The Mentor and Apprentice

"If you want to survive and become stronger, you have to face me with everything you have. This is the only way."

"As if!"

Hokushin's gaze hardened. "Is that... your answer?"

"Yeah."

"...I'm disappointed."

"Why...?"

"Because a weakling like you wouldn't survive out there."

"...Weakling..."

That's right, I'm a weakling. But do I have to kill someone just to become stronger? There are other ways.

"No... That's wrong," Hokushin said, her voice cutting through my thoughts as if she could hear them. "To become strong, you have to experience hardship. A true swordsman never stops swinging, even when their body is exhausted."

Hokushin's eyes bore into mine, "The woman and the blade are one, unparalleled in the world. The heart of a warrior is forged through birth and death, suffering and perseverance. All beings are equal in this struggle."

As she spoke, her expression shifted, as if she was recalling something from long ago. Her voice softened, echoing a memory. "Annihilation is the way of human beings, the way of heaven, and the way of all living beings. The ultimate end of all things is the way of Houkai."

"That's right... Master," Hokushin murmured to herself, then dashed forward, her blade poised to strike.

"Wait!–" I barely had time to react. I clasped my hands and unsheathed my purple katana, blocking her attack just in time. "You're serious...?"

Hokushin didn't respond. Her attacks came faster, each strike a test of my resolve. The clash of our blades echoed through the forest, each impact a reminder of the brutal reality I faced.

"Fine... It looks like I'll have to give you everything I've got," I muttered, steeling myself for the onslaught.

Hokushin's eyes flashed with a mixture of determination and something that almost looked like pride. She pressed her attack, her blade moving with lethal precision. 

I dodged a downward slash, feeling the wind from her blade whip past my face. I countered with a swift upward strike, aiming for her exposed side, but she deflected it with ease, her movements fluid and effortless.

"You're improving, But you need more than just skill. You need to understand the essence of the blade."

I gritted my teeth, pushing back against her relentless assault.

"Good," Hokushin said, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Now, let's see how far you can go."

As exhaustion crept through my body, I stumbled back, gasping for breath.

Hokushin's eyes were sharp, her blade unwavering. "Oh? Running away? Hmph... Go ahead... Run."

I shook my head, panting heavily. "No... I'm not running. Just... catching my breath."

Her gaze remained intense, "If you show weakness now, the enemy will show no mercy. You must push through."

My grip tightened on my katana, "You don't have to say that twice..."

But if I don't take a moment to breathe, I won't last much longer.

 "Very well. But know this: in the real battle, there are no pauses. You must learn to endure, to push past your limits even when every muscle screams in protest."

I'm starting to get frustrated... It's like I'm fighting a boss without an element break bar.

It also reminds me of that one boss where you have to destroy the swords before breaking his element break bar... Ugh...!

Taking a deep breath, I straightened up, feeling the strain in every fiber of my being. I met her gaze, determination burning in my eyes. 

"Oh? There we go."

I lunged forward, channeling my remaining strength into a series of strikes. Each movement was deliberate.

Hokushin countered effortlessly, her strikes precise and unyielding. The clash of our blades echoed throughout the forest.

Hokushin's attacks grew fiercer, testing my limits with every blow. But instead of faltering, I found a new rhythm, a steadiness that came from within.

As our blades locked once more, Hokushin's expression shifted, "Good. You're starting to look like a swordsman."

"You're mocking me and it's already frustrating."

I dashed back, taking a firm stance. With a swift motion, I swung my katana, and a surge of purple energy followed the blade, forming an air slash that cut through the air with a crackling intensity.

Hokushin's eyes widened briefly in surprise before she expertly dodged to the side, the energy slash missing her by inches. She looked at me with a smug, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "Impressive."

Hokushin didn't give me a moment's rest. She advanced again, her strikes faster and more precise. I parried and countered, the purple energy enhancing each of my moves, creating a dance of light and steel.

As we fought, the forest around us seemed to blur, the world narrowing down to just the two of us and the clashing of our blades. Every swing, every block, was a testament to my resolve.

Faster...! 

Leave no trace of opening!!

With a final, decisive slash, Hokushin's katana shattered into countless pieces, leaving her momentarily stunned. As she retreated, her eyes darted to the remnants of her broken weapon, disbelief written across her face.

"What...!?" Her voice carried a mix of surprise and awe as she scrambled to make sense of the situation. "You really pushed your limi–" Her words trailed off abruptly as her gaze shifted back to me, her expression freezing in recognition.

For a fleeting moment, I saw a flicker of something in her eyes, a recognition that went beyond the present moment. It was as if she had glimpsed a ghost from her past, a memory that stirred something deep within her.

"Master... Takema...?" Her voice was barely a whisper.

Despite the exhaustion weighing heavily on me, I remained steady, my breathing slow and measured as I took up a defensive stance. "I trust my weapons... They will never break," I replied, my voice firm and unwavering. "Thus... Let us continue this duel..."

Hokushin's eyes widened in realization, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. With a swift motion, her appearance shifted, her clothes transforming and her broken katana igniting into purple flames. The air around her crackled with energy as her eyes took on a new intensity.

"You noticed that this round was just a warm-up... Do you?" she remarked, her voice laced with anticipation.

I nodded, my own determination matching hers. "Yeah... I haven't used my Herrscher powers yet and have only been able to control my Honkai energy... but now, thanks to you... I'll be able to control them."

I believe you'll grow even stronger, Shin... I envy your friends, whom you hold so dear.

One day, I hope to find companionship like that as well...

That's why, even as a spirit...

Free me