Complete Western Brisshal Long Fang Training

[Ueno Mizuki]

So far both of them had been able to mitigate the disadvantage of the slippery ground, but it was inevitable that one of them would suffer at the hands of the terrain and the conditions under which they were sparring. So it was that Cleo's attempt at evading Mizuki's tackle ended up sabotaged by the treacherous ground underneath her feet, causing the two female combatants to collide and roll over the ground in a tangle of limbs.

However, this was fortunate for Mizuki: her main challenge had been to try and bypass Cleo's longer reach, but now she could bring her superior physical ability to bear. Spreading her arms she first grabbed Cleo by the biceps, then slid her hands along the woman's arms until she was holding both her wrists, her grip strong but careful to not cause any real harm. With how much strength Mizuki contained in her body it wasn't impossible for her to break bones by squeezing hard enough, which was definitely something she wished to avoid.

Although their current position was because of Cleo's bad fortune Mizuki didn't hesitate to capitalize on it. With a fierce growl she slammed Cleo's back against the ground and pushed the lancer down, her hands holding Cleo's wrists close to the woman's head while she lowered her own until their noses were almost touching, mismatched eyes peering straight into her opponent's crimson gaze. Straddling the female human's waist she ensured that Cleo wouldn't be able to fight back any more unless she either relied on her magic or displayed significantly more flexibility and strength than she'd done so far.

@Cleo Looker

 

[Cleo Looker]

Hands clamped around her arms, then slid down to her wrists, immobilizing them, before with as much strength as she could, Mizuki slammed Cleo's back against the muddy ground and pushed her down, holding her wrists close to her head. There was a dull slap as her spear fell out of her hands and into the mud, beginning to break apart into energy as Cleo's mind raced to figure out a way to escape this situation before Mizuki decided to call the match due to a pin. Her eyes darted back and forth, mind racing as she bucked her hips in an attempt to throw Mizuki off of her.

And then she paused, panting as Mizuki straddled her. Their fight hadn't lasted very long, but it had been full of explosive, sudden action, that had left Cleo significantly more worn out than if she'd stood back and just launced spears at her opponent. And now, trapped underneath the beastkin's body, both of them dripping wet and panting as their eyes met, the fight suddenly began to leave her.

She swallowed, looking up into Mizuki's mismatched eyes, tongue darting over her lips, which suddenly felt exceptionally dry. She had no clue what was happening, but they were so close together.

She couldn't help but lean forward, aiming to plant her lips against Mizuki's, lost in the magic of the moment.

@Ueno Mizuki

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

Mizuki could feel Cleo's body struggling underneath her own, the lancer trying her best to escape her current predicament so she could either turn the tables on the huntress or resume the fight properly. However, now that the wildling had her pinned down the difference in raw strength was the deciding factor, and no matter how much Cleo bucked her hips or tried to pull her wrists free from Mizuki's grasp, the wolfess just growled as a warning that her prey wouldn't be able to resist no matter how hard she tried.

However, when Cleo calmed down and gazed up at her Mizuki's fighting spirit also flowed away, and she realized that the position they were in was... rather provocative, all things considered. Straddling the red-haired beauty, holding her wrists against the ground, their faces so close that she could keenly hear every breath Cleo took... Her expression changed from fierce to a mixture of mesmerized, embarrassed, and uncertain.

The kiss that followed was both expected and unexpected, but Mizuki didn't pull back. Instead she answered assertively, pressing her lips against Cleo's, tongue darting between them as she held the female human down while sharing a passion different from the one she'd displayed but moments before. Or maybe it was the same passion, a surge of adrenaline that she wanted to share through more than just violence? It was hard to say, but she took her time tasting Cleo before pulling her head back, her face now flushed.

Ehm... I-I think that was a good bout.

@Cleo Looker

 

[Cleo Looker]

That Mizuki would reciprocate, Cleo found herself pleasantly surprised with the passion and fervor with which Mizuki had responded to the kiss. She found the woman's tongue darting between her lips, the beastkin woman holding her down whilst the two continued their passionate game of tonsil hockey for a moment or two, before finally they broke apart. Cleo could see that Mizuki's face was flushed and she knew that her face was probably just as bad, if not worse, since she'd been the one to actually initiate the kiss.

