As an enforcer, I was making the rounds of the school.

　Then, I find something strange at the back of the school building.

　A round, circular foundation.
　It was strangled with ropes around it and stamped hard.

　It was a ritualistic altar of some sort, but it was not.
　It is faint, but there are traces of human scraped feet.
　Just standing there, the smell of human sweat wafted through the air.
　Perhaps people fought on it.

　The smell of sweat is a bit unpleasant, but not bad.

　It reminded me of the old war time.
　Then my heart naturally got excited.
　I began to move my body, as if to express the state of things, and I asked, "Who is this?

"Who are you?

　A sharp voice rang out.
　I stopped and turned around.

　A girl was standing there.
　But she's probably older than me.
　The emblem of 'Gantt' on her right shoulder was in bloom, indicating that she was a second class student.

　Her black hair was tied back and her narrow black eyes pierced me sharply.
　Although she lacked feminine ups and downs, her limbs were slender and long, and her muscles were well squeezed.

　Especially noticeable is what she's wearing.
　Is it a traditional costume of some sort?
　He wore a long garment with loose cuffs and a garment that looked like it was halfway between trousers and a skirt, tied around his waist.

　He was young, but he must be a martial artist in his own right.
　Even though I was a little enamored with her, I didn't notice her presence until I called out to her.

　She gave her name as Meira Meeble.
　She was the daughter of the diplomatic envoy of the Eastern country of Siphon, and this outfit was also the country's traditional costume.
　And the foundation I'm standing on now.
　It is said that this is also the martial arts arena for Siphon's swordsmanship.

　It's a good idea to get permission from the school to use both the traditional costume and the martial arts arena.

I'm sorry. I didn't know it was so, but I used it without permission.

''No. .........In fact, I had the pleasure of watching your performance for a while now. It was a move I had never seen before, but it was extremely clean and refined. I couldn't help but admire it.

I'm afraid...

　Answering safely, I was curious about the weapon Meira was holding.

　She noticed my gaze.
　Meira pulled out a siphon-derived sword called 'The Sword'.
　The moment I saw that sword, I gasped.

　At first glance, I thought it was beautiful.
　The rough ripples that look like waves are one thing, but it's also an excellent functional beauty.
　Folded hardness.
　Viscous toughness.
　A warp reminiscent of a beautiful, thin lady's waist.

　Beauty as a weapon and simple military strength.
　It was a weapon that explored these two questions to the hilt.

'You seem to be quite interested in it. Shall I shake it?

Are you sure?

　I couldn't help but twinkle my eyes like a child who's been given a toy.

　Then Meira suppresses her mouth and smiles.
　The sight of her is also quite elegant.

　I take it gratefully and shake it out immediately.

　----ck!

　Not bad.
　No, rather good.
　I've been reincarnated seven times, and I've acquired a variety of armaments.
　Some of them include divine weapons.

　This 'sword' is so easy to use that it can be included in one of them.

　The tip of the blade doesn't take on air at all.
　It's like cutting the air with air.

　I was honestly impressed.
　I'm even glad I came to school just to meet this 'sword'.

By the way, what is Meira doing in the back of a school building like this?

　It wouldn't be a one-man training program, even building a martial arts arena.

　Meira answered my question with a slight tint to her cheeks.

''Actually, I'm looking for a companion to pass on the 'sword arts' of Siphon. I was thinking that it would be good if we could have a friendly competition here together...

And then?　Have you made friends?

It's...

　Initially, Meira's 'sword arts' attracted the interest of the students.
　It was especially well received by those from the commoners.
　Unlike the nobles, they had no money, and most of them had hired tutors and enrolled in schools with little opportunity to learn the art of fighting.

　It is said that Meira's instruction was free of charge and the students, mainly commoners, flooded the school.

　But just the other day.
　People have stopped coming.
　When asked why they quit, the commoners have no answer.

　Meira is at a loss, and says she spends her days here pretending to be alone.

'When I heard the sounds coming from the martial arts arena, I wondered if...'

I'm sorry. I made a mistake.

No......... If you'd like, how about learning 'sword arts'?

　I'm interested.
　But I have a job to do as enforcer.
　I also have to train myself.

''It's fine if you have some free time. I'll always be here after school........ I'll be waiting for you.

　I don't know what to expect....

　To be honest, I wasn't too keen on the idea.
　But as it turns out, I went there every day and learned the art of the sword from Meira.
　This is a country that makes such beautiful armor.
　I was simply interested in the swordsmanship cultivated there as well.

　There might be a hint of strength to it.

　I was hooked on it at some point.

'Now that's the Battoujutsu.

I see. "I see. So it's a movement of motion within stillness. It's quite interesting to see the idea that while we're standing still, we're actually accelerating. It's really efficient, even if it's just a single movement pattern. I guess I haven't mastered my body yet.

'As for me, I'm more surprised that you can understand a hundred ... no, a thousand ... just by teaching one, Lacelle-kun. I've lost my confidence. Who the hell are you?

　I didn't tell Meira that I was the enforcer.
　The enforcer is the one authority in the Adventurer's School.
　If she found out I was the enforcer, she might think something extra.

