No Mercy (6)
My master knew me inside and out, and I knew her just as well. We'd etched every quirk into each other through trials numbering well over ten thousand. Like the subtle hitch in her breath before she blinked away, or the sword wrestling that flowed into a nose-to-nose lock.
She didn't enjoy overpowering with brute force... which made her all the more tricky. Unpredictable timing unleashed a mountain-crushing force? If you met it head-on, you'd go flying like a scarecrow. It was the overwhelming difference in class, belying her petite frame. Close-range was a total lost cause for me.
So what about super long-range? I was mortal through and through, human at my core. Even reinforcing my body with mana, the best I could hope for was half her speed. Now I could track her with my eyes, but she was still ghost-fast. She'd fire sword qi to exploit an opening, then strike and retreat. Pull back for distance, and I'd be picked apart one-sidedly.
To seize the advantage, I had to hold my domain. That razor-thin instant where her blade couldn't reach, but mine could.
"…!"
Of course, she knew that gap better than anyone, burrowing into my guard with relentless grace. Her swordplay was elegant to the point of refinement—utterly incomprehensible at first, but as I grew, I felt its profundity in my bones. Those seamless chains bordering on beauty couldn't be born of talent alone. They were the culmination of experience, knowledge piled over ages, and a chosen flesh. A comprehensive art woven from perfect conditions.
But didn't they say even a village dog learns to recite poetry after three years at school? After six straight years of daily sparring without fail, imitation became possible. I danced to her footsteps like a waltz. Advance with her backstep, parry and retreat when she lunged. I'd learned heaps from those improvisations.
She always praised my growth, stroking my head with a warm smile. Just not mid-trial. Then her eyes blazed like a beast's, her killing intent surging viciously. In those moments, it wasn't affection for her disciple. From day one to now, she gave her all in trials. She wanted me crushed against realms no human could touch.
But constant defeats naturally built countermeasures.
"Heehee."
"You little...! Child!"
Flash a cheeky grin amid refined technique—every now and then—and she'd flinch, just a bit. I never missed that opening, pressing the whirlwind assault.
Well... they'd all failed so far.
"Dodo, picking up nothing but dirty tricks... Face me honorably, you rascal!"
"Ow..."
Then she'd flick my forehead mercilessly. Infused with disciple-love, so it never hurt that bad.
Cowardly? Nah. You gonna square up fair and square against a tiger or bear in the mountains? Fighting master was like facing a T-Rex in the woods. Use every trick to snag that split-second edge. And humans adapt, right? She got used to it after a few tries, and those post-trial flicks got harder.
...Sealed before my skull cracked. Lately, I'd been researching unpredictability to pierce her guard.
"Hmm..."
"Child. What troubles you?"
Outside trials, she was always gentle. No tsundere phase anymore. Our height gap had widened; lately, I bowed my head for easy petting. Both of us took it as natural.
"Hmm... How do I draw out sword qi?"
"Even this one knows not. 'Tis a sensation hard to explain."
"I see."
I nodded, accepting it. Our training was pure实战 from the start. She'd just correct my self-discovered insights, valuing embodied senses above all. Tia Master was a genius, her body transcending human limits from birth. No surprise a person can't move like a dinosaur.
Lately, it felt like mannerism stagnation. I'd mimicked her plenty. Meeting a master of her caliber on the street would be different... but we were family now, down to breathing habits. All-day closeness bred familiarity for countless passes.
Just... half a step short. Half a step to touch the weakened master, bound by our pact. Her full-power self remained unscathed after six years.
Status growth had slowed too. Swordsmanship hit A-rank two years ago and stalled. Felt like a wall needing enlightenment to breach.
...But damn, I really like my master. Seeing Tia Master's smile made everything else irrelevant.
...Yet my goal was clear: advance. Free her from that vicious cycle of torment. Years together made it obvious. She wasn't normal. Grimacing where I couldn't see, frowning when she thought I wasn't looking. Unlike my status-granted mark... she ached constantly.
Now I knew. I cherished her as much as she did me.
Hoo... reigniting drive amid the subtle peace. I'd lacked desperation. Will to advance, yes—but not mortal stakes. Certain she wouldn't kill me became poison. Too comfy with defeat.
