"Hmm?"
Ken was surprised Eula would ask him for help. With her personality, she rarely asked for favors.
"I want you to practice swordsmanship with me."
Eula was a little embarrassed—her request felt abrupt.
"Sword practice?" Not the path Ken had envisioned.
Eula explained, "I've been challenging Master Jean for years, but usually lose. I think I need a strong partner to train with, to break through my current limit."
"If it's pure swordsmanship, I might not be much help," Ken said honestly.
His elemental power was vast. Whether it was full-constellation Lisa, full-constellation Klee, or Qiqi, none were to be underestimated. But among those powers, none excelled in pure sword technique. Even though Qiqi used a sword, her technique channeled elemental power. Without using elements, compared to a diligent sword devotee like Eula, he'd still come up short.
"You can use a little elemental power."
Eula knew Ken's elements were too strong; she wouldn't ask him to go all-out. A little should be fine for sharpening herself, right?
"Alright, let's go to the garden."
Ken pulled out the Abyssal Chains from the system, then, under Eula's skeptical stare, put it away and pulled an unremarkable 1-star iron sword.
After setting a barrier around the garden to avoid being seen, Ken and Eula began their bout.
Compared to Qiqi's technique, Eula's broad, flowing swordwork was elegant as dance in sunlight, her noble bearing radiant and lofty, fusing swordplay with a unique aura, making it beautiful and awe-inspiring.
"Fusion with the Dance of Sacrifice, huh?"
Ken felt the difference in pure swordsmanship. Thanks to his many abilities, his physique surpassed that of a mere Vision holder, so even without elements he was at ease. But if physique were equal, Qiqi's swordsmanship would indeed be inferior to Eula's.
"Your speed is very fast."
When Ken had her arms wrapped from behind, guiding her hands, Eula panted and sighed. Even facing Jean, she wasn't this taxed. It wasn't that Ken's technique was superior; his speed was. Purely a difference in physique.
In all martial arts, speed conquers.
After about half an hour, Eula leaned on her sword, breathing hard, a rosy flush on her cool face.
"If your swordwork were a little more graceful, it would be perfect."
Eula was exacting in swordsmanship. She could tell Ken's technique was solid, with a very particular way of wielding—but unlike Mondstadt's elegant style.
Ken raised a brow. "Mm?"
"For example, that move just now," Eula said after catching her breath. She moved behind him and took his arms from behind. "If you put your strength in like this on the slash, it'll be more graceful."
As Eula moved, Ken suddenly felt a softness against his back. The soft sensation sent a little tingle through him; he drifted, not hearing her instruction at all.
"Hmm? Ken, you still don't get it?"
"Seems Mr. Ken is a prodigy in other areas, but in swordsmanship… a few small shortcomings…"
"Still haven't grasped the essence?"
Eula rose on tiptoe, holding Ken's hands and repeatedly demonstrating. Seeing he still hadn't "got it," she was puzzled. Shouldn't someone as capable as Ken grasp swordsmanship even faster than most?
Just as Eula wondered, she felt a dull ache in her bossom. Looking at their posture, her cheeks flushed red in an instant.
"Ken, you…"
She let go and moved to face him. Seeing the slight look of enjoyment in his eyes, she immediately understood why he'd missed the point. It wasn't that he couldn't learn—he hadn't been listening. Or… was he taking advantage of her on purpose?
Eula bristled. "Was that deliberate?"
"No," Ken sheathed the sword, raising a brow. "I just didn't want to dampen your enthusiasm. Eula, your swordsmanship is truly exquisite and noble—but what does swordsmanship mean to you?"
The question startled Eula. What did it mean to her? She'd never really thought about it—she just chased strength.
"To me, swordsmanship means winning," Ken said with a smile. "If it wins, it doesn't matter whether the form is pretty or not."
Qiqi's technique, while not as elegant as Eula's, was still fluid and dashing. Ken looked less elegant simply because, suppressing his elements, he relied on speed to limit Eula—beauty naturally suffered.
That said, Eula's technique fused perfectly with her Dance of Sacrifice. Both beautiful and powerful.
"I see… Then why didn't you say so earlier? My chest hurt so much—another grudge I'll remember!"
Eula blurted it out, then blushed.
Ken didn't mind, and praised instead: "Your swordwork is so noble and elegant—thanks to the Dance of Sacrifice, right?"
"Mm, yes… it's the old aristocracy's cherished dance," Eula set her greatsword aside, a self-mocking look in her eyes. "Want to see it?"
"Here?"
"Why not? To many, the Dance of Sacrifice is the soul of the old aristocracy. To me, it's just a pastime when I'm tired," Eula resumed her usual calm, her gaze a little lonely.
