14 Interlude - Instantaneous Notoriety

Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction based on multiple existing anime/manga series. The characters and settings used in this story belong to their respective owners and creators, and no copyright infringement is intended. This story is purely for entertainment purposes and is not intended to infringe upon any existing intellectual property. I do not own any of the original works that inspired this fanfiction, and I fully support the original creators and their works.

-Story Start-

-Third Person POV-

Midday in the Holy Land of Swords felt frigid, with the weak sun offering little warmth. The resilient locals had long adjusted to these conditions, their daily routines and rituals unaffected by the chilly weather.

At the Main Sword God Dojo's Living Quarters, Alistair stood before a door.

He knocked rhythmically as he called out, "Relna! You there? It's Alistair!"

He heard steady footsteps echoing louder and louder as they approached the door, leading to it being opened revealing before him a tidy room and a rather exhausted Beast Race Woman, "What is it nya~?" she mumbled, her voice heavy with exhaustion as she sighed, her eyes half-closed.

Alistair's expression shifted to one of apology, upon noticing Relna's sleepy condition, "Oh... Sorry, I was just about to go visit Gojo and see how he was doing. Eris had rejected the invitation, but still, I thought it prudent to ask you as well!"

At the mere mention of "Gojo," Relna's drowsy demeanor instantly transformed into an alert one as she vehemently replied, "No way nya! I've had enough of him from yesterday when he was here!"

Alistair considered her words, "Yesterday? Oh... So you must be the one behind that recent rumor of his."

Relna deadpanned, "Which rumor? There are too many! Ah... He's been here for only 4 days and he's already notorious nya..."

Alistair answered her honestly, "The most recent one: "Gojo Satoru Is A Shameless Home Invader", or so they say." He shook his head with a mix of amusement, exasperation, and helplessness.

Relna's eyes lit up in an undecipherable emotion, "Yeah... I'm behind that one nya."

A grimace took hold of her face as she recalled that recent and most unpleasant memory to Alistair.

-Flashback Start-

At the level of Sword Saint and above the difference in performance and power between each rank is overwhelming.

Yet, the actual skill level isn't all too different.

There are no new techniques beyond the Longsword Of Light which is a Saint Ranked Sword God Technique.

If that is so, why is there such a great difference in power and performance between a Sword Saint and a Sword King, not to mention the Sword Emperors and the Sword God?

The answer is... Fundamentals.

A Sword King's slash is more refined, faster, and stronger in contrast to a Sword Saint's slash.

At that level, it becomes an art.

Refined through thousands of hours of sheer and unfiltered hard work, practice and discipline.

As such, from Sword Saint level and above the only way to improve is...

Sparing and refining the existing Sword Techniques through fundamentals.

Is your stance perfect?

Is the level of power you exert in each muscle as you swing your sword perfect?

The small and seemingly insignificant nuances - Ultimately stack up on top of each other and create all the difference.

This is what the current generation's Sword God, Gal Farion, preaches.

He believes that the path to achieving swordsmanship worthy of his title is through a logical and methodical approach. To achieve beyond that level of skill though... Would require something beyond Logic.

Regardless, this was also the reason why, in a species with a relatively short lifespan, achieving the rank of Sword King or higher was only feasible for those blessed with exceptional talent.

Any less, and they would peak at Sword Saint.

Thus, it was a crisp afternoon, and Relna had just finished her grueling practice session, honing her sword skills for hours on end, focusing on the fundamentals.

Slowly but surely, inch by inch, millimeter by millimeter the sword art was sharper, faster, and more accurate.

Repeated and soul-crushing neverending sword swings...

All in the hopes of eventually reaching Sword King.

Whether it takes 5-10 years is inconsequential.

...Her more pessimistic side argues she lacks the talent to ever reach that level but she carries on with that self-limiting belief nonetheless.

Sweating and completely exhausted she wipes herself off with a towel and makes her way towards her room.

In a lazy and unhygienic fashion, she thought, 'Too tired... I'll wash when I wake up.' 

Arriving in front of her unassuming room she took out her key and opened the door with a creak.

In a possessed manner, she slowly walked towards her bed.

Completely disregarding a stranger currently munching on a skewer on her small sofa.

Her eyes saw the White Haired rascal, but her mind didn't register anything - She was way too tired for this.

Promptly, she laid down on her comfy bed, letting loose a moan of pure satisfaction, "Sleep time nya~"

Closing her eyes, she allowed herself to drift into a comfortable and pleasant sleep.

Dreaming of fish, milk, and White-Haired Adolescents...

