--January ago. Parade Ground.

Whoo-hoo-hoo-hoo!

　Prim Lancaster was happily wielding his cross spear under the blue sky that day.

"Ah!
"Whoa!
I'm hit!
I can't feel any motivation at all!

　They were the familiar trio of guards, Bill, Ben, and Bob.
　They are not weak.
　I don't know about you, but at this time, they are all capable of competing in the main tournament in the royal capital.

　However, even the three of them were at a disadvantage against this woman with her monstrous physical strength.

　Bob's endurance is not the result of a dirty spirit, but of his own training. That's why you'd think she'd be the one who could take Prim down the most, but that's not the case.

　Her physical strength is her agility and concentration.
　It's not just the amount of time she can move, it's the amount of time she can do sword fighting continuously. Therefore, no matter how hard she stood up or struggled, time would pass without her being able to land even a single blow.

　My heart would be broken.
　Still, their perseverance is impressive, as they continue to challenge each other every day, and I'm sure that their efforts have paid off in their appearance in the tournament.

　Prim herself was impressed with Bill and Ben's quickness.
　If it took two of them, they could probably take out a big one.

　So why can't Prim understand them? It's just a matter of getting used to them. Prim knows what they can do and what they can't do, so it doesn't matter what they do now.

　It's just.

I can't.

　On the sand of the barracks.
　On the sand of the barracks, a seated Bill screamed.
　Originally, the three of them had managed to cope with the situation, and without one of them, it wouldn't even be a workout anymore.

　This training, which usually goes on until one of us gives up, seemed to be over for today.

　What was missing was Prim.

"Boo.

　She had been working out for a long time and still seemed to have a lot of energy.

　Her bored look as she fumbled with the spear showed a bit more melancholy than usual.

　Normally, after training, she would get hungry and scavenge for food in the guards' mess hall without permission. Bill and Ben looked at each other at the unusual behavior.

...... What's up?
"Hmm?　"What?
I thought you didn't look happy. Normally we'd go out to dinner.
Oh, yeah. Well, I'm hungry.

　She scratched her cheek and smiled.

　I could see the worry in her eyes.

I was thinking, "......3 you guys are getting stronger.
"Oh, are you trying to fight me?

　This was said to the three who were slumped down.
　Prim shook her head loosely, though it was understandable for Bob to say so.

　Actually, she was right. All three of them had gotten a lot better in less than a year. All three of them have improved a great deal in less than a year, to the point where they stand head and shoulders above the rest of the guards.

　That in itself should be gratifying.
　But that's not the point. The truth of Prim's words lay behind it.

"I haven't changed much, you know.
"......

　The guards look at each other again.

　If you ask me, it's true that I'm getting blown up less often than at first. You can hold out for quite a while until your physical strength can't keep up.
　If you want to call that growth, you're right.
　In fact, Prim seemed to be enjoying the training.

　But. But on the other hand.
　But on the flip side, the fact that she was able to hang in there means that there is a difference in growth potential.

"No, well, what can I say? Isn't there a difference between someone who couldn't do the rudiments becoming decent and a skilled person becoming even better?
"I know that, you know?　That's right. When I was at the ...... dojo, there were a lot of students.
It's a nightmare to have a dojo full of people like you.

　Gather around, Banzoku no Mori.

But the people around me won't go along with that excuse.
"......

　People.
　It's not that they don't understand who you're referring to when you say that.

　You can see it clearly in the results of the first martial arts tournament to which she was invited as a preferential quota.

　Aside from Arawn B. Smiles, who was defeated in the first round, there was Izuna Sienzan, who had a "great match" with the champion in the first round. In addition to Lilac M. Fangini, the strongest in the kingdom, Prim has high praise for Leafy Lean Glide.

　And above all, the Champion.

　That's just the top of the list.
　Who else is going to win from the bottom?


　When she thought about it, Prim felt that she could understand a little bit the anxiety that Izuna used to have.

"I wonder... What is it, a theory?
"Theory?

　She's not very good at it, and she's been spoonfed at Tsuneyama, the head temple of jujutsu.
　But she doesn't know that it's not because she's been abandoned, but because her senses can handle any theory.

　Anyway.
　As Prim wonders if she should try something she's not good at, Ben suddenly interrupts her.

