The sense that the sword was waiting to test him was somewhat unnerving. It reminded Ryo a little bit of the tower in the White Forest, of how it had judged him the entire time he was there. Only at least now he didn't feel as though he were being outright driven away.

He studied it for a moment. Gills would give him outright physical strength...but perhaps bringing out the big guns right away wasn't what the sword was looking for. He reached out and tried to pull it free.