We arrived at the training ground.

　It was a beautiful training ground with a new number.
　It was larger than the place I use for combat classes and after-school training, and it had a roof.

　Me and Chairman Koudelka selected swords for training and confronted each other in the center of the training grounds.
　The weapon we both chose was a training sword.
　There are many more types of training weapons in this training ground than the training ground I usually use.
　It seems there are few people who like to use swords in particular.
　It's a good idea to have a few of these in the training grounds.
　It's a good idea to have a few of these in your pocket.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most out of your time with this particular type of sword.
　However, perhaps because I often used swords such as the Devil Eater and the Mad Cherry Blossom in battles against strong enemies, I feel I'm more comfortable with swords.

　Chairman Koudelka became half-formed and held his sword.

''Ray, can you give us a signal to begin?''

　Lei-senpai agreed and took a few steps back.
　I pulled my sword from its scabbard and dropped the sheath to the ground.
　Chairman Koudelka takes one, deep breath.

''Then--''

　Lei-senpai uttered the signal to start.

''Begin!''

　Right after the start signal, the first to move was President Koudelka.

　An action similar to iaido.
　From the scabbard, a flash of side-nagi.
　The first strike is flicked off with the vertical blade.
　Chairman Koudelka's return is quick.
　She agilely drew back and returned to a seamless stance.
　From a single breath - again, she launched a slash with a quiet spirit.

　An offensive and defensive kata with no blurring to the point of fondness.
　Is the beauty and precision of her kata similar to Cecily Arkwright's kata?

　The short sound of a sword cutting the wind, three times.
　The sleeves of her dressing gown danced with each attack.
　Her lustrous black hair came and went in the sky like a clear stream.
　The footwork, which exquisitely keeps them from jumping into your bosom, is a word of splendor.
　The next move is difficult to read because the wrist is hidden by the flowing sleeves.
　Is the length of the sleeves of the sashaying sleeve being used as an advantage for not being able to read the initial move?

　The chairman of Koudelka stopped in his tracks.

''You're as strong as they say, Sagara-dono.

　Breathing briefly, Chairman Koudelka held his sword up with his right hand.

''I will not hold back. I know very well that this is not a person to lose your mind.

　President Koudelka softly cupped her hand on the peak with her left hand.
　I could see her concentration grow even more intense.
　The quality of the air she wears is clearly changing.
　I hold my sword at the lower level and drop my posture.

　This time, I set it up from my side.
　Chairman Koudelka changed his stance just before, and with a swivel, he released a sideways circular slash.
　I swung my sword at the upper level and swiftly swung it down.
　Chairman Koudelka reversed the turn.
　I quickly switch swords back and forth and defend myself.
　Our swords clash, then once we get away from each other.
　I exhale.

　The speed of the sword.
　The way I put my weight on it.
　The return after the attack.

　If it's only this, it might be comparable to Currier-san.
　Especially if it's limited to the return after an attack, is it quicker than normal Currier-san?
　Chairman Koudelka, with his sword flowing behind him, is holding me with eyes like a bird of prey observing its prey.

　Sharply.

　But static.

　--I won't spare you, I won't spare you.

　Something has clearly changed since that area.
　

"..........

　The air is tense.
　The sounds generated in the school gradually faded away - such is the sensation.
　It's an odd metaphor, but the person in front of me seemed like a vast mass of sensors.

　And just as I was about to move on to my next move.

　Chairman Koudelka moved first.

　No, he didn't just move first.
　He moved first to match my movements.
　I could see it.
　I've been engaged.
　Without an inch of deviation.
　I've been perfectly coordinated with the attack, which I couldn't have done more to crush my movements.
　My next move has been read.
　Perfectly.
　Flawlessly.
　I tried to move, but they were so far ahead of me that even I could see it.
　If you can understand the meaning of your opponent's movement, it's a movement that makes you hesitate to make your next move first.
　You are being read.
　If a person feels that way, they usually can't help but hesitate to make their next move.

"I see--

　I recall the conversation I had with Ray-senpai on my way to the training grounds.

