After receiving the scarf, I'm forcibly brought to the labyrinth by Rowen.
　It seems that the purpose is to level up, but I'm sure he has other plans for me.

　Incidentally, the Reaper wanted to play on the ground, so I left him in charge of Snow. Perhaps Snow decided that it was easier than exploring the labyrinth, and he agreed to take care of it.
　At the time of our parting, she seemed to be quite enthusiastic about it, as she happily took out her knitting tools from her room.

''--That's why I'm here in the labyrinth with my best friend Kanami.
"Hey, when did you tell your best friend: ......

　As we walked through the 21 layers, me and Rowen chatted.

'On second thought, I realized I've never had a friend my age before in my life: ....... Please take care of my 'unfinished business', Kanami.
'Wow, okay, ....... Even if you don't ask, I consider Rowen a friend .......

　Rowen has a serious look on her face and says something very sad.
　I nodded at that sadness.

'I was waving my sword every day that came and went ....... There was no way I was going to make friends .......

　Rowen mumbles, thinking back to the past. I feel my eyes slowly grow empty and I move on to another topic.　

'Well, is Rowen good with a sword?'
...... Yeah. Probably the strongest in the world.
What, the best in the world?
Yeah, best in the world.

　As soon as Rowen mentions the sword, he looks confident and proud.
　Then, she suddenly runs out of the labyrinth and begins to scurry around and look for monsters.

　There's no indication that Rowen is using her magic power. However, she seems to be detecting the enemy by a different means than I am. I find the one monster, Fury, and snap my knuckles in a popping motion.

"Let's find out. Bring me a suitable sword.

　Then, he reaches out to me and extends his hand.
　I took out a suitable mass-produced sword from my 'belongings' and tossed it to Rowen.

　Rowen takes the sword and walks up to Fury without holding it in place.
　Fury extends his arms, which are so powerful that veins rise to the surface, with a bullhorn, with great vigor.
　Just as those strange four arms were about to touch Rowen, there was a crisp, light sound, and a thin line rushed down Fury's arm.

　In the next moment, all of Fury's arms fell to the ground without touching Rowen (...).
　Yes.
　The arms didn't fall into the air.

　I am in awe of that unusual sword technique because I can grasp all of its techniques in the Dimension.
　There was no other way to call it a divine feat.

　Even in the face of the grasping ability of the 《Dimension》, I couldn't sense any preliminary movements in Rowen. Right before she moved, Rowen certainly hadn't put any effort anywhere on her body.

　And the moment the monster's attack reached him, Rowen paid off his sword with the maximum efficiency that a human body could move.
　Just that much.

　In words, that was all there was to it, but the shock of seeing it was indescribable.
　Even if one were to be surrounded by all the artifacts of the world, it is doubtful that they would be able to match this shock. Indeed, Rowen's sword had reached a realm beyond even art.

　Swinging the sword.
　To do it with maximum efficiency means to make a completely lean movement without any difference in the slightest degree.

　In other words, in a time span that is less than 1/100 millionth of a second, the weight is shifted by no more than 1/100 millionth of a gram, the trajectory of the sword is followed by no more than 1/100 millionth of a meter, and the sword is swung.
　Such an astronomically difficult flash of the sword was easily accomplished by Rowen.

　Because I can see that difficulty in the Dimension, I can't help but be in awe.

　It's no longer a matter of how to relax, move your feet, swing your arms, or move your sword.
　It is the ultimate operation of the human body, beyond the theory of swordsmanship.

　As I froze in awe, more lines rushed by, and Fury crumbled into shreds.

　It probably looked to Fury like Rowen had just been standing there the whole time.
　In that state, he slashed and chopped the Fury, killing all the momentum, breaking it into pieces and dropping it to the ground to expose it.

　On top of the fading Fury, which turned into light, Rowen looked back at the fading Fury.
　If you look at it, not only is there no return blood, but there's no gore on the sword, not even on the sword.
　The sword, which was too fast, left everything behind.

''--I'd say that's about 30% of what it was in its prime.

　Rowen turns back to me with a disgruntled look on her face.

'Is that ......?'

