"Why not?"
Lin Mo smiled as he stepped closer to Ayaka, coming up behind her.
He gently pressed his chest against her back, guiding her right hand—the one holding the sword.
"Here," he said softly. "Let me walk you through it again."
At that moment, Ayaka could no longer hear a single word he said.
The instant Lin Mo half-embraced her from behind, her entire body went soft.
Heat rushed to her cheeks, her mind blanking out completely; her heart fluttered like a startled fawn.
If not for Lin Mo's hand supporting her grip, she might not have been able to hold onto the Tsurugi at all.
Lin Mo slowly led her arm, step by deliberate step, reproducing movements with a graceful rhythm.
This "dance," of course, referred to swordplay.
Under Lin Mo's gentle and patient guidance, Ayaka soon realized—
He had perfectly copied the Kamisato Sword Art she just demonstrated.
Even though he moved slowly…
Every detail matched hers exactly.
Then, Lin Mo paused with her arm raised mid-swing, poised at the start of a horizontal slash.
"Here. Pay attention to this part."
"Ah… o-okay. What about it?" Ayaka asked nervously.
"Here, you shouldn't follow the original form and cut horizontally. Instead, try slashing upward at an angle."
Lin Mo adjusted her wrist slightly. "If you attack from this angle, your opponent has nowhere to escape."
"And because your swing rises from below, it's more difficult to block in time."
Ayaka imagined the situation in her mind.
"It… it makes sense…" she murmured.
"Even if the enemy blocks, the blade's edge would slide straight toward the guard of their weapon."
"Exactly."
Lin Mo nodded. "If they're caught off guard, the force of that rising cut may even knock their weapon from their hand."
"T-that's incredible…"
Ayaka always knew there were issues with that particular horizontal strike, but she had never considered altering the Kamisato Sword Art itself.
Now, picturing the revised form in actual combat, she realized—
It was more flexible.
More threatening.
Stronger than the original.
And all of this came from Lin Mo watching her once.
He not only spotted the flaw but found the perfect solution.
She couldn't help but admire his insight.
"Good. You'll need to practice this until it becomes second nature. Ideally, merge it with the rest of the sword style."
"For today, just master this strike. I'll stay nearby and correct your angle if needed."
Lin Mo slowly let go of her hand.
Feeling his warmth draw away from her back, Ayaka felt an inexplicable emptiness.
But she still bowed gratefully.
"Thank you for your instruction."
"Alright," Lin Mo smiled. "Once you're familiar with this strike, we'll discuss the other issues with your style tomorrow."
From that day on, Lin Mo—originally just a house steward—took on the role of her swordsmanship instructor.
And every day, he watched Ayaka training in the courtyard, her figure shining with sweat.
Day 2.
"Stop using vertical slashes. With your build, you can't generate enough force."
"Yes, sir! I'll remember!"
Day 5.
"Good. It seems you've fully adapted to the revised form. We can move on."
"Move on?"
Ayaka blinked.
"That's right."
Lin Mo nodded. "Don't forget—you are a Vision bearer."
"If you don't use that power, you're no different from a wandering swordsman."
"Try infusing your elemental power when executing Iaijutsu."
"Yes, sir!"
Day 20.
With frost gathering along her cheeks, Ayaka looked at Lin Mo with shining eyes, clearly begging for praise.
"Very good."
Lin Mo nodded approvingly.
"You've mastered blending your elemental power with the Kamisato style. At this point, not many swordsmen in Inazuma can surpass you."
"It's all thanks to your guidance."
Ayaka bowed politely, a gentle smile touching her lips.
It was faint, but sincere.
Since her parents' passing, she hadn't smiled like that from the heart.
But Lin Mo continued:
"Don't get complacent. Your strength can still improve."
"M-more? Even stronger?"
Ayaka's eyes widened.
She felt she could already spar with Ayato and hold her ground for a while.
Could she really go further?
"You're a Vision holder," Lin Mo reminded.
"Using your Vision merely for weapon infusion is basic."
"You can also release the power in an instant—
unleashing the Vision's energy in a single explosive burst."
Ayaka tried to imagine how to release elemental power that quickly, how to turn it into an attack.
"Come. Follow my lead. Try it."
Day 30.
The courtyard temperature dropped sharply.
Ayaka held an ornate folding fan—frost swirling and gathering at its edge like a miniature blizzard.
"Kamisato Art…"
"…Frostfall!"
With a soft whisper, the storm burst outward as she flicked her fan.
Shhhhhh—!
Ice tore through the air.
The ten wooden practice dummies were instantly shredded into icy splinters.
"I… I did it!"
Ayaka spun around, eyes sparkling.
"Teacher! I succeeded!"
"Good."
Lin Mo nodded, satisfied.
"And just in time. Your 'trial' with the noble clans begins in an hour.
Come—let them see your strength.
Let them acknowledge you, and recognize the Kamisato Clan's rightful place."
"Yes!"
Ayaka clenched her fists, excitement and resolve burning within her.
She was ready—
Ready to show those scheming nobles that the Kamisato Clan's status in Inazuma was unshakable.
When Lin Mo and Ayaka arrived at the venue, the noble families were already waiting at the Kujou Clan's training grounds.
Despite the name "friendly duel," only one representative would fight Ayaka.
After all…
This "trial" was merely an excuse to make her embarrass herself while Ayato was away.
If Ayaka appeared weak, the clans could use it to undermine the Kamisato authority and divide their power.
Thus, only one opponent had been selected—
Inazuma's young prodigy, Kujou Sara.
As Ayaka entered, most nobles watched her coldly.
Only Kujou Sara approached her.
When Sara stopped before Ayaka, she did something astonishing—she smiled gently.
A warm, soft smile.
"It's been a while."
"Y-yes… it has…"
Ayaka stammered, caught completely off guard.
She and Sara were not close.
Why would this stern, disciplined general smile so kindly at her?
But then Ayaka realized—
The smile wasn't directed at her.
"Long time no see," came a familiar, warm voice from behind her.
Ayaka looked up.
Sara's smile was for Lin Mo.
"Since you serve the Kamisato Clan," Sara said calmly, "I will show mercy in this match."
After saying this, she gave Ayaka a brief, indifferent glance before turning toward the arena.
She had openly smiled because of Lin Mo.
Had even declared she would hold back…
In front of the nobles.
Ayaka instantly understood.
There was something unusual—
something special—between Lin Mo and Kujou Sara.
"Mr. Lin Mo…"
Ayaka swallowed, heart pounding.
"You and Kujou Sara… what exactly is your relationship?"
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T/N:
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