DISCLAIMER
The following is a fan-based
FICTION
Bishoujo Sailor Moon + Other series in this story are not owned by me.
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Chapter 20: The Knight and the Swordmaker
P.S. I now have a discord server! Discord .gg/ceBMM2Zz6c
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"Shingo-kun? Pssst!"
I blinked in surprise as I heard someone asking for me, and glanced away from the teacher as I turned to Mika as she was calling at me. It was seemingly another 'boring' day for me to exploit for more training and I was expecting for Minako to appear within this week, hopefully before my meeting with Igawa Shuzen as I didn't want both events to mix up somehow.
So, I wasn't exactly expecting something grand coming out of this new dull day when I noticed Mika giving me a giddy look as she showed me the source of her delight: a French Doll she had made. I was quickly reminded that this could be the catalyst for some major issues if I didn't handle it with care.
I am not sure how this plot got involved in the current 'season' considering that up to this point I had been convinced that I was facing the Crystal/Manga timeline. This was actually part of the original anime and... Well, I couldn't say that things have to follow as I remember of that plot, but it was worrying if there were some divergences from the plot I hadn't been responsible for.
If there was indeed a degree of mixing between plots of various timelines, then it was going to be quite difficult keeping track of what knowledge if viable or not.
Nonetheless, I offered a smile and a simple comment. "Cute."
It was enough to stave off any further interactions for the remainder of the lesson, with Mika tensing up and blushing at the praise as she returned to look at her desk with a big grin on her face. Then, as the class came to an end, she approached me to explain what it was.
"I made this for a competition mom told me to try and take part and- and I won!"
"Congrats," I praised, and I was actually the only one doing so as Momoko was home due to a heavy bout of the flu, and Lilim had been skipping school to 'fix her home some more', which in truth meant she was skipping today because she had to train magic some more for the upcoming test Shiranui wanted her to give a go. "I can tell you put a lot of effort in it."
"Yeah, it was so tiring," She half-whined half-admitted with pride, then smiled widely. "I was thinking on putting it in display, but my mom has yet to find a place where to place it."
"Well, you should keep it safe for the time being. Anything can happen to damage it and one never knows what can happen," I warned, the girl nodding in agreement as she put the doll back in her bag. "I don't want you to hurt if that happens."
Her lips twitched and Mika giggled. "Shingo-kun, now you are making me feel a bit awkward. Meanie."
It was my turn to chuckle, and I could tell some of the boys were 'ridiculing me' from the side. I hadn't been around any of them ever since I realized how some of them were just plain bad influences, and I focused more on Mika, Momoko and Lilim.
The good news is that the girls in the classroom recognized me as a honorary member and pretty much 'allowed' me to be around that small group of girls that were my friends. The bad news was that playing team-based sports at school was generally unpleasant due to some harsh comments I got from some of my opponents. I was fine with the banter, but kids can be quite creative with the insults and pretty much burn away any intention I may have in playing games with them.
Still, I am glad to say that the doll was not damaged. No, instead, I got pulled by Mika in an impromptu quest to secure her some material for a little project she was working on now that she had free time to get it done right.
- The Item Maker: First Doll 1 -
Difficulty: 1 of 5
Conditions:
-Help Mika with her chores;
Time Limit:
-None;
Reward:
-50 EXP;
-Improve Relationship with: Kayama Mika;
-?;
-?;
Failure:
-Decrease Relationship with: Kayama Mika;
-?;
Now, normally I wouldn't be too unnerved by Quests of this kind. It was a simple thing, helping a friend that had no connection with this sort of bullshit, but then I saw the '?' and I felt this was some real shit. I mean, one can say the Difficulty was low, but random bad things could happen with that unknown penalty.
So... I went there because I am a good friend and because I could tell something was going to happen.
Mika was super-happy as it could be just the two of us as 'it was previously' and she lost herself in some comments about what she did in recent times. The competition was one thing she had purposely kept quiet about even with Lilim and Momoka as she wanted me to know that she won first.
