Akiko rises up from the sketching table to greet both of us, Samantha leaning down to give her the usual bow. I wonder why she's so insistent on doing that? I don't ponder for long as she raises back up just in ti for Akiko to finish walking over to us.
"Ara~, I'm glad to see you two starting to truly get along~! Seems my assumptions were correct, isn't that so dear Alia?" She says with a wink, leaving both of Sam and I confused on what she's talking about. I cock my head to the side, my befuddled expression apparent as Akiko simply points to her cheek a couple tis with a smirk.
I catch on quick enough and then reach up to stoke a few fingers across my face which is faintly sweating again from the ambient heat of this room. My inquisitive digits co back with black marks of soot on them, realization dawning on my features.
Samantha seems to catch on about the sa ti that I do, a playful smirk ford on her face as she adds in, "Oh indeed, Mistress~. This little pup is quite the adorable creature, and though I still wish to settle things in the way I am accustod to, I cannot deny that she is already growing on . Especially the little sounds and expressions she makes~."
I begin to blush furiously, wiping the evidence of Samantha's gentle caress from earlier off of my face as Akiko chis back in with a mischievous tone, "Oh my~! To think you two had progressed in such a short ti~! Such delightful news indeed!"
Seeing my ruby red face giving her a mocking glare, she does let up so as her soft voice cos back into the room, "Well, teasing aside I am quite pleased that you two are making in roads with each other." She turns to Samantha directly as she adds on, "I know this is a novel situation for you especially, sweetheart, but thank you for giving Alia a chance without subjecting her to your usual scrutiny."
I turn to catch the briefest glimpse of crimson dash across the bridge of Sam's nose as she quickly utters back out in a cute huff and an adorable head turn, "W-Well, I can already see that she is exceptional and that you deeply care for her. I'm not so stoic or blind to miss the obvious. Hmph."
Akiko simply smiles back to her, raising a hand to turn her face back to her violet gaze. "I know, my dear~. Still, I appreciate you and your willingness to adapt." They lean in to give a soft kiss to each other, as Samantha nearly, actually, lts into a puddle with a small moan.
Whoa. I thought I was the only one that had that reaction, or maybe just
and Miss J! I quickly debate if I should use this information to get so of my own teasing in next ti Samantha decides to be a bit froggy but instantly dash that plan considering her counterattack would likely be devastating. And more than arousing. I shake my head slightly at the nascent lewd thoughts beginning to surface just in ti to catch them break off their lips embrace, nuzzling their foreheads together for a mont, both nothing but smiles before Akiko steps back to look at .
"And thank you, Alia, for giving Samantha a chance in turn." My heartbeat quickens as she leans down slightly to
next, her hands cupping my cheeks as she reels
in to my own long, soft kiss. My reaction is a bit more extre, as the image of her kissing Samantha monts ago floods through
on top of the already wonderful sensations of her lips. I'm usually not one to fall for the 'indirect kiss' tropes, but fuck, this is one hell of a version of it!
I moan loudly as I reach behind Akiko to pull her tight to , my mind swelling with desire and lust, wondering if the slightly salty yet pleasantly citrusy taste on Aki's lips is from Samantha. The thought rebounds through
as I imagine kissing Samantha directly, causing another wave of arousal and a bit of confusion at the ready acceptance of it before Akiko giggles into our locking of lips and breaks it off with a wet pop.
I wobble a bit on shaky legs, nearly undone just from that one kiss with obvious additional implications as Akiko tilts my head up to view her face. With a more than slightly lustful look, she smirks a bit and says, "Precious~. I'm glad you enjoyed that, my dear, but let us away for now and proceed to your training, hmm?"
I nod weakly, blindly grasping out for her hand, or tail, which makes both of the other won giggle in delight before I finally find purchase on a target. One fluffy tail secured in my sweaty, faltering grip later, Akiko turns to Samantha and offers, "Would you like to co as well, darling? Or do you have further matters to attend to here?"