''Can Chairman Koudelka be able to read the future?''
''Yes. Our chairman seems to know what kind of attack our opponent is going to make next.'
Does that mean your dynamic vision is abnormally good?
The unique magic of the Ferraris clan - the sky.
Polaris?
'I'm told there was originally another name for it. 'Vol ... something, I think?　I heard that the people of the Ferraris family, who were fond of eastern culture, changed the name to "Polaris" at some point in time.
What do you mean by "Polaris"?
"Among the concepts of swordsmen in the East, there's a concept called 'Zukyu' that brings you to a state of sharpened nerves, a state of extreme concentration, right?
The void?
''Yes. It is said that to reach the realm of the Abyssal Gateway, one needs to have their own strict training. Even among the swordsmen of the eastern provinces, there are only a few who can reach that realm.
''But........Senior Brother Lei is quite knowledgeable, isn't he?
I prefer reading to wielding swords and throwing out jutsu. I'm just as much of a student as Cecily.　Anyway. Those who have reached the state of the "void" know exactly what their opponent's next move is going to be from their initial move.
I see. And so they named it Polaris after the "dead sky.
Apparently, the Ferraris family named it Polaris, meaning "the sky that has reached the pinnacle of space".
''The Cirrus Baths and the Ferraris family's devotion to Eastern culture is quite something... but are you sure you want to tell me what you just said?
'No, I mean, the chairman himself asked me to speak to you.
From the chairman himself?
'He said it's not fair that Kurohiko doesn't know about this power of his own when he knows about the forbidden curse.
"Well, you're a serious person.
"Hey, but I forgot to tell you about this until now, didn't I?　As far as I'm concerned, I'm glad I got the message right before you did.
"Ray-senpai...

　I see.

That's the Polar Sky.

　Future vision - not just anticipation.
　Reaction speed, accuracy.........many other abilities seem to have been raised to the bottom.
　The five senses--not to mention the entire senses, including even the six, seem to have been enhanced.

　Quickly canceling the first blow, I unleash the second.
　Chairman Koudelka reacts with plenty of time to spare and engages with it beautifully.
　As expected, he has read the location and trajectory of the attack in advance.
　What's even more astonishing is his ability to react.
　Even if you change your attack pattern right before an attack, assuming that you can anticipate the attacker's timing, it will respond to the attack after the change without a shred of dislike.
　My attack is closing in on Chairman Koudelka.

''-----''

　The third and fourth blows and all my attacks were read.
　There is no misreading.
　The fifth shot was also read.

"I see........that's great, isn't it?

　He said that with sweat running down his cheeks.

　Chairman Koudelka.

　Sixth and seventh shots.
　I'm not resting my hand on the attack.
　I increase my speed.
　Chairman Koudelka parries my attack and fires back.
　He instantly flicks off the attacking blade.

　Faster, faster--.

　Chairman Koudelka pulls back his sword.
　The sword that was about to be pulled back is flicked back again.

"Kook--

　We won't have a chance to defend ourselves.

　--Faster.

　That's it.
　If he's reading our attacks.

My speed...


　I have no choice but to raise my attacks to a level where it is no longer a problem to be read.


'Wait, please........'

　I stopped attacking.
　Chairman Koudelka had sweat all over his face and was breathing heavily.
　Breathing, she said.

'Let's get this over with...'

　The end, huh?
　Chairman Koudelka puts his hand on his chest and takes a deep breath.



　If you can read your opponent's attacks, you will certainly have an advantage in battle.
　Even so, it would be meaningless if you couldn't prevent it.
　And the 《Polar Sky》 has another weakness.
　This person himself would probably be aware of it, but....

''I have heard that you are by no means the only one with forbidden spells, but you were stronger than I heard. It was a good experience for me. Thank you.
''It was a good experience for me too. Particularly, I didn't know that 《Polar Sky》 is this much of a thing.......It's honestly hard to do when your attacks are predicted almost the same as yours.......''
I'm honored by your praise.
It was a pleasure for me to cross swords with President Koudelka. Thank you.
No.

　Chairman Koudelka wiped the sword and put it in its scabbard.

''By the way........the forbidden curse was also on alert for a while, but you didn't use it, did you?''
''Well actually I wanted to hone my strength in areas that don't rely on the power of the forbidden spell right now. That's why I was thinking of doing today without using forbidden spells as much as possible, just the sword.

