Eyy.

Chapter 46.

Back at it again, but this time, with a somewhat shorter Chapter.

Only about 6k words instead of the usual 10k-ish.

Still, I think I did pretty good since I only wanted this Chapter to have mostly just a single focus. Didn't go overboard with the explanations, which is something I tend to do a lot.

I'll even post this without re-reading it, since I feel really good with how it turned out.

Anyway, that's about it.

Have a good read and as always, do leave a review. -_-

Kay bye.

XXX

"Is this really necessary…?"

"Stop complaining, Remilia."

"Look, I get that this is what the week's about, but...wouldn't it make more sense to hire professionals for something like this? It's not like we lack the money…"

"If you'd be quiet and actually focused on your job, you wouldn't make mistakes and we wouldn't need professionals."

"Like you are one to talk, Claire. You've finished the least amount of work so far!"

'...Why did I have to be assigned to an all-female group…?'

A couple more days had passed since his visit to the book shop with Lefiya, and they finally reached the last day of their Familia-wide week of miscellaneous tasks. The two of them had been assigned many tasks during this time, from cleaning to inventory to cooking and much more.

Now, on the last day, they were to slap a new coat of paint on their fence, a task assigned to a lot of Level 2's and 3's.

"We do this every year so why even complain at this point…?" One of the other girls muttered with a sigh.

"And if you were part of the Second Group you'd be tasked with counting expenses or something similarly boring. So, pick your poison."

"...It's not that bad…"

He found himself muttering as he listened to their conversation, remembering the times he helped Finn with calculating the Familia's expenses. His early education in such matters allowed him to be of help, and although he personally hated working with numbers, he at least understood the importance of such work and did not think less of it.

"Right. I heard you helped the Captain from time to time with such tasks." The girl to his right, Line Arshe, spoke. He looked over to her, nodding after a short moment.

"Yes, I have." His moment of silence was for no other reason than the fact she decided to talk to him. Thinking back on it, ever since he joined the Familia he had almost always been assigned to either the Executives or the relatively strong Second Group.

And while he had indeed interacted with the healer before, that had only come to be from the lack of healers of Level 3 or higher, forcing Loki Familia to assign the girl to the Second Group.

And those interactions, he could count on one hand.

Or better said, on half a hand.

"I've never been entrusted with work like that. What's it like?" She asked, a bit too eager for his liking.

"...It's mundane, but easy to learn. Then again, I've only ever been allowed to calculate expenses for individual groups of our members."

"And what's that like?" She asked once more, with a gentle smile no less.

'...What is this girl trying to get at…?'

"...If it is a Quest within the Dungeon, then you take the reward from that Quest and then add the Magic Stones you gather while on said Quest to that amount. That would be the revenue of that specific Group. From that, you subtract the costs of the Items used during the duration of the Quest, then the cost of repairs to that Group's weapons and armours. If the Quest comes from a Familia to which we own debt, like Hephaestus Familia for example, then a set percentage is taken so as to cover said debt quicker. Whatever remain is the income that Group generated. From there-"

"There's more?!" One of the others shouted in half-annoyance from his left side, making Fuzen aware that Line was not the only one listening to his explanation.

"...Yes. Uhh...But I guess you get the idea?"

He could of course go on but realizing that the idea had been relayed he stopped there. In truth, that was but the basics of basics when it came to large Familia and their inner workings. Not to mention the type of finances run by normal merchants.

In an attempt to better understand the work of the people under him Fuzen had asked old man Yamamoto to explain to him the ways of the merchant. That had undoubtedly been the one decision he regretted the most in his life.

'No more derivatives. I'll fight a Monster Rex with my bare hands instead, but please, no more derivatives...'

Shaking the thought out of his head before the demotivation could kick in, Fuzen returned to his task of painting the fence, keeping the same up to be in sync with everyone else. Their property was gigantic after all, and though more than half of the task had been completed, it did not mean the other half would take any less time.

"That's really something, isn't it?" Line spoke again, Fuzen taking a moment to realize she was still talking to him. "Really makes you wonder just how much work the Captain does for the Familia."

"...A good point."

And it was indeed a good point. If his months of acting as the Tsuwamono of the East District taught him anything about the inner workings of a group, it was the fact that the most efficient way to run said group would be to distribute the workload among the pillars, according to their strengths and weaknesses.

