"This is already your 198th loss! Just two more and you can hit the 200 losses mark."

     "You're my mentor. There's no way I can surpass you."

     "Don't say things like that. There are cases that students can even kill their mentors."

     "And I'm not one of them. Keep that in your mind, mentor."

     "I know. I know. But still, you seriously need to stop on thinking about that kind of negative thoughts."

     "There's no escaping it. I can't even perform a perfect combo everytime we spar."

     "That's because you don't believe in yourself. You should at least do it. Or maybe you need to find an inspiration."

     "There's no need for it. I already have one."

     "Oh? Is that the one who gave you that skull mask? But to think that you'll receive that kind of thing on your birthday. It was quite funny."

     "But I'm still thankful from the bottom of my heart. He said that the original present, which is a necklace, was being stolen because some things happened."

     "Then why skull mask? There are things that are far more better than it."

     "It's the first thing he saw after the incident. And because he's in a rush, he had no choice but to buy this."

     "I see. By the way, he's still incapable of fighting based on my assumptions."

     "Changing topic, huh?"

     "Of course. I don't even know if he can protect himself from danger. Just think of it as a corcern from your mentor."

     "That's why I want to learn swordsmanship so that I can protect him."

     "Isn't it the opposite? He was supposed to be the one to do it for you."

     "I don't care about it. I don't know what will I do if I lost him because of my weakness."

     "How amazing you are, aren't you? I'm sure that is a one-sided love because there's a rumor that he likes-"

     "I strongly suggest that you need to stop talking about that girl. Just hearing her name enrages me."

     "Ahahahaha."

     "Is there anything wrong to what I said?"

     "No. I just want to laugh. That's all."

     "If you're not my mentor, I would call you a disgusting person. Actually, you're more than that."

     "So you ended up saying it, huh?"

     "Because it is the truth and I have no intention to lie."

     "Okay. Enough of this. Let's continue on training. Let's polish more your two-handed grip."

     "I don't know if I can still do that, mentor. I mean, I'm okay with it. The only problems are my speed and footwork."

     "Hmm... If you want, I'll teach you another fighting style."

     "..."

     "I'll call it 'Double One-handed Grip'. It is my original style and I'll teach it to you if you're willing."

     "Can you please explain it to me?"

     "As the name suggests, you will only need one hand to hold your katana. But the difference is that the dominant hand will focus more on intensity of strikes while recessive hand is for your speed."

     "Isn't that kinda hard?"

     "Yes, it is. But once you've learned it, you can have a variety of other stances you can do. It will also widen your attack range since you can move freely."

     "I think I'll take up that offer. Then if you allow me, mentor. I want to learn it."

     "But I'll give you one condition. The training time will be doubled."

     "W-W-What?!"

     "That style is extremely hard to perfect. Don't think that it is easy because of its name. I'll properly train you so that you will be able to do it in no time."

     "You're not making fun of me, right?"

     "I want you, my sole apprentice, to know every techniques I have. I'll leave this place anytime sooner and I want you to at least stand on your own feet... and to help you with your dream."

     "I-I'll take up your words."

     "Quite motivated, aren't we?"

     "I'll do everything to protect him and if this the most efficient method I can have, then I'll gladly accept it."

     "You seriously fell in love with him. Ah. Look how nice to become a youth again."

     "There's no helping me. He's the one who changed my whole world. He taught me what it is to live again."

     "I can't believe you committed a suicide two years ago. Well, you have a dark past after all. But it is still not reasonable to end your own life."

     "Yes. I still remember the pain of committing a single sin that destroyed my future. The sin which I can never atoned for. A single event that made me shatter into countless pieces."

     "But you seriously did that, huh? In my 28 years of existence here, your past is the darkest one I've encountered."

     "I want to be forgiven for what I did. But I can't tell them now how sorry I was."

     "It's fi-"

     "Let's stop this conversation, mentor. I don't want my tears to fall during training."

     "Oh. I'm sorry for pressing further this topic."

     "It's okay, mentor. I'm the one who started it anyways."

     "If you want, let's start on training again."

     "I have one request before doing proceeding."

     "What is it?"

     "I want to wear my skull mask everytime we train. It makes me feel like he's with me."

     "If it will ease your mood, then you're free to do so. Just make sure it won't obstruct your vision."

     "I will. Thank you very much, mentor."

     "Then prepare yourself."