--I suddenly felt like I was having a nostalgic dream.


　It wasn't based on my past experience, but on my experience of that man's life.
　It was an experience when the man went to practice iai.
　It took place in the indoor exercise hall of a private sports center in Tokyo. There were iai classes held there several times a week, only in the evenings, and the classes were open to members of the local community for instruction.


　Not only experienced students, but also children who were new to iaido, those who were learning as an extension of kendo, and those who came for spiritual training.
　That man had been learning iaido since he was about the same age as I am now, for spiritual training and study.


　I well remember the occasional appearance of a strange old man among them.
　His beard and hair had a lot of gray in it, and he looked more gray than white.
　He was disproportionately well-built and had a sharp face.
　With his well-built body and swarthy demeanor, there was no doubt that he had walked the path of the sword.
　However, he was neither a member nor an instructor.
　However, he was neither a member nor an instructor, and yet when he showed up, the older instructors always treated him as a superior and respected him.
　In the event that you have any questions concerning where and the best way to get in touch with us, please do not hesitate to contact us.


　The only thing I could think of was that he was either a member of the old martial arts that had been revived after the war, or a member of a new style of kenjutsu, but my instructor had no idea what he was talking about.
　However, there was no doubt in my mind that he had not been practicing kendo properly.
　Kendo is influenced by Zen philosophy, but I could not see any shadow of it in the old man's attitude toward the sword.
　Even though he showed up at the iai practice, he was glaring like a white blade without a blade.
　Keep your mind calm. Contrary to the supreme pursuit of harmony in the scabbard, there was always a glimpse of danger, like that of a beast.
　Perhaps because of this, his instructors always said, "Pay respect, but don't listen to him.


　One day of training, the man asked the old man.


"What is the mind's eye?

"Yes. I've been wondering about it for a while. I was wondering if Mr. Fuwa might know about it.

You know that, right?　You know how it is in manga? You know the one in manga where you can see your opponent's movements even when you close your eyes?

I don't think I could ever do that. "I don't think you can do that. You can't see unless you look with your eyes, and then how can you grasp the opponent's movements? It doesn't make any sense, does it?

"That's true. Only a psychic can see the other party's movement even if he closes his eyes.

Right. That's why I was wondering what it is. Do you have any idea what it's like?

Yes, I do. First of all, the mind's eye in sword fighting is to predict the next move from the opponent's current move. Those watching from the periphery will see it as if they are seeing it with their mind's eye. ...... That is the common mind's eye.

"So you're saying there are uncommon mind's eyes?

That's right. The mind's eye is to control the opponent, but the mind's eye in our case is to guess the opponent's mind from his current state.

The mind's eye?

That's right. The movements and swaying are not limited to physical movements. It can be seen in facial expressions, sweating, breathing, eye movements, everything. From that, you can guess what the person is thinking. If you know what he's thinking right now, you'll naturally be able to figure out his next move.

You sound like a psychologist.

"Maybe so. Reading the opponent's mind is a big part of the game. But there's one thing you can be sure of.

What is it?

"This technique of the mind's eye is not a technique for seeing things that are visible. The mind's eye is a technology for capturing the unseen.

"......?

It could be the psychology of the person you were talking about, or an extension of an unseen movement, or maybe even a radio signal. These guys generally have a sensory perception of something invisible like that.

In other words, people who can do that have more information than us, right?

That's right. If we want to beat them, we have to have something equal to them. The same information they have, or the information they can't get, and the power to surpass that information.

...... It's become about winning and losing again, isn't it?

You know what you're asking, right?　You know what I'm talking about, don't you?

That's right, but ...... you didn't hear me, did you, Shimayama-san?

You're late. They saw you talking to me. I'm sure you're going to get pissed like you did the other day.

"Haha, another nitpick. ...... Oh no.

...... That's what's wrong with you. It's your curiosity. Well, maybe that's why you're so proficient at your age.

I don't really feel like I'm getting any better.

That's true. That's what iaido is all about. If you want to see visible improvement, just do kendo. If you are exposed to people who have the same goal every day, you will get stronger. If you get a good instructor, you'll be golden.

"So tell me again. Like last time, what was it again?　The one where you throw and take away the opponent's sword. That's cool, isn't it? It's like a swordless attack.



I've told you many times that's not kendo. If you want to do something like that, go watch a comic book or a movie. I mean, are you sure you want to talk to me?

It's like I already know I'm going to be pissed, so I don't mind.


　...... The reverberations of laughter I heard were either my own or someone else's.


　The dream I just had reminded me of one such act.
　Whenever the old man appeared at the sports center during practice, the man would go over and talk to him and ask him about things that he could not get from his regular practice.
　This is a technique that does not exist in Kendo or Iaido, and is sometimes called an evil sword.
　On the other hand, he has an insane devotion to the sword.
　I think that old man was a terrible person as well as that man.
　He seemed to have mastered all the techniques of the sword, and he was so mastered that the only training he did was head-on swinging.


　His mind's eye was so unclear that such an old man could not give an answer.
　And that man, too, was never able to uncover the true nature of that mind's eye.


