Inheritor

Urk!

...

...Well done. Well done indeed.

Li Shuwen, you have pushed your Bajiquan to heights never before seen.

I suspect there is no other martial artist in the landno, the entire world, who can match you now.

...No, I suppose there isn't.

Which only makes it all the more tragic.

Your skills have reached a level of perfection far beyond what anyone else is capable of.

But eventually, whether it be ten or twenty years from now, you will be gone, and your skills will be lost forever.

Ahh, what a tragedy. What a waste.

Death comes for all living things eventually. We cannot avoid it.

I know. I know that. But even so, I can't help but grieve the loss I know is coming.

Oh, Li Shuwen, my good man. If only there was even a single warrior to whom you could pass your skills...

...Huh? Isn't that

... ...

Oh man...this is tough!

？！

Good morning, Senpai, Li Shuwen, and Mandricardo.

May I ask what you're all doing out here this early?

I noticed you're all in the squat position, but holding your hands out... Is there a reason for that?

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I see. Is this part of your regimen, Li Shuwen?

It is.

I understand this body does not grow weaker with time...

...but I cannot seem to shake my habit of training daily as I did in life.

Besides, while my body may not grow weak, neglecting my training will still have a deleterious effect on my spirit.

And the spirit must be clear and focused for one to perform at one's best.

I'm just an old man who knows nothing about magecraft, after all. Were my skills to lose their edge, I wouldn't be of any help to anyone, now would I?

Don't be silly. You're being much too modest.

You know, I think I may have read about this training regimen before.

It's a fundamental exercise in just about all Chinese martial arts, right? Zhan Zhuang, or Standing Meditation, I think it's called?

I remember reading that it involves bending your knees so your thighs are almost parallel with the ground while keeping your back as straight as a stake planted in the earth...

...and that it's much more strenuous than it looks.

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T-true, that is an awful lot of sweat. You are staying properly hydrated, right?

At first, it was just me doing my daily routine.

But at some pointI can no longer remember how long ago

I noticed Master had joined me, and was trying to copy my routine.

Wow, that's great, Senpai! I think it's wonderful that you're taking that kind of initiative!

Oh, is that why you're here too, Mandricardo?

Hnggghhh...!

O-oh, wow, you're really, um, in the zone now, aren't you? I'll just leave you to it then...

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Graaaaaah...!

(I'm still technically a hero, so I thought a little exercise would be a piece of cake...)

(...but doing it without any magical energy support AND extra weights to handicap me turned out to be insanely hard!)

(Still, it did get me fantasizing for a moment...)

(...about how cool it'd be if this training got me to a point where I could pull off some sweet kung fu moves...)

(Gaah! Dammit, I shouldn't be thinking things like that! Don't be so stupid! Such an idiot!)

(Also, is it just me, or did my legs just get even heavieeer!?)

You aren't bending your knees enough, so you're standing up too much, Mandricardo.

You're supposed to be in the horse stance right now.

Do you usually ride a horse standing up?

Huh!? Uh, no, of course not

Wait! Yes, that's EXACTLY how you ride a horse!

Hopefully that will teach you to mind your manners next time.

Yes, sir! Won't happen again, sir! ...Wh-whoa! Aah!

Mandricardo!

？！

...Yeah, I'm okay.

Aside from not being able to stand up straight 'cause my thighs are burning like a four-alarm fire...

Th-that doesn't sound very okay at all...

Oh, he'll be fine. At least until tomorrow.

Still... Hmm, I didn't realize it was already so late.

Normally, we would move on to Zhen Jiao here, but unfortunately, I've been banned from practicing it within Chaldea's facilities.

Zhen Jiao... That's a special Bajiquan stepping technique that focuses on taking slow, powerful steps, right? Why can't you practice it here?

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I, uh, I see...

Th-then, does that mean we're done for the day?

Hardly. We'll just have to move to the simulator. We can practice as hard as we like there.

Gaah!

Oh! There you are, Mommy! We finally found you!

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One of the staff was looking for you. Said they wanted to talk to you about something.

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Hmm...

Why don't we call it a day then? I shouldn't keep you from your duties.

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Oh man, that was rough. I don't know if I can even take another step.

... ...Hmm.

Do you two have some time to spare tomorrow? I'd like to try something a little different.

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S-something different, huh? Okay, I guess. ...Is it gonna be even harder than what we did today?

Hahaha. Don't worry about that.

In fact, if you manage to pass this new exercise with flying colors, you'll never have to train with me again.

Whoa!

？！

Kaka. Relax. You'll be fine.

All right then, I'll see you both at the simulator this time tomorrow.

Got it!

There you have it.

A five-story pagoda.

？！

Since I have to use the simulator to practice my Zhen Jiao anyway...

...I thought we may as well use it to try some more...effective regimens.

And so...

Huh? You're gonna use the simulator for kung fu training!?

Then you've gotta do the thing!

Yup! The five-story pagoda thing!

