The training yard was a pristine circle of crushed white stone, ringed by ancient oaks. The air was cool and crisp, a sharp contrast to the humid, stale air of Ryu's old apartment. For Shinika Hirosa, this was the place where she honed the skills that made her legendary. For Ryu Hyuga, this was the first battlefield in his new life.
He—she—stood in the center, the rapier now feeling like a natural extension of her arm. The raw stats were overwhelming. In the game, Shinika's STR (Strength) and DEX (Dexterity) stats were nearly maxed out, a lethal combination that favored speed and surgical precision over brute force.
She heard the familiar, heavy tread of military boots and the crisp rustle of high-quality leather.
"Lady Shinika, I see you didn't keep me waiting long."
Ryu's heart hammered a frantic rhythm against her ribs. He turned slowly, putting on the calm, slightly aloof expression that the real Shinika was known for.
Standing before her was Sir Kael, the Captain of the Imperial Guard, and the man destined to plunge his sword into her back in two years. Kael was a massive, scarred figure, with close-cropped salt-and-pepper hair and deep-set eyes that, in the novel, were praised for their 'unwavering loyalty.' Ryu now saw only a wolf in sheep's clothing.
"Sir Kael," Shinika replied, keeping her voice even. "My apologies for the slight delay. I was mentally reviewing my forms. The training must be perfect."
Kael gave a hearty laugh that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Always diligent, my Lady. But perfection is the enemy of progress. Let's see your actual skill. Draw your sword and give me five minutes of your best. No holding back."
He drew his own weapon—a heavy, two-handed greatsword called Ironclad—and took a guard stance.
The First Duel
In the novel, Shinika easily outclassed Kael, but always held back slightly out of respect for his position. The result was a draw, preserving Kael's pride. Ryu knew this was the moment to establish a different narrative. He needed to be strong, yes, but he also needed to observe.
He needs to think I'm still the person he knows, but... improved.
Shinika's rapier, Azure Whisper, flashed out. It wasn't the powerful Shattering Star Strike that Ryu was used to, but a move from Shinika's signature skill tree: Flowing Tide Dance. This skill relied on DEX and rapid, confusing movements.
Kael roared and brought Ironclad down in a massive overhead chop.
Shinika didn't parry or dodge; she sidestepped with impossible speed, letting the air rush past her ear. Her rapier didn't defend—it countered. The tip of the Azure Whisper whipped out, not aiming for Kael's armor, but for the thin, unarmored space beneath his armpit, the classic 'soft spot' Ryu exploited in every enemy in the game.
Kael's eyes widened, a flicker of genuine shock crossing his face.
"A clean strike, Lady Shinika!" he grunted, twisting back to block the next strike aimed at his elbow joint. "But your technique—it's… sharper than I recall."
Ryu had been playing a male greatsword specialist for years. The transition to a female rapier expert was jarring, but the core principles of swordsmanship—momentum, weak points, and timing—were universal. Shinika's body moved with an innate, frightening efficiency.
She pushed the attack, her feet a blur on the white stone. She executed a perfect Lattice Cut (a rapid sequence of nine strikes to test an opponent's guard). Kael defended admirably, but the force and speed of the strikes drove him back three steps.
Ryu ended the five minutes with a final, blinding feint. Kael braced for a body blow, but Shinika's rapier instead swept up, stopping a millimeter from the joint in his neck guard.
Kael slowly lowered the massive Ironclad, the heavy sword scraping on the ground. He was breathing hard. Ryu, in Shinika's body, was barely winded.
An Unsettling Impression
"That was… exceptional, Lady Shinika," Kael said, his voice now lower, more guarded. "You've improved dramatically since yesterday. Your awareness of my Dodge Cooldown was unnerving."
Ryu knew this was a key moment. He couldn't act too smart, but he couldn't act oblivious, either.
"Perhaps I simply had a restful night, Sir Kael," Shinika said, casually spinning the rapier before sheathing it with a crisp click. "I realize now that merely achieving a draw is beneath the standard expected of me. I need to be overwhelming."
Kael looked at her, his expression unreadable. This wasn't the Shinika who valued tradition and respect above all else. This Shinika spoke with the cold, calculating precision of a top-tier player.
"Overwhelming..." Kael repeated, running a calloused hand over his beard. "You've adopted a very pragmatic approach, my Lady. Almost… ruthless."
"Is that a criticism?" Shinika countered, raising an elegant eyebrow. "Or a confirmation of my readiness for the tasks ahead?"
Kael quickly bowed, his military discipline overriding his surprise. "A confirmation, Lady Shinika. You are truly the greatest swordswoman this Empire has ever seen. I am privileged to train you."
Liar, Ryu thought, the word echoing in his mind. You'll be trying to kill me next year.
"Good," Shinika said, turning toward the mansion. "Then let us discuss strategy. Specifically, the latest intelligence regarding the Crimson Hand bandit raids in the Eastern Marches. I want to deploy immediately."
Kael frowned. "My Lady, that's not part of the current plan. That's a low-level operation meant for the standard battalions."
Shinika stopped and looked back, her violet eyes suddenly intense. "I need real experience. And I need to know everything happening on the borders. Bring me the full intelligence report. Now."
This was the first change. The real Shinika was passive, only reacting to orders. Ryu was taking control of the narrative. By inserting herself into low-level military operations, she was gathering key information, building unconventional allies, and distancing herself from the capital—and from Kael's immediate influence.
"As you command, my Lady," Kael said, his voice laced with confusion and a hint of concern. He didn't know it, but his fatal plot device was already spiraling out of his control.