While training in the mountains, Itsuki is attacked by a larva, a magical creature that makes nightmares reality, and is saved by Sekiren, a traveling member of Astral. On Itsuki's request, Sekiren trains him in martial arts. In a break in training, Sekiren visits Astral and asks Nekoyashiki to allow him to take on a mission offered to Astral. Kuroha takes tea to Itsuki, who claims that he is training so that others can rely on him...