Yuto looked dumbfounded, knowing that they might stay longer was a given. A month seemed a bit excessive, but anything to get stronger.
Mizuki chimes in, "Hmm, I'm guessing your Aunt also has plans for you, correct?"
Cynthia nods, casting a glance and agreeing with Mizuki.
"Yeah, Aunt Lily mentioned wanting to work on my magic training. She said she had some ideas and techniques she wanted to teach me while I'm here for the extended period"
"Sigh, I'm stuck with Dad, right?
Yuto looked like a dead man. Although he wished to learn his father's techniques, he sometimes wished he wouldn't be sent flying to a wall or end up with a broken arm anymore.
His body felt like it would break by a gust of wind, Cynthia nodded sympathetic to his dilemma.
"Yeah, you're stuck with Dad. Maybe you can use this time to strengthen your bond with him or something"
"It's not that I don't mind spending time with him, It's just that I have to tell him about Mizuki (and not be sent flying to the wall again)"
Cynthia nods, understanding what he was apprehensive about, "I get it. The conversation might go poorly. Have you thought about how you will break it to him?"
"Could you tell him that I made a contract with an ego sword? Do you have any way to tell him without him judging me"
Cynthia furrows her brows, thinking for a moment, "Hmm, that's a tough one. Knowing Dad, he's bound to have some reservations about it. But honesty is the best policy here"
"Maybe you could try explaining it in a way that emphasizes the benefits and why you made the decision in the first place"
Yuto sighed as he went back to Mizuki's lap pillow. He would think of what to say when the time came, "Alright, shoo, shoo, I want my sleep back"
Cynthia huffs in mock indignation, but she's just amused by Yuto's eagerness to return to the lap pillow, "Fine, fine, I get it. You're desperate for your sleep and your lap pillow. I'm leaving"
Yuto with mumble, "Goodnight Miss door breaker"
Cynthia rolls her eyes at his nonchalant response, "Night, sleeping beauty. Don't let the bedbugs bite," She stood up and left the room, shutting the door behind her.
Mizuki resumes her position, letting Yuto rest his head on her lap once more. She gently strokes his hair, "So you're going to tell your father about me, are you?"
"If I want to get stronger, I have to know more about ego swords," he leaned in more to her touch.
She nods in agreement at his response, understanding the importance of gathering information about ego swords for his journey was a must.
"That's true. To truly understand and harness the power of ego swords, knowledge is essential. It's a wise decision to speak with your father about it"
"Also, it would be nice if my sister and mother wouldn't have to worry about being discreet about you"
She chuckled softly at his words, feeling touched by his consideration for his family's concerns.
"Aww, how thoughtful of you. I'm sure your sister and mother would appreciate not having to keep me a secret anymore. It's sweet of you to want to ease their worries"
"Is it okay with you?"
"Of course, it's okay with me. I fully support your decision to be open about our partnership"
"It's important for your family to know and understand the full extent of your abilities and potential. Plus, I don't mind being known and accepted by your loved ones"
Yuto chuckles as he gets up to plant a small kiss before laying back down, "Thank you Mizuki"
She felt a warm, affectionate smile form on her lips, feeling grateful for his gratitude and love.
"You're welcome, Yuto. Anything for you"
She watched as he fell asleep, his breathing becoming steady and peaceful, as she continued gently stroking his hair, feeling a sense of protectiveness and affection wash over her.
As the night goes on, she quietly sits there, keeping watch over him while he sleeps, determined to ensure his rest is undisturbed.
- Morning -
As the morning arrives, the soft beams of sunlight begin to filter through the windows, signaling the beginning of a new day.
Mizuki stayed in the same position, still gently caressing his hair, feeling a sense of calm and contentment wash over her as they both slept peacefully.
Yuto opened his eyes slowly, getting used to waking up and seeing Mizuki's sleeping face. He reached his hand out to gently stroke the hair away from her eyes.
Mizuki couldn't help but feel a small flutter in her chest, relishing the sensation of his touch. With a soft sigh, she leaned into his hand, enjoying the gentle contact between them.
Her hand continues to gently comb through his hair, enjoying this small moment of shared intimacy.
Yuto chuckled, "Good Morning"
She opened her eyes, a soft smile spreading across her lips, "Good morning to you, too. Did you sleep well?"
"Mmh, lap pillows sure are comfortable"
She chuckles softly at his comment, "I'm glad you found the lap pillow to your liking. It's my pleasure to provide you with comfort"
Yuto got up to change his clothes, his body was covered in bandages, some scars and bruises from always blocking each hit.
