Walking Disasters and Me-Amelia vs Akiko Part 1 – Ch 59

Walking Disasters and Me-Amelia vs Akiko Part 1 – Ch 59

I look at the two women, laughing internally at their spontaneous coordination as I ask, "Okay, so want to fill a girl in on what
exactly
you two think will work?" Ios and Akiko turn back to me looking like they both want to say something at the same time again, and as cute as it is, my poor ADHD really doesn't do well with overlapping conversations. I raise up a hand before saying, "One at a time please, for my sake~."
Ios looks back to Akiko who gives a smiling nod, ceding the floor to her. "Well," Ios' chirpy voice begins, "I think your proposition to buff your Wisdom stat to help offset the change in styles is a pretty good idea, honestly. It works out even better since you having that stat be higher not only helps with your new battle style but
also
healing Sandra. Not to mention that I would wager a lot of your techniques and skills from the manuals are going to be
very
mental stat focused, especially your soul ones which is your dominant feature. I've even got a skill lined up that will help this whole issue, since we're thinking about heading this direction anyway:
[Precognition lvl 1, Evolvable]
."
Well, can't fault her logic there. That modest increase to WIS already had
loads
of beneficial effects for me in the soul space, on top of the increased control I had to heal Sandy's soul. "Alright, I'm with you so far. What does that skill do then?" I respond back to her with growing excitement on my face.
"Here," She says, "I'll just show you two." Her form flicks away in the light, replaced by a familiar box of text representing a system asset. It reads:
[Precognition lvl 1, Evolvable]: Gain the ability to see .1 seconds into the future at the cost of high stamina drain for the user. Levels with use or with skill points, can be evolved after reaching MAX lvl. Higher levels will decrease the stamina drain as well as increase the amount of time you can predict for future events by .1 second each level. Higher Wisdom values also decrease the stamina usage.
Holy shit!
If I get this, I can see the
future?!
Talk about busted! The only downside is I bet that it drains stamina like a leaky sieve, as evidenced by the fact that leveling it up
and
increasing an ability score reduce its stamina costs. Ios confirms this theory for me quite quickly after the text box appears, speaking while not projecting her form again.
"Pretty crazy
right~
? The drawback is this base level of the skill is quite the hungry monster. With Aims' current values and pools, she would run out of stamina in around 2 minutes, and that's stationary. That's the main reason I didn't consider having her buy it until we decided on going this route. Well, that and it's still out of our price range for now, it'll cost 500 Skill Points to buy, which is pretty damn pricey. The upside is that when she has this active, she will be able to know if a hit, block, or whatever else is going to trigger Luck~! If we decide to go this route, I suggest that Aims puts all of her free stat points, aside from an emergency buffer, into Wisdom going forward. Her physical stats will need to rely on her quests and ranking up her cultivation paths for now." Her cheery voice says as she finishes up.
Akiko seems to ponder for a few seconds before regarding the room in her soft, gentle voice, "I quite agree about her 'points' being distributed as such, and that this skill certainly solves the majority of our reservations about Amelia's fighting style. However, while certainly a boon, I am hesitant since it deals with matters of Fate, in essence. That is a very tricky subject to navigate and maintain sanity in, as I have mentioned before. Also, it returns us to the issue of having her be reliant on the system, arguably even more so if she were to purchase and use that skill."
Ios' form does pop back into existence again, her slightly annoyed expression evident of her frustration. "
Akiko
, she is going to be dependent on the system at
some
level, all the time. I'm 100% with you that we should limit it as best we can, but we can't sit here and argue about every little facet of how that's going to work. Let me put it this way, this could be her offensive trump card like how you're wanting
[4 Leaf Clover]
to be her defensive one."
Ios waits for a response from Akiko, to which she merely receives a nod as she then looks over to me. I shrug, the whole thing kind of out of my depth until they explain what they're talking about for now. Taking it as a cue to keep going, Ios pipes back up, "So, we get her used to not using this skill, having her train with Luck active so that she gets familiar with it triggering. However, we
also
train her without Luck being active, hoping that her increased Wisdom makes the transition between the two styles seamless. That way she isn't out here pulping people during a tournament or something. Well... honestly, Aims, you may
still
do that a bit, but it won't be Cerulean Bear levels of carnage~."
I shudder at the reminder before she continues on, "Anyway, that's the idea. But! When a challenging fight happens, or if she needs the upper hand fast, she can use
[Precognition]
and then switch back over to the Luck style of fighting without having to worry about the unknown part of that whole style. Then, if shit is really hitting the fan, she can activate any defensive skill up to and including Clover to get the hell out of dodge."
