Chương 8: Swordsmanship with Kiba
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"And that's the jist of it, Yuuto-kun." She explained the contents of the contract to her Knight, to which he nodded attentively with a content look on his face.
"I see, very well. I don't mind teaching Takauji-senpai if that is what he wishes." He looked at the Magician. "But I must warn you, I have no intention to give you any special treatment regardless of your position."
"I wasn't expecting any to begin with," Kiba approved of his attitude.
Akeno spoke up. "Kiba-kun, you'll be in full control of how you choose to instruct him. So make sure you set a schedule for yourselves when you have time, it's important you ensure that he manages his time properly. Especially his rest."
He pretended not to notice her glare, shrugging as if it had nothing to do with him.
"Understood, Akeno-senpai." Even he couldn't help but sport a faint smile, knowing full well what she was talking about. "Takauji-senpai, you should probably change into something easier to move in for the time being, you can meet me at the grass pitch once you're ready."
"Will do."
He went to his locker, putting on his school tracksuit and switching into a pair of white trainers. Then proceeding to do a few warm up stretches Hairo had taught him before going to meet the Gremory Knight in the grassy field outside.
Stretching was vital to avoid muscle damage after all.
"If you don't mind me asking before we start, could you tell me why you're interested in swordsmanship? Honestly I thought you would rather spend all your time immersing yourself in your Magic studies."
"You're not wrong," he confessed. "However, if there's one thing I've learned about Darkness Magic it's that it's only a passive art on paper. In practice, it requires the user to be extremely aggressive if they want to make good use of it. That's why I need something that'll enable me to engage in close quarters combat."
Kiba found his explanation intriguing. "I see, but why swordsmanship in particular? There are plenty of other schools of combat you could pursue."
"Just a hunch," he said with a quaint simper.
"Haha, who can argue with that?" He tossed him a sword made of dried bamboo.
"The first thing you need to learn is how to hold your Shinai properly," he listened attentively as Kiba approached him so he could watch his form. "You are right handed correct?"
"Yes."
"Alright, with your left hand hold the bottom of the hilt," Takauji did as asked. "Good, now with your right hand hold it right below the guard like you're giving it a handshake."
"Like this?"
"Good, now squeeze." He could feel the strength of his grip on the sword's hilt, giving him a good sense of control over the training weapon. "Now you need to find your footing, start by planting your left foot in front of your right."
He followed Kiba's instructions.
"Then straighten your back, it's important you don't let your body wobble when you're holding your Shinai." Kiba grabbed his shoulders, adjusting his posture accordingly. "Alright now raise your sword above your head, but make sure your right hand doesn't drop below your left at any point. Otherwise you'll end up poking your behind." He said with a chuckle.
"Is this alright?"
"Mhm, now perform a vertical swing. But make sure you're in control of your Shinai throughout the motion, you wouldn't want a blade logged in your kneecap or anything."
"No, I wouldn't." Takauji swung, looking at Kiba to see if he had succeeded or failed. But the latter's face told him little.
"Alright, now watch me do it." Kiba performed a swing of his own. "Did you notice anything different?" Active learning was arguably the best form of learning.
Takauji took a moment to think, having noticed one discrepancy between them.
"The sound?" Kiba's swing made the sharp sound of the Shinai cutting through the wind, whereas his swing seemed noticeably more dull in comparison.
"Correct, and do you know why the sounds our swings made were different?"
"If I had to guess, I'd probably say it's because of the firmness between us." He concluded.
"Correct again, your problem is that you lean into your movements too much. Flexibility does have a role in swordsmanship, but that comes later. Right now all you need to do is master the basics, then you can go about creating your own style and all that flashy stuff."
He honestly couldn't care less about whether he was flashy or not, it just had to be effective. That was all that mattered.
Kiba looked at his wrist. "I probably need to start meeting with my clients which will take about 2-3 hours give or take. Until then I want you to focus on nothing but getting this vertical swing down. Think you can do that?"