Mizuki's eyes wandered over his body, taking in the sight of all the bandaged wounds, scars, and bruises, although they both knew that his training would be rough, it was still an unpleasant sight.
A pang of sadness and worry welled up within her, seeing Yuto in a battered state, she bit her lip slightly, a mix of concern and protectiveness washing over her.
Seeing this lip-biting, Yuto leaned down and flicked her forehead, "What's wrong?"
She blinked a few times, slightly surprised by the unexpected flick to her forehead.
She raised an eyebrow, a small smile flickering on her lips despite the concern she felt, "Oh, just admiring the masterpiece of injuries you've collected there. You know, the usual"
"Hah, the usual is me being sent flying to the same wall"
She let out a soft chuckle, "Ah, so getting slammed into the same wall is a regular occurrence for you, huh? Well, at least you're consistent"
"No, no, what's consistent is my sister barging into my room"
Speaking of the devil, Cynthia barged into his room again, the poor door only being reinforced while he slept, now broken again.
"Brother, I have some news!" Yuto let out a small sigh, both amused and annoyed at her timing.
With a small smirk, Yuto replies in a dry tone, "Yes, Cynthia. What's the news this time?"
Cynthia's eyes widen as she takes in the sight of Yuto's body covered in bandages, small scars, and bruises.
She stands there for a moment, her usual attitude put on hold as she processes the sight before her. After a brief pause, she finally finds her voice.
"Woah, you look like you've been through a war or something"
Yuto gave her a nonchalant shrug, trying to act nonchalant despite the battered state of his body, "Oh, you know, just some intense training. Nothing out of the ordinary"
Cynthia's eyes narrow as he explains the cause of his battered state. She crosses her arms, annoyance flickering in her gaze.
"Oh, so it's just 'intense training,' huh? And let me guess, you just happened to get injured by your oh-so-loving sister's explosion magic, right?"
Yuto stared at her with a dumbfounded look before letting out a small laugh at Cynthia's sarcastic remarks, knowing full well that her explosion magic indeed contributed to his battered state.
He leaned back slightly, a sly grin playing on his lips, "Oh, you know me so well. Who would have guessed that getting caught in your explosions could be hazardous to one's health? It's a wonder I'm still standing at all, right?"
Cynthia rolls her eyes at his sarcastic response, clearly not amused by his attempt at humor.
"Oh, haha, very funny. You think you're so witty, don't you? But let's not forget who's responsible for the majority of those bruises and bandages, hm?"
Yuto puts his hands up, just done with the conversation as he remembers not to argue with a wall that knows explosion magic.
"So what's up?"
"Okay, moving on. Yeah, Aunt Lily told me that Dad's disciple has arrived to help out with your training. Any idea what to expect?"
Mizuki listens intently to Cynthia's words, her interest piqued by the mention of their father's disciple and the upcoming training sessions.
Yuto looks over at Mizuki, who is listening intently to the conversation, "Hey Mizuki, what do you think?"
She furrows her brows in thought, thinking about what to expect, "Hmm, based on what I know about your father and considering your previous training sessions, I'd say his disciple will likely be skilled, determined, and not one to hold back"
"They'll probably push you to your limits, both physically and mentally"
Cynthia nods, agreeing with Mizuki's assessment, "Yeah, you're probably right. Dad's disciple will undoubtedly be relentless and demanding"
"They probably want to see how far you can push yourself and how much you can handle. It's not going to be easy, that's for sure. "
"Just make sure you can withstand the intensity and not get your ass handed to you too often"
Yuto chuckles softly at Cynthia's words, appreciating her blend of seriousness and playful taunts, he gives a small smirk, replying in a teasing tone.
"Oh, don't worry about that. I think we all can agree that my ass is far too charming to be left-handed over and over again"
"Plus, I don't think Father would be too pleased if his disciple keeps leaving me battered and bruised daily"
Cynthia snort-laughs at Yuto's witty remark.
"Haha, yeah, I'm sure your charming ass is quite captivating. And you're right, Dad would probably not be too thrilled if his disciple turns you into a human punching bag daily"
They both laugh at how, in Cynthia's words, exciting, this will be for her at least.
Yuto sighs as he grabs another shirt not covered in blood, "Okay, I'll see you there"
Cynthia gives him a quick nod, still smiling, "Yeah, see you there. Let's hope your ass doesn't end up too battered and bruised at the end of this training session, eh?"
As she leaves, Yuto looks back at Mizuki, "We seriously need to reinforce that door"
"Oh, you're right about that. I can't even count the number of times your sister has barged in without warning"
They both share a laugh, as Yuto puts on the training armor, Mizuki stares at him, his body isn't 100 percent, and yet Yuto does not flinch at any of his bruises.
