"Before learning Kenjutsu you need to first become one with the sword. Until the sword becomes a part of you, nothing more than an extension of your arm, you won't be able to master Kenjutsu." Hiro informed, pacing back and forth in front of Kesshō.

Her training was to start from the morning and end before dark. Her Kenjutsu and Taijutsu training were to happen inside the Hall of the phoenix while her Kyojutsu training in the garden in front of it, the location of her Bōjutsu training still unknown to her.

For her first Kenjutsu lesson she was supposed to hold her wooden katana, called a bokken, with its Kissaki pointing upwards for as long as she could with her arms outstretched in front of her. She was not permitted to bring her arms closer or allow the bokken to tilt. She was supposed to do this in every lesson until she could hold it like that for the entire duration of Hiro's other lesson

While Kesshō did that Hiro taught the other students several different slashes, blocks and many movements. She was supposed to stand in one corner while he was doing that, allowed to watch but not allowed to participate or interrupt. The bokken was lighter than a katana is what she was told, and judging from its weight Kesshō doubted if she would be able to even lift a katana, as the bokken was already far too heavy for her.

On the first day, Kesshō dropped her bokken three times till the class ended. Though Kesshō was weak her resilience allowed her to keep holding it even with aching arms, but it was still not enough. This was still not something she should be doing. Even she knew that fighting while her hands were hurting from the weight of her own sword wouldn't be the ideal situation.

"As I said before, I won't teach you the rest until you can keep it straight up throughout my lesson. Taijutsu training after Kyojutsu and Bōjutsu, now go." Hori said shutting the shoji, sliding door, as soon as Kesshō stepped outside.

"I hope he isn't too mean to you," Mei sighed appearing behind her.

Having already heard Mei's footsteps from afar Kesshō was not startled and shook her head.

"I hope Kyojutsu would help lighten up your day a little." Mei cheered, leading Kesshō to the garden.

The shooting range was built spanning the entire garden, the trees lining the boundaries of the shooting range. Three wooden targets were lined at one end at different distances from the opposite end, each target having a black dot at the center inside a small red circle with the rest being white. On the other end, where Mei led Kesshō to, was a rack with wooden bows and a shelf filled with arrows.

"There isn't much to Kyojutsu. No fancy tricks and stuff, just master a single movement and you are all good to go." Mei explained picking up a bow from the rack and an arrow from the shelf.

She raised the bow above her head while pressing the arrow to the string, perpendicular to her body, her side facing the target. Bringing the bow down she pulled the arrow backwards and released it in one fluid motion. The arrow soared through the air and hit the target dead center with a thud.

Kesshō couldn't help jumping with excitement at the fine display of skill. She rushed to the rack to try herself but remembering her Kenjutsu training waited for Mei's approval. Mei nodded on seeing Kesshō hesitate. Taking a bow from the rack and an arrow from the shelf Kessho stepped in front of the nearest target.

Having read Mei's movement completely with both her eyes and ears Kesshō prepared to shoot her first shot. She raised the bow above her head while pressing the arrow to the string, perpendicular to her body with her side facing the target. Bringing the bow down she pulled the arrow backwards and released it. The arrow soared through the air but landed at the edge of the white area, barely hitting the target.

"That was a very good first try." Mei cheered patting Kessho on the shoulder. "Fighting arts, just like any other skill, only require practice. With enough practice you will even be able to hit multiple targets while blindfolded with ease."

Kesshō spent the rest of the lesson practicing. Mei corrected and pointed out any mistakes Kesshō did while giving suggestions to help Kesshō focus. The lesson soon came to an end however, though it was a lot of fun for Kesshō.

"Let's begin your Bōjutsu lesson now." Mei said after she was done arranging the bows and arrows.

Kesshō, having went to collect all the arrows was slightly tired now, but followed Mei nonetheless.

"Here, take this." Mei said tossing Kesshō a wooden staff. "That is called a bō where I am from, just a wooden staff."

Kesshō took the staff and followed Mei. The staff, being. much taller than Kesshō making it hard for her to carry it. She had faced the same problem with the bokken and the bow even, although not to the same extent as the staff.

Mei took a thick fur coat from a coat hangar at the gate of the fort and led Kesshō outside, passing several guards. As they stepped outside the wind threatened to blow Kesshō away, being much faster and colder than anything she ever experienced before. The area surrounding the fort was completely covered in a layer of snow, like when they entered. Their destination wasn't much far from the fort however, and so Kesshō held on and continued forward.