"No problem," he immediately got to work.
And as he continued to work away at his swordplay training, his brain subconsciously started to dissect the factors that he needed to hone in order to get a good swing.
First was form, if your form wasn't good then you'd just end up tripping over your own incompetence.
Second was strength, if you didn't control your strength properly you'd either create a swing that was too weak, or a swing that was too strong to the point where you just ended up stabbing yourself in the leg.
He had noticed that whenever the pressure on his right hand felt too great upon bringing his sword downwards, he would lose control of the swing.
And thirdly, was posture. The position of your hands, feet, shoulders, back and arms. All played key roles in whether you would be effective or not.
Even if just one of these body parts were out of order, he would fail.
All he could really do at this point, was continue to chip away at the same motion until he managed to execute it properly.
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The day was relatively ordinary for Rias, she was simply relaxing to some anime in the club room as per usual. Enjoying a set of snacks and beverages her Queen had prepared for her.
"He actually was serious about learning swordsmanship," she mused. Looking outside the window briefly at the training figure of her contracted Magician. "I guess I was worried for nothing."
"Maybe he's aiming to become a Magic Swordsman?" Akeno suggested.
"That's possible, but if it's true he's in for quite the challenge. Having to learn both spell-craft and swordplay from scratch at the same time isn't going to be easy."
Her Queen sighed. "Nothing he tries to do is easy, for better or for worse."
That's why I need to watch over him, so he doesn't end up actually hurting himself.
"At least his work ethic is good, though I wished he'd come to us for help more often. Come to think of it, despite me offering it he hasn't asked for any direct tutoring from us until now has he?"
"He hasn't," Akeno confirmed as she raised her teacup. "But I don't think it's because he has a lack of faith in us or anything."
"Then?"
"From what I've seen, I'm fairly certain it's just because he hasn't considered the prospect to begin with."
Rias lifted an eyebrow. "Elaborate."
"When he's studying Magic at least, his brain is like a speeding train with only one track and no brakes. Once he's decided on something he'll just push at it until he gets it, he sees anything besides that as a distraction. Or in simpler terms, he's stubborn."
That wasn't a hard statement to agree on.
"I see, but aren't you glossing over something Akeno?"
"Hm?"
"The only time he's studied at the clubroom was the day after we made the contract, after that he's been studying exclusively at his house up-till now," her eye twitched as she looked at her Queen. "And in order for you to know that, you'd also have to have been at his house."
Akeno had a wry smile on her face. "And what if I was? Someone has to look after him right?"
"I know that. But is that really all you were doing?" She pressed.
"Who can say?" She had a suggestive smile on her face.
And before Rias could continue to dig for answers, she was met with a transmission from her Knight.
"Yuuto-kun?"
"Buchou, it's urgent. I need you to teleport to my location immediately, and if Akeno-senpai is with you, bring her along as well."
By the tone of his voice, whatever was going on seemed urgent.
"Hold on, first tell me what's going on."
"It really is better you see it for yourself, I insist."
By the sound of things Kiba didn't seem intent on relenting. "Very well, stay put. We're coming over to you now." Akeno looked at her with a questioning face.
"Is something the matter?"
"I'm not sure," she replied with a tense expression. "Apparently something's happened on Yuuto-kun's end, and he wants us to come over to him."
"Then we best not keep him waiting, he isn't one for jokes." They both gathered and teleported to the Knight's location.
"Well?" Rias asked, facing him in the confines of what seemed to be an ordinary looking apartment. Save for the pungent stench of metal in the air.
"Look," he pointed to the wall. Causing the two Devil's to hold their breath as they witnessed the gruesome scene before them.
Stapled onto the wall were the limbs of an older woman, each nailed in different locations as if to make it appear like a crucifixion of sorts. Blood was scattered all over the room, signs of brief struggle shown by the markings on the floorboard.
