This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [95]
And they soon realized that he was staring at none other than Kamisato Ayaka, the eldest daughter of the Kamisato Clan and the famed Shirasagi Himegimi, standing at the center of the front row.
Hearing his words, Ayaka understood that he was speaking to her. She quickly lifted her head and apologized softly.
"I... I'm sorry, Mr. Luo Qing, I was distracted for a moment..."
"Hmm, alright. Just don't let it happen again."
Luo Qing smiled and continued.
"By order of the Shogun, I'll be teaching you all my unique sword techniques for the next month. I hope we can all get along and enjoy this time together. Don't you agree, Miss Kamisato Ayaka?"
"Y-Yes..."
Ayaka's voice was soft, her emotions conflicted.
There was no doubt that Mr. Luo Qing was upset with her for avoiding him...
"Good."
Luo Qing nodded before addressing the rest of the crowd.
"One more thing—during this month, you are all required to address me as 'Master.' Understood?"
"Yes, Master!"
The crowd responded in unison.
Most of them had been training under sword masters since they were children, and calling someone 'Master' or 'Lord' was nothing new. They weren't from Liyue, so they didn't mind the cultural implications.
Hearing the chorus of "Master" from the group, Luo Qing felt a surge of satisfaction.
But something was still missing.
He lowered his gaze to Ayaka and gave her a gentle smile.
"Did you hear me, Miss Kamisato Ayaka?"
Ayaka's cheeks turned a faint shade of red as she averted her gaze, speaking softly, "Y-Yes, M-Master..."
Hearing Ayaka's voice, Luo Qing's heart soared.
Ah.
Now it felt right.
"Alright, that's enough talk. I'm sure you're all eager to see what I can do. I'll now demonstrate the sword technique I've developed—the Breath of Thunder!"
The crowd buzzed with excitement, curious to witness this so-called Breath of Thunder.
Just as anticipation reached its peak, Luo Qing added with a mischievous grin:
"For the demonstration, I'll need a volunteer to act as my opponent. Anyone can volunteer~."
Though he said anyone could step up, it was clear to everyone who he had in mind.
Throughout the entire announcement, Luo Qing's gaze had remained fixed on Ayaka, not wavering for a second.
Suddenly, a voice from the corner of the crowd called out:
"Master! I volunteer!"
"No, you don't."
"..."
[+1 Frustration Value from Kujou Sara]
Luo Qing cut the young man off without hesitation, silently cursing the boy's lack of awareness.
Then he turned back to Ayaka, his voice soft and encouraging.
"Is there anyone who wants to volunteer~?"
"..."
Ayaka glanced around, realizing that everyone was now staring at her. Feeling the pressure, she raised her hand timidly.
"Master... I-I volunteer."
"Thank you for volunteering, Miss Kamisato Ayaka."
Luo Qing jumped down from the platform, landing gracefully in front of Ayaka. He called out to the rest of the group.
"Make some space for me, everyone! Time to put on a show!"
...
A short while later.
The center of the training ground was cleared, leaving only Kamisato Ayaka and Luo Qing.
The rest had moved to the sidelines, including Teresa and Kujou Sara, who sat cross-legged on the edge, waiting for the demonstration to begin.
"M-Master... what should I do?"
Ayaka stood at one end of the training ground, gripping her personal sword tightly, her mind racing.
On the other side, Luo Qing was practically basking in the repeated sound of Ayaka calling him "Master." It took him a moment to gather his focus. He walked over to the weapons rack, selecting a bamboo practice sword.
"Don't hold back, Miss Kamisato Ayaka. Just come at me with everything you've got!"
"Is... is that really okay?"
Ayaka hesitated, glancing nervously at Kujou Sara.
She had no idea how strong Luo Qing was. Seeing him choose only a wooden sword, she feared that she might accidentally injure him if she wasn't careful.
"It's fine! Just attack!"
Luo Qing reassured her with a laugh, holding the wooden sword at his waist in a drawing stance.
"Alright then... Master, forgive me if I offend you."
With a deep breath, Ayaka closed her eyes briefly. When she reopened them, her entire demeanor had shifted—her gaze was now focused and resolute, the shyness of before gone.
She mirrored Luo Qing's stance, her hands poised to draw her blade.
Taking a steady breath, Ayaka charged, drawing her sword in a rapid strike aimed at Luo Qing. Her movement was swift and precise.
The onlookers watched in awe. As expected of the Shirasagi Himegimi—her sword skills were nothing short of exceptional.
All eyes turned to Luo Qing.
He stood there with his eyes closed, his head bowed slightly, hands gripping the wooden sword in the same drawing stance. He hadn't moved an inch.
Just as the spectators began to question why he wasn't defending, a long breath escaped Luo Qing's lips.
A faint golden lightning crackled along with that exhale.
The next moment, a crackling sound filled the air, and a flash of lightning blurred the vision of everyone present.
In the blink of an eye, Luo Qing was right in front of Ayaka.
His bamboo sword was inches from her waist—just a few centimeters more, and it would have struck.
Even though it was only a wooden sword, everyone knew that with the momentum Luo Qing had generated, even a wooden blade would have caused serious harm had it connected.
"Eh?!"
Startled by the sudden burst of power, Ayaka instinctively tried to step back.
But since she had been mid-strike, her body lost balance. As she stumbled backward, her left foot tripped over her right, and she started to fall.
Ayaka barely had time to react.
Before she could steady herself, Luo Qing's arm shot out, catching her around the waist.
"..."
For a moment, the training grounds were silent enough to hear a pin drop.
The crowd stared in shock. So that's why he insisted on Ayaka volunteering! It was all a setup so he could grab her like that!
Master Luo Qing truly has no shame...
I wish I could...
Meanwhile, feeling the softness of Ayaka's waist, Luo Qing's tone softened. "Are you alright?"
"I..."
Their faces were just inches apart, Ayaka's blush deepening as she looked away.
"T-Thank you, Master... I'm fine."
Quickly releasing herself from his grip, she stepped back, bowing deeply from a meter away.
"Master, I admit defeat."
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