Chapter 88

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After class ended, we gathered at Yuzi's family dojo for the first time in a while and practiced hard. The practice with Juzo-san, whom we hadn't seen in a while, was particularly challenging, as both Hoshino and I were a bit rusty after the break.

"You don't seem to have slacked off on your training, but your instincts are dull..."

"I did try to do some basic swings every day, you know?"

I blocked Juzo-san's direct strike with my bokken held at an angle, trying to deflect the impact.

"Your basic form is still intact, but..."

Juzo-san's next strike came faster than before, aimed at my side. I tried to insert my bokken between his and my side to block it, but...

"!"

"The timing for deflecting is off. If you keep this up, you'll end up breaking your weapon again."

I couldn't deflect Juzo-san's strike, and my bokken was knocked away. Juzo-san's bokken, which had knocked mine away, was now close to my side, so I quickly took a step back.

"For a while, you'll need to focus on regaining your instincts through sparring."

"...Yes."

Juzo-san relaxed his stance, and after a few seconds of remaining in a ready position, I did the same. It seems I had been more lax during the Golden Week than I thought. I bowed to Juzo-san and thanked him for the practice.

"Thank you."

"Indeed. Next is Hoshino-san, right?"

"Yes. Please."

Hoshino-san, who had been called by Juzo-san, switched places with me and faced Juzo-san with a wooden spear. I watched her practice alongside Yuzi.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, but it seems I need to focus on regaining my instincts, as Juzo-san said. I didn't move as well as I thought I would..."

I recalled my practice with Juzo-san and sighed at my own inadequacy. Yuzi patted my shoulder and tried to comfort me.

"But, it's not your fault, right? It seems Juzo-san was trying to make it difficult for you to deflect the impact at the last moment."

"But, I could have deflected those strikes before the Golden Week. My instincts are definitely dull."

Yuzi's eyes darted around, seemingly at a loss for words.

"Besides, look..."

I pointed to Hoshino-san, who was having the same trouble as I did, failing to deflect Juzo-san's strikes and having her wooden spear knocked away.

"..."

"I've heard that if you skip one day of practice, it takes three days to get back to where you were... It's true."

I had been doing basic swings every day during the Golden Week, but without sparring, my combat instincts had dulled. During the New Year's break, we hadn't done such advanced sparring, so I hadn't noticed any issues. From now on, I need to think about how to maintain my skills during long breaks. Maybe I should involve Mika in the training...

While I was thinking about ways to prevent skill degradation, Hoshino-san's practice with Juzo-san ended.

"Next is me, so I'll go."

"Good luck."

Yuzi excused himself and moved to practice with Juzo-san.

"Good job."

"..."

Hoshino-san, who had finished her practice, sat down next to me without a word, placing her wooden spear beside her. Her expression suggested she was also struggling with skill degradation. As explorers, skill degradation means a higher risk of injury.

"Juzo-san really gave it to you, didn't he?"

"...Yes. He said my combat instincts were dulled."

"Same here. I was told the same thing..."

"Kuon-kun too?"

"Yeah."

It seems the lack of sparring during the Golden Week had affected us both. If I had practiced with Hoshino-san, even lightly, it would have been better...

"I did my basic spear swings every day, but it wasn't enough."

Hoshino-san sighed, looking disappointed.

"Well, Hoshino-san, there's no point in regretting what's past. We need to regain our instincts for the next dungeon dive."

"...Yes, you're right. Kuon-kun is right."

Hoshino-san's spirits lifted at my encouraging words, and she started observing Yuzi's practice with Juzo-san. Yuzi, who had participated in a local event with mock battles, had not lost his instincts and was able to spar effectively with Juzo-san. He handled Juzo-san's tricks well and didn't make the mistake of having his bokken knocked away. The practice continued for a while, and as usual, Juzo-san landed a hit on Yuzi's side, ending the session. I wonder when Yuzi will be able to land a hit on Juzo-san...

After practice, we, as usual, had tea with Juzo-san at the dojo. The atmosphere was different today, as I had shared the story of my encounter with Miyano-san at the event.

"...So, Miyano-san and the others are in such a situation."

"..."

"That's unfortunate..."

Yuzi listened quietly with his eyes closed, and Hoshino-san listened with a worried expression. Juzo-san, who had been listening from a distance, sipped his tea and observed us.

"However, for explorers, this is one possible outcome. When your livelihood involves risking your life, such dangers are inevitable."

"But, Juzo-san..."

"Kuon, there's nothing you can do. If you want to help, are you prepared to take on their lives? If you can only offer half-hearted help, I advise you to stay out of it. It will only end in mutual pain."

I looked up to see Juzo-san, who seemed to be recalling something, with his arms crossed and eyes closed.

Have you experienced something similar to Miyano-san's case, Juzo-san? The bitter expression and the emotionless face suggested that he had tried to help and it ended badly. ...That's why he's warning us not to make the same mistake?

