In the evening, Sunny continued to practice with the sword under Neph's watchful eye. With his new insight, every movement felt different from before. After the thousand strikes were finished, he sat down to rest and studied the Azure Blade, tempted to continue obsessing over the abundant mysteries of the Forgotten Shore.
After a while, Sunny asked:
"Do you think I'm well-suited to use a sword? Should I consider switching weapons in the future?"
Nephis shrugged.
"That depends on your goals. However, the sword is considered to be the king of weapons for a reason."
Sunny smiled.
"And why is that?"
She tilted her head and deliberated for a few seconds. Then, she asked:
"Do you know how natural selection works?"
He raised an eyebrow.
"Survival of the fittest? The strongest species survives?"
Changing Star glanced at him.
"Somewhat correct. But actually, it's not the strongest species that survive, it's the most adaptable. Otherwise, lions and tigers and bears would have been the ones ruling the world instead of humans."
Sunny knew about lions and bears from archival footage, but he had no idea what a tiger was.
'Probably another extinct predator?'
at all like her usual taciturn self. She seemed to be
combat. A sword is not the most effective tool in every situation. A spear is more useful against enemies with long
gaze at the
variety of ranges. It is swift and maneuverable. Every part of the sword, from tip to
Nephis turned to him.
"Do you understand?"
for a bit
"I think I do."
him a nod
must remember one thing. It doesn't matter that much what's in your hands. A sword, a spear, a club… that's just tools. You are
dismissed the Azure Blade. As always, Changing Star's lesson gave him a lot
'You are the weapon.'
though another
was coming back, flooding the crimson labyrinth like a rush of darkness. Far below them,
keeping
have guests soon," he said, disheartened at the thought that their short respite was about to
Nephis sighed.
the higher ground advantage, dealing with them won't be too
raised its ugly head, plunging his mind into the gloomy embrace of anxiety. Staring into the distance, Sunny hesitated and
be able to reach
at him with no particular
"Yes."
turned to her and
you
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