Chapter 227: Smoldering from Sixth Kyu to First Dan in Seven Bouts

This is effectively one chapter's worth, but I really wanted to split it by title, so this is a two-chapter update.

There's a mannequin standing in front of me.

Mannequin: "..."

It has only the bare minimum AI installed, so compared with SLF's it's pathetically crude. Allowed to move and fight only within the digital world, it holds a shinai in chudan stance.

Sunraku: "...Hup."

I lightly dodge its charge and bring my shinai down on its hand as we pass.

Sunraku: "...S rating."

There's a mannequin standing in front of me.

Mannequin: "..."

It has only the bare minimum AI installed, so compared with SLF's it's pathetically crude. Allowed to move and fight only within the digital world, it holds its shinai in jodan stance.

Sunraku: "...Hup."

I lightly dodge its charge and slash across its torso as we pass.

Sunraku: "...S rating."

There's a mannequin standing in front of me.

Mannequin: "..."

It has only the bare minimum AI installed, so compared with SLF's it's pathetically crude. Allowed to move and fight only within the digital world, it holds its shinai in gedan stance.

Sunraku: "...Hup!"

I launch a thrust before it can reach me—a single flash, as though cutting through its torso.

Sunraku: "...S rating."

There's a mannequin standing in front of me.

Mannequin: "..."

It has only the bare minimum AI installed, so compared with SLF's it's pathetically crude. Allowed to move and fight only within the digital world, it holds its shinai in chudan stance.

Sunraku: "..."

Faster than its charge, swifter than the blade it raises—one strike that surpasses it in every respect.

Sunraku: "..."

There's a mannequin standing in front of me.

Mannequin: "..."

It has only the bare minimum AI installed, so compared with SLF's it's pathetically crude. Allowed to move and fight only within the digital world, it holds its shinai in jodan stance.

Sunraku: "..."

Our blades lock. No—that lasts only an instant, too brief to even count as an exchange. In the next moment, the mannequin sinks to the floor after having its forehead struck down.

Sunraku: "..."

There's a mannequin standing in front of me.

Mannequin: "..."

It has only the bare minimum AI installed, so compared with SLF's it's pathetically crude. Allowed to move and fight only within the digital world, it holds its shinai in jodan stance.

Sunraku: "..."

I sweep across its torso. No judgment comes. It seems my impatience has dulled the point of my blade. Feeling a slight pang of regret over that second strike, there will be no third-time's-the-charm attempt.

Sunraku: "A rating..."

There's a mannequin standing in front of me.

Mannequin: "..."

It has only the bare minimum AI installed, so compared with SLF's it's pathetically crude. Allowed to move and fight only within the digital world, it still isn't a match for me.

It was a B rating.

How incredibly boring it is to climb familiar ground again.

Drop a bow. A bow.