Chapter 227: Smoldering Through Seven Bouts From 6th Kyu to 1st Dan

Author's Preface
This is functionally one chapter's worth of content, but I really wanted to split the titles, so it's a double update today.

A mannequin stands before me.

"..............."

Equipped with only the bare minimum AI, it is an incredibly cheap mannequin compared to the ones in ShanFro. Permitted to move and fight exclusively within this cyber world, it holds a bamboo sword in a middle guard stance.

"...Hah."

I lightly evaded its charge, striking the bamboo sword directly into its hand as we passed each other.

"...An S Rank evaluation."

A mannequin stands before me.

"..............."

Equipped with only the bare minimum AI, it is an incredibly cheap mannequin compared to the ones in ShanFro. Permitted to move and fight exclusively within this cyber world, it holds a bamboo sword in a high guard stance.

".........Hah."

I lightly evaded its charge, delivering a flashing strike to its torso as we passed each other.

"...An S Rank evaluation."

A mannequin stands before me.

"..............."

Equipped with only the bare minimum AI, it is an incredibly cheap mannequin compared to the ones in ShanFro. Permitted to move and fight exclusively within this cyber world, it holds a bamboo sword in a low guard stance.

"...Hah!"

I launched a thrust faster than its charge, slashing straight across its torso in a single flash.

"...An S Rank evaluation."

A mannequin stands before me.

"..............."

Equipped with only the bare minimum AI, it is an incredibly cheap mannequin compared to the ones in ShanFro. Permitted to move and fight exclusively within this cyber world, it holds a bamboo sword in a middle guard stance.

"............"

Faster than its charge, swifter than the swing it raised... a single strike that simply overwhelmed everything.

"............"

A mannequin stands before me.

"..............."

Equipped with only the bare minimum AI, it is an incredibly cheap mannequin compared to the ones in ShanFro. Permitted to move and fight exclusively within this cyber world, it holds a bamboo sword in a high guard stance.

"............"

I locked swords with its charge. No, that was merely an instant, far too short to even be considered a completed action. In the very next moment, the mannequin was struck squarely in the forehead and collapsed to the floor.

"............"

A mannequin stands before me.

"..............."

Equipped with only the bare minimum AI, it is an incredibly cheap mannequin compared to the ones in ShanFro. Permitted to move and fight exclusively within this cyber world, it holds a bamboo sword in a high guard stance.

"............"

I swept its torso, but the judgment did not fall. It seems my impatience dulled the tip of my sword. Feeling a slight tinge of regret at needing a second strike, there would be no third time's the charm.

"An A... Rank evaluation..."

A mannequin stands before me.

"..............."

Equipped with only the bare minimum AI, it is an incredibly cheap mannequin compared to the ones in ShanFro. Permitted to move and fight exclusively within this cyber world, it was, as expected, not an enemy fit for me.

It was a B Rank.

Author's Afterword
How incredibly boring it is to climb the known.

Drop the bow, drop the bow.