A/N: Finally got myself a beta and let me tell you readers that we have plans for this story. Hopefully it'll turn out as good as we want it to be. Anyways I hope everyone enjoys the newest chapter. reworks of the previous chapters are being done to make everything uniform and in 1st person unless if the pov changes to a different character. Enjoy all you beautiful individuals.

'She's handling herself pretty well.'

I can't help but be impressed by Spear's tenacity. From how heavy she is breathing, the girl is exhausted beyond belief, but she just won't fall over and quit, like most females her age. I find it hard to suppress a light chuckle emerging from my throat as she, yet again, stumbles and falls to the ground. Despite the shaking in her legs, she just picks herself back up and keeps on running.

'People that keep trudging forward, like her and Yoru, are the ones with real potential and can truly make a difference in the world.'

I'm making sure my observations aren't too obvious, or she'll be more nervous than she already is. I would've been blind not to notice the girl's... say, 'small' crush on me. I try to act humble at times, but I'm told I'm quite an attractive guy by my old world's standards. Alright, the one girl that said it was my partner and sort of lover, but she had very high standards for anybody, so I'm confident in my judgement. Pair that with my C+ rank Charisma, and sometimes it becomes to easy to woo a lady. However, it makes it difficult to know whose feelings are genuine and whose feelings are just altered due to my skills. I guess it could be considered one of the downsides of being a Servant in a human body.

That's why, it was good to notice that Semiramis' feelings were so... actually, let's not talk about that. No need to be lost in what is now gone.

I am pleased to note that Spear's feelings for me do not seem to impact her attitude towards training. She's been handling this twenty-mile run very well, where most people would have collapsed from exhaustion long before now. Keeping up with Yoru and myself is no small feat, especially for someone who's new to this regime.

Personally, I find this exertion not challenging at all, but, again, comparing myself to a normal human would not be fair in the slightest, and Yoru has been going through even more difficult exercises ever since he asked me to train him. It would also be fair to note that Yoru's own stamina is outrageous, for a human, especially one of his age.

If I remember correctly, there was that one day when he just wouldn't let me end our sparring for the day until he landed a hit on me. No matter how many times fists would smash into his face, chest, stomach, or anywhere else, he just kept on getting back up. My little brother was a bloody mess by the time he finally landed a blow. If I was using Bajiquan, instead of the Snake style I was teaching him, I don't think that spar would have ended until he was fatally injured. The memory brings a smile to my face.

Perseverance is something that I can admire. Although Spear may not have the same incredible endurance Yoru has, her will to improve seems to be just as strong. Using that strength of will to push her to new heights, she can grow to be a force to be reckoned with. I refuse to waste my time with those without the right potential, after all.

After a while, I wave my hand to those behind. "Stop, we are done warming up for now. Grab yourselves something to drink and meet back up in the sparring field in ten minutes. I'm sure you already know this, but take shallow sips or you'll puke." I turn my attention to my newest disciple. "Spear, after you grab some water, can we have a minute to chat?"

Yoru looks a little tired, but he's used to this, so I know he'll be fit enough for later. Spear is jubilant to finish running, but her expression quickly falls when she hears my request. Poor girl probably expects me to ridicule her or something by the panic that is clearly showing. I want to tell her that it isn't anything bad, but it is always good to prepare for the worst, so I'll just wait and she how she collects herself.

While waiting for them to rehydrate themselves, I start to practice some simple Bajiquan forms to loosen up my muscles and body. Yoru has fought my Super Bajiquan before, and although he bitched about the injuries I gave him, I know he likes it better when I do use this style, because it means I am at least fighting slightly more seriously. I'll use it later, mainly just to see how Spear will handle it. She should know she will be horribly outmatched, if the small scuffle we had at Chouri's home was any indication of the gap between our skills, but in a prolonged spar, frustration and other emotions also have more time to surface.

I can hardly wait.

XxXxXx

Spear was questioning what she got herself into... for the eighteenth time that day. Yes, eighteenth time. The girl couldn't help but sigh, even though her lungs were screaming at her. She could also taste iron in her mouth, which wasn't pleasant at all.

Shirou, with his calm and handsome face, was an absolute slave driver when it came to training. Usually, Spear wouldn't come to such a conclusion on the first day. She was well aware that many trainers made the first day especially difficult to weed out those that don't actually have the drive and motivation to go through with the training; it was a common and well known tactic. However, Spear didn't think that Shirou was trying to make her drop out, no. This was just how his training seemed to be: physically brutal that didn't give your body time to rest properly, constantly pushing it over the edge.