He himself knew almost close to nothing about finances, managing people or even the day-to-day tasks needed for the businesses he owned to operate. Fuzen relied solely on Yamamoto for all of this.

In fact, had they lived in an era of peace and non-violence, he would not be needed at all. At current, all his worth was his power.

He was strong, thus he was at the top of their group.

'As it should be...is what I would have said just a year ago. But now..I'm not so sure. Strength does not equal competence...right?'

In that regard, it also made him wonder why the Captain was so vehemently trying to take on more work than needed instead of distributing it to those other pillars of the Familia-

'...Ahh.' The answer came to him in a heartbeat as the faces of Bete, Tione, Tiona and Ais flashed in his mind. 'Most of our pillars are...meat-heads.'

"...Now I am worried…"

"About what?"

"...Nothing. Taking in consideration your previous statement, perhaps it would help ease the Captain's burden if each Group were to take care of their own paperwork instead of just submitting a report to Captain Finn?" Those were his honest thoughts, however…"Then again, there is no way the Captain hasn't thought of this option in his many years of leading our Familia...Guess it was just a foolish thought, then, if he dismissed it."

"Why not simply propose it to him, anyway?" Line asked in return.

'...No, seriously. I've been part of this Familia for almost two years. Why does this girl wish to talk to me this much all of a sudden now? Could it be…?'

"Do you, mayhaps, require something of me?"

"What?"

"Is there something you need my help with? If it's within my power, I'll at the very least try to help."

"No, wait. Why do you think I need help with something?"

"You do not? I see...I was under that impression, seeing how you decided to engage in prolonged conversation with me."

"I don't need to want that...in order to just talk, do I?"

"...Apparently, not. Forgive my mistake."

"Besides, we were both part of the Second Group multiple times, remember? That makes us comrades, does it not? Uhh, I mean besides being from the same Familia…"

She wasn't wrong. Theoretically speaking, he knew that her words were true. They were part of the same Familia, and they risked life and limb together while diving in the Dungeon.

Yet at the same time, for Fuzen himself she was also wrong.

And that wrongness came from nothing else but their interpretation of what a 'comrade' was supposed to be, which was obviously not the same for the both of them. "...Theoretically, yes."

For whatever reason his answer managed a laugh out of her. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Yeah, Fuzen!" He heard another call his name, turning around to see Sharon stare at him. "Come join our Group too! I wanna fight side by side with that Dragon of yours! Don't be stingy!"

"...I would suggest you reconsider. That guy is the worst Dungeon partner you can ask for."

'Rude much, my Master~?'

'Go eat a bowl of insects, lizard. Right, your species eat snails too, don't they? Go snail hunting, then.'

'...Someone woke up today and realized they are way under the median height, huh?'

'...I am going to sever our Ki connection now.'

'…! W-Wait, let's not be hasty, my Master~!'

'I hope you enjoy getting skinnier and skinnier by the hour, lizard.'

Luckily enough, with the months of getting used to Raiju being a part of his life, Fuzen had not only learned how to muffle out the dragon's thoughts inside his mind but also a new trick, which was to 'squeeze' their link, which had him at the core, until Raiju was able to leech only a small amount of Ki from him.

Obviously, the dragon still had his own reserve of Ki, but maintaining anything but his smallest of forms would drain him within mere hours, leaving him but a husk of what he called his glorious self.

It also acted as a good way to torture him, so Fuzen would undoubtedly perfect his new trick before long.

"Besides, that guy only listens to my commands if I am there to give them to him. Even if I were to tell him to help you, he'd just nod and say yes but once I'm out of earshot he would act according to his own wants and leave you to your own fates."

"Uwaa...Is he that unreliable?" Next to ask was Remilia, obviously disheartened to hear that.

"Yes. He's just a pest, really. Hardly worth the trouble he brings."

"You're probably just over-reacting, right?"

His birth alone had sapped him of most of his progress he slowly built up since arriving in Orario.

He could also constantly hear his thoughts in his mind, and if he lost focus for too long it even began to affect his own behaviour.

A constant presence which did nothing else but help quicken the slow slipping he was experiencing.

More importantly than even all of that, however, was the fact that someone...something else knew that he wasn't who he pretended to be.

