Chapter 16

Today alone, the number of accesses exceeded forty thousand,

and it entered the top 50 in the daily rankings! I'm grateful!

Today, I am practicing with a wooden sword in the courtyard. This time, I'm doing it voluntarily, not because I'm being forced. I don't want to be underestimated.

After being beaten up so badly, I think anyone would work hard.

I swing the sword silently, using my whole body.

After about a hundred swings, I start to feel tired. Maybe I'll do some kendo moves for a bit to cheer myself up.

"Upper stance! Fire guard!"

Hehe, this stance is for cutting down opponents. The only necessary action is to swing down. It allows for the fastest attack among all stances!

But, I only know how to take this stance and a bit of knowledge about it.

"Middle stance! Water guard!"

This stance involves pointing the tip of the sword at the opponent's eyes. It allows for smooth transitions to all other stances, making it adaptable to all situations, both offensive and defensive. Because it leaves few openings, it is the basic stance in modern kendo.

"Lower stance! Earth guard!"

This stance involves holding the tip of the sword slightly below horizontal, known as a defensive position. However, it limits agility and often results in a larger distance from the opponent. Apparently, fewer people use this stance these days.

Earth is kind of dull, isn't it? It doesn't resonate with the middle school second-year mindset. But I love earth magic because it's so convenient.

"Phew—"

Taking this stance reminds me of high school. I used to play around during kendo class, trying to avoid the teacher's gaze.

Why do we need kiai (yelling) in kendo? According to my friend, if you say "Men!" and strike the body, or do a victory pose, it becomes invalid.

When I tried to strike the face by saying "Do!" to a kendo club friend, he got really angry.

Of course, a telegraphed attack like that can be avoided, especially by someone with experience.

According to my friend,

Beginner: "Men"

Intermediate: "Meeeeen!"

Advanced: "Meeen Yaaaaa!"

Master: "Indescribable"

It sounds like Pokémon. Also, apparently, the battles of the old men are amazing.

I can do a step-in for the face. I learned it because my friend would do it in the classroom.

"Me-e-e-e-en!"

How about that? Am I at the intermediate level in terms of voice?

"That was an interesting stance. Did you come up with it yourself?"

"Huh? Ah, Mr. Nord, were you watching?"

"Yeah, I was?"

Ugh!... Embarrassing...

"Try striking your father with that stance."

Oh no! Here it comes! Mr. Nord, who is sometimes called "Nord," makes me strike him. He looks so happy when I do.

"Alright! Meeen Yaaaaa! (Advanced)"

I let out a strange cry and face Mr. Nord. Take this! My downward strike.

"Do!"

"Guh-oh!"

...One point...

---

After receiving a clean strike to the body from Mr. Nord, I took a break from the sword.

Today is magic day. I'm going to attach a swing to my dream home made with earth magic.

In the forest behind the mansion, near where I played with Fork Beetles, the construction is ongoing.

Most of the furniture made by Mr. Elman is already placed inside using teleportation. It even has a bath, making it a proper home!

It's my second base.

"Alright, today is swing, swing~"

I open the door to take out the unfinished wood for the swing from my home.

Click.

"...Grr... Goo... Guu..."

Inside, a large man is lying on the ground, snoring. The muscles that rise with each snore are as well-built as Baltro's.

"...Who is this?"

Just to be safe, I check his whole body. I don't know him. I wouldn't forget such a burly person if I had seen him before. He's wearing minimal armor that covers only the essential areas for movement. I can't tell what the material is. A dazzling silver sword lies nearby, making a dry clinking sound as if it's sad to be treated so carelessly.

He has spiky hair and a thick, unkempt beard.

He continues to snore without noticing me.

"Hey, it's mealtime!"

"What! Food!"

Ah, he's awake.

The man looks around for food but, realizing there's nothing, he spits and glares at me.

"Hey, kid. Who are you?"

"Actually, that's my line. This is the house I built!"

"What! This is supposed to be a rest area!"

"Don't make fun of my home! If you go inside, you'll find a kitchen, a table, chairs, and a bath!"

Upon hearing my words, the man stands up and slowly goes inside.

"Whoa! It's true! There's a room! This is like a real house!"

Did he only hear the first part of what I said?

In the living space, the man is wandering around, looking at the walls and chairs with interest.

"Hmm, wow."

There are chairs and tables made with earth magic and those made by Mr. Elman. Of course, there's also a shogi set.

"By the way, who are you, mister? I'm Alfrid."

"Oh, you're introducing yourself? That's good manners. My name is Rumba!"

"Rumba? The thing that moves around and cleans?"

"Huh? You know that? Maybe I became famous after becoming a B-rank and traveling around?"

Hehe, Rumba scratches his head and blushes.

The conversation is a bit off track, but whatever. More importantly,

"Rumba, you stink, so take a bath!"

Thank you for your continued support.