...... impossible. What's the point of that technology? What do you mean, "get information that you can't see"? What do you mean, you get information from other senses?


　Shaggy head, eyes half open. I ask myself that question as I sit up in bed in my waking state.
　Unfortunately, I don't have the same ability to receive poisonous or monstrous radio waves as that man.
　My father's brother is a national mage who can sense such things, but I'll leave it at that, because it's already too much to think about.


　But first of all, let's start from the beginning. That man's skill with the sword itself is still at a higher level. My physical ability and combat experience should already be better than his, but somehow there are still a number of sword techniques that he can do and I cannot.
　Even though my physical ability (potential) is already higher than his.


The man couldn't do it, but somehow he couldn't do it with his sword or his footwork.


　I remember the man's movements very well. (Kanrei couldn't do that guy, but for some reason he couldn't do things like carrying a sword or carrying a foot.
　It is clear that technique and skill are different from physical ability.
　If I had a sword, I would be able to practice a little more, but there is no point in begging for what I don't have.


I think we should make something that at least resembles the shape of a sword. ......


　Of course, it would be difficult to reproduce a sword.
　In this world, good quality iron can be obtained, so you may not have to go to the trouble of making steel from iron sand, but the biggest problem is making the sword. But the biggest problem is to make swords. The super-technology in this area is beyond my control as an amateur.
　By combining several kinds of iron, I can make a sword with both toughness and hardness.
　The difference in tension caused by rapid cooling creates warp.
　There is no way to understand this just by watching a video or reading a book.
　What can be made realistically are imitation swords and takemitsu. They will be imitations of imitation swords, but you will be able to practice with them.
　It would be nice if there were something similar to a Japanese sword in this world, or at least a patterned sword.


　From outside the door, I hear Noah's voice.


"Master Arx, are you awake?

"Ah!　I just woke up!

You'd better get ready. You'll be late for your appointment.

Oh, so today is the day.


　Noah's words reminded me that it was the day I was going to the fine sword dojo.
　It was also fresh in my mind that I was invited by Charlotte during the celebration.
　After some correspondence, the date was arranged and the schedule was set.
　After getting dressed, washing up, eating and other preparations, we were at the entrance.


"Master Arx, is your left arm okay?

'I'm just going to do some fine sword fighting, so I think it's fine. I'll bring it with me, though.


　He said, shaking a long bag. It contains a wooden sword for fine sword fighting and a wooden sword, of course.


Don't take it too hard. You're not completely healed yet, so take care of yourself as best you can.

"Oh. Thank you.


　I left the house, telling Noah that I was going to see him.


　I walked down the main street to the border of the noble district.
　When I arrived at the site of the kendo hall, I saw a familiar figure near the gate.
　It was Charlotte.
　She must have been waiting for me because I had given her the approximate date and time in advance.
　She was dressed in comfortable clothes and simple armor, with no ornaments. Her long, light brown hair was pulled back to keep it out of the way.
　Her long, light brown hair was pulled back to keep it out of the way, quite the opposite of the impression I had at the celebration that she looked like Jacqueline.


　Charlotte was standing calmly, as if she did not mind the idleness of waiting.
　When I approached her, she smiled at me softly.


"Mr. Arx. Welcome.

It's nice to meet you today, not .......


　Charlotte averts her gaze awkwardly as she reiterates her words impatiently.
　She must have remembered something from the celebration. She seems to remember what happened when she was drunk, and her face is slightly stained.


Don't worry too much about the other day. Forget it if you can.


　It seems that Charlotte is aware that the incident was a blunder.
　Anyway, if you want me to forget about it.


And the way you talk?



You can't do that. That's what I said the other day. When we're alone, talk normally.

Okay.


　That settled the matter.
　After that, we exchanged a few words and Charlotte led me into the grounds of the kendo hall.
　The land is much larger than I had expected, and there are a number of buildings that look like kendo dojos.


　I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea. ...... The headquarters of the kendo dojo is in the royal capital, and most of the people who study kendo in the royal capital come here to learn it.
　The dojo students are not only nobles and their children, but also soldiers, children of influential merchants, and many other common people.
　For this reason, the dojo is divided into two sections, one for commoners and the other for nobles, to avoid any unnecessary trouble.
　Eventually, I arrived at the dojo used by the children of the nobility.


　Inside the boarded-up room, a number of swordsmen were already wearing protective gear and fighting each other.
　I had imagined that the practice would be rougher than it was, since fine sword fighting is used in actual combat, but it was not so bad. Perhaps it was because this was a place where aristocrats came and went.
　The use of wooden swords, the thickness of the protective gear, and the way they moved were all different, but the air was filled with fencing practice.


　I noticed that there were a surprisingly large number of young people in the kendo hall.
　When I asked Charlotte about this, she told me that the older students were at work and were not there except on holidays or at night.
　Since Hosokenjutsu is mainly based on thrusting, they use a rolled up cloth over the tip of their swords to strike each other.
　They target only the torso to avoid danger.
　When I entered the dojo with Charlotte, the dojo students in the vicinity stopped to greet her.
　This is probably due to the fact that she is the daughter of a soke.