"It's still impressive since there were older people that have more experience."
My words inflated her ego a bit more as she puffed out her chest outwardly and smiled smugly. "Yup! I am quite cool."
I chuckled. "Mika-chan, beware that you may algo get a big head with that sort of cockiness you have right now."
"I-I am not being cocky," She huffed loudly, "I just like the fact that Shingo-kun praises me a lot!"
"That I do, but you should also be careful that it doesn't get you too careless. You won once, there's so many other competitions."
"I'll win them all," Mika smiled proudly and then faltered a moment to give me a nervous look. "Right?"
"Do you believe it?"
"Yep."
"Do you want to put your all in those challenges?"
She nodded. "Of course."
"Then if you do all of that you will not fail."
Beaming, Mika marched forth, dragging me while holding my hand as we continued our little stroll in Tokyo to...
"Where are we going precisely?"
"Oh, it's a place that granny once told me about. It's not exactly the best place to find stuff to make dolls or knitting work, but it has a lot of usable tools to make exceptional things, so I wanted to check there. Plus, the grandpa working there is fun."
"Glad to hear that," I nodded, thinking that there was nothing wrong with what she just said. I mean, it wasn't that weird for Tokyo to have some old-fashioned stores that helped with artisanship such as the doll-making that Mika was so intensely in love with.
The store itself was indeed giving that sort of vibe- old but overall homely as we were introduced to its limited size.
"Sai-jiji!" Mika exclaimed as she bolted towards the counter on the other side of the room.
She just left the grip of my hand, causing me to panic. "Wait, Mika-cha...n?!" Before I could finish calling for her, the lights of the large room flickered and... and Mika was no longer in front of me.
In fact, I noticed I wasn't even near the entrance as I looked around to find myself stuck in what looked a single endless path towards the counter and the exit door. My eyes narrowed as I felt something was really wrong since I couldn't feel any form of malice but... this sounded like a trap.
Without hesitation, I switched to my Moon Knight form and tried to jump over the other aisle only for my face to be greeted by an invisible barrier that pushed me back. Painfully.
"That was stupid."
I tensed up at the new voice, mustering the Moon Sword while turning to the source of it-
"And that's smarter," The voice hummed and I found myself looking at what appeared to be a balding old man with incredibly wide eyes and what little gray hair he got wrapped in a topknot. He was wearing an old-fashioned kimono, a dusty one at that and... I have seen this guy before. "Now, I wonder what you truly are, boy?"
"What did you do to Mika!?" I asked back, tensing up as I got to see his name and recognized him.
Totosai
LV. (UNKNOWN)
Isn't this guy from Inuyasha?! What is he doing here?!
"Your friend is currently safe as I make sure you are a trustworthy element to deal with and-"
"Sai-jiji! I finally found you and..." I paused, turning to see Mika right behind me as she gasped at my sight. "Moon Knight! What are you doing here?"
The squeal of a fangirl was one I never thought Mika capable of in this regard but-
"He was the blond boy you came with, Mika-tan."
The brunette tensed up, eyes wide open and then- she bolted to give me a sudden hug.
"SHINGO-KUN IS MOON KNIGHT?!"
...Shit.
It took a while to pry Mika off of me, but as she did so, she explained to Totosai I was not a threat by explaining who Moon Knight is and-
"A masked hero in these modern times?" The famed swordmaker pondered, stroking at his chin. "I see, I never thought this could happen. Apologies for the fright, but this shop is my most recent home and I would be upset if someone tried to cause trouble here."
"I am just accompanying Mika-chan," I assured as I got back to my normal self and... Mika was back to hug my arm and pestering me with questions about my Moon Knight state much to my growing awkwardness. "Still, I am surprised such a famous swordmaker would make his home in a store in Tokyo."