　I return the question.
　It's suddenly unbelievable that I'm not even half as good as I am after showing so much divine work.

''Oh, it's still too late. But it can't be helped, since you were called as a guardian of the 30th layer (Guardian), I guess you're locked into a strength that matches the rank of the 30th layer.
The strength is fixed: ......?
''Yeah, the humans would be in trouble if the thirty-layered boss wasn't strong enough to be worthy of the thirty layers, right?''
...... That's a very sweet story.
'Yeah, the labyrinth is friendly to humans. I heard a nice guy built it.

　Rowen talks about the roots of the labyrinth like it's nothing.
　Probably information that no one on earth would know.

'So you're saying that this labyrinth was created by 'someone' ......?'
'Yeah, I can't say who made the 'rules' but ....... I'm sure 'someone' made it up: ......

　With a grin, Rowen laughs meaningfully.
　Apparently, there is a limit to what information a guardian (Guardian) can provide to the searchers. He described it as a 'rule'.

　But it's important information.
　We can't pull it off easily.

''How much do you know about this labyrinth, Rowen?
'No, I don't know much about it. All I know is that I'm on a mission to invite humans to the 100th layer in exchange for the opportunity to get rid of the 'unfinished business'.
I'll invite you to ......?

　Rowen pondered for a bit and answered simply, shaking her head.
　I don't know if that's a lie or not, I don't know.
　Maybe it's just a 'rule' that I'm supposed to answer that way.

　I try to find the truth in Rowen's complexion, but he smiles thinly and shakes his head again.

'It's true. I swear to you, my friend, it's not a lie. ...... My guardian (guardian)ization is more messy (...) than anyone else's, so I haven't been given a good explanation. I was staring at the Reaper that day, and he suddenly swallowed me up. They didn't tell me anything.
Did you get swallowed up?
Yeah, swallowed by a continent. That's the kind of magic - no, there's a magic circle. So the Reaper and I were sent to the labyrinth before we knew it.
'...... okay. If you're ......, can you tell me about that 'that day' thing next?　I want to know about Rowen and the Reaper's past.
'I don't have much of a story in our past. I was one knight in a war, and the Reaper was one magician who was put into that war. That's it. Yeah, that's really all there was to it: ......

　Rowen smiles as she thinks back.
　The smile on his face tells me that he's remembering his former encounters with the Reaper.

　I want a bit of information and still bite down.

'How far in the past is that past?　I was amazed at the sky in the morning, but has the world changed that much?
'Hmm. As I recall, they said it was going to be called in a thousand years, so ......, probably a thousand years ago. After a thousand years, the world has changed. I was really surprised to see the sky change in color.
A thousand years ago. ......?
It was a boring time, with all the wars. I'm the knight who fell in the middle of a fight to make a name for myself.

　Rowen talks about her end as if it was nothing.
　There was a range of emotions in it. I sense not only regret and grief, but also nostalgia.

　I am silent, not knowing what to say to the dead person.

　However, Rowen looks at me and laughs.

'Haha, so don't worry about it. Life is like that, it's rare that someone dies without 'regrets'.
'Maybe so, but ....... Still, I can't laugh in front of a dead person .......
You're so serious, Kanami. Let's take it easy, shall we?
Easygoing ......?

　Rowen moves her shoulders up and down as if to tell me to relax.

'Yeah, you better enjoy yourself more. Enjoy this labyrinth.
What do you mean by enjoyment: ......?
'The more you dive into the labyrinth, the stronger you become. Isn't it fun to get stronger?

　The words of the Guardian of the Labyrinth (Guardian) were meaningful.
　He spoke as if the labyrinth was prepared to make humans stronger. Although he doesn't make a definitive statement, every word conveys the image of the labyrinth that Rowen has in mind.

'Yes, I suppose. Sure, it's fun to be strong: ......

　There's no doubt that my game-loving sensibilities make the task of leveling up enjoyable.
　Without lying, I honestly answer that I enjoy it.

'Yeah, get stronger. That's why I brought you to the labyrinth.
Um, does that mean ......?
'You want to be strong to protect your life. As a Guardian, I want to make the promising Kanami stronger. Our interests are aligned. And the labyrinth is the perfect training ground.