I nod along, following for the most part. It is a pretty sweet deal, even if it would likely put me on a timer in a high-octane, knock down drag out fight. Akiko seems to agree as she voice out, "I do see the logic of that, spirit Ios. And it is a fair compromise in my mind. I have concerns over the value of it in a protracted engagement, but like you so wisely said, we cannot sit here all day talking in circles about it. Seeing as how the fastest way to get those Skill Points is through her quests, I suggest we continue as we have then. For now, Amelia and I will train her on fighting with Luck
active
so that the idea becomes familiar. Once that occurs, we can develop her secondary fighting style. Then, when she procures enough points for this
[Precognition]
, we shall again return to the Luck based format and adjust it as necessary." Akiko turns to me, a somewhat serious look to her face, "What say you, my dear?"
As I'm about to respond, my stomach - the traitorous bastard - grumbles out loudly, echoing its rumbles around the room. I feel my face flush in embarrassment as I raise a hand to the back of my head and awkwardly laugh, "Heh, I don't have an issue with any of it, but maybe we should get some food first? How long have we been down here anyway?"
Akiko seems to look up in thought, which raises all kinds of red flags inside me for some reason, before she smiles back down and happily says, "I believe we are nearly cresting into our third day inside the room~. You've held out for quite some time for your stage of cultivation~!"
What the fuck?!?
"What the fuck?!?," Huh, another synch up for the mouth and brain, it seems, "What... Huh... How is that even possible?! I haven't eaten or slept for
three days?
I'm pretty sure I'm close to dead then! I'm pretty positive a human can only go that long before they just keel over!" Before the panic begins to set in, I hear some sounds that pull me away in distraction.
Akiko and Ios laugh at my outburst, which did include a bit of arm flailing here and there at the end even though I tried to contain it, before Ios clarifies, "Aims, that's part of the benefit of cultivation. You're probably at, or very near to, the limit of what you can prolong for right now, but as you grow stronger it isn't uncommon to not sleep or eat for months. Years. Hell, Akiko and the girls don't even
need
to eat or sleep anymore."
Seeing Akiko nod in agreement makes a few conversations pop up in my mind, of some of this stuff being said before. But I didn't think
I
would start experiencing that so soon! "Oh shit! What about Gerra's feast or dinner or whatever? Wasn't she wanting to make that as an apology for me getting a little too drunk? Which, is sweet, but I feel bad she went that far because of it."
Akiko's white hair waves behind her as she shakes her head in the negative, "Not quite, my darling girl~. She is likely still preparing it. When she gets invested or excited about a grand event, it is quite common for her to sequester herself in the kitchens for weeks at a time. Besides, one of the others would have interrupted us if she was done or would have messaged me telepathically with a talisman. No need to fret~!"
Huh. This world's timescales are fucking wild, and I obviously keep forgetting that. I run a hand through my hair, a bit of relief at not missing Gerra's hard work washing over me like a calming wave as I say, "Phew... Alright then, well that's good~. So... what are we going to do for food then if she's still in the kitchens? I have some of those survival bars left, but honestly after eating y'alls cooking, eating one of those is likely to make me depressed."
Ios laughs aloud as Akiko smirks, holding up her hand that has her storage ring. Once its above the little tea set, the entire thing plinks back into her ring before a small round wooden table is ejected in its place, several plates of delicious smelling food adorning its surface. The scents nearly make my mouth water, noticing the familiar tells of Gerra's cooking on the various bits of steak, sauces, potatoes, greens, and bread. I look back up curiously to Akiko, actually having to wipe my mouth some as I feel wetness beginning to dribble out in anticipation and hunger.
"My ring is quite special~," She begins to say, "It can hold organic and inorganic material inside of it, which makes it quite rare on Mara. Several years ago I adjusted the enchantment to also preserve food stuffs for convenience's sake. All of this food was made by precious Gerra and is as fresh as when she finished it~. Go ahead, my dear, eat your fill and then we will resume our lessons here."
I don't hesitate after getting the green light, my hands flying to a two pronged fork and small knife that materialized with the tantalizing ensemble in front of me. I have enough presence of mind to use
[Appraise]
still, but don't even bother to check the buffs before digging in~. I go into a haze as the first bite of wonderful food graces my lips, and before I know it I'm staring at a defeated battlefield of culinary destruction. Satisfied beyond belief, I fall onto the padded floors, smacking my back loudly as I smile up at the ceiling with closed eyes.
"Delicious~... All of the food you guys make is just so delicious... I could stay in this feeling forever~." I lazily say out, my crimson hair fanning behind me on the mats cool surfaces. A few chuckles tell me that the other two are quite enjoying the show, which only makes me smile a bit more before its dashed away by Akiko.
"You are always
such
a delight to watch and be around, my sweet Amelia~. However, now that you are restored it is time to continue on. I want to see if my battle instincts can detect when a supposed hit would be augmented by your Luck, and to see if you yourself can notice it before it happens. Perhaps we may save you the resources to be used for other endeavors if that is the case." It's scary how fast she can slip back into 'Sensei' mode, but I acquiesce all the same. With only a small groan, I might add~.