In all honesty, it makes Spear wonder how Shirou keeps that slim physique of his and isn't bulging with muscles everywhere. Better yet, how is Yoru handling this training so well?! The teen hasn't even shown signs of fatigue since they started, and they have done a lot! Starting off with a twenty-mile run is already 'a lot', and Shirou said that was just their warm up.

A warm up so warm, in fact, Spear couldn't feel her legs anymore. She honestly thought if she had the energy to poke them, they would just jiggle like jello for a little before giving out; that's how tired she felt. She couldn't help but be upset she's having this much trouble keeping up with a teen boy. If it was just Shirou, she wouldn't feel as bad, but this teenager was handling this like it's no big deal.

That's when a thought occurred to her. 'Are they taking it easy because I'm here?'

"Stop, we are done warming up for now. Grab yourselves something to drink and meet back up in the sparring field in ten minutes. I'm sure you already know this, but take shallow sips or you'll puke. Spear, after you grab some water, can we have a minute to chat?" Shirou said, opting to stay outside waiting for his students return.

Spear was counting her blessings for the small reprieve, but couldn't help but be worried about what Shirou wanted to talk to her about. She'd always wanted to please others, and the possibility of doing poorly is putting stress on her mind.

Could it be that he noticed that she was slowing them down during the run? Maybe he was having second thoughts about training her? If he was doubting her capabilities, how would she be able to get stronger? Did she smell bad? Spear was positive she showered this morning, but the sweat from the run definitely couldn't help. Maybe he didn't like blondes, that would be terrible!

'Why am I concerned if Shirou likes blondes or not?'

Spear stopped her train of thought for a moment, which causes Yoru who was walking behind her to almost bump into her.

"Are you okay?"

Shaking her head, Spear turned to look into brown eyes of the boy. 'Ah,' she apologized to Yoru in her mind, 'no need to be so aggravated! He's tired too, well... at least, I need to train to his level...'

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just nervous about what Shirou-san wants to talk to me about, I guess." Spear replied sheepishly. fiddling with her fingers a little bit.

Yoru only raised an eyebrow at the older girls actions. If only the teen had more interactions with actually sane females, he would've been able to infer the girl's nervous behavior was something more than just how their training's been going, but that sadly wasn't the case. So, the teen replied with what he thought his older brother was going to talk to her about.

"Well, he's probably going to give you a slight rundown on how well you did on the run... and his expectations in the future, if you want my thoughts." Yoru calmly said as the pair started returning to the field after grabbing their respective beverages.

Spear stuttered in her step to the teens words, before turning around and picking him up by the collar of his shirt, shaking him in the process.

"What am I going to do?! He's going to tell me that I am doing a horrible job as a student, and that he doesn't think I am good enough to be trained because I am too weak! Then... he's going to say how he never believed in my abilities because I have blonde hair, and that he doesn't like blondes, and to finish it off let me know I smell bad because I'm all sweaty now!" Spear complained in rapid-fire, while the teen she had lifted off the ground continued to be shaken like some sort of doll, half-way unconscious.

'She looked so tired earlier too. Where did all of this energy come from?!' The teen couldn't help but scream in his head..

"Put me down!" Yoru yelled, shocking Spear out of her rant, dropping him onto the floor.

"Oh, God! Sorry about that!" Spear said, a little pink around her cheeks.

Yoru just brushed himself off. "Not a problem, just please don't do that again. You're awfully strong for a girl! Damn..."

"Haha, thanks… Wait. Are you saying girls aren't strong?!" Spear retorted, shooting a glare at Yoru.

The boy had a sense of foreboding and shook his head, immediately raising his arms up in surrender. "O-Of course not!" Yoru quickly replied, not wanting to be subjected to being shook around again.

Having a quick moment to recover from that experience, Yoru decided to go back to the matter at hand.

"Why are you so worried about talking with Aniki? I'll be honest, I have no idea what half of the things you said were because you were busy shaking me around. What does being a blonde and body odor have to do with your training? Do blonde people not fight as well or something? And, naturally, you'll get sweaty and smell like ass after training hard! It's kind of normal." He took a sip of his cold water as he finished his explanation.

Spear just opened her mouth, but couldn't form any words and decided to just sigh, She'd noticed that he didn't have a sliver of knowledge regarding a woman's heart, which grated on her a little, but at the same time, she couldn't help but think that he's right. She was being ridiculous.

