Techniques and Misunderstandings

The entrance to the Core of the Esoteric Academy was marked by architecture as modern as it was cold. The corridors appeared to be made of polished black metallic marble, reflecting soft white lights in gentle tones. Despite its imposing name, the "Core" felt more like an automated executive office than a traditional academic center. Robots with neutral expressions glided silently back and forth, while digital panels shimmered with commands, files, and Academy records.

Indra stepped inside alongside Sophie, who walked with confident strides toward a dark wooden counter where one of the floating panels was stationed. With a touch on the screen, she began entering the necessary data to generate a copy of the Basic Techniques Manual.

With little else to do, Indra glanced at Sophie — what began as a casual look quickly became a focused examination... perhaps a little too focused.

Her sleek outfit resembled that of a special ops unit, molded precisely to her form. Silver buckles and metallic accents adorned the fabric, and on her chest gleamed the emblem of the Ledger Clan: a two-tailed raven, painted black against a silver background. Over it, she wore a leather jacket draped across her shoulders like part of a ceremonial uniform, adding to the impression that she'd walked straight out of a sci-fi anime.

Indra couldn't tell whether it was the design of the outfit or the way she moved — but it was hard to look away. Still, what truly captured his attention wasn't the uniform itself... but the tail.

Long, thin, red, just over a meter in length. It moved with an almost hypnotic rhythm, as though it had a life of its own — swaying gently from side to side, in sync with Sophie's thoughts. It was the first time Indra had observed it so closely. Maybe he'd avoided it before out of respect... or sheer fear of being weird. But today? Well, today his self-control had apparently taken the day off.

Without thinking, almost on instinct, he reached out.

And touched it.

The tip of her tail was soft, warm, alive. Indra brushed his fingers across it gently, fascinated, like a child discovering a brand new and utterly captivating toy. The tail responded, curling slightly around his touch as though it were sentient.

The sound of typing stopped.

Sophie froze.

Slowly, wearing an expression that mingled confusion, surprise, and... a faint blush, she stood up straight and turned to face him. Her two-toned eyes were wide, and for a moment, silence hung between them like a suspended blade.

Only then did Indra realize he may have crossed an invisible — and possibly sacred — boundary. He instantly let go of the tail, eyes wide, as if he'd just touched a live bomb. His mouth opened to apologize, but what came out was:

"...I... uh... I thought it was like... decorative?"

Sophie blinked slowly. In silence, she turned back to the panel, retrieved the freshly printed Manual of Basic Techniques, and handed it to him in a mechanical, almost robotic motion.

"Thanks..." Indra muttered, more out of reflex than awareness.

Without a word, she began walking toward the exit.

Indra looked at the manual, then at Sophie, her tail now held stiffly behind her, swaying in eerie silence — and decided it was best to follow her before she changed her mind and decided to banish him back to the Mortal Plane. Or worse.

On the way, he tried to think of something to say — anything to break the awkward tension. But nothing came to mind.

Still, from the corner of his eye, he noticed her tail twitching slightly — not in anger, but as if holding back laughter.

Maybe, just maybe... he wasn't in that much trouble after all.

---

The automated doors of the Esoteric Academy closed behind them with a soft hiss, leaving behind the glowing digital panels, the silent robots, and the lingering tension.

Sophie walked ahead, her elegant heels tapping rhythmically on the black stone sidewalk typical of the Inner City's center. The morning sun was warming the air, and a fresh breeze danced between buildings that mixed futuristic and classical architecture — as if every era had been allowed to coexist here.

Indra walked a few paces behind, his eyes fixed not on Sophie... but on his own embarrassment.

What the hell was that?!, he thought, his face growing hotter with every step. She just... froze. Stared at me. Then walked away without a word. No yelling. No slapping. That's worse...

He mentally replayed the seconds that followed his impulsive little curiosity burst. And that's when the realization struck him like lightning:

Tails.

Semi-humans.

Anime tropes.