Nothing less than a threat.

And for once, unlike humans, unlike Monsters, unlike even the wall named Sakda...he could not use his sword to cut it down.

"...No. I am not."

A moment of silence followed as the rest of the group decided not to ask anymore questions on the matter at hand, instead choosing to continue painting the fence in front of them.

Of course, that much appreciated silence was not to last long. "By the way, it's been a while since you joined the Second Group on a dive, hasn't it?" The healer asked once more.

"Yes. It has been."

"Do you think you'll be able to join us again sometime? The others will probably not say it out loud, but they miss the energy you bring."

"...We shall see. For now, let us focus on the task at hand, instead."

"That's right. We'll have time to chat during today's party, after all."

"Wait, what-?"

XXX

The tables were filled with steamy food and the chatter of dozens of voices drowned the room in constant noise, all the while those few among their numbers who had dipped their fingers in the musical arts played their instruments from the side of the mess hall. Indeed, this was nothing short of…

"I'll get some more booze. Anyone else?"

"Oh, bring me some, too! Thanks!"

"Nah, I tell you, you need to be more careful around those Harpies!"

"Hey, wanna play some cards after this?"

"Did you hear? Another one from Ganesha Familia made it to Level 5 recently."

"Another one? Man, I'm jealous…"

"Come on, that's not all is it? Play some more music you guys!"

'I have no doubt they kept it a secret from me on purpose...Haaa…'

A party.

A party he would have liked to avoid being part of had everyone else not actively tried to keep him at the Familia after his task had been completed.

Thanks to the healer, Line, Fuzen learned of this party a couple of hours before it had started, however his plans of escape had been thwarted over and over again.

'Unfortunately, I also ran out of excuses...I probably won't be able to return to my District today.'

Four hours of training first thing in the morning. His regular patrols of the East District. Looking over the reports Yamamoto thought important enough to require his opinion on them. Dungeon-diving, now that the week was finally over and they could return to their Adventurer jobs. Getting home and helping Alya with her homework. Then meeting his quota of paintings he needed to turn in to Cellica. Lastly, two more hours of training before sleep.

As it stood now, he could manage about two hours of sleep per day, if everything went as smoothly as that.

This party was a hindrance to say the least, and one which messed up with his schedule as he knew it would not end anytime soon.

'Why can that lizard take on a humanoid form but not mimic my appearance? The one time I need him to be useful...Haaa…'

A light pat on the shoulder shook him out of his thoughts. "Is something wrong?" Alicia asked as she leaned in closer, a soft smile on her lips.

"No, Forestlight-sama. Everything is...good."

"Well, your expressions tells me otherwise. Anyway, I got you this." She said as as she took a seat by his side and presented a glass cup to him, filled with some sort of red liquid inside. Interestingly enough, however, she also placed a teaspoon besides the cup.

"...What is this?"

"It's a dessert called Jello, apparently. It debuted in Orario a short while ago. We ordered some for the party, but they couldn't make too much for us as the order was put in today. That's the only cup I managed to snatch before it was all gone."

"...Then, should you not enjoy it yourself? Why present it to me?"

A light chuckle followed, one which did not amuse Fuzen. He could not understand the reason behind it, after all. "I wanted you to try it out."

Be that as it may be, however, it would be rude to decline her offer. "...I'll gracefully accept, then. Thank you." Grabbing the spoon, he brought it to the cup only to be surprised to find out the content was in truth not liquid. "...It...wobbles."

Then he took a bite and his eyes immediately widened in surprise.

"So, do you like it?"

"W-Well...you know...it's sweet...so it's not...fit for a...warrior. Not good...for the body...or mind...but I guess...it still...counts as...sustenance. So...it's not...bad." He replied in-between spoonfuls of Jello, amusing the Elf to his side with how focused he was on the cup.

"I see. I'm glad you like it. Unfortunately, I only managed to get my hands on the raspberry one, but I know where they sell those. So, if you want, we could go there together someday? My treat, of course."

"...I don't think you need to go the extra mile…"

"I haven't forgotten that you saved my life. I never will. So please, let me at least do this."

A sense of obligation, of duty. He was no stranger to such things, far from it. As such he could understand where the Elf was coming from.

