When sparring in swordsmanship with her fellow familia members, Mikoto would always use a wooden sword.
Even if they went all out to decide a winner, neither side would get hurt.
She never imagined this sort of thing happening during a familia expedition.
Out here, there were no proper conditions for sparring—only tree branches as substitutes.
The experience was truly strange!
The real question was whether it was even feasible.
During a swordsmanship match, clashes were inevitable.
And since they were both Level 2 adventurers, could a mere branch really withstand their power?
Mikoto kept a cautious attitude as she looked toward the smiling Liang Yue and asked,
"Liang Yue, are you seriously suggesting we spar with tree branches?"
"And it looks like there's only one?"
"What I mean is—you can just use your regular weapon.
If you're worried about controlling your strength, you can keep it sheathed."
Liang Yue pointed to the katana at her waist before lightly gripping the branch.
Faced with her confused gaze, he added with a relaxed smile,
"For the sparring match, I'll just use this branch."
In a spar, one should go all out—that was his way of showing respect to Mikoto.
It was also a chance to test his theory:
Did sword aura have to be used through conventional weapons?
Could it be channeled through other means?
If his guess was right, he could better understand the amplifying effects brought by the "Sword Soul Template."
"…"
Hearing his explanation, Mikoto's eyes flickered with mixed feelings.
If not for Liang Yue's resolute gaze, she might have suspected…
Was he just using her as a way to pass the time?
But he insisted on using a branch, and his tone didn't sound like a joke.
Still, even if she won, it wouldn't be a fair victory.
Mikoto took a deep breath, trying to calm her thoughts.
Seeing Kashima and Chigusa subtly shake their heads,
she considered the harmony of the expedition team.
She was just about to refuse—
—but the withered branch in Liang Yue's right hand suddenly erupted with a powerful sword aura.
When Mikoto's gaze swept over it, what she felt…
…was the presence of a razor-sharp masterwork blade!
The complicated look in her eyes vanished, replaced by unprecedented solemnity.
She nodded seriously.
"Very well—please guide me!"
Using a branch for sparring was a novel experience for Liang Yue as well.
Once he infused it with sword intent, he could clearly feel its transformation.
It no longer felt like firewood but like a weapon fit for battle.
"All things are my sword; I move unimpeded through the great void."
This was the ultimate pursuit of the Sword Soul,
and also the path he yearned to walk.
A true swordsman did not lose his edge just because he lost his weapon.
But relying on the Sword Soul Template ultimately meant being bound by it.
In his past life, he had viewed it from a player's perspective.
Now, living it for real,
he knew that to reach the peak of the sword path,
he had to forge his own way forward!
In the wide cavern tunnel, Liang Yue looked toward the girl ahead,
holding her sheathed katana like a training weapon.
With an easy expression, he said, "Let's begin."
"Please guide me."
Compared to the usually quiet Liang Yue,
the one Mikoto faced now felt like a honed blade.
Meeting his calm, unfathomable eyes,
she felt a crushing pressure—
—something she had never even felt from Lord Takemikazuchi himself.
Beneath the still surface of that lake was a current that could engulf her at any moment!
As a swordsman, she had to go all out.
Gripping her hilt with both hands,
her habits kept her from making the first move.
Even if her opponent used a branch, she still wanted to predict his next action.
The figure in front of her moved with explosive speed the moment the battle began—
so fast she lost focus for a split second.
This is absolutely not the speed of a Level 2 adventurer!
The thought had barely formed when Liang Yue closed in,
his slash from the diagonal forcing Mikoto to instinctively raise her sheath to block.
The withered branch, infused with sword aura,
didn't so much as splinter when it met the sheath—
instead, a heavy impact rang out.
Bang!
The force jarred her arms painfully.
Even from this brief exchange,
Mikoto clearly understood the massive difference in their fighting styles.
She retreated to gain distance—
but when she looked at the perfectly intact branch,
her pupils constricted.
"How… how is that even possible?!"
Recalling her god's teachings,
she took advantage of the opening when Liang Yue withdrew his strike
and stepped in with a sweeping slash toward his abdomen.
But as if expecting it, he blocked easily with one hand on the branch.
The sheer difference in power kept her from pushing forward even an inch.
They weren't even using the same swordsmanship system.
Liang Yue didn't think his moves had much technique at all—
it was pure, overwhelming stats.
With a simple block,
the branch pressed against the sheath.
Liang Yue effortlessly pushed forward.
The broken-off fork of the branch—trimmed for appearance—
was now held in his pale demon hand,
its tip aimed at the girl before him.
From that tip poured an almost tangible sword intent.
"Over."
"…I've lost."
Faced with that mercilessly sharp aura,
Mikoto could only admit defeat.
Her loosened sheath fell to the ground with a dull thud.
Her voice was laced with bitterness.
The firm resolve she had at the start was gone.
Even with mental preparation,
it was only in the actual match that she could truly feel his oppressive power.
In speed, in strength—
Liang Yue was nothing like a Level 2 adventurer.
In technique, she could only defend against his fierce offense.
What truly shocked her, though,
was the "weapon" Liang Yue had used.
A withered branch—
something a child from an ordinary Orario household could snap with ease—
in his hands, it was like a deadly blade.
When it was aimed at her,
she felt he could pierce her skull at will.
"…Thank you, senpai, for making me realize the gap in our strength."
Though they were the same age,
Liang Yue's mastery of the sword was fully worthy of respect.
Seeing the awe in her comrades' eyes,
Mikoto suddenly felt—
—losing to Liang Yue wasn't shameful at all.
The point of a spar was mutual improvement,
and during this match,
Liang Yue could clearly feel the deep sword aura within himself—
—born from relentless training in ghost swordsmanship.
Moreover, this aura could be attached to any "weapon" at will,
hardening it.
Even without a weapon on hand,
he'd have a way to handle danger.
Looking at the downcast girl before him,
Liang Yue recalled the details of the fight,
then remarked,
"Your fundamentals are solid."
"It's just…"
He paused for a moment.
"…your style is too conservative.
As a swordsman, you need at least the courage to strike.
That's what you lack."
"After all, real battles are often decided in an instant."
"…Understood."
Mikoto engraved his words into her heart.
Even when sparring with her own comrades,
her mindset had been only to respond to what came at her.
Perhaps she truly was lacking the courage to take the initiative.
Seeing his relaxed smile,
her nerves eased a little.
"Could you give me the branch?
I want to see how you managed it—
how an ordinary branch could be so tough."
"No problem."
Her eyes lit up with anticipation as she took the branch from Liang Yue.
But without the support of his sword aura,
and after enduring the strain of their match,
the branch was already at its breaking point.
Before she could react—
—it crumbled to dust in her hands.