"Tragically, the world demands coin I don't have through my supernatural businesses, and I need some materials that are now sold internationally. Hence why I have to divert my trade goods to more than just weapons," He explained with a hint of sadness. "Then again, this allowed me to discover Mika-tan."
I frowned at the honorific, having heard it twice now. "How come you are so close to Mika-chan, Totosai-san?"
"To be fair, I would say she is the one that started to nag me-"
"Jiji!" Mika screeched, and then turned to look at me. "It's about the humming."
...What?
"Humming?"
"She can hear the material, the tools, the blades. A trait not many humans have, same for Yokai," Totosai explained. "Such a skill would be relevant if only she could become my apprentice."
"I prefer dolls to swords!" She admitted. "But..." She lowered her head. "If Shingo needs a sword-"
"I am fine with this one. There's no need to push yourself about it."
But as I thought this could have brought the strange divergence to an end, it was something that Totosai said about this topic that caught me off-guard.
"Even though that sword is not bound to last for long. Not when its purpose is not tied with yours and it will soon reach its closure."
I snapped my glance back at the Yokai. "What?"
"That sword you wield, it is not meant to be a proper weapon. It's the remnant of one's soul that is trying to impart you some teachings which you are learning from."
...I am not following.
"How-"
"She speaks clearly," Mika commented as she glanced at the sword... even though I thought I had it removed just now. "She is friendly."
"Who... Who is she?"
"She is not telling, but you will learn eventually. She is a honest sword," Totosai remarked, leaving me more clueless on this detour from the main conversation.
Still, we managed to get the material bought, with Mika finally snatching a few more answers on how I became Moon Knight, my chores and how much I train. Between learning that Totosai exists, that Mika may have an affinity in making items of all sorts, I felt like my head was just hurting a bit.
Even more worrisome, I failed to notice that a cat was watching us from atop one of the building. A cat with white fur and green eyes.
AN
If before Shingo had been glad to keep away from the main plot unless necessary, now the main plot is coming for his shota booty. In the specific, Minako is and... next main story chapter will also see Shingo meeting Makoto through this whole mess.
The Totosai addition is not an opening to Inuyasha/Yashahime. Not until I get more stuff wrapped up. He will be a supportive character that will add more to Mika since she is going to study under him. Not now, but soon as the clue I left suggests.
Next time, however, we go for an interlude. Let's see how Artemis and Minako are digesting this whole Moon Knight situation before first contact!
GAME STATS!
Name: Tsukino Shingo
LVL. 33
Age: 10
EXP: 360/490
Title: Princess Serenity's Otouto
Money: 3.649.000Y
HP: 3850/3850
BP: 50/50
SP: 745/745
MP: 150/150
ATK: 330 (643,5)
DEF: 232 (452,4)
INT: 194 (378,3)
LCK: 45 (87,75)
PASSIVE SKILLS
(Gamer's Body) - Your body follows game logic.
(Gamer's Mind) - Your mental factors follow game logic- your thoughts are protected by this skill's effect.
(Human Being - 10YO Child) - You are recognized by laws and people as a child due to your young age. Add a +25% ATK Boost to Sneak Attacks, +45 SP/min Recharge, Add a -75% Price Reduction to Learning-related events.
(Moon Dynasty - False) - Some members of your family are reincarnations to the Moon Dynasty of the First Millenium, while you are not. Receive a +5% ATK Boost while using Moon Magic attacks.
(Healthy Body - LVL.38) - Your Body is the Temple of your Mind. +95% Boost to all Stats. (This skill will evolve the more HP you have.)
(Ethereal Mind - LVL.2) - Your Mind is the Truth of your Body. Unlocks Mana Points (MP): 150/150. (This skill will evolve every 50 INT you have after 100.)
(Physical Endurance - LVL.49) - Your capacity to endure attacks is increased by 49%. (This skill will evolve the more DEF you have.)
(Learning Capacity - LVL.80/80) - Learning-related events have a -80% Price Reduction. (This skill will evolve the more INT you have.)