She cleared her throat, eyes wide.

Ah, uh, yes! It was really good. The fight I mean! You fought well! I never really stood much of a chance.

She swallowed again. They were still in this position and their faces were still pretty close together. She flexed her fingers, wrists still held firmly in Mizuki's grasp, shuddering and shivering at the contact with both Mizuki's body and the mud underneath her. This kind of thing had never happened before, so she had no clue what she was supposed to do now, wide crimson eyes looking up into Mizuki's mismatched eyes, looking for some clue or a hint of an emotion. What had driven her to kiss the woman? What had driven Mizuki to kiss back?

@Ueno Mizuki

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

It looked like Cleo was just as awkward about the current situation as she herself was, which actually made Mizuki feel a bit better. She still was quite embarrassed at how the two of them had gone from sparring so fervently to making out like they were closest lovers, but at least it wasn't like she was floundering alone. Of course, that didn't mean that her face wasn't still as red as a tomato as she nodded quickly.

Y-Yes, you're really good! At fighting I mean! I think you did a very good job, it's just that I'm more suited for this kind of close-quarters combat.

She realized that she was babbling, so she shut up as she stared in Cleo's eyes for a bit longer. Taking a deep breath she, rather reluctantly, let go of the lancer's wrists and freed the redhead, rolling off and sitting down next to her with her eyes cast on the ground. No amount of looking away could hide the fact that her tail was wagging behind her, however.

I definitely didn't expect you to use two spears at once, so that really caught me off guard. Where'd you get that idea from?

Not having any answers for what had just transpired, Mizuki tried to steer the course of events back to a safer topic.

@Cleo Looker

 

[Cleo Looker]

Well at least they were both feeling embarrassed about that, not that it made it all that much better, as Cleo's mind raced to figure out how the hell that had even happened. Had the flirting from earlier really put her in enough of a mindset to actually take that kind of risk with a contact? She couldn't just sit here and make out with somebody! She was so stupid! Was this kind of thing why the VRSA kept losing agents to this game, as they just wanted to keep experiencing things like this?

She swallowed, the only sound being their breathing as the two panted, before finally Mizuki let go of her wrists and sat down next to her. Cleo glanced over, noticing the woman's wagging tail, her face filling with red again at the evidence that Mizuki had enjoyed herself, even as the beastkin woman attempted to steer the conversation to a different topic, which Cleo was thankful for.

Well, I usually throw my spears two at a time. Sometimes something gets close enough to me that I don't have time to let go of one, so I learned to wield spears one-handed in each hand. I usually just start with a single spear, since most people expect that when fighting a spear user.

Whilst Mizuki was looking down, Cleo quickly brought her fingers up to her lips, the memory of Mizuki's soft lips firmly burned into her mind, seared behind her eyelids every time she closed her eyes.

@Ueno Mizuki

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

It was much better to steer the conversation back to the sparring and the combat, since that was a topic where Mizuki was more confident with and where she didn't have to answer any awkward and difficult questions such as "Why did I do that", or "What must she think of me now". Although even with her eyes downcast she spotted Cleo touching those delectable lips of hers, in response to which a shiver travelled down Mizuki's spine as she was reminded of just how good it had felt to kiss the human after sparring with her. Was she that attracted to Cleo? Maybe the adrenaline had played a role?

It's a good way to catch people off guard, but I'm not sure it's a very effective fighting style beyond that. With how long spears are wielding them with one hand means there's a lot of lag behind each strike. If you had more upper body strength it'd be more effective... maybe if you put more focus on controlling your spears telekinetically so you can wield both spears as if you had an additional telekinetic hand for them?

As she talked about possible ways to improve Cleo's close-quarters combat Mizuki's confidence began to return, lifting her gaze even if she wasn't looking Cleo directly in the eyes. Not yet.

@Cleo Looker

 

[Cleo Looker]

It was interesting that Mizuki would bring up some of the concerns that Cleo herself had been pondering over, when it came to her close quarters fighting style, at least. It was true that spears were long and unwieldy to use with just a single hand. Though it could be done, they were clunking and could only really make simple movements, or the length of the spear had to be sacrificed to allow the wielder greater control over it whilst it was being used.