　Apparently, Rowen brought her to the labyrinth for a good reason.

''Let's see, the guardians (guardians) are responsible for luring humans to the 100th layer, so you're saying they make humans stronger for that purpose?''
Yeah.

　It's hard to believe.
　I've heard that 100 layers have the power to make any wish come true.
　Then wouldn't it be natural for them to interfere with the search to protect it?

''There's an amazing treasure, or something like power, in the 100th layer, right?　That would mean that the Guardians are there to cede that power to the humans, right?　Really?
Hmm, you know what?　I'm not sure about that part.

　I asked the obvious question. But Rowen's response was appropriate.

'Come on,' she said, '.......'
'I'm sure there's an unusual accumulation of 'power' in the 100 layers. But I didn't ask you to protect it or give it up. I'm just doing it because you asked me to.
The role of a guardian (guardian) is quite appropriate: ......
I agree with you on that. It's just not made up in many ways. --unlike (・・・・・)

　Agreeing with my words, Rowen falls silent.
　By "unlike," I wonder if he means "someone" who created the labyrinth.

　Rowen will not speak about that "someone". That's the rule.
　So I'm going to shift the subject to what Rowen can talk about, not what she can't talk about.

'You're welcome to make me stronger, but is that what Rowen is all about?　As I get stronger, I think it's going to be harder for Rowen to win the 'Dancing Tournament' that she wants, don't you think?
'Don't worry about that. The stronger the opponent is, the greater the glory I'll get, so it's not a bad thing for me either. Besides, the 'dance tournament' isn't all the glory I'll get. If it doesn't work, I'll figure out my next move.
......, okay.

　For me, it doesn't matter either way.
　Rowen has a lot of difficult requirements to meet to achieve her goals, but not me.

　It all comes down to me being strong.

　The stronger I am, the less threatening I will be to anyone. When I'm strong, I'll be able to eliminate Rowen one-on-one at any time. The stronger we are, the more we can force our memories out of the Palinkron and the girls.
　I don't like to use forceful means, but it will certainly give you more options.

'Alright, let's just aim to be strong for now. Rowen, let's go.
Yeah, let's just head to the 30th level or something.

　In the end, it's always the same.

　Save your money while getting stronger by exploring the labyrinth.
　It wouldn't change things dramatically, but it was the most solid and closest to the right answer.

　I moved deeper into the labyrinth with Rowen.


◆◆◆◆◆ ...


　Rowen, unlike Snow, is a very supportive partner.

　She doesn't slack off or complain. That alone is a great help. The best part is that his fighting style is based on precise calculations, unlike Snow, who is sketchy.
　It's a way of fighting that emphasizes cooperation with others and brings about more efficient results. That suits me well.

　To be frank, I'm a hundred times easier to fight than Snow.

　Since the sword I'm using is an ordinary sword, I can't attack per crystal golem, but my ability to distract them as a vanguard is tremendous.
　He avoids attacks endlessly right in front of the enemy, sometimes using a body technique similar to aikido to break the opponent's stance. With his brilliant decoy role, he increased his efficiency and showed that the time required was reduced to half the time required.　

　In about half the time it took yesterday, we make it to layer 30.
　It took us a little while to get to the unfilled 29th level, but with Rowen's sensing ability, we soon found our way.

　We took a break from the enemy on layer 30 and sat down on the glowing seven-colored rocks.

'...... Kanami's got some good magic,'

　Rowen can see the 'dimension' I'm deploying, or she points to the magic around her and compliments it.

'You mean the dimensional magic you're deploying now?'
'Yeah. It's that magic that allows you to follow my movements with your eyes, isn't it?
'Yes. This dimensional magic has helped me in many ways.

　If it weren't for this dimensional magic, I might still be around the 10th layer of the labyrinth.
　That's how much of my strength is accounted for.

''Kanami's own sense of humor is also perfect. This is going to be easy.''
Easy?　Easy with what?
With Kanami's 'skill' and 'qualities', I'm sure I can teach you my 'swordsmanship'.

　With a simple look on his face, Rowen taunted the ridiculous.

''What, teach that sword ......?''

