Honkai Impact 3rd: Don't Die For Me/ Book 3 Paradise

Chapter 13 Rust

Sakura took it in the smell of autumn leaves. Perhaps the most pungent of the scents came from the juniper trees rooted across the meadow she stood in. It reminded her of the black pine trees from home that often populated sand-tilled gardens. Her father loved to rake intricate loops on the sand. She'd often run over them to mess with him a bit. He always pinched her cheeks for causing such trouble and in response, she would cry until he gently soothed her with kisses on the cheek. The apology was always the same, freshly pounded mochi.

"It smells different," Sakura muttered. "A sweeter smell. At home, the scent was more pickled and soft."

Across her stood Frederick Kaslana brandishing his rapier in one hand. His other hand was placed behind his back prompting a questionable glance from Sakura. It'd be difficult to shuffle among the grass that reached her knees. The little pebbles and mounds could make anyone lose their footing. She wouldn't be affected, her footwork was crafted to adapt to any changes in terrain. Perhaps she was underestimating Frederick, though in her experience, having visited a few training fields in the city, stigma-awakened men couldn't hold a candle to their female counterparts. The few knights in Koleston were often used as marriage candidates. Politically driven Valkyries often tied the knot with them, ensuring a bloodline that had a higher chance of awakening their stigmata.

"Can we start?" Frederick asked. Surely Sakura had enough time to get her bearings. Light sweat trickled from both of their brows. They started the morning with an intense run, lapping the city several times.

"Is your mother not a better sparring partner?"

"She'd be," Frederick admitted. "But I could hardly pull her in on this operation. It's best to let her continue her patrols in case beasts attack the city."

"Yes, I suppose so. Even I know they raid frequently. All pooling from the northern forest. Frederick, I'm not good at holding back. My body also changed, I sense I'm much stronger than before."

"Then before you were a lone protector? Yes perhaps but there's no way my mother's training has shot your strength into the stratosphere. I've read the measurements and reports on your abilities. As it currently stands, I know I'm much stronger than you are."

"Those are bold words."

"Feeling a bit competitive? I can squash that drive with a single sentence."

"You can speak it after you lose."

Sakura smiled before lunging at Frederick. It was an odd sight for Frederick. Her steps and speed didn't even sway the grass. It was as though she didn't belong in the mortal realm. A ghost sent down to the haunt the world of the living. The picture was crystal clear for Frederick, Sakura instantly drew her blade, she was going for a slash across his torso. She was two steps away, her trajectory wouldn't change.

Sss!

The sword hissed at thin air and Sakura's eyes narrowed. She couldn't see it, but the grass could. It was bent and rustling away from her. Frederick had taken one step back.

Sss!

Sakura immediately followed her initial attack with another slash. Frederick evaded with ease. Frustrated Sakura gripped her katana even tighter. She took a calm breath and then exploded with a flurry of slashes and stabs.

The grass around them reached only to their ankles now and despite their punishment, Sakura had yet to land a single hit on Frederick. He moved simply, left leg before the right. When he wanted to back up or move to the right his right leg guided the step. When he wanted to move to the left or forward his left leg guided the step.