C61: Settling the pet, New Spells, Forging companion,
Word count = 1793 on 4/3/2024
After delivering Haruhime to her friends, Axel made his way back home. Upon arriving, he finds Raikou sparring with the third team commander of the Knights of Camelot, Mordred. Raikou's katana meets the heavy blade at an even pace. Striking out twice-fold against the heavy blade. The double strikes counters the weight of Mordred's sword to which she kicks Raikou away and counters by spinning around and adding that extra centripetal force to her next swing. Raikou dodges the special attack before jumping back into the fray. They fight in their sealed states with no usage of mana burst as it appears to be a demonstration for the knights on different human enemies they could face.
Axel sees Knight commander Artoria explaining the details of the fight while sitting beside her is the Mage Commander Morgan drinking tea. Morgan spots Axel arriving home and winks at him before turning her cold gaze back to the battle at hand. Axel shivers a bit from her action as he has not much real interaction with the knights of Camelot even after they moved in with them. They just seem to be there and that's it.
He has not had much idea of how he could interact with them but remembers that he wants to get adjusted to Talions swordsmanship in case he needs it or wants to switch to that now that his gluttony range has been extended. He approaches the knight commander and asks if he could be taught a bit. Her play by play is interrupted by Axel and she frowns in Axel's direction but does not disparage him since he has shown an interest in their swordsmanship then she has a watching knight grab a spare sword for him before having them take up combat stances.
Talion's memories rely on a long sword such as those that the knights use as compared to Raikou's katana. Since they have different crafting methods, that in itself makes it so that they have to be wielded differently. Axel takes a few light swings to get used to the sword. The knights are in armor as well. Axel was offered a set but he declined as he can just summon a bit of ceramic plating onto himself when he is about to be struck. He had figured this part out during the dungeon expedition as while he can not utilize the full power of his asura, he can localize the defensive aspect when needed. Though he does put on his newest pair of gauntlets that Muramasa made for him after it was shredded from the first antares fight.
Once he is ready, both sides swing out. Axel goes for a one handed sword approach while his opponent uses both hands. Axel sweeps horizontally which is met by a slightly stronger or more control counter by his opponent but Axel confuses him by actually using little force which forces his own blade to be rebound which allows him to spin into a reverse angled cut (bottom left to top right). The knight is forced to block his strike by holding his blade like a shield which is not it's intended purpose and is sent flying back a bit. Axel is of course holding back his own strength to match his opponents level which is where they get this show of pure swordsmanship….
At least until they return to their original positions for a repeat of the first collision but when Axel spins, the knight tries to counter attack only to be swept off his feet by Axel's own leg. Axel rests the sword tip against the knight's chest. He concedes and Artoria sends in the next contestant, "Corey, your turn" "YES"
The knight named Corey takes out his own sword and stands opposite of Axel while the first knight is taken away by the sword hands (essentially a type of servant like a squire). The two soon clash blades and Axel uses a similar strategy of fast paced swings from various directions to eventually disarm his opponent.
Raikou and Mordred soon stop their fight to watch Axels as his fights are more realistic due to them being far more experienced and thus can't only help them showcase advanced techniques while Axel could give them proper training through the spars.
Axel spends the next few hours until noon sparing the various knights. He climbed up their ranks and even received a few comments from the knight commander Artoria on how he could improve his technique as it is still quite amateurish and frankly unsuitable for human usage but she witnesses his flexibility and reaction speed which prompts her to not outright deny the usability of his swordsmanship.
She invites him to spar with her or mordred next time around as Axel relinquished the sword back to them and went to meet Mikoto for her magic lessons. They keep going over theory but Axel actually had a bit of inspiration during his sword practice and having seen during Raikou's mock fight.
He imagines gravity lifting him off of the ground to create a form of flight or at least to float. With no gravity holding him down. He could unleash a variety of moves whilst charging forward. He showcases to Mikoto to get her thoughts on this and she says.