But still…

"I seek no gratitude for my actions. If you wish to be thankful to anything or anyone, be thankful to Lord Hachiman, who raised me to think the way I think, to value the things I value. Without his guidance...my decisions would be different."

"Then I'll be grateful to him, as well."

"Mhm. It's Tuesdays, by the way."

"What?"

"I usually got some time on Tuesdays."

The Elf got the message and nodded, happy that he agreed to her suggestion. It wasn't long however until the younger of the Amazon twins rushed to their side of the table, pulling the Elf by the sleeve with overflowing excitement. "Hey, Alicia! Come on, show us your skills!"

"W-Wait, what?"

"Darts! Come on, play with us!"

Indeed, it seemed like some of them hung up a darts board on a pillar a distance away from the tables, one of them pulling the rope and making the board swing left and right while the others tried to hit it.

'...They really are going all out today, huh?'

"Hey, Fuu!"

"Please don't call me that in front of other people."

"Don't worry about it! You should come and try your hand at it, too!"

"I'll decline." He shook his head at Tiona's words, not really feeling like doing any one such activity. He just wanted to get out and train, then go sleep, after all-

"Ah, I see. Well, guess it doesn't make sense to participate when you know you're gonna lose…"

When exactly he stood up and walked up to the group in front of the darts board, he did not know. But even so, Fuzen held his hand up and awaited his darts. "Give me the damn things already."

For indeed, recent events had thought him much about himself, chief among them being that he really, really hated losing.

And he did not hate losing just fights, but rather...just about anything.

XXX

'Damn Elf cost me one and a half hours of sleep. Tsk…'

Throwing a dart turned out to be quite a lot more different than throwing a sword at a fleeing enemy. Who would have guessed?

However, through trial and error he had finally figured out the sort of grip best suited for him and by the end of the unofficial tournament he had come on top, beating the Elf with a ten out of ten bullseye in their last round while the girl herself managed a respectable but nonetheless inferior score of nine out of ten.

Yet even with that victory it changed little how his schedule had been affected.

'Sleeping only one hour per day for a couple of weeks shouldn't affect my effectiveness too much, but...Haaa...This is definitely going to impair my growth. No, focus, focus…'

Inhale…

Exhale…

Inhale…

"Lightning Sword Style: [Three Step Burst]."

The world around him slowed down as he took the first step, drawing his sword and performing a flurry of strikes with his right hand alone. By the time he performed the third step and the Technique had been performed he came to a stop on the other side of the Familia Home.

'...My pacing was good, but I can't get my upper and lower body to work in unison perfectly. The Masters of the past managed to perform ten strikes per step...so how the heck did I manage only twenty-two? I managed one more strike during the second step...How does that even make sense?'

For a while now, since his victory over the Were-Jaguar deep inside the Dungeon, Fuzen had decided to spend much more time training the more advanced Techniques of his martial school, and to bring them as close to perfect mastery as possible.

Three Step Burst was one such Technique: one which the exalted Founder of his school came up with after living among the enlightened warriors of the Indan Empire.

'They had a story about how, if one knows where their destination is and truly want to get there, they could do so in only ten steps no matter where in the world you are. That story…'

He looked over his shoulder, at the length of the Twilight Manor and the distance he crossed with only three. '...is a hoax, obviously. Still, if it were true..I could go back home everyday. That'd at least lessen my worries...Haa…'

Shaking his thoughts out of his head he turned around and took his fighting stance, ready to perform the Technique again, until he could at least unleash an even number of strikes per step.

At least, that was the plan.

However, roughly one hour later, at the crack of dawn when the first rays of sunshine peeked over the horizon, that changed.

'Hmm? Someone's at the gate. This Ki signature, hmm...' Feeling the Ki signature simply waiting there, Fuzen sheathed his sword and made his way to the gate.

And there, he saw her.

Having imagined this moment for a while now, he had expected to feel...something positive when it happened. Joy, happiness, relief even. Yet, staring at her resolute expression, all he could feel inside was a feeling not unlike guilt.

"Please, teach me." Mikoto of Takemikazuchi Familia voiced as she bowed her head at him.

"...It will be hard. Harder than anything you ever experienced." He replied, focusing simply on the girl and not even once looking at her God besides her.

Still, he knew such words were unnecessary, as her lack of presence told him everything he needed to know about her commitment.