I'm actually working on something a bit similar to your suggestion, though I need to work on my Arcanamancy and some other things before I think it'll be completely battle ready.

Training her brain to parallel process these kinds of things was an ongoing process. Focusing on both hands separately was just the first step. Next up would come the ability to focus on a third limb. Then a fourth and a fifth. Then probably more, the further she developed the things that she was working on.

I'm also thinking of upping the variety of spears and weapons that I can project and wield, such as using thrusting swords like rapiers, daggers and even things like warpicks too.

@Ueno Mizuki

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

As expected of Cleo, you're already thinking of how to cover your own weaknesses before I even mention them.

Cleo had admitted before that she hadn't thought of altering her own time to improve her reactions, but beyond that Mizuki was by this point firmly convinced that there was little point in giving Cleo advice, with how frequently the lancer already knew what she was doing and was fixing problems as quickly as they arose. The huntress smiled as her blush lessened even if it didn't completely fade, and her mismatched eyes focused on the river.

You're not joking when you say you want to catch up to us veterans. I'm looking forward to seeing what you're working on. I imagine it'll be quite the sight, and effective too.

Being able to use multiple weapons did have its advantages, although the wolfess frowned as she thought back to one of the things Cleo had said before.

It's not a bad idea, but you said before that you've willingly specialized in creating spears to the point that it costs more energy to produce other objects. I don't know where the limits of your potential lie, but if you want to master other weapons as well it may affect your ability to manifest spears with little to no energy cost.

@Cleo Looker

 

[Cleo Looker]

That particular comment had Cleo blushing, turning away to hide her face slightly as she was recognized for her efforts in finding her own faults and fixing them. The comment about Mizuki believing her when she said that she wanted to catch up to the veterans only made Cleo blush intensely, hiding her face in her hands by using the act of wiping sweat from her forehead as an excuse.

Of course, yeah. I'll let you know when I have what I'm working on figured out and working enough to take it for a test drive. Currently a lot of the hard work for it is mental rather than physical, so it takes time to train, though as a plus, I can kind of train it in reality too.

It was a lot harder to train the ability to move a limb that she didn't have in reality, but she could still go through the same mental processes and keep herself sharp and active in that area of her mental abilities. It would make controlling those telekinetic hands much easier when she logged in the next time, too.

Though Mizuki raised a good point about how much she'd specialized her Arcanamancy. Cleo frowned too at the thought, but eventually she couldn't do anything but shrug.

I'll cross that bridge when it comes to it, I guess. It might be the case that the cost discount is just because of how much I've created spears, but if it's due to overspecializing, then I'll have to rethink the whole "using other weapons" thing.

@Ueno Mizuki

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

I guess I should keep training as well before you overtake me completely and I'm the one who requires training from you.

Now that she was seeing just how quickly Cleo was growing, Mizuki had to admit that she'd gotten somewhat used to the idea that, as someone who'd already been part of Terrasphere before the shutdown, she'd gotten used to the idea that she'd be one of the most powerful Travelers. Instead, someone who had been part of this world for less than a month was pushing herself so hard that Mizuki was certain there were already several veterans who wouldn't be able to compete with her.

No time for me to take it easy, with such stiff competition. Of course, it's not like I'm only thinking about becoming the strongest: I just don't want to inconvenience others by having to rely on them.

Well, that and she did want to make a name for herself, if as a huntress rather than a warrior.

It's possible that the versatility of being able to use multiple weapons would be worth more than the forest of spears you've been summoning. It all depends on what you think is the most important thing, being able to deal with a large amount of weaker monsters or having the ability to adapt to whatever singular threat you might face.

@Cleo Looker

 

[Cleo Looker]

If Mizuki wanted to push her training up a notch, then Cleo wasn't going to begrudge her for it. Of course not. If it would make Mizuki stronger and help the woman survive AND protect newer players, then she'd do anything to help the woman gain more power. There was no way that she ever wanted to hear that Mizuki had died, or worse, that she had died three times and was locked into the game as a result of that particular tragedy.

