Chapter 3.
We are the strength and certainty of steel.
The next day started off strong with more practice on building the energy reserves for the anvil in the basement in the very early morning. Then I began a run that was around the block three times before I went home for a quick shower and breakfast. After that was finished I did pushups and sit ups and I'm starting to see the barest hint of muscle starting to form. I did this till fifty before heading to my room to do more research into my family tree and I don't find anything unusual. There is nothing that indicates that my dad was anything but a normal human. But DNA doesn't lie easily, and I continue to look for something that doesn't make sense. I really don't want my possible candidate as my possible dad. It opened up too many issues that are extremely bad if right.
My search was interrupted by the doorbell ringing and I turned off the computer thanking the machine spirit of it before going to answer the door. Seeing the exercise equipment people through my eye hole I opened the door for them. The two men in the moving team started getting the exercise equipment into the home and I immediately offered to help out and that seemed to surprise them. The team liked that, and we got it done relatively quickly. I thanked them with a bow and then escorted them out of the house. I did end up putting the equipment in the living room.
The weightlifter near the tv in a corner of the house close to the front door. I then did basic lifting for a half hour getting up to twenty pounds before it hurts badly. I pulled a muscle and thankfully being a perpetual immediately began to fix the torn muscle. I probably won't have to go to the doctors much anymore. A good thought because doctors are evil. I then head to take another shower and then dress in jogging clothes to prepare for my midday workout.
I entered the park, and I did see Issari sitting on a bench looking around anxiously which made me and even Koriel in the deepest part of her mechanical heart feeling bad for the pervert. Because it looked like she was expecting me not to show up at all. That implies several things, and I don't like that. Has she tried before to make friends and people led her on? Screwed with her giving the illusion of friendship then fucking with her? That's incredibly dangerous and if she is a social dragon and that plus Raynare killing her might have set the stage for a potential problem.
That's probably me thinking grim dark. But her face shows the doubt that she actually made a possible connection. I decided to actually speak truth. Because that's not what anyone should do. Fuck with someone like that. Even if it's a pervert.
I approached her and spoke up. She was wearing joggers' clothes and they are real joggers clothes and not the pretend stuff you use for eye candy.
"Issari-Chan."
The surprised jump and then stance she took hearing my voice before turning to me and showing her face to me was beyond wonderful to look at. Then the happiness of knowing she was not fucked with made her upon looking towards my face a beautiful sight. She beamed so brightly there. Before jumping up off the bench. She then actually hugged me tightly making me oof at the ferocious hug. She whispered in a very tiny voice that broke my heart more.
"You actually meant it."
I feel so bad for her. Was the reason she would eventually fall in again with the open perverts was because someone screwed with her again before the school year? That's horrible. I gentlemanly pat her back before saying.
"That's what real friends do."
She hugged me tightly before saying again in a whisper.
"You're not like me. Not. What I am. I figured that out last night. Why I was ready for you to no show. It's happened multiple times before. You're a wonderful person Gregor-kun. You're a real friend."
That hurts knowing that I am right about that thought train. She was screwed with. And probably did fall back in with the perverts just to have possible friends. They would screw her over multiple times making her the target of revenge for their failed peeking. By pushing her down to make their escape. Then she gets the swords. That's horrible too. It is very possible she is a potential social dragon if she would put up with that. I reassured her.
"I do like that stuff. I'm human. But I try to be respectful about it. I really don't think you're a bad person Issari-Chan. Just don't expect me to bail you out if you get caught being an open pervert. But I really am willing to be your friend."
Issari actually let's tears down because I feel them on my shirt. As well as a small shake.
"I won't. You're like my friend who left when I was six. She was my best friend. We did everything together and I have felt incomplete since then."
Yeah this is a social dragon. That concept is horrifying if you really think about it. The instinctual desire for connections times a hundred in some cases promoted by dragon hording. Denying it leaves horrific scars and can fuck the individual up horrendously.
"You have a new friend here in me. You're in jogging clothes. That means that your actually serious about exercise."
She finally let go of me and her face is still beaming with joy at actually winning for once. And very likely having the social dragon being fed.
"I do want to try it. I have tried multiple different things to try to get people to accept me. They never seemed to work. Teach me Gregor-sensei!"
There is the knucklehead showing. I laughed at that, and it was a genuine laugh.
"I'd be happy to have a student in exercise. I do plan to do it all summer long and then into the next year. Just don't stare at my ass. You mentioned that you also want to learn swords at some point right?"
Issari beamed brightly at the acceptance. Frowned at the denial of her eye candy and then nodded vigorously at swords.
"Yes! I want to know that because despite what people say about things being better. There are men and women who are rotten pigs. It's better to learn the skill and not need it than need it and not know it."
That's not something a normal teen should be thinking. That implies further this world is grim dark. Oh, that's not good. Koriel isn't phased by the implications. But I really don't like that.
"A wise thoughtful process. I'm looking into sword dojos, and I have found three that might work. You're a local right? I just moved to Kuoh recently and I'm still learning the area."
Issari nodded enthusiastically.
"I am a local! Tell me the names and I'll tell you what I know."
