The skill "Quick Ssh LV1," an active ability, was activated as soon as I said its name. When I activated it, my arm moved automatically.

  I swung the sword toward the dummy at an unbelievable speed. It was so fast that I eve pain in my arm.

  'This skill is only at level one!?'

  It doesn't make se's too powerful.

  What's the maximum level of this skill? I improve it?

  "Hey, what was that?" Mikari, who had been watg, rushed over. "Why was your movement so fast? I couldn't follow it with my eyes, and that doesn't make sense! Don't tell me it's because of the sword?"

  "That's right."

  Mikari's eyes sparkled. " I try it? Please?"

  "Go ahead." I handed her the sword, and as she held it, she ied the bde.

  "I don't get it. The bde ged suddenly when you finished f it. What kind of trick did you use?"

  "It's a secret."

  "Urgh! Now I'm dying of curiosity! So, how do I do it?"

  Mikari swung the sword at the training dummy. Her movement was fast, but not as fast as mine. She didn't activate the "Quick Ssh" ability embedded in the sword.

  "What? Why didn't it work? This is just my normal speed. Hey, tell me how it works!"

  "Give it to me." I took the sword bad got ready. "As soon as you swing it, try saying the words 'Quick Ssh.'" I demonstrated again, swinging the sword at a terrifying speed.

  But then…

  "Urgh!" I suddenly felt exhausted. It was a weariness apanied by a slight headache. What's happening? Is it because I used too much magic? So, the sword's skill es magic?

  I should have suspected.

  I'm a total failure. Just using this skill twice was enough to wear me out!

  "Hey, are you okay? Want a gss of water?"

  "I'm fine. Just do as I said."

  "Alright." Mikari took the sword and prepared to attack.

  As before, her posture was fwless. Even though I don't know much about swordsmanship... I tell she's 1,000% better thahen, Mikari swung the sword and said, "Quick Ssh."

  SWOOSHH~~

  The sword sliced the training dummy in half at a terrifying speed, creating a massive shockwave that sent the other dummies flying, crashing to the ground.

  I stared, stunned, for several seds.

  That attack was terrifying.

  But at the same time, it was incredible.

  I want to reach this level. No! I want to surpass this level!

  "That was amazing! How is this possible? What did you do? What are you? My movement was so fast that my arm is in pain now," Mikari said, her eyes sparkling and with a broad smile.

  "..."

  "After testing this sword, I've cluded… I don't o train you! I o talk to Hephaestus about this swht now. We o make better use of your talent!"

  "Hey, you're exaggerating. It's just a mid-tier sword. It's not as good as the ones made by other Familia members."

  "Are you kiddihis sword is better than most of the ones I've usedfed by level two bcksmiths!"

  "Are you serious?"

  "Of course I am. Are you really level one? Has Hephaestus been hiding your talent all this time?"

  "Obviously not. Maybe I had some hidden talent I didn't know about."

  "...Suspicious. Very suspicious."

  "..."

  "Whatever. I o show this sword to Hephaestus. I'll be back. Keep f."

  "You're really leaving just to show her the sword? You don't o do that now; she'll be back tonight."

  "ht. Fihen. Keep f—I'll watch." Mikari gently set the refined-rank sword aside, and I resumed my training.

  ####

  I followed the same process, feeliremely hopeful since I had fed two refined-rank swords. As I began polishing and sharpening the bde, excitement bubbled within me.

  'Could this be another refined-rank sword? Maybe even a rare-rank sword!' With a smile, I fihe process and waited for the sword's appearao ge.

  But even after several seds, nothing happened.

  "Hm? Something's wrong. Is the bde ed and damaged?" Cold sweat ran down my back as I ied the sword.

  Then, a system message appeared.

  [You have fed a "Failure"]

  When I read the word "Failure" in the system window, my heart stopped momentarily. "How could I be this unlucky?"

  '2% ce of failure… and I failed.'

  Well... From the rank onward, f a failure will be impossible. I'll have a 100% ce te a on or better sword.

  When Mikari saw the sword in my hand, she barely mao tain her ughter.

  "Pfft… What is that? You just fed that amazing sword earlier, and now you made this trash?"

  "Don't say anything—I'm not in the mood." I tossed the damaged sword aside and prepared te the one.

  I'm not leaving here until I fe at least another refined-rank sword.

  ParodyGirl