I hear Sam's voice echo back as my brain is still coming back online, "I think I shall stay here for now, Mistress. The first training session is always more useful in one-on-one pairings, especially for soone as new as Alia. Perhaps once she advances so, I will join in and offer my advice and support, but for now I wish the two of you a productive session." I turn to look at her, noticing that her professional deanor is back in force as she once again bows to Akiko before turning to
and giving
a small wink, making my heart do a little flip. Akiko simply gives Samantha a few head pats with one of her tails, before excusing the both of us and opening up the tallic vault door once more.
Once we pass the plane of it, she shuts it behind us with a firm, loud clangagainst the worked stone and then begins to lead
down to whichever room she worked on while Samantha and I were getting ready. I can feel her body shift, and I look up to see her staring down at
as she says softly, "Are you well, young Alia?"
I sigh, most of my ntal faculties back in my grasp again as I respond, "I'm okay. That was just... You kissing
right after Samantha was a lot for my brain to process, apparently. I think I tasted whatever lipstick she uses on your lips..." I shiver at the mory, causing Akiko to chuckle out loud for a mont.
"I see~. I hope that was not a crossing of one of your boundaries? Truly, I did not think of that aspect of it when I kissed you." She says back quietly, concern in her voice.
I shake my head, even if she can't see it, as I reply back, "No, you're fine! It's not like you aren't doing more than that with the girls all the ti anyway. I guess just the... realness of it hit different for , seeing it done right before my eyes. Probably another scenario of
just needing to adapt and get used to how things are around here." I finish as I shrug slightly at the end.
"Very well," She gives in answer, one of her tails coming to gently lay against my back as she continues, "but if you beco uncomfortable with sothing I or the others do, with or around you, let us know. If it is one of the girls and they do not acquiesce to your concerns, be sure to tell . If the problem is , well... I'm sure spirit Ios would be keen to reprimand
well enough."
I'm brought back to their confrontation a few days ago, the one where I stepped in and got them to stop being so hostile to each other. My own voice cos out softly in reply, "I don't think it will co to that, Aki. You are just being yourself, and your consideration for
is and continues to be incredible. I'm not troubled by it, really. It was honestly... nice. *Ahem* So! Which door has the grand prize behind it! Haha!" I say as my blush reddens yet again, although the admission felt good to say... Yet another thing to think about later.
Akiko gives
a confused little sound, almost like a soft "Wuf?" that nearly makes
squee out in delight since its coupled with a devastating head tilt and a few cute flicks of her tails. I sohow manage to keep it in as I say back to her, my voice higher pitched than normal, "I-I an! What door and room did you work on while Sam and I were busy!"
Akiko opens her mouth in an understanding manner, the taphor likely having sunk in now, as she responds, "Ah! What a charming expression~! As for your answer, my dear girl, I setup one of the reinforced and soundproofed rooms while also placing so static targets for you to practice on. That should be enough for now, unless you prove to be a quicker study than I thought possible~."
I nod along, joy sparking inside
as her pleased expression, ear wags and tail flicks included, continues on as we march down the corridor in silence, the only sound echoing down the hall is our sandals cracking lightly against the stone. A few more doors pass us by before she finally stops at one, giving
ti to notice all of the inscription symbols plastered on the solidly wooden door's outward face. I commit them all to mory rather quickly, looking back up to her with a victorious smile as I finish which earns
more head pats~!
She reaches for the handle, a western style instead of the slatted indents on the doors back above us, and twists it after flaring so Qi into it. With nary a groan of protest, the wooden fra slides open smoothly, revealing a large, 50 x 50ft square room lined with plush looking blue mats in the center. The outsides of the square of cushioned protection are made of thin fitted, creamy white wooden planks that seem to corral the focal point of the upcoming action like an eager crowd before a show. True to her words, various humanoid training dummies are setup in various spots, so wielding wooden shields and swords, others spears or axes, even a couple farther back that have bows.
