Chương 375: Ninja Raiden?

Saeko slowly walks through the tomb with sword and torch in hand, her eyes trailing along the finely carved depictions, murals, and symbols scattered along the haggard stone walls.

Despite the eerie atmosphere, she was thankful to finally be out of the sun... Even if she did have to walk all of the way back once she was done here... Urgh...

*Tap~~~~~~~*

...

She pauses at the sound and waves her torch in front of her into the darkness, but still sees nothing... "Is anyone there?" she calls out, remembering a scene similar to this in a movie she once watched... The Mummy or something... Wait, did Mummys exist in this world?

"Greetings travel-"

*Swing*

*Ching!*

Sparks fly as Saeko's sword is blocked and locked in place by a middle-aged Redguard man, the slight smile he'd been wearing not fading from his face even as she'd attempted to cut him down.

She quickly withdraws once she realises that she'd attacked a real person, though, still not lowering her blade. "Who are you? What are you doing all the way out here?"

"Shouldn't I be asking you the same? What are you doing in these ancestral tombs?... Not searching for treasure, I hope?" the man replies, lowering his curved sword to his side in a pacifying display.

Saeko shakes her head, "No, I'm not searching for gold, only guidance."

"Guidance with what, may I ask?"

"The way of the sword." she simply replies, causing the man's eyes to widen.

"A long and arduous task, one without many answers. The Way of the Sword has been mostly forgotten, even in Hammerfell, I do not know of a single Shehai in recent memory, nor have I heard of any true Blademasters... What makes you think you are any different?" he asks, not sounding condescending, but curious.

"I am not different, I have dedicated myself to the blade for most of my life, as have many others. I just wish to see whether I have the talent to learn such an art." she states.

...

The man nods to himself before turning and gesturing for her to follow, "While most teachings have already been lost through the ages, some remnants still remain... Like this place." he says as they walk into a dark room, the man raising his arm towards the now illuminated wall.

It depicts a single swordsman going through many stances and attacks. It was hard to see or determine just what exactly the person was doing due to how the carvings were made, along with how old everything was. Still, Saeko could glean some information from this alone.

"This tomb was not originally created to teach the way, but it is one of the only places left where one may learn." the man explains as he walks through the room, pausing near some sarcophagus-looking things that'd been built into the walls. Next to them were more depictions, though, this time the man depicted looked different. Indeed, the person displaying movements changed after every sarcophagus, as if they were displaying the talents of the very people buried here.

"Are you trying to learn as well?" Saeko questions.

The man nods, "I have been learning here for many years, yet, I have little to show for it. I fear my talent does not match my ancestors... Perhaps a change of focus is needed...?" he mutters before looking to Saeko, "I suspect I am one of the most knowledgable of the way of the sword, yet, I am no Ansei. Would you still be willing to learn?"

Saeko thinks for a moment before shaking her head at her faux pas, "Forgive me, I've forgotten to introduce myself. I am Saeko Busujima, Shield-Sister of the Companions and fledgling swordswoman."

The man smiles and continues walking through the tomb, eventually stopping by one, "I am Raiden Shinji, descendent of Gaiden Shinji. Fledgling swordsman, it's a pleasure to meet you, Saeko."

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Meanwhile, in Winterhold College Megumin was sitting upside down on a couch Michael had donated to the Arcanaeum, much to Urag's delight. She was trying to read a Tome explaining how to use a Master tier Destruction spell called Fire Storm, but was having no luck in figuring out how on earth to actually cast it.

"UUuuuuuhhhhh... Why are all the best spells so annoying to learn!?" she exclaims, drawing Urag's ire from the librarian's desk at the end of the room.

"Because unlike the retarded magic your world taught, this world actually requires intelligence and effort." Saya retorts as she falls into the couch next to the explosion girl.

Megumin sniffs contemptuously at her in response as she resumes a regular sitting position, "You're just jealous at how much better our magic is!"

Saya shakes her head, "From what I've heard, all you had to do was learn the basics of the magic, then press a button on some 'Adventurers Card' to become able to use magic. What kind of mentally disabled gods and laws of physics even operates like that!? It's like you were living in a game or something!"

"Talk all you want, but I'm the only Arch-Wizard sitting on this couch! Unlike whatever you're learning!"

Saya adjusts her glasses as she shows Megumin the cover of the book she's reading, "I'm not a pyromaniac like yourself, I've not only reached the Apprentice rank in Destruction magic, but all others as well! Including Enchanting and Alchemy! What have you got to show other than some Fire Runes and weak fireballs!? Baaaka!"

"You take that back you old hag! My Rune are awesome! Way better than your stupid Illusions!"

"Hag!? I'm only a couple years older than you!" Saya angrily retorts, clapping her book closed as she prepares for an argument.

Megumin gives a smug smirk, "And it shows! You'll have wrinkles and grey hair in no time! If that Takashi guy didn't want you when you were younger, you're doomed to stay alone now!"

"That does it you flat-chested brainlet!" Saya exclaims as she tries to whack Megumin over the head with her book, only for the explosion girl to roll off of the couch backwards and try to run away... Only to run headfirst into Urag's stomach...