83 Third Week, Practical Use

The third week was upon both Mitsuna and Natash.

They had their Styles figured out, Mitsuna only needed to fully complete hers.

At the start of the week, on Monday, Empathy called them both inside.

"Oi. Get in."

"Yes, Teacher."

"Okay."

Stepping in and sitting down like usual, they waited for Empathy to speak.

"Alright brats. Your Styles are good enough for now. Pick a Technique row that you wish to use."

Natash instantly said that she wanted Twilight. Mitsuna guessed that she liked the colour that shined from the crystal from back then.

Mitsuna took a second to think before choosing. The 2 options she was on were Eclipse and Dawn.

'From Teachers reaction, Eclipse is rare and dawn has something strange about it. The dawn Technique was different compared to Natash's.'

Since she did not know much about what was different between the 2 Dawn Techniques, Mitsuna told Empathy that her choice was Eclipse.

'It's better than not knowing how it works at all.'

"Good choices." Empathy said as she stood and placed her hands on both Mitsuna's and Natash's heads.

"I'm going to show you something. Try to remember as much as you can."

Suddenly, hundreds of different images flashed through their minds.

From different ways of slashing to long-ranged swordsmanship all composed of the Eclipse and Twilight Techniques.

Different Subtypes also flashed through with the Main types used as a foundation. Eclipsed Night, Eclipsed Snow, Twilight Grass, Twilight Roots and so on.

Natash let out a groan of pain as she held her head, but Empathy did not take her hand off her head.

The images started flashing faster, they were more detailed and clearer.

Natash's head was banging in pain. The images did not stop.

"Get through the pain." Empathy said while furrowing her brows.

The images did not stop. Natash tried to take her head away but Empathy tightened her grip, refusing to let her take her head away.

Mitsuna was doing fine as the Eclipse Technique didn't have many images since it was rare.

She looked towards Natash only to see her grit her teeth in pain.

After a moment, Empathy removed her hand from Mitsuna's head.

She started cycling through the information her teacher had given her.

Natash was feeling too much pain. The Twilight Techniques had many users and even more moves.

Natash tried to pry off her teacher's hand but failed. She screamed in pain.

After another moment, she fainted as Empathy removed her hand.

"Looks like that was too much for her," she muttered.

"Mitsuna, you go start training your Techniques. If you can then make your own, there aren't many Eclipse Technique users so it shouldn't be hard."

"Yes, teacher. Will Natash be okay?"

"She'll be fine. Her brain just has to sort through the information I gave her."

"How did you show us that anyway?"

"I just projected some of my memories to you. I have seen my fair share of Techniques across my life."

"Alright. I'll go start training."

"Go ahead. I'll stay and look after Natash here. Good luck, B."

Mitsuna had to train by herself for the next 2 days. By the end of the second day, she had found a simple Technique she could use.

The System automatically named it Cresent Eclipse.

On the third day, Natash awoke. Mitsuna was relieved and had her stay back for the day while she went to hunt.

In the evening, Empathy made them choose a Subtype to compliment their Main.

Natash said that she had chosen Illusion while Mitsuna took Sakura.

Natash already had good control of illusions so her choice was expected.

Mitsuna picked it so she wouldn't forget her previous life. Besides that, she also thought she could use Sakura petals to attack from multiple different directions, which would counteract Natash's Illusions.

Natash started working on her first Technique move while Mitsuna started on her second.

By the end of the third day, they both completed their objective.

Natash finished her first Technique move while Mitsuna got her second.

Natash's move was named Illusion Strike.

Mitsuna's was named Sakura Monsoon.

This continued until Friday with both of them working on their Techniques.

Empathy sometimes stepped in and sparred with them.

Neither Mitsuna nor Natash could land a hit.

Empathy was growing just as well as they were. Mitsuna's example of breathing and mana flow manipulation gave Empathy some inspiration.

They couldn't even get their swords close to her, she always seemed a kilometre away and yet right in front of them at the same time.

By the end of Friday, they had a total of 4 Techniques each.

Natash wouldn't stay far behind even if she took a week-long break from training.

During the night of Friday, Empathy called on them so she could fulfil her role as a teacher a little more.

"I guess it's the perfect time to tell you both now that each Techniques can have a total of 5 moves, the last being the Bladework for it. Since you both have 4 moves mostly mastered you should start working on your Bladework tomorrow. A Bladework is a special attack that each Technique has though its effect depends on the user."

"Swordsmanship is really wide isn't it?"

"Well yes, but actually no. Most people learn from their masters step by step and today's swordsmen aren't the most outside the box thinkers. Rather they are all in the same box. Most moves are copies from others but with a different Technique."

"Ah. I see."

During this whole exchange, Natash had been silent.

"Well go train some more. You don't need any sleep today."

Mitsuna and Natash took their leave outside as Empathy started preparing.

"They've had enough time..."

...

Back outside, Natash stopped walking and placed her hand on Mitsuna's shoulder.

"Yeah Nat? What is it?"

"Mitsuna... When the week ends, next Monday... promise to spar with me seriously, like your life is on the line."

"Where is this coming from? You want to test your Techniques on someone who won't dodge them all?"

"..."

Getting her joke ignored, Mitsuna slightly furrowed her brows.

"Nat?"

"...Promise, yes?"

"Alright. I promise but what's wrong?"

"... Heh. You were right I wanted to try my Techniques... yes."