"Speaking of training, how are you feeling about the upcoming session with your father's disciple?"
"Are you ready to push yourself and take your training to the next level?"
"Hah, I can't even beat my father, I don't even know how long she's been his disciple"
Mizuki senses a hint of uncertainty in his voice and gives him a reassuring smile, "Don't underestimate yourself. You may not have beaten your father yet, but that doesn't mean you can't take on his disciple"
"Don't forget, you've been training hard and made great progress. "
"So how long do you think she's been your father's disciple? Have you considered asking him?"
Yuto smiles as his confidence returns, "That's a good question to ask. Let's go!"
She nods in agreement and gets up from the bed, "Alright, let's head to the training ground and see what your father's disciple has in store for you"
- Back Yard, Training Arena -
Yuto's Dad was in the middle talking to a young lady who seemed to be around Yuto's age. She had black hair and ruby-colored eyes.
"She's beautiful," he tried to mumble in secret but Mizuki who was sitting on his shoulder in her small form agreed, Mizuki's gaze landed on her, taking in her striking features and captivating presence.
Yuto reminded himself to keep his focus on the training session at hand, pushing any distractions aside.
"She certainly is. But let's not get distracted, we're here for some intense training, right?" Mizuki said in a teasing manner.
"Cough, who's distracted?" Yuto tried to hide the blush that was forming across his face.
She raises an eyebrow, a hint of teasing in her voice as she replies, "Oh, I don't know, maybe the one who just called a certain someone 'beautiful' a moment ago?"
"C-come on I have you, and is it wrong to compliment someone's looks?"
She chuckled at his response, feeling a wave of affection wash over her as she gave him a gentle nudge with her arm, a smirk playing on her lips.
"Yes, you do have me. But that doesn't mean I won't tease you when you get distracted by a pretty face"
"I'm perfectly fine with the idea of you having multiple partners. I understand that your love and affection can extend to many, and I don't oppose it"
Yuto sighs and, with little strength, flicks her forehead, "You make me sound like I want multiple partners"
She let out a soft chuckle, feigning annoyance but secretly enjoying the affectionate gesture.
"Well, you never know. You might get so popular one day that you'll have a whole harem of people swooning over you"
Yuto chuckles, "Sure, sure, right now, let's just avoid getting our ass kicked," Mizuki joins in his chuckle, agreeing with his sentiment.
"You're right. For now, we should focus on the training session at hand and avoid getting our butts kicked by your father's disciple"
Mizuki stepped back into the ring, remaining focused and ready for what was to come, Yuto was heading to the arena when he saw Cynthia eating breakfast in the stands, he smiled as he ran up to her.
"Cynthia!"
Cynthia looked up, her attention shifting from her breakfast to Yuto, "Hey, what's up?"
"Ready to see me win?"He had a stupid grin, his eyes gleaming with positivity.
Cynthia smirks as she looks over to their father's disciple and back at a grinning Yuto.
"Heh, yeah, right. I highly doubt you'll be winning anything. You might get a few lucky blows in, but in the end, you'll end up on your ass, as usual"
Yuto flicked her head as he ran back to the arena, laughing like a moron on his way to losing, Cynthia shakes her head, her smirk growing wider as she watches him run back to the arena.
She calls out after him, "Yeah, keep laughing. You're gonna need humor to mask your pain when you're face-down in the dirt!"
Mizuki can't help but let out a chuckle, 'It seems even she can't picture you winning', Yuto chuckles at how little she believes in him.
'We'll prove her wrong, let's just wipe the grin off her face with results'
His father noticed him running up to the arena and proceeded to walk over to him with a smile, "My boy, you are here rather early, I was going to get you after breakfast"
Yuto smiled, ignoring the remark and looking over to the disciple, "So who is she?"
Ryōko looked back at his disciple, and the determination and skill the disciple possessed were clear.
"That's Sayuri. She's been training to be a Knight. As per tradition, she's here to train you today to see who has the right to learn my aura technique first"
"How long has she been your disciple?"
Ryōko ponders for a moment, Yuto's eyes roaming over Sayuri, whose hands were covered in bandages.
She wore armor that covered her from head to toe, but not her face.
"She's been my disciple for several years now. She was quite young when I took her under my tutelage, but she's grown into a skilled and determined Knight since then"
Yuto walked up and extended his hand to greet her, "Hello, I am Yuto Akimitsu, Ryōko's only son"
Sayuri bows slightly in response to his greeting, her expression serious and focused. She looks at Yuto with a hint of curiosity in her eyes, sizing him up as a potential opponent and student.