　If possible, I wanted to deal with Meira in a natural way.

　Kasa!

Who are you? Who?

　Hearing a noise, Meira and I look back at the same time.
　The forest behind the school building.
　A small man emerges from the bushes.

　Slightly chubby, about the same height as me.
　He had his chin down and his confident eyes were fixed on me.

''Podium........''

Do you know him?

I was a student here studying swordplay with him.

　I'll introduce you to me.

　Podium didn't say a word as he was introduced to the stranger student.
　After moping his large body to the side, he finally opened his mouth.

'I'm sorry, Meira,'

　He suddenly starts with an apology.
　Eventually, he began to pontificate on why he didn't show up at the martial arts arena.

　It was a few days ago.
　Podium was surrounded by a certain nobleman and his cronies.
　After being beaten up for a while, he said, he was made to promise to stay away from Meira and her arena.

　Podium said that other commoners were subjected to the same thing.

But........... I'm..... I'm curious. So I didn't go to the martial arts arena, but I kept watching from here.

So that's what happened.

I'm sorry, Meira. If only I had the courage to do what I do...

No. Mr. Podium is a very brave man. He's been very honest with me.

'Um..... It's not nice to say this, but.... Can you teach me sword arts again?

'What?　But.....

I want to be strong. Strong enough not to be intimidated by a highborn.

　Podium appealed.

　He looked up.
　There was a strong will in his dull eyes.

　I want to be strong........

　Apparently, there is no lie in those words.

'Good for you, Meira. I have a student who will come back.''

Yes...... Ah, that--?

　Then, polo tears spilled from Meira's eyes.
　The teardrops spread over the trampled sandy martial field.

''I'm sorry. But I......... I thought you hated me.''

　Meira is not from the Kingdom of Vila Amst.
　She is from the distant Siphon.
　When she first came to the Kingdom of Villa Amst due to her father's work, she had no one to call her friend because of the misunderstandings caused by the cultural differences and differences in thinking.

　So she had always blamed them.

　She wondered if she had hurt people again without knowing it....

　But it wasn't the case.
　Moreover, she wanted to be strong under me.

　That made me irresistibly happy, and it was Meira's salvation.

　Finally, Meira wiped away her tears.
　By the time she looked up, she was back to her usual swordsmanship little town.

''Thank you, Podium. Well then, let's get on with our training.''

Yes. It's nice to meet you.

　He lowered his head and the training resumed.


　◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆


Now then, Podium. Please teach your younger apprentice, Racel, the art of battling the sword.

'What?　I don't know if it's okay, I don't know if it's okay for me to...

'He's a good teacher, despite his appearance.

Ho...... That's good to hear.

　I took over Siphon's courtesy and bowed my head.
　Podium scratched his head and hid his embarrassment.
　After checking the feel of the training sword he hadn't held in a long time, he began to explain.

'I often make the mistake of pulling the sword out with my hand, but the battling technique isn't about pulling the sword out with your hand. While being aware of the opening of your body, you pull it out with your waist. Like this--

　Podium demonstrates and shows them.
　Ho...... It's pretty good.
　I was slightly worried about my tummy which is slightly tapped, but my sword muscles are also sharp.

　Podium is clearly less physically capable than me.
　Even so, the fact that he was able to show such a strong sword muscle is probably simply due to his magic.

''Can I try it out right away?''

Okay. I'll watch you.

　I did as I was told, right foot forward and left foot back.
　I left a pause so that my body could open up easily.
　I leaned my head forward slightly, aware of the extension of my hips.
　Eventually, he gently placed his hand on the hilt.

　I imagine the "stillness" of the sword in its scabbard.

　When I was sufficiently energized, I seized the opportunity.


　Click!


　The blade flashes.

　The next moment----.

　The tree in the forest behind the school building was flying in the air with a thud.

Nah!

　Meira and Podium looked away.
　In their eyes, they saw dozens of trees dancing.
　For a moment, the trees stand still in midair, then fall as the gravitational force pulls them down.
　It fell with a roaring sound onto the stump that had just been torn apart.

''Oh, that...?''

　I nod my head.
　Is this what Battoujutsu is all about?

Su, su, su, su...

'Oh, wow!　That's great, Lacelle.

　Podium cheered.

''Ta, it is indeed amazing. I didn't expect that the wind pressure of the sword alone would be enough to cut down a tree........ And that's a lot of trees........

　Mayra looked aghast, too.

　No, wait a minute, boys.
　Don't be so innocently happy.
　The wind pressure is out, which means I'm still pushing air out of the air.
　That means that my current battling technique may not be perfect.

　The essence of the sword art is probably to cut the sky with the sky as well as the sword.
　That's the wrong way to use it.

I'm sure you're right. I'm sure what Lacelle-kun said is correct, but...''

'No, it's amazing how much wind pressure alone can bring down a tree.

No. I'm not convinced.

　Compromise is the key to mastering the path.
　I am going to master the art of the Siphon Style!
　The art of the Siphon way!

　I swore.

"By the way. I cut down this tree. You're not going to be mad at me, are you?

　Podium pointed to a part of the balding forest, looking a little blue.