I gesture to her to follow, and we begin to walk slowly around the park. Before slowly picking up the pace. Issari does during the walk stare at several men and women enjoying the day and I have to click my fingers to get her to pay attention on the exercise and not the parts she is staring at. Great. I'm now an unofficial dragon tamer. Except I don't have Asia and her bullshit. We walked and talked about things more and more. She tells me that one dojo she has heard is good is in the area near the park and Kuoh Academy. As the walking continued Issari is slowly getting better at not openly staring at people. It's difficult to get her to not do that. I offer Issari a reward for not staring at a very hot woman with blonde hair in a very revealing dress.
"Want to get Ice cream Issari-Chan?"
Issari brightened at that.
"Yes!"
As we are about to leave the park the blonde woman catches my eye again. As we are about to leave I look at the blonde woman again more closely because that looks like a Phenex. My eyes widened more when I see a young girl with blonde hair reading under a tree in the woman's line of sight and I widened my eyes in horror. That's Ravel under that tree. I recognize the drill hair style. She is wearing a dress that is not her usual pink dress to blend in. Oh, shit we need to split fast. Because Ravel is damn smart and is beyond terrifying in her observations. She is the second in Team Red Dragon Emperor for a reason. I picked up the pace seeing that and Issari is confused about the sudden speed increase but followed along at a good pace. Three days of exercise is slowly making them gains.
I don't want to be near Ravel at all. She frankly terrified me. She can make plans incredibly easily and her logical and strategic mind is incredibly hot. But she will be arrogant in the extreme. And a tsundere along with being too formal. Issari noted that look at the blonde woman.
"You like blondes too. Better choice than black hair in my own opinion."
I don't know how to explain this.
"Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. What's a good ice cream place nearby?"
Issari smiled and then takes the lead with the jogging. Koriel asked why I was so scared of the drill girl.
"She is like Rouboute. Her plans are very close to flawless most of the time. She would very likely see the gear and she would inform her family of us. They would then try to capture us. Possibly as a future piece for her peerage when she gets one. They are a noble family in the highest brackets of devil society. Any escape from them would spread our existence to the rest of the nobility. If she gets a whiff of us we are screwed."
"That's a very good reason then."
Issari finally stopped at a place that was ten minutes away from the park and we entered the place. We ordered Ice Cream while I watched out for a potential stalker. When we get the sweet we sit down on wooden chairs. Issari sat with her back to the door and mine to the brick wall behind me. I'm watching the door intensely. Issari noticed something that was now impossible to hide.
"That's an interesting ring motif. Never seen anything like that before. What's the meaning of it?"
The ring is fully visible, and I think about how to answer it.
"It's a motif of something I found in a hole of depression. It got me out of it."
The best lies are half truths. Issari seems to get that.
"I see. I'm sorry for being forward. I haven't had a friend in a long time."
I smile gently.
"It's alright. We all have different coping mechanisms for it. This was something that represents to me an idea with good lessons."
And lots of body horror and transhuman ascension. But the Mechanicus to me was the logical thinking of science and the power of faith as one. Mixed to form a new idea. Issari seemed to get the explanation.
"I got into painting like that too. I started after my best friend left. My dad tried hard for me along with my mom to make it better. But then everything happened, and I just got unlucky."
I smile and get her more than ever.
"You have good parents."
Issari smiled there wishfully.
"I do. What about yours?"
I didn't know them here. But with the possibility of who my body's dad could be I'm not hoping to meet him. If it's really him and not some random dude.
"My parents are dead. They died in a car crash. Earlier this year."
My mom most certainly did. But my dad might have just appeared dead before he got up and seeing his wife dead and maybe thinking his son was dead too he then ran. Supernatural creatures can take damage well above humans. I found the diary of the original owner of this body yesterday when I began my search for family information. He mentioned in it that the crash was extremely bad and there was a very messy investigation. They definitely found his mom. But his dad was presumed dead after the car exploded. He was just a kid going through serious depression. He was smart enough and competent enough to get his emancipation after the funeral was arranged and dealt with. He was like me in a lot of ways. Logic driven and was willing to learn.
I have a theory that Alex was an alternative version of me. Because he had several things happen to him that are the exact same things I had in my childhood. Like my best friend of the same name betraying me. Same description of them too. Alex had been living in the states at the time. He also hated his grandparents. This time on his mother's side rather than what was for me on my father's side. They treated Alex horribly. Why he fought so hard for emancipation from the possibility of going to them. His family in the states was not informed of this because of administration mix ups. I don't know why he hated his maternal grandparents bitterly. I will search again. But the feeling I got was that it was an incredibly bad reason. He mentioned more things that were similar to me again.
He had broken a thumb in junior high as well. Same hand and way. We had so many similarities it was scary. Why I lean on the alternative version of me heavily. Issari's face fell, and she looked down at her lap in shame thinking she had hit a nerve.
"I didn't know. I am so sorry Gregor-Kun."
I smile because this is a good person despite the perverted nature. Like nearly all the versions of him/her.
"Issari-Chan it's ok. You didn't know and I'm past it. Life isn't picture perfect. My parents would not want me to stay down forever. I got help when it was the worst and the person who did that was a good person. I believe in the idea my ring motif connects to."
Issari feels extremely better hearing that. She looked up again and is not afraid that she offended me now.
"What's this idea?"
I laughed nervously because it sounds stupid for people who don't click with the idea and don't get the universe it came from. I also don't want to spread the cult.
"It's silly."
Issari looks extremely interested.
"Really? Why is it silly?"
I scratched the back of my head because it made Koriel kinda pissed to know what a machine spirit might actually be. The spirits of either long dormant AI programs in everything or spirits of the warp that possessed the technology and then formed a symbiotic relationship with it.