She spoke in a soft, serious voice, "Greetings. I am Sayuri Astrid, a student of Ryōko. Today, I will be your sparring and training partner"
Yuto looked back at his father, "Is mom okay with this?" Sayuri looked over at Ryōko, who nodded in response to his question.
"Yes, your mother is aware and approved of this training. She trusts that Sayuri will honor the code of sparring and that you will do your best to learn and improve"
Mizuki transforms as Yuto holds up the katana, "So be it"
Sayuri draws her katana and nods in response to the challenge. She falls into a defensive stance, her body poised and ready, her eyes focused and determined.
She speaks, her voice cool and composed, "Let the training begin"
Ryōko smiles as he steps back. No words need to be said, as both look ready to rip each other apart.
As the duel begins, Yuto notices that Sayuri is as intense as she is graceful as she moves with precision and agility.
+10 Attack
+10 Defense
+10 Speed
Black Smith's Blessing is Active
+20 Attack
With these buffs, Yuto matched her pace as both their swords clashed echoing throughout the arena.
Sayuri's attacks are swift and precise, but Yuto manages to deflect them just in time, his parries and strikes forceful and calculated.
She cuts through his armor like butter. Her techniques seem to be more focused on striking weak points.
Yuto, on the other hand, would strike her forearms and thighs, trying to weaken her strikes.
Lunar Arts: Crescent Kick
Sayuri is taken off guard for a moment as his foot connects with her side.
The unexpected attack causes her to stumble for a moment, giving Yuto an opening to press his advantage, but her eyes are filled with determination as he feels pain welling up in his stomach.
Sayuri managed to regain her balance and turn Yuto's attack to her advantage.
With a swift, powerful roundhouse kick, she connected with his stomach, momentarily knocking the wind out of him.
"Kgh!" Yuto is slammed into the same wall as before, his back connecting with the hard surface with a thud.
The force of the impact momentarily stuns him as he finds himself winded and gasping for breath, Sayuri steps back, her eyes never leaving his form, her body poised and alert, ready for his next move.
~Well now it seems as if that wall and you are the fated lovers. Hah
["Mizuki, can you not make jokes when I'm gasping for air?"]
~Right right, look, take a few more blows, and you should active Healing Grace
Yuto looks up and sees Sayuri loading up her Aura, "Ah, hell no!"
Sayuri can sense his realization and can feel the shift in his focus. A sly grin forms on her lips, a challenge in her eyes
"Running scared now, are we?"
Yuto's eye twitched, besides Cynthia no one else dared mock him in battle even before his awakening he was still pretty strong and had never run from a fight.
Sayuri, on the other hand, notices the twitch in his eye, she smirks, finding pleasure in getting under his skin. She speaks, her voice calm and taunting.
"Come now, what happened to that courage and confidence from before? Losing your nerve already?"
Yuto grits his teeth, feeling a surge of frustration and irritation at her words.
He refused to back down, though, channeling his determination and focus. He met her gaze, with a tone laced with sarcasm.
"Oh, please. I'm not backing down that easily. You might want to save your breath. You're going to need it when I wipe that smug smile off your face"
Sayuri laughs softly, an amused gleam in her eyes. She's enjoying this, the competitive banter, and the challenge he's presenting.
She responds to his taunt, her tone cheeky and confident.
"Is that so? I'd like to see you try. Don't be too surprised when you find yourself flat on your back, wondering what just happened"
~Jeez, and here you thought she was a beautiful knight with a sense of humble
["I know, don't rub it in"]
Yuto hyped himself up as he smirked back at her, his determination intensifying.
"Well, buckle up then, because I'm not going down that easily. You might have your tricks and skills, but I've got a few of my surprises prepared."
Skill: Dash × Shadow Step
Sayuri sees him disappear. She quickly launches her aura blade, missing him by a few feet as he quickly punches her gut.
Although she was wearing armor, Yuto's strength and speed stat were no joke, Sayuri's eyes widened slightly, and the force of the attack was stronger than she anticipated
Despite wearing armor, the impact momentarily stuns her, and she stumbles backward a few steps.
However, she recovers quickly, her expression filled with a mix of surprise and grudging respect.
"Not bad, not bad at all... You pack quite a punch, and that technique ... unexpected"
"I'm a firm believer that everyone is equal, so clench your teeth," Mizuki looks at him stunned before letting out a giggle.
~Say that after you win, because it looks like she's not giving up
Sayuri glances up, her expression still slightly shocked, but with a hint of respect and competitiveness in her eyes.
