Chapter 161- Sparring

Chapter 161- Sparring

[Keeno POV]

Waking up early the next morning I looked around. Most everyone was still asleep though I did notice Pram’s tail reaching over into Freya’s blanket.

‘Cute.’

{I agree. Best thing is it was an unconscious movement on Pram’s part.}

‘Extra adorable.’

Thinking about what was planned for the day, I got myself dressed in my most easy to move in outfit as quietly as possible. I went to the bathroom to tend to my tails and pass the time waiting for the others to wake up. Once I was satisfied, I went back into the room to find a few others awake including Margaret. She was busy getting a few pieces of her armor on in preparation for our match.

“I was wondering where you went.” (Margaret)

“Had to get these in order. Doesn’t feel right if I don’t, like I’d be scolded by someone scary if I didn’t.” (Keeno)

“That’s concerning. I didn’t think Lady Fiametta or Goddess Amaterasu would scold you for that kind of thing.” (Margaret)

“Ama tends to her tails like I do with the same reasoning.” (Keeno)

“...What is there that can actually scare a god?” (Margaret)

“A lot of things, actually. They are just people like us after all.” (Keeno)

“Hmm.” (Margaret)

She finished putting on her armor and stood up, stretching.

“The rules for our spar in a bit, Soul Weapons, or sparring weapons?” (Margaret)

“Soul Weapons. No point if there isn’t a bit of danger. It’s the best way to learn.” (Keeno)

“...I’ve never heard that before.” (Margaret)

“Eh? Is it not normal to train like that? Fia and Ama said it was.” (Keeno)

“Um. I think we have different versions of common sense in this regard. Soul Weapon sparring is only ever done by masters of their preferred style.” (Margaret)

“...” (Keeno)

“Hehehe. In any case, it’ll be interesting. I’m looking forward to our match even more now.” (Margaret)

I smirked, my own excitement for our sparring match getting ignited even further. So much so that my horns appeared and my tails began to wave a bit faster than their usual methodical swaying.

“Keeeennnnnooooo. Too hooooooot.” (Pram)

I toned down my enthusiasm a bit before Pram fully woke up.

“Pffft.” (Margaret)

{Hahahahahaha! It’s been so long since she had a reaction like that.}

It was then that I got an idea. Manipulating the heat around Pram, I coaxed her to wrap her tail around Freya even more before coaxing it to pull back toward Pram. The result; Freya is pulled out of her bed and halfway into Pram’s before she wakes up all adorably confused.

“Hehehehehehe.” (Keeno)

In her still drowsy state, Freya looked around before noticing she was very close to Pram. With a blush visible even in the dim lighting of the room she crawled the rest of the way into the bed and began to hug Pram whose tail was still tightly wrapped around the wolf girl’s waist.

“Even though I’ve seen it several times now, I’m still surprised at Freya’s actual personality. It’s so different from how she usually presents herself that it’s always a shock.” (Margaret)

“It’s one of, among many other things, I really like about her. I’m just happy she’s loosened up around us as much as she has since her Vanir days. Though I wish I knew how I could help her get over her feelings of...uselessness? I don’t know how to word it.” (Keeno)

“She feels like she is just extra weight since the two of you use the same kind of magic and she doesn’t have all that many opportunities to shine?” (Margaret)

“Exactly.” (Keeno)

“Some of the newer knights in our order also get feelings like that. It usually solves itself after they get a few achievements, or they find out they find their niche.” (Margaret)

“Ama and I agreed to leave Pram’s protection solely to her from now on.” (Keeno)

“That’s a good idea.” (Margaret)

We watched as the two lovebirds wiggled around in the small bed trying to get comfortable before we decided we should get something to eat before our match. We walked to a different part of the Guild where several tens of people were milling about. Some were eating at tables, some were drinking alcohol, even this early in the morning, or maybe they just never stopped from the night before, I’m not too sure. After getting something reasonable for breakfast and chatting for a bit, we decided it was time.

I walked up to a free Guild homunculus and asked if there was a training room somewhere either in the Guild or somewhere else in the city. In her monotone voice, she told us to follow her. We did so and after descending several floors of the Guild, we arrived in one of the largest Guild rooms I’d seen yet. She said that this was the main training hall and that there were smaller, private rooms one floor down. We thanked her and she lightly bowed before leaving us to our own devices.

“Should we do it here or in a private room?” (Keeno)Diiscover new stories at novelhall.com

“Well, we don’t want to drag others into our sparring if we get too into it, so I’d say a private training room.” (Margaret)

“Then that’s where we’ll go.” (Keeno)

We went back to the stairs and walked down to the floor below us. Talking to the homunculus stationed there, we were led to a training room with a heavy metal door. The homunculus placed her hand on it and the door seemed to melt like a liquid. She beckoned us to go inside before following us in.

“Please rest assured, this unit is replaceable, do not worry about destroying or using this unit in any way you desire during your training.”

This stopped me in my tracks and left me with a complicated feeling.

“Are you sure you want to stay in here?” (Keeno)

“Yeah, and Fia, and that one time we had to stop that horde from reaching a city.” (Pram)

“That time with Fia was intentional though. I only do it when I know my opponent can handle it, or if I’m actually trying to kill them.” (Keeno)

“Sure. I totally believe you.” (Pram)

“Someone seems a bit nippy today.” (Keeno)

“I didn’t sleep well last night.” (Pram)

“How about this morning?” (Keeno)

“It was better.” (Pram)

“Heh.” (Keeno)

Looking over at Freya, she was keeping a stoic face, but her blush was unable to be hidden. Pram then finished up healing Margaret and she looked at us again.

