The Torrent of Insight

"The task I assigned to you, how far have you progressed with it? How has the task been unfolding?" asked the Water Patriarch of the Divine Beings, addressing Snow Sky-Dog. His gaze conveyed the concern in his mind.

"Master, fundamentally, the task is progressing very well. Seraphina Frostwind is growing more fond of and trusting me by the day. The secret she conceals is soon to be unraveled by me! However, while fulfilling the mission you entrusted to me, I encountered a saboteur," replied Snow Sky-Dog, his beautiful eyes brimming with anger.

"The saboteur is Ryujin Tetsu, isn't it, Snow Sky-Dog?" Water Patriarch of the Divine Beings responded. His face displayed an uncanny calmness.

"Indeed, it is him, Master! It was he who attacked Kurogami Masayuki and Mizuchi Haruka in the sunflower field," Snow Sky-Dog spoke with a resounding voice, not bothering to conceal the anger he had been suppressing.

"This has turned out so direly because, in the past, you three deities attacked him in the academy cafeteria. If you hadn't done so, the Steel Dragon Ryujin Tetsu wouldn't bear such resentment towards you! In this matter, you should also reflect on yourselves," Water Patriarch of the Divine Beings expressed with sagacity, his gaze sweeping over Snow Sky-Dog's furious countenance.

"But Master, if that scoundrel hadn't offended you, we wouldn't have struck him either!" Snow Sky-Dog remained steadfast in his perspective. He had always held his master in high regard, hence he wouldn't forgive anyone who offended him.

"The respect and gratitude you show me, I understand, but the conflict between you and Ryujin Tetsu is merely minor. This conflict could be entirely resolved through reconciliation. Why must you persist in diving into trouble just because you are a mighty deity? You speak of mastering rhythm, but from what I see, you haven't truly mastered it! Your viewpoint is indeed commendable, but even if you voice it, you haven't truly comprehended it. Until now, you remain an amateur; you have yet to truly attain the proficiency of a professional!" Water Patriarch of the Divine Beings earnestly analyzed for Snow Sky-Dog, hoping his wayward disciple would truly grasp what he wanted him to understand.

"Ryujin Tetsu deserves to be struck! We are not afraid of him; compared to us, he is insignificant. When I first stepped into this academy, I made my stance clear. In life, as in the art of warfare, if one cannot master the rhythm, they are merely amateurs. A master must know when to attack and when to retreat. On that day, striking Ryujin Tetsu was the right thing to do. His strength is nothing compared to ours. He is a mere amateur compared to us. Whatever difficulty he poses, we will easily overcome it! To us, he is but a minor threat, a threat not worth fearing!" Snow Sky-Dog resolutely responded, his beautiful eyes harboring the danger of ice and snowstorms.

"Even now, you remain obstinate? Consider yourself stronger than Ryujin Tetsu, but as I've said, your conflict with him is trivial. This conflict could be resolved entirely through reconciliation." Water Patriarch of the Divine Beings shook his head in dismay, perhaps regretting having taken on such a stubborn and arrogant disciple.

"Master, even if you critique me so, I do not hold any grudge against you! But I will not change my stance and viewpoint. I have come to realize, from birth until now, that I have always succeeded in adjusting and controlling the rhythm. I still maintain that I did not err in striking Ryujin Tetsu. Ryujin Tetsu is not a major threat. I am a deity and a warrior. Without challenges, there would be no battles to fight against, and warriors would exist as mere excess. If so, the immortality of a deity would be but a cruel curse!" Snow Sky-Dog spoke frankly. He had voiced all that he thought in his mind, and no matter how dire the consequences, he would never regret it.

"Snow Sky-Dog, you are too belligerent, perhaps because you carry half-youkai blood in your veins! Ryujin Tetsu belongs to the dragon deity lineage. All dragon deities are arrogant beings. You provoke a dragon deity, and you still believe that dragon deity isn't a major threat?" Water Patriarch of the Divine Beings replied to Snow Sky-Dog, perhaps disappointed by the defiance and arrogance of his disciple.

"Indeed, I carry half-youkai blood in my veins, but I am wise enough to know that Ryujin Tetsu is just a lesser deity. He cannot match the three of us! Rest assured, I will win over Seraphina Frostwind's heart, even if that scoundrel Ryujin Tetsu resorts to any dirty tricks to thwart me. Master, trust me, I will prove to you how wrong you were! Now, I have nothing more to say to you. I have matters to attend to; I ask for permission to leave." Snow Sky-Dog replied to his master, then spread his wings of white feather-like snow and flew out of the Water Patriarch of the Divine Beings' office.

"Come out, Snow Sky-Dog has left!"

Kurogami Masayuki stepped out of hiding. He had heard all the words Snow Sky-Dog spoke to their master.

"What do you think of this, Kurogami Masayuki?" Water Patriarch of the Divine Beings asked Kurogami Masayuki.

"Snow Sky-Dog is truly a brave warrior, but because he is too brave, he has made a mistake in his perception!"

"And what about you? Why did you strike Ryujin Tetsu back then?"

"I just wanted to protect Snow Sky-Dog and Mizuchi Haruka! But now I realize I truly made a mistake. I apologize, Master!"

After Kurogami Masayuki apologized and demonstrated his awareness of his mistake, the Water Patriarch of the Divine Beings realized that this young man had a deeper sense of dignity and understanding than Snow Sky-Dog. This made him feel more at ease about entrusting Masayuki with a new task, hoping he would support Snow Sky-Dog effectively.

"Indeed, your awareness is better than Snow Sky-Dog's a bit! Therefore, I assign you the task of supporting Snow Sky-Dog. I have a hunch that Snow Sky-Dog will achieve great feats in combating the rebellious Youkai. If all goes well, I will request a special privilege for Snow Sky-Dog from the Lord of the Divine Beings. That privilege is he will be the only deity allowed to marry. I will organize a grand wedding for Snow Sky-Dog and Mizuchi Haruka. As for you, Kurogami Masayuki, you will receive an important position in heaven. Then your future will be bright and glorious!"

Kurogami Masayuki's eyes brightened with joy upon hearing this. A single deity getting married and a grand wedding would be a historic event in the world of the deities, and he wanted to be a part of it.

Masayuki felt happy and hopeful. He promised to carry out his mission to the best of his ability to not disappoint the Water Patriarch of the Divine Beings and Snow Sky-Dog.

With new hopes and plans, he stepped out of the office of the Water Patriarch of the Divine Beings, ready to face the challenges and adventures ahead. What awaited them all, only time could tell.