A dark past to a bright future

Chapter 37

Souji (leaning on the chair): Mainly online games have detail maps. (after Ruby passes him a drink) Thanks.

Ruby (sitting next to Iris): Can't lie this game does look interesting.

Iris (and Souji running in the game): You can fight monsters, and craft weapons or potions. Your character can be any race.

Souji: For example. I'm just a demon while Iris's character is a fuse between a demon and a god. You also get two classes. When you start the class you pick is your main After reaching a specific level you unlock your subclass.

Iris (open her character info screen): I'm a mage who mainly uses magic and my subclass swordsman allows me to pick a sword.

Ruby: Wait what happens if you pick the other way round?

Souji: Then you're allowed to switch to any weapon and can only use one element. However, if you don't want a subclass to support you in battle you can pick a blacksmith.

Ruby: Doesn't that just mean you create weapons?

Souji: In this game if you have the right materials you can create anything. (remember) By the way can we get materials for the new gears?

Iris: Sure. Just lead the way and I'll follow.

Ruby: It's almost like Iris has her own personal blacksmith.

Iris: Well when we were still strangers we made a deal that I would help him get whatever materials we needed to create. So in return, Souji upgraded my equipment for free since he has people to pay him to place orders for his creations.

Ruby: That's one way to do business.

Iris (stretching): I'm worried about what mission the teacher will give us in class.

Ruby: Are you weaker on your alt?

Souji: Surprisingly we're not.

Iris (after hearing the door ring): Someone at the door.

Ruby (standing): Oh it's here.

Souji: What did you order?

Ruby (turns a bit while at the bedroom door): You'll just have to see tomorrow.

(next day morning collage Kendo room)

Ruby (walking out of the changing room wearing her kendo outfit): Souji you here?

Souji (standing wearing his kendo outfit while sheathing his katana after sitting on the floor): I'm here. I was just cleaning (speechless after seeing Iris come out of the changing room) my katana blade.

Iris (wearing purple kendogi, red hakama, and her hair in a ponytail): Don't stare at me like that.

Ruby (touches Iris's shoulder): Doesn't she look cute?

Souji (smiling): Of course she does.

Iris (in her mind after blushing): I wonder what he looks like with long hair.

Ruby (pass Iris a sheath katana): I'll be watching from the distance so try not to kill each other.

Souji: Leave her to me.

Iris (after Ruby walks away): What should I do?

Souji soon charged at Iris unsheathing his katana to unleash a vertical slash so she unsheathed her katana using the bladed side to block.

Iris (struggling to hold the block): Why did you suddenly attack me?

Souji: Didn't I say we'll be doing actual combat? Even though (break the block to unleash another attack) I have more experience (Iris block again) you can use that game skill we have to fight back until you can use your own skills.

After the block break, Souji unleashed multiple attacks putting Iris on the defensive while being pushed back by every attack she blocked. Iris soon started to get pushed back less before she stood her ground holding the last block.

Souji (in his mind while they hold the block): I wonder how much stamina she has.

They jumped away and when they landed Iris charged towards Souji so he unleashed a vertical slash but at the last second she dodged to the side before she jumped to unleash her own vertical slash. Souji turns around blocking Iris's attack before pushing her away.

Souji: You surprise me when you attack after dodging.

Iris: I thought it would be harder to use a katana since I'm not used to a one-sided bladed sword.

Souji and Iris walking the opposite way): So you used a weapon before?

Iris: Only a dagger. I carry it around after moving to that apartment. Of course, I never kill anyone. However, I do use it for self-defense and injure them.

Souji (quietly): At least you never kill anyone.

Iris: Souji?

Souji (while his eyes dim): I'm fine.

Souji suddenly disappeared but before he reached Iris she instantly turned around blocking his attack after her pupils became sharp.

Souji (in his mind): It looks like her body knows when she's in danger.

After the block break their attack kept clashing after they dodge or block a few attacks. However, suddenly Iris got faint flashbacks of her past before she blocked Souji's attack after his second to last attack cut her hairband.

(from a distance)

Ruby (in her mind after noticing something): Why is Iris suddenly struggling?