I look up to Akiko, about to comnt on all of this before she keeps walking with
in tow, dragging us to the sea of blue in the middle of the room. As soon as we cross the threshold between the wooden outer layer and the core of the room, I feel an energy wash over . Curious, I turn up once more to Akiko, the question easily identifiable on my face as she responds, "That was the protective formations. The whole room is surrounded by a silencing array, which is what I deactivated, and then reactivated when I brought us into the room. The formations are all inscribed on the underside of those wooden boards, and they create a cubic shape from floor to ceiling for this whole padded area."
I nod, following along easily enough for now as she continues, "Firstly," She begins in a serious tone, "stand here in this empty space and show
what you know so far. Do not worry about trying to impress
or eting so tric, I rely want to see what you know, how well you know it, and if we need to start from the basics properly." Her firm voice is drastically different than what I'm used to, making
swallow a small gulp of anxiety, likely of the performance variety, as I move to the designated spot.
With soft foot falls against giving ground, I turn to face her again, the embarrassnt at having to basically pantomi fighting so invisible foe or sothing making
feel awkward and silly. Akiko looks to , a stern yet kind look on her face as she says, "Again, Alia. Worry not, just show
how you fought the tribulation from before, or work through any drills or patterns that ca with the knowledge spirit Ios gave you for spears."
I take in a large breath before exhaling it out, trying to calm my nerves and ntally move past my own hangups about performing or whatever this is. I rotate the training spear in my hands a few tis, getting use to its heft and balance, as I get my center of gravity lower and adopt what the system showed
as a basic thrusting stance. Before I even take another action, Akiko is instantly by my side.
"Your stance is off here, here, and here. Face more horizontally toward the front, making your profile less visible. Adjust the spacing of your feet, your lead foot should be out slightly further past your body while your resting foot should be squarely under your rear shoulder. While in this neutral stance, your right hand should be more toward the base of the weapon, essentially gripping the space above this secondary point, while your left is here, slightly above the halfway point on the haft." Her thodic, neutral voice starts to put
on edge a bit, but I do my best to adhere to her corrections.
"Like this?" I say as the final touches are put into place, as she walks around
a couple tis, looking
up and down.
She ponders for a second before coming up to stand behind , her fresh, clean scent wafting to
as she leans in and pulls my shoulders back more so that they align better with my hips. Her voice tickles my ears as she whispers, "Like this~. Make sure that your center and your base, which is your footwork, are firm and planted unless you are shifting the balance for a strike. The easiest way spear wielders are felled is if they lose their coordination and posture, opening them up to gaps in their protective stance and weaking their thrust or parry control."
I nod weakly, trying my best to pay attention as her snow white hair dangles just out of the corner of my eyes. She steps around to my side once more before she continues with the lesson, "Good. Now then, thrust the spear forward."
I try to take a forward step to stab which instantly earns
a light bop on my head from a tail. I look back up to her perplexed, and slightly agitated, as she gently shakes her head. "When you're thrusting from this neutral stance, the power cos from rotating your hips as you thrust the spear forward with your right hand, letting your left hand slide down the shaft until both your hands et. Make sure to keep the angle of the tip slightly above your chest height, like you were aiming for the head or neck of your opponent. Try again, my dear."
I huff slightly, which earns a quirk of an eyebrow from Akiko that makes
shiver in a cold sweat before I adopt the adjusted stance once more and thrust like she said. "Better," I hear from my left, "but make sure that you are twisting your hips and thrusting your arm forward at the sa ti. Also, don't shift your lead foot to gain the montum to twist your hips, pivot on your rear foot instead. Once more."
I cycle through this one. Fucking. Thing. 50 tis. My sweat forming on my brow before Akiko finally deems it satisfactory enough to move on. I grumble as I wipe my forehead with the sleeve of the dress. In fact, the only reason we took a break was because I got a notification from the system and I stepped back for a second to catch my breath:
[Quest Completed! Gain Basic Proficiency with Spears!
Learn the ins and outs of the weapon class known as: Spears.
Reward: 25 Ability Points, 50 Shop Points, 2 Skill Points, 10 points into Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution.
Rewards increase for each level of proficiency.]
Strength is now 570!
Dexterity is now 620!