Chouri's daughter was no lovestruck teenage village girl, not that she really enforced such social distinctions. She knew full well of her developing feelings, and also the source of it. She'd witnessed his strength of body and character, in all the occasions when she lacked both. Perhaps, it's exactly the part she found lacking in her previous suitors, and the side of Shirou-san that she found so attractive.

Spear turned around, walking towards the practice field. The blonde threw one hand up as she walked away, "Hmm... Yes, ignore what I just said, but you're right. I shouldn't be worrying! Thank you."

Even with that show bravado, the butterflies in her stomach still refuses to die down. Well, it helped a little to talk to the young teen.

Yoru turned his head away, "Of course I'm right! The only person more righteous than me is Aniki!"

XxXxXx

I finished up my forms whenI saw Spear and Yoru heading towards my location. Usually, if he was on his own, Yoru would have arrived slightly earlier, but I guess having a partner changes things up a little. Spear has been having a tough time, and knowing Yoru, he maybe just spent some time to calm her down before the beatdown starts and he can't speak anymore.

What a good kid.

At the same time, he's keeping a slight distance between them, for reasons I completely understand. For the one standing next to him is categorized as an irrational force of nature: a woman. Even I have difficulties figuring women out sometimes. Most likely, he's had a run in on what disasters an irate girl could bring. Sadly, I can only offer him my sympathy.

Spear separates herself from Yoru as he begins his own practice stretches. He's been improving at an inhuman rate, picking up the Snake style enough for him to use it effectively in actual combat now. His body is suited to it more than I thought, and with a few more years and much hands-on experience, he'll stand level with the masters back in my old world.

Now, back to the main topic. I lead the young blonde away, just enough to put it out of earshot from my adoptive little brother. Again, I can clearly see that she is nervous, probably expecting me to berate her in some way. Well, in some way, yes, I am going to be truthful with her, which undoubtedly will hurt. However, berating her would be counterproductive to her development.

She probably underestimates herself so much on her achievements in the first day of training with Yoru and I. I'm not sure where this lack of confidence stems from, for I always peg her as one of the more aggressive type, and she did quite well against the Three Beasts several days ago. It's a weakness, and one I'm keen to improve on.

I gesture her to sit down on the grass. "So, Spear," Smiling to alleviate the pressure, I continue, "tell me, in your honest opinion, on how well you've done so far."

I notice her avoiding my gaze as she tried to think up her answer.

"Well, I seem to be dead weight."

'Oh, dear, it's more serious than I thought...'

Calmly, I replied. "Please, elaborate."

Spear just seemed to grow more uncomfortable, but I need her to get what she thinks of herself out in the open so I can rectify and correct her. Soon after, she cuts loose, to my surprise.

"You just made it look so easy! Yes, it was just running so far, usually that wouldn't be a problem, but we were running for twenty straight miles without a break, which is ridiculous on its own, and that was just the 'warm up', you said! Even Yoru was able to handle it without too much trouble... He said he was still a little tired afterwards, but it didn't really show that much. I want to keep on training to get stronger, but I feel like I am slowing the two of you down, and I don't want to do that! You shouldn't have to stoop down to around my level to train me! I do not want to be a waste of your time!" in one breath, Spear expels all her worries to me. At the end, her eyes water slightly, giving me a slight panic attack.

'Well, at least she's got strong lungs...'

Indeed, it's her self confidence. It's not an uncommon thing to feel that way, if she's constantly comparing herself to me. I mean, I'm not even fully human, so there's no way she can train herself to reach my level of physical ability and skill. I have more than one lifetime to hone and perfect my craft, which is much more than anyone could have. Comparing herself to Yoru is more appropriate, but, again, she makes the mistake of comparing the current her to the current Yoru. If she compares herself, a fresh trainee on her first day, to Yoru when he's just started as well, she'll see herself even outclassing him slightly.

That's the point I'm going to emphasize, and make her realize her folly. We can't continue our training without addressing this issue.

I draw closer, and pat her head.

"Wha- Whu- S-Shirou-san?!"

"Stop being too hard on yourself," I smile at her softly. "And that's an order from your instructor, so be obedient."

After I recieve a nod, I explain to her, "If I can be honest, you're an amazing disciple to have for anyone, myself included. I always prefer a student possessing a strong will, and you have plenty. You did an excellent job for your first day, and believe me, it's not flattery."

"Do you know how Yoru was when he's in your shoes?"

She shakes her head, still blushing slightly.

"Don't tell him this," I place a finger on my lips mischievously, "but he's in worse shape than you are now. It's due to circumstances, sure, but there's no denying the fact you should stop belittling yourself. Do you understand?"

