“Mm…”
Iris had a very strange dream in her sleep; she dreamt that she was being kneaded and petted like a little bear, which was honestly a bit terrifying.
A soft sensation came from her body—she wasn’t sure what she was pressed up against, but it was so comfortable that Iris was reluctant to get up.
As she slowly opened her eyes, Iris was startled to find herself so close to little Anya that she could feel the other girl’s breath, and her own arms seemed to be glued to Anya’s body, hugging her tightly and refusing to let go!
“Wah! Wh-what’s going on?” Iris hurriedly pulled her hands back and sat up abruptly, a cold sweat breaking out on her back.
She only remembered saying good night to Anya last night, falling asleep the moment her head hit the pillow, and after that, her mind was completely blank.
“Could it be… I slept like a total mess last night? Did I hug little Anya like a doll the whole time?” The thought made Iris shudder.
The commotion woke Anya too. Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she opened them only to see Iris’s flustered face.
“Little Anya, I… I didn’t bother you last night, did I?” Iris probed gently, her eyes full of anxiety.
“Hm?” Anya tilted her head, just about to say something, but then shut her mouth and pulled up a faint smile.
“Iris, your sleeping posture was pretty terrible last night. While you were asleep, you suddenly burrowed into my arms and wouldn’t let go, so I could only keep you company like that.”
Of course, she wasn’t going to tell the truth about last night to this embarrassed little white furball.
Watching Iris’s cheeks grow redder and her expression ever more ashamed, for some reason, Anya found it especially amusing.
She really wanted to tease this white furball a little more…
“No way…” Iris drooped her head, mumbling softly with a tone full of dejection, “Is my sleeping posture really that bad?”
“It’s fine. Sleeping with you pressed against me, I actually slept really well.” Anya decided that was enough, and comforted her in a gentle voice.
“Alright then!” Iris’s dejected look vanished, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Anya. “Little Anya, it was my fault yesterday. To make it up to you, let me teach you some Swordsmanship techniques!”
“Iris, you know Swordsmanship?” Anya was taken aback, eyes filled with disbelief.
This little white furball in front of her looked like nothing more than a mascot, with not a hint of lethality. And she could teach Swordsmanship?
“Of course.” Iris lifted her chin proudly and said, “I am the Executor of Ori, knowing all there is to know. When it comes to Swordsmanship, I dare say I’m the second best in the world—no one dares claim first.”
“Iris, you’re that amazing?” Anya pressed her lips together in a smile, the disbelief in her eyes practically overflowing.
“Little Anya, are you doubting me!” Iris puffed up her cheeks at once, pretending to blow at her.
“No, not at all,” Anya shrugged, looking innocent. “But you haven’t shown me anything, so how could I just believe you?”
“Then I’ll let you see for yourself!” Iris sprang to her feet with a crisp snap of her fingers.
The next second, the surrounding space shifted abruptly, and the two of them were instantly transported to a place much like a Martial Arena.
“This is also your System Space?” Anya looked around curiously.
“That’s right!” Iris stuck out her chest and lifted her head, looking extremely pleased with herself. “And the flow of time here has been adjusted by me—spend a whole day here, and only an hour passes outside.”
All kinds of weapons were arranged around the Martial Arena, dazzling in their variety. Iris casually picked up a Heavy Sword and rested it easily on her shoulder, looking completely unstrained.
“Watch closely, Anya, this sword will…” She was about to shout out some cool catchphrase, but suddenly stopped, her cheeks turning a little red. “No, no, that’s way too cringey, even I can’t stand it.”
She pouted in frustration, thought for a moment, and then said plainly, “Just watch this sword. It might even be better than what your teacher taught you.”
“Okay, I’m watching.” Anya folded her arms and stood to the side, looking on with great interest, feeling that Iris was as amusing and cute as ever.
Iris’s gaze grew sharp as she raised the Heavy Sword with both hands, drawing a barely noticeable arc of sword energy in the air.
Anya watched the sword energy and could only feel that the move was very ordinary, not at all surprising.
“Feels pretty normal, doesn’t it, little Anya?” Iris immediately saw through her thoughts, smiling as she pointed to another Heavy Sword by Anya’s side.
“Come on, let’s have a match.”
After a moment, Iris added, “Don’t worry, this is a safe zone—you won’t get hurt. Just go all out against me.”
Anya nodded. She was also curious to see for herself just how good Iris really was.
When Iris saw Anya pick up the Heavy Sword, she waved her over, signaling for her to make the first move.
Anya hesitated no longer, immediately performing the Swordsmanship Teacher Kassan had taught her, slashing straight toward Iris. Her form looked crisp and efficient.
“Anya, your teacher wasn’t wrong,” Iris sidestepped lightly, the Heavy Sword in her hand blocking Anya’s attack with seemingly casual ease.
With a slight twist of her wrist, she sent Anya staggering back several steps.
“Your Swordsmanship is still too immature and rigid. It looks watertight, but in reality, it’s full of openings.”
“Now then, try this move, little Anya.” With a smile at her lips, Iris flickered and appeared right in front of Anya, bringing the Heavy Sword down in what seemed a plain and simple strike.
Anya thought to herself, “That’s easy,” and immediately held her Heavy Sword horizontally in front of her to block.
But to her surprise, Iris’s move concealed a hidden change. The downward slash suddenly turned into an upward flick, sending Anya’s Heavy Sword flying out of her grasp.
Her balance lost, Anya stumbled back several steps before regaining her footing.
Before she could recover, a familiar yet ordinary sword energy swept toward her. Anya instinctively closed her eyes, thinking she was about to be struck.
But the expected impact never came. When she opened her eyes, she saw Iris’s Heavy Sword paused in front of her, Iris smiling brightly.
“Little Anya, see? You let your guard down.”
“Again!” The fire of unwillingness burned in Anya’s eyes as she stared intently at Iris.
“Of course!” Iris smiled and nodded, taking a few steps back and getting into position. “Let’s continue!”
In the following bouts, no matter how Anya adjusted her attack rhythm or changed her defensive posture, Iris could always see through her flaws at a glance and end the round with the simplest, most direct moves.
Iris’s Swordsmanship remained plain and unadorned, without a trace of showiness, yet Anya simply could not cross that seemingly simple gap.
It was even scarier than Teacher Kassan’s Swordsmanship!
Every move looked full of openings, but in both attack and defense, not a drop leaked through. Even Teacher Kassan could hardly reach such a level.
After practicing Swordsmanship for so long, Anya naturally realized just how astonishing Iris’s skill was.
Just now, she had truly underestimated this white furball.