Hiruma was at the cottage table, her hands wrapped around the bowl of soup that Isamu had prepared for breakfast. Her body ached from the previous day's test, a reminder of the path she had chosen. Her striking pink eyes and determination burned brighter than ever. She wiped her mouth delicately as she finished her meal.

"Let's go," Isamu said.

"Right," Hiruma said as she followed her new trainer outside of the cottage. Her purple flowered patterned kimono swayed gently as she followed him out of the cottage.

As they climbed Mount Kurotsuki, Isamu began speaking."The Demon Slayer Corps. We number in the hundreds," Isamu started. "An organization completely unrecognized by the government. Since ancient times, we have existed to hunt down demons. However, the identity of the Demon Slayer corps' leader has always remained a mystery. Demon's stable food is humans. They hunt and kill them. It is unclear when or where they first appeared. Incredible physical prowess. Their wounds heal almost instantly. Flesh completely restores itself, and severed limbs regenerate. Some can shape-shift, and some have other powers. They can only be killed by sunlight or decapitation with a special sword. The Demon Slayers fight these demons with mere mortal bodies. As humans wounds are slow to heal, and lost limbs are unable to grow back. Nevertheless, they fight to protect and defend humanity."

Hiruma ran down the mountain, and Isamu continued speaking. "I'm a trainer. My job is to teach new swordsmen. There are many other trainers each one is different. However, they all educate their students using their methods. To complete your training to join the Demon Slayer corps you will have to survive the Final Selection process on Mount Fujikasane, and I decide if you will undertake the challenge, now descend this mountain like before, but avoid the traps you will do this every day until you master it. I will explain the next part of training once you are back down," He said taking off.

~~~~

Hiruma scanned the ground ahead as she descended Mout Kurotsuki, aiming to do better than when she was made to do this as a test to become an Isamu Seta student.

The first trap came far sooner than she anticipated. A low inaudible creek echoed in the distance, making her turn around as she saw a huge log swing toward her. She stepped out of the way avoiding the log just in time as she got out of it. She adjusted her footing steadying her breath.

"I need to be faster," Hiruma muttered clenching her fist.

"Focus on detecting the traps," Hiruma muttered under her breath, her pink eyes glinting with determination as she descended the mountain. Her hair swayed as she ran down the mountain, and her eyes scanned every inch of the trail.

The descent demanded every ounce of her concentration. The traps were cunningly hidden, designed to exploit hesitation or distraction. She jumped to avoid a thin rope, then lept over a shallow pit concealed by leaves. Each successful evasion bolstered her confidence, but she knew better than to grow complacent.

Her progress was steady but grueling. The cold mountain air bit her skin as her kimono brew in the breeze and her legs ached from the constant strain. Hiruma continued to press on, her resolve unshaken.

By the time she reached the base of the mountain, the sun was high in the sky. Her kimono was dirt-smudged, and she stood panting from the running and avoiding traps.

Isamu was waiting for her, his arms crossed as he leaned against a tree. He picked up a wooden sword as he approached her."Not bad," he said with a hint of approval in his voice."Now swing this sword and you continue doing it until you can swing the sword a thousand times without your arms getting tired.

Hiruma's exhaustion was evident, but she didn't protest. She nodded as she took the sword and began swinging it while counting her swings to keep track of how many times she had done it.

~~~~

The days passed in grueling repetition. Each morning, Hiruma faced the descent of Mount Kurotsuki, her reflexes growing sharper as she learned to anticipate the traps. Isamu adjusted the challenges daily, ensuring she never grew complacent, her speed grew faster and so did her reflexes with each passing day. Each day once down the mountain she swung the sword until her arms grew too tired to continue. By day seven this time Hiruma descended the mountain carrying her sword, but it made moving a lot harder and she ended up getting caught ever traped.

"Pay attention. A single mistake could mean death against a demon," Isamu remarked each time she got caught in a trap.

Despite the harness, Hiruma's resilience grew. She took his criticism as motivation, pushing herself harder with each passing day. By the end of the second week, she could traverse the mountain with fluid precision, even with extra weight.

Hiruma by the end of the second week of training was able to traverse the mountain with minimal effort, her movements more fluid and precise even with the extra weight of the sword.

Isamu observed her progress noting every improvement closely. On the fifteenth day of training, he presented her with a real sword, its sliver blade gleaming under the morning sun.

"Swords are powerful, yet fragile," Isamu stated handing her the weapon. His sharp eyes met her."Through strong along the blade's edge. It's very weak on the sides, so you must apply force where it's strongest," He explained.

Hiruma held the blade reverently, its weight unfamiliar but empowering. "I understand, Master Isamu," she said.

"Good. Let's begin," Isamu said, leading her to a series of targets he had set up along the mountain's base.

Hiruma's first attempts at wielding the real sword were clumsy. Her strikes lacked precision, and the blade often slipped in her grip. But Isamu's instructions were firm and patient.

"Strike with intent," he said, stepping behind her to adjust her stance. "If your movements are hesitant, your blade will falter."

Each day, she trained, slicing through bamboo targets with growing accuracy. Her young body, while still lithe, became stronger, her movements more deliberate.

The toughest part of her training came when she had to spar against Isamu. He fought barehanded but easily overpowered her, tossing her to the ground repeatedly. Yet even this had a lesson.

"Learn to fall," Isamu instructed. "Defeat is inevitable. What matters is how quickly you recover."

Hiruma practiced defensive falling techniques, absorbing impacts with grace to minimize injury. Though her pride suffered with each defeat, her determination never wavered.

~~~~

Weeks turned into a month, and Hiruma's progress was undeniable. Her strikes were swift and accurate, her descent down Mount Kurotsuki almost second nature. Each session left her exhausted, but a sense of fulfillment washed over her as she looked at the gleaming sword in her hands.

That evening, Isamu observed her silently as she practiced her swings against the golden backdrop of the setting sun. "You've done well," he said finally, breaking the silence.

Hiruma stopped mid-swing, her breath visible in the cool air. "Thank you, Master," she said, bowing deeply.

"This is only the beginning," he continued his voice low but filled with anticipation. "Tomorrow, we breathing techniques and fighting forms. For example total concentration breathing."

"Total concentration breathing?" Hiruma asked.

"That correct," Isamu said.'Also will attempt to teach you the first form of Blue Light breathing, but since I'm not completely sure if you can master it you will work on learning your own breathing style."

"My breathing style?" Hiruma questioned.

'Yes, so tonight think of a style you believe will suit you, and be prepared from here on out the training will, be unlike anything you've faced so far."

Hiruma's heart swelled with excitement and trepidation. She nodded firmly, her pink eyes glowing with resolve."I understand."

Here is chapter four of The Ink Pillar and the beginning of the first arc of the story. In this chapter, Hiruma's formal training as a Demon slayer has begun. She faced relentless challenges set by her trainer Isamu Seta, descending the mountain daily while evading traps and honing her skills with both a wooden and real sword. Over the weeks, Hiruma demonstrated immense growth, both physically and mentally, embodying the resolve needed to become a demon slayer.

Thanks for reading!

Question of the chapter: How did you like the beginning of Hiruma's training?

[Meiji period secrets]

-Hiruma came up with the idea of Ink breathing inspired by her mother's passion for art.

- Hiruma once dreamed of becoming a famous author.

- Hiruma's original breathing style when making her was going to be fairy-breathing

Word count: 1,332