Ch. 32: Exercise

The sound of our swords clashing was like a resounding war chant.

The morning dew glistened on the tips of our swords, reflecting the light of the newly risen sun.

The silence of the morning was shattered by the clang of metal as our swords met. Keqing attacked with the agile movements of a swallow, while I parried each of her attacks with poise and precision.

At first I was quite calm.

But slowly I was put in a disadvantageous position.

It drove me crazy even though I was only training with Keqing.

The fight lasted for half an hour.

Keqing hasn't shown the slightest fatigue. While I was dripping with sweat.

I didn't expect our differences to be this far apart.

Fighting an expert cannot be compared to fighting a mindless monster.

When I was overwhelmed with attacks and decided to retreat first. Keqing continued to attack with incredible speed and agility.

Our swords clashed again and again.

I always heard the sound of clink after clink as our swords touched each other.

When I retreated once. Keqing would approach in an instant as if not allowing me to think calmly.

But... she always approached while exuding killing intent!

I knew that the killing intent was fake.

It couldn't be serious...

Slowly my body staggered, like a ship that lost its captain in a storm.

When I slipped and almost fell, Keqing swiftly approached at an unbelievable speed.

With the premise that I would be sliced in half, I couldn't help but dodge in an uncomfortable position.

My body was jerked to the side, like a dry leaf blown by a strong wind.

I did manage to avoid it.

But my feet lost their balance instead. An instant later, I fell to the ground, like a rag doll thrown up and left to free fall.

My eyes were closed. I closed them on purpose.

I lost... I thought I could accept this result. But unexpectedly I was so weak.

Since the fight started I haven't touched her at all with my sword.

When I attacked, she easily dodged it... if she didn't dodge, she would parry like a child.

If I was using Electro Vision... forget it.

My breathing sounded weak.

I tried to get up.

But... I was stopped. In front of my neck, the tip of Keqing's sword blade almost touched my neck.

It shone with the lustre of the sun about to rise.

I curled my lips wryly. Then put down the sword and raised my hands.

"You're too powerful miss," I said sincerely.

Keqing exhaled. Then she sheathed her sword in a style that was stunning and exciting to watch.

"Your stamina is decent, your fighting style too. It's your sword swing that's messed up." Before I could reply, she added, "Get up, we'll practice again."

Isn't this enough?

We've been practising for half an hour... I've already lost motivation because of the first defeat.

No, maybe I lost enthusiasm knowing that I was so weak.

I exhaled once more.

This is the first time I've been trained so hard, if it wasn't a beautiful woman or Keqing educating me... I might have left and been ignorant.

But the one training me now is Keqing... so why should I be lazy?

Fortunately, I have trained my body to be strong and accustomed to hard training.

The physical training and jogging I did every morning was not in vain.

I stood up. I took a deep breath and prepared my stance again.

After that I exhaled a long breath. "I'm ready."

Keqing nodded from a little distance away.

Her hand touched the hilt of her sword.

Then, without me noticing, she disappeared suddenly as if she had never been in front of me before.

My eyes widened.

Before I could respond, she was already standing in front of me and was about to pull the sword from its sheath!

It was aimed right at my neck!

As the sword was about to slash my neck, adrenaline instantly flooded my body.

What the hell?!

Does she really want to kill me?!

My body moved reflexively, like a string puppet being pulled forcefully. My hand shot up with lightning speed, parrying Keqing's attack with my sword.

The sound of metal clashing resounded, like lightning striking.

Keqing's sword was caught by mine, just inches from my neck.

My breath hitched, like a fish stranded on land.

I looked into Keqing's beautiful eyes.

So beautiful... I couldn't help but praise her, even though I was in danger.

However, I knew that I must not give up. I must fight back!

My body was trembling. I exerted all my strength to push the sword away.

Slowly, Keqing's sword began to shift. I kept pushing, with all the determination and courage I had.

Finally, I managed to push Keqing's sword away from me.

I took a few steps back, taking distance from her.

I was still trembling, still overwhelmed with fear.

She really was merciless...

After that, we continued to train for a full two hours without resting.

I was completely exhausted.

When I finished I felt like lying back down on the bed... but saw Keqing getting ready to leave.

I maintained my facial expression so as not to look exhausted.

Looking at her, I could tell she hadn't broken a sweat. This showed how weak I was. Now I realised my own position.

This had a pretty good effect. I really shouldn't be arrogant.

At the moment I was engrossed in myself, Keqing spoke to me.

"I'll go to work first as Liyue Qixing.

"After work, I'll come back here. Before sunset I promise to be here. I hope you won't be late either so as not to take up too much time."

I nodded, indicating that I understood.

"Good. Let's meet again later," she said with a smile.

As much as I wanted to ask her about the missing children... I exhaled.

I felt a clear sense of distance... it wouldn't be effective even if I asked her a few things, she definitely wouldn't respond.

I did ask her to teach me within a week. But that's it... I didn't ask for weird things like: be friends with me.

In that short period of time, I wouldn't be surprised if we didn't have a relationship at all if this was how it started.

What's most surprising is that in the midst of her busy schedule, she still accepted my request to teach me how to wield a sword for a week.

Hearing the word week, I remembered something: the quest I had just obtained a day ago.

I sighed.

I must do something about this quest. It was unknown what punishment would befall me later if I didn't complete this quest.

After this training, nothing has changed. My life was still the same.

I also did not have any contact with Keqing.

Keqing was too busy with her work.

In the afternoon, we will train again... maybe something will change after that.

What exactly was I looking for?

A close relationship with my own idol?

Probably yes, as a fan, I definitely want that kind of relationship.

After that I checked the Quest menu.

Besides the special quests, I saw another quest in the menu. I think this quest is just as strange.

[ CREATING HAPPINESS ]

This is a normal quest. There was no difference in the appearance and the rewards I got when I successfully completed the quest.

It's not as special as the special quests.

Knowing there were no things to do in this place, I left without taking my eyes back.

I didn't come to Katheryne's place first, but instead jogged and did my usual physical training.

After that, I thought I'd buy some food for breakfast.

***

Please throw a power stone to keep me motivated!

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