Chapter 176 - Brimming Within
◇You have learned an A(・)r(・)t(・)s(・)◇
"—…"
It was evening, the day before the Four Pillar War.
As the system notification flowed past the edge of my vision and the details of a new power were etched into my mind, I slowly opened my eyes and stared at the result I had brought forth.
The wooden training dummy my master had prepared for me—a thing boasting enough durability to withstand even a few blows from the Sword Saint herself—now lay in shattered pieces before me, right after I had swung my 'sword' through it.
"—Haru-kun."
Turning at the sound of my name, my eyes met with my 'Master,' who had been watching me intently. A smile filled with a myriad of emotions—or could I flatter myself into thinking so? As her disciple, seeing her look at me with such overflowing affection filled me with a simple, honest pride.
I sheathed the uchigatana I'd been given for training. Its weight was now as familiar as an extension of my own right arm. Turning my whole body to face her, I bowed my head deeply.
"Thank you—thanks to you… I managed to make it in time."
"…No, it is the fruit of your own hard work. As your master, I couldn't be more proud."
As she said this, she reached out a hand in that now-familiar gesture.
Come to think of it, it's already been two weeks since we met. As always, the encounters in this world forge surprisingly deep bonds in such a short time…
In a normal life, the bond of 'master and disciple' is something one rarely encounters in modern times. But now that it has become completely natural to me, I no longer have any hesitation in accepting my master's affection.
It's not that I'm not embarrassed. It's just that, more than anything, I want to respond to the feelings of my 'Master,' who cares so deeply for me, her 'disciple.'
When I bend a knee and accept her hand on my head, she smiles with such genuine happiness. It would be rude to even think about things like man and woman… dodging is not an option.
"Now then—as promised, I have a gift for you."
Her gray eyes, just beyond the bangs she brushed aside as if stroking my forehead, were looking straight at me. Perfect timing. I nodded in return and, just like that, dropped to one knee on the stone pavement.
I held up the uchigatana I had been entrusted with, sheath and all. Is this less like a swordsman and more like a knight?
I'm sure we were thinking the same thing. Though she was gradually adopting a solemn air, her innate gentleness couldn't help but seep through, and we exchanged a smile.
She took the sword from my hands and slid it into the sash of her hakama. In its place, she drew the other blade that had been resting there.
Unlike the simple, unadorned sword I returned, this one was a magnificent three-foot katana that radiated a 'special' quality even while sheathed.
The threads coloring the hilt in a faithful diamond wrap were a deep blackish-green. The Mino-style guard fitted at the boundary with the blade was engraved with—cherry blossoms, perhaps? It depicted a pattern of flowers just beginning to bloom.
The lacquered black scabbard was also scattered with a pattern of cherry blossom petals. The tasteful pink, which colored the black without being garish, stood out against the darker overall tone, making it look more like a work of art than a weapon.
But this was a sword. What truly mattered was not its exterior; the life resided in the blade housed within the sheath.
Slowly, with a clear ring, the blade was drawn. It was a blade of jade-green steel. The steel shone with a verdant hue so translucent it created the illusion of being clear, and was elegantly adorned with a magnificent suguha temper line.
Ui-san is the [Sword Saint], and she herself is also a 'swordsmith.' Although she doesn't possess a production-related blessing like the Western Faction, the swords she forges are apparently on par with those of professional craftsmen for a reason.
In other words, this single blade was a supreme work of art, true to its flawless appearance.
"—I have named it [Samidorizuki]."
Sheathing the jade blade once more, Ui-san held it and smiled at me as she recited its name. I, who had been completely captivated by it, down to the fresh green decorative cord swaying at its pommel, remembered to breathe again.
Did she notice me stopping myself just short of gulping? She let out another gentle smile, and then—I saw the moment her eyes transformed into those of the [Sword Saint].
"—Will you accept this, my disciple?"
"—I shall humbly receive it, my master."
A tangible weight settled upon my outstretched hands.
"Then with this—I hereby recognize you as an initiate of the Kesshiki Ittoryu."
A promotion in rank was announced. The [Samidorizuki] in my hands seemed to grow heavier, and I'm sure it wasn't just my imagination.
