Chapter 5

How do I end up doing this?

"Dodge!"

I push all my strength into my legs and jump away at that incoming attack.

"Don't push all your strength! Manage your strength for a counter-attack. If you want to attack from a distance, good! However, you are holding a sword! Start from the beginning!"

In front of me is an Oni holding a katana. His name is Ryuji, and he is my trainer in sword fighting. I still remember how it started.

~Flashback~

"Oh! OH!"

I look at the man weirdly and slowly step back. I look at Yasaka with a confused expression.

"He is Ryuji, Jordan. He is my family's personal trainer. He is a weapon master that can use more than thirty close-combat weapons and a couple of long-range weapons."

After she says that, the older man grabs my hand and starts to examine it.

"And what is he doing? I prefer women."

"Fufufufu~ You don't need to worry about that, Jordan. He also prefers women. He has three wives, after all."

"Then what is he doing?"

"That… I don't know. This is the first time he is doing this."

After a few seconds of looking at my hands and arms, Ryuji nodded and looked at me.

"Become my student!"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Be my student! You have the perfect physique to be a sword master! Lean and strong, just like the blade. Your hand is flexible yet hard, just like Mythril! You are destined to be a swordmaster! Be my student! I will teach you all I know!"

I look around for a few seconds and sigh. I look at him and say.

"I'm sorry. I don't think I will stay in this country for long. However, if you are willing to teach me, as long as I'm here, I'm willing to learn."

Ryuji looks directly into my eyes, and I can see him searching for something. After a few seconds, he sighs and nods.

"Fine. I will teach you. However, only the basics. I want someone who is willing to dedicate himself as a swordmaster, and by the look of it, you did not want that kind of job, which is a shame."

"Thank you for your understanding."

"Think nothing of it. It is just a shame to have that physique and not train them as a swordmaster."

~End of Flashback~

And here we are.

"Here I come!"

I snap from my thoughts and raise my sword above my head. I block his first attack with my sword, but I can see him smirk at me.

"Too high!"

He twists his sword and throws me out of balance. He then uses his sword to push me, and as I fall to the ground, he puts his sword on my neck.

"And you lose."

He stabs his sword to the ground and helps me stand up.

"You are improving. Really? I don't feel like it. After all, it has only been a day since you trained me."

"Yes. Your body quickly gets used to the training I put you under, and slowly but surely, your body remembers the movement I teach you. Are you sure you don't want to be a full-time swordmaster? I will give you all the things you need."

"And I will still refuse, teach. Why do you want me as a student, anyway? You have a lot of students, right?"

"That is true, but I don't have any students specializing in swordsmanship. I have passed all my knowledge about other weapons to the people with the right requirement for my style, but no one has the sword style I invented. I don't want it to disappear."

"I see. Legacy, huh?"

"That's right. Legacy is an important thing for old people like me. Anyway, it looks like the young lady is waiting for you."

I look to the side and see Kunou already back from her school. Just how long is our training? Oh well.

I walk toward Yasaka, and Kunou then says.

"I'm sorry for the long wait."

Yasaka smiles at me and says.

"Fufufu~ Don't worry about it."

"Thank you. So, will we have a picnic?"

"Yup~ However, you need to take a shower first~"

I look down and nod.

"Fair enough. Be right back."

~An hour later~

"Hmmm, this Tuna Onigiri is good."

"Thank you. It is my own recipe."

I eat the last piece of onigiri while my left-hand pats Kunou, snoring lightly on my lap. The poor girl got tired after playing for more than half an hour. She has a lot of stamina, but constant running from our game of tag makes her tired.

"You know Jordan~ You are good with kids."

"Hmmm? Really? I'm already used to it because my neighbors often leave their children to me when they have business outside or just want alone time."

"Really? Do they just leave them like that? Are they not afraid?"

"Not really. Not only have we been neighbors for a long time, but my hometown is small, you know? We now call each other by our first name and help each other."

"It sounds nice."

"It is a nice town. A little bit boring, though."

"I prefer a slow and boring life to… this."

"You don't like your job?"

"Is it really a job when you inherit it?"

I can see loneliness and sadness inside her eyes. She shakes her head, and I can see her change into her usual expression, flirty and cheerful.

"Anyway! I want to ask if you are willing to sell us the Sacred Gear?"

"Oh? The Blade Blacksmith?"

"Yes. I know it is a valuable item you can use, but we are willing to negotiate with you for the price."

I look at her for a few seconds and say.

"Give me a katana. A great quality katana, and I will trade it with the Sacred Gear."

"What? Are you sure? Blade Blacksmith can make a sword greater than any mortal can make. Only a few blacksmiths can surpass what the Sacred Gear can make in a blink of an eye."

"I'm sure. Hmmm… Think of this as a favor I do for you. Maybe in the future, you will pay that favor back."

She looks at me for a few seconds and smiles.

"If you keep doing this, I might think you are courting me."

I give her a small smile and say.

"What if I try to court you?"

"Then you need to know the consequences of courting a Nine-Tailed Fox Youkai."

"Oh? What is it?"

She gets closer to me and releases a low but flirty voice near my ear.

"You will never be able to get away from us, for we are a possessive creature."

She smirks, gets up from the ground, and walks to the nearby toilet. I can see her swinging her hips left and right.

That vixen will be the death of me. I just know it.