Borderline

Borderline
Name
Kanji	境界線
Rōmaji	Kyoukai-sen
Literal meaning	Boundary line
Information
Type	Shinki technique
Applied abilities	Ablution Purgatory Lance Shield
Known users	Yukine, Daikoku, Kazuma, Kinuha, Akiha, Kuraha, Kugaha, Kazuha, Karuha, Mayu, Kiun, Kunimi, Miun, Saiun, Kaun, Ōshi
First Usage
Appears in	Manga, Anime
Manga	Chapter 5
Anime	Episode 5

The Borderline (境 (きょう) 界 (かい) 線 (せん) , Kyoukai-sen^?) is a barrier technique that can be performed by all shinki, though it may take practice. It cannot be used by gods, humans, or loose spirits.

Casting Sequence

A borderline is performed by extending the index and middle fingers into a lance and drawing a line between "self" and "other". The technique is typically accompanied by shouting "A line!" (一 (い) 線 (せん) , issen). The barrier it creates cannot be crossed by ayakashi.

Applications

• Barrier: The main advantage of a borderline is protection from ayakashi, which cannot cross through them under normal circumstances.

• Vessel Borderlines: The principle of forming a borderline can also be extended to a shinki's vessel form. Divine weapons who are skilled with borderlines are able to precisely determine what they do and do not want to damage. By mentally drawing a borderline between the Near Shore and Far Shore, shinki are able to avoid causing destruction to the living realm during battles. However, this skill does not always come naturally. For example, Yukine often failed to draw mental borderlines at first, despite having a natural talent for physical borderlines. Similarly, Yugiha is not well-practiced in maintaining mental borderlines without Kazuma's help, so Yugiha tends to damage the Near Shore when he isn't present.

• Purgatory (獄 (ごく) , Goku^?): Three shinki can entrap an opponent by each creating borderlines that intersect in the shape of a triangle.

• Ablution (禊 (みそぎ) , Misogi^?): Three shinki perform borderlines to create a Purgatory, entrapping a fourth shinki within it to carry out a purification ritual.

• Lance (矛 (ほこ) , Hoko^?): By drawing the line into the air rather than the ground, a borderline can be used as an offensive strike against an opponent. Against other shinki, this has been shown to be powerful enough to knock a person off their feet, draw blood, or potentially kill. Against ayakashi, it can be enough to exterminate them.

• Shield (盾 (たて) , Tate^?): A shinki can block a lance by performing another borderline to intercept it.
  • Borderlines can be blocked mentally, without use of a Shield; however, this seems to be a very rare occurrence.
  • Borderlines can also be used to block Bakufu.

Yukine maintains a borderline so that he cuts only the ayakashi.

Yukine is trapped in a Purgatory in preparation for his Ablution.

Ma clan shinki strike each other with Lances.

Restrictions

• The effectiveness of a borderline is affected by mental fortitude and the current power imbalance between the caster and target.
• Borderlines alone are not enough to kill a god. However, they can be used to trap a god.