"That's my client," Kiba admitted with clenched fists. "She tried to forcefully summon me out of nowhere while I was dealing with a different one, so I went to investigate. But by the time I arrived, it was too late."
That much was obvious.
"And it looks like whoever did it, left us a message." Rias scowled, looking at the bloody writing on the wall that read, Death to the heretics, torment for their benefactors.
"This definitely has something to do with the Fallen Angel's that attacked Issei-kun," Akeno stated. Earning a nod from her companions. "But to think they would go so far as to target our clients, truly despicable."
"I concur," Kiba said, turning to his King. "What should we do about this?"
"This is clearly an outright declaration of war against us, so we'll start preparing for a direct confrontation with them immediately. Yuuto-kun, when we get back I need you to tell Takauji that he'll be responsible for keeping an eye on Issei-kun for the time being."
Kiba seemed confused. "You want Takauji-senpai to watch him?"
"Yeah, since I've been sending him to speak with clients as of late they probably know that he's still alive. I imagine they're going to send one of their goons to dispatch them while he's unguarded."
"I understand that much, but why Takauji-senpai? I mean no disrespect but isn't he still a little bit green to be fighting them? Why not send me instead?"
"No, I need you ready to fight their main circle once they appear. Obviously if they decide to send more firepower than expected against Issei-kun then you are free to intervene."
He nodded affirmatively. "Understood."
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Takauji wasn't sure how many times he repeated the same action. But in truth, it really didn't matter to him. What he was doing now wasn't all that different from when he was studying Magic after all.
Trial and error, trial and error, and then some more trial and error. It was all the same to him, and he was more than willing to endure it.
Power came at a price, and he would pay up with a smile on his face.
"Mm, the sound your swing makes has already improved quite a bit. Good work." He had been so immersed in his training, that he hadn't even noticed the Knight approaching him, wearing some sort of purple sling carry case on his back.
"Thanks. But judging by the look on your face, you're not interested in my swordplay right now." He keenly observed.
"That is correct, this may come as a bit of a shock to you but Buchou has an assignment for you." On the contrary, he seemed calm as ever.
"That was indeed a part of our contract. What does she require of me?"
"Are you familiar with Fallen Angels?" He shook his head. "I see, in short they're basically Angels that have fallen from the grace of God by giving in to their own temptations, or evil Angels for simplicity sake."
"Angels and Devils, how poetic."
"They've been responsible for a couple acts of hostility against us as of late, and now we're worried that they're going to be a lot more open about their animosity."
"Oh, that's terrible."
"Indeed, and we're worried they're going to go after Issei while we're not around. So she would like you to act as a guard for him, at least for now."
"Me? Not to be self-deprecating, but I'm not exactly the toughest nail she has at her disposal. Furthermore I have absolutely no combat experience to my name."
"I brought up that concern with her, but it seems she has a great deal of faith in you." He said, not actually knowing what her motive was for electing him.
Which Takauji could see as clear as day.
"Well then who am I to betray the expectations of my contractor? I'll gladly accept." Kiba shot a half-smile his way as he tossed the carry case towards him.
"What might this be?"
"Open it and find out," Takauji reached into the silk-laden case, pulling out what looked to be a finely smithed Katana with an emerald colored and diamond patterned hilt. "Honestly speaking, you aren't nearly ready to use that thing. But if there's a chance that you're going to run into a Fallen Angel, I'd rather you have it on you anyways."
"I appreciate it," he bowed politely. "I'll make sure to take good care of it."
"Properly looking after one's weapon is another skill a swordsman should possess," he said. "You'll be briefed on everything you need to know first thing tomorrow."
"Then I shall be there punctually."
Kiba nodded approvingly as he walked away.
To think such an opportunity would just fall into my lap like this, whomever you "Fallen Angels" happen to be. You have my gratitude.
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Taka has finally got his hands on "Kyoka Suigetsu". I wonder if he'll actually manage to turn it into a special weapon?
Word Count: 2470
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Discord Link: KQAtTw9u7x
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