Constitution is now 610!
Available Ability Points: 482
Available Shop Points: 5,125
Available Skill Points: 162
[Quest Started: Gain Advanced Proficiency with Spears!
Learn advanced formations, stances, and combat usage of the weapon class known as: Spears.
Reward: 250 Ability Points, 500 Shop Points, 25 Skill Points, 100 points into Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution.
Single ti effect of current Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution x 25% (After previous increase applied).
Rewards increase for each level of proficiency.]
[Progress: 0.12%]
Ios chis inside my head cheerfully, I guess trying to cheer
up a bit, 'Great job honey~! I knew you'd blow through that one fast! Also... try not to get too upset with Akiko, okay? She is just teaching you how to survive. Don't take her words personally but listen to what she says. In this room, you two aren't a new couple inside of a growing harem. You are a student, and she is the teacher. A sensei, if you will~! Hehe~!'
I groan out, earning another questioning look from Akiko who's standing across from , her curious tone coming out as she asks, "Everything well, my dear?" I try to internalize what Ios is saying, mostly because I've been trying to rember that this whole ti, but... it's hard. Follow current ??????????s on novelFirｅ
"Yeah. I just got the notification saying I completed the basic level for spears, took longer than was advertised but at least we're making progress..." My slightly annoyed tone coming out despite my best efforts. Akiko walks over to , gently swaying her hips with her tails fanning behind her like a peacock before she stands face to face with
and gently places her hands on my shoulders.
"Alia, I know this is a tough thing to get used to given the seemingly peaceful nature of your previous world. I am being as lenient as I can while still giving you the knowledge and skill you need. Learning to use a weapon without the aid of your system is going to be a very challenging ti for you, I think. Spirit Ios, myself, and even you have expressed our desires for you not to beco overly reliant on the system, and this is one of the things that is crucialfor you to know. It needs to beco sothing akin to breathing for you. I care for you deeply, my sweet, precious girl, and that is why I won't slack off and make it a non-affair while I am guiding you in these martial matters."
I sigh as I look up to her, knowing she's right. Knowing that Ios is right! But my dumb, Earth tainted brain is still having a hard ti with this. I never went to like, basic training. Never took so sports class that I didn't naturally excel in. Hell, even when dad was teaching
to shoot, that all felt natural, like I was born to do it! I feel her hands reach up and rest against both of my cheeks, squishing them softly which earns muffled cries of protest as she giggles before she speaks to
in a quiet, loving voice.
"It's okay to feel frustrated, darling. It's okay to not feel comfortable with this at first. But you mustmove past that ntally. Rember your ambitions: to protect and teach Sandra, to gain power that ensures the safety of those you hold dear, and to learn and experience as much as possible once you can leave the estate. Do not wallow in the negative feelings that no doubt are circulating inside that fascinating mind of yours, Alia. Focus on your drive, your tenacious spirit and soul."
I quit my struggling before reaching out and brining her in for a one-ard hug, since my other one still is holding the spear. She chuckles as she strokes my hair a few tis before posing
a question, "Now then, are you ready to continue, sweetie?"
I nod into her warm and soft bosom, earning yet another small laugh as she steps back and motions for
to adopt the stance once more. I focus on her sagely advice, willing my mind to still and banish the cloying thoughts of annoyance, frustration, doubt, and anything else that is trying to build a wall between
and comprehending what she is showing . I take in a steady, calming gulp of air and then open my eyes, steely determination running through my veins as the air seems to cool around .
Active Effect Gained [Determination (Filled)]!
Akiko and I spend who knows how long working through various thrusts and stances, she even goes back to grab a few different types of spears, halberds, pikes, and one odd looking one that seems to be so kind of... sword-staff? Honestly, that one was the coolest of all, I really want one of those~! Each new weapon cos with its own footwork, body framing, ans of attack, riposte, defense. Every little bit of information I take in with resolute attention and focus, like so kind of flip was switched inside
turning
into a cold, fast processing robot of war.