A flood of memories hit him — anime scenes, manga panels, video games... all following the same pattern. Tails were often treated as... sensitive. Intimate, even. In some cases, way more intimate than anything else.

"...No." Indra murmured, nearly stumbling. "No, no, no..."

His eyes widened, sweat trickled down his temple, and for a moment, he felt as if his soul was trying to escape through his left ear.

I... I touched her... her... — he couldn't even bring himself to mentally say the word — her forbidden zone!?

Panic set in. Maybe Sophie was still in shock. Maybe she was just biding her time before unleashing some ancient spiritual decapitation technique. Maybe—

Then, still walking, Sophie glanced back slightly. There was something in her eyes. A glint. A suppressed smile... and her shoulders were shaking.

Was she... trembling?

"..."

Indra stopped.

"Hey, are you—" he started, but didn't finish. Because right then, Sophie turned around fully, pointed at him, and burst into loud, unrestrained laughter.

"HAAAAHAHAHAHA!" Sophie laughed heartily, holding her stomach, her tail twirling behind her like a ribbon. "Your face! Oh my gods, your face was the best thing I've seen all month!"

Indra blinked. Once. Twice. Frozen in place.

"Wha...?"

"You actually thought," she said through giggles, "that my tail was like... I dunno, a forbidden area? Like you touched some kind of 'sacred zone'?" She even made air quotes with her fingers, laughing all over again.

Indra's brain short-circuited. He couldn't decide whether to laugh or dig a hole and live in it forever.

"I waited for the perfect moment just to watch you melt in panic." Sophie wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. "Worth every second."

"You... faked it?" Indra asked in semi-ceremonial disbelief — like a man who'd just survived a death sentence and now sought metaphysical explanations.

"Of course!" she grinned from ear to ear. "Wanted to see how far you'd go. But I have to admit — you broke way sooner than I expected."

Indra covered his face with both hands. Relief battled shame, and both lost to the laugh that escaped his lips a second later.

"I seriously thought I'd done something unforgivable..."

"The my-life-is-over expression was priceless."

They both laughed, now walking side by side down a quieter street, heading toward the edge of the academic sector.

After a few minutes of laughter, Sophie's tone shifted — still warm, but more serious. She leaned slightly toward him, brushing her shoulder gently against his.

"But seriously, Indra," she said softly. "Even if tails aren't considered private parts... they're still part of someone's body. So try not to go around grabbing random tails, okay?"

She smiled, her tail drawing a graceful arc through the air.

"Most semi-humans won't laugh it off like I did. Some might not like it at all."

"Got it," he replied, raising a hand in mock solemnity. "I solemnly swear never to touch a tail without permission. I'll even write it down in my cosmic rulebook."

"Good boy," she said, giving him two light pats on the shoulder with mock maternal pride. "Now let's go home. You still need to learn how to use those Basic Techniques, or you're going to blow up the stove trying to cook with spiritual energy."

Indra nodded, feeling lighter. The misunderstanding had resolved itself in the best possible way — with humor and a valuable lesson. As they strolled through the bustling streets, he glanced at the manual in his hand, then at Sophie.

It was a new world.

But at least, he wasn't exploring it alone.

---

Back at the house, Sophie wasted no time. Like she was following some ancient rite, she began rearranging the living room furniture with precision. Indra watched silently, respecting what felt like a quiet, almost sacred ceremony.

The old coffee table was slid to the corner, the rugs rolled up and stored in a small closet. In minutes, the space had transformed. The smooth black wood floor gleamed under the natural light pouring through the wide windows. In the center of the room, two thin circular mats were placed side by side — like small altars of focus.

Sophie sat cross-legged in a meditative pose. Her body aligned with the room, shoulders relaxed, hands resting on her knees. Her red tail stretched behind her like a sleeping serpent. Her eyes were closed, but her presence was vivid.

"Sit, Indra," she said, her voice soft, like thunder whispered from afar.

Indra nodded, asking no questions. He sat across from her, mimicking her posture as best he could. Though his body wasn't used to the stiffness of the position, there was something about the atmosphere that made him feel... ready.