"it appears to be quite the powerful technique but a bit circumstantial as the attacks and movement seem to be one time use. This is good against Monster Rex's or hordes of monsters"
Axel agrees with her statement and also finds that empowering his fists with the same gravity magic that lifts him up. He creates very 'holesome' impacts but they aren't as destructive as he wishes it was. Perhaps if he used a sword foe this technique, he could concentrate the gravity force onto the blade of the sword to cut instead of bash with his fists.
Axel momentarily borrows Mikotos sword to test this theory out and it's destructive levels increased exponentially. Gravity is already proficient in crushing things which his fasts only add onto but with a sword. Axel is essentially multiplying the aspect of cutting/severing into the gravity spell. Making it far more effective and an excellent reason for him to keep a sword on him.
Reason he says sword and not any sharp tool like even a dagger as he did test it out and found that the sharpness and range of the blade impacts the 'sharpness' and range of the technique.
Axel returns the blades to Mikoto and soon enough their studies end with both sides happier. Mikoto got to see a reverse application of her signature spell while Axel got to make one of two moves do far that he thought of. He decided to name this technique, Judgment cut (I wonder what inspires that) [1].
Meanwhile, as he is training Mikoto. Raikou picks up the sack that Axel left behind. She opens it up inside their room to find the fully conscious for girl in only her lingerie. Kaya looks up to see Raikou and begins to sweat a bit as she tries to cast a spell to bring her away only to find a blade on her neck
"So, Vitch. I thought I smelled a bitch on my darling baby boy. Now tell me why I shouldn't cut your head off now?"
"There is nothing babish about that boy. He approached me first in Paradiso. He told me to either become his pet or his woman. What choice do you think I have in this matter?"
"I see, ill ready your collar then. You can come inside our room every other day that Axel isn't dungeoneering and take his meat as far down your whore throat as you can until you gag. Then go deeper to prove your position as his pet" Raikou makes the choice for her and sets the tone and scheduling of her 'duties'.
Vitch Koyanskaya is at shock by Raikou's Words but can tell that any attempt to go against them would leave her hunted down by the mad demon threatening her.
"Does this mean I can finally leave? He has been lugging me around since early morning."
" go on, but mind yourself, you belong to Axel and not the other way around. Have any thoughts on making him your 6th tail and I'll tear them all off along with your ears. " Raikou gives one last reminder and the fox shivers before disappearing from the room completely.
Raikou shakes her head with a hint of sadness on her face.
"Is mama not enough. Or was my baby seduced. Why was he in the red light district in the first place?" She questions herself and leaves her home to investigate.
Meanwhile back at Axel, after finishing the study lesson with Mikoto, he went to find Welf as he wanted to make a stronger magic item and wanted to exchange techniques or ideas. After collecting him from his home where he just got done Forging something. The two went to Axels forge at Adelaide's store. The Two spend the rest of the day either Forging various simpler magic items or weapons I'm Welfs showcasing. They discuss blacksmithing and jewsmithing techniques, comparing the two and talking about their differences too.
"Welf, why do you forge? I mean, you have told me before about how you hate your family name and magic weapons but you never stopped making them. So why. Why do you forge?"
"I want to break away from my family. Everyone only really seems to value me for my blacksmithing and with Senjis help, I have been improving. Following you along had also helped me get stronger much faster. "
"Thank you but you didn't answer my question. Why do you forge, do you want to cause destruction like Ares does? Are you smithing for the sake of smithing? Is there passion in your work. A love for your art?"
Axels words repeat in Welfs head as he truly processes why he forges. After some back and forth between himself and the illusion of himself. He realizes something. 'I forge for myself, for my friends Axel and Bell. I forge…for Daisy.'
After a few minutes of silence, Axel sees that Welfs aura has changed. More robust and firm, as if he had a realization. One that would affect his future path.
"Seems like you got your answer. Since your here and raring to go. Hoe about helping me with a little project?" Axel congratulates Welf and then takes out a blueprint. One for a magic item but as Welf reads through it, he becomes shocked at the possibility.
"That is one strong ring"