Phase 1 had been an experiment to control the interstitial space and create a training field.
Phase 2, which was to follow, was an experiment to see whether Tsuji’s magic could be used as a countermeasure against the interstitial space. Runa’s remodeling had been an unknown variable, but I had just as little idea whether this was going to work or not, so I was personally fascinated to find out.
“Now, will it work, or will it not?” Tsuji said in a tone that lacked any sense of tension as she entered the kill house.
We followed behind her. Heading through the first door, she stopped in the middle of the room. It was still creepy in here, even though this was the second time we were seeing it, and I didn’t want to go anywhere near that mannequin torso by the wall.
“Should we stay out?” Migiwa asked. Tsuji just casually waved her hand in response.
“Makes no difference to me. Having people around would be a change, so that could be fun.”
Since that was the case, we filed into the room, and stood by the wall to watch.
“Hmm. Maybe I’ll start with something basic.”
Tsuji raised the index finger and middle finger of her right hand.
“Nishina-kun, Nishina-kun. Stick your hand out.”
“Huh? What?” Toriko extended her hand suspiciously. Her right hand, the one that hadn’t undergone the change.
“This here, it’s a steel dagger.”
“Hm...?” As Toriko looked at her with blank confusion, Tsuji touched her two fingers against the palm of Toriko’s hand.
“Wha?!” Toriko pulled her hand back, like it had been repelled by something.
“What? Why’d you do that?” I asked.
“Th-They were metal.”
“Wha?!”
I took another look. They were still just fingers. No matter how I looked, I couldn’t see them as a steel dagger. Smiling, Tsuji returned to the center of the room.
“Let’s see... This way’s east.”
Tsuji turned to face one of the walls. She exhaled, and as she did I could see the tension melt out of her shoulders. It suddenly made me feel a little sleepy. No, that wasn’t quite an accurate way to describe it; it just made my consciousness hazy for a moment. It was like my own body was slackened and drawn in by her.
Tsuji pressed the two fingers she was holding together against her forehead, then lowered them to her chest. Moving her hand like she was making the sign of the cross, she began to chant fluently.
“Aaaaatehhhhh, Malkuthhhhh, Ve-Geburahhhhh.”
There was an incredible vibrating quality to her voice. It wasn’t the muddy sound of a person reciting sutras, but it was a bit similar, maybe. It was a manner of vocalization that I associated with religious rituals, like a sort of song without melody.
“Ve-Gedulahhhhh, Le-Olahhhhhm, Aaaaameeeeen.”
Tsuji drew a star shape in front of her eyes, then thrust her fingers through the center.
“Yod-He-Vau-He!”
She turned clockwise ninety degrees, repeating the same gesture in each of the four cardinal directions.
“Adonai!”
“Eheieh!”
“AGLA!”
Turning to the east once more, she spread her hands wide.