Volume 8 Chapter 3 Part 1 (1/2)
The day after the visit to Kujou Tadahisa.
s.h.i.+n had been swinging Kakura since early morning, with his Limit completely removed.
”Fuuh!!”
His abilities were now completely unrestrained, but he was obviously careful not to damage the surroundings.
If he used his full strength it would be more difficult to control himself, but as long as he relaxed it was easy enough. His Limit had also been removed when he fought Barlux, Bayreuth's guild master, after all.
Little by little, he put more strength into his swings, carefully monitoring any changes. He still couldn't grasp it completely, but between understanding and not understanding how to control the blade, a small difference in power was born.
At that moment, he wasn't thinking if, in the future, he would have had to hold back his strength at full release mode.
”Kuu.”
”Oh, is it time?”
s.h.i.+n had told Yuzuha to check the time so he could put things in order and change before breakfast.
”Ehm, you may come out, you know?”
”..so you noticed.”
s.h.i.+n spoke towards the edge of the veranda, and an embarra.s.sed Karin showed herself.
”I did all I could not to bother you”
”That's all right. I just noticed that you were there, you didn't distract me.”
Just like the time before, s.h.i.+n had noticed that Karin was close. And just like the time before, she had been careful not to bother him.
”I think it's still early for breakfast though?”
”Yes, well, I was just curious to see what kind of training you did. After all, your match yesterday against sir Kankurou was truly impressive.”
”Oh, I see. I didn't do anything special thoughby the way, what did you think of my fighting style?”
s.h.i.+n was concerned about it, so he took advantage of the opportunity to ask Karin's opinion.
”What I think?”
”My sword arm, I mean. I have to admit, I have received some training in the art of the sword, but most of it is self-taught.”
As a player, s.h.i.+n was more than powerful enough.
However, in a sword fight with no stats differences, he would not have matched Kankurou or Karin, who had spent much more time honing their technique.
The basis of s.h.i.+n's strength was not only his extensive experience in battles against monsters and other humans, but also the great variation of magic spells and skills at his disposal.
His job did not have any weapon limitations, so he could use many main weapons: swords, spears, bows, etc.
This is because he generally battled solo. He would quickly change weapons to strike the opponent's weak points and conduct the fight in his favor.
Some think that mastering one type of weapon would make one stronger, but s.h.i.+n did not choose that path.
To learn without being taught, and increase one's ability by leaps and boundss.h.i.+n had not been blessed by such an overwhelming form of talent.
In a way, it could be said that s.h.i.+n's sword was the fruit of his great talent in studying.
”.I think it would be presumptuous and arrogant of me to talk, butwell, something that concerned me was your body's movements.”
”My movements?”
”Yes. In the Saegusa style handed down in my family, we focus our whole body in each swing of the blade. A precise, flowing slash, under the full control of our will, is considered the apex of the Saegusa style. In comparison, your blade seems to waver, following your body's movements. I suppose you probably did not make your body remember each technique's form, but only fought in actual battles?”
”Amazing, that's completely true.”
After being taught the sword, s.h.i.+n spent little time training. Most of his technique had been honed on the battlefield. After all, since he was within a game, even if he didn't perform the best, most ideal movements, as long as the system judged it effective he could cause damage.
Soon s.h.i.+n's movements became more refined, and he stopped caring about the techniques' form.
”Sir s.h.i.+n, your physical abilities are exceptional. Slight unsteadiness has never been a problem, I'm sure.”
”But from here on out, I can't keep saying that, can I.”
In the current world, the old damage judgement system is gone. The slight unsteadiness that Karin pointed out would influence the damage inflicted.
”Here on out?”
”I can't have my body be in control forever.”
He had no intention of defeating any master of the sword, but simply becoming able to fully handle his own power.
Since he felt he was not using his strength properly, s.h.i.+n wanted to perfect his control over his power, now that he had the time.
”Wellif you would be satisfied with me, I could teach you some of the basics. You will stay in our house until your companions arrive, so I think it could be useful to you.”
”I would be more than grateful, but is it alright to teach an outsider?”
s.h.i.+n cast doubt to Karin's sudden proposal.
”I believe that you would not use my teachings for any wrong purpose. What sir s.h.i.+n needs now is understanding and control of his physical abilities. I would not impart to you teachings concerning our school's techniques, and doubt anyone would be outraged at just some private lessons. I teach the basics at other dojos too, after all.”