　In the midst of all this, I suddenly felt a tense stare.
　At first glance, it was hard to tell from whom or from where.
　If I had to say, it was from the whole surrounding area.


(............)


　Because of the tense atmosphere in the dojo, I wonder if I'm overly sensitive to even a mere glance of attention.
　If not, why in the world should you be looked at like that?
　I look around the dojo and wonder a little.
　Now that I was in public, I was careful about my language and asked Charlotte.


"It seems that the instructor is not here?


　If you look closely, you can see that there is no one supervising, just a bunch of dojo students hitting each other.
　Normally, I would expect an instructor to be keeping a close eye on things like this, but I guess not.
　Then he said


"I'm usually out of the office for breaks and meetings at this time.


　That's the answer I get.
　Apparently, she was just now taking a break.
　While talking with her, I walked through the dojo students to a corner of the dojo.
　Deciding that this was the place to practice, he took out a wooden sword for fine sword fighting.


"Arx-kun, don't you wear a protective gear?

What?　Uh, yes. I've never practiced that way before.

Is that so?

No. My uncle likes to train hard.


　That's why Clive is so spartan. He believes that if it doesn't hurt, you don't learn, so he never uses protective gear in training.
　Even so, if he was injured, he would use healing magic to fix it.
　Thanks to him, I learned how to measure, dodge, and fend off, and this helped me a lot in the battle against Dussaea.


My left arm is still healing, so I hope you'll forgive me if I make some mistakes.

"Yes. Don't worry, it's just a little sword contact. If you don't touch it even a little, your instincts will become dull.

Yes.


　If you don't move, you don't move, and your instincts get dull.
　Besides, practicing in a place like this is stimulating.
　She knows that her body is not in perfect condition. I'm sure she's not thinking of doing any serious hand-to-hand combat, and in fact she's not even pretending to.


　I can get by with just fine sword fighting. The stance of the Royal Fine Swordsmanship is one-handed. The left hand is only used to balance the body, so you can fight reasonably well without using it.
　She must have taken this into consideration when she invited me to this event.


　So, let's start with a quick fight.
　Just as we were about to meet face to face.
　Suddenly, one of the dojo students walked towards me at a fast pace.


"Master Charlotte. Master Ian wants to see you.

"......?　Your brother?

Yes. Well, he said it was urgent. ......

What's going on?　I told him I would come by later.


　When Charlotte looked at her in confusion, the dojo student nodded with a mysterious expression.
　They are not looking at each other, and there is a hint of awkwardness in their faces, but what's going on?
　Charlotte is also wondering, but it seems that she has to go if she is called.


I'm sorry, Mr. Arx. I have to leave for a while. Wait here for a moment.

Okay. Have a good day.


　She bows to Charlotte, pulls her armor and wooden sword to the edge, and leaves the dojo.


　And just as her back disappeared into the hallway.
　Some of the dojo students stopped and gathered towards her, as if they were in agreement.


　...... It was probably not my imagination that the tense stares I had felt earlier seemed to intensify.
　In no time at all, I was surrounded by dojo students wearing protective gear.


"What is this?　What the hell is this?


　A young man replied as he looked around at those surrounding him.


You're Master Charlotte's fiancé, I hear. She was disinherited.

"...... Yes, well...

I'm sure you're not the only one.　How dare such a person walk into this dojo when he is not even learning how to sword at the dojo. ......

The reason I came to the dojo today is because Charlotte-sama invited me?

I don't care about that.

It's .......


　The doctrine was brushed aside.
　I guess that means they don't really listen to me.
　Do you just want to complain? ...... No, if that's the case, there's no need to surround me like this and intimidate me.


"Let's see if you are qualified enough to come to the dojo.

"Test me?" ......


　I suppose this means that the lady is going to rub the man she brought in person.
　I see, so the fact that Charlotte was called by her brother earlier is probably a setup by them.
　It is a common practice to instruct a cocky newcomer by making him practice hard, but this is a guest and a younger person.
　I wonder if it's because Charlotte brought them here, or if it's because they're proud to be a student of fine swordsmanship.


　The true nature of the tense atmosphere is probably the will to kill.
　It's a situation that I don't understand.


　I have the option of refusing and running away, but this may be a good opportunity.
　I wonder how good my sword is now.
　How does it compare to the standard of the kingdom?
　It's not a bad idea to know.


　I put away the wooden sword for fine fencing in my bag and took out an oak 'wooden sword' instead.


　This is something I've had a woodworker make for me for a while.
　I've been ordering it for a while now, and now I've finally got a good one.
　I had brought it with me in case I had to play with Charlotte, but I had no idea that this would be the first time I would have to use it.


　If I had to say that I was worried about using this, it would be that I could not use my left arm.
　The left hand is almost useless, and can only be used for balance.
　And since there are times when you have to fight in Tsubagatsu even in Hosekijutsu, you have to be careful not to do so.


　Thinking that this would be quite restrictive, I held up my wooden sword and said, "Thank you very much.