A small river originating from a glacier at the top of the mountain passed from the path, cutting right through it and in turns blocking the way. The river contained many half submerged rocks which formed a path if someone was willing to take the risk of jumping on them. The rocks were bound to be slippery due to the river washing over them every so often however. Further upstream Kesshō spotted a waterfall and just ten steps from it a thin log that offered a much safer passage across the raging river.

"Just a little further," Mei informed, walking towards the log.

Kesshō followed her to the log. Mei stopped in front of the log and thought for a while before jumping on to it, not being afraid in the slightest. She crossed it with ease, neither stopping nor losing balance along the way, not even worrying much about it. Kesshō looked at her wide-eyed before glancing towards the river, which felt as cold as ice and close to freezing, only if the water was still that is. The river did not seem to be planning on stopping anytime soon, maybe not even a decade later, leaving little choice. The log was also wet and slippery, one mistake and she would get washed away by the river instantly.

"Come on, no need to be scared. I won't let you get hurt." Mei reassured with a smile.

Kesshō's hesitantly stepped onto the log and started walking towards the end, holding her staff out for balance. She took one look at the river and nearly went pummeling into it, barely surviving thanks to her staff.

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"Just close your eyes and walk straight," Mei suggested.

Kesshō nodded and closed her eyes. She was able to easily listen to the churning and splashing of water below her even if not see it. Slowly but steadily she made her way across the log, not knowing when it would end. She took deep breaths to calm her nerves down as she walked, the cold weather already having done that to some extent. She decided not to use her echolocation as it was the equivalent of keeping her eyes open.

After a while of walking she suddenly lost her footing and fell forwards, landing face first into the cold snow. Wiping the snow away she sat up and looked back at the log. It was much higher than the ground, the reason why she fell like that.

Mei sat down beside Kesshō. "That was very good for your first try. After some training you won't even fall like that."

They continued further uphill, soon reaching a cave. Inside of the cave some lanterns were lit up and two raised stone platforms were placed around the center. The two platforms were surrounded by a shallow moat on all sides which was filled with water. Mei led Kesshō around the moat to the opposite side of the cave which was a fairly large area.

"This place is ideal for bōjutsu training. You might need to fight someone in a closed place with nothing other than a staff at some point. Training in a place like this is going to prepare you for those situations. Let us begin then." Mei said raising her staff and spinning it in her hand. "You will need to master this first."

Kesshō nodded and raised her staff in a similar manner and attempted to spin it like Mei did. Again, her short height became a hindrance as her staff collided with the ground and bounced out of her hand, hitting her on the chin and flooring her in the process.

Mei was instantly at her side inspecting her to make sure she wasn't injured badly. Breathing a sigh of relief Mei suggested Kesshō to try it again, but while keeping her staff a little higher.

Her entire bōjutsu lesson was spent with her trying to be able to spin her staff properly. In the end, she was still unable to do it. Mei led Kesshō back to the fort, helping her to cross the bridge this time. When they arrived at the Hall of the phoenix, Hori was waiting for her in the garden.

"I was starting to think you will never return, seems like my wish won't be granted this quick." Hori glanced between Mei and Kesshō.

"That is unnecessarily rude," Mei reprimanded. "Anyways, I will have to ask you to go easy on her, she is already quite injured." Mei requested gesturing towards Kesshō.

The staff being too long for Kesshō kept hitting the ground and bouncing out of her hands. Every failed attempt resulted in another injury, and by the end Kesshō's entire body ached. Her regenerative abilities were capable of healing cuts and fractures with ease, but pain, not quite as much.

"Fine then, we will train in the garden. The grass should cushion her fall to some extent," Hori suggested.

"All that aside, have you gone outside the fort in the past couple months?" Mei questioned

"No, why?"

"The environment inside and outside the fort are so different. I was freezing out there, but it's not that cold in here." Mei informed as she hugged herself.

"Winter is starting so it is natural. If the attack happens during winter then it would turn the tables in our favor," Hori stated.

"Always thinking about fighting," Mei mumbled. "Continue with your training, I will just sit here and watch." Mei announced, going to sit on the steps of the hall.

"For Taijutsu–" Hori turned to Kesshō– "I believe in learning on the job."

Taking a fighting stance Hori beckoned Kesshō forward. Copying his fighting stance, to some extent, Kesshō stood a few steps in front of him. Without giving Kesshō time to prepare herself Hori threw a hook punch straight towards her head. Mei closed her eyes, fearing the worst. Having been caught by surprise, Kesshō barely ducked under the punch, having been saved by instinct alone. Seeing Kesshō dodge Hori performed a roundhouse kick, aimed straight at Kesshō head. Kesshō arced her body backwards, dodging the hit before performing a backflip as Hori attempted sweep her legs from under her.