Standing back up once more, I notice all of my carnage's evidence has vanished from its previous location, no doubt having been returned to the ring. I hope she has like, a trash section that she cleans out regularly or something. How would that even work?  I pick up the two headed spear once more, knowing that I can't distract myself forever as Akiko has resumed her place across from me with her own wooden sword in her right hand.
"Now then, Amelia, this will likely be the hardest thing for you to become accustomed to so far: Anytime you engage with an opponent, you need to do so with the intention to
kill
." I shudder and step back a few paces as she smiles softly to me, her voice even and steady as she continues, "I know, my dear. But Mara, and the world of cultivation, is a deadly place. Mercy and hesitation are just as sure to kill you as a sword or a fist. While we are training in this space,
especially
when we are sparring, you
must
come at me like you mean to end me."
"What the fuck??" I gasp out in no small amount of fear and trepidation, my hands gripping the spear tightly, "I... I can't do that Akiko! Can't I fight some... some fake monster or something?? Surely there's a better way, some other method for me to work up to than... than
this?!"
A cold sweat envelops my being, as I stare wide eyed at the fox woman before me who simply shakes her head with a regretful look on her face.
"No, my dear. That would only serve to delay the inevitable and possibly cause harm to your progress. Thinking that you can maneuver around a conflict or constantly avoid a confrontation would likely lead to you being seriously injured or
killed
because of your reticence to violence. Spirit Ios, what say you?" She says with a stoic, yet still somewhat empathetic frown as she looks over to the butterfly drone. I feel the arctic grip of fear clinch harder as Ios gives me her own somewhat sorrowful look as she answers Akiko.
"Aims, sweetheart,
she's right.
This was
always
going to be your biggest mental hurdle to cross, but you need to cross it nonetheless. Earth was a mostly safe place, at least where you grew up and lived, but that kind of lingering mentality
is
going to bite you in the ass here. Not every enemy and opponent is going to look like or be some monster or creature that you can divorce your guilt and hesitance from. In fact, nearly
all
of them are going to be other cultivators. Humans, beast humans, and the like. Getting used to that idea
here
, while your safe and with people who can protect you and get you used to the thought was the
whole point
of us coming here. I'm sorry honey, but it's time to start that lesson." Her somber tone only further closes the curtain on the idea of putting this off, my breath coming in unsteady and varied gulps of air by the end of it.
The worst part is... I know they're
right.
Akiko disintegrated a room full of political dissidents when we first got here for
fuck's sake!
But... but I don't know if
I
can do that! Killing the bears was one thing, that was life or death against some savage beast where I had to protect myself. And the tribulation was just spicy lightning from some pissy Heaven. I gulp down a fresh lungful of air, trying to calm myself down somewhat as I close my eyes and focus.
With still shaky breaths I sense and capture those emotions of fear and disgust, reprehension and reluctance and try to push them down and away from me. I know they're still there, its quite obvious, but damn it if... if I won't at least
try.
They deserve that much from me. I exhale loudly one final time, my center somewhat steady again as I open my eyes and turn to Akiko. "I... I'll give it my best, but I don't know if I can be that extreme with you. I lo-
*Ahem*
... I care about you too much to picture you as someone I would want to hurt, let alone k-kill. Is that fair for now?"
Akiko's eyes widen slightly at my near confession, which, fair. Surprised the fuck out of me too! However, she lets it pass mercifully as she simply nods and says, "I can agree to that, for now. Again, Amelia, I understand how hard of a journey this will be for you. I am here with you through it all, and you will not hurt me. Now, let us begin when you are ready." She twirls her sword, which while wooden is a near perfect replica of the katana she had when she was doling out her sentence back in the Sect Hall, as she waits for me to get prepared.
I swallow one last bit of apprehension, my emotions threating to boil over at the slightest release of control, as I get down into the first neutral stance she helped me with, my spear tip coming to an angled rest and pointed directly at her. I close my eyes once, take a deep breath, and then open them again, trying to will as much determination as I can through my shaking body.
Ios' drone flutters up and away to the corner of the room out of my eyesight, maybe so she doesn't distract me which I appreciate. Akiko and I are about 10 feet away from each other, and as I look to her face she gives me a small nod, brining the tip of her sword up in front of her. I dash forward, trying to use as much speed as I can to close the distance and surprise her before thrusting out like she had showed me. Probably my first mistake, to be honest, as she doesn't even parry the tip of the spear as it whooshes by her face, she merely moves her head to the side and goes to flick the tip of her sword to my neck.
My eyes go wide, an icy bead of sweat trickles down my back as the feeling of hard wood presses against my jugular as Akiko's voice breaks the tension of the silence after our brief exchange. She removes the simulated fatal strike as she comments professionally, "Good speed and form, dear, but you left yourself wide open when you committed too much into the attack. When facing thinking beings,
always
be prepared for a counter, dodge, or other inconvenience. Try again."