Indeed. In a five-storied pagoda, the playerI mean, martial artist, must defeat powerful opponents on every floor as they make their way to the top.

By the time they defeat the opponent on the top floor, they will have grown in skill and power!

Oh, and if you can find a damsel in distress on the top floor, that would be even better.

Sounds good to me! I'll be the damsel!

...I decided to seek expert advice.

Facing different challenges on each floor should be an excellent way to focus on different aspects of your training. It sounded like fun, so I decided to try it.

Basic training is still crucial, of course, but the only true path to perfecting one's technique lies in combat.

I did leave out the damsel on the top floor though, as I saw no point in it.

Oh, it doesn't matter where an idea comes from. The execution is what is important.

Why yes, they did. I'm impressed you figured that out, Master. Did you use some kind of skill to do that?

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Sure is an imposing looking place...

Oh well, we've already come this far. Let's do this, Master!

Come on then, let's go in.

Hmm. Looks pretty normal on the inside.

？！

What's up?

？！

I'm impressed you noticed, Master. That's exactly how I had it arranged.

Being able to accurately assess a battlefield's layout is the first step for any warrior, and is even more important for a commander like yourself.

Always remember, there will be times it is your observations that provide the key to victory.

Good.

Now then, let's get started. Here comes your opponent for the first floor.

Hrah!

Aah! What the hell!? Where'd he come from!?

Hiyaaah!

Gah! What the hell, dude!?

？！

A true warrior must be ready for battle at all times. Remember, it is not only the truly evil who employ surprise attacks.

That said, you did well to dodge it.

Now, I want you two to defeat him on your own. I will not be stepping in to help.

Be conscious of your breathing and your gait.

Let the fundamentals you've been practicing flow into your movements.

Fundamentals!? But we haven't even learned a single move!

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Whoa, you're really fired up about this, aren't you, Master!?O-okay! I'll give it a shot!

Hraaah!

...!

(Huff... Gasp...)

...Huh? What was that just now?

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Yeah. It's hard to explain, but it felt like...it was weirdly easy for me to read his every move...

...All right, on to the next floor. Remember, your training has still only just begun.

Here we are. And, it seems your next opponent is already here.

Ha!!!

Well that doesn't seem so bad. It's just the same kind of guy as befo

Uh... Is there s'posed to be that many of them?

Your challenge for the second floor is to defeat multiple opponents.

Pay attention to both their movements and yours. Remember, no matter how many foes you face at a time, they will not all attack you at once.

Even if you find yourself surrounded, that is only four opponents at the most. If you keep a wall against your back, you need only worry about three.

And from there, all you need to do is "rinse and repeat" as they say today.

Oh, yeah... I know what you mean. It's a sound strategy on paper.

Which is to say...way easier said than done!

Well, let's just see what happens, shall we?

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Ugh, dammit... All right, fine! Let's do this thing!

(Huff... Huff...) Oh man, this is tough...

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It's all thanks to your orders, Master... I dunno what I would've done without 'em...

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That's enough. Come on. Your next opponent is already here.

There you are. I've been waiting for you.

As you've probably guessed, I, humble Prince of Lan Ling, will be your next opponent.

Prince of Lan Ling next, huh. Got it.

Wait. How's that follow!?

How're we supposed to even survive against one of China's strongest Servants, let alone beat him!?

(Sure, we both ride horses, but other than that we couldn't be more different! I'm sure people say we're night and day! Chalk and cheese! Mandricardo and Prince of Lan Ling!)

(Okay, I guess nobody ACTUALLY uses our names like that, but it feels like they could, dammit!)

I asked Prince of Lan Ling here to help make the third floor more of a challenge, as his mastery of the sword is a fine martial art in its own right.

Be sure to focus even more closely on your opponent's breathing.

This should be a good training opportunity for me as well.

That said, I hope you haven't forgotten the compensation I requested, Lord Li Shuwen.

Not to worry. I remember.

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Oh, yes, well...

In exchange for my help, I asked if he would be willing to issue a few special full-body massage vouchers...

Massage? What for? You got stiff shoulders or something?

Oh, um, no, they're not for me...

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...Thank you for being so understanding, Master.

At any rate, it's time I do what I came here to do!

En garde!

Hyaaah!

It would seem the match is over. Well done!

Thank you both for showing me the full extent of your abilities.

That is all for my trial. Please, go on ahead to the next floor.

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'Preciate it!

Not at all. This was a great deal of fun.

Good luck with your next trial.

？！

I dunno...but I've got a real bad feeling about it.

I mean, the Prince of Lan Ling's already one of the most skilled fighters around.

So whoever Li Shuwen would choose for the guy after him would have to be

Ah, there you are.

A bona fide swordmaster!!!

I mean, what're you even doing here? You really don't seem the sort to do this kinda thing.

You after some massage vouchers too? Man, if his massages are that amazing, maybe I should ask him for one myself...