"I mean...
"Hmm?
"If you're so worried about it, go get some advice. It's not like you can't ask for advice.
Who's gonna tell me what to do?
Well, there's only one person who knows your martial arts better than you.
"......

　That's what he said.
　For Prim, who had only ever thought of training himself to do something, there was no such thing as being taught by someone else.
　He thought that he would have to find it on his own, especially if he had been given a license for Jyoshan Jujitsu.

　However, there were definitely people who had the same level of skill or higher.

"Or something. I'm sure you'll be able to find someone with the same level or better.
...... Or maybe it's the other way around.

　I think he was more of a "let someone fight me as an equal" kind of guy.

　And what's the use of talking about it?

　The man is a pimp and a busybody.
　It's not surprising that he would show up at the barracks on a whim.

"Hey, what's up with you guys? Did you finish your training?
Just in time, Mr. Futa.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Let's get you out of here.
What the hell is wrong with you?

　It's a little awkward to be slumped over, but...

　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.

"Hey, can I ask you something?

　--What's missing from my spear?














　--The spectacle of the arena.


　What was it that made the unpleasant sound?
　By the time anyone recognized it, the figure of the spear was already flying in the sky.

　People's voices combined with their surprise, and the whole spectacula erupted into a cheerful "WOW".

"Ahhhh!
"I see.

　Even Pasta-chan was upset by this.
　But the young man sitting next to her stroked his chin as he calmly assessed the situation.

　There are only two breakable weapons in this place.

　One of them was Lilac M. Fangini's contessa. It is slender and therefore prone to breakage, but Lilac's careful and deliberate workmanship has made up for this weakness.

　The other weapon was Prim Lancaster's cross spear.
　It has a small blade, but that means that more load is placed on the hilt.

　And right now, there was only one person who had the skill to destroy weapons.


[Court's own style of swordsmanship: Xie].


"Lilac-sama, you've come here to refine your previous technique?
"I see!　The kick that broke my brother's confection?
But it's different from court swordsmanship.



　The spear that flew through the air was a cross spear.

　Just beyond the half of the hilt, the upper half of the spear, including the blade, spun around and flew into the air.

　It was a brilliant coordination.

Tsuneyama javelin: Hoshi-shirube

　Its threat was indeed tremendous. It would take two people to defeat it, and they would barely be able to break it. It's not a choice I'd be happy with, considering the risk of being stuck with a single warrior named Prim.

　But Arawn and Lilac dared to choose that path.
　Why?

　Because they were confident that they could break it.

"It's a great defensive move, yes. But that's only if you have the right weapon.

　Calm lilac eyes.
　Lilac dared to catch the downed spear blade with her conch, and held her ground, not willing to let the situation become a stalemate.
　At that moment, Aylan intervened with a heel drop that exploded into the hilt of the spear.
　At the same moment, Lilac swung her leg up and kicked the hilt near Prim's hand.

　The spear, which had been impacted in such a way that it had become a spiked spear, was snapped to pieces by Aylan B. Smiles, who was the best fighter in the kingdom.

　The javelin is not a hard weapon. Rather, the flexibility and softness of its handle is what makes it a weapon.
　That's why... one day...

　It was crushed in my fist in a fight with Izuna Sienzan.

　--Yes, I remember that well too.




What's missing from Prim's spear?　It's a perfect cross spear, isn't it?　Well, if I had to say, I'd say it's a killing technique. ...... That's not a fighting sword, you say?
"...... Yeah. I think that's a bit naive.


'Then yes, it is. The cross spear is indeed claimed to be the best weapon that can be used as any weapon, but I don't think it's perfect yet.
"What?　A spear is a spear, a sword is a sword, a sickle is a sickle, a mallet is a mallet, a club is a club, and a fist is a fist.　What else is there?　What else? Hair pulling?
I'm not sure what you're talking about. You'll float in that line. That's not what I meant.





　It's true, I'm glad I talked to you about it, Prim said.

　If you think about the fact that Izuna smashed you, there will be many times in the future that you will break your weapon. This is a problem that inevitably comes with the weakness of a long handle.

"Prim!
Here we go.
It's over.

　Aylin and Lilac jumped in when Prim's spear was broken and her stance was slumped.
　Their attack was sharp, a sign that they had a good sense of combat.