Now, she nods, but with a much happier expression.

I continue on, adding some more analysis. "You thought I toned down the training, but I didn't." Without pausing at her surprised face, I march on. "You've just completed a level of training you've never experienced before, even managing to hold your own with the both of us, who've been doing it for much longer."

I offered my hand to her, which she excitedly takes. Looking at her closely, I ask, "Are you ready, now? Both Yoru and I won't hold back for the next part, so I don't want to see anymore of this... moping around, understood?"

Her silky hair flies about, tickling me in the face, as she nods energetically.

Safe to say, a couple hours later, I could clearly see that Spear was wondering what she's gotten into after she saw the brutal beatdown I put on Yoru. He was improving drastically, and it only took him two in a half hours for him to hit me this time while I was using about a third of my strength. A new record.

After I sent Yoru into the mansion to rest his new bruises, it was time for me to give Spear her turn. We bowed to each other before going to opposite sides of the sparring ground, getting in position.

I nodded towards Spear to make sure she was ready, immediately striking as soon as she nodded. The poor girl didn't even know what hit her.

She was standing up straight. her spear in both hands ready to defend against my attack. The next instant, she was on her back by the trees at the edge of the training field, the shock evident in her eyes quickly replaced by a grimace of pain.

Maybe I kicked a little hard?. She did just suffer major injuries a couple days ago... I may have healed them, but some lasting pain and tenderness could still be there. I watched as Spear picked herself back up, readying the weapon that shares her name.

The pain in her eyes was replaced by determination.

'It would be rude of me to take it too easy on her if she is so determined.'

I waited to see what she would do. She knew she's far outclassed, so how was she going to try and compensate for that? I've read about the Imperial Fist styles, and the weapons they trained, from the books Lubbock 'lent' me. Their training system closely mirrored the Shaolin Temple from my original world, so their skills were legit. One of their favored weapon was the simple spear, and Spear claimed she'd been trained quite well.

I didn't have to wait for long, as she held onto her weapon with one hand and charged me. Interesting, as spears are usually held with two hands with the blade forward for swifter strikes. The only spearman I knew of that held it in one hand was Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, however, it was a necessity for his dual-spear style, so he's not a good example.

'Ah, isn't there a spear technique... no, it's more a staff technique, right? Yes, I remember...'

As she got closer, I received an upward slash instead, delivered from a rotating motion with her entire body. It was unorthodox, but I still avoided it with ease. Using the momentum of her slash, she spun, her launching a stab towards my abdomen. I sidestepped, and retaliated with a quick punch to her side as I moved past her. She moved her spear diagonally downwards, simultaneously parrying my blow and stabbing her weapon at my feet. I took a half-step back, then leant back my upper body to avoid the gouging upwards slash towards my chest.

Without letting up, she followed the slash with a thrust to my head with the butt of her spear. I moved my neck to the side, tilting my head out of the way, before swiping her leg off the ground with a kick. She rolled backwards along with the fall, then sprung upwards, throwing dirt to cover my eyes. Impressive.

It was my mistake to assume her fighting style to be an orthodox one. At her level, she would've developed a style of her own, suiting it with her own body and limits. I also forgot she had more real-world experience in fighting than Yoru, so she'd be accustomed to tricks and pragmatism in a battle. She's good.

Against a normal opponent, even to the level of some of the Night Raid members, such tactics would buy her a scant few tenths of a second to launch an attack or escape, not that it'd be successful against them. However, against a master that didn't require eyesight to detect an opponent, it's mere child's play.

Like me.

I lightly blew the dirt away by a Reinforced breath, then quickly positioned my arms between hers and twisting them, disarming her spear in an instant. Her body also flipped along the motion, dumping her flat on her rear, pointing the sspear end at her neck

"That's enough." I spoke out.

Spear looked at me in confusion, our spar being nowhere near as long as my match with Yoru.

"This was a spar for me to see your skill level, how you fight, and how I can help you improve, not a full training session. I did not need a long prolonged match to see these things, so we did not have one. Do not worry, they will come in the future. From what I saw, your fighting style is unique. You make the spear flow with your slashes as if you're using a halberd and saber, instead of the usual multiple thrusts and sharp strikes that the weapon is designed for. Usually, I wouldn't agree with such a style of combat, but you used the qualities of the spear to good effect, along with making use of its superior reach and thrusting power. It is a combination of techniques mixed into one style that makes it look like a deadly dance." I said in one breath, mimicking her earlier outburst.

It seems I got it spot on.