　I replied as I sheathed my sword.

''Then the use of the jutsu itself should have been banned from the beginning. I apologize for not taking that into consideration. In addition, I even used the 《極空》.
No, no, no...I'm the one who sort of went into the fight for my own reasons...I'm sorry.

　Chairman Koudelka narrowed his eyes and wiped the sweat from his white cheeks with his sleeve.

''Just as Ray was telling me Lord Sagara seems to be a bit of a strange lord.
Oh, really?
'Even though it was a mock battle, I beat Koudelka Ferraris. You could be a little more proud of your victory, couldn't you?　Many I know, for example, try to draw out words to satisfy their own self-esteem in a roundabout way.
Uh....
Yes?
Well, now that my self-esteem is satisfied what's going to happen to me that's going to be good for me?

　President Koudelka paused.

'No, I mean...I don't quite understand what Lord Sagara means by that...'
'There is no benefit to me if my self-esteem is satisfied... and if I win the game, I would rather motivate my opponent more while taking care not to lose their confidence, as the case may be...' ...?
''Well that would be ideal, I suppose. But.........
..........
..........
This is ridiculous, Lady Sagara.
Am I crazy...?
Yes, let's use common sense.

　Gulping, he slumped his shoulders.
　Strange, huh.........
　Do you think I'm a guy who doesn't have common sense to Chairman Koudelka.......?
　And then.

Oh.

　It was Rei-senpai who seemed to have been unable to help himself.
　I was heartbroken and looked up.

Rei-senpai........is something wrong?
No, I just thought I'd see something unusual. I didn't think that our chairman would be...
?
By the way, Lady Sagara.

　With a serious look on his face, Chairman Koudelka said.

'To what extent did I look like in Lord Sagara's eyes?
'You mean in terms of ... strength in battle?
Yes, sir.

　Hmmm.
　Would it be too caring or too sarcastic to be badly cared for?
　The look on her face made me think so.
　So I should be honest here.

''I thought you were a strong person,''
...I see.
But...

　Yeah.
　I'm done fighting.
　With them.

'Compared to Hibigami and the Four Deadly Plagues and those monsters, I still felt like there was something decidedly different about them.
Something definitely different... what is it?
I'm sorry to be so abstract, but if I had to use a metaphor, I'd say...smell?
The smell...
They've got their own special smell. It's a currier - and Currier Versteen is no different.

　Rokia and Noyes had that smell, too.
　But I don't know if I have that smell myself--

Mugu....?

　For a moment.

　It went dark in front of me.

　What the hell...?
　I can feel something on either side of my head, a harmonious blend of softness and moderate elasticity.
　Is this.........being held back, or is it?
　Huh?

Can't you smell it on me?

　It was a complete surprise.

...I can't feel it...
Okay.

　He is released from his restraints.
　I check with my dizzy mind, but Chairman Koudelka is slack-jawed.
　There is no reaction of embarrassment or anything like that.
　He maintains a dignified expression.
　It's not as if he or she is aware of the fact that he or she has done some sort of careless mimicry....
　And the one who is grinning in this kind of situation is........as usual, Rei-senpai, as usual.
　Just by the movement of his mouth, I could tell that he said, "As usual, you're a perk, huh?
　I don't think there's any perk to the act of loading your heart........
　Furthermore, senior Lei said again with just the movement of his mouth, "Our chairman, isn't it quite a perk? He asked me.
　...How am I supposed to react?

'Geez.'

　I hide my embarrassment and cough one out.

I'm sorry, I used a bad metaphor. I'm not talking about body odor, but rather the air or atmosphere that a person wears....
'Well I'm sorry for not understanding and letting Lord Sagara smell my sweaty scent.

　I'm sure that wasn't an unpleasant scent.

I've always had a bad sense of humor. Please forgive me.
No, no...
'Anyway, I found out that Sagara-dono is a few levels above me in ability.......So Doris was not wrong in her assessment either. More than anything else, I'm also happy to know my current accurate ability. But.........although it was an unwilling title from the beginning, but with this--

　Chairman Koudelka's expression seemed to soften a little.

''I guess I'll get rid of the title of 'undefeated' as well.