"You'll laugh. It's a stupid idea."
Issari grew determined now.
"I want to know. Because you didn't leave me out to dry like so many others. You meant it. Being friends. Friends try and understand the other person. Please tell me the idea."
That's sweet and sad. She actually is trying this fully. I kept my eyes on hers.
"It will sound extremely stupid. But I believe that machines can have spirits in them. That these can eventually become souls given enough time."
Issari looked at me like I was crazy for a second. But then she softened her eyes and then giggles.
"That is silly. But it's an idea I haven't heard of before. You really believe that?"
I chuckled at the funny side of this.
"I do. Machines seem to form different personalities to us. Some are more temperamental. Others are more reliable. And yet some are immediately failing upon use. You care for machines like you care for a human body with repairs and maintenance. We need them just like they need us. Symbiotic is the relationship. Together we build dreams. It is a super far off idea that is likely wrong. But I like to compare reality as one giant machine with each of us being a cog in it. Working together to make reality function."
Issari stopped giggling at the idea mostly. She widened her brown eyes hearing that. Before smiling at me.
"I like the analogy. That's actually an interesting way of looking at the world. I still think it's silly. No offense."
"None taken. You're still the thing I'm not and while I was initially turned off by it I saw the person underneath. I believe in the idea. I accept that I will be viewed as crazy and get laughed at. But I'm happy this way."
Issari smiled more than ever.
"You're like my best friend too. She was big on religion as well. But unlike her you're not shoving it down my throat. She did that a lot when we were kids. Her parents didn't like that I was a pagan in their eyes. Passed some of that to her. I'm happy to believe in the Shinto. Because they probably helped me here."
I smile because you had the Machine God instead Issari. And I worry because you will be sundered from the Shinto if you become a devil.
"I have no right to preach my beliefs as the only way there is. I'm never going to judge someone else by their faith. I'll never shove this down anyone's throat."
Issari smiled more brightly at that.
"I might ask more questions eventually. I really do like the analogy. Everyone having a purpose like that. It's a nice idea. I have never heard of something like that."
We enjoyed talking more about various things that showed that this was the very likelihood of being a good friendship. We got up after we were finished, and we left the store happily. We walked back towards the park together and we stop at the entrance where we first met we say goodbye for the day. Issari hugged me again while I watched out for Phenexs.
"Thank you for being my real friend Gregor-Kun."
I smile while still watching out for the blondes.
"Your welcome Issari-Chan. But you don't have to thank me. We are in this together."
She beamed and then began walking away.
"Bye Gregor-kun! I'll see you tomorrow!"
We had agreed to meet here again. As I walk from the park towards my home I don't see any Phenex servants or them so I might be ok there. I am however still torn on if I let Issari die or not. It's a way to preserve the timeline. But it means not being honest to a person who is real and not a picture in a book. Along with the various issues that not being honest could bring up. Like thinking I am just using her for her potential gear. Which I am but not in a way that is for my pure benefit. Or the fact that I am manipulating her to gain power over her. Which is not really the case, but the human mind can make terrible ideas from nothing. I don't want to give a hint of that impression. Because if Issari gets enraged she will enter juggernaut drive and then brutally murder me. Probably multiple times and each time it would be extremely painful. Yeah I'd come back but that would probably piss her off more.
As I'm walking home I do keep a look out for potential stray nests and or abandoned buildings for a second base. I don't see any that could be useful. I will extend the jogging range. Practice today is going to be with mechadendrites and begin to form a sword style. I'm considering going full harrowing of pin pricks to learn my styles and will then switch to a brutal space marine style used by the Blood Angels. Rip my foes apart with such quick and brutal tactics that the fight ends with them dead and me moving towards a new opponent. But I will do one thing before I kill a stray.
Ask why they ran. See if this world is grim dark. I refused to believe every single stray killed their master for power. People are not one dimensional mobs. There are more reasons to kill somebody besides power. If they killed their master for power yeah I'll gut them. But if they didn't I will urge them to run faster. Learn to detect lies and then see a very real indication that this is that type of world. Koriel is interested in strays.
"This lends credence to the idea that the reincarnation system uses some sort of warp based ritual to do the deed. And when the piece is cut maybe the mutation finally overcharges itself to rapidly spread and then it leads to the strays going mad."
"Possibly that yes. But there is a stray who has been on the run for multiple years and is still very sane. Just is a sis-con. If we ever do meet her I'd love to ask questions about the situation. Because she eventually ends up again as a piece to someone. Her former master was a dark scientist and yes that does sometimes need to happen to advance the field. I always felt horrible for her."
Koriel shakes her head at my empathy. She and I will never agree on our approaches to science. She is from a time where humans are a simple number in a sea of them. I grew up where that was starting to be the case, but we still believed in the value of life. My approach isn't completely right. Nor is Koriel wrong. But we share the center. I'm entering my neighborhood jogging steadily to my home when I prepare for my next possible way to counter the devils.
A cog pendant is the basic idea, but I don't know if it will work. Not enough people believe it's a holy symbol. I really don't want to spread the cult. But it's a potential idea. I opened the front door locked it again then entered the basement. Before moving to the vault and opening it getting the mechadendrites out. I attached the pack to my back and begin to extend the arms. I practice moving them around till it's beginning to be instinct.