　I couldn't believe my words as I remembered the flash of godlikeness I'd seen in Rowen's 21st layer.

''Yeah, Kanami is even more talented than Kanami thinks. If you have that much 'skill' and 'qualities', there's no way you can't master it. I think she can master any ordinary skill.

　Rowen repeats the words 'skill' and 'qualities'.
　It is probably referring to status.

''There is a connection between numbers like 'skill' and 'qualities' and skills: ......?
'Yeah, I'm involved. But I'm not that familiar with it either, so I can't explain it. It was shortly before I died that the conversation about status and skills and such spread: ......

　The concept of status and skills seems to have been born a thousand years ago.
　And with Rowen's knowledge of its birth, it seems that status numbers are related to skill mastery.

''So, ...... higher status means it's easier to learn a skill.
'That's what I mean. Perhaps Kanami can learn all the skills in the world without question. And it would be so easy.
'Everything at ......?　That's ridiculous. ......

　It's hard to believe.
　Indeed, I am confident that I have excellent status.
　The Lauravian priest who was introduced to me by the Palinkulon Messenger even made an astonished expression whenever he checked my level and status.

　However, that doesn't mean you can easily imitate that sword.

''I'm not lying. As a dimensional wizard, Kanami would surely be able to do it.
Well, then, don't you think you need more skills?　The only three skills I have right now are 'Dimensional Magic', 'Freezing Magic' and 'Sword Art'. If I can learn them so easily, then I should have more skills, right?
'That's because Kanami wasn't trying to learn. Didn't you subconsciously think that your skills wouldn't increase that easily?
Yeah, I think so: ......

　The general consensus is that there are one or two things in life that will increase your skills.
　That's the common sense of this world and the common sense I've gained.

“Look. It's easy as long as you meet the conditions. Dimensional attribute wizards are generally good at observing. You have to watch and memorize the movements of the person who has the skill, by watching carefully with their dimensional magic. That's all it takes to get the skill.
Observe with dimensional magic: ......
'Kanami can sense a frightening amount of information, perceive it all and remember it all. And she has a talent for imitating it all with precision. I am sure she can recreate my sword.

　Rowen asserts, but holds the sword in her hand to her right eye.
　It's her first stance of the day.

　Rowen holds the stance as an example, and then lightly swings the sword down.

　It was a light but too clean swing.
　It looked like a complete piece of swordsmanship.
　The refinement of the technique gave it a sense of history.

''Was that some school's sword technique ......?
"...... Yahanka (・・・・). ...... Kanami is abnormal when the swinging down now looks like 'some kind of technique'. Normally, it would look like a mere swing of a sword. I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do that, but I'm going to say that I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do that. You should have a better understanding of how great it is.
............

　I couldn't say anything back to Rowen's point.
　Lately, I've been deploying dimensional magic for as long as I've been conscious. And it has become a habit of mine to try to understand the phenomena within its scope.

　It's like a worldly tactic to get used to a strange and different world.
　However, that worldly wisdom seems to be transforming into an unusual jutsu as the level rises.

　Certainly, the current me may not be unable to understand it if it is within the range of human movement.

　If I were to compare it to my world--
　You can see the seeds of any magician's illusions before you see them - and you know the type and speed of the ball before a professional baseball pitcher throws it - and you can see that this kung fu art is thousands of years old! You'll understand how it works before you receive it, even in the secret depths of the

　-- and perhaps even with just one look.

　I reaffirm the strangeness of the thing by replacing it with a familiar event.

'In the meantime, I'm going to have Kanami copy all of my skills. And the skill I'm most confident in is 'swordsmanship'. First, I will teach you my 'sword'.

　Rowen swings his sword again, fluidly.
　From the top, from an angle, from a diagonal, from the right side, from every angle, from every stance, he shoots a completed flash.

　And his eyes were staring at me the whole time.
　Apparently, he wants me to look at this and imitate it.

If you tell me, I'll feel free to imitate (crunch) it, but ....... -- "Magic 《Dimension Decisive Operation (Gradiate)》

　I use dimensional magic to figure out the movement of that beautiful sword.

