Slash

Are you sure?" Roko asked, "I don't know if I can go easy on you."

"Are you being considerate?" The old man smirked, "I'll have you know, I've got plenty of years left in me. Come on. You want to learn don't you?"

With some reservations, Roko drew his sword as he faced his would be teacher.

"Do your best!" Momo called excitedly, "Roko! Sensei!"

Roko readied his stance and waited, reluctant to actually start attacking an old man but his teacher noticed his hesitation very quickly and laughed, "Come on now, boy. Don't shackle yourself on my account. If this old body is going to die, it's going to be in the bosom of a hot woman!"

With the reminder of this old man's perversions, Roko felt more inclined to attack. Letting his annoyance take over, he made a serious attempt to slash the elderly man. The man blocked his attack with ease, looking bored but bemused. Roko made a few more slashes but each were expertly blocked as well. Just as Roko had figured, now that he was in the spotlight he had no idea how to progress. He was attacking but he wasn't sure if he especially wanted to land an attack. Normally, a fight had an ebb and flow. His opponent would be trying to defend themselves and attacking their openings was how Roko usually fought. But without any response, he didn't know what he could do. Was there even a point when his life wasn't on the line? Roko scowled and resolved to seriously attempt to land an attack. When his next slash was blocked, Roko stepped forward, revolving the sword in his hand so he was holding it in a reverse grip. Pulling back with the rest of his body, Roko made a heavy slash, the blades grinding against each other until he finally managed to get his teacher to jump backwards.

"Ohoho! The old man laughed, "I see. So you're that type!"

"Do tell what you've found out." Roko scowled as he flipped his sword back to a proper grip and stabbed at the nonchalant teacher. The old man parried the attack, switching the blade to underneath Roko's and throwing Roko back with an upward slash.

"Hahaha. Keep it up and I might have to fight back!"

"What am I fighting for?" Roko grumbled as he gripped his sword with both hands. Drawing his body fully back, Roko swing his sword around in a full circle to slash down at the teacher. The old man blocked the attack briefly before jumping back.

"Kids these days." The old man smirked as he pointed the tip at Roko's exposed head and jabbed forward. Planting one hand on the ground, Roko pulled his body forward again, pulling his head up and dodging the teacher's jab by inches. Aiming his sword forward once again, Roko attacked back, throwing his sword forward until its tip was inches from the teacher's nose. Despite landing a clear attack, the old man seemed unsurprised, though he looked impressed and entertained.

"Now what do we have here?" The old man smirked, "That's quite the fierce look in your eyes."

Roko just continued to glare at him, waiting for his next move. The old man scoffed and withdrew his sword, "Right. I think I got a good lock on you for now."

Roko released a breath he did not know he was holding as he drew his own sword back and sheathed it. Momo came running over brimming with excitement.

"Roko, that was amazing!" Momo cried, slapping her friend in the back, "Not even I was able to land an attack on sensei at first!"

"Ah, I remember those days." The old man chuckled, "You were so pure and earnest. It was a pleasure to watch you grow up."

"How did he do, sensei?!" Momo gulped, "Does he have your approval?!"

"Hmmm..." The old man looked conflicted, "There's certainly potential to be drawn but honestly, I don't know if he needs training."

"Eh?! Why?!"

"As far as I can tell, the only thing that's holding him back is fear."

"Fear?" Momo turned to look at Roko, "I didn't think he was all that frightened while he was fighting. Frightening maybe but not the other way around."

"Indeed, he doesn't show signs of fear or hesitation in the midst of combat." The old man nodded, "That just goes to show how many battles he's gone through already. And yet, still he comes here to learn more. Not out of love for combat or fear of fighting. But fear of doing something wrong."

"Eh?" Even Murasaki seemed surprised by her master's statement, "What do you mean?!"

"Exactly what it sounds like." The old man chuckled, "This isn't someone who wants to learn how to protect himself. This is more like some one who has decided to learn something but wants to make sure he is doing it correctly. No passion or vision. Just someone who wants to pass."

Everyone turned to look at Roko.

"What?" Roko frowned, "What's wrong with doing things correctly?"

"My boy, there may be better ways to fight but there is no wrong way to survive." The old man laughed, "You have the ruthlessness to absolutely demolish the obstacles in front of you even at the cost of your own self. That alone makes you a frightening adversary."

