After learning for quite some time, Sougo made the decision to hone his katana for some time before mixing it with magic. The more Sougo trained, the more probable it was that he would be in the magic-charging condition, which may make Sougo's sword more powerful and larger, similar to when Mika shot the Unabī.
The first order of business for Sougo was to release the wind magic from his blade, transforming it into a magic slash. Sougo may engage in farther-reaching combat in this manner.
"Keep practicing, after that, you'll teach me." Mika requested Sougo to train him after this was finished.
"Teach what?" Sougo asked with eyes filled with perplexion.
"You see, I'm a novice with a sword. I figured that you could be my teacher in exchange for showing you how to use magic when I watched you swing that blade with such grace and speed." Mika responded.
To be able to engage his opponents at close ranges, Mika desired to acquire fundamental close-quarters combat techniques. Mika had only ever considered utilizing his magic at close ranges; he had always used it at a distance. So, Mika was interested in finding out more about Sougo's combat technique.
Sougo, however, disagreed.
"You may train that later, what you should be training is: your aim," Sougo promised to train Mika, however, Sougo suggested Mika train his aims first.
"Good thinking, if there were situations that would come across like before again, I still might need some improvements over my aims." As Mika agreed to Sougo's request, his fingers were resting on his chin.
Up until he was fortunate enough to hit it perfectly to the target's skull, Mika was incredibly afraid of missing his shot at the time. Mika then gave Sougo's remarks some thought.
As Mika had before stated, he was accustomed to using his latent potential—acquired through training—to dispatch his prey with lightning arrows. He had a poor aim and had consistently fired at stationary targets. He was accustomed to firing ricochet or homing arrows at this point.
"Alright, I'll practice my aim." Mika summoned his bow and arrow out of thin air, surprising Lusina except for Sougo who got used to unfathomable wizardry.
"How did you do that?!" Lusina was shocked that she thought it was another of Mika's advanced magic.
"It's a pocket dimension magic, it's common knowledge for witches to store their brooms. Not for modern eras like this, I guess. *Sigh* they rely too much on using Syyons, not so surprising because these kinds of magic are used from the Ecladover era 18,000 years ago." Mika sighed with disappointment that people in this era didn't know how to use magic outside their forte.
Although Mika had said that people without Syyons would use magical weapons, he forgot to say that grimoire users were also ancient and rare. Mostly, people would only use magic with their Syyons. They only used common chant magic to further increase their magic element powers.
"Oh yeah, say Albatross. It's a spell to store your weapons or any kind of things in your pocket magic. To use it, just memorize its shape, quantity, texture, size, and name. Or... if you two prefer it simple..." Mika came up to Lusina and Sougo with a quill.
On the weapons of Lusina and Sougo, Mika inscribed a star-shaped runic artwork.
Mika took a step back and told them to both say it.
"Albatross!" When they both shouted it at once, their weapons vanished.
Next, Mika instructed them to manipulate magic into their palms while saying "summon forth!" to start the summoning. Their weapons first appeared, emerging in the form of a runic sphere, then they reappeared. To know how this worked with two items at once, they first must know the full name of the weapon they were going to summon.
"Good! It's a witch's chant, this'll grant you so much space, but sometimes you don't need to use it cause of the bothersome rules of using it, but it proves handy."
"Okay, enough of that; let me practice my aim first. Then we'll talk about it more. Lusina, take care of Sougo for me, I'm good with magic but he clearly is not; so I'm afraid of any unwanted accident happening." Mika moved to a different location to practice his aim.
As Sougo resumed his rigorous training regimen, Lusina stood by his side, offering her unwavering support and care.
"I may not be able to contribute much to your training, but I'll always be here to ensure you're in good health," Lusina spoke with a warm smile, her gentle hands tending to Sougo's injuries with utmost care and expertise.
Throughout the grueling sessions, Lusina remained a constant presence, providing comfort and healing whenever Sougo pushed himself to the limit. Her dedication and compassion served as a source of strength for Sougo, allowing him to focus wholeheartedly on honing his skills and mastering his craft.
Sougo continued to push the boundaries of his abilities, Lusina's presence became an indispensable pillar of support in the midst of their arduous journey towards harnessing magic. Together, they forged a bond that transcended mere teacher and healer, embodying the true essence of camaraderie and mutual respect in their shared pursuit of excellence.
After two and a half days of grappling with uncertainty and confusion, Mika and Sougo found themselves at a crossroads, unsure of how to proceed in their quest for self-improvement. Recognizing the need for a new approach, they decided to join forces and train together, sharing knowledge and techniques in a collaborative effort to enhance their capabilities.
As they embarked on this new method of training, Mika's brilliant idea proved to be a game-changer. Through their shared efforts and mutual exchange of skills, they made significant strides in their development, steadily progressing towards mastery with each passing day. What once seemed like an insurmountable challenge now appeared within reach, thanks to their combined dedication and teamwork.