When I raised my head, beyond the sword I had been bestowed…
"…Hic, hehe… What should I say? When things get this formal…"
My eyes were stolen by the sight of her, a single tear rolling down her cheek.
"It's a little embarrassing, isn't it?"
At the sight of my master, who faced me without hiding her joy, her shyness, or anything at all—
"—…Th-thaaank yoooouuu…!!"
And so, at eighteen years of age, I experienced crying for real in front of someone for the first time in my life.
Oh man, this is so embarrassing.
◇◆◇◆◇
Not thinking about things like man or woman, no longer hesitating to accept my master's physical affection… No, I mean it. I truly mean it, but—
"Master?"
"Yes, Haru-kun?"
"This isn't a 'yes, Haru-kun?' situation. Today is the day I've steeled my resolve to say this…"
Looking up at her esteemed face, she is as beautiful as ever today… that's not the point.
The side effects after using two types of output, which I still haven't completely overcome. The soft sensation of her lap gently cradling my weary head is something I would indulge in for an eternity if I were allowed.
But, thinking about it normally, I'm not allowed to, am I?
"You're spoiling me too much, or something… Um, I am a man, you know?"
And so, about a week after officially becoming her disciple—I finally attempted to lecture the Sword Saint, who had become dotingly fond of her student.
"This sort of careless physical contact isn't good, and for the dignity of the Sword Saint, you see? And, well, in terms of my own feelings, as a healthy young man, there are various issues for my mental well-being… You, uh, understand, right?"
Ui-san has a slightly unique sensibility, but she is fundamentally a person of common sense and deep consideration. She wouldn't be doing this without any awareness; she doesn't respond to my words with a stereotypical question mark floating above her head.
"I'm sorry, I do understand. I understand, but… it was something I've always longed for."
"Longed for…? Uh… for giving a man a lap pillow?"
That's a bit unlike her… As I was about to take some mysterious damage from this self-imposed misinterpretation, Ui-san smiled, amused. "That's not it."
"Not to a man, but to a disciple… no, that's not quite right. It may sound strange, but perhaps to someone I could look after?"
"Huh…"
Since I am, in fact, in her care, I don't think it's strange at all…
"…My grandfather used to do this for me often when I was little."
"Aah…"
Aah… That, is…
That line of reasoning, is a little… effective, on me…?
"While we were sunbathing on the veranda… hehe, back then, taking a nap like this was my daily routine."
And there's the critical hit. Appealing to my emotions is against the rules…!
But, however…!!
"E-even so, I still think what's not right is not right…"
I mean, come on.
For example, if Sora were to see us like this, I would definitely feel a sense of guilt—and that alone is more than enough reason why I can't let this situation continue.
If I feel even a little bit that way, then I must correct it.
I don't want to harbor even a shred of guilt in my precious relationship with my master—
"…………"
"Hic…, ………"
I don't… but…—Wait a second, really? You're going to make that sad of a face…!?
My master dotes on her disciple too much and it's a blessing—no, I mean, it's painful…!!
"…I'd like to be selfish and just say 'I don't want to,' but…"
"If you put it that way, I don't have the confidence to refuse, so I'd appreciate it if you'd spare me…"
"You are too kind, Haru-kun. As your master, I cannot take advantage of my disciple."
It's not kindness, that's for sure. Yes, because I am also a man.
"In that case, I have no choice—but to create a reason."
"H-huh? A reason?"
Oh no, here we go again.
The Sword Saint's specialty, a super-fast conclusion leading to a lightning-fast development, has begun…!!
"Let's create a 'reason' why you must accept my selfishness, Haru-kun. If I become the villain, it will be a good excuse to protect your dignity."
"No no no no…! What are you saying, even more than usual…!?"
At the point where Ui-san becomes the villain, I automatically become an even greater villain. That's how it works.
I don't know what she's planning, but even if she orchestrates it herself, by my own perception I'll be the bad guy…!!
"Hehe."
"This is not a 'hehe' situation!!—Ah, eh, wait… where, where are you taking me…!!"
My body, still not quite at its best, was pulled to its feet. I was escorted into the dojo by my master, who pulled me along with a strength that belied her appearance.