"Yes."

"You will not get any rest. You will train constantly, until you break and long after you broke."

"Yes."

"You will question your decision before long. You will question everything that led you to this decision."

"No."

"...You will wish to die. You will think what you managed that far is enough. You will think of taking your own life."

"That will not-"

"Mikoto Yamato." He did not let her finish her reply. "You will."

"...Yes."

"Will you give up when that time comes?"

"No!"

'...I guess naivety is charming in it's own twisted way.'

"You will grow feelings of hate for me. You will desire my death all throughout it."

"No, that-"

"That is fine. That is normal. When that time comes, curse me as much as you want. It will help."

"...Yes."

"However, do not for one moment blame me when that time comes. This is your decision, and your decision alone. No one else's. The moment you put the blame on someone else, I will put an end to everything."

"Yes!"

"...Very well. You have already removed your Falna." The God besides the girl nodded without words. "I will go ask for some time off, then. I ask that you wait a moment."

Turning on his heel and making his way inside, Fuzen could only think how maybe he should not have pushed the Takemikazuchi Familia so much during the last couple of days as much as he did.

Then again, having Raiju swarm them with group after group of Monsters should have at least been helpful to all of their growth.

'...And so it begins. Haa...I would have at least liked if the answer from Hachiman-sama arrived before this. I only informed them that I found a candidate, nothing about accepting her into the school by my own accord...A leg, or an arm? No, I need legs to walk, so I guess an arm it is, then...Haa...Screw my fricking life.'

XXX

The walk from the Twilight Manor to the East District was quiet for the most part, with the exception of the God and his Child chattering ever so often.

Fuzen for his part kept himself away from the conversation, his mind too focused on what was needed next.

The books told of rituals, meditations, oaths that needed to be executed.

However, all of those required multiple people to help. And right now, including his Mistress, there were only three Lightning Sword Style Disciples alive. Or, better said...one and three quarters.

His Mistress was a fully-fledged one. He was about half of that, and Mikoto was, in turn, about half of that.

'...The future looks bright and grim at the same time…'

"Fuzen-dono, a late question, but why are we heading to the East District?"

"Hm? You still need to pay your respect to our school. We will do that there. And after that, I will have Takemikazuchi-sama meet someone."

"Who might that be?" The God inquired.

"You do not actually believe I am dishonourable enough to strip your Familia of one of it's members without giving something in return, do you?"

Indeed, he had already informed that man about this possible outcome, and he was ready to take actions at a moment's notice. And true enough, once they entered the District he immediately felt his presence nearby.

'He's effective, as always.'

"Have you eaten?" He asked as they arrived at his mansion a while later.

"No, we haven't."

"Then allow me to be your host." As expected, his Head Housemaid was already waiting with her head bowed towards the entrance as soon as he slid the door open.

The woman had really changed from her days as a simple waitress working at old man Yamamoto's restaurant, and she was now comfortable enough to manage the others living at his house as well, dishing out tasks and commands alike. Her energy remained the same however, a trait Fuzen knew to appreciate.

"Young Master, you have returned!"

"Yes. Riko, we have guests. Please prepare breakfast for them."

"Of course! Then please, allow me to guide you."

It wasn't as if he didn't know his own house, but he could not say anything against the suggestion, either. It was the woman's work, after all, and he would not make light of it. As such, all three of them followed behind her as she walked down the many halls of the mansion. "It's my second time seeing it, but this house really is gigantic…" Whispered the warrior girl from behind Fuzen.

"Do not be surprised. It is your residence as well, now."

"...Wait what?"

"You choose me as your Master. What I own is yours, except the people who kneeled to me."

Riko turned around with a smile, nodding her head. "We wouldn't accept anyone else anyway, Young Master!"

"...So I've been told."

After a short while they arrived and Riko slid the doors open to the meeting room, one of the largest rooms available and the place where the various businessmen of the District came to meet and report on the happenings of each month.

It lacked any sort of furniture except the rows of symmetrically positioned pillows and short-legged tables called chabudai on both the right and left sides, with a single table positioned at the far end of the room overlooking everything.

"Please, make yourselves at home. I will be back soon." Fuzen signalled the two to enter the room before he closed the door and left.

