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Hua Yi already knew that Raiden Mei was proficient in swordsmanship. As for the specific name of her style, "Hokushin Itto-ryu," that hadn't been part of his memory. He didn't remember those kinds of details clearly,
nor did he know if the Hokushin Itto-ryu possessed any transcendent power. After all, if ordinary people could fight off DeadS and Honkai Beasts with mere swordsmanship, there wouldn't be a need for so many Valkyries.
Hua Yi simply wanted to learn kendo to master basic slashing techniques to understand the most effective angles, methods, and force required to strike with a blade. That was his goal.
If he couldn't obtain a sword in the future and ended up with pistols like Kiana's instead, he would have to find an opportunity to learn Gun Kata from her.
However, unlike learning from Raiden Mei, if he really had to learn Gun Kata from that white-haired idiot Kiana, Hua Yi felt it would be like handing her leverage over him. It was better not to learn it unless absolutely necessary.
Besides, once Kiana appeared at Chiba Academy, he wouldn't have much time left...
Now he could only pray that the weapon lab in the club possessed a blade-type cold weapon.
Originally, Hua Yi had planned to ask Raiden Mei to teach him at a later date. Since tomorrow was Monday, he could have used the lessons as an excuse to keep seeing her.
Yet, the moment he expressed his intent, Raiden Mei rushed off to the dormitory and returned shortly after with two shinais for practice.
Her swift and decisive manner made Hua Yi raise an eyebrow.
"Is now... not okay?"
Raiden Mei noticed Hua Yi's expression and looked downcast while clutching the two shinais. Hua Yi had only been slightly surprised by her efficiency, but seeing the girl's pitiable and endearing state, how could he find it in his heart to refuse?
"Of course it's okay."
The girl beamed. Then she paused, her mouth opening as if to say something, but she ultimately remained silent. She handed him a shinai and took a stance.
Hua Yi didn't understand kendo. All he could rely on were physical attributes that far surpassed those of ordinary people.
Strength, speed, vision, and reflexes even with only a Serena (T) and not having maxed its level after evolving the Stigmata, Hua Yi's physical stats completely crushed any normal human's.
Facing a Mei who had not yet become a Herrscher, he relied on sheer physical ability to keep the match at a stalemate. This was with him using only a fraction of his power; otherwise, he could have broken through Raiden Mei's guard with brute force on the very first strike.
As his sparring partner, Raiden Mei was the most aware of his condition, and she even felt a hint of envy.
That reaction speed, which allowed him to strike after her but land first, seemed like an extraordinary gift to her. She even vaguely sensed that Hua Yi wasn't using his full strength.
Moreover, aside from the initial hurdles caused by incorrect posture which meant ten parts of strength only yielded five parts of results he quickly observed her movements and adjusted. His errors became smaller, fewer, and then vanished altogether.
"You didn't approach me specifically just to learn swordsmanship, did you?"
"Are you still doubting my motives, Mei? My heart is breaking. At least up until now, I haven't done anything to hurt you, have I?"
"Does it really hurt? I'm sorry."
Raiden Mei clearly wasn't used to Hua Yi's exaggerated jokes. Or rather, her gentle nature, combined with her sensitivity following her family's downfall, made her overly cautious.
But Hua Yi didn't intend to change the way he interacted with her. If they were too polite, their relationship would stay stuck forever. "Good friends"? Hua Yi had no intention of being just friends with Raiden Mei.
Back when he was playing the game, he had spent a massive amount of time, energy, and money to max out every Valkyrie's affection and stats. Now that he was actually in the Honkai World, he was supposed to just be "ordinary friends" with them? You've got to be kidding me!
"I've heard that kendo sparring is also a form of communication. So, through the clashing of these shinais, can you feel my heart, Mei? Guess whether it's truly aching?"
In truth, the moment Hua Yi said those words, Raiden Mei knew he had been joking earlier. However, the girl still closed her eyes and tried to feel.
Hua Yi assumed her swordsmanship wouldn't be as fluid with her eyes shut, so he instinctively pulled his strength back and slowed down to avoid hurting her. To his surprise, Raiden Mei's moves became even more profound and reached toward perfection, leaving the holding-back Hua Yi at a disadvantage.
Is this the so-called Hokushin Itto-ryu?
While Hua Yi focused his mind to respond seriously, Mei, her eyes still closed, whispered softly.
"You are holding back... No, I should say there is pressure, a great deal of pressure. It's a strange kind of pressure. Why... are you so obsessed with becoming stronger?"
Raiden Mei's murmur made Hua Yi's hand tremble, his grip on the shinai faltering as he backed away several steps.
"Can you really sense someone's feelings through swordsmanship? What kind of divine art is this Hokushin Itto-ryu?"
Raiden Mei opened her deep eyes and looked at Hua Yi, her gaze flickering.
"Didn't you ask me to guess?"
"You should have known I was joking."
"It seems I guessed correctly. I don't actually know any mind-reading, and Hokushin Itto-ryu isn't that magical. I just sensed some issues. I know exactly how much force you used at the start and what kind of effect it had.
I also personally know the feelings and performance of a beginner making progress in a short time. But I couldn't feel any pride or satisfaction from your rapidly improving moves not even joy. There was only obsession. 'Get stronger, get stronger.' That is what your sword told me."
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