Akiko takes out a waterskin and hands it to , which I eagerly take and gulp down before gasping out in satisfaction. She gives
a smirk as she says, "I think you're ready for more than the basics, my dear. Congratulations! Truly, I have never seen soone at this level progress in comprehension as fast as you~. How about we try so light sparring, put your newly learned skills to the test?"
I quickly get torn inside . On the one hand, the Berserker in
screams out for a challenge now that I'm feeling confident in not only her words, but the sweat equity I've put into this. But the other part screams out about the possibility of Luck triggering and hurting her. Before I can voice my concerns, Ios actually pops in for a second and agrees with .
'I don't know if that's a good idea, honey. I think Akiko and I need to talk about this, I didn't expect you to get to 59% completion on your Advanced quest so quickly, not to ntion sparring with Luck is probably dangerous, for multiple reasons. Can I ask that you buy
a portable projector so you two don't have to leave the room? It's 75 points and has a battery that'll last a full day, can be recharged at my comms box.'
I was actually thinking the sa thing, partially. Sure, go ahead. I ntally respond back.
You have purchased [Portable Quantum Entanglent Projection Device (ERR Rank)] for 75 Points!
Available Shop Points: 5,050
Damn, no Luck trigger on the cool future shit again?! This Gacha ga is rigged as shit... I ntally grumble as a hand sized, gorgeous chanical butterfly appears into existence beside . Its wings are solid black, like the depths of space while having twinkling, small white orbs float, and move, lodically across their surface, while the edges of the wings are trimd teal and gold. The body is a pure silver construct, with little legs and antenna jutting out in a anatomically correct fashion. I gasp out as it flits this way and that, before coming to rest in-between Akiko and I, emitting a soft blue light like a certain cylindrical robot in a space movie.
Ios appears in the projected light, wearing a training robe like you'd find in various martial art clubs back on Earth. "Spirit Ios!" Akiko says happily, "A lovely surprise. I surmise you and Alia were talking just now, given how, what was the term... 'Spaced Out' she seed?" Oh god, it's like a parent trying to learn modern slang but adorable!!
Ios smiles back kindly to the fox woman, "Hello dear~. Yes, I was asking her to buy this device so that we could all discuss that next step you were talking about. Sparring, in particular." Akiko nods and gestures for her to continue. "I think it may be a bit too soon to have her actively fight sothing she isn't willing to kill if Luck is still on. Akiko, she can put serious damage on you, not to ntion that her training with Luck active may be a hinderance to her in the future. She shouldn't get reliant on a power that may or may not trigger during a fight."
Akiko sagely moves her head up and down, seemingly already seeing this line of questioning coming. "Rest assured, my friend, I have thought about this very thing for days. Why don't we all sit down and discuss this?" She sits down as she pulls out a small tea set, of all things, from her storage ring and begins pouring already hot tea for the both of us, even going so far as to set an empty cup for Ios' side of the tray. "I think we are going to reach an issue regardless of how we progress Alia's training from here. I do agree that it is unwise for her to be expectant for a skill or power she does not inherently have control over, and I am at least partially aware of how strong she becos when that power does activate. However, let
posit this to you both:
What happens when she trains day and night without it, focusing on furthering her skills and talents without that power ever occurring and then has to activate it in a desperate struggle? When she turns an enemy into particulates, and her action economy is thrown off, leaving her open to surprise attacks or even just simple loss of stance, what then? In the worst case, she dies or has to activate a treasure for her own safety. I will be frank with you both, there are positives and negatives with both courses of action. So unless we all agree to which thod to take, we are at an impasse."
A slight shiver of fear bolts down my spine at the serious, and very real implications of what Akiko is saying. And I agree with Ios, I don't want to beco dependent on Luck activating, that was the whole reason I played it safe the first few bolts in the tribulation. But constant, active fighting? I honestly see where Akiko is coming from, I don't know if I would be able to reposition so fast, regardless of if I had been training with Luck or not...
Ios speaks up in my silence, calmly miming a cup of tea in her projection so that she isn't missing out, "I understand that point as well, that's why I had her buy [4 Leaf Clover], it will eventually be upgraded in number of uses, and it can branch off to various forms that will mitigate those issues."
