[17 — Training?]

After three days locked inside the inn trying to figure out some hidden function or decipher the fine print of the sword, I finally decided to go out and look for a place to handle it properly.

Some would say the main reason I left the room was because the landlady complained about the cut-up sheets and broken vases, but the truth is: sometimes even I needed some fresh air.

Since every street and alley in this city looked exactly the same, I went to ask my old friend Toni if he knew any nearby spot where I could train.

According to him, there were two training grounds in town: one reserved for soldiers, and another abandoned one that was open for public use.

Which, incidentally, is exactly where I am right now.

"Well… doesn't look that bad."

Although it was abandoned, it clearly still received some kind of maintenance, either from the government or from whoever used it.

The wooden-and-cloth dummies hanging around weren't as beat-up as I expected, and the other gear looked usable too. Which—in my judgment—could mean two things: either the place was still being used often, or it had been left exactly the same since the moment it was abandoned.

Since it was early, I couldn't tell which one was right. Not that I intended to find out. What mattered was my goal, and even if I had to spend the whole day beating the crap out of that dummy, I would uncover the secrets of that damned sword.

"Let's see… 6:30." I muttered, holding up the pocket watch Ruru gave me last night.

This time, I had actually woken up early.

"First things first, stretching. It's been so long since I exercised I can almost hear my joints creaking."

I pulled my shoulders back and stretched my legs. That's when, right in the middle of my routine, I remembered I had left without telling Ruru.

I wasn't planning on staying out late, but still, I kinda wanted to see her face when I told her I went out to train. She probably wouldn't believe me.

Too bad I lost the perfect chance to surpri— Wait, why the hell am I even thinking about her?

"Ha! Focus." I slapped my cheeks. "I need to focus."

I stretched my right arm forward.

"Alright: Inventory. Expand. Expand Sword. Summon Sword!"

A faint glow appeared and the sword began to float.

"Seriously, I don't know what's more ridiculous: this little light show or the sword itself."

I grabbed it and walked to the dummy at the center of the arena. Someone had taped a poorly drawn face on its head. Honestly, it was a little creepy.

"Store sword."

It crumpled like a piece of paper and vanished instantly.

The reason I stored it right after summoning was to test a weird function of the inventory I'd discovered during my three days locked inside.

Basically, if I assumed a striking stance and summoned the sword without opening the menu, it would instantly appear in my hand with no visual effects.

Not that I'd call it amazing, but it was a pretty handy shortcut. It would give me a nice chance at a surprise attack.

I pressed both hands against the dummy.

"Summon Sword."

Shnk!

The sound of cloth tearing echoed the instant the sword appeared in my grip. The dummy's torso was completely pierced through.

"Holy shit! It went straight through the wood!"

I figured something like that might happen, but not like this…

The sword's materialization had zero rebound. It was as if it suddenly forced itself into existence, regardless of what was in the way.

Literally a glitch in the game.

"Store sword…" I whispered.

The blade vanished, and a moment later I could see straight through the hole it left behind.

A clean cut. Nothing more, nothing less.

"A-amazing."

It wasn't exactly a skill, but that in itself was already interesting.

… Felt like having a 'hidden blade' up my sleeve.

"Heh, almost like cheating."

But even if it spared me the effort of striking, it was still risky since I'd have to be practically glued to my target for it to work.

Well… I'd think about that later.

"Time for the next test."

Honestly, I had already tested every activation phrase I could remember, and none of them showed any results.

Still, my instincts told me it wasn't time to give up yet. Sooner or later, I'd find the trigger to unlock the sword's unknown power.

And then, while staring at the dumb-looking face in front of me, I had an epiphany. It was like a switch being flipped inside my head.

"This… was so obvious."

For a moment, I felt ashamed for not having thought of it earlier…

I fixed my eyes on the dummy and stepped back exactly ten paces. Sure, it was built to take hits, but I didn't want to risk breaking it.

"Summon Sword," I whispered.

As soon as it appeared, I straightened my back, bent one knee, and with my other leg traced a semi-circle on the ground.

"I am the bone of my sword... steel is my body and fire is my blood."

Without looking away from the dummy, I imagined a line connecting the sword's tip to its chest. For just an instant, I swore I saw fear flicker on its face.

"I have created over a thousand blades." I ran two fingers slowly along the blade.

The steel was so cold I almost gave up, but I knew I couldn't stop here. Not after coming this far.

"Unknown to death... nor known to life."

I shut my eyes and drew a deep breath. I was almost at the climax.

Clutching the hilt tightly, I aimed it at the dummy's head. Then—only then—did I speak the sacred words:

"UNLIMITED BLADE WOOOORKS!!!"

"…"

Huh?

"..."

Wait. Where were the special effects?

[...]

"AAH! Damn useless sword! I knew the system had given me a piece of junk!!!" I slashed at the dummy in rage. "What am I supposed to do with this worthless chunk of iron, huh? Tell me—Argh! My wrist!"

In the middle of my tantrum, I twisted my wrist and collapsed onto the ground.

I didn't want to admit it, but I had no clue how to properly hold a sword.

"Ha… great."

Now that pissed me off even more.

"D-Destroyer-sama?"

"Hm?" I tilted my head back.

Ruru was standing at the entrance of the training grounds.

"Oh, it's you, Ruru?"

She walked closer.

"You… are—"

"Training? Yeah." I pushed myself up.

My wrist was still throbbing slightly.

"D-did you have any reason for training?" Her voice was a little shaky.

"Reason?"

What's with her?

"I-it's just… you didn't call me or anything."

…Well, I thought you'd be asleep.

"Ha!" I swung at the dummy. "Sorry for leaving without telling you. I just thought I needed to work on my swordsmanship."

"Work on your swordsmanship? Why?"

"Ha! Why? Well… I can't keep being a burden to—"

"Stop saying that, Destroyer-sama!" Her voice rose sharply.

"Ru…ru?"

It was the first time I'd seen that expression on her face. I didn't know she could get that angry just because I left without saying anything.

"I-I mean…" She turned her gaze away. "You're not a burden to me. And besides, that's my role. I… I'm your swor—"

"No, Ruru…"

She looked straight at me.

"D-Destroyer-sama?"

"...You're not an object, and you don't belong to me." I struck the dummy once again. "You're free to do whatever you want. And go wherever you want."

I can't keep depending on you, Ruru.

I need to get strong enough to defend myself.

I can't just sit here waiting for the day you're goi—

"H-huh?" I felt her hands close over mine.

W-when did she get this close?

"You really are hopeless, Destroyer-sama." She was smiling again. "You need to hold your hands like this, or else you'll just hurt yourself."

"Y-you… Why—"

"Hm? What is it?" She looked me right in the eyes.

"No. Nothing."