Chapter 1011 - Signs of Fruition
──────…
────…
──…
And just like that, a seemingly infinite amount of time passed by in a flash. That was business as usual.
The fourth day… In other words, the evening of the final day of the Starry Paradise event.
◇You have learned an Art◇
Three nights and four days of intensive training came to a close, having successfully borne fruit.
"Whew…"
I let out a breath and sheathed my sword.
The [Samidorizuki], now a perfect extension of my own limbs, slid into its scabbard without the slightest unnecessary scrape. The clear ring it made was strangely pleasant.
And then,
"…Haaah… Ghaaaah…!"
An exhaustion that went far beyond 'pleasant.'
My knees buckled on their own, and I collapsed onto the plains with no time to catch myself. It was only when I felt the chill of the wind on my cheek that I realized I was drenched in virtual sweat.
Proof that I'd been focused, I suppose. Just then—
"Haru…?"
"I'm fine. Just… completely and utterly wiped out…"
Lying on my back, my view of the sky—where the earth floated in the far distance—was blocked by the sudden appearance of a beautiful girl. She should have been training nonstop with Kanata herself, but unlike me, there wasn't a single bead of sweat on my partner's lovely face.
I assured her faintly worried voice that I was okay, then glanced to the side and let out a half-laugh. In place of Sora, the figure of a boy lay collapsed on the ground, on the verge of death. I offered him a silent prayer, feeling a sense of camaraderie.
In terms of absolute stamina, Kanata was definitely superior to Sora right now, but given the nature of their training… well, it was no surprise their respective levels of exhaustion were incomparable.
Since I'd been completely absorbed in my own training, I didn't know the exact results of theirs… but I suppose there was no need to check.
Two serious people training until one of them collapsed—there was no way they hadn't made progress. I'll look forward to seeing it in the upcoming Four Pillar selection match.
…Ah, looks like Lux has started messing with him. My condolences—hang in there, junior number two. I'll make eye contact with Nia in the distance and signal her to put on the brakes.
And then, another set of footsteps approached, following Sora's.
"────Haru-kun."
She drew near, the smallest yet grandest figure in this place, standing beside me.
And so,
"…Thank you for the training, Master."
"If I was of any help, it is my greatest pleasure."
She was probably holding back for Sora's sake.
Not reaching for her disciple's forehead as usual, not patting his head, not even trying to cradle her disciple's head in her lap as he lay sprawled on the ground.
My master simply bestowed a gentle smile upon her disciple (me) who had worked so hard.
◇◆◇◆◇
Is my smile twitching? That was all she could think about.
Her joy was immense. Of course it was.
Her admiration and praise were endless. That was only natural.
Even the faint, unavoidable traces of loneliness and other emotions, she could accept them as gifts as well.
But the dread…
That alone, she could never swallow as a 'master.' That emotion alone, she could never direct toward him, her precious 'disciple.'
Ui, the [Sword Saint], was now simply a 'swordsman.'
"You've… gone too far, you know? You don't have to work until you collapse."
"No, no, it's a rare opportunity. It'd be a waste not to push myself to the brink."
"What are you going to do after this?"
"…………At worst, even if my body won't move, I can make it move—ow!"
"Please stop trying to cancel out recklessness with more recklessness!"
In many ways, he hadn't changed.
He was still the same young man who, when viewed from even a slight distance, always seemed endearing and worth cheering for… yet she harbored an undeniable awe for him.
"…………"
So that he wouldn't notice the tremble in her eyes, she lowered her eyelids instead of blinking, then slowly opened them. When her eyes met her disciple's again, she was able to smile perfectly as a master.
And so, the excitement was pushed deep into her heart.
It was, for all intents and purposes, a kind of sickness. She ordered the irrepressible, feverish feelings to take a brief rest, forcing them into a quiet slumber.
You knew this would happen, didn't you?
You knew it all along, this future (present) that you were certain would arrive.
You were prepared for the arrival of that 'leap,' weren't you? With resolve, your heart was ready.
She had no way of knowing what the trigger was. But she knew that, without a doubt, something had happened.
It was different from his heart being cleared. Yet, she had sensed the signs that her disciple, whose atmosphere had clearly changed in some way, had begun a great transformation within himself.
And then, over these past three days… How many times had she crossed swords with him?
"F-Fine, I get it…! I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I'll be careful from now on, so please forgive me and stop pinching, it was my fault…!"
"…How many times have you yourself said, 'I'll be careful from now on'? You remember, don't you, Haru? You remember every single one, don't you?"
"Stop looking at me like that, it's scary…!"
How many times had this disciple made her feel 'fear'?
How many times had the approaching blade, wielded with full spirit even in training, made her imagine a virtual death?
"…………, …"
His gift of 'memory.' …She knew. She understood.
This was not the 'awakening' of a talent.
This was the 'fruition' of a talent.
"Hm? Ui-san?"
"Yes, what is it?"
"Uh… is something wrong?"
"If anything, I think something is wrong with you, Haru-kun…"
"He's right!"
"Eh…"
Again, it was both terrifying and joyful.
Terrifying, and yet delightful.
Watching over the growth of this precious 'child' who, she couldn't help but feel, was the second one to so clearly begin leaving her grasp.
"Fufu… Just kidding. You did very well."
"Ah, yes. Thanks… Whoa, no, wait, hold on…!?"
"……………………"
"That deadpan, glaring look is terrifying…!"
Half in celebration, she let go of her restraint and reached out, gently brushing his bangs aside to caress his forehead. The other half was, of course, just to tease her not-so-cute disciple…
"Fufu."
"Hey, don't just 'fufu' at me! Argh, the piercing glares are coming from two directions now…!"
What would happen at the next Four Pillar War, their first official appearance together?
Hiding a heart filled with both anxiety and anticipation, the master, the [Sword Saint], smiled skillfully.
And so, time takes a leap.