[HI3] Protocol Stigmata

Chapter 10 - Tsurugi's Trial

"Human... Are you still asleep?"

Huh? Where am I?

I slowly opened my eyes and found myself in an unfamiliar place. It looked like an old, traditional dojo. Confused and disoriented, I tried to get my bearings.

"You're finally awake." A girl with long pink hair, wearing a pink yukata and carrying three katanas on her waist, greeted me.

"Who are you?" I asked, still trying to make sense of the situation.

"Me? Pfft~ Ahahahaha!~ This is funny, human," she replied, her tone lighthearted.

"...The way you talk... Are you Tsurugi...?"

"Good observing, human," she confirmed with a smirk.

"W-what do you want from me?!"

"What do I want?" Tsurugi turned away from me, walking a few steps, and then suddenly drew a pink metal katana with a red-pink hilt. She tightly gripped the blade and charged toward me, startling me.

"Woah! Woah! What the hell!?" I exclaimed as I quickly tried to put some distance between us.

"Why are you running, human?"

"Why do you think I'm running, huh!?" I retorted in panic as I kept running.

"Whatever, running is pointless," she muttered. Then, she whispered "Tsuki Kaze no Senko."

Her sword danced and twirled in a mesmerizing display. As her movements intensified, the vortex of energy around her grew more powerful. The dance reached its climax, and she thrust her sword forward with tremendous force.

The Tsuki Kaze no Senko released a concentrated gust of wind that surged toward me, sending me tumbling to the ground with a pained cry. "Ack..!"

I slowly regained my footing and faced Tsurugi with determination. "Give me a blade, and I'll fight back," I declared, my voice steady.

he paused, considering my request, and then nodded. Tsurugi swiftly sheathed her katana and snapped her fingers. The sky seemed to respond, raining down a multitude of swords, which scattered all around me.

I stepped back, trying to avoid the raining blades around me.

"As expected of the Herrscher who summons blades," she remarked. "I am Tsurugi, Tsurugi no Mai... The Herrscher of Blades. I am the strongest blade, and cut anything to nothing."

"Herrscher of Blades, huh..." I muttered, my grip tightening around the sword I had picked up from the ground. I took a defensive stance, preparing for the impending clash.

Tsurugi noticed my stance and smiled. "As expected... You and your brother are the same."

"Is that so? Well, here I go!" I charged at her, and she snapped her fingers, summoning blades from her back and using them as projectiles.

I dodged the incoming blades and launched an attack, but she sidestepped and created two blades from her hands, engaging me in a fierce exchange.

"Boy, I will teach you the way of the sword. I'll teach you everything," she whispered, her face closer to my ears.

Surprised by her sudden proximity, I redoubled my efforts, attacking with increased ferocity.

Tsurugi seemed amused, effortlessly blocking and parrying my strikes. She laughed, thoroughly enjoying our duel.

What a psycho!!

"Human, If you win this trial, I'll teach you everything," Tsurugi declared with a wicked grin.