"Now," Sophie continued, slowly opening her eyes. "Open the Manual of Basic Techniques and read aloud the listed Soul Refinement methods."

Indra took the manual he'd carried since they left the Academy. Its black cover with golden lettering seemed to glow faintly in the light. He opened it carefully, flipping through the pages until he found the chapter.

"Here it is..." he murmured. Clearing his throat, he began to read:

> "Soul Refinement Techniques are methods developed over centuries to strengthen the Inner Core, stimulate the formation of Magical Veins, and expand a Paranormal's spiritual potential. Each technique acts uniquely on the Energy's flow and aids in building the foundation for one's chosen Path."

He turned the page.

> "The standard techniques certified by the Esoteric Society are:

1. Inner Essence Pulse

2. Tranquil Core Rhythm

3. Harmonious Spiritual Flow

4. Latent Soul Breath

5. Serpentine Core Current"

Indra read the names slowly, as if trying to absorb them through his skin. Sophie stayed silent for a few moments, eyes downcast. She seemed to weigh something invisible in the air.

"Good," she finally said. "Now I want you to show me your Energy."

Indra frowned slightly.

"Manifest... my Energy?"

"Exactly. Focus. Feel inside you what awakens when you connect with your center. Channel it to your hand."

Indra closed his eyes.

It was hard to explain what he was doing. It wasn't like flexing a muscle, nor recalling a memory. It felt more like... listening to a song only he could hear. Slowly, he dove inward, searching for the same sensation he'd felt from the first day the Energy awakened within him.

And then he found it.

A serene warmth, not blazing. A light that didn't blind, but illuminated. A gentle white current flowing around his heart. He guided it to his right arm, down to his palm. The Energy responded naturally — not with brute force, but familiarity. As if it had always been there, just waiting for him.

When he opened his eyes, a faint white glow shimmered in his palm. Weak, but alive. A silent flame.

Sophie observed him closely. After a few seconds, she spoke:

"I knew it. You're a Cultivator."

Indra blinked, confused.

"Cultivator?"

Sophie straightened slightly, taking on a more didactic tone — still serious, but warm.

"In the world of Paranormals, we recognize Nine Paths. They are the nine pure forms through which Energy can manifest in an awakened being's body. Each Path has its own color, vibration, and essence."

She raised her hand, and a small dark blue flame formed at the tip of her index finger.

"My Path is that of Magical Power. This deep blue energy. Yours," she said, pointing to the white glow in his palm, "is Qi."

"Qi..." Indra repeated, tasting the word as if it were something ancient.

"Qi is the soul's energy, shaped through introspection. Cultivators like you develop body, spirit, and mind in harmony. It's refined energy, built through discipline, repetition, and deep connection to your inner self. It's the Path of the Bianchi Clan, one of the Nine Great Clans... and of course, the Ye Clan."

Indra looked at the white light with new eyes. As if he suddenly understood something that had always been there, unnamed.

"But if I was born with this energy... does that mean I'm a Cultivator forever?"

"Not necessarily," Sophie replied. "You're born with an affinity, but you can train in another Path if you choose. It's hard. Takes much longer and demands more effort... but not impossible. Still," — she paused, looking him up and down — "considering your personality and how your Energy flows... Qi suits you best."

She leaned forward and reopened the manual, pointing to one of the listed techniques.

"This is the one you should start with: Harmonious Spiritual Flow."

"Why that one?"

"Because it was developed by the elders of the Ye Clan themselves. It's a perfect transitional technique for someone just beginning to understand how their Qi moves. It teaches you to smooth the soul's internal pulse — to listen to the silence between your Core's beats. A solid foundation for any Cultivator."

Indra read the description. Every word felt like it was written just for him.

In that moment, seated on the mat, a faint white light pulsing in his hand, and Sophie's words still echoing in his mind — he understood something deeper.

He had a path.

And for the first time, he was beginning to walk it.