I have no need for a chiropractor. I was merely looking for new sparring opponents when a fellow tea enthusiast invited me to take part in training.

It was truly fortuitous, as though a ship I planned to board arrived at the dock at just the same time that I did.

Yeah? That's funny. For me, it feels like the ship I was on just hit an iceberg...

This new opponent may also wield a sword, but he fights very differently from the last one.

The Prince of Lan Ling's swordplay emphasizes graceful, dancelike movements, while Tajima-no-kami's emphasizes stillness followed by lightning-quick strikes.

Focus your mind.

Watch him closely to see when he is about to strike, and look for the right time to step in.

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Heh. I may not be able to teach my sword style here, but I can certainly allow others to practice on me.

Come at me however you like. I look forward to seeing how Lord Shuwen's students have grown.

I'm dead!!! I mean, not quite dead yet, but pretty close!

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Hey, Master? My head IS still attached to my neck, right?

Tajima-no-kami's swordplay was so damn quick I wouldn't put it past him to slice my head clean off before I even noticed.

Well, here we are: the final floor. Well done, making it this far.

If you can defeat this floor's guardian, you will have passed your trial with flying colors.

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Hey, yeah, it's totally empty. Maybe they left 'cause we took too long to get here?

I don't s'pose that means we win by default, does it?

Don't be ridiculous. Your opponent stands before you.

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Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit.

I am Li Shuwen, of the Bajiquan school. I shall face you, and I won't hold back!

Once again, remember your training, and show me everything you've got!

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You've gotta be kidding meeeeee!

...Hmm.

It may be a bit clumsy, but it seems you've found a style of movement that suits you. As for you, Master, your form was excellent.

While there's certainly room for improvement, this should do for the time being.

As promised, you are both released from daily training.

Be sure that you remember your breathing and footwork, though.

...

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Oh... I was just thinking about how much I learned from all this.

I think I'm gonna go back down and talk to the Prince of Lan Ling and Tajima for a bit. I owe them another thank-you, anyway.

See you guys later!

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All right, I suppose I'd better get back too... Hm?

Something on your mind?

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I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about...

Ah, but it seems I cannot put anything past you, Master. You have a truly impressive eye.

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Oh, I wouldn't say that. Trying your hand against other styles of martial arts is a perfectly valid way to train.

Still, I suppose there was another purpose.

This method really helped you to tell how much progress you've made, didn't it?

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Hardly. You give me too much credit.

Still... I'm well aware that training is a long and arduous process. I know that pain and distress have a way of clouding one's perceptions.

That's why it's important to take a step back every now and then to see how far you've truly come.

Then again, when I was alive, I might have just written you off as weak and washed my hands of you both.

If this should lead to you abandoning your training, then so be it.

I will always welcome those who come, but I will not pursue those who leave.

Besides, there would be little point in forcing my teachings down the throat of one with no desire to learn them.

So I think now is a good time to put a period on it, as they say.

Now then, I really should be getting back.

I'm sure you have a lot on your plate right now, so from tomorrow on, you may do as you like.

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Yes?

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...Heh.

If that is what you want...you are, of course, free to choose it as well.

Oh! Isn't that...?

... ...

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Good morning, Senpai, Li Shuwen. I see you're at it again today.

...And I see you have a lot more people joining you, too.

So we just have to stay like that?

We can do that. It's fun doing this with Mommy!

Gah! I knew I should've turned down that invitation!

I think I'd even take Chiron's school over this... No, wait...I'm actually not sure which is worse!

Dammit! I gotta think of some urgent business to get me out of this! Come on, brain!

So you have Jack... Jason... And

Well, you know, now that I've come this far, I thought I might as well stick around and murder my legs along with everyone else.

Can't say I'm not hella regretting that choice now, though...

Seriously, what'm I even doing here? I actually got a passing grade yesterday...

But then, I got so excited about passing that I thought I might as well keep at it...

Oh man, my legs are burning even more now than yesterday. All those battles definitely made things worse...

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Nope! I can't! I'm out! I've been way past my limit since yesterday!

Hahahaha! Let this be a lesson to you, Mandricardo.

Really tough teachers are deadly serious when they say they demand one hundred and twenty percent!

Then they have the gall to call THAT your true limit! Damn if they're not experts at pushing you to that point, too!

Why couldn't you have told me this sooner!?

Heh.

I'm not worried about that.

Oh?

My Bajiquan is not reserved solely for my descendants.

All it requires is strength of will and the commitment to train relentlessly.

As long as even one person possesses such traits, my Bajiquan will never die.

I already have a number of promising disciples...

And lately, I've even begun teaching the neighborhood children.

Really? You, the man they once called "Wolf" in his youth?

Indeed. Seeing the new generation inherit my principles, even if only a little at a time...

...has been quite rewarding.

Hmm, you aren't bending your knees enough again. Here.

Gaaaaaah!

Me toooooo!?

Heh. I'm feeling good today. Let's keep going. I still have plenty more in store for you.