The noble Dance of Sacrifice was once a ritual to proclaim aristocratic prestige. Called the crystallization of the soul, the brightest jewel at the pinnacle of power.
Even before the old aristocracy's bloody rule over Mondstadt, the great houses had crafted this symbol of nobility together. The Lawrence family's third-movement solo, "Flickering Candlelight," was the heart of the dance. The dancer had to be of high standing, usually the family's eldest daughter.
The ancient ritual had persisted. Even after the old aristocracy fell, House Lawrence kept the tradition.
Eula trained in it from childhood. Even if her toes bled, the family saw it as a mere sparkle of glory. Compared to suffocating courses, the dance was relatively easy for her—indeed, her only pastime in childhood. Whenever she had rare rest, she'd dance to relax.
After she became the Spindrift Knight of the Knights of Favonius, people believed Eula had nothing to do with art. Yet the artistry of dance—the ineffable rhythm and grace—flowed through her swordplay.
In the breeze of the afternoon, Eula danced lightly in the garden. Unique and noble, like a spirit dancing under the moon on a snowy mountain—distant, perfect, and untouchable.
Even Ken was captivated by the dance. Stripped of the negative aura assigned by nobles, the pure dance was truly elegant and grand.
"No wonder your swordwork is so graceful. I didn't expect your dancing to be this good."
When the piece ended, Ken praised sincerely.
Seeing appreciation and rapture in his eyes, Eula's lips curved. "It's one of my few ways to unwind. But dancing it on Blue Star—will it cause you trouble?"
Thinking she'd be living here for a while, Eula asked quickly.
Ken shook his head. "Not at all. Blue Star has plenty of dance—you'll see. But if you're going to live here, it's better to switch to local clothes."
At that, Eula remembered the embarrassment last time she wore Blue Star clothes. She bit her lip lightly. "Blue Star clothes… don't have chest bindings?"
The white shirt last time was comfortable, but without a binder, her breast bounced around and… might peek out. Very awkward.
"They do… I'll go buy you some."
Ken's mouth twitched. He'd prepared lots of clothes for the girls, but had overlooked this.
"Thanks." Eula felt a bit embarrassed. She hadn't wanted to ask, but since she'd be staying to rest and reflect, it was better to bring it up—to be comfortable.
Ken fetched a tape measure and coughed. "Uh… I need measurements."
Eula: "…"
She silently turned around, offering him her back.
Seeing this, Ken understood. He stepped behind her and looped the tape around her in a gentle embrace.
Feeling the tape's pressure, Eula's fair cheeks reddened deeper. When Ken finished, she hurried aside, back still to him. "D-done?"
"Done. Wait here; I'll be quick." Ken glanced at the numbers, inwardly impressed.
No wonder it's Eula… truly well-hidden.
…
Ken drove to a nearby mall. Under the clerk's slightly surprised gaze, he picked several full sets of 36D lingerie.
He considered himself worldly, but this was his first time buying women's underwear. The clerk's peculiar, teasing smile made his scalp tingle. Some boyfriends shopping with their girlfriends eyed him—some envious, some… meaningful. Thank goodness for the mask, or it would've been worse.
"Masks are one of humanity's greatest inventions," Ken muttered, practically speeding home.
Eula was figuring out the phone. Seeing Ken return, the calm she'd just regained fluttered again.
"Know how to wear them?" Ken handed her the bag.
Eula glanced at the styles and colors; her face went crimson. "Shouldn't be hard… yes, I can. I'll go change."
It wasn't that she was impatient—she wanted to stroll around and get familiar with the area. As Ken said, her armor would probably be seen as strange clothes here. Just… she didn't expect Ken to like that style.
She dressed carefully, then found the outfit Ken had prepared last time. After putting everything on, she checked the mirror.
A black camisole with leather shorts, over-the-knee black stockings, and sneakers. Different from her usual style, but not jarring. The only thing that felt odd…
Blue Star bras differed from Mondstadt's binders. Instead of reducing, they enhanced.
"Whew…"
Taking a deep breath, Eula stepped out.
She'd felt okay until she caught Ken's gaze. Then she felt shy, crossing her arms to press down her breast. "Is it… is it weird?"
"Not weird. You'll get used to—"
He was cut off by a shout: "What are you two doing?!"
Ken: "…"
He'd already sensed another guest the moment Eula asked. He didn't expect her to arrive so fast. Hu Tao leapt out of the vortex gate, plum-blossom eyes flicking from Ken to Eula, finally landing on Eula's strange posture and the mountains under her crossed arms.
She's a high peak too?!
That was Hu Tao's first thought. Though Ken had soothed her sweetly yesterday, today she arrived on Blue Star to see this majestic Eula—and the mood here was… suspicious. Hu Tao felt a twinge of sourness. "What are you doing?"
…