The annoyance of Kesshō having dodged twice was clear on Hori's face and Mei also seemed completely tense. Kesshō didn't feel very sure whether Hori was actually training her or trying to kill her at this point.

"Fine." Hori said relaxing his body. "You can dodge quite well, but it is no use if you can't attack. Attack me, any kick, punch, grapple, lock, whatever you want, show me your strength."

Kesshō was confused at the offer but approached to attack regardless. She was cautious at first, suspecting this was a trap, but Hori showed no intention of attacking her even when she stood within reach. Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, Kesshō tried to do the same punch Hori did. Swinging her right hand across, she hit Hori on his ribs. He didn't move even a bit, showing no sign of her attack having done anything.

"Hey, Mei, can you come over here for a bit?" Hori requested, looking confused.

"Okay?" Mei replied, startled and confused. She walked over to the two and stood beside Kesshō.

"Punch her with all your strength," He commanded.

"What?!" Mei exclaimed.

"Not you, her." Hori said pointing a finger at Kesshō. "I am asking her to punch you. Put all your strength in that one attack, no need to worry about anything."

Kesshō nodded and prepared to perform the same punch again, but on Mei. Mei tightened her body, preparing to receive the blow, Hori watching on with great interest. Following the same movements, Kesshō punched Mei. Mei clenched her teeth at first on impulse, then looked confused. Kesshō tilted her head at the two of them as Hori nodded.

"So, didn't hurt, did it?" Hori asked.

"No…" Mei replied scratching her head.

"Her punch practically doesn't hurt, no strength whatsoever." Hori sighed, raising his hand to his face.

"How about teaching her that?" Mei suggested.

"No, she hasn't proven herself." Hori declined, looking at Kessho, contemplating what to do next. "You can't fight the normal way, you are too weak for that, I doubt you will be able to cut through even a rope with a sword. You will need to adopt a different approach, much different than the usual one."

Kesshō tilted her head, half-excited and half-confused.

"Use your opponents' strength against them, 'the bigger they are the harder they fall'. You are small and nimble, you can easily tire them out by dodging their attacks, even use your speed to increase the force behind attacks. Don't attack just anywhere, target pressure points, with your speed you will be able even paralyze your opponent completely before they realize what happened," Hori explained. "So, are you willing to submit yourself to hellish training?"

Kesshō nodded excitedly, paying no attention to the 'hellish' part.

"Great then, because you will be receiving that whether you like it or not," Hori informed.

He spent the entire evening testing Kesshō. Her movement speed, attack speed, precision, awareness of the surroundings, and resilience, all of which she proved to be much greater than any human in.

"Seems like you have what it takes." Hori mumbled after they were done.

Kesshō lay on the ground, completely tired. Her entire body ached and she felt like her limbs were made of lead, too heavy to even move. But it turned out well for her. Hori was impressed with her speed and precision. She was slower at running than a normal person, but she was quick at moving in a small distance. Even without her ears she was well aware of her surroundings much more than any human could ever be. Even when she was blindfolded she was able to dodge all attacks with ease. Her resilience was also quite good, despite her body already aching from her bōjutsu training she refused to go down even after being hit several times.

"Tomorrow, in Taijutsu, I will help you come up with a fighting style. In Kenjutsu however, you still have to continue what you did today." Hori informed as he walked towards the hall of the phoenix. Stopping at the door he turned to Kesshō. "Don't forget this, I am only doing this because I was requested to by a close friend." He slammed shut the shoji behind him.

"Don't take what he says to heart." Mei reassured kneeling beside Kesshō. "Let me help you get back to your room." Kesshō let Mei carry her back. Being part phoenix, she was very light even for her size. Mei would have been able to carry Kessho with just one finger with ease due to how light she was.

Despite everything, Kesshō was learning fast. She had gotten quite good at Kyojutsu already, she would be learning a fighting style that suited her in Taijutsu tomorrow, she was certain she would be able to learn Bōjutsu with enough practice, the only trouble remained with Kenjutsu. Unlike the others, there was nothing Kesshō could do to speed up the process.

From what she heard it usually took people months if not years just to 'become one with the sword'. There was nothing she could do for Kenjutsu until then, except seeing what the other students were doing, something she did very intently, observing their movements, learning them in her mind, understanding every little bit of it to be able to use them herself.