A few days after my duel with Dodriel, the bullying against me got worse.

　But unlike before, they didn't harm me directly.

　As a reaction, the backbiting increased.

　Failed swordsman.
　Coward.
　A dark weapon user.

　You can hear them everywhere you walk in the academy.

　It's probably Dodriel and his cronies talking about him.

　But strangely, my mind was at peace.

(The old me, billions of years ago, probably wouldn't have been able to endure such an environment.

　I was calm enough to be able to look at myself objectively like that.

Speaking of which, how is my mother? ......

　On his way back to the dormitory where Paula was waiting for him, he suddenly became curious about the mother he had left behind in his hometown.

　It's been three years since I started attending the Grand Academy of Swordsmanship.

　We have been exchanging letters once a month, but I have never been back to my hometown.

　He had been too busy with his own affairs to do so.

"Okay, ......, I've decided. I'll go back once during my next vacation.

　It would take me more than ten hours to reach my home village of Goza.
　But maybe I can get there a little faster now.

"Yes, let's buy some souvenirs.

　It's been three years since I've been back.
　It's been three years since I've been back, and I can't go empty-handed.

　Mom loves rice crackers and okaki.
　I'm sure she'll be happy if I bring her some as a souvenir.

(No, before that, ....... How much money do I have on me now?

　I took out a wallet from my pocket, turned it over, and found three coins.

"Five hundred and twenty golds .......

　I can't buy a decent souvenir with this.

I think I'll get a part-time job at .......

　I'll consult with ...... Paula about a part-time job.

　She is a very open-minded person. She might be able to give you a good place to work.
　Besides, if she introduces me to a place, I can work there with confidence.

　And so I went back to the dorm humming to myself.

As soon as I got back to the dormitory.

　As soon as I got back to the dormitory, I asked Ms. Paula if she knew of any good places to work.

"A part-time job?

"Yes. Is there any good place?

Why all of a sudden?　Are you ready to learn how to use a sword?

　She tilted her head and asked me that.

'Training is important, but I thought I should go see my mother back home at least once. So...

"So you wanted to buy a souvenir, but you didn't have the money?

　Before I could say everything, Paula continued.

Before I could finish, Paula continued, "Haha, ...... I'm embarrassed to say that's true.

I'm embarrassed to say that I do." "Okay, okay, ......, I get the story. I've got a special one for you then!

　She folded her arms and grinned happily for some reason.

Really?　Please introduce me!

"Oh, sure!　--I'll get rich if I get on this one!

　Paula then ripped off a poster from the bulletin board and slammed it down on the dining table.

　She picked up the slightly wrinkled poster and looked down at its contents.

"Kembusai ......?

　The Kembusai is a monthly festival for swordsmen held in the neighboring town of Orvis. It's not a festival with a lot of stalls. It is a martial arts festival where swordsmen compete against each other in a one-on-one match to test their swordsmanship. As I recall, the top three finishers will be awarded a large sum of money.

That's right!　Yes, a man must use his strength to rise to the top!

　She then punched her triceps, which were three times thicker than mine.

I'm not sure what to say.

　The old me, a billion years ago, would never have thought of participating.

　But now that I've gotten over that hell, I might be able to put up a good fight, even if it's hard to get to the top.

　--But there's one big problem with entering the Kembu Festival.

"It may be a good idea, but ...... the entry fee is ......

　In order to participate in the tournament, you need to pay 1,000 golds.

　Unfortunately, I don't have that kind of money right now.

　I apologetically handed the poster back to Paula.

"You're an idiot!　I can't be a matron if I'm reluctant to pay for my students to show their manners!

　With that, she snatched a thousand-dollar bill from the shelf and put it in my hand.

Go ahead, take it.

Are you sure?

Oh!　But if you do, you're going to have to give me a hard time!



"Oh, thank you so much ......!　I'll be sure to win and get my prize!

　This is how I was unexpectedly able to participate in the Kembu Festival, and I continued to swing my sword today in preparation for the upcoming Kembu Festival on the weekend.

A few days later...

　A few days later.

　A few days later, I was at the Orvis in a neighboring town to compete in the Kembu Festival.

I think I should be there by now. ......

　With a simple map that Paula drew for me in hand, I made my way to the venue.

The store is here: ...... Okay, next corner on the right.

　Then I turned the corner and gasped.

