Chapter 173 - Master and Disciple
"...Um, Ui-san."
"If you are concerned about your body, there is no need to worry."
I had managed, in my own way, to successfully use both 'Inner' and 'Outer' force, and perhaps as a result, my avatar had become completely immobile.
It's not just like lead; it's on another level. I literally haven't been able to move at all, and it's been about ten minutes now.
The Sword Saint, who carried me to the veranda and laid me down, said, "I was in a similar state when I first succeeded at `Shukuchi`." Apparently, the side effects will wear off in a few dozen minutes, so I'm not worried about that.
She also said that with repeated training, this paralysis won't happen anymore, so I'm not anxious about that either. The reason I'm giving her this indescribable look as she smiles is...
"No, that's not it... Really, you can just leave me on the floor..."
"No, I cannot."
This is exactly what it means to give no room for argument.
She has my incapacitated head resting on her lap, just like that other time, and no matter how much I ask or beg, she won't let me go—and not only that, she's stroking my hair in a visibly good mood, which is just unbearable.
I'm an eighteen-year-old male university student, hardly a 'child' anymore. What kind of face am I supposed to make when an older woman, four years my senior, has my head on her lap and is gently petting me?
Really, what is she thinking?
I had felt that we were certainly getting along well lately. However, this is a bit too much, too soon.
There must be some reason for this change in Ui-san's attitude.
"—My grandfather... he used to say..."
As I stared at her, perhaps my question got through.
With a gentle, yet somewhat clumsy hand, she continued to stroke my hair, seemingly unaccustomed to the motion. She lowered her eyebrows slightly and offered a smile.
"A student who is slow to learn even when taught is a 'cute student.' A student who learns everything they are taught is a 'student to be proud of'—and... a student who steals techniques without being taught is a 'bad student.'"
"A bad... student."
Not understanding the intent behind her sudden story, I repeated the part that caught my attention. As if to say, "I am talking about you," the fingertips that brushed my bangs aside gently tapped my forehead.
"How far will they grow? How much will they develop? How far beyond myself will they go?—In that way, they are a bad student, one who makes their teacher become completely absorbed in them."
"I see..."
'Stole without being taught'—I feel like that's a bit of a stretch... but it's true that I managed to imitate her without being directly taught, just by watching.
To be honest, that thing wasn't `Shukuchi` at all. If I had to describe it, it was more like I forced the gears by hitting the accelerator in multiple stages to get an extra burst of speed.
It's a pale imitation that doesn't even come close to the real thing, to the point where calling it a degraded version would be audacious.
"I'm happy you have high expectations for me, but... unfortunately, I don't think there's much further I can go. That was probably my limit—"
"Haru-kun."
She can be mischievous and pretend not to hear things sometimes, but Ui-san generally doesn't interrupt others.
Surprised that she had cut in, I stopped talking. The gray eyes looking down at me held a seriousness I had never seen before.
"All the techniques that belong to my [Kesshiki Ittoryu] have `Shukuchi` as their fundamental basis."
"Uh... yes, that's right."
In our many spars, I had seen several of the arts she had created. Each and every one of them was extraordinary, a magnificent technique that could be called the pinnacle of skill...
But regrettably, they were far too difficult to reproduce. As she said, to master the arts of Kesshiki Itto, `Shukuchi` is essential—or rather, the simultaneous use of 'Inner' and 'Outer' force required to learn `Shukuchi` is the prerequisite.
For example, the First Strike, Flying Water—a sword of instantaneous speed that has no 'wind-up' and makes the paradox of a frontal surprise attack a reality.
For example, the Second Strike, Striking Iron—a sword of immense power that channels the force of a powerful step into centrifugal force, turning the fixed greatsword into a club that can shatter steel.
There are no exceptions for the various sword techniques that follow.
"However... it is due to my own inadequacy. I have been asked by many, and I have tried my hand at teaching... but I have not been able to guide a single person to mastery."
Her tone was not bright, but there was no shadow on the face of the Ui-san looking down at me. This is a person who is always looking forward; she has surely already come to terms with it in her own heart.
"...Is that why you are a 'sensei' and not a 'shishou'?"
I ventured to ask, and it seemed my words hit the mark.
As if taken by surprise, she blinked a few times, and then—"Even 'sensei' is more than I deserve," she said with a slightly embarrassed smile.
"Someone who cannot properly bestow their techniques has no right to be called a 'Master,' after all."
...I see, that makes sense.
I'd felt a sense of dissonance since we first met. The [Sword Saint] and the [Sword Protector]—both ranked players who wield swords, and despite talking about being taught, Irori always called her 'Sensei'.
It wasn't a question, just a slight feeling of oddness... but normally, wouldn't you call someone like that 'Shishou' instead of 'Sensei'?
"...I looked up to my grandfather. No, even now, he is still the person I admire—Like my grandfather, I also... wanted to try teaching the sword to someone."
However, the 'techniques' Ui-san created in this virtual world were far too unique.
No one other than herself was ever able to master them—which leads to that moment when Irori introduced me to her, and she hesitated, her face clouded with doubt... I see.
"I never wished to teach many. Just one person...—just one person would have been enough. I want to become a 'Master,' like the person I admire."
I felt as if I saw a heat.
Deep within her gray eyes, which stared straight into mine,
I saw the heat of longing, a search for 'someone'.
"—Haru-kun, please listen to my request."
No matter how rushed or flustered she was, Ui-san's voice was always calm.
I have never heard her voice like this, laced with even the slightest tremble.
I can't help but understand.
For me, this situation is completely sudden—but for her, this must be the moment she has waited and waited for, longed for.
That I, who managed to imitate the `Shukuchi` that so many players failed to master, could be the 'someone' she has been searching for.
"...Yes, what is it?"
I adopted a listening posture. Ui-san nodded, took a slow, deep breath, and then—
"—Will you become my 'disciple'?"
The heat dwelling in those words was so intense, one might mistake it for a confession of love.
That heat spread directly to the very center of my heart.
I mean, come on—this is just... irresistible, isn't it?
To be wanted by someone from the bottom of their heart—it's surely a once-in-a-lifetime event, one that might only happen a few times in one's life.
My body still showed no signs of moving, making this incredibly uncool, but... I couldn't keep the Sword Saint waiting for my answer.
"...If anything, that's what I should be asking you."
Because this is truly more than I could have ever hoped for.
I followed her example and took a single deep breath—
"If I am good enough, please make me your 'disciple.'"
And so, to the 'disciple' who gave his greetings while still shamelessly borrowing her lap—
The 'Master' returned a smile, her expression crumbling for just an instant.
""I am still inexperienced, but...""
Then, as if on cue, our voices overlapped, and without either of us prompting the other...
We both let out a relieved laugh together.
Regarding the fact that the characters' backstories are so dense that I can't keep up with revealing the information.