(Japanese Master Linguist - LVL.100/100) - You have an absolute understanding of Japanese! Your capacity to learn Japanese-based skills from book has a 100% greater yield.
(English Language - LVL.90/100) - Your capacity to understand basic English, both verbal and written. Current Level allows for Upper High School-tier understanding.
(Language Switch) - You are able to switch Languages among those you know. Current Languages: Japanese (Main), English.
(Natural Scientist (Earth) - LVL.56/100) - Your capacity to understand Natural Science. Current Level allows for Middle School-tier, granting you a +56% ATK Boost when facing animals known to Earth.
(Chemistry- LVL.69/100) - Your capacity to understand Chemistry. Current Level allows for Late Middle School-tier, granting you a +69% Boost to Chemical Production.
(Explosive Specialist - LVL.78/100) - Your capacity to understand Craftmanship. Current Level allows for Starting Explosive Researcher, granting you a +78% Boost to Explosive Compounds' Production.
(Detection - LVL.7) - You can now see some people and enemies' HPs and LVLs. (This skill will evolve the more INT you have.)
(Bloodlust Detection - LVL.3) - You can now perceive when people are directing bloodlust in your general direction. (This skill will evolve the more INT you have.)
(Fencing - LVL.81/100) - Your capacity to understand and employ Fencing in combat. +50% ATK Boost while using a proper Weapon and Fencing Stance.
(Medicine - LVL.39/100) - Your capacity to understand and employ Medical Knowledge. +39% Effect Boost for Healing Items you consume or create.
(Boxing EX1 - LVL.19/100) - Your capacity to practice Boxing at an Above-Human Level. 136% Boost to your ATK when using the Boxing Style.
(Taekwondo - LVL.94/100) - Your capacity to practice Taekwondo. 85,5% Boost to your ATK when using the Taekwondo Style.
(Moon Knight Mask - LVL.1) - You can now transform the Paladin of the Moon. Current addition to the suit:
-+ 1/3DEF;
-Unlimited Moon Cutters (Throwable Objective- Damage = ATK/10);
-Moon Hook (Max. Range = 23m);
- Small-grade Explosive spheric bombs (Throwable Objective- Damage = ATKx2);
- Moon Blowgun (Long-Range Weapon- Effect(s) = Inflict one of 5 Sleep Token to enemies with equal or superior level; Inflict Sleep Status to enemies with lower level.);
-Fake Moon Sword (Short-Range Weapon- Effect(s) = When in use, you obtain a +25 ATK bonus; A Spirit is currently inhabiting it...);
(Magical Shield - LVL.1/100) - Your intelligence improves your inner magical understanding. Current Level allows for 50BP (Barrier Points).
(Trapper - LVL.9/100) - Your ability to create effective traps. Current level boosts traps' effectiveness by 9%.
(Crafting - Lvl. 49) - Your ability in Crafting is 'Impressive'. You can currently produce easily Items of Rare Quality within the proper resources.
(HEMA - LVL.28/100) - Your capacity to understand and employ HEMA in combat. +28% ATK Boost while using a proper Weapon and HEMA-related Stances.
(Real Estate Touch - LVL.1) - Your ability to get properties at a cheaper rate. Currently offers a 5% discount on property purchases. (This skill will evolve the more properties you own.)
ACTIVE SKILLS
(Sprint - LVL.73) - Use SPs to increase your speed by 73%. Price: 10 SP per Minute. (This skill will evolve the more SP you have.)
(Focus Attack - LVL.31) - Use SPs to deliver a boosted attack. Price: 20 SP per hit. (This skill will evolve the more ATK you have.)
(Focus Defense - LVL.23) - Use SPs to increase your guard's defense by 23%. Price: 20 SP per Minute. (This skill will evolve the more DEF you have.)
(Bulk Up EX2) - Spending half of your Max SP, obtain a 500% Boost on your Stats for 15 min.