"......!

　There were many strong swordsmen in the crowd.
　The sight of big men with swords at their waists and their eyes glazed over was indescribably powerful.

(Seriously? ......)

　Swollen muscles.
　Clenched fists like rocks.
　A well-worn sword.

　No doubt about it.
　Everyone here is a better swordsman than I am.

(I was a little, no ...... a lot less optimistic.)

　I never dreamed that the level of the Kembu Festival would be this high.

　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

That's right, I need to register for the competition at .......

　I looked around, looking for a place that looked like a registration desk.

".......

　Suddenly, someone bumped into me from behind.

　When I turned around, I saw a two-meter-tall, square-cut man looking down at me with a grim expression on his face. He was carrying a huge sword on his back, so he must be a swordsman participating in the Kembu Festival.

"Huh?　Don't just stand there, you little shit!

　He shouted with hostility.
　Three of his female cronies looked at him and chuckled.

"Oh, man. You shouldn't bully such a weak girl, Bubble.

"Does the fact that she has a sword at her hip mean she's a participant?

No, no, no, no, no!　No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!

　Then this rude group of people laughed happily.

　As expected, I was annoyed by this.

　It was this big guy, Bubble, who bumped into me.
　Besides, I was standing on the side of the road, and more importantly, he was concentrating on talking to the woman and not looking ahead.
　It was obvious to everyone that the fault lay with Bubble.

　I wondered if he was letting those thoughts show on his face.

"Hey. What's with the defiant look?　Are you trying to f*ck with me?

　He snapped his fingers with a blue streak on his forehead.

　So I thought about it a lot.

"Sorry, .......

　I decided to apologize honestly, without any defiance.

　If I caused a problem here, I might not be able to participate in the Kenbu Matsuri.

　I didn't want to disappoint Paula, who had taken the trouble to pay for my participation and was still supporting me in the dormitory.

You can't even talk back? You loser!

　And with that, the bubbles disappeared into the crowd.

　When they were completely out of sight, I sighed heavily.

"Huh. ......

　It was a disaster.
　It's not my lucky day when I get tangled up with people like that.

(Let's switch to ......)

　The world is a big place.

　I'm not sure what to make of it.

　There's no need to waste your time with those weirdos.

Let's see, the reception is at ...... over there.

　There was a long line right in front of the Kembu Festival venue.
　At the head of the line, there was a sign that said "Kembu Festival Reception".
　I'm sure that's the reception desk.

　I lined up at the back of the line and waited for my turn to come.

　Ten minutes later.

"Next in line, please.

Yes.

　Finally, it was my turn.

　At the reception desk, a beautiful blonde woman was working quickly on the registration.

"Good morning. Are you sure you want to participate in the Kembu Festival today?

"Yes, please.

All right. Then I would like to ask for 1,000 golds for my participation.

　I thanked Paula in my heart, took out a thousand gord bill from my wallet and handed it to the receptionist.

Thank you very much. I would like to know your name and the school you belong to.



I'm Allen Rhoddle. I'm Allen-Rhoddle, and I'm from the ...... school.

　I didn't expect to be asked what school I belonged to, so I stammered.

You are Allen-Rhoddle-sama, aren't you? What school are you from, ......?

　I was asked twice.
　It seems that I really need to answer this question.

Well, I don't belong to any ...... school, but to ....... I belong to my own style .......

　He replied that he was a "self-starter" with a faltering answer.

When I answered that I was a "self-taught" person, he said, "Pfft, ...... is your self-taught ....... Yes, that's correct. .......

　The receptionist struggled to hold back her laughter and proceeded with her paperwork with trembling hands.

　Almost all swordsmen belong to some kind of school.

　If you're not a member of one, you're either a drunk or you don't have the ability to join one.

　It was only natural that such a dropout would be laughed at for trying to participate in the Kembu Festival, which was full of talented swordsmen.

　After that, I finished my registration and got out of the line and let out a small sigh.

(haha .......) It was a bit embarrassing, as you can imagine. ......)

　No, it's over.
　I'll try not to think about it any more and concentrate on the Kembu Festival.

　As I recall, there were about thirty minutes left before the festival started.

All right, I'll just do my exercises until then.

　Then I found a suitable clearing and continued to swing my sword in silence alone.

.

　Five minutes before the start of the Kenbu Matsuri.