The memory of soft lips washed over her and it made even the thought of Mizuki being killed so utterly alien and wrong that Cleo couldn't stand it.

Go as hard as you can without burning yourself out, I say. You can never be too strong, when it comes to dealing with threats that could genuinely end your life, or the lives of other people.

Cleo nodded, grinning as she hoped that Mizuki would be inspired to train her hardest and make the most improvements for herself. Though when Mizuki mentioned that she might have to choose between dealing with large amounts of weaker monsters or being able to adapt to any singular threats, Cleo frowned and shook her head, having a different opinion on such a matter.

I won't make that choice at all. Instead, I'll just become capable of doing both things at once, no matter how much hard work and training it takes to make that kind of thing possible for me to achieve.

@Ueno Mizuki

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

Mizuki grinned as Cleo actively encouraged her to keep training. Of course the lancer would be all for it, being that she was the one who'd been pushing herself so hard that the wolfess had been the one who was concerned for her. Leaning back Mizuki planted her hands on the ground, supporting her upper body as she looked up at the drizzling heavens.

I'll do my best, although I don't think I'll be able to push myself as hard as you have. And I don't think you're one to tell other people not to burn themselves out.

While the words could be considered admonishing Mizuki's tone made it clear that she was speaking teasingly, although that did bring back the memory of the kiss and had her face redden again as a result. Clearing her throat Mizuki pushed herself up, then offered Cleo a hand to help her stand up even as she frowned.

Both on Earth and here there are limits to how much strength a single person can have. I admire your desire for strength so you can protect others, but don't start thinking that the limits of this world don't apply to you.

@Cleo Looker

 

[Cleo Looker]

Maybe it wasn't possible for other people to push themselves as hard as she was? Though, maybe it was possible that people could push themselves even harder? Maybe Cleo could push herself even harder than she had been? When she stopped to think about it, she didn't even really feel like she was pushing herself, not when it was all for a cause that she wholeheartedly believed in. And maybe that was the secret behind it? Behind everything that there could ever be?

I don't think there's a limit to how hard somebody can push themselves, so long as it's something that they truly believe in. When I find myself coming up against a wall, I just have to remember what I'm trying so hard for and I can break past it.

She smiled softly to herself, before she noticed Mizuki pull herself up with a red face, reaching a hand down to the lancer to help her up. Cleo reached up for Mizuki's hand, allowing the stronger woman to pull her to her feet, even as Mizuki tried to admonish her slightly.

Of course the limits of this world apply to me, but I won't find those limits until I push for them. I don't think it's unreasonable to say that I'll work on making my weapon production as cheap as my current spear production is so long as I just work hard at it. Even if I have to work harder than I am currently.

@Ueno Mizuki

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

It seemed like both of them had recovered enough from the unexpected kiss that they could look each other in the eyes again, although Mizuki's face remained red for now. However, she was more concerned with how Cleo remained convinced that as long as she just kept pushing herself everything would work out, even if she possibly pushed herself to the point of breaking.

You can achieve amazing feats as long as you've got a passion driving you, but beyond a certain point your mind and your body have reached the limits of what they can handle. (She shook her head.) We've already gone over this, and I don't want us to keep butting heads over it. I look forward to seeing how far you can go, although if I genuinely think that you're beginning to harm yourself I'm stepping in. (She smirked at that.) The same way you decided to step in and help everyone who's willing to risk death to be part of this world.

Once she'd helped Cleo get up she held onto the redhead's hand for several seconds longer than completely necessary before letting go and pointing towards the river.

I think that bout was enough sparring for the day, so how about we clean up before we go back to town? I don't know about you, but I've grown hungry.

@Cleo Looker

 

[Cleo Looker]

Cleo could only shake her head when Mizuki mentioned that she would step in if she believed that Cleo was harming herself with the effort that she was putting forth into her training.

I hope you're not actually expecting to step in. There's no way I push myself harder than I can handle. I've been doing these kinds of things for a long time, even if things are just slightly different due to being in a virtual world.

