Chapter 421: Tes (1/2)

Ruri and Akiha were on the rooftop of the condominium.

“And that’s…fine with you?”

“Well didn’t you say it’s important to pay attention to one’s feelings, Master?”

“There are technically…more important things.”

“But you haven’t done it, Master.”

“Then let’s begin…the test.”

After having a rather incoherent conversation, Ruri pulled out her katana and slowly drew a circle on the ground.

The circle was a meter in diameter. Ruri stood in the center, sheathing her sword and speaking to Akiha.

“Try to…force me out of here.”

“Heh, does that mean you won’t be using your clones?”

“Right…no clones.”

“And that’s really ok? It’s one thing for me to say, but I can seriously tell that I’ve gotten stronger. I won’t just pass the test, I’d probably win against you when you just stand there like that.”

“If you can accomplish that…you will have full mastership.”

“Alriiight, guess it’s time to get this over with. Oh, are there any other rules?”

“Alive or…alive.”

“Master, you’re so kind!”

After bending and stretching in preparation, she lunged straight for Ruri.

Bang!

Right before she had entered Ruri’s range, Akiha quickly thrust her hands out and slammed them together.

This particular movement is referred to as “nekodamashi” in sumo—-a surprise attack.

“Hyaah!”

And as Akiha lunged forward, she was met with a slash attack.

Her attempt to hinder Ruri’s vision had failed. Ruri kept her composure.

“That’s my master!”

“That was…a little sneaky of you.”

“That’s just me in a nutshell.”

“Amazing…Darling has done it again.”

“Heck yeah, but we both know that!”

Akiha brought out the various techniques she had learned from Ruri in her attacks.

Every movement was skilled and precise, and anyone watching would never imagine that she was a rookie-in-training.

Akiha aimed calculated blows at the vital spots.

Ruri staved off the attack.

She counterattacked with her katana, driving away Akiha.

This would repeat itself, with Akiha charging back at Ruri only to be repelled again and again.

Ruri wouldn’t leave the circle. In fact, her feet had not budged a single inch.

“Great stuff, Master! You overwhelm me like a yokozuna in sumo!”

“…Gottsuan (special sumo word for thank you).”

“Wanna try getting fat? Taiyou might be into that kind of thing when you do it.”

“I will consider it…at best.”

“Aww, you’re not gonna do it? That sucks.”

“I will consider it…with enthusiasm.”

“Oh, so you WANT to do it!?”

That surprised Akiha. The next moment, she went up a gear.

Compared to earlier, her movement had risen a level to where she was no longer just striking from the front, but approaching from either side with steps to the left and the right of Ruri.

Ruri and Akiha.

Their fight was reminiscent of boxers in a fighting ring, one approaching and the other defending.

There was Ruri, composed in the center and Akiha, restlessly maneuvering around her.

“Kuh!”

Akiha felt a clean hit in her flank, which prompted her to immediately rush off to the side, decreasing the impact of the hit.

“That was with…the back of the sword, just so you know.”

“Well shucks, thanks for the info!”