I shakily step back to my previous spot, the roar of my blood circling inside my ears as I dip back into the neutral stance once more. As I'm pondering how to even go about a strike that won't leave me exposed, Akiko rushes at me! Thankfully I know she is holding back because I can still see the damn woman, but it's still so fast that I barely have time to raise my spear up to block her overhead slash that was coming for my shoulder. With a grunt of effort, I'm brought down to one knee just from the weight of the impact, the smack of wood on wood shattering the space around us.
I try to push her off, only to realize just how fucking
impossible
that is quite quickly, before deciding to use leverage instead. I tilt the spear so that the sword begins to slide away from me to the left, using the changed momentum to bring the right end of the spear tip, hopefully, down onto Akiko. Another clack of wooden conflict tosses that idea aside, as she quickly maneuvers her sword from its sliding trajectory up to hit the tip of my spear before once again landing squarely on my neck. The other side this time.
"Good thinking," She says smugly, a new feeling beginning to poke out between the nearly suffocating amount of trepidation that's been wallowing inside me since we started, "Against a stronger opponent, it is better to redirect or simply avoid a one-on-one clash of power, which you identified quickly. However, in such a compromised position it would have been better to make space after breaking contact instead of trying to continue the assault in close quarters. Again."
I huff out as she returns the blade to her side, my neck still slightly sore from where she held it against me that time as that feeling of annoyance and frustration begin to bubble and churn in my core. With quite a bit less hesitation, I reset and charge at her once again, this time stopping a bit further back so that my spear tip would only interact with her sword unless I move closer. With a growing smile, Akiko takes the challenge, and we begin to exchange blows in earnest.
I thrust up toward her exposed chest while keeping distance, to which she parries away with a downward turn of her sword. I use the change in direction to switch grips on the spear's haft as I pull back, using the previously rear pointed tip to then thrust up into her sword arm's shoulder, hoping that she moved it too far away to counter this time. With a small growl of vexation, I see her somehow flip the blade into a reverse grip underneath my spear, and then simply push up on it to make sure it misses.
As I'm trying to reel it back in so that I can stance up once more, I see her shift closer now that my guard is opened, her left hand flying to my stomach in a balled fist. I wince, nearly dropping the spear at the expected impact, before I feel a light tap against my leather chest piece.
"You had a much better flow and distance that time but are still struggling with over committing and telegraphing your attacks. Also, do not close your eyes when you are expecting to be injured, if you can avoid it.
Again."
The annoyance fully morphs into anger as I step back just out of reach of her and twirl the spear in my hands.
She wants me to get serious?! FINE!! I rush at her, the padded ground slightly shaking from my rapid acceleration as I keep the spear pointed low and to my side. She seems briefly startled as she goes to swing down on my approaching form, her eyes slightly widening as I whip the spear up to parry her strike with a loud
*clack!*
,
the spear swinging up above my left shoulder as her sword arm is flung to the side. I readjust the grip on my weapon and then bring it down as hard as I can on her exposed body, the wind nearly
whistling
from the speed of its descent before it's somehow,
someway
, met once more with the wooden katana. The wind around us waves out in pressure from the blocked strike, the heavy bass boom of it shaking both of our hair before I quickly jump back a few feet, my scowl deepening after another failed attempt.
"Impressive~!" She says happily before shaking her head, her voice changing to a rueful tone, "But this effort is
not
enough for you to survive Mara, let alone the outside universe.
Again!"
I roar out in anger, frustration, and a good deal of annoyance still as I rampage across the training mats to her. We meet and exchange blow after blow, thrusts parried, slashes dodged, feints discovered and thwarted time and time again. I lose track of how long we dance this fucked up little dance before she says something that finally pushes me over the line, breaking something in me.
"
Amelia,
" She says as we trade another series of blows, her voice stern and devoid of emotion, "If this is
truly
the amount of violence you can unleash, then you
will
die on Mara.
As will Sandra.
"
I step back, breathing heavily from our exchange as her words sink in. The accusation of that alone changing the red-hot sensation that's been coursing through me into a blinding white rage. I stand out of my stance calmly and begin to use the
[Midnight Empress of the River's Qi Domination Technique]
to flood my body, soul, and the paths between with Qi. A shockwave of pressure erupts all around me with a deafening
*BOOM*
as my eyes turn steely and cold, my blazing red hair lifting off of my shoulders from the invisible wind of turbulent Qi.
In a bone chilling, regal sounding voice that would scare me if I wasn't so wrapped up in this whirlwind of chaotic emotions, I quietly ask Akiko, "What the
fuck
did you just say to me?"

.
!
Amelia vs Akiko Part 1 – Ch 59