Swordplay With Sword Saint

[Good day to you. Thought that I'd thank you guys for 1k collections, it's a big milestone for me. Anyway, I really tried to get a lot more than just 12 chaps for mass release before the milestone so you'll have to forgive me if the chapters seem a little rushed since my plan was to get about 30 of em ready and polish them later, but how could I do that now?

Nevertheless, I hope you enjoy and thank you for the support.

-Author, Still Alive and Kicking<3]

Returning to the guild, Mitsuna handed in the request.

"Is it completed?"

"Yep."

"Alright. Here's the reward. Have a nice day."

Taking the money from the receptionist, Mitsuna walked outside and headed towards the smithy.

After Reaching the place, Mitsuna entered without knocking.

"Whaddya-!?"

"Hey."

"Oh, hello young lady. Your sword is almost complete, you can leave the payment on the desk there."

"Rightyo."

Leaving the gold on the counter, Mitsuna sat down nearby and watched as her sword was completed.

'You know... All this trouble, when I only asked for a regular sword.'

Watching the blacksmith finish the handle and take the blade out of the basin of water, Mitsuna noticed how all the water had turned into ice.

The ice itself had specks of light dancing inside of it.

As the blacksmith grabbed the blade and pulled it out, it was completely covered by an ice cube.

Smashing it onto the ground, the cube broke and the whisps of light stuck in the ice gathered at the edge of the sword.

Mitsuna looked on in interest as the gaps between the sharp teeth of the blade were filled with ice, leaving a long and slim edge.

As the sword glowed for a moment, the blacksmith looked at it with great satisfaction.

While Mitsuna was looking at it with interest as well, she suddenly sensed someone sneaking nearby.

Grabbing the hand that was about to steal the golden coins on the counter, Mitsuna tightened her grip as a squel exited the mouth of the assailant.

"Oi. Keep your hands to yourself if you want to keep em."

The blacksmith who looked in Mitsuna's direction after hearing the squel had a bead of sweat run down his forehead.

"Ah, young lady. You do not need to bother. That is my apprentice, I am sure he was just about to recount the provided payment and place it in my vault. Right?"

"Y-Y-Yes!"

Letting go of the hand after hearing the female voice cry out, Mitsuna sat back down.

"Fine, fine."

"Right, I only have to tweak a few more areas and the sword will be complete, it'll only take a moment."

"Take your time."

The blacksmith took the sword and sat down. Completely covering it with mana, he used a strange knife and engraved the letters W and M into the handle.

The W was right above the M and it looked more like a symbol than initials.

Handing the sword to Mitsuna, he spoke.

"You can name it whatever you wish. The sword is complete."

"Thanks. If I ever need another one I'll come request one."

"Be my guest. Have a nice one young lady."

"Cya."

As Mitsuna left, the eyes of the blacksmith narrowed as he looked toward his apprentice.

"Don't ever try anything like that again. You're lucky you kept that arm. If any other strong character would have sensed you trying to steal this entire shop would burn."

"Y-Yes teacher. Please f-forgive me."

"It's fine. We made a good customer today so I'm in a good mood."

"Why show so much respect?"

"I believe we'll hear about her a lot in the future. Of course, I'll show respect to a famous person who comes here as a customer."

...

As Mitsuna flopped on the bed in her inn room, she looked at her sword.

She didn't know what that spell the blacksmith used did to the sword but she couldn't complain.

The sword was course grey, the closer to the edge you got the more the blade had a cyan lustre. With the hilt taken into count, the sword looked like a muzori sword.

Liking the overall aesthetic, Mitsuna thought about a name.

'What about... Dusk? Nah too edgy. I'll go with... Uhhh...'

Looking at the sword closely, her eyes wandered outside the window.

"What about Repus?"

The sword glowed for a moment.

"Okay, guess I can't change it."

Looking at the sword, she noticed that... nothing changed.

"Cool."