Knowing enough about etiquette the two took a seat at the far end of the room, the ones closest to the centre seat. Obviously, had anyone else been present they would be required to move further back, and if the entire room was full they would need to sit the furthest away, closest to the door.

"I'm nervous." Mikoto voiced after a moment of silence.

"Is there a reason to be?" Her God replied. "It's a choice you made for yourself."

"Yes, my Lord."

"Don't worry too much, and just focus on your training. All of us will be waiting for you."

Her God's words helped her calm down, the feeling of heaviness in her chest fading away. The silence then continued for a couple more minutes until the door slip open once more. "Apologize the lateness." Fuzen voiced as he stepped inside, followed by a man whom Mikoto could only describe as 'average' in every sense of the word, from his appearance to his built and presence.

"Think nothing of it."

"God Takemikazuchi, this here is Kato. He works for me."

"Oh? A pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise, God Takemikazuchi."

"So...may I inquire as to his presence here?"

Fuzen hummed, taking a moment to pick his words. "You placed your faith in me and gave Mikoto your blessing to train under me. It is a trust I appreciate. However, it changes little the fact that your Familia will be short one member for as long as her training continues."

"That is not wrong…"

"I would like to offer you Kato's services. By no means do I mean for you to think of him as Mikoto's replacement, of course. But knowing you to be an effective person, I thought this is something you would not refuse."

Indeed, the God could see the benefit in the offer. Even if the man would not be able to work in unison with his Children, having one more sword fighting for the group meant their chances were that much higher of making it out alive without dying. "A most gracious offer, but...What would be the cost of hiring your man?"

"...My Lord, forgive the rudeness, but do I truly seem like that sort of person to you? If you so desire, Kato will help your Familia, not for payment but because I ordered him to do so. Think of it as a sign of goodwill. Of course, whatever you earn during your dives are yours to keep, and his equipment and Items will be paid by me."

"Why would you go to such lengths, Fuzen-dono?"

"Hmm? You are my apprentice's family...Do I need another reason other than that?"

Takemikazuchi knew from previous meetings that Kenshi was someone who valued his principles, however hearing him utter those words with not a single hint of lies hidden among them made him aware just how much that was true. "...I see. Then, I gratefully agree to your offer."

"Mhm. Kato is a Level 2, on his fast way to Level 3, so I have no doubts you will find a good use for his Skills."

The revelation of the man's Level took both the God and the girl by surprise. "Of course, I hope you understand when I ask that you do not question him about the Deity who blessed him with a Falna."

"Ah, of course."

"Mhm. You may go now, Kato. Wait for God Takemikazuchi, you will accompany him back so you may get started on your new duties as soon as possible. We'll discuss the extend of how much you can help in detail another time."

"Understood, Young Master. Then, I will go now." With one more bow of his head Kato left the room and the three were once again alone.

"Now...Mikoto Yamato. Come closer."

"Yes."

Doing as she was told, Mikoto stood up and walked in front of Fuzen. The boy then proceeded to hold up the item he had brought along, removing the cloth it was wrapped inside to reveal it: his school's Relic. The sight of the nigh-legendary sword garnered a moment of silence.

In this day and age, in Orario most of all, immensely powerful weapons were forged and put up for sale on a monthly basis. Weapons that used only the highest quality of materials, weapons which were crafted by those whose natural talent was only heightened by the Falna engraved on their backs.

Yet, even in this day and age, weapons which could be considered so unique they were in their own class, the opus magnum of blacksmiths known throughout all four corners of the world...those were rare.

Rare enough that you could live your entire life without ever laying eyes on one.

And yet, one such Master-class weapon was now in front of Mikoto.

"You know this blade?"

"...Is there any warrior worth his title who does not know of the Raiju-no-Yoki?"

"Indeed. This weapon has been with the Lightning Sword Style for almost all of it's history. A blade used for centuries. A Relic used by six hundred years' worth of Masters of our school. As far as symbols go, you can't go any further, or any more accurate, than this weapon."

"It's beautiful."

"Yes. Yes, it is...Tradition dictates that every new member of our school must perform the nine bows to the Master. I am but a Disciple: also someone named Successor, yes, but my standing is only that of a rank-and-file. And for obvious reasons, my Mistress is too far away for you to perform the oath to her. So…" Fuzen cleared his throat, holding the blade with both hands in front of her. "Mikoto. Perform the nine bows to this Relic. As the Successor, I deem this to be acceptable."

