Reisen Riou handed his latest invention, the Learning Enhancer, to Raiden Ei, tasking her with advanced training for the Okuzumeshu. She'd also drill the conscripted Vision-wielders and youkai. Meanwhile, Reisen Riou—cough—had to assist Yae Saiguu with shrine maiden training, aiming to cultivate youkai maidens mastering the Longevity Thunder Elixir Art. Human maidens? Saiguu gave up on them learning the full art; without a supercomputer's aid, it was impossible. Even she, a prodigy Grand Shrine Maiden, took two years with the Thunderous Yougou Divine Machine to grasp its basics.
The Learning Enhancer synced with Reisen Riou's One System, Ten Thousand Minds, boosting its Weak data transmission and Faint learning retention to Strong and Moderate. Previously, One System could train a samurai to LV3+ in multiple combat skills in a year. Now, with the enhancer, they'd hit LV4 across the board, with one skill at LV5. Given three years—unless their talent was worse than Reisen Riou's back then—a samurai's primary skill could reach LV6, secondaries at LV5. Hence the three-year conscription term. With enough data, this combo could mass-produce "strong" fighters in mortal eyes.
But Reisen Riou wasn't satisfied. He wanted true powerhouses. Post-conscription, he'd release them, knowing they'd crave One System's benefits. Without the Learning Enhancer, it wouldn't suffice, but it'd fuel their hunger for growth. Time would forge their hearts, turning pseudo-strong into genuine masters, some even reaching LV7+ grandmastery. Their data, meanwhile, would feed Reisen Riou's reserves. His LV9+ Arrowheart and Absolute Hit Law barred him from melee mastery—he'd never hit LV7 swordsmanship—but he could be the strongest LV6 swordsman, blending countless styles via his data mastery. A pity his sword, spear, and naginata skills stayed at technique, not transcendence. No matter—Ei and Reisen Anko, melee titans, covered close combat. If he charged in, Inazuma might implode.
"Lingyi's dumping work again," Reisen Anko grumbled, hefting her naginata while patrolling the training Okuzumeshu. "Typical."
"Quit whining," Ei laughed, overseeing the drills. "They need this." A natural teacher, she relished guiding them, especially with One System's speed boost making them learn like lightning.
A ping from One System hit Ei's mind: a squad's training zeal was dipping. She shifted position subtly. "Train hard! Everlasting Narukami, eternal!" she barked.
"Everlasting Narukami! Eternal!" the samurai roared, redoubling efforts.
Slumps were inevitable, but Reisen Riou's solution was gold: "Faith strengthens will; strong will fuels fervent faith." In a theocratic society, it was perfect. If training made them stronger, even addictive, their devotion to Narukami would be unshakable.
These Okuzumeshu, temporary conscripts, wielded Electro Visions, averaging LV35—decent but not elite. Their faith, though devout, was lax; peacetime and no wars dulled their martial edge. Reisen Riou and Ei flagged them for urgent training. The week-long boot camp would rotate with another squad, alternating duties and drills until all Okuzumeshu were honed into a disciplined, faith-driven force, adept in elemental combat and formations.
Even the leaders—mid-tier at LV50+, top-tier rivaling LV70+ Great Youkai—weren't spared. Ei insisted on boosting their skills, using One System to patch weaknesses. They needed versatility in close and ranged combat, plus tactical acumen for formations and battlefield judgment. Unlike Liyue's Thousand Rock Army, famed for arrays that once briefly matched gods, Inazuma's samurai—save Kujou Encampment—rarely used formations. Legends said Thousand Rock's elite Vision-wielders closed the mortal-god gap, a feat defying the two-tier Life Level chasm. No weak god fought in the Archon War, making their arrays a marvel.