She gives a nod, acknowledging his words and the lesson Yuto just delivered
"You've proven your strength, and I've learned not to underestimate you. But I wouldn't count on an easy victory yet. I still have a few tricks up my sleeve"
She clenches her teeth, ready for his next move, Yuto lands a hit, and Sayuri sends one back.
They both laugh as they drop their katanas and blows are exchanged, Sayuri darts in first, throwing a swift jab at Yuto's face he ducks fluidly, the wind from her punch teasing his hair.
With a swift counter, he aims a kick at her side. She anticipates the move, pivoting gracefully and blocking with her arm, the impact sending a ripple through her body but not breaking her stride.
The back-and-forth continues, each trading blows, dodging and weaving like two cats in a playful skirmish.
Sayuri brings a low kick to Yuto's leg, trying to unbalance him, but he leaps over it, landing with a smirk.
The playful rivalry between them shines through, and you can almost see the respect in their eyes despite the spirited fight.
As they exchange a flurry of strikes, it becomes less about winning and more about the thrill of the challenge. Each punch is fueled by adrenaline, and they push each other to their limits.
"Huff, just . . give up!"
The fight went on for longer than 30 minutes.
Sayuri grins, her breathing heavy and sweat trickling down her face. She laughs between gasps.
"Never! I didn't come this far just to give up so easily!"
Sayuri and Yuto continue to spar, exchanging blows and parrying each other's attacks. It's a fierce and intense training session, neither of them willing to let up or give the other an inch.
Finally, Yuto, without realizing it, loads up a bit of Aura in his hand and strikes one final time, Sayuri stumbles backward as the final strike lands, the force of the blow sending her off balance.
She staggers a few steps, the impact visibly taking its toll on her. She lets out a huff, her chest rising and falling with quick breaths, beads of sweat on her forehead.
"Alright, alright... I surrender. You won this one"
Yuto smiles as he extends his hand, Sayuri takes the offered hand, helping her back to her feet.
She stands a few steps away from Yuto, her breathing slowly returning to normal, her muscles slightly aching from the intense sparring session.
Both turn to look at Ryōko, who has been watching the entire match. His eyes are filled with a mixture of pride and satisfaction, a small smile on his lips.
Ryōko approaches, his gaze darting between Yuto and Sayuri. His smile widens, a hint of pride in his voice as he responds.
"That was one of the most intense and impressive sparring sessions I've witnessed. Both of you demonstrated exceptional skill, determination, and resilience"
"I'm quite pleased with both of your performances"
Yuto and Sayuri exchange a glance, a silent understanding passing between both, despite the competitive nature of the training, there's a newfound respect and appreciation for each other's abilities.
Even in defeat, Sayuri holds her head high, a hint of a smirk on her lips, Ryōko noticed Cynthia fidgeting behind Yuto.
"Yuto, your sister looks like she wants to talk to you, I'll speak with you after you're done, I still have some things to discuss with Sayuri"
Yuto agrees and walks to Cynthia, who is waiting anxiously, concern etched on her face.
"Yuto! Are you okay? That was intense!" She exclaims, her voice filled with worry.
"See, I told you I would win," his stupid grin only worked to annoy her even further.
Cynthia scoffs, rolling her eyes. She can't help but feel a mixture of annoyance and relief.
"Hmph, yeah, yeah. You won, congratulations. Doesn't change the fact that you got your sorry ass pummeled pretty hard there"
Yuto pats her head, "At least I'm getting stronger, aren't I?"
Cynthia tries to maintain a scowl at the patronizing head pat, but a hint of a smile appears on her face anyway.
"Yeah, yeah, I guess you are. But don't be too cocky, or you'll only be asking for more ass beatings"
Mizuki laughs as she appears before Cynthia, "He sure is asking for it these days"
Cynthia nods in agreement, "Absolutely. He's still cocky as ever, despite getting his butt kicked not too long ago. Maybe he needs a few more beatings to knock him down a peg or two"
They all let out a chuckle, his father walks over and wraps his arm around Yuto's shoulder, sharing jokes about how the wall seems to be in love with Yuto.
The lighthearted atmosphere instantly changes to a somber one as their mother and aunt frantically rush over, their voices filled with urgent news and worry.
At first, Yuto thought it was about him skipping meeting his aunt in private, but the clear look on their faces was that of pure terror and worry.
Cara's eyes are wide with fear, and their aunt's face is pale and anxious.
They spoke in quick, urgent tones, the news they brought, sending a cold shiver down Yuto's spine.
"Our village is under attack! The Demon King's army is approaching! We need to act quickly!"