"Sadly, I can't help you to improve this style."

"Why not?" Spear said, slightly upset at my words. Panic started to show in her eyes.

"Simple. Because it's a custom one, and I am not a proficient spear wielder. I can help you fine tune some aspects, but this is your special way of fighting. However…" I trailed off, looking at her out of the corner of my eye.

Spear just looked at me blankly, curious as to what I was gonna say.

"I think I can come up with a weapon more suited for your style of fighting. It may take awhile, but I think the end result will be worth it. It would tie into my own research as well, so that's a plus." I said, the possibilities still zooming through my mind.

"However, the only one that can improve yourself is you. Don't forget that. I'll be your partner, to figure out and be a guinea pig for any new techniques, but all of it will come down to your own effort." I lifted her off the ground, then patted the small of her back lightly. "So, don't give up on me."

Spear visibly brightened up once more, putting on a beautiful smile as she bowed repeatedly and started saying multiple 'thank you's in rapid succession. It took a little bit for me to get her to calm down. Geez, she can get so enthusiastic at times.

We were interrupted by Chouri's arrival, looking much better than he did the previous day. A nice rest really did the man wonders. He wore a smile on his face as he approached us.

"Shirou, Spear, how are you two doing?"

Like his daughter, he started to address me in a more informal way, although without the reverence Spear spoke to me with. We're equals, after all... politically, at least.

I moved towards the man and shook his hand. "We are doing quite well, Chouri-san. Spear and I just finished training for the day. I must say, your daughter has some potential."

The former Prime Minister smiled at my words. "I'm happy to hear that! She's always been a hard worker, going after the things she really wants, whether it was a sharp object as she grew older or a cute doll when she was younger."

I could visibly see Spear grow bright red from the small exchange.

"Father! W-We agreed there'll be no nostalgic thoughts about when I was young!" She exclaimed with a cute pout. "I'm sure it's no interest for Shirou-san! So don't!"

This talk made me want to tease her more.

"On the contrary," I spoke to Chouri, "please tell me all about it. Especially the embarrassing parts... oh, and do you have pictures?"

"SHIROU-SAN!"

Okay, okay, that's enough. Now, on to business.

"So, Chouri-san, I'm guessing there is another reason for you being here?" I asked politely.

The man in question walked towards me, draping an palm on my shoulder. He turned his neck slightly, before saying, "Dear, can you give us a minute?"

"Y-You're gonna give him the pictures! I can't believe you!" Her neck was bright red. "Father, please...!"

"No, no, no. It's serious matter now, honest. Take a rest inside."

Begrudgingly, she obliged, but not before shooting suspicious glances across her shoulder once in a while. Chouri chuckled at the girl's antics, before his face donned his statesman mask.

"One of my contacts may have found a lead on those Shingu you were looking for.

"Shirou, the Shingu are in a very rugged and dangerous region, if my intel is correct. They're up north in the area known as the Rousei Mountains. Supposedly, they're in a vault built in one of the mountains. I do not know if this information is true, but it comes from a reliable source." Chouri finished.

I nodded in confirmation. "Well, this is the best lead I have on the matter thus far, so I will check it out. It will have to wait, though, since I have a matter to attend to with Night Raid. First I need to let them know you are safe and relay the situations with the Three Beasts to them, in case they do not already know. I was actually about to go visit them now after I finished up here with Spear."

"Well, it's not as if the Shingu are going anywhere..." Chouri said, before heading back towards the mansion. "Now, I'll spend some quality family time, I think. It's been too long."

"Don't let her behead you on the way. She's tough!"

He waved at me with a hearty laugh from a distance.

I closed my eyes, indulging in the small lull of peace and quiet. It'd been hard to find them nowadays, so I had to savor them whenever I could.

My thought's drifted to Liver, the leader of the Three Beasts, or more accurately the now Two Beasts

The reason I only shot a Gandr at Nyau was to manipulate Liver's emotions and decisions, I also didn't have enough time to fire off anything more lethal. The first time I saw him, I already marked him as a fiercely loyal and prideful soldier, close to a fanatic. And I sent him back to his boss with him licking his own injuries.

I knew full well what'd rage on inside of the old general. Shame. Anger. Disappointment. Vengeful. All those emotions would build up, and when they didn't have anywhere to go.

He'd want to redeem himself to Esdeath, and take revenge for Nyau. He'd want to prove his worth after the humiliation done to him.

That makes him all the more dangerous now, which is why I need to talk to Night Raid. Lets just hope they take heed of my warning.