“Okami, may I request a spar with Freya next?” (Margaret)

“I don’t mind if Freya doesn’t mine, but are you sure you don’t want to take a small break?” (Keeno)

“Pram’s healing is quite potent; I feel like I could keep going for hours now.” (Margeret)

“Oh?” (Keeno)

I turned to look at Pram who had mysteriously vanished. I turned to look at Freya, noticing the white tail with black spots she now had, and asked if she would like to spar with Margaret. She agreed, and after refreshing herself with some water, the two went to the center of the room.

[Freya POV]

Stepping up to the center of the room, I summoned my swords. Their sliver edges gleaming in the light of the room. I closed my eyes for a moment to clear my mind and ready myself for the fight. When I opened them again, I lowered my center of gravity and waited for the signal to start. Margaret did the same and we just stared at one another, waiting for someone to make the first move.

I discreetly covered myself with solar magic and observed. It was like time had slowed down and I saw that Margaret shifted her weight, about to move in for the first attack. I preempted her and moved faster. By the time she noticed my movement, I was already bringing my swords down at her. When they were about to hit her, I felt something hit my stomach and I flew backwards. Looking at Margaret, I saw she was surrounded by wind.

“That was a good attack, though I’ve already come up with countermeasures thanks to Okami.” (Margaret)

I narrowed my eyes at her statement and crouched down again. If she already knows these movements, then I just need to go faster, be sharper. I increased the mana consumption of my magic and shot towards her again. Again, her wind blocked me and pushed me away before I could get a strike in, but I made it closer this time. She noticed this as well and increased the force of her wind. This meant I had to come up with a better plan.

Margaret, however, thought otherwise and wouldn’t let me. She lunged at me, her wind boosting her movement and nearly got me. When she thrusted her spear toward me, I jumped up, landing on the shaft and kicked. If it was a regular weapon, it would have shattered the shaft, but since it was Margaret’s Soul Weapon, it just sent a reverberation up my leg, making me lose balance and fall off the flat of the blade. This, however, did give me an idea, but that idea could only work if I don’t get finished off here.

Kicking up some dust, I covered my retreat, and, in the place, I was a second ago Margaret’s blade now sits. I lunge toward her and jump onto the blade of her weapon just as she frees it from the ground. Using both the momentum from my movement and the upward force of her weapon. I landed on the roof and kicked off it, throwing one of my swords to the ground. I land on the handle and use it to launch myself at Margaret again, holding my second sword with both hands. Once I reach near her, I twist, using the momentum to back up my sword. The blades of our weapons clash, sparks flying everywhere.

The clash continued for about a minute when Margaret tried to kick me in the stomach, but I slipped to the side, our blades sliding against one another with a distorted metallic sound. The two of us were breathing heavily as we stared at one another. Margaret caught her breath first and stood up straight. Her weapon’s shaft shrinking into the handle of a sword which she pointed at me.

I recovered a second later and did the same with my own sword. I made my second sword reappear in my other hand. It was then that I felt some kind of piece inside me seemed to feel out of place. My vision seemed to swim for a second before I felt a pair of arms wrapped around me.

“Freya, are you alright?” (Pram)

“...Yeah...I just feel like...I’m on the cusp of something...regarding my Soul Weapons...but its...making things in my head weird.” (Freya)

Keeno knelt next to me with a serious expression on her face. Staring into her eyes, I felt a chill go over my body as she was clearly examining my soul.

“Pram, Mostima, get Freya to a bed. Margaret, sparring any more today is postponed.” (Keeno)

“What’s...happening?” (Freya)

“It’s something good, actually. Your soul is clearing out the last bits of corruption it still had. I don’t know why it’s happening now, of all times, but if I had to bet, it’s because you were using your Soul Weapon against another one of a purer nature. I’ll have to consult with Ama later about it. But this is not the time we need to get you to your bed. Pram, you are going to be on Freya-watch for the time being.” (Keeno)

I was then lifted up and carried up several flights of stairs until we finally reached the room we were staying in. I was gently placed on my bed. The second my head hit the pillow; my vision began to fade.

Chaos Realm:

Order: Have you contacted that Swil person?

Yeah. She’ll be here in a few days.

Order: Alright.

Luna: I’m gone for a few days and something interesting happens. I would like details please.

Tamamo: I would as well.

Order: Payto found Nykuro’s Fated One, but she is another God of Chaos, so we are making preparations for their meeting.

Luna: Nykuro is moving on up in the world again, I see.

Tamamo: Speaking of Divine Fated Ones, how are Astraea and Evelyn?

Hmph.

Order: As much as Payto hates to admit it, they are finally old enough to go on dates without our supervision. I believe they are currently jaunting around Keeno’s world’s Divine Domain.

Amaterasu just ran into them on her way to talk with her Goddess of Creation and now she’s wondering on just what she should do.

Luna: That’s funny.

Tamamo: It really is. How are Keeno and Amaterasu, by the way? Luna has been telling me about them since I’ve been busy, but I still find watching them to be better than just words.

Order: I’ll replay everything that happened since you were last here. That should help.

Tamamo: Thank you.