"So, you want to learn clone techniques—not basic ones, but Dual-Mind Embodiment?" Raiden Ei stared at Reisen Riou, astonished.
"Yes," he nodded.
"That's not something ordinary beings can master," she warned.
"I'm ready," Reisen Riou said, glancing at his body. He could craft another shell anytime, but it'd lack essence—a living puppet, not a true clone.
"Cloning's simple," Raiden Ei said. "Record your past self's data, then manifest it when needed."
"…"
"For standard clones, you need a tangible medium. I use Electro as my carrier—it maximizes my elemental control and packs a punch."
Another Raiden Ei appeared behind Reisen Riou, patting his shoulder. He jumped; it vanished.
"The downside: Electro clones dissipate when their internal energy runs dry," she said. "Or if I'm attacked and lose control over ambient Electro, the clone fades."
"This technique, called Shadow Clone in Inazuma, was my creation, but few learn it. It's a high-tier mystery, mostly preserved by the Kanjou Commission's Endgame Squad."
"I hate to admit it, but Liyue's Geo Archon and the Hearth God Marchosius mastered cloning best. The Geo Archon's clones—male, female, immortal, human—can persist and coexist. Marchosius, though gone, could multiply into thousands to aid Liyue's people, unmatched in cloning."
She listed clone-hosting requirements. Basic clones needed mental energy and spells. Permanent clones required soul-splitting—carving out a soul fragment as the clone's operating system.
Reisen Riou rubbed his chin. He might design a blank OS, having fully analyzed his body's data.
He knew human systems inside out.
But that'd be creating life, not cloning. He grimaced—would he have to slice his soul?
Something felt off. As a phone youkai, there had to be a better way.
Raiden Ei detailed host material needs, and Reisen Riou sweated. Her permanent clone tech demanded mastery of material science, forging (to craft the clone), anatomy (for accuracy), advanced spellcraft (soul-splitting and nurturing), and strong will plus martial skill (Heart Flow as the soul-cutting blade).
Feeling his Arrow Heart waver, Reisen Riou snapped awake. She's discouraging me!
Crafty Balzebub, playing tricks despite her stern look.
As she rambled through Inazuma Material Science Basics and Inazuma Forging Basics, gearing up for Inazuma Anatomy, Reisen Riou cut in.
"No more! I'm done!" he shouted.
"Pity, but probably for the best," Raiden Ei said, her eyes glinting with amusement.
If not for that smirk, I'd have bought it, he thought, exasperated.
Raiden Ei went back to studying Anko Kanno.
Reisen Riou, sulking, practiced archery, focusing on ultra-long-range precision—1 kilometer.
For such shots, steady hands, elemental infusion, and wind speed calculations were key.
Most critical? A quality bow for power and distance.
On Ritou, the best available was a fine Hunter's Bow (2-star, Tempered Hunter's Bow). Decent enough, as even Shogunate troops used basic Hunter's Bows (1-star).
Named weapons like the Messenger Bow (3-star) were for samurai and elite Shogunate soldiers. Some modest bannermen used them too.
Wealthier bannermen, generals, senior mikos, and O-kuni warriors wielded heirloom treasures (4-star), growing with their users, even hitting and breaking bottlenecks.
Top generals, Grand Narukami Shrine priests, and Mount Yougou's great youkai used divine artifacts (5-star) with godly materials.
Full draw, shot, 15cm off—misjudged wind speed.
Recalibrate, full draw, 10cm off—hit a crosswind.
Electro infusion, full draw, dead-on.
No Electro, full draw, 10cm off—wind miscalculation.
No infusion, full draw, Arrow Heart guide, dead-on.
Electro infusion, full draw, Arrow Heart guide, dead-on.
Geo infusion swap, then repeat.
He tested ultra-long-range accuracy while tracking arrow performance under elemental infusion.
Electro-infused arrows hit harder but damaged the arrow more. A standard arrow lasted 30–40 shots, but with Electro, the shaft held, while the arrowhead crystallized, unusable after a dozen shots.
Geo infusion protected the arrowhead, extending life—once lasting 70 shots, with the "durable" shaft breaking before the arrowhead.
Drawing again, a sharp crack rang out.
The bow snapped in two.
Reisen Riou realized he'd grown stronger. This 2-star bow couldn't keep up. He needed a better one.
--------------------
Want to read ahead? Early chapters on: patreon.com/ShadowKage