As Trinity pointed out, normally, due to matters in the real world, people from other realms frequently engage in soul-sleeping. Fortunately, given our circumstances, we should be fine for about a week.
"Ava, why do you want to soul-sleep again?"
"I'm hoping to gather information on the Angel Quest over there. I believe I can also collect information here, but if I go that route, I'll have to go through the Thieves' Guild, and I don't know how long that will take. Plus, there's the cost of the information to consider."
"According to Trinity, the Angel Quest is traded for quite a high price in information," he said.
"Of course, it's a quest from the goddess Alice. Gathering all the information on the 26 apostles will take not only money, but also a considerable amount of time."
I see. So that's why they're planning to gather information in the real world. Over there, you can quickly find strategy sites like Wiki with a simple internet search.
"Got it. I'll ask Ava for help, even though it'll take some effort."
Since Ava used to work at a cyber security firm, she should be able to gather information quickly.
"So what about you, Suzanne? Are you going to take a break and enter a spirit sleep with me for a bit?"
I paused to think for a moment.
It's only my second day logged into AIWOn, but I could show my face to my parents to put them at ease. Still, I'd like to become a bit stronger thinking about what lies ahead.
I felt a bit pathetic relying so much on Ava in the battles over the last couple of days. This journey is also about retrieving Yuki. I can't keep leaning on Ava.
"No, I want to train with my sword until Ava returns. I feel like I'll struggle later if I don't improve my skills a little."
"…Understood. I'll make sure to communicate that to Taiga and Rin over there."
"Thank you."
"Speaking of which, what about Trinity? She'll be alone tomorrow."
"What's that supposed to mean? I'm not worried about what Suzanne thinks. Since I'm already here, I plan to explore the city a bit. I wouldn't have the chance to visit another city otherwise."
"Well, it's true we kind of dragged you here."
"Then I'll focus on my sword training."
We made our plans and decided to head back to our rooms to rest for the day. I must have been more tired than I realized, because I fell asleep immediately and slept soundly until morning.
◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇
"Well, you seem to be training quite interestingly."
Even while Trinity ventured into town, I continued my sword training. Unbeknownst to me, a dog-man had settled in a corner of the backyard, watching me with a staff in hand. In his younger days, he must have had a vibrant coat, but now it looked quite worn and faded. Despite being a male beastman, his beard was bushy enough to clearly indicate his age; he looked like quite the old man at first glance.
"Hmm, your footwork is impressive, but your swordsmanship still has a long way to go."
"Old man, how long have you been there?"
"Hoh hoh hoh, I've been here since the young lady set out. But don't worry, you don't need to be on guard. I'm the owner of this inn, though I'm not involved in the management anymore."
"Are you serious? You didn't realize that for so long?"
Even though he's called a manager, he doesn't look the part. This old dog-man may be just sitting there, but his presence feels different. Judging by how he observes my movements and swordsmanship, he seems to be quite powerful.
As the old man watches me closely, he looks both disappointed and hopeful when he speaks.
"Hm, what a pity. Such impressive footwork, yet your sword skills are lacking. That's unfortunate."
"Old man, what are you getting at?"
"Oh, it's simple. Would you be interested in learning the Kenko Nitenshu style?"
Kenko Nitenshu? That name sounds vaguely familiar...
"What? You don't know Kenko Nitenshu? It's a rather famous school!"
"Ah—sorry about that, old man. I just arrived in this world yesterday. I'm still a bit naive. Please forgive my ignorance."
"Oh, you're from another world? And you just got here yesterday... To be able to move like that is quite interesting.
...And that aura about you... It reminds me of someone..."
The old man seems to genuinely appreciate my movements. Although I didn't catch his last murmured words clearly, I felt that his gaze toward me softened a bit.
"Well then, let me teach you something. The Swordmaster's Two Heavens Style is a swordsmanship technique once used by Fenris, one of the Seven Divine Kings said to have defeated the Demon King. With steps as graceful as a dance, it allows the wielder to evade enemy attacks and combines the use of two swords with magical techniques—this is the essence of the Swordmaster's Two Heavens Style."