Because of player stats, it gets a bit cramped indoors, so our training was mostly done outside. The veranda, which served as a resting area, was familiar, but I hadn't been inside many times.
The dojo was spacious, but otherwise unremarkable in its traditional design. With walls and a ceiling, it would be impossible for not just me, but even Ui-san, to go all out in here.
Incidentally, shoes were surprisingly allowed. Thanks to the nice feature that prevents things from getting dirty, some parts are very game-like.
Brought into such a dojo, I was left standing as a 'wooden sword' was thrust at me. Haha, I see what's going on. You intend to decide whether to continue this pampering with a match, don't you?
WHY?!??
"Wait a minute…! This is, the outcome is obvious from the start—"
"Oh, but I did say, didn't I?"
Ten paces. After pushing the wooden sword into my hands and taking some distance, Ui-san smiled mischievously, her own weapon in hand.
"I said I would become the villain."
It was premeditated…!!
"Kuh… N-no, I won't lose…!! Then one minute, no, thirt… ten seconds! If I can last ten seconds, I win, is that okay!?"
I know I'm hedging my bets, but even ten seconds is a life-or-death proposition for me. I'm aware that in these two weeks, I've grown to the point where I'm a different person than before, but my master is not so lenient that that much growth will be enough to reach her.
"That is, of course, perfectly fine."
See, look at that expression. She's not even considering the possibility of losing for a microsecond. As always, she has absolute pride in her martial prowess.
As her disciple, I couldn't be more proud—
"Then—here I come."
"—…Ah."
My right hand gripping the wooden sword, my right foot pulled far back into a half-body stance.
Her loosely opened left hand was held before her chest with a slight bend at the elbow, like a preliminary motion for a dash.
And her stance, so low—so low it was almost parallel to the ground, was…
for me, the absolute worst kind of stance.
"Kesshiki Ittoryu—Seventh Strike."
"W-wait—!?"
"—《Seven Stars》."
Her figure vanished, impossible for my eyes to follow. On pure reflex, I raised my wooden sword to my center line, but—
"Guh…!!"
It was instantly knocked from my hand by an invisible blow—and at the same time, behind me…
At my feet…
At my neck…
At my side…
At my shoulder…
At my waist…
All at once—no, a god-speed, multi-angled barrage with only a sub-millisecond interval, as good as simultaneous, assaulted my entire body.
In principle, it's the same as my high-speed maneuvering. See, lay the path, follow it. When she does that by making full use of her unique 'Shukuchi,' it becomes an extraordinary feat of divine skill like this.
In other words, it was a move that was a completely superior version of me as a player.
There was no way I could dodge it—or at least, the me from before couldn't have.
Threads danced.
Thin, fine, threads of blue light danced—
"—Final Strike."
Seven flashes intersected. And to me, who had leaped upwards at a speed that momentarily surpassed them, an undeniable 'death sentence' was pronounced.
The power of the sword strikes born from the ultra-consecutive use of Shukuchi, and the momentum and recoil generated in the body that wielded them—all of it should have been a colossal amount of energy that would destroy even the user's avatar.
But the Sword Saint makes even that into her sword.
It was like a dance at divine speed. With footwork that was, again, a feat of godly skill I couldn't comprehend, she spun. The wooden sword, holding within it a power that seemed on the verge of shattering in her hand, performed a dizzying, chaotic rotation—
In a display of inhuman body and sword control that seemed to steal the show from a [Acrobat]—the wooden sword, already beginning to self-destruct, was 'loaded' into her left hand, which she must have been using as a scabbard.
Creak.
It took about one second to reach that stance, which was filled with a pressure that made me imagine space itself was creaking.
As I finally began to fall, my face already a mask of resignation.
The seven flashes from before—a single, fatal blow, with all of their power added on top, was about to be unleashed.
"—《Yuikaze》."
I felt the wind pass by my ear—and by that time, my avatar had already been obliterated without a single speck of dust remaining.
Apparently, there's a master who obliterates her disciple with her full power just so she can spoil him as she pleases.
A single blow from a wooden sword that can obliterate a person????