Placing the sword in her [Item Box], Mitsuna left the inn and walked around the city.

After a few minutes, she felt hungry.

Following her base instincts, she went out and got some food at a local restaurant.

All she ordered was some baby back ribs and water.

And so, she enjoyed her meal.

...

Leaving the restaurant with a full stomach, she wiped her lips with her thumb.

'Right. Where is that Dojo?'

Asking around, she soon found herself in front of its doors.

As she was about to scale the steps in order to open the door and enter, a crying 30 or so year old man ran outside.

Dodging to the side as the man fell down the steps, Mitsuna felt slightly bad but even more confused.

'Huh.'

Entering the dojo, Mitsuna looked around.

Spotting a reception, which she did not expect at all, she came closer and spoke.

"Hey."

"Hello. What may I help you with today?"

"I'd like to challenge the sword saint."

"A Title challenge, are you not too young to-"

"No. Just a regular challenge. A workout, if you will."

"You want to challenge the sword saint so you can get a workout?"

"Pretty much."

"... Alright. I'll go and inform her."

Sitting down nearby, Mitsuna sensed her surroundings as she could feel how many crying people are training here.

If her hearing was correct, most of them had broken bones.

"You. What do you want."

As Mitsuna turned toward the voice, she was slightly surprised.

A girl who was about as tall as her had long blond hair that was tied into a messy ponytail, wearing long white cloth and donning a pair of pure black dull eyes that seemed to be void of any interest.

"Are you the sword saint?"

"Yes. Now, what do you-"

"Care for a spar?"

"..."

"Well?"

"Fine. Come with me."

As Mitsuna followed, the sword saint thought.

'Another one of these huh. Trying to impress me so I would take them as a disciple I bet. Even if it were that legend Mizuki herself I wouldn't take an apprentice nor disciple.'

As the sword saint looked at Mitsuna's calm yet excited face, she couldn't help but feel a tinge of scorn.

'Probably thinking she's all that just because her face is good. Most probably a noble too.'

As Mitsuna followed the sword saint to a private room where the walls were protected by magic, she got ready as she stretched, cracked her neck and took out her new sword.

"I'm ready if you are."

"Then what do you bet?"

"Bet?"

"Yes. I do not waste my time for free. If I win then I never want to see you anywhere near this building again."

"Why?"

"Because I know what you are really here for."

"I'm here because I hear that there is a strong sword saint here and I want to spar. My sword style isn't complete yet so I thought this would be a good learning opportunity."

"Hah! Don't joke like that. You just want to make a good impression so I would take you on as a disciple don't you?!"

"Yeah right. I am only the disciple of one. And you are nowhere qualified enough if you think you can replace her... If I win, then you quit wielding the sword. Happy?"

With Mitsuna being in a slightly bad mood, the sword saint felt a bit puzzled.

'A teacher better than me? Who could it even be?'

"Then. I change my victory prize. If I win, you tell me the name of your ever so great teacher."

"You're getting on my nerves."

Mitsuna used her skills [Branded] and [Personification of Jade] and suddenly appeared in front of the sword saint.

Her blade was pushed against her neck.

"Listen. You aren't worthy to know. I came here to get a workout not make childish bets like a worthless sword-swinging b*tch."

The sword saint looked Mitsuna in the eyes.

With the [Branded] skill, they looked like void incarnate with only a speck of light in the middle.

Kicking the sword saint to the ground, Mitsuna spoke.

"I came here to strengthen my blade. Not to play sh*ts and giggles with a useless broad. I'll be coming back tomorrow. I hope by then you have grown a brain to go with your attitude."

Placing her sword back in her [Item Box], Mitsuna left in a sour mood.

'Comparing herself to teacher. Who does she think she is?'

In her inn room, she laid down on her bed and mumbled to herself with furrowed brows.

'So rude. And she thinks she's strong?'

[Also I'm working on another book, check it out if you'd like.]