Here again, Fenris appears. The leader of the Seven Divine Kings who defeated the Demon King, she's the strongest adventurer. She proposed the "Theory of Image Effects" and was the creator of three great secrets, including the magical sword. Now, it is revealed that she is also the founder of the Swordmaster's Two Heavens Style that employs both the magical sword and dual-wielding.
Ah, that reminds me of what Trinity mentioned—despite being the most famous style, it has almost no practitioners, making it a phantom school.
"So, you're saying you'll teach it to me?"
"Exactly. Long ago, before battling the Demon King, Lady Fenris once visited this inn. I had the honor of receiving sword training from her. She taught me the foundational steps of the Swordmaster's Two Heavens Style, how to wield dual swords, and the handling of the magical sword."
...This is suddenly sounding dubious. This old man learned swordsmanship from Fenris? Wasn't Fenris a figure from over a hundred years ago? If this old man is indeed over a hundred years old, it might not be entirely impossible.
The aura emanating from this old man is unlike anything I've encountered before, and my instincts as a martial artist are telling me he's not an ordinary person.
"Why do you want to teach me the Sword Princess's Niten Style? Shouldn't you be teaching someone more talented?"
"In terms of talent, you might actually belong in that category. The reason I want to teach you the Sword Princess's Niten Style is that your footwork shows promise and is reminiscent of it. Plus, you're trying to learn to wield a sword with that footwork, aren't you? That's why I'm eager to see how you can combine it with the two-sword style and magic sword techniques of the Sword Princess's Niten Style."
Hmm, this old man's offer is quite tempting. Just a moment ago, I was considering the limits of my self-taught methods and wishing to learn a proper style. To have someone appear by what seems like divine intervention to teach me a style... and not just any style, but the legendary Sword Princess's Niten Style? It feels almost too good to be true.
"Now, what do you say? Are you interested in my teachings or not?"
---
AIWOn: A thread about Kemomofu with Amy, Thread 232
1: Kemomofu Forever: 2058/2/2 (Sat) 6:10:22 ID: km0Nmfm2L
This thread is dedicated to Kemomofu with Amy. It's a place for gentlemen and ladies who don't cause trouble for the Kemomofu. Let's aim for a pure and righteous Kemomofu lifestyle!
9: Anonymous Adventurer: 2025/2/2 (Sat) 6:20:06 ID: monono6Ono
>>8 You need to calm down the most, haha.
10: Anonymous Adventurer: 2025/2/2 (Sat) 6:21:53 ID: gGa444AsSin
Your love for those furry cat people hasn't changed at all!
11: Anonymous Adventurer: 2025/2/2 (Sat) 6:23:39 ID: Pa9Ma3m3IL
Ah, I can't wait to rank up as an adventurer and visit the Beastman Kingdom!
12: Anonymous Adventurer: 2025/2/2 (Sat) 6:24:29 ID: Oy9so9Dth
True, the furries in the royal capital of Elemeria are nice, but I bet the Beastman Kingdom is overflowing with them!
13: Anonymous Adventurer: 2025/2/2 (Sat) 6:25:09 ID: UcAn9cH3tha
Furry cuties '`ァ'`ァ (*´Д｀*) '`ァ'`ァ '`ァ'`ァ (*´Д｀*) '`ァ'`ァ
14: Anonymous Adventurer: 2025/2/2 (Sat) 6:26:53 ID: gGa444AsSin
Personally, I want to see a Bunnit!
15: Anonymous Adventurer: 2025/2/2 (Sat) 6:28:56 ID: DigiCalat201
Are you talking about the rabbit beastmen?
16: Anonymous Adventurer: 2025/2/2 (Sat) 6:29:06 ID: monono6Ono
"Indeed, that sounds like a real bunny girl, haha!"
17: Anonymous Adventurer: 2058/2/2 (Sat) 6:30:49 ID: 100Sho9Zoc
"Real bunny girl, lol!"
18: Anonymous Adventurer: 2058/2/2 (Sat) 6:32:39 ID: 3GAthe3ga3
"When talking about a beastman kingdom, one often thinks of fierce warriors like werewolves or tiger-people."
