24. Qi Technique 2

Listening to Mitoka’s explanation that martial arts skills could now be learned through motion capture data, Shiro asked.

“So, exactly how does it work?”

“First, I’ll deactivate my physical manifestation. Then, based on the converted motion data, I’ll move your body for you. While that’s happening, focus on controlling your qi to envelop your entire form. Qi Cloak, right? Concentrate on your body’s movements during the process, so you can memorize them. By doing this, you can convert the captured motion data into a state where you can freely move it as your own,” Mitoka explained.

“Huh. So it’s kind of analog, huh.”

“Yes. A one-to-one mapping of the data is impossible, but with my intervention, conversion is possible. A little backdoor trick, really.”

She smiled slightly, a faintly smug expression on her face.

“Okay, let’s try it this way!”

First thought: I’ll need a weapon. Shiro scanned the nearby woods, picked out a suitable branch, and decided to use it. Sword techniques it would be, then. Mitoka said, “See you later,” and vanished…

『Shiro, I’m starting. Begin your Qi Cloak.』 The conversation resumed via telepathy.

“…Alright, ready,” Shiro replied.

『Then, we begin on three. One, two… three!』

At Mitoka’s call, his body moved on its own. Shiro tried his best to memorize the motions, keeping his Qi Cloak active. As he moved, he unconsciously thought: This is weird—my body moving without my will.

When the sequence ended, the sense of control slowly returned to his limbs.

“Huh… so this is what sword forms are like…? No way, this is way too long and complicated to memorize in one go,” Shiro thought, startled by the unexpectedly intricate sequence.

『Yes, we should just keep repeating it over and over.』 Mitoka replied, her tone completely unfazed.

They repeated the same motion about thirty times.

——『【Spirit Aura】Level 1 acquired』

——『【Swordsmanship】Level 1 acquired』

“Good, that worked out! Feels a bit drained…,” Shiro said, his face showing signs of fatigue.

『Yes! Success! Let’s keep this pace—next up, spear and staff techniques!』

Dragged along by Mitoka’s unusually high energy, Shiro and Mitoka continued repeating the motions, eventually acquiring their respective skills.

——『【Spear Technique】Level 1 acquired』

——『【Staff Technique】Level 1 acquired』

“Shiro, you did great,” Mitoka materialized beside him, speaking warmly.

“Yeah, you too, Mitoka. Thanks for the support… Hey, actually using it like this, ki arts really take a lot of focus, huh?”

“Possibly. Ki arts demand more precise control over power, after all.”

“True. I thought I understood that in theory, but actually doing it makes the difference real.”

Ki-based enhancement strengthens the entity’s functions—physical body resilience, neural reaction speed, and so on. That’s how it’s designed. But the “body” entity in reality is an extremely complex biological system, and consciously controlling its movements is near impossible. It’s something that normally takes years of training to develop.

“Also, sensory system upgrades and resistance acquisition—seems like those will have to be gained through practice, too?”

"Yeah," Mitoka said, giving Shiro a look that clearly said, *Just give up already.*

"Alright, about increasing maximum stamina—so it's only about recovery from near-exhaustion, right?" Shiro asked.

"Yes, exactly. While active, keep pushing through full-force swings and martial drills until you're on the brink—stop when you hit two percent left," Mitoka said.

"Got it. I'll give it a shot. Let me know when it hits two percent," Shiro told her, wrapping himself in his stamina cloak and beginning swings and forms with full intensity.

After about thirty minutes, Mitoka called out, "That’s enough!"

Shiro collapsed instantly, sprawling flat on the ground.

"Ugh… that was rough."

Even as he groaned, exhausted, he checked his stamina.

Stamina: 4 / 189

"…Maybe a little better?"

"Shiro, it’s up two percent," Mitoka said.

They agreed to call it a day. After a quick dinner, Shiro headed straight to the bath and then turned in early.

＝＝Status Check＝＝

Shikawa Shiro, Human (?) Male, 17

Level: 17

Class: SA

Vitality: 100 / 1001

Magic: 100 / 143

Stamina: 100 / 189

Physical Attack: 429

Physical Defense: 429

Magic Attack: 1076

Magic Defense: 429

Dexterity: 590

Agility: 914

Luck: 100

Status: Super Healthy

Element: None

Title: [Disciple of the Goddess Firumia]

Plugin: [Basic Magic Spirit]

Unique Skill: [Idea] Level 1, [Instant Death Resistance] MAX Level, [Mitoka] Level 1

Skills: 【Magic】 Level 3, 【Mana Perception】 Level 3, 【Mana Manipulation】 Level 3, 【Hyper Memory】 Level 4, 【Concept Language】, 【Materialization】 Level 2, 【Scouting】 Level 1, 【Identification】 Level 1, 【Inventory】 Level 1, 【Invisibility】 MAX Level, 【Stealth】 MAX Level, 【Mana Control】 Level 1, 【Earth Magic】 Level 1, 【Water Magic】 Level 1, 【Ice Magic】 Level 1, 【Wind Magic】 Level 1, 【Fire Magic】 Level 1, 【Thunder Magic】 Level 1, 【Barrier】 Level 1, 【Intuition】 Level 1, 【Premonition】 Level 1, 【Three-Dimensional Mobility】 Level 1, 【Alchemy】 Level 1, 【Shaping】 Level 1, 【Precision Mana Manipulation】 Level 1, 【Manifestation】 Level 1, 【Heating】 Level 1, 【Qi Skill】 Level 1, 【Spirit Aura Perception】 Level 1, 【Spirit Aura Manipulation】 Level 1, 【Body Enhancement】 Level 1, 【Body Control】 Level 1, 【Combat Arts】 Level 1, 【Spirit Aura】 Level 1, 【Swordsmanship】 Level 1, 【Polearm Combat】 Level 1, 【Staff Combat】 Level 1

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