Stupid... Realizing complacency, time to awaken. Slap! I smacked my cheeks. Mind sharpened. Burning sensation fueled my resolve.
Swordsmanship year six, Lee Dodo. Facing the trial. As if loss meant death.
The very next day, the decisive battle arrived. Beast-like eyes pierced me. I answered with matching killing intent.
"You've grown."
A brief murmur. Then crushing aura bore down. That off-beat super-interval I could never habituate. Right sword deflects it. Metallic clang, sparks fly.
Left aims for limbs. Twisting waist, inefficient path—still sinking fangs to wound. No thought to follow-up. Her pupils dilated at the feral motion.
"…!"
But only a moment; she kicked distance. No breath before pitch-black sword qi floods. Long-range was her turf. I grazed past, closing in again.
Like a beast's fangs, my dual blades gnawed from the edges. One wound—that was my win con. Ignoring screaming muscles, I pushed max speed. Not mindless hacking—infused with offense-defense unity. Ensuring her single stroke didn't claim another life.
From countless deaths, instinct traced those paths into sword flows. Clang!
She stomped. Black energy rippled like waves, crashing over me. Normally, I'd retreat.
Not today. I cleaved the dark waves with both swords, charging through. Residual qi—her black mana tore my skin. Blood poured from exposed wounds.
"…!!"
Shock colored her face. I'd finished trials unscathed most times, save rare slips. Her consideration.
But today was different. To live, I'd court death. Backed into a corner, resolved to die fighting. Without that desperation, no advance. Had to beat the transcendent.
Felt blood droplets flying from mangled forearms. Mood? Freer than ever.
My combo followed. Three slashes weighted heavy. She reacted flawlessly—instant parry, bare palm thwack! rebounding my blade. Fierce recoil cracked my guard wide. Like driving a stake, her thrust finished it.
Defeat. That "inevitable" sensation hit. Death. Today, loss meant real death.
Time dilated like a life-flash. Agony surged adrenaline, senses razor-sharp. Blood spraying mid-air felt invigorating. Proof I lived.
...Opposite of that stimulus. Initial mark activation's pain. Life-flow reversing, meridians shredding in ruinous agony. Polar opposites.
One source: mana.
- Taming wild flows under will.
Same as six years of training!
Taming the flow trying to kill me...!
In slowed time, eyes bulged. Teeth gritted, glaring at the wall. Couldn't die today.
Mana accelerated, blood boiling, rampaging through me.
(New) Mana Torrent [F]
Message popped, and I sensed it. The flying blood droplets. As I grazed past master, my will and mana touched those tiny orbs. Bloodstream erupted like sharp shards.
Becoming red blades.
"…!"
Beast reflexes twisted her head away. My vital-aimed blade halted. Lost purpose.
A thin red line scarred her porcelain cheek. Her motion froze. Eyes not on me—on the crimson trailing down.
Slowly, hand rose to touch it. Tia Master's lips bloomed a smile. Amazement, pride, inevitable reluctance. All for me.
"…"
"You've won, child."
Beaming pride, she tossed her sword, hugging tight.
Aah... finally. The day I reached master.
Packed and departure day, master's eyes brimmed with emotion. No need for words—I knew them. Steeped over years together.
"Child, I expected it someday... but not so soon."
"That fast? Heh..."
Six whole years. Grueling days flashed, dizzying. Couldn't do twice.
Her voice tinged unavoidable reluctance. She'd steeled herself. Gripped my hand long, then flatly:
"Go. Child, you've proven yourself beyond measure."
Prideful smile laced with loneliness. Eye-corners drooped at parting. Disciple's ascension to independence.
My chest ached too, but no tears welled...!
"You're coming too, Master. What're you saying?"
"Wh-what...?"
Dreamy expression turned dumbfounded. Most vacant I'd seen.
Heh... damn mark's fault. Go alone? I'd boomerang back soon. Bound as protector-disciple. Inseparable since first meet...
So go together? Perfect win-win!
Hugging tiny Tia Master—shrunken since six years ago.
And proposed.
"I can't live without you, Master. Will you stay by my side... forever?"