I summoned the anvil and began to make swords and guns. A chainsword and a chainaxe. One for the left and right side. Then two bolt pistols. I can make the ammo easily enough and will begin to make a stockpile of it. I'm debating what my main hands will use. Probably a boltgun. Or I could make an arc gun. Hell, I might make a radium gun and use that to destroy devils and fallen pricks. But then I poison the earth and i shake that idea off. I'd also be poisoning myself too. I'd counter it but would not enjoy my body getting very sick.
I will make a carapace helmet minus the lower half so I can stick a rebreather there to cover my face completely. Make a voice disguising machine to prevent more possible connections to me. I with the last of my strength make an ammo crate for my guns. I will make the ammo tonight before bed. I go upstairs and then make a steak dinner that looks so good. It's extremely good and I need to find out where the steak came from.
Cleaning up the steak and the pan was easy and then I continue with lifting and tomorrow I will make the first attempts at the Akashic reader. Hopefully this helps solve our problems more easily. Koriel has described the device in length to make sure we get it right in a few tries. Because she is determined to get that knowledge. We have been modifying the device to not have to use the now not here Astronomican and not have to use an empath to power it. Hopefully we will have a working prototype ready and then we can get the dark age knowledge.
With no Chaos and the warp seeping through multiple realities we can hopefully get a grab on the fountain and then drag the knowledge to us. Having free reign to innovate is a wonderful experience for Koriel and she doesn't have to hide the fact she is doing that. We will always be able to innovate and that has made both of us extremely happy. Koriel can actually be who she is, and I can enjoy being a potential leader in the scientific fields I'll help build for humanity. Oh, we will have a robe oiling session when we potentially get this. I want to eventually make a company that will transform into the Mechanicus proper.
But that's far off. And requires help for funding the startup and I need to prove I can do the things I will eventually promise. Oh, I will get this and soon nothing shall stop me!
I laughed evilness with Koriel about possible world domination. Oh, that's a wonderful idea. But we still need a second base. Why when I go for my evening jog I will look around and see what we find. I quickly got ready for that, and I will try a wider area. Exiting the house, I watched around for devils or familiars. I don't see any. Why have they not spotted me yet?
Maybe they are not used to my gear yet because they have never felt its presence before? Maybe gear has a general feeling that leads to a basic idea of known types? I don't know and when I'm in a stronger position do more experiments. I jogged for twenty minutes east of my home and find a very possible base location.
An old, abandoned temple. Oh, that's a wonderful find. Holy places keep devils out. Unless it's Akeno's temple. It's not on a hill but considering everything else I'd hope it's not hers. As I approached it and its old slowly rotting doors in the courtyard I'm relieved when there is no hint of Akeno. I quickly investigated the rest of the building. I find it's actually quite large on the inside with few remaining bits of furniture. And see that the building was truly empty of potential squatters. It's a Shinto temple and I felt weird the whole time I was there.
Like I was being studied extremely hard by the Shinto. It felt like they were looking at me in pure shock and in very clear curiosity. It was unnerving and I once inside the main room looking at a statue I said into the air.
"I'm not bad. I have no desire to supplant you. Just need a safe place to hide from the devils. I'm against them with the information I have so far."
The Shinto seemed less wary after that. I got the feeling they didn't like devils much either. But they keep watching me. More cautiously but I felt a small nod of acknowledgment at my stated intention. Before the room was still again. I then bow to a statue in gratitude for the tacit acknowledgment of my request. Before finding a way to prepare to eventually barricade the building. I find a well hidden exit door that leads into a forest, and I began to memorize a path to and from the door. Before I begin to practice a few sword stances on the way home again. It was dark and I was watching intensely. I might need to enhance my eyes with better night vision capabilities.
The night was relaxing, and I see the barest hint of stars in the sky. Oh, I want to touch them and at the same time be truly wary of them. We have no idea of what Xenos are up there. I don't want there to be Eldar or Orks. The Eldar are reasonable. Sometimes. Not often but they don't have their primary focus of Chaos here. Maybe there are xenos that are not from 40k here. I do hope that there are not stupid aliens like the Gorn. Oh the nonstop Gorn memes and sentences on that game were horrible to read after a while. Koriel does not like the Gorn either after a brief flash of one of the many Gorning sessions I saw in that game that went on for five hours.
We don't actually see through each other's eyes. We get flashes of each other, and we can control how much is shown. This is great because of things. We can actually enjoy peace and quiet from each other if we want. It seems our Longinus is on the more developed end. Given it's the last of the properly made fourteen that makes sense. That's extremely better than Ddraig and Albion who are horribly aware of everything their hosts do. Issari with her fetish and perverted nature will drive Ddraig nuts. Vali is just a battle hungry fucker. But his or possibly her preference will be a source of annoyance for Albion. I hope my being there for Issari and helping try to tame her nature makes Ddraig a bit better off. Which reminds me. I need to make more machines.
A modern phone for easier communication with Issari and then a sacred gear scanner to see what gear she has. That was based off a scanner for psykers. This should show me what she might or might not have. Hell, she might have Albion and Vali might have Ddraig. That would be fucky. I also need to make a washer and dryer because the current ones I have in the basement are dying fast and the other me was worried about spending money to replace them. Our stipend is not high. Enough to live comfortably with good budgeting and that was what Alex was doing. I'm sorry for taking your body Alex. I don't want to be here. But I did see what he wanted in the end in the diary.
