Chapter 29

And so, when I let out a big sigh, Senior Shuruti smiled brightly.

"It's okay, okay! This match will be without soul equipment!"

"…Thank you."

…It’s not that, but whatever.

(If I think about it, this could be a good experience.)

It's not every day that I get to cross swords with the vice-captain of the kendo club.

(Plus, Senior Shuruti doesn’t seem to listen to people much…)

The best way to wrap this up quickly would be to go through with the match.

"Hey, hey, I'll do this in my gi… Allen-kun, what about you? Change into a gi, or do it like this?"

"This is fine."

The uniform of Senren Academy is highly elastic and more flexible than most gis. Her question shows that she understands this.

"Got it. Then, here you go!"

With that, she handed me a practice wooden sword.

"Thank you."

Once we were both ready, the student serving as the referee called out.

"We will now commence the mock battle between Shuruti Rosette and Allen Roder! Both participants, to the center of the gym!"

Senior Shuruti and I followed the referee's instructions and headed to the center.

"Both participants, are you ready? Then—begin!"

At the start, both Senior Shuruti and I took the chudan stance.

Then,

"…"

"…"

We fell silent, and the time for probing began.

I analyzed her 'sword' from her posture and build.

(The well-developed thighs, even through the gi… I need to be careful of the thrusts and iai strikes that come from that leg strength…)

There was one more thing that caught my attention.

(…Her center of gravity is slightly shifted to the back.)

Her sword style is likely a 'defensive sword'—one that focuses on defense and aims for counters.

Once I had mostly analyzed her, I spoke up.

"…Senior, aren't you going to make a move?"

"Hehe. I won't start attacking a junior right from the start. I'll let Allen-kun take the first move."

"I see. Then, I'll go. First strike—Hien!"

I launched a convenient attack that can be used from a distance without closing the gap.

She smiled slyly upon seeing it.

"There you go, flying strike! But—too easy!"

She must have seen my battle at the Great Five Holy Festival. Without hesitation, she calmly deflected the incoming Hien.

But that was—within my expectations.

"—It's a feint."

"!?"

I used Hien to conceal my approach and took position behind her.

"Eight strikes—Yatagarasu!"

"Enshin-ryu—Wind Circle!"

She rotated her wooden sword in a circular motion, blocking all eight strikes. Her movements were so refined, reminiscent of staff techniques, that I was momentarily captivated.

"I was a bit surprised… but too easy, way too easy! An attack like that won't break my Enshin-ryu!"

"It seems so…"

Enshin-ryu… impressive. I didn’t expect her to counter from such a disadvantageous position. She must be skilled in 'defense.'

(A bit more interesting now…)

Until now, I've only fought opponents like Dodoriel and Shido, who excel in 'offensive sword' styles.

Fighting someone like Senior Shuruti, who specializes in 'defensive sword'—this might be the first time.

"Then, I'll get serious…!"

"Hehe, come at me!"

I closed the distance in a single step and launched an attack with a 'plain strike.'

I won't use any school techniques. Just basic sword techniques—slash, thrust, rising cut, downward cut, and thrust.

(It's clear from the previous exchange that simultaneous strikes like Yatagarasu won't work against Enshin-ryu…)

She'll likely block them with 'Wind Circle' again.

If so, I need to be faster, heavier, and sharper.

I'll unleash a series of finely honed strikes!

"—Shh!"

"Wha, wait, that's too fast…!?"

I gradually disrupted her stance with consecutive strikes.

And when a momentary opening appeared,

"Ha!"

I aimed a thrust at it.

But,

"Ah…! Dang…!"

She barely blocked it with her wooden sword.

"…"

That was close. If my thrust had been a split second faster, I would have pierced her shoulder.

But next time, I can do it. Next time, I can break through!

As I took a forward-leaning stance, she spoke up.

"Hey, Allen-kun…? Did you hold back last time…?"

Last time—probably when I fought Shido.

"No, I always give it my all."

"You seem much faster than before…!"

"Is that so? That's good to hear."

It feels good to be praised for my growth by someone else. It makes me want to work even harder.

"Then, I'll go."

"…"

I took a half-step forward, and she lowered her center of gravity, taking a full defensive stance.

(…This is convenient.)

If she takes such a defensive stance, I don't need to worry about counters.

That means—I can focus even more on offense!

"—Ha!"

"Ugh…"

I slashed down as I stepped in, and she firmly blocked it with her wooden sword. With the threat of a counter gone, I pressed forward even more aggressively.

"Haah!"

"Wait, wait, wait…!"

She repeatedly said this as she desperately parried my sword.

"What is it?"

Without letting up on my attacks, I responded.

"Wait, please! Give me a moment to think… a strategy time-out!"

A strategy time-out…?