"You're making me sound like a villain." Roko growled, "More importantly, are you going to teach me or not?"

"Like I said, you're well equipped to fight on your own. If anything, I'm quite interested to see how you would grow on your own. Give you a few years and you could be a noble's personal guard or even a princess'. If you're lucky you could even find yourself as a military general!"

"I want none of that, I just want to know how to fight!"

"No ambition at all." The old man sighed, "Well I don't usually take men as students but there are plenty you could learn and I can't say I don't want to teach you, both as a person and someone recommended to me by the crown princess."

"Is it too late for me to find another teacher?" Roko grumbled.

"No backtalk now." The old man laughed, "Now, why don't you start with some basic drills? Your body is quite weak all things considered."

"Joy."

"Murasaki, Momo. Join the young man, won't you?"

"Yes sir." Murasaki said as she took her sword back from her teacher.

"Yes sir!" Momo cried cheerfully.

Roko collapsed on his bed exhausted that night. He knew he wasn't too muscular and that he'd need to build up some bulk when he started training but this one day alone was grueling. This day alone, he had done 100 pushups, 100 situps, 100 air squats, and a 10-km run. All the while, his new teacher just sat at a desk speaking with Aoki over a cup of tea. He had not touched his sword since his first duel with the old man which Roko took to show how much he needed to be fit enough for proper lessons. Still, the leave they managed to get from the school only lasted a week. How much longer could he spend bulking up? Results aren't going to happen overnight and there are only so many nights left. Roko briefly considered further exercises in his room but it was common knowledge that overworking your muscles did no favors for a stronger body. Besides, his eyes were slowly starting to struggle to remain open so he let himself fall to his exhaustion and into sleep.

Despite his fatigue, Roko found himself up early the next morning. Before Momo could even come and wake him up. Pulling himself out of bed and cleaning up himself up for the day, Roko still found himself alone and now a bit hungry. He had received a map for the gigantic castle but he didn't feel confident enough to find his way to the cafeteria. Roko has navigated a very samey looking sewer before but the only thing he had to worry about there were enemies. If he left now, he might run into a number of nobles who he didn't know. Still, the longer he stood there, the hungrier he got and the more nonsensical his concerns started to become in his head so he resolved to leave his room.

Following the map to the nearest cafeteria, Roko kept an eye on his surroundings as to properly judge his current position. There didn't seem to be any of those nobles Roko was concerned about but there was a bevy of maids tidying the castle's halls and rooms. Given how large the castle was, Roko couldn't imagine how many maids they would have to employ. Before long, Roko successfully found the cafeteria and had a very lonely breakfast of yakitori and onigiri. Starting to grow used to being alone in a foreign country, Roko left the cafeteria with no idea where to go. At this point, Momo should be up though where she could be at this point in this giant castle, Roko couldn't say. Nor could he blame Momo for not finding him. Where his teacher could be was also unknown. From what he could tell, he had a room in the castle for himself but finding anything was a reoccurring problem. With no other ideas, Roko decided to just return to the field where his first lesson took place.

As he walked down the hallway, studying the map closely to avoid getting lost, he bumped into someone along the way.

"Sorry." Roko apologized immediately as he looked up from his map to look at the person he bumped into. The person in particular was dressed in an elaborate costume that poked out from underneath a less flashy but still fancy silken robe. This strange lady simply regarded Roko with a curious stare, as if she came across an unexpected cat.

"I'm sorry." The lady spoke up, "I don't believe we've met. Are you new here?"

"Umm...yeah."

"A new butler perhaps? No, the clothes don't fit. A new cook? Perhaps a squire?"

"None of those...ma'am." Roko replied uncertainly, "I'm a friend of Princess Momo."

"Momo brought you here?! That's a surprise. She doesn't bring friends here often."

"Umm...I'm sorry, you are?"

"Hm? You don't know me?"

"There you are Roko!" Momo called out from behind Roko as she caught up with him, "Been looking for you."

"Hello, Momo." The lady smiled.

"Big sister! You're home!" Momo cried as she recognized her, "It's been a while!"

"It has indeed. I assume you've been keeping up with your studies as well as you've been keeping up with your training?"

"Ehe...well, as good as I can."