　I was returning to the venue to attend the opening ceremony.

　The venue of the Kenbu Matsuri is a large stone stage on an open plain.
　The stage is surrounded by spectator seats, which is very simple.

　At the moment, the head of the festival is on the stage explaining the rules of the festival, and the many participating swordsmen are quietly listening around the stage.

　The format is a one-on-one duel.
　If you fall from the stone stage, you lose.
　The pairings are decided by lot just before the game begins.

　The rules were as simple as this.

　After all the explanations were given, the Kensho Festival finally began.

"And now, the pairings for the first match will be decided!

　The woman who was in charge of the event drew two cards from a box filled with lots of lots.

The first match will be between Bubble Domingo and Allen Rhodle!　Both fighters please come to the stage as soon as possible!

"...... first?

　I'm not sure what to make of this.

　You'll be able to find a lot more information on the web. 　

　I walked onto the stage with my opponent, Bubble-Domingo.

　And then.

"Hey, look who it is... the loser from earlier!　Hey, what a surprise!　I didn't know you were actually at the Kenbu Matsuri!

　I didn't think you were actually at the Kenbu Matsuri!" On the stage, a mocking smile on Bubble's face challenged me.

(The name "Bubble" made me think that it might be .......) (From the name "Bubble," I thought it might be the big guy who bumped into me earlier. ......)

　As I listened to his cheap provocations, the real-life guy started reading from a piece of paper in his hand.

I'm sure you'll be able to understand what I mean.　I'm sure you've heard of it.　Allen, on the other hand, is a ...... pfft. I'm not sure what to make of that.

　At that moment, the audience erupted.

　The audience erupted at that moment. It was a very obvious mockery of me.

"Hahahahaha!　Bubble, you're a lucky guy!　You're going to win this one lightly!

"Hey, kid!　Be careful not to get crushed!

"....... Show us your pride and joy with your own style of sword!

　The bubble next to me is no exception.

"Hey, hey, hey, come on!　I'm not sure what to make of this, but I'm sure it's a good idea.　I'm not sure what to say.

　I'm not sure what to make of this, but I think it's a good idea.

　I'm sorry.

　It's frustrating ...... but they didn't say anything wrong.

　I'm certainly getting stronger.

　But that's only in the little box that is the Grand Academy of Swordsmanship.
　In fact, if you step out into the world like this, you'll find that there are plenty of swordsmen who are just as good as you.

(I'm not there yet. ......)

　The world is a big place.
　Anyway, for now, I'm going to give it my all as if I'm going to borrow your chest.

Please.

　I bowed my head and waited for the signal to start the match.

I bowed and waited for the signal to start the match. "No matter how rude your opponent is, you have to show at least a modicum of human courtesy. If you don't, you'll end up just like your opponent," my mother had taught me.



　Then Bubble and I got into position to start the match.

"Are you ready?　Let the first match begin!

　As soon as the announcer announced the start of the match, Bubble and I drew our swords.

　I put my sword in front of my navel in the "Shogan" position.

　Bubble, on the other hand, held his large sword at the top of his head.

(How much my sword has grown after those billions of years in hell: ....... I'm going to find out how much my sword has grown over the past billion years at this sword fighting festival!

　To do that, you can't be passive.
　To do so, you can't be passive. You have to attack aggressively and push your swordsmanship forward.

　So this time, I decided to make the first move.

　I quickly swung my sword vertically from the Seigan stance.

"The first sword--Hikage!

　It's a flying slash that I've mastered through a billion years of training.

　It's not very powerful, but it comes out fast and can be fired while maintaining a good distance, so it's perfect as a check and balance blow to see where your opponent is coming from.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your vacation.

(I see. .......) I'm not sure what to make of that.

　I'm sorry to be rude, but ...... you're still better than me at combat.

　The next moment I thought that.

And then...

　This is a great way to make sure that you don't end up in a situation where you're not the only one.

"...... What?

　I'm sure you've heard of it.

I'm not sure what to say.　Allen-Roedl!

　The announcer loudly announced the result of the match.

　There was a loud buzz among the spectators and the many swordsmen who heard the result.

"Hey, what's going on ......?

Didn't something fast and black fly away for a second?

What?　I didn't see anything like that!

　I'm stunned for a moment by how easy it was.

No, it was ......, right?

　Maybe I'm ...... much stronger than I think I am.