(Taking time to think during a battle…)

If this were a duel, I would dismiss such a ridiculous request. But since this is just a mock battle, it's fine.

"Alright… just a moment."

"Thank you!"

She took a few steps back to create distance between us.

But that was—her worst decision.

"Ah, Senior, don't go there…!"

The spot she moved to was—

"Eh…? Oops!?"

The second strike, Rougetsu, which I had set up during the exchange, accurately pierced her back of the head.

"Ugh…?"

Struck by a powerful blow from an unexpected direction, she fainted, rolling her eyes.

(What a unlucky person…!)

I had only set up three Rougetsu in this large gym. She didn't need to take that distance to move back…

Stunned, I watched as she lost consciousness.

"Vice-captain! What happened!?"

"…It's a strike! Look out, there are more set up!"

"Damn, get a stretcher… hurry!"

The kendo club members rushed to bring a stretcher.

"Winner! Allen Roder!"

Amid the chaos in the gym, the referee declared the result of the match.

As the members carried Senior Shuruti to the infirmary,

"Let's… go back to the classroom."

"Right."

"Okay, let's go."

We decided to return to the classroom.

"Phew…"

Back in Class A, I finally had a chance to catch my breath.

"Good job, Allen. That was quite an ordeal."

"It was tough."

"Hehe, but it was a good experience."

I think I got a sense of how to break through a 'defensive sword' style.

Then, the conversation moved to the main topic—choosing a club.

"So, Allen, have you decided which club to join?"

"What do you think?"

I carefully recalled all the clubs I had seen today.

And then,

"…I think I won't join any."

I made a decision.

"Does that mean… you'll be unaffiliated?"

"Yeah, I don't think I need to force myself to join."

I wanted to join a club as part of the fun of school life, but…

I didn't find one that really felt right.

(The kendo club, which I was interested in, was a bit different…)

If I have to force myself to join, I might as well be unaffiliated.

"Got it…"

"Too bad…"

For some reason, Reia and Rose both looked disappointed.

"…"

"…"

"…"

The conversation came to a halt as they both fell silent with troubled expressions.

(Is this my fault…?)

As I tried to think of a new topic to break the silence,

"Hey, how about starting a new club!?"

"Good idea!"

Reia suddenly suggested something outrageous, and Rose immediately agreed.

"Start a new club…?"

"Yep! Since what Allen wants to do is kendo practice, right?"

"Well, yeah…"

She's not wrong, but…

The way she said it made me feel like I was a 'kendo practice person' who only cares about kendo practice… which hurt a little.

"Then, let's start a kendo practice club!"

Reia said confidently.

"If it's recognized as a club, we can use the school grounds more freely, and we'll get a club budget!"

"…More freedom on the school grounds, huh?"

The club budget isn't a big deal, but the freedom to use the school grounds is very appealing.

(Can I use the pool if I apply?)

Practicing with water resistance, training my body—my training options would definitely expand.

"Maybe… it could work."

"Right! And of course, I'll join too!"

"Me too!"

"Are you sure? It's just kendo practice…"

"Of course! (Now I have an excuse to be with Allen… for three years!)"

"No problem! (I can learn kendo right next to Allen… for three years!)"

Reia and Rose nodded vigorously.

It seems they were both quite 'kendo practice hungry.' Finding comrades made me feel a bit happy.

"Alright, let's get the procedures started!"

"Good things come to those who act quickly!"

With that, they rushed out of the classroom and returned in just three minutes. Reia held the 'Club Establishment Application Form' in her right hand.

"Got it, Allen! Reia agreed to be the advisor!"

"The required number of members for recognition is three. Perfect!"

"R-right… thanks."

While I did nothing, the conversation progressed rapidly.

(Well… it's just a kendo practice club, so it's fine.)

The difference between practicing alone and practicing with others is just that. If I can do it with everyone, it will probably be more fun.

As I thought this, the blanks on the 'Club Establishment Application Form' were quickly filled.

"Ah… right, Allen, let's decide on a club name!"

"I'll leave it to you."

"Let's see… how about 'Kendo Practice Club'?"

A simple name that clearly describes the club's activities.

"Kendo Practice Club, I like it."

"Agreed, it's straightforward."

As we worked on the club establishment, the Class A classmates who had been looking at clubs started to return.

"Hey, Allen, what are you doing?"

"Kendo Practice Club…? You're starting a club?"

"What, Allen is starting a club…? Then, I'll join!"

"Me too!"

"Hey, Allen, I was going to join the swim team… can I do a dual club?"

In the end, allowing dual clubs resulted in the entire Class A joining the Kendo Practice Club.

Thus, the Kendo Practice Club, despite being newly established, boasted an unprecedented size of thirty members and became known throughout the academy as "the strange group that silently swings swords in a corner of the school grounds every day."