　Only by attacking when they see an opportunity will they be able to be strong.



　In his hand was a short spear with a spearhead.



　In his hand, a short spear with a cross-blade.



!

　Lilac was the first one to notice the change.
　Lilac was the first one to notice something was wrong, as if she had been constantly improving her ability to sense danger.
　She stopped in her tracks and shouted.

"Wait, Arawn!
What?

　What?" She thought, but her fist had already been fired.

　Prim catches it with the broken spear still clenched in her hand.
　It's only natural, because it's the only way to counter it.

　Arawn had already seen that coming. So he wasn't that alarmed. --But... But Arawn knew immediately.

　Why did she take it with her left hand only?

"...... you!

　I'm not sure if this is a martial art or not, but Prim's right hand is still open.

　Then there's only one answer.

　The falling cross spear.





The only thing I haven't been able to replicate is the strength of the two-way sword.
"Two-stroke. ...... You're right about that!　It's so strong with just one spear!　It's the strongest with two spears!　I don't know why I didn't notice!
"Eh, hey?
"Thank you, Futa!　I'll be using two spears from now on!
"Hey, ......







"Alright, let's get started!　....... ....... ...... Heavy.









　That day, I gave up. I decided to leave it as it was for now and think about it later.
　It is true that I have not been able to reproduce the strength of the two spears.
　If the cross spear was the strongest and best weapon, then it would be nice to be able to reproduce the strength of the "two sword style" as Futa said.
　However, it was not easy for Prim alone to improve the "supreme" spear that had been handed down through a hundred years of history.

　Maybe there were other people who thought of it, since Prim and Futa had thought of it.
　But the result was to kill the goodness of the cross spear.

　The handling that was possible with a single spear was no longer possible.
　That's why it was kept in storage.

　But.

Two short spears... I don't know why. It feels so right.
That's not how it works!

　I can handle it with one hand. I can manage it with the same weight as one spear.
　You can't use them to leap, but if you want to use them to defend yourself on the ground, this might be a better option.

　Aylin is right, this is a new skill.

　Short spear in the right hand, short spear in the left.

　To be precise, the left hand is a poor spear, as it only has a spearhead attached to it, but it is fine as a spur-of-the-moment spear.

"Oh no!
I won't let you!

　Lilac had sensed something and was about to step forward, but Mion's checking fire blocked her.

　Aylin decided that it was just a flash in the pan. In fact, Prim hadn't had much training in the two spears.

　So Lilac didn't know why she was in such a hurry.

　She just felt a chill.
　That's all. I've carefully researched the Jongsan Jujitsu. He had moved because he thought weapon destruction would give him a definite advantage. In fact, it was the best way to defeat the Guide Star. It should be.



　So the only problem is that Prim is completely unfazed by the broken spear.


"Isn't that just plain weird?
"What do you mean?
I'm not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing, but it's a good thing.
I was curious about it, but I didn't know what to think.　I was curious about it, but I didn't want to get into a fight with the ...... school of thought.
It's not that dangerous. It's just that she understood the characteristics of the javelin by feel before anyone else. In other words, she was a genius who could handle any weapon at will.
"You said the cross spear is the perfect all-encompassing weapon ......, right, big brother?
Yeah. So what I'm trying to say is. What I'm trying to say is that she's not a 'javelin genius'.


　Because she could handle any kind of weapon, she preferred to use the cross spear that she could draw out according to the situation.

　That's all I'm saying.


　Then, how much of a gap would her "improvised" spear leave?



　How much of an opening does she have?





Tsuneyama Jujitsu "My Style": Acht Acht.





　A low crouching posture.
　It's the fastest strike you can make with one hand. It is the fastest blow that a single hand can deliver. The speed with which it dives into the body is a blow that the fastest woman in the world has just refined.

"......!
"Two short spears. I feel like I can go even higher now.

　Right in front of me, her face.
　A blade at her throat. The spear in his left hand held him back from a kick he was about to deliver.


"...... This...


　It was only for a moment.

　The referee raised his hand.


　The referee raised his hand.



　An explosion of cheers and shouts filled the spectacle.



　It was the moment when the favorite was eliminated and the winner was born.




　And the winner was born.











　--The winner, Stardust.