No, someone probably wouldthought s.h.i.+n. Though to be trained by the 3rd seat of Hinomoto's Brave Ten was something he hadn't even hoped for, so he chose to not worry about small things.
”Well then, let us start training right after breakfast then.”
”Thank you very much.”
After breakfast, the two moved to the Saegusa dojo. The place Karin led s.h.i.+n to was a quiet dojo: apparently the lessons for their students were held in another one.
s.h.i.+n lowered his stats with Limit and had Karin point out where he was lacking. Probably because he had been self-taught for a long time, s.h.i.+n had more weird quirks than he thought.
”You use many other weapons other than the katana, I think that is one reason too.”
Karin explained that using many weapons had created a hotbed for the birth of quirks in his fighting style.
”Kuaaa”
Yuzuha yawned as she watched over the two.
One evening, a few days after Karin had started giving private lessons to s.h.i.+n.
Sitting on the veranda outside the room a.s.signed to him, s.h.i.+n was listening to Schnee's report.
”(.I see. So there weren't any major troubles after that.)”
”(Yes. We could escort lady Hermie safe and sound. For safety, Wilhelm is with her, but I'm sure she will be alright unless something extraordinary happens.)”
Milt had been sent to attack the Summit Faction base, so only Wilhelm had remained to guard Hermie. He was the one she had opened her heart to the most during their travels, so excluding battle prowess, he was the best choice.
”(That's rea.s.suring. Nothing in particular is going on here at the moment, but I have a few concerns. Don't let your guard down when you come, just in case.)”
”(I know. See you soon.)”
s.h.i.+n cut the Mind Chat after Schnee's last words, spoken with a cheerful tone. It also depended on the winds, but their arrival to Hinomoto would be about one week later.
s.h.i.+n gazed at the sky, thinking that it would be nice to use this opportunity to do some sightseeing in Hinomoto. A beautiful full moon was hanging in the darkness.
”A garden in the moonlightnot bad at all.”
”It's a beautiful moonlit night.”
s.h.i.+n had talked to himself, but he heard someone answer. He had noticed it already, so he wasn't surprised; it was Karin, wearing an indoor kimono. Her silky black hair gleamed in the moonlight.
”Father gave me some good sake, so I thought of bringing you some.”
Karin was carrying a tray with a bottle and small cups.
”I see. We have a beautiful moon out too, let's enjoy some moonlight sake then.”
s.h.i.+n was not a big drinker in the real world, so this was his first time to enjoy the tradition of drinking sake while gazing at the moon.
”Here you go.”
”Eh? Oh, thanks.”
Before s.h.i.+n could take the bottle to pour himself a cup, Karin did it for him. There were two small cups, so she would probably drink too.
After she poured the sake for him, s.h.i.+n did the same in return.
It was probably ”THE NEW GATE's” type of sake. Its sweet aroma reminded s.h.i.+n of the Ginjo style of flavor.
Recalling how he had tried it at a gathering in university, s.h.i.+n put the cup to his lips, feeling a faintly sweet aroma and a firm, clean taste. s.h.i.+n was not an expert by any means, but thought it was really delicious.
The moonlit sky seemed to make the sake even more pleasant. Maybe it was also because a beautiful girl like Karin was pouring it too.
”So beautiful.”
”Yes!? Ah, er, that's right! The moon is really beautiful!”
Karin's surprised reaction made s.h.i.+n turn to look at her, but she was looking straight at the sky.
”What's wrong?”
”No, nothing at all.”
She seemed really nervous. The graceful, elegant demeanor she had until a moment ago had gone away somewhere.
”Does it have anything to do with the two people behind the pillar?”
”..so you had noticed.”
”Well, I think it would be harder not to”
s.h.i.+n had detected that, at the edge of the veranda just behind a corner, Kuyou and Kayo were hiding. Kuyou's eyes emanated a faint killing intent. Anyone who had experience of battle would have realized.
”Did something happen?”
”actually, mother told me to get to know you more.”
”Know me more?”
The sake served the purpose of facilitating conversation, probably.
”I wonder why, did I do anything disrespectful?”
”Not at all, actually.what I'd like to know is.what food you like, what things you like, what kind of.women you like.”
The last words left Karin's lips in a whisper.
”AaahI see, that's what it is? She wants me to do a marriage interview?”