"From what you've told me, you saved their lives and treated their injuries, and you even caught the person who hurt them. Beyond that, it's their problem. You've done nothing wrong."

"..."

Juzo-san's direct gaze left me speechless, and I could only nod.

"Of course, this applies to Yuzi and Hoshino-san as well. If you're not prepared, don't get involved."

"...I understand."

"...Yes."

Yuzi and Hoshino-san, like me, nodded without the resolve to argue.

...Resolution. As explorers, we have the resolve to face life and death, and to protect Yuzi and Hoshino-san in case of emergencies. But, do we have the resolve to take on the lives of strangers we've only met once? ...No, we don't.

"You are indeed top-notch explorers, with a lot of achievements. But you are still high school students, not even adults. Don't take on responsibilities that even adults struggle with. You'll break down from stress before you can help anyone."

"..."

"But, don't forget. If you continue as explorers, this could happen to you one day. Don't slack off in your daily training and improvement. It will be too late to regret once it happens."

"..."

Juzo-san's calm and steady advice hit us hard.

We decided to put Miyano-san's situation on hold and move on. While we didn't fully agree with Juzo-san, realistically, there was little we could do. I sipped the cold tea in my cup to soothe my dry throat.

"..."

The first sound from my moistened throat was a deep sigh, filled with a sense of powerlessness. No matter how skilled we are as explorers, we are still underage students.

I looked down at my empty cup, staring at the bottom. I had no energy to take any further action.

After a while, I remembered something and called out to Juzo-san, who was refilling his teapot.

"...Ah, right. Juzo-san, can I ask you something?"

"Hmm? What is it?"

"Actually, two more people will be joining our party for the next dungeon dive. Can you teach them some basic combat skills?"

I asked Juzo-san to train Mika and her friend. Having some basic martial arts knowledge before diving into the dungeon would change their actions and help prevent unnecessary injuries.

"Sure, I can teach them, but who are they? From the looks of it, they must be close to you..."

"My sister and her friend."

"Kuon's sister, huh."

I explained to Juzo-san how Mika and her friend had become explorers and were going to dive into the dungeon. As the story progressed, a look of exasperation appeared on Juzo-san's face. Well, it's understandable...

"What is this...?"

"You think so too, Juzo-san... But unfortunately, it seems to be true. I confirmed it with the first-year students who have younger siblings today."

"An exasperating situation. The school is too slow in handling this."

Juzo-san sighed and finished his slightly cold tea.

"Well, if that's the case, bring your sister and her friend next time, and I'll teach them."

"Thank you!"

I bowed deeply to Juzo-san while still sitting on the floor.

"By the way, Kuon. Are your sister and her friend also... enhanced?"

"Enhanced...?"

As I raised my head, Juzo-san asked me this question, and I was taken aback. I tried to maintain a calm demeanor, but my voice probably wavered slightly. Yuzi and Hoshino-san, who were watching us, had slightly tense expressions.

"Didn't you realize? You're underestimating me. I'm not old for nothing. Besides, you were too flustered. By reacting that way, you're practically admitting it."

"..."

I felt my cheeks twitch at Juzo-san's words.

...It's not surprising that Juzo-san noticed, but where did he notice it?

I frowned and looked at Juzo-san with a puzzled expression.

"Ha... I have some acquaintances who are police officers and soldiers. Some of them hold high positions and ask me to teach their subordinates. In the early days of the dungeon, I taught those who had fought monsters in the dungeon."

"..."

Yuzi let out a small gasp, seemingly recognizing something.

"Compared to them, your abilities when you started training were even higher. Even after diving into the dungeon once, it doesn't add up unless you were enhanced."

"..."

"Especially you, Kuon. The first time you swung a bokken, you did it with a strange form, yet there was no wobble in your body. No matter how much you train, someone who can't even swing a sword properly shouldn't be able to do that. The only way is if your physical abilities are so far above normal that you can swing a bokken like a dried twig, ignoring its weight. It's impossible for a normal person, even a well-trained athlete."

"..."

"After you gave me the sword, Yuzi and Hoshino-san were the same. Your physical growth is too fast. I suspect the secret of the enhancement lies with you, Kuon."

I had tried to keep it hidden, but it was all clear to Juzo-san.

Caught off guard, I turned away from Juzo-san, inadvertently confirming his suspicions.

For a while, the room was filled with a heavy atmosphere, with me and the others avoiding eye contact and Juzo-san staring at us intently.

"..."

"Alright, that's enough. I won't press you further for now. You can tell me when you're ready."

Juzo-san relented, sipping his tea and easing the tension.

"..."

"Is that okay?"

"Pressing you would only create resentment. If you want to talk, you can. When you're ready, come and talk to me. I'll listen."

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