A beautiful woman with a kind smile and three kids. He wanted that desperately. He wanted a partner who was the human kindness to his driven logic. The soft to his hard. He didn't apparently show many emotions after the crash. He wanted someone who was the person he could trust implicitly. I want that too. Thought I had found that. But then we started having small problems and I didn't feel like they were bad. But apparently were. That drove my relationship apart. I regret that because she and I wanted this to work, and we both did everything we could to fix that. She saw that I tried desperately to fix them when I did become aware of them. She tried to fix the things I didn't like when we started airing that out. But we couldn't get past one thing. It in the end ripped us apart and left nothing but horrible regrets for both of us.
We departed from each other very reluctantly. But that issue was never going to go away. We did stay friends. Not the talking face to face friends but the long distance screen friends. We were both very sad we couldn't work. Kate was not the bombshell model. She didn't have the red hair I really liked. She was plain and mousy. Yet we connected because we both shared many of the same hobbies. Including 40k. She surprised me because she was not the faction I thought she would be at first glance. I thought she was sisters. She wasn't that at all. Her faction was the Tau, specifically the Farsight Enclaves. Mine was Mechanicus and we had extremely good times battling each other. Hell, we entered several tournaments together and we did incredibly well too surprisingly. She carried us. I was terrible at it.
Koriel didn't like her universe was made for a tabletop game. But she was interested in the complex rules. And the codexes. I explained to my partner several things as we entered the house and i went downstairs to make my machines for the night. The first thing I make was the scanner. Then I made the washing machine and dryer. A very gothic style of them but they are the same and are more water efficient. Powered by internal power sources. Finally, I make a phone and make it so I can piggyback into phone networks while keeping an incredibly advanced firewall.
After that I make bolter shells. About two hundred of them. Pistol shells and I do try making hellfire rounds in total twenty for practice testing. After that I unsummoned the anvil and then go upstairs for bed. It has been a productive day.
When I woke up I prepared myself for the sword stuff today and then the reader. I hope our prototype will work. We will probably fail at it for several months. But hopefully we will get it before the start of the bullshit. Dressing after the shower I go to my basement workshop and summoned the anvil with Koriel giving me a hopeful look.
"We should start small. The original design needed a throne. But we can do more things easily if we try to minimize it to a chair for the ultimate control. As for power sources we will need the temple for all the space the machine will need if we cut it down."
I nodded.
"But we face the Shinto learning more of us. But maybe we can use that for an opening into the other side. I don't know how the Champion system works for the gods. But if I recall there is a character called Yasaka that supposedly is the representative of the Shinto on Terra. She might be instructed to investigate us at their behest."
Koriel is not impressed by the hint of a flash she gets from me regarding Yasaka.
"Really."
"I didn't make her. And sadly yes. We need to keep Issari away from her. Because Yasaka is represented as too playful and that might make Issari go extra horny."
We sighed together thinking the same thing. Damn perverts. I just don't want to have to end up wacking Issari tons. Because that's fine when she is a devil with a thicker skull. Not ok with a human because that can lead to issues. But we prepared to make the first prototype piece. The chair. I listen extensively and asked for clarification on several things I don't understand. Before I picture a simple chair. I then swing the hammer and the light is badly bright. Before it fades and next to Koriel is the chair. It is one you'd see dozens of times before and not think much of it. Koriel observed it and then said.
"It's passable. You missed a few things but that's because I didn't inform you of them to see if we can make the item."
I understand why.
"Science is experimenting. I get that. Keep the method up because we can then use multiple versions of them to see potential weaknesses that were hidden, and we can fix them on the next attempt. I do hurt though. So maybe we might make this a two times a week thing."
"Yes. I didn't expect you to make everything right the first time. We will go slowly. I waited before and with us now immortal we have plenty of time."
I willed the anvil away and then began to practice with my chainaxe on the dummy. I will hopefully get used to the roars. But I quickly fall into my stance and begin to wack at the elf bastard. Each blow was calculated but it's a dummy and not a real foe. Why I need the dojo and the risk the chance of running into the kendo club. Maybe if we do see them I can help Issari not get clobbered by them. And possibly get her more friends. She might really need them. More connections are better than less.
After an hour of setting into my stance I go lifting upstairs and I'm starting to see the beginning of more muscles. I got to thirty pounds. I'm not going to fuck up my new life. I won't make the same mistakes again. No mass eating or drinking real soda leading to diabetes. No hard drugs, a one time thing that made me a little angrier thanks to the experience. I will not lose this opportunity to be better than who I was. I have lessons that I didn't have before, and I won't lose the opportunity to live a better life. When I was done getting to thirty five pounds I take a shower and I the get my clothes for the day. A red shirt and black pants. I enjoyed the nice way I'm starting to look, and I then leave the house for a day of working out.
I entered the park to find Issari doing warmups and she is beaming happily. I approached her an once close enough greeted her.
"Issari-Chan. Good to see you again."
Issari beams more and walked over to me, and she is wearing clothes of a brownish color to match her hair and eyes. She once here hugs me again; I pat her back. She after the hug smiled more than ever and she really is pretty. She finally said to me as we begin our run around the park.
"The dojo place is close by. I heard that it's popular with the Kuoh Academy Kendo club. I don't know anything else."
I have a suspicion why she knows that. The look was very clear because Issari blushed hard. We were now moving towards the dojo after three runs around the park.
"I heard it from them."