And besides, it wasn't like she could suffer any permanent damage in this game, since this was just a virtual avatar. She could push this body to the breaking point and as long as she kept on top of filling the different meters for her needs, the body would be perfectly fine once her HP recovered and she was able to move and push herself again. And she always made sure to do her training in places where the chances of anything finding and attacking her were close to nothing.

She blushed as she noticed that their hands lingered in one another's, before Mizuki pointed to the river and mentioned cleaning up. Cleo nodded, a blush coming to her face at the thought of both of them bathing together, after everything that had just happened.

Sure. I think my hunger bar is getting pretty empty, so some food is probably a good idea.

With that said, she began to lead the way back to the banks of the river, hesitating once they reached it. Would it be a better idea to just bathe in her clothes, to wash her body and her clothing at the same time?

@Ueno Mizuki

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

Mizuki had expected Cleo's response, and rather than starting a whole argument about it, the huntress shrugged.

Well, you know yourself better than I do, so I'll take your word for it.

If Cleo did end up pushing herself harder than she could handle, an intervention would likely be needed. Then again, if Cleo was used to this kind of thing she could be trusted to look after herself, even if that didn't mean that Mizuki would stop worrying.

With both of their agreement about calling it a day and preparing to head back to civilization, Mizuki headed for the river, and for the second time today stripped off her underwear before wading into the running waters. She was, however, a bit shyer than before, as the kiss kept running through her head. Turning away so she wouldn't be facing Cleo the wolfess got to work scrubbing the mud from her body, a task which was thankfully a lot easier than when she had to deal with blood and viscera from the goblins.

@Cleo Looker

 

[Cleo Looker]

Seeing that Mizuki intended to strip off her clothes again and remembering the kiss from earlier, Cleo turned around so that her back was facing Mizuki, a similar reaction to the one that Mizuki had come to. Her hands reached for her damp clothing, peeling it off of her skin and sighing in relief when it no longer felt like she was covered from neck to toes in dried glue. The sensation of peeling it off was very much a relieving one.

As was the coolness of the water as she began to wade into it, until her hips submerged underneath it and she began to scrub mud and dirt off of herself. There was even mud in her hair, having been pressed into the muddy ground when Mizuki had pinned her, but she wasn't complaining. She rinsed herself off, cleaning her clothes too, before she cast a chronomancy spell on her clothes to accelerate the rate at which they dried.

I can cast a spell to help you and your clothes dry off faster, if you'd like? I'd just have to, um, look at you, in order to cast it on you yourself. If you want. If that'd make you uncomfortable I can not do it.

@Ueno Mizuki

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

Mizuki's ears swiveled towards Cleo as she heard the lancer step into the water next to her, the two females of different species scrubbing themselves clean with little to no interaction. Before the sparring match Mizuki would have been a lot more comfortable with the current situation, but after what had just happened she felt a lot more uncertain, if only because she just didn't know what to think of what had happened.

Her ears twitched as Cleo spoke up, the wolfess listening attentively and her face turning red as she realized what Cleo was saying. The huntress considered her options, then shook her head and chastised herself for acting like a hormonal teenager rather than the adult she was.

I assume that I should get out of the water first, or does the spell last for a while after you've cast it?

At least the rain had finally stopped completely, the clouds dispersing and leaving behind the blue skies. If they dried up now they wouldn't have to worry about the drizzle slowly soaking them again, so now was as good a time as any.

@Cleo Looker

 

[Cleo Looker]

Ah, well, it'd be better to get out of the water first, but the spell will last for as long as I try to maintain it. For better or worse, that means that I can keep it up for as long as my energy holds out, though I'd prefer to not cause myself to pass out due to drying out clothes if I can avoid it.

She was all for trying to break her own limits, but attempting to do so for clothes drying was just a little too absurd for Cleo to actually get behind.

It'll only take a glance and you can cover yourself. I just have to be looking at you.

With that explanation, Cleo climbed out of the river and held out her clothes, casting the spell on them, before casting the spell on herself. Then it was time for her to cast the spell on Mizuki and her clothes, if the beastkin woman wanted that.

Just tell me when you're ready for me to cast the spell and I'll do it.

@Ueno Mizuki