The nine bows.

If they were to ask anyone on the streets what that may be, they would no doubt by confused by the question ten out of ten times.

However, for those walking the path of the warrior, and especially to those belonging to the Martial World, the nine bows was a common practice. Not only the Lightning Sword Style, but also numerous other schools, clans and sects made use of it.

By bowing to the Grandmaster of that school, clan or sect nine times, the person seeking to join gave themselves up, body and soul, to their new life. They made an unspoken pledge of loyalty to live by that group's standards, to always keep their values in their hearts.

It was also the last chance the Grandmaster of that group got to stop the soon-to-be comrade from joining if they felt the nine bows were not performed wholeheartedly. If the ritual came to an undisturbed finish, then only a grave crime would be justified to banish someone from their group afterwards.

It was thus understandable why Fuzen, as simply a Successor not even allowed to welcome anyone within their ranks, focused his glare on Mikoto so much it reached the point where the girl was barely able to breath.

'I-I feel like a heavy weight is pushing down on my body!'

Of course, she did not know the fact this was simply a test and nothing more. Having finally gotten his hands on a somewhat worthy apprentice, Fuzen would not let her slip through his fingers.

Even so, she did not need to know that.

"...M-Mikoto Yamato of the Takemikazuchi Familia bows to the Lightning Sword Style! Please accept my loyalty!"

And so, the ritual began.

XXX

A week later…

'Someone...Someone, please…'

Her body was hot and cold alike, the sensations mixing and colliding within her own being. One moment, she felt cold unlike any other she ever experienced. The next, she felt as if she had been set on fire from the inside out.

The smell of grass lingered in her nose, her face buried within the soil. Of course, she could not breath, that was something she had been unable to do for a while now: the smell simply stuck to her, the last smell she had been able to distinguish.

She tried to open up her lungs, to force her body to produce the smallest of gasps so she could breath once again. That had been a mistake, for simply the act of trying to do so made her lungs flare up in pain.

Next came an attempt to stop every movement, to keep her chest from rising or falling. However, the act of keeping her lungs still hurt just as much.

The blurry world that was her sight started to go black, the sign that her body gave up and she was just about to fall unconscious. The smallest of smiles found it's way on her lips.

At the very least, she would not need to suffer anymore.

Yet, before it all disappeared, she felt the distinguished feeling of a boot pressing against her back.

Dread overtook her as she knew what would follow, and not a single moment later electricity spread across her skin, forcing her back to reality. Her mouth opened and a screamed managed to find it's way past her throat.

However, that same action allowed her to breath once more, and whatever the electricity or the pain from the mouthful of air reaching her lungs hurt more...she could not say.

"Get up."

Her eyes were about to shut close once more a single moment later, when the electrocution stopped...

'Someone...anyone...Please, just kill-'

"Arrrrghhhhh!"

...only for it to start again.

"No naughty thoughts allowed, Mikoto. Get up. Breath, no matter what, and get up."

"Urghh…"

"So you will not get up? Hmm…"

Pzzzz-ZZZTTTT!

"AAAARRRRGHHHHHHH!"

'…Ahh. She is...crying? Do I need to dial down the training even more? But I already cut down on the intensity...Training someone is...difficult. Haaa...Need to make sure her lungs don't get damaged.'

XXX

And, finish.

And yet, not much else to say.

That which I've been working towards has been finally achieved, and the LSS has one more member now.

Though looking at things, I'd say Mikoto is contemplating the hell out of her decision to join.

It's gonna be so fun messing around with her, that's for sure...Hehe.

Anyway, it's not like I'll detail her training regime too in-depth, unless ya all want me to. (?)

So with that said, it'll be back to changing POVs around in the next Chapter. And while I do have two characters which I plan to mostly focus on in Chapter 47, I am open to suggestions if anyone want to read about a specific character again.

Since this fic is getting long and some charas haven't appeared in some time.

And yes, I heard the "It's your story, do what you think is best" BS a couple of times already, but leaving suggestions would really help a mate out.

But yeh.

That's about it.

Hope you had a good read, and see you in the next Chapter.

Kay bye.