Wait a minute...

'WHITE HAIRED ADOLESCENTS?!' Her eyes shot open as she jumped onto her feet, and she glared at the sofa occupying White-Haired "Civilized" Baboon.

Relna, her eyes fixed onto the casual and nonchalant Satoru leisurely sitting on her sofa - His appearance much more pleasant, no longer half naked.

Whether he was an acquaintance or a past companion does not excuse him from this crime.

Before Relna could utter her outrage at the uninvited guest, his voice took charge.

With a mischievous and gleeful expression, Satoru declared, "You promised me some local sweets~!"

Relna's eyes widened in pure terror, "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" She screamed more at herself really.

The lesson learned that day was never to make promises to Gojo Satoru, a rule Relna swore by from then on.

The other side effect of this pleasant encounter was the birth of the most recent rumor.

-Flashback End-

Alistair listened to Relna's retelling with a stoic expression, which turned sympathetic as she ended it, "Ah, that does sound like something he'd do. Did you actually go and buy him sweets though?"

Relna rolled her eyes, "Yes nya. I had no choice, I dragged him quickly to the marketplace and bought him some Frostberry Honey Tarts, which managed to pacify him somewhat. Write that down as a weakness by the way nya." She nodded as her eyes narrowed at a possible weakness to Gojo Satoru.

With a short laughter, Alistair added, "You know, he's apparently working at the Sword Maiden's Inn as a Waiter, so I'm visiting him there."

Relna tilted her head, "Yeah, the girls made quick work of finding the rumored "White Haired Shades Wearing Man" who did our job, he's not exactly hard to find nya... When asked for his name, he gladly introduced himself and... Posed. The girls who found him attractive were skeptical to approach him since Eris was his "Lover", Though some approached regardless, only to be rejected by him saying... "I'm sullied~! I'm claimed~!"" Relna imitated mockingly.

Alistair hummed, "I see... Are you sure you don't want to join me?"

Relna's expression was all Alistair had to see to be certain of her response.

"Alright, sorry for disturbing your rest. Should I pass on your regards to him?" Alistair conceded as he prepared to leave.

Relna's expression was all Alistair had to see to be certain of her response. Again.

Alistair couldn't help but chuckle at her mood.

He turned and waved goodbye, making his way towards the Sword Maiden's Inn, curious about the rumors surrounding Satoru.

"Gojo Satoru Is Eris Greyrat's Passionate, Strongest And Handsomest Lover" - Source: Gojo Satoru, Eris Denies This.

"Gojo Satoru Was Ravaged Violently Many Times By Eris Greyrat" - Source: Gojo Satoru, Eris Does Not Deny This.

"Gojo Satoru Is A Dragon Slayer" - Source: Relna and Alistair.

"Gojo Satoru Is A Hot Spring Pervert" - Source: Nina Farion.

"Gojo Satoru Is A Hot Waiter" - Source: Sword God Gals?

"Gojo Satoru Is An Amazing Wind Mage" - Source: Sword Maiden's Clientele

"Gojo Satoru Is A Shameless Home Invader" - Source: Relna

And that might not be all of them!

-Scene Change-

Walking downhill and tracing the road, Alistair reached the Sword Maiden's Inn after a short stroll.

As he neared the sizable entrance, he couldn't help but notice that the place was buzzing with life, especially for midday. He could tell from the sounds coming from inside, mostly female voices.

Alistair had a knack for spotting potentially awkward situations, and this seemed like one of those.

More likely than not, it was somehow Satoru's doing.

'...Maybe I should make a strategic retreat and return later,' Alistair pondered.

To Be Continued!

-Author Note Start-

Yo everyone!

Here's the newest chapter - This one's criminally short, I know. It's in the specified 1k-3k word length so don't complain!

Nevertheless, I hope it was to your enjoyment!

But I had a bit of time and I wanted to write this as an interlude towards a pretty thicc and plot-relevant chapter that will follow this one.

It'll involve Waiter Gojo for a little and then it'll go into... Spoilers!

It'll be the largest chapter thus far.

4000-5000 words in that area as I want to cover a couple of stuff in a single chapter to maintain flow.

I'll try to finish up the big boy chapter soon - I didn't want to divide it into two chapters so this was the result.

Anyways! Most importantly! Did I portray Teen Gojo well in this chapter? I'd appreciate feedback on this on each chapter! As this is the most critical part of the fic! Woohoo! Feedback! Yes! Although there wasn't much of that in this chapter, but heh.

Have a nice day!

-Author Note End-