Mizu also has only just arrived in Folkmore, only been in this library. That puts them both on equal footing. Except Mizu hasn't been spying on anyone. Point of note, Mizu would consider doing so if it gained her anything. She doesn't think it would. That does nothing to her issues with being spied upon, which may be more about how observant she was being than anything else.

The sword from the book feels decent enough. Mizu hasn't inspected it for quality, though the fact it isn't one of Master Eiji's swords means it won't be one she cares for as much as his. The swordfather makes the best swords, and swordsmen from nearly all the fighting styles in Japan have sought him out for a blade. It is, however, one more sword than Mizu arrived with, one more weapon. The only weapon on her person when the fox arrived was one she obtained by being stabbed. No personal attachments.

"I did, and I did," Mizu answers both questions. "Someone who possesses a weapon usually finds a need to use it." There's no point to carry a weapon around without a willingness to use it. Mizu has no use for the weapons nobles carry around for looks alone. Even the shogun carried a sword to use it if the time came. Of course, plenty of people without weapons could have used them, but without training, they only do so much good.