My body bends over Kiwi as he tries to intercept causing the bird to squawk in astonishment. Several pushes of [Geppo] put me far higher and I raise the bass above my mouth jokingly. "Better hurry Kiwi. If you don't get it soon I'm gonna eat it first."
The sparrow turns to give chase again and as I dodge with a carefully timed [Geppo] I catch sight of his expression. He's having just as much fun with this as I hoped he would.
He's having fun. I'm having fun. It's a great time for all. I mean after all….
Your bond with 'Kiwi' has increased! Bond Lv. (2/20) → (3/20)
Skill Lv Up! Rokushiki Technique #3 of 6. (Geppo). Lv. (18/50) → (19/50)
-One of the vaunted 'Six Powers'. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. By kicking out at incredible speed, users of this technique are able to generate an impulse off of the air itself and launch themselves in a desired direction. Masters of this [Skill] can use it to hover in place, perform it with only a single leg, or even combine it with other techniques.
...who doesn't love multi-tasking?
Six Days Later
I've been roughing it out in the Baterillian woods for a bit over a week now. Well. Kind of. Does it still count as 'roughing it' If you carry all the comforts of home with you wherever you go? My [Inventory]'s stocked with just about everything except a working toilet. Seriously. If it's got a max capacity, I haven't reached it. There's even a big fluffy mattress in there.
The days have been moderately productive. Mostly spent bonding with Kiwi and polishing up some of my [Skills] now that I have [Prodigy's Shadow].
My companion still goes back to his flock each night to sleep but every day I win him over a little bit more. This morning I didn't even have to go fetch him. He came back on his own the moment the sun rose.
Such a good bird.
The nights are quieter. They typically consist of me working on personal projects for two or three hours before settling into my tent and getting ready to do it all again the next day. I'd just finished grinding a couple levels into [Soru] and was in the middle of my next activity when I became...distracted.
'Open. Close. Open. Close. Open.' Gotta admit. It's kind of freaky to be able to do that. 'Close.' Darkness rushes in. My surroundings vanish into the inky blackness and I can no longer see my own hand in front of my face. 'Open.' My pupils dilate to their maximum size again and just like that my vision of the night is restored.
Manual control over my irises to control constriction of the eye. Not a particularly useful ability. Nor one I was trying to figure out in the first place. Mostly discovered it by accident. 'I guess that's going to be happening a lot with [Seimei Kikan]. I'll be stumbling upon little tricks all the time now. Least playing with this one is way less dangerous than experimenting with heartbeat...well enough of that then, back to business.' I hold Kugizume at my side with both hands on the grip. 'Concentrate. Annnd...' I lash the sword out, putting my full effort in, and just like the last thirteen tries...nothing.
I raise the Meito to eye level and examine it critically. 'Is it a problem with the shape?' It shouldn't be. The series has shown that blades of all types are capable of producing flying strikes. Captain T-Bone even pulled it off with a sword very similar to the one in my hand.
'I know speed isn't the issue. My DEX is way higher than Yukimura's was, and I witnessed him do aerial slashes while on The Marjhan. Perhaps STR then?' I let out a long slow breath. "[Adrenalin Rush]."
[Adrenalin Rush] Activated!
STR (135 +70%) → (229.5) The familiar burst of power flows through me and I crack a satisfied grin. Gaining dominion over this [Perk] wasn't the greatest thing 100 points in WIS granted me but that's not going to stop me from abusing it maliciously in the future.
"Okay. Attempt #15." I ready the arming sword again, take aim at a low hanging branch…
...and still nothing.
Numbers 16 through 20 went no better.
21 to 25 I even tried naming the attack because...I don't know..anime universe...had to test if that kind of stupid thing matters.
No improvement.
'That settles it. It's got to be my level in [Bladed Weapon Mastery] that's tripping me up. 13's not terrible but technically it's still two levels away from the 10% mark. Flying strikes must be locked for me until I hit a certain threshold. How…..annoying.'
I was really hoping that once I figured how to do them with an actual weapon in hand it would serve as a good jumping off point for unlocking Rankyaku.
'Well this is a bust. I guess I'll get a few more laps in with [Soru] and then hit the hay. Don't want to stay up too late. Big day tomorrow.'
I'm pretty sure a few more hours with Kiwi is all I'll need to get the bond up to Lv.5. And after that?
We fly.
Three Days Later
I peered over the side of my mount and watched people clear out of the street in mild alarm. "Easy now. Eaaasy. Come down slowly. Just like we practiced Kiwi." Large waves of dust and debris kicked up into the air as Kiwi's tremendous wings slowly brought us to a stop. Every Baterillian on the block has paused what they were doing and is now openly gaping at the pair of us. Honestly, who can blame them? Wouldn't you do the same if a bird of that size just dropped in on your neighborhood?
"Sorry about that folks!" I yell as I slide off Kiwi's back. "We're still working on landings! I meant to set down a bit more up the road!" 'Though it's hard to complain when he's dropped us right in front of where I wanted to go.'
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