The first rays of dawn painted the inside of the riverside house in soft hues of gold. Rin lay awake, watching the gentle rise and fall of Shion's breathing as she slept beside him, a stark contrast to the wild, passionate storm of the night before. He'd finally taken her, and the experience had been… thorough.
It had started slowly, a tender exploration as Shion savored the bittersweet pain and joy of giving herself to the man she loved. But as Rin's hips began to move with purpose, a primal fire had ignited within her. She tried to take control, her warrior instincts kicking in, but Rin hadn't allowed it. He'd viewed her status, nudged up her masochistic tendencies just a bit, and asserted his dominance. He treated her not as a mighty Kijin, but as a woman who belonged to him. The night had been filled with her unrestrained shouts and moans, cries of pleasure that thankfully, their remote location had kept private. She had screamed her devotion, pledging herself as his woman, promising that no matter how many others he loved, she would feel no jealousy. It was more than just his system at work now; he had truly conquered her, body and soul.
Quietly, Rin slipped out of bed, covering her sleeping form with a blanket. He decided to make them breakfast. Remembering a bird's nest he'd spotted in a tree near the river, he went out and carefully retrieved two of the five eggs, leaving the rest for the mother.
When he returned and finished cooking a simple meal of fried eggs, bread, and hot tea, Shion was just emerging from the bathroom, her long purple hair still damp. Seeing him waiting for her at the table, a radiant, heart-fluttering warmth spread through her chest. This felt domestic, real. She walked over to him and, standing on her tiptoes, gave him a deep, loving kiss. "This is the best day ever," she whispered against his lips.
Rin wrapped his arms around her, holding her close for a long, silent minute. They simply stood there, feeling the comfortable warmth of each other's presence. After their hug, they finally sat down to eat. The breakfast was simple, but for them, it felt like the most luxurious meal in the world.
After they ate, Shion regretfully said her goodbyes. "I must return to my duties," she said, her loyalty to Rimuru still a core part of her being, even as her heart now belonged to Rin. "Lord Rimuru needs his secretary."
Alone once more, Rin knew what he had to do next. Raw power was one thing, but skill was another. He made his way to the town's training grounds.
There, Hakurou, the elderly Kijin swordmaster, was drilling a group of Hobgoblins with a stern but precise methodology. Every movement was efficient, every command sharp. Rin watched for a moment, then respectfully approached.
"Hakurou-dono," he said with a polite bow.
The old swordmaster turned, his sharp eyes assessing Rin instantly. Rin, in turn, was already looking at his status.
Friendliness: 20/100 -> 80/100.
Trust: 15/100 -> 75/100.
Hakurou's stern expression softened almost imperceptibly. Strange, he thought. I felt wary of this human boy a moment ago, but now… he has an earnest air about him. He is a friend of Lord Rimuru, from the same hometown. He deserves my respect.
"Rin-dono," Hakurou greeted him back, his tone surprisingly amicable. "What brings you to my humble training grounds?"
"I wish to get stronger," Rin stated simply. "I have strength, but I lack skill. I was hoping… you might teach me."
Hakurou let out a soft sigh, not of disappointment, but of weary assessment. He could feel that for a human, Rin possessed a decent amount of physical power. But he could also see, with a master's eye, that Rin had no foundation, no technique. He moved like a civilian. Compared to even a newly evolved Hobgoblin, his combat potential was low. Teaching him from scratch would take time, a great deal of time.
"Very well," Hakurou said finally, his decision made. "Strength without guidance is merely a blunt instrument. True power lies in skill." He turned to his other students. "All of you, pause! Observe!"
He gave a brief but incredibly detailed lecture on the very basics – the proper grip, the correct stance, the way a sword swing should flow from the feet through the hips and into the arms. He demonstrated a single, perfect cut, a motion so fluid and fast it seemed to defy logic.
"This is the foundation upon which all techniques are built," Hakurou declared. "Now, resume your practice." He then turned his gaze to Rin. "You will join them. Start with the basic stance. Do not even think of swinging until your footing is perfect."
Rin felt a surge of excitement. This was it, his path to real power. But as he took his place among the panting Hobgoblins and assumed the awkward, unfamiliar stance, a hint of disappointment also crept in. He knew, with a certainty that was both frustrating and humbling, that this part of his journey couldn't be fast-tracked with his system. Skill and experience had to be earned.
Reluctantly, he began his training, the long, arduous road of actual practice stretching out before him.