I stared at Tsubaki for a few seds, thinking carefully about whether I should do this. Attag an unarmed woman—isn't that wrong? Well, but Tsubaki is strong, much strohan me… So, screw it.

  I dashed toward her and swung my sword. This time, Tsubaki actually moved to avoid my attack.

  Just making her move was satisfying enough.

  But while I was celebrating internally, I was suddenly struck by Tsubaki's hand. She moved swiftly, hitting me on the head. The impact was strong, leaving me dizzy.

  I held my head as Tsubaki ughed.

  "Hahaha. The way you reacted was hirious. e on, don't stop. Try to hit me." Tsubaki gestured with her hand, provoking me. I clicked my tongue again and charged toward her.

  Just like before, I started moving around Tsubaki, trying to nd a hit.

  Her legs, stomach, even her neck—I attacked as if I inteo kill her.

  However, Tsubaki moved as if she were dang, effortlessly dodging all my attacks. I started getting tired again, and then Tsubaki finally struck back, this time kig my hand and sending my sword flying.

  I looked at my sword on the ground, breathing heavily, while Tsubaki fshed a wide grin.

  "Don't even think about pig up your sword. Pick up mine instead."

  Tsubaki positioned herself between me and my sword. If I grabbed my sword, I was sure I could nd a hit on her. But I wouldn't be able to reach it…

  So, I went over and picked up Tsubaki's sword.

  If this sword had some kind of special ability, I might be able to hit her.

  'That skill that lets me turn anything into a on… Does it work in this situation?' I thought I could modify the sword into something new, but nothing happened.

  There was nothing I could do.

  I'd have to hit her using this ordinary sword.

  "What's wrong? Thinking too much? Getting tired?"

  "I'm fine. But this is impossible, and you know it."

  "Yes, it's impossible for you to hit me. But this will help you improve. Now, keep going. Keep doing this until you colpse. Don't worry, I'll carry you out of the dungeon~~"

  "Don't worry, I won't colpse over something like this!" I shouted and rushed at Tsubaki again. Once more, she easily dodged all my attacks and occasionally struck me, causing me a lot of pain.

  This woman is strong—insanely strong.

  Will this really help me?

  I wao stop, but sisubaki said this would make me stronger, I decided to keep going.

  'And to be ho… I don't want to stop until I hit her. This is really frustrating.'

  "What is it? Are you getting mad again?"

  "Of course not. I'm excited."

  "That's good. e at me."

  ####

  Minutes passed—many minutes… I tried, I really tried, but I couldn't nd a si on Tsubaki. I was so frustrated that I wao leave, but I tried to act like everything was fine.

  I sat down on the ground, breathing heavily.

  "You're already tired? It hasn't even been half an hour."

  "Are you kiddi's been almost an hour."

  "It hasn't been that long…" Tsubaki stared at me for a few seds before saying, "Alright, you rest for a bit. But we're tinuing soon."

  "Are you sure this will help? I keep attag you the same way—I'm never going to hit you. Shouldn't you be teag me some moves or something?"

  "I should… But I don't feel like doing that right now. Let's take it oep at a time. Today, I just want to see how strong you are. The real training starts tomorrow. And it won't be here—it'll be somewhere more suitable."

  "Is there a training ground for our Familia?"

  "Of course there is. We'll be training there starting tomorrow."

  Tsubaki sat dowo me and handed me some water. I took a sip a a little refreshed.

  " I use my sword now?"

  "I'll let you use it soo's keep going like this for a little longer."

  "Are y to kill me?"

  "Of course not. I'm trying to build up your endurance."

  "That's not how it works. If you wao increase my stats, I should be killing monsters…"

  "..."

  "Alright, fine, let's tinue. But ter, I want to do this using my sword."

  Tsubaki stood up and crossed her arms.

  Once again, she said, "Attack me."

  This time, I attacked with even more determination, as if I really wao kill her. But even after a long while, I couldn't nd a si. Once again, frustration ed me.

  After more thay misubaki finally told me to stop.

  "I feel your killing i. Are you seriously trying to kill me?"

  "I wouldn't be able to even if I tried."

  "Hahaha, you're right. Here…" Tsubaki picked up my sword. "Now you use your sword. Since you usually fight with your ons, you o train with them too. But remember, we'll also train with ordinary swords."

  "Alright, I get it. I 't rely too muy ons."

  "Exactly. You uand well. Of course, this time, I'll also use a sword."

  "What's wrong? Are you scared?"

  "I'm not scared… But I feel like fighting without a on was a bad idea."

  "Don't worry, I'll go easy on you," I said, grinning.

  Tsubaki stared at me and then—

  "Pfft!" She suddenly burst into ughter.

  "Hahahaha, are you serious? You're trying to act tough, but you were on the verge just a little while ago."

  A sharp wave of irritation hit me.

  "Alright, let's go." This time, I felt my body surge with energy.

  In an instant, I closed the distaween us.

  I saw Tsubaki's eyes widen as my sword neared her ne a split sed.

  But—

  Tsubaki blocked my sword. Sparks flew through the air, and a loud metallig echoed in my ears.

  "Oh! You're a lot faster now. This sword is incredible!"

  ParodyGirl