　I fill the area around Rowen with magical power and gather information on its behavior without any gaps.
　It's not just simple physical movements. Starting with the small fluctuations of Rowen's magic power, it also obtains minute information such as heartbeat, blood pressure, sweat rate, and eye light movements.

　Skill is not something that can be accomplished by the body alone.
　The way you have a mind also plays a major role.
　In order to imitate that state of mind, I search for all kinds of information.

　A state of mind that will be reached after tireless and repeated practice.
　I would memorize all the swings, kesa-slashes, do-outs, thrusts, and blows - including all the unknown movements.

　Thinking back, I've never watched something so closely before.
　It was important for me to acquire the minimum amount of information with the minimum amount of effort in battle. Hence, there was no idea of stealing someone's skills in the Dimension.

　After Rowen's magnificent performance was over, I started swinging my sword as I watched and imitated.

　With my uncanny ability to observe and remember, I trace the magnificent performance.
　Of course, my movements are slower than Rowen's.
　But I'm confident that they move exactly the same way.

　As a dimensional attribute wizard, I can do that.

''Oh, wow. It's really the same move just by looking at it once. A swordsman who is training seriously would go crazy if he saw it.

　When Rowen saw my sluggish performance, she applauded and let out a few words of admiration.

'No, due to my magical characteristics, it's easy enough to imitate.
"No, no, it usually takes years for that 'just to imitate' to happen: ......

　With a bitter smile, Rowen unleashes another variety of sword kata.
　As I watch, I chastise myself for my rash remarks. I'm sure there were times in the past when even Rowen would repeat his divine skills with ease. The current one is a statement that neglects that.

''Uh, sorry, Rowen.''
Don't apologize to me. You owe your apologies to the swordsmen of the world. I'm in a very good mood now that I have a promising apprentice.
Yeah, so, apprentice?

　I stiffen a bit at that statement.

''Ah, I'll make you master my Aleis style (・・・・・) 'Sword Art' (......) by the 'Dancing Tournament'!

　With a snort, Rowen took the liberty of making me an apprentice.
　Before I knew it, we were treating each other like best friends, which raised the possibility that Rowen had a tendency to run amok.

　But the Alais family or .......
　As I recall, in this era, it was a noble family with a sword saint.
　Maybe Rowen is their ancestor.

　Excitedly, Rowen continues his delusional story.

''And the disciple and master who will decide the s*xes in the final of the 'Dancing Tournament'. So the swords of the Alais School will be dancing gracefully and people will be admiring the beautiful sword fights. With this, even if I were to lose, I would still be glorified as the winner Kanami's master. -- "Huh, my first disciple Kanami, ....... Well done, you have surpassed me as your master ....... It is both a pleasure and a sadness to see you grown up....... Let's use a line like "Now, with this moment, I hand down the entire transmission of the Aleis style of 'swordsmanship' ......". As the reluctant master who passed on the legendary swordsmanship, I'm the center of attention of the people!
'Yeah. Well, if Rowen is happy with that, she can be an apprentice: ......

　It's not a bad story, except for the goofy development of the story. No one loses.
　Whichever one of us wins, Rowen gets the honor. And I get to wear Rowen's 'swordsmanship'.

'This will stand out!　Not bad!

　Rowen thought back to the glory of the 'Dancing Tournament' like a child.

'Calm down, Master. Calm down, take a deep breath, and teach me your next sword.

　I finish my sword dance and urge Master Rowen to finish the next one.

　Rowen is called Master, and his loose face relaxes even more. He then turns the sword in his hand like a baton, twinkling it like a dance, and declares.

''Huh, fine. The third head of the Aleiss family, Rowen Aleiss, hereby swears. I will make Aikawa Kanami the 'Heir to the Sword (Tsurugi)' of the Aleiss family!

　Nice smile.
　She looks really happy.

　I was happy to hear that.
　Therefore, I thought this master and apprentice game was not so bad, and I called Rowen my master.

　It's good to have fun.
　It's good to have fun, and that's enough to get rid of most of the hardships.

　I chuckle and look at Rowen with a wry smile in my eyes.

　Even if there was an inevitable death ahead, Rowen Ares seemed to be having fun from the bottom of his heart.
　Then I wasn't going to stop it.