19: Kemomofu Fan: 2058/2/2 (Sat) 6:33:22 ID: km0Nmfm2L
"Meow―――――――――――――!!!!!!
This is the Kemomofu thread!!!!
This is NOT an Eromofu thread!!!
If you want to discuss Eromofu, go to another thread!!!"
20: Anonymous Adventurer: 2058/2/2 (Sat) 6:34:39 ID: Pa9Ma3m3IL
"Oh, it seems like there are some seasoned warriors around.
There might even be one of the 26 Apostles among the beastmen."
21: Anonymous Adventurer: 2058/2/2 (Sat) 6:35:09 ID: UcAn9cH3tha
"Kemomofu '`A'`A (*´Д｀*) '`A'`A '`A'`A (*´Д｀*) '`A'`A '`A'`A (*´Д｀*) '`A'`A"
22: Anonymous Adventurer: 2058/2/2 (Sat) 6:36:06 ID: monono6Ono
Sorry about that.
23: Adventurer #2058-02-02 6:36:53 ID: gGa444AsSin
My apologies.
24: Adventurer #2058-02-02 6:37:56 ID: DigiCalat201
I've heard that the City of Kobolds, the dog-like people, is located in the Forest of the Apostle of Beginnings.
25: Adventurer #2058-02-02 6:38:29 ID: Oy9so9Dth
>>24 Really!?
26: Kemomofu Fan: #2058-02-02 6:39:22 ID: km0Nmfm2L
That place is a paradise for Kemomofus!
27: Adventurer #2058-02-02 6:40:56 ID: DigiCalat201
It serves as a base for adventurers diving into the Apostle of Beginnings and the Central Ruins. With all those Kemomofus around, it must be quite a relaxing spot.
28: Adventurer #2058-02-02 6:41:39 ID: Pa9Ma3m3IL
What!? I can't believe it…! Ugh… I'm not strong enough to even reach the Central Ruins...!
29: Adventurer #2058-02-02 6:42:53 ID: gGa444AsSin
Hmm, I'm torn between heading to the Beastman Kingdom or the Kobold City... "No, I'll pass."
"What?"
The weathered old man, a seasoned warrior, looked at me in stunned silence.
His expression shifted quickly from confusion to agitation as he realized the implications of my response.
"Wait, wait a moment! You have a chance to learn the legendary sword technique of Fenris, the famed Sword Saint of the Two Swords style! How can you dismiss it so easily? What are you thinking?"
"Well, I get that the Two Swords style is impressive," I replied, "but honestly, dual-wielding can be pretty tricky. Sure, it packs a punch and looks cool, so it's popular. But in practice, it's not that simple."
Dual-wielding is a common trope in manga, anime, and online novels, celebrated for its allure. However, it requires significant skill to master. That's probably why the protagonists who can do it are so well-liked.
Wielding two swords means you must swing them both with one hand. This requires the strength to handle a sword with just one hand effectively. If you lack that strength, the increased number of attacks won't translate into power, making dual-wielding pointless.
Another challenge is maintaining balance while handling both swords simultaneously. In other words, if the rhythm of your strikes isn't synchronized, your attacks will lack power. If the timing of your swings is off, the potential advantage of having two weapons will be wasted.
When I mentioned this, the old man murmured, "Hmm," and his gaze sharpened as he fixed his eyes on me.
"Surely, some have attempted to learn the dual-wielding technique only to give up due to its difficulty? Because of that very challenge, I suspect few can truly master the Sword Princess's Two Heavens Style, wouldn't you agree?"
"Ah, ha, ha! You've hit upon a keen point there. Indeed, only a handful can wield the Sword Princess's Two Heavens Style. However, the essence of this technique lies not in the dual-wielding itself. The true heart of the Sword Princess's Two Heavens Style is the graceful movements that allow one to dance and strike with both blades. That said, as you rightly pointed out, mastering the dual-wielding while maintaining that rhythm is incredibly challenging. So why not consider learning the Sword Princess's One Heaven Style instead?"