"Hmhm. I do hope it hasn't been too draining on you. I've heard how harsh Memoria Auspice can be."

"You've heard?" Roko blinked, "You haven't been?"

"Nope. Not at all." The lady smiled charmingly.

"Even though you're a princess?"

"Let me explain." Momo laughed, "This is my sister, Gina. She's the fourth in line for the throne but she's abdicated it in favor of being an idol."

"An idol?" Roko repeated, dumbfounded, "As in one of those people who dance and sing?"

"The very same." Gina winked as she struck a cute pose very naturally, "That's why I'm surprised you haven't heard of us. We are among the most popular idol groups in the world after all."

"You're in a group?"

"Gina is part of S.U.N.G, a popular idol group that travels the world, putting on shows."

"I might have heard of that actually." Roko remarked, "Maybe while the other students were chatting in the background."

"Students." Gina noted, "I see. So you're the resident from another world."

"He's a real smart one!" Momo grinned, "He's been helping me with my training!"

"Say..." Gina leaned in to pretend to whisper to me, "Can you help my sister with her homework?"

"Sister!" Momo complained as she pulled Gina back again.

"Sorry, sorry." Gina laughed as she stroked Momo's head, "I'm just worried about you."

"You don't have to be!" Momo pouted.

"If I may." Roko spoke up, "If you didn't go to Memoria Auspice, then where did you go?"

"Nowhere." Gina smiled, "I haven't even graduated high school yet technically."

"How?!"

"Gina became an idol at a very young age." Momo explained, "She's been working ever since."

"Well, I try to keep up with my studies while I'm on the road." Gina nodded, "Sadly, my group mates are all much more learned than me. Suguha is always teasing me about all the stuff I don't know."

"You? Get teased? A princess?" Roko blinked.

"When I'm with my crew, I'm just an idol." Gina smiled, "On and off stage. Nothing more."

"Gina's not even the group leader." Momo chimed in, "Suguha is the most popular. Suguha, Umika, Nagiko and Gina. Those four people comprise S.U.N.G."

"The actual princess is not the most popular?" Roko said, no longer surprised but still amused.

"I'm not as cheery as Suguha." Gina sighed with a smile, "You have to have a certain charisma to lead an idol group and I'm just not fit for that position. I'm more of the cool, older sister type character. Right Momo?"

"Well, you're half of that." Momo grinned.

"What do you mean?" Gina smirked as she grabbed Momo into a playful chokehold, "Which half?"

"Anyway, Roko." Momo said, "The training grounds is in the opposite direction. This is the way to the ranch."

"There's a ranch in this castle?"

"Yeah. This castle is designed to be as self sustaining as possible."

"You really live in a different world from the normal people."

"You think so?"

Gina followed Roko and Momo to the training grounds, saying she wanted to spend some more time with her sister. Upon arriving at the field, Roko's teacher was nowhere to be seen but his student, Murasaki was standing there, stoically holding two swords in her hands.

"Morning, Murasaki." Momo said as they walked up to her, "I hope you're doing well today."

"Good morning, Lady Momo." Murasaki bowed, "I...I see Lady Gina is with you. Good morning. I've had no trouble with the day thus far."

"This is the first time we've spoken to each other isn't it?" Momo smiled, "You're sensei's new student right? Have you been getting along with him?"

"I've had no complaints with sensei's teachings." Murasaki replied stiffly, "There are his...proclivities to consider but it hasn't been that bad so far."

"Proclivities?" Momo looked confused.

"Never mind that." Murasaki said as she turned to Roko, "Sir Roko."

"Just Roko is fine."

"I understand that you are a student under sensei at the behest of Lady Momo. While I don't have a problem with you personally, I can't help but wonder if you are truly worthy of both sensei's and Lady Momo's attention."

"Sounds like you have a problem with me personally." Roko replied.

"Ahem." Murasaki cleared her throat lightly, "As such, I feel I must discern your value for myself."

"Now I have to earn your approval?"

"On guard, stranger." Murasaki said as she tossed one of the swords she was holding and drew the other one from its sheath, "I won't go easy on you."

Roko caught the sword and looked tiredly at Murasaki. Nonetheless, Roko drew the sword.

"You look neither surprised nor excited." Gina noted.

"It's clear I don't have the charisma to make people accept me without force." Roko replied.