"I didn't know what kind of weapon I wanted, so I got a sword. It's an unmarked sword, but it's a good one. The previous owner took good care of it.

"This one has been used a lot, but it's been used with great care. It looks like it's been professionally cared for all these years.

"Oh, my. That's very kind of you to say.



　Which means that .......



"My old one. As you can see, it's been well taken care of, but I've been having fun with it for a while now."



　Awesome ....... I guess it means that he was an adventurer or something as a swordsman even though he is still young by the looks of it.

"Are you sure?"

"It's fine, it's fine. I'm rather sorry I didn't recognize you sooner. You've been working out a lot, haven't you?



　The waiter touches my body.

　It's fine, but it's kind of unsettling. ....... Especially because she was a beautiful woman.



"Well. Now that I know your size, I'll make some adjustments.

"Oh. You even measured me now. You're good.



　Awen was impressed.



"Hmm. Leave that to me. While you're at it, why don't you try your hand at flicking a sword?"

"Thank you."



　He grips the sword again. Yes. It's a good sword. I'm going to swing it lightly.

　It moves smoothly. The weight and size are just right, and it feels good in my hand thanks to the care taken with the handle. It is a really good sword.



No, no, you!　Where did you learn that sword technique!"



　Awen comes up to me, looking excited.

　Oh, yeah. This is a royal sword ...... or not. I'm pretty sure I've taught myself most of this already.

　I'll be honest about that.



"Oh, come on, seriously ......."

"Well, ...... I thought I brought it with me, but is this what you wanted ......?　It's pricey, but you can get something a little better ......."

"No, no, no. "No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.

"I see. ......"



　I knew I should be careful not to mention the palace too much.

　I'm going to be rather ragged.



"I thought it was a strange sword technique that I taught myself ......, but I guess sometimes you can tell just by swinging a sword like that ...... that it's a different level. ......"

"You're exaggerating..."

"What's the big deal?　...... No, that's okay. Anyway, with all this stuff, well, you won't be fooled by their looks."

"I see. So you're heading off to training school."



　The lady at the store enters the conversation.



"Then be careful. There are a lot of aristocrats transferring in this time of year.



　Aristocrats. The empire is a meritocracy, but it also has an aristocracy. I knew that because of the hereditary system, there are some families who have not enough ability to become a noble.



"Nobles who come to the training school are dropouts, aren't they?

"But it's not so. The grades you get at the training school affect what you do afterwards."

"Influence ......?"



　Apparently, the training schools are attracting a lot of attention among the aristocracy.

　Depending on how well you do at the training school, you can be promoted and even considered for important positions such as minister. The empire is a meritocracy. However, there are few areas where one's ability can be visualized, and the training school is a system to visualize one's valuable ability.



"Well, I'm sure this guy will be fine."

"I bet you're right. ......"



　The two of them seemed to be saying something, but dealing with the nobility is an area I'm most familiar with.

　I've assassinated a number of them. ...... No, no. I've dealt with them.

　I left the arms shop, thinking about my life at the training school.