuki asked, noticing Riko’s expression.
Riko scanned their faces. “We’re missing two people.”
“Huh?” The girls looked around, terrified.
Hatsuki laughed. “That’s the illusion. More might disappear soon.”
“Yeah, those poor saps,” the others said, relieved.
“Right.” Riko nodded, turning to walk on, slowly pulling out paper.
The group kept shrinking.
One girl, faced with a choice of gold, silver, or iron axes, picked gold and was dragged away for greed. Another heard her name called, turned, and vanished. One poked a kappa on the ground and turned into one, lying beside it.
By the time Riko reached a stream, only Hatsuki and a girl named Matsushima remained.
“We’re almost out, right?” Matsushima said hopefully. “This exam’s pretty easy. No spells needed.”
“That’s the point,” Hatsuki said. “We’re not onmyouji catching youkai. Shrine maidens just need strong resolve to hear oracles. Those eliminated were greedy or forgot taboos. Why’re you two so quiet?”
Riko stopped, gazing at the stream’s end. A massive maple tree glowed softly, its red leaves rustling in the wind.
“Is that the exit?” Hatsuki asked. “Looks like something the illusion conjured. Let’s check.”
Riko approached the tree, looking up. Each leaf bore tiny words: Caught you.
Bang! Something hit a solid barrier, resounding loudly.
“Ouch, you know hand seals? So sneaky! When’d you set the barrier?” a voice said.
Riko turned calmly to Hatsuki. “When you told me to check the tree.”
“Huh?” Hatsuki asked, surprised. “You suspect me? Why? Aren’t we friends?”
“How could I be friends with the youkai Red Leaf?” Riko said, expressionless.
“You figured it out. Tsk, impressive,” Hatsuki said, her face’s skin melting like wax.
Matsushima paled, collapsing in fear. “It’s the illusion, right?”
“Matsushima, bamboo tube!” Riko shouted, reaching for her waist. But her tube was gone.
“Here.” The half-Hatsuki, half-Red Leaf creature opened her hand, revealing the tube.
Matsushima uncorked hers, light flaring. But a long vine yanked her back as she vanished.
Red Leaf twisted Matsushima’s head with a snap. Riko’s eyes widened, stepping back.
“Going to snitch?” Red Leaf raised a brow, licking blood from her fingers, her expression wild. “I never touch flesh—it’s foul. Brother ate for me, passing me nutrients.”
“Now he’s gone. To survive, I’m learning to stomach this filth.” She smiled sweetly. “All because of you.”
Riko clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms. No bamboo tube—nobody outside would know what happened in this vast forest.
Matsushima’s fate proved this wasn’t an illusion. If Riko didn’t pull herself together, she’d be Red Leaf’s meal. Seimei said Red Leaf was low-tier. If she couldn’t handle this, filling the wooden tag was a pipe dream.
The Hontsubo Bell jingled at her waist. “You’re partly right,” Riko said, mirroring Red Leaf’s sweet smile.
Red Leaf blinked. What’s with her? Did I drive her mad?