章 1717: Rustle

Rain collected her things and hoisted the backpack onto her shoulders. The axe blade was terribly heavy, which messed with her balance a little… but she could handle it. The frightful black sword her teacher had given her was already gone, and her tachi regained its shadow. She studied the familiar sword for a few moments, then sighed and sheathed it smoothly. 

Rain was ready to leave. 

…But she didn't. 

"Uh, teacher. We might have a problem."

He turned to her and raised an eyebrow in confusion. 

"A problem? What's the matter?"

She hesitated for a moment, then awkwardly scratched the tip of her nose. 

"Well, you see. That explosion was much more powerful than I had expected. So… all the ice is broken. How am I supposed to get back to shore?"

He stared at her for a bit, then glanced at the ravaged landscape of the vast swamp.