Akiko smiles as she fires back, "I am also aware of that, spirit Ios. But you must know, given your research of our worlds and even my brief retelling of so historical events, that prolonged, active fights will last longer than 4, 8, however many uses that skill will provide. Not only that, it triggers on the defense as well, and I would hope that stays a constant for Alia's sake. If anything, that skill would be better served as a defensive option, and Alia's Luck, her natural ability score supremacy, training, and peak level weapons and armor will carry her through any fight. Her getting accustod to the constant thought of Luck triggering will make her a better, more sustainable fighter in longer conflicts or duels. Always watching and preparing to adjust if this strike, or this block is the thing that boons her, ready to counteract and smash her opposition."
"On Mara," Ios claps back, her own smirk forming on her lips, "Akiko, we are thinking about long term here. One of our combined goals is seeing you reunited with a healed and safe Sect Leader, whose na we still don't know by the way~. Sure, Aims could learn how to fight both with, and without, the skill being active, but that may hamper her foundations and combinations. Her learning pure, unaided arts and battle flows will keep her alive when we go to the stars. Immortals won't be so kind as to give her a couple freebies if they get into a scrap, and they can have their own powerful trump card abilities that, honestly, Aims won't be able to survive without the aid of a treasure."
I turn back to Akiko, watching this riveting back and forth between my two ntors, noticing that Akiko's smile never falters as she says, "All the more reason for her to train with Luck and reserve the Clover skill for defensive options. She can survive nearly anything with that, especially by the ti we are considering her to be an Immortal. For Heaven's sake spirit Ios, by the ti Alia reaches the 6th Realm, I will be fairly confident she can stand on even footing with a peak of that Realm, maybe even a 7th provided they do not use a Law. Besides, if she reserves it for defense in a situation as dire as that, she can either take the option to flee safely or counterattack an unsuspecting opponent, putting her back in the positive flow of the battle."
Ios seems to stumble for a bit, her smirk fading as she ponders over Akiko's words. The silence rings on for a few monts, like a Sword of Damocles over the fate of my training, before I decide to add my own voice to the maelstrom, "What exactly would be the issue with
learning both? I an, I already kind of fought the tribulation in that style. The first bolt I attacked did trigger luck, but I stayed cautious until I saw how my damage numbers ca out on an unaided strike. That's what made
bump up my stats mid battle, because I knew I wasn't doing enough damage naturally to overco them."
Akiko and Ios pause their back and forth to look at , Akiko having a victorious smirk as Ios rubs her head with one of her hands, her chirpy voice eking out, "Aims, that worked that ti, but what about the future?" She looks back up to
as she continues, "I don't disagree with what Akiko is saying, but we can't gamble on this. To get the best results for your progression, you need to commit to one style of fighting. Well, not like, one weapon style or sothing, I an you need to commit to having Luck on or off during basic, day to day engagents."
"Then shouldn't I be brought into this conversation at so point too?" I huff out, the feeling of being talked over finally starting to settle into , "You two have been discussing this back and forth non-stop without asking
how I felt about any of it. I do honestly see the values of both styles, but I already had an experience with adjusting my expectations mid battle with Luck active, and it worked out!And I want to focus purely on learning all of this on my own, with the least amount of system assistance as possible! Ios, Akiko, I have a ridiculous learning speed, and if we need to drop more stats into Intelligence or Wisdom or whatever to make sure I can bounce between styles then that's what we'll do! Or fuck it, we'll just make a new style based on that! You two make cultivation seem to have endless possibilities, surely between the three of us, or more if we want to ask the girls, we can figure out a style that works for
which doesn't leave a weakness like either of you are suggesting?"
I breathe out a few tis, the rant costing
more of my breath than I thought. Must have got a bit worked up there at the end... I turn to look at both of the two strongest won in my life, seeing their dazed and seemingly chastised expressions change into ones of disbelief and awe as they turn to each other and say at the sa ti, ""That could work!""
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