Why would Karin's mother Kayo ask her daughter to gather that information? s.h.i.+n had guessed the reason, but avoided saying it outright.
During his stay in the Saegusa house, s.h.i.+n had had the chance to learn more about Hinomoto's warrior families.
As it had been the case with Kayo, Hinomoto women tended to marry young, and it was not strange to give birth in their late teens.
For someone like Karin, who was female and part of the Brave Ten, it would be natural to have a fiance.
The Saegusa house however, placed a great focus on battle ability: Kuyou wouldn't approve of a lacking candidate, but to find someone that he, 2nd seat in the Hinomoto Brave Ten, would accept was a difficult feat.
”Mother, well, she said that sir s.h.i.+n would surely pa.s.s.and father also seemed to accept.”
It seemed that thanks to his duel with Kankurou, s.h.i.+n had satisfied their expectations. Judging from Karin's words, Kayo was the main instigator behind it all.
”Did he really accept? The killing intent coming from him is getting gradually stronger”
Kuyou's killing intent was gradually growing as time pa.s.sed. Even if he had accepted, his feelings as a father were a different thing.
”Well, you seeI am really sorry, but I already have a fiancee. I'm afraid I cannot accept that proposal.”
”Eh..? Oh, I see. Of course! A man like you would surely have at least one fiancee!!”
After hearing s.h.i.+n's reply, Karin opened her eyes wide for an instant, then showed an exaggerated reaction.
She was partly surprised, partly relievedmixed feelings swirled inside her, and for s.h.i.+n it was difficult to read her expression for a while.
”I'm sorry for bringing up something so weird. It's a beautiful night, and I almost ruined it.”
”Personally, I feel honored to have you serve me sake.”
”Oh, I'm glad to hear that.”
Karin bowed, then walked away in Kuyou and Kayo's direction. Their presence disappeared too, probably thanks to Karin.
”Marriage, huh”
In the former world too, there existed the concept of marriages focused on households or bloodlines, but s.h.i.+n had never had anything to do with such things.
If Karin had really fallen in love with him, it would be understandable for them to talk to s.h.i.+n about marriage, now that he knew about the Saegusa house's circ.u.mstances. s.h.i.+n, however, had no recollection of any episodes that could have turned her ”like” into ”love”.
There were happenings that might have made her think of s.h.i.+n that way, like when he performed CPR and a cardiac ma.s.sage on her.
”It's too early for a student like me to think about that”
s.h.i.+n's original ”status” was university student. Marriage wasn't something too far off in the future, but still it didn't feel realistic yet.
”.sigh”
After leaving s.h.i.+n, Karin shoved Kuyou and Kayo in their bedroom, then returned to her room.
Her body, which felt strangely heavier than usual, lying in the futon, she stared at the ceiling.
”A fiancee”
s.h.i.+n's battle prowess is extremely high. Outside Hinomoto, he could be a very successful adventurer.
Karin knew that s.h.i.+n's name was actually starting to become known.
Tadahisa had forbidden anyone to forcibly pull s.h.i.+n to their side, but in case of mutual affection there would be no problem.
”I should be happy that a troublesome thing has been taken care of, and yet”
Karin had always focused on swinging her sword, without caring to practice bridal duties. She had left Hinomoto as an adventurer, so she could cook and sew to an extent, but Karin had never considered the possibility of marriage.
.at least, that's how it was supposed to be.
”..sigh.”
She wouldn't stop sighing after going back to her room.
Maintaining one's condition was also a warrior's duty. Yet after talking with s.h.i.+n, she found herself unable to.
She knew what this feeling was.
The ident.i.ty of the weariness enveloping her body. It was ”loss”.
A sensation felt after losing something of importance. A sensation similar to powerlessness.
That was strange, though. She hadn't lost anything.
”Beautiful, huh”
s.h.i.+n's words were looping inside Karin's mind.
Looking at s.h.i.+n, it was clear enough that those words had not been directed at her. Despite that, she was almost comically surprised by them.
Her face still felt flushed.
At the same time, she could feel a clenching pain, deep in her chest.
Karin knew this sensation too.
”Am I.attracted to sir s.h.i.+n?”
She had seen him for the first time on the s.h.i.+p they had boarded to return to their homeland. She understood he was a man of great ability, but he was still just another pa.s.senger.
As they talked, she simply had the impression that he probably wasn't a bad person.
She was surprised at his strength during the battle against the Gale Serpents.