Of course, you did. Freaking perverted duo. She had told me more yesterday that she tried to distance herself from them during the last year of middle school to win acceptance from people. But her reputation had stuck around because she had been very active with them in the first two years. And that followed her to her current high school. That fills in more blanks. I blandly look at her.
"No peeping. I get that your you. But that is just going to make the impression worse in Kuoh if we both get in. You're fighting the rumors that go around schools and the other two might be angry with you. Why you need to be better than them. I'll help you gain acceptance but I'm not ever going to be near them. I actually plan to if I see them peeping on anyone beating them bloody."
Issari blushed at the dressing down but nodded.
"I will be good. Please don't mention that I'm me to people at the dojo. I do want a swordsman or woman. And beat them up. The size scouter is extremely bad. He tried to put cams in the school bathroom. Why I finally left them behind. I like the flesh, but I don't like spying. I'm not into voyeurism."
That is extremely bad and now I will beat them black and blue. And I'll definitely help the kendo club do it too. That's criminal shit and I'm showing that anger openly because Issari shivers seeing the look. It's a mixed shiver and I don't like the implications there.
"I will rip his leg off. That's disgusting. Why was he not prosecuted? Or was he not caught?"
Issari looked down sadly. We were getting close to a business district which was where the dojo was.
"He wasn't prosecuted. The school covered it up because his dad is on the city council. Very influential too. My dad is on the council as well and that is how I knew the size scouter before. My dad was pissed. My dad tried to open the investigation again but was stonewalled into dropping it. He thankfully didn't lose his seat in retaliation. It kinda helped me out with my reputation but not really."
That pisses me off more. That's horse shit! I don't give a damn I'm going to very much hurt that fuck. And that's a very shit parent. Even Koriel is disgusted slightly. But I school myself when I see the dojo. But I have a very permanent enemy there. He is getting a very horrible time. And I'm not scared of his dad. I tell Issari as we entered the dojo through a glass door.
"When I see him you run from me. I don't want to get you into more trouble. I'm going to hurt him horribly if he peeps. I don't like that at all."
We entered together and we are seeing a big room with multiple dummies along with several practice wooden swords and two real ones above where the clerk is waiting. The man eyed us both and he is older with black hair slowly going grey. His blue eyes are critical of us, and this might be the owner actually. He seems to approve of us both before he moved towards us. He was wearing a kendo uniform and it was a good white. Issari is nervous and had slightly moved to hide behind me. That got a black eyebrow raised by the older man. I speak up for Issari.
"Apologies for her. Just nervous. We would like to use the dojo if that is alright with you sir."
The older man eyed me again for a second before nodding.
"I understand. Your welcome to use my dojo young man. It's rare for a youngster to show such respect. Not unless you're in the circles. My name is Ohashi Ryozo. You look like you have potential for the sword. Your friend not so much."
I smiled gently and I nodded in understanding. Before bowing to the mid back.
"She has spirit Ohashi-San. I think she could be good given enough time. But that's true for anyone."
The older man smiled a ghost smile there.
"Very true. Many young people ignore age and the wisdom of the older generations. You seem to not be doing that. I'm happy to teach willing students the ways of the sword. But I will not take those who ignore good advice."
Issari gains a bit of courage and bowed quickly too before her knuckle head self shows again.
"Please teach me Ohashi-sensei!"
The sheer enthusiasm is funny for me and apparently for Ohashi because he chuckled.
"She does have spirit. But that's not everything. Please follow me."
We do and Ohashi gets two wooden swords that are curved and then directed us to the dueling part of the dojo. The big circle is split evenly with a red line and in the four corners of the room are bonsai trees. Ohashi gave a sword to each of us then directed the two of us to opposite sides of the circle. Issari to the right and I to the left. We go and we face towards him, and he studied us more closely again.
"Show me your stances if you know any."
I draw the sword and then entered into a stance from a world in the far future called Heltena. It was a world famous for its pin prick moves because they had used rapiers for lots of noble duels. And because the local predators had extreme armor that was good but had a few spots that were weak to pokes. Issari tried to copy me but couldn't get the stance right. Ohashi raised an eyebrow at my stance.
"I don't recognize that one. And I'm familiar with both traditional ones from Asia and from Europe. I'm going to assume it's one you saw on tv or in a book. I would like to see how much I have to reteach you if it's not good which it probably isn't."
That was brutal honesty and I appreciate that.
"I understand the meaning sir."
He nodded his head in acceptance telling me to practice the stances. Before he then moved to Issari to teach a few stances that would be good for pure beginning people. I easily fall into the motions of the style and began to move the sword like a rapier. Ohashi noted that. He, however, is interested in how the movement is. He watched for five minutes before he after teaching Issari who assumed an okish beginning stance told us to face each other. Which we then did. He remarked to me.
"I am interested in this style. Its beginnings are in western styles. But there are hints of things I'm not seeing an origin in. You are raising my interest young man. What is your name."
I smile and bowed to him again.
"My name is Gregor, Ohashi-sensei."
Ohashi nodded at that. Before saying.
"Begin."
Issari immediately launched into action making a rookie mistake and brought the blade in a forward chop downward. The sword moves fast, and I easily block it. The wood clangs and I then riposte and threw Issari backwards a few steps. She is panting slightly from that and surprised. As is Ohashi. I assume a new stance and then slowly moved my right foot forward. That pushed Issari into action again thinking I'm about to make an aggressive move.
