"Would you like me to train with you?" Ryo asked.
"Sure. Its been a long time since we sparred. Please give me pointers along the way!"
"Then I won't hold back!" Ryo replied, drawing his sword as well.
"Although," he continued, "I won't infuse any of my attacks with magic, since you clearly can't take it as you are weaker now. Lets make this a fair and equal fight, in terms of skill only."
"Fine by me." Miko replied, readying herself by gripping onto her sword tightly, in an attack stance. Following this, Ryo adjusted his position into a defensive stance to prepare himself to counter attack. When they both seemed ready, Miko charged forward, lunging onto Ryo, who perfectly met her attack head on, blocking and deflecting it. The two exchanged blows. When Miko swung her blade towards Ryo's head, he leaned back to duck, successfully dodging it. Then, to counter attack, he swung his blade in the direction of Miko's legs, trying to throw of her balance, one of the most important thing to maintain in battle or your life will be lost. Sensing this, Miko quickly lept into the air, trying to dodge the blade. However, due to her cultivation being lost, she sensed it a little too late and it left a small cut by her calf. She hissed in pain, but readied herself for the next attack. Being distracted by pain could also cause one to lose. Just like that, the two exchanged blows for a good two hours.
At the end of their sparring session, They both fell to the ground, exhausted. Both of them were perspiring, sweat covering their skin, making them sticky. Although Ryo was tired, that was the end of it for him. For Miko, she had small cuts in several places. Some on her calf, a few on her arms as well as one on her left cheek. They were both breathing heavily, gasping for air as they laid on the ground. Miko lifted her hand to wipe a drop of sweat forming on her forehead.
"Who knew you would be this injured. You suck." Ryo remarked. He had not expected Miko to be this weak. Although sword arts had no connections to magic, other than infusing your attacks, it was still neccessary for hightened senses. Due to her becoming weaker, Miko was sensing the attacks too late for her to dodge. On potentially fatal blows that were easy to sense and block, Ryo had to quickly adjust his strength, so that he did not injure her to badly. This resulted in the several cuts on her body.
"Shut up." Miko replied, still breathing heavily. They both decided to get up and head into the village. Inside, there was a small stream, with gentle, flowing waters that trickled by the banks. When they reached, Miko quickly bent down and cupped her hands together, such that they acted like a bowl. She scooped up the water, before downing it. Ryo did the same, drinking the water. They both then started deciding where to go later, after quenching their thirst.
"Its almost lunch soon. Where do you want to go?" Ryo asked.
"I want to try visiting the human village. I haven't went there for a long time." Miko replied.
"How about tommorrow? Its my last day off then, and i can show you where to find me then if you ever need anything." Ryo replied.
"Sure. Then lets eat at another restaurant in the town." Miko replied. The two exited the village and headed north for about half an hour before arriving at the town. Many foxes walked up and down the streets, some in half-human form, others in full fox bodies. They both went further up the street this time, and arrived in a small restaurant. It was small but not shabby, as it was well kept. Ivy plants hung off its roof, with bluebells acting as its bell. They had tiny bells attatched to it, such that it rung when ever a customer opened the door. The door swung open when the walked in, a waiter immediately darting to their side.
"A seat for two? Would you like the couple menu? We have discounts for them for today, since its the boss's anniversary with her husband." The waiter smiled. An awkard silence spread among them.
"Uhh... actually... we are just friends..." Ryo quickly explained.
"Oh! Sorry for the misunderstanding! Please take a seat!" The waiter quickly replied, before scurrying off with their order they just placed. So embarrassing...
"Why didn't you say we were a couple?! We could have got a discount!" Miko quickly jabbed at Ryo under the table.
"Do you want to be a couple with me so bad? I get that I am handsome, but i guess if you want I will be more than willing to comply for a day." Ryo smirked. Miko blushed a crimson red. She quickly turned her gasp into a cough.
"I was just saying we could have cheaper stuff... Who even wants you..." Miko replied, no longer daring to look him in the eyes. He is kinda handsome... But why would she ever admit it? Wait no, Takei is the most handsome, Miko reminded herself. However, a part of her still thought Ryo was handsome. His silver hair to his sapphire blue eyes. All of that looked mystifying on him. Miko quickly shook her head to chase that thought out. Shouldn't be thinking about him like that.
Both of them consumed their meal, enjoying the bento box they ordered. When they had finished, they headed to the counter and Ryo quickly tossed a few spirit stones just enough to cover their meal.
"Thank you for comming! Please come back again!" The fox girl at the counter chimed.
Spirit stones could be found in mines all over the forest. They were deep underground, and depending on how much magic they contained, the rarer they were. Proportionally, the rarer ones glowed brighter than the more common ones. They were up to nine grades of spirit stones. The rarest being nineth grade and the most common being first grade. They grew in abundance, the nodes growing many shards of crystals a day. Strangely however, all stones of the same grade were of the same size. They also had many uses, one being used for currency between beasts, another being used to help with cultivation, although rarely used as a single first grade stone give you no more than an hour's worth of cultivation. It was also used as fuel when luminecent fire was needed to refine potions and pills, as well as material as a base for magical treasures and objects.
"So... where to now?" Ryo asked.
"Hmm, I would like to increase my cultivation, so maybe I want to try increasing my affinity to ice and fire." Miko responded. Each beast could only cultivate two magic cores of different affinities, otherwise they risk rupturing their natural spirit root, which if damaged could end their cultivation journey. Of course, only a quarter of the beast poppulation could do that, since they must have special constitutions. For those without such fortune, they could increase their single magic core's capabilities, making it require less mana for them to control an element. So, for those capable of cultivating duo magic cores, they have to choose two affinities to cultivate to, or choose to improve an existing affinity, just like the more common route. Most choose this method, because they can regenerate mana in that element faster, control it more easily and cultivate it specifically, which can make their cultivation faster by two times.
The two strolled to the village library, one of the most poppular places for learning as it was filled to the brim with thick books that contained basic to intermediate to advanced sword arts, including other weaponry. They also had different basic cultivation techniques, as they needed to be forged by the individual to see what works best for them. After all, everything starts with trial and error...