One particular breakthrough came when Sougo, to Mika's surprise, demonstrated a remarkable proficiency with a bow, showcasing an unexpected adaptability that left Mika impressed. In return, Mika shared his expertise on channeling energy from Sougo's blade, a technique that required patience and precision to master.
While Mika swiftly grasped the intricacies of blade energy manipulation, Sougo found himself facing a steep learning curve, requiring hours of focused practice to refine his newfound skill. Despite the disparity in their learning speeds, both Mika and Sougo persisted, driven by their shared commitment to growth and mutual support.
As their training drew to a close, Mika's enhanced aiming skills and Sougo's newfound proficiency with blade energy stood as a testament to their hard work and determination.
As promised, Sougo would take on the role of his mentor and impart his knowledge in blade handling. The blades of Sougo and Mika were as different as chalk and cheese; Sougo's had a curved, single-edged blade, a circular or squared guard, and a long handle that allowed two hands to be held there simultaneously. Mika's blade, on the other hand, was straight, razor-sharp, double-edged, double-handed, and cruciform-shaped much more like a sword than to be called a blade.
"Do you know how to swing that?"
Mika with clear obviousness how he held his blade, "Not really, I would often swing aimlessly until I hit my target. For your information, even with my great knowledge, nothing beats experience."
"Learn your footing first, learn how to control your breathing, read the enemy's movement, do not let your weaknesses be exploited, and think fast." Sougo gave tips for Mika to learn how to swing a blade.
Mika replied with a nervous chuckle, "Easier said than done."
Sougo's arms folded as he spoke with a serious tone, "Do not talk foolishly and say that you can not do it. To master something, you must act courageously without worrying about failure. You taught me how to use magic and to become accustomed to this world; was it ever easy for me? No. All it takes is discipline and consistency to aim higher! You said it yourself, "practice makes perfect", did you not? Now it's time to practice what you preach and push onwards."
"Is there any ounce of leniency in you, or does strictness run in your veins? Though, I'm strict but not as strict as you." Mika's nervous giggle bubbled up as he eyed Sougo, whose presence seemed to exude an aura of impending doom, intensifying his role as Mika's teacher.
"I don't tread the path of softness like you do. Come, show me what you've got!" Sougo's katana slid smoothly back into its sheath, the metallic sound slicing through the tense air.
"What?!" Mika and Lusina stood frozen, gaping in disbelief at Sougo's unexpected command.
"I am dead serious. This is a lesson for both of us, a chance to uncover our shortcomings. Strike me if you can." Sougo's taunt lingered in the space between them, his outstretched fingers beckoning Mika to step forward.
"First time I see you taunting... Your call!"
In a rush of determination, Mika charged ahead, his blade slicing through the air in a practiced arc. Sougo remained calm and collected, effortlessly evading Mika's relentless onslaught of strikes, his movements fluid and precise.
Encouraging Mika to infuse his blade with magic, Sougo watched as Mika leaped back into the fray, his sword now imbued with a newfound power and agility. Despite his enhanced weapon, Mika's attacks failed to find their mark, each strike missing its intended target by a hair's breadth.
With renewed focus, Mika closed the distance between them, aiming a swift thrust at Sougo. Yet, even with his heightened abilities, he found himself once again unable to land a hit, the elusive teacher slipping away unscathed.
After over ten minutes of relentless attempts and numerous missed strikes, Mika finally came to a halt, his breath ragged and his body drenched in sweat.
"This so-called bonding between student and master is pushing me to my limits. How could you push me into this, expecting me to keep up with your speed? I can barely catch my own breath, let alone match your pace," Mika lamented, frustration evident in his voice.
"My teaching method aims to instill in my students the importance of learning from their mistakes and striving for improvement. Your repeated errors have not gone unnoticed, Mika," Sougo calmly explained, his demeanor unwavering.
Amidst the tension, Mika let out a hearty laugh, tinged with a hint of self-deprecation. "Hahaha, even with my vast knowledge of magic and experience in this world, can't best an experienced war veteran from the otherworld. Your words of wisdom do ring true in moments like these, mister Sougo," Mika acknowledged, a sense of respect underlying his words.
"This is no time for jests. While I appreciate your insights on magic, my questions still linger unanswered after two weeks under your tutelage. I have no intention of idly waiting for you to take it easy on me. Show me your true strength, Mika. I eagerly await your best," Sougo declared, high expectations were in his eyes as he unsheathed his blade, ready for the next phase of their training.
"Yes, sir!" Mika rushed forward.
With the two training alongside each other to gain experience devoid of anything holding them back, such as lack of knowledge, they start their journey to get stronger.