I block her again. Her move came from a left swing, and I then riposte her with a gentle push to the right. Issari is off balance and that's when I begin my strike. I gently poke with a swipe to the left that suddenly switched to the center when Issari moves to block the first strike. The poke gets through and hits Issari in the gut getting a small oof. Ohashi is impressed.
"An interesting style. You might not need reteaching there. I'm interested in seeing more. A tip young lady. Don't always open first. Let the enemy sometimes come towards you at the beginning. Find gaps in their first move."
Issari nodded.
"Yes Ohashi-sensei."
He nodded because Issari was accepting the advice without complaints.
"Begin."
We watched each other. Issari assumes a good defensive position. I make a move to the left which she began to change direction to counter it. We circle each other for two minutes before I begin with a poke to the center. Issari blocked it and then tried a riposte copying me from the first match. She, however, stumbles at the pure copy and not knowing the footwork. I don't finish off the fight there even though there are three ways to do so. Issari needs practice too. Ohashi noted that. But stayed silent.
Issari opened with a good move that hits from the right and is a swipe that is catches before I then riposte. But again, I'm going to give her more practice, the same as me. I poke with a stab that she blocked, and she is catching things fast. Ohashi is now looking at Issari with a curious eye.
We dance with blades and Issari and I exchanged blows with each of us practicing stances and sword work. But my endurance is better, and I finally make a poke when she takes a big gasp of air and hit her right elbow. Ending the fight. Ohashi is very impressed. Issari is gasping loudly from the exertion. Ohashi does comment.
"Your style is a dueling one. A very good one too. You have the potential of a good swordsman Gregor-San. As does your friend. You could have ended the fight multiple times. But you didn't to give her practice."
I nodded and take in a breath of air. My lungs hurt a little bit after the fight.
"It is. And I want her to get practice too. We are eager to learn the blade. I do want to learn styles that are unknown to me. I plan to perhaps join a dueling club in our hopeful new school should they take us."
Ohashi nodded.
"You're probably referring to Kuoh Academy. They have a very good program for dueling. But can you do more then duel? Battle is sometimes not clean like dueling."
I bowed again and let Issari catch her breath.
"I know. But she is new as am I to swords in general. Basics first before anything is good."
Ohashi smiled truly there.
"Very true again. I like you Gregor-San. You understand that basics are a very good thing. Isn't that right Katase-san."
That made us both blink and we turned to the voice that had spoken up in reply to Ohashi-sensei. It is the one that I had hoped to not meet yet. Her pink hair is short and done up in a bob.
"That is true Ohashi-sensei. I'm sorry for interrupting your session."
Ohashi shrugged but lets Issari get her breath back before he again says.
"Begin. Your welcome to watch Katase-san."
Katase nodded and then sat her bag down before taking a seat on the floor watching us. I zone her out, but Issari has never seen pink hair before apparently. That's the opening and I then began with a poke towards the right that Issari does catch. Ohashi remarks to Issari.
"Don't pay attention to other things in the room when dueling. Focus on the opponent unless you see something that can make your fight easier."
Issari nodded and Katase looked more closely at both of us. Before she frowned a bit seeing Issari. Then the frown turned into a deep one. That's not good. But I get Katase to focus on me with a swipe with a move forward that makes Issari back up a bit. She blocked the move and that makes Katase focus more on me. Issari nodded her head to me in thanks for that.
We dual. Each time we strike or riposte. Issari begins to make a few adjustments to her style to deal with the pokes I'm making. But I keep memorizing the stance and the movements. I will make this my basic style. There were three others I had picked out for this. Katase is frowning having never seen this style of mine before as expected. However, she breaks the view of me to see Murayama enter and the brown haired woman takes a seat next to Katase after seeing the dueling. Her bag is next to Katase's.
The dueling continued before I try my next style and then opened up with the Blood Angel style. It's brutal and the sudden change of styles makes Issari immediately fall back and makes Katase and Murayama widened their eyes in shock as does Ohashi. I swiped in such a quick flurry of stabs and jabs that I finally end the duel by hitting Issari on the right leg and she whined at the pain. I had held back the intentional blow that was for making an opponent lose their leg and then drop to the ground so a swipe downwards would claim an enemy's life. Issari hurts and is breathing loudly as do I. Ohashi looks at me more openly in interest.
"I have never seen that one either. And that is a real battle style. Your intriguing me Gregor-san."
I nodded.
"You never know when you need it."
The man nodded and then smiled softly.
"Again true. I wish to see you against a more experienced opponent. If that is agreeable?"
I nodded.
"I need all the practice I can get."
Ohashi nodded curtly before saying to the two other watchers.
"Murayama-san. You're experienced. Please fight Gregor-san."
The brown haired young woman nodded at the request and stood. Her hair is longer than Katase and Issari goes and handed her sword to her fellow chestnut. Murayama takes it and smiled gently to Issari in thanks while Katase kept frowning at Issari. But kept the vast majority of her attention on me. Murayama assumed her position and it's a very interesting stance. Her left leg is more prominent, and I see that her left hand is more forward too. Interesting. I then assumed my own stance and Ohashi says one more thing while Issari sat still catching her breath while sitting down away from Katase.
"Begin. And don't hold back."
I nodded as does Murayama. Her eyes focus in on me. And mine her. We don't move. We watched and watched before I make the first move. I shift my left leg to the right. Murayama followed with a good defense move. A shift of her sword towards the guessed attack path on the right. But I surprised her with a poke to the center.
