Ais's title was the Sword Princess.
That title alone was proof enough of her mastery with the blade. When it came to the quality of a weapon or the skill of a swordsman, Ais could discern them with absolute clarity.
Alice's movements, by contrast, were textbook amateur.
Whether it was her attacking posture or her grip on the sword, everything screamed novice. It might have felt perfectly standard to Alice herself.
But in Ais's eyes, it was off. Way off.
It was rigid, a complete by-the-book imitation. Sure, Alice's form was technically correct according to the manuals, but in a real fight, there's no such thing as a 'standard' stance. In fact, this very rigidity, this attempt to replicate a 'perfect' pose learned from pages, was the biggest problem.
Of course, Alice's movements were worse than a beginner's, and her so-called 'standard' form would likely have a negative impact on her future combat effectiveness.
But what truly shocked Ais was the battered, ragged longsword in Alice's hand.
While that sword was a decent-quality item bought for a fair sum—the kind typically used by Level 1 adventurers, some even wielding worse—in Ais's view, such a common 'mass-produced goods' weapon was practically falling apart.
So.
The fact that Alice had managed to slice through a Minotaur's defenses left Ais utterly astonished.
At the same time, Ais was absolutely certain: for Alice to cleave a Minotaur in half so effortlessly, as if cutting through soft clay, with a weapon of that caliber, she must have been using some special technique.
Meanwhile, Alice, having just slain one Minotaur, was earnestly recalling the swordsmanship texts she'd read in Loki's study.
Like a student dutifully following a textbook, she adjusted her posture and launched an attack against several other nearby Minotaurs.
Again, it was like slicing through melons and chopping vegetables. With ease, Alice used her sword to dispatch all of them.
However, feeling no joy from this easy victory, Alice instead frowned.
As she swung her sword, the only sensation she felt was awkwardness. A profound awkwardness.
Even though she was attacking according to the book's standards, the awkwardness remained, stubbornly refusing to fade.
"This is so strange..." Alice muttered, puzzled. "Why is that?"
"Your movements are too stiff."
Just as Alice was pondering the source of her discomfort, Ais's voice sounded beside her.
Alice looked over to find Ais standing right in front of her, though she hadn't noticed her approach.
'My mana perception was active the whole time, yet I didn't sense her. Does she have some method of concealment?'
"Too stiff?" Alice asked, confused.
Ais nodded in response, then drew the longsword from her waist.
"Swordsmanship doesn't have special stances. In the Dungeon, enemies appear suddenly, often in numbers. There's no time to assume a pose."
"All you need to do is advance, and attack."
With a shift of her feet, Ais vanished.
Alice managed to catch her movement. The instant Ais moved, Alice sensed a surge of intense mana erupting within her body.
Strangely, though the mana burst forth, Ais didn't seem to be actively utilizing it.
Still, it was precisely because of the strong fluctuation of mana inside Ais that Alice could track her movement through mana perception.
Her speed was incredible, far beyond what the naked eye could follow.
Just as she had said, Ais instantly appeared before a Minotaur, simply raised her hand, and swept her sword across.
With a single stroke, the Minotaur was defeated.
Watching Ais, Alice's eyes shone.
Ais's movements were swift, fluid, and beautiful. Combined with her looks, which were scarcely less striking than Alice's own, the title 'Sword Princess' was truly fitting.
Clap clap clap.
"So amazing," Alice said, applauding enthusiastically for Ais's demonstration.
Ais remained composed in the face of the praise. She sheathed her sword and walked back. "That's all," she said softly to Alice.
"Swordsmanship is just about cutting. What's more important is physical fitness, speed, strength, and a sharp weapon." Her eyes held a gleam as she looked at Alice. "But more than that... that sword shouldn't be able to cut through a Minotaur's flesh effectively. What did you do? Can you tell me?"
"Eh?" Alice looked down at the sword in her hand following Ais's question. "Ah, this."
"It's a form of mana application."
Alice smiled at Ais, raised her sword, channeled mana from within her body, and enveloped the blade. "This sword indeed lacks the sharpness needed to slice through a Minotaur's body."
"But, if you apply mana effectively, you can grant the blade a very sturdy and sharp effect."
As she finished speaking, a faint golden glow became visible around the sword in Alice's hand—something Ais hadn't noticed before.
Unable to help herself, Ais reached out and placed a finger on the edge of Alice's blade.
A Level 5 adventurer's skin was remarkably tough.
Even enhanced by Alice's mana, the sword that could bisect a Minotaur still lacked the sharpness to harm Ais.
Even so, the blade's keenness had increased significantly.
"How did you do this?" Ais was intensely interested in this technique. Her own weapon was [Desperate], which possessed the [Indestructible] property.
It was a sword perfectly suited to her, and also exceedingly expensive.
If her already-sharp Desperate could be further enhanced by Alice's method, her combat power would undoubtedly reach a new level.
"Mana manipulation..." Alice mused for a moment.
She gave Ais a thoughtful look, then recalled how Lefiya channeled magic, and suddenly understood.
"Could it be, Miss Ais, that you've never properly learned to control the mana within your body?" Alice asked curiously.
"Mana control?" Ais tilted her head, her face a picture of confusion.
"Alright then..." Alice smiled wryly. "Let me teach you."
"About the application of mana."
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