The blow was blocked easily and then she stabs towards my center that then shifted right. But I block it and then riposte. Murayama is impressed with the speed of my block. She then unleashed a flurry of blows that I catch. Before I poke again and that makes Murayama catch. Her style is a mix of ultra aggressive and then a good defense. But I unleash a new attack path.
I poke three times in fast succession. Two from the left to make her focus there more. Then a poke on the right then switching towards the center. Then hard right. She catches all the blows. But I smile seeing the new stance. Before I unleashed the full version of a hard set of moves.
The first two blows are made to her legs, and she blocked both but gets more winded with the blows because of the exertion of the wide blows. Before I then chop with the intent to take her hands in a real fight. She blocked them but stumbled back a step and then I chopped once more. One center and that makes her back up because that chop requires a mini charge. She is preparing to return the blow and when I sliced towards her shoulder bypassing her guard because she expected the blow to come from my left. It came from my right. I wack her and she hissed in pain. Ohashi is incredibly impressed.
"A very good match. Your good Gregor-san."
I shake my head surprising Ohashi because he clearly expected me to prune at that.
"There is always someone better. I enjoyed the fight Murayama-san."
I was breathing heavily, and Murayama is wincing at the blow. Katase is watching me in extreme curiosity. Issari with wide eyed shock. And lust. She did say she wanted a swordsman or woman. But I know she won't push it. Because she was learning much from the fights. Murayama is looking at me too with interest. Along with a hint of something else.
"It was a good fight Gregor-san. Your styles are extremely different from anything I have seen before."
I bowed to her in respect for the duel.
"I'm in need of practice. I want to be able to have a way to defend myself. Better for if I need it against someone who has ill intent. Battle is not clean, and I want to be ready for it should it happen."
Murayama nodded her head in understanding. Before she bowed back.
"I'd be happy to spar with you more should we meet again. I learned a few new things."
Katase continued watching and it's clear she is the one who is the main captain. She looks at me interested. Before she looks at Issari once again. Her frown was very prominent. Issari, however, doesn't back down much. I then prepare to leave the ring. I offer my sword to Ohashi. He takes it.
He does say.
"You're welcome to return here at any point. It is refreshing to see someone who has wisdom at a young age. Your friend is welcome to return too."
Issari beams there and I smile to her. Katase frowned more than ever. But didn't say what she thought of Issari. Which isn't good because Katase has not seemed nice to Issari at all. This might be where the tension from the Kendo club originally started from. Katase being a person that doesn't like people easily. Murayama however hasn't been open with her own feelings about Issari. But smiled at her fellow chestnut a bit more. That makes Issari beam more. Murayama must have seen something there because she smiled larger and said.
"I will look forward to seeing you both more if you come here often. You seem humble Gregor-san. That's nice to see."
I smile and say again to her.
"Pride comes before the fall. I'd rather be humble and win then be prideful and lose."
Ohashi smiled the first genuine smile of the day. He's a hard ass. Extremely good because that means he takes his profession seriously. Murayama smiled more than ever and also looks at me with new looks. Lust. She might have a humble kink. Even Katase let's a ghost smile appear for a second before growing stern faced again. Issari got up and the two of us bow to Ohashi. He bowed back. We then leave the dueling room while Ohashi gives the sword to Katase and then the two captains begin their own spars.
Issari smiled more than ever as we left the building.
"That was so cool Gregor-kun! And you scored with the second one! I don't think the pink one likes me much."
I smile but ask her something.
"Perhaps I did. But I get the impression there is history between you two. Did you?"
She shook her head.
"I don't remember ever meeting her. Pink is distinctive. But maybe I did? She just seemed like she has a ten foot pole up her ass."
"She does seem like that. But I don't know her, and they might become constant sparring partners if we continue visiting there."
Issari nodded vigorously.
"I like Ohashi-sensei. He was fair to me. And didn't seem like he was against me from the get-go. Please teach me some of your moves Gregor-kun."
I smile and then ask.
"Aggressive or defensive? I might have something that might work for you. But Ohashi-sensei is the true teacher not I. My stuff is weird."
Issari laughed.
"It is. Like you are. But it's a good weird. And not bad. I'd prefer something aggressive. But want to learn everything in case you fail with the brown hair."
I'm conflicted there. Issari listens as I describe a style that was more aggressive, and she asked to see it next time we meet in the dojo. I do tell her.
"I have a phone now Issari-Chan. We can talk more easily. But I'm probably busy tomorrow with a few things I need to get done."
She nodded in understanding. Before sharing her number and saying after that is done.
"I get it. I have to go see my mom's grandparents tomorrow and I won't be free till way late. Maybe an evening run?"
I smile and said.
"Sure. Be safe you gazer."
She laughed.
"You too spirit boy."
She left to go towards her home. I go towards mine. But see Akeno again jogging near the park in the same clothes. She looked at me again in curiosity for a while longer. Before leaving the opposite way reluctantly. I don't like that. But it's probably because of the hair. I might dye it another color. Keep her and the other devils from seeing me more. Black or brown. Hell, I might do red. Koriel is impressed with the dueling. But today was productive again and tomorrow will hopefully continue the trend.
An. The Void Dragon. The monster of Mars and the real Machine God. Gregor does know of the Void Dragon and the legend of Saint George. Its complicated is the easiest way to put it.
