Ken yo, kaku katariki – 22
22 – Girl of Flame
The first lesson of the day had ended.
As I had nothing to do, I decided to wander around the academy.
No, as an instructor, I thought it would be best to be aware of what was inside of the building.
Mr. Daniel offered to guide me, but he seemed busy—he taught other subjects as well—and so I refused. However, I was already regretting that decision.
(This place is too big…)
Aside from the main building, there was a lecture hall, cafeteria, and dormitory outside. Until I finally found a map, I really felt like a lost child.
In any case, once I had my map, the first place I headed to was the training area.
Even now, I was sure to train every day. However, this was causing me some trouble.
I would use the property of the Count, or go to the outskirts of the city, but they were quite far away.
And I could not swing a sword around in the city.
If it suited me, I would ask the President if I could use it.
“…Hmm?”
I was about to open the door, when I heard a sound.
Ah, of course. There would be students using it already.
Well, perhaps I could find an empty corner. That was what I thought as I peered inside.
(Oh.)
There was just one girl there, moving as if in a dance.
She had brown skin, and was slender and beautiful. As sparks flew, she wielded her spear, going from one technique to the next.
Her long silver hair floated amidst fire.
Magic. She was swinging a spear while using fire magic.
Her expression was serious. Perhaps even furious.
(Not bad. But…)
I entered the training room and closed the door behind me. The girl stopped swinging her spear.
“Who are you…?”
She said in a rather sharp voice.
I raised both of my hands and approached. The training room looked like a large gym.
“I’m Yukito. The new sword instructor, starting today. Sorry, I didn’t mean to bother you.”
“I see. But you did bother me. Please leave.”
She said, her expression not changing at all.
Ah…
In spite of the blazing fire magic and the boldness of her spear, she seemed like someone who lacked emotion. She continued in a calm voice.
“When it’s being used by someone competing in the general division, it is good manners to abstain from entering.”
“General division?”
“…The Combat Technique Tournament in the summer. Only two people are entering the general division. Me and one other.”
So she was representing the academy then. I see.
“But…you won’t become stronger if you train like that.”
“…What do you mean?”
She had a dangerous look in her eyes.
“You said you are a sword instructor. Do you teach spears as well?”
“No, not at all.”
“…Are you mocking me?”
I would never.
This was only my first day, but I was determined to do a good job, and to make these students stronger. That was no lie.
“I don’t know much about spears, but I can still see that your current way of training is wrong.”
She glared at me for a moment before letting out a quiet sigh. And then she pointed the spear at me.
“If you are going to insist on it, then fight me. Prove to me that you are capable, and know what you are talking about.”
“Well, I don’t mind.”
There were times when words were not enough. Especially in the world of combat.
That was why the old man never said anything, and just showed me his back. …No, he was probably just terrible at talking.
“I’m ready when you are.”
I said as I walked to the center of the room. At the same time, I wondered what the floor was made of, as it had not burned at all.
“You’re going to leave it sheathed?”
“I don’t need it.”
‘I see,’ she said while tapping the toe of her shoe against the floor. And then her spearhead was quietly enveloped in fire.
While quiet, there seemed to be a great rage deep inside of her.
“You’ll regret your arrogance…!”
She kicked off of the ground like an explosion.
A streak of fire trailed behind her. Her form shot towards me like the wind. In an instant, the gap between us was closed, and the fiery spear was thrust out.
“Hmm.”
But I moved lightly to the side, and then stepped forward and grabbed the shaft of the spear.
While the spearhead was enveloped in fire, the rest, which was in her grasp, was not. Otherwise, she would burn herself.
And like that, I tossed it aside, along with the wielder.
“…!”
“First, you’re too frantic. You aren’t observing your opponent. You charge even before you know their strength.”
It was good that she knew how to land, at least.
Though, she had lost a tremendous advantage the moment I had grabbed her weapon. Even she would understand that I let her off easy.
“…Lance!”
Flames in the shapes of lances were summoned above her head.
Ohh, more magic. I had seen Ms. Iria use it as well, but it was still so full of mystery to me.
I wanted to learn it. But according to the Count, it was a bad idea to learn from those who lacked skill. If I wanted to learn, I better learn from a proper teacher.
The four spear lances shot straight towards me. How cool.
Well, they still would not hit me.
I dodged them with ease, and by the time she realized what had happened, I was right in front of her.
“Your decisions take too long.”
I kicked, sending my foot sharply into her stomach.
She gasped and took a few steps back.
“Don’t just rely on force to keep someone in check. It’s just senseless unleashing with no strategy.”
For instance, make them weaker, but more numerous. Burn the ground to limit their movements. There were so many things she could do.
“Your vision is narrow. You’re not thinking clearly. Like a child, who is just swinging around a weapon.”
“…Aaaarrrrghhh!”
Thrust, thrust, thrust.
This time, with anger and desperation.
Indeed, it was fast. But that was all.
An impatient horizontal swing. I blocked it with my sheathed sword, let it slide down the blade, and then swept upwards.
The spear shot up into the air.
And then I quietly slashed down, hitting her gloves.
“…!”
And like that, she dropped the spear.
Clang. The sad sound of it falling to the floor.
By then, my sword was pressed against her neck.
It was still sheathed. But even if it wasn’t, I wouldn’t have killed her. But she more than anyone understood that she had been defeated.
“You are not unskilled. But you rush too much. There is too much force and not enough sharpness. That’s why you cannot deal with your opponent’s moves. They say that if you panic you lose. And it’s true regardless of the weapon.”
Just swinging a weapon madly around was not training.
I had said so to the other students earlier, but when fighting, you always had to search for meaning. A meaningless step was a step towards death.
…Unless, of course, there was a massive difference in strength.
“That is about all I can say.”
I returned the sword to my belt and took a step back.
…However, the girl did not raise her head or move a muscle.
(Had I been too hard?)
No, she was training for a real battle, so that was unlikely. But when I peered into her face, I saw that tears were streaming down her cheek.
“What!?”
“…Even I…”
I reached out with my hand, and was about to ask if she was alright, when she suddenly spoke.
“I know it myself. That I’m weak…”
“No-no…you don’t need to be that harsh on yourself.”
“Then…what should I do!”
She had been so quiet up until now, that it felt like her scream tore through the air in the room.
“No matter how much I swing this spear, I cannot imagine myself winning! But…but if I give up here…I’ll…!”
There was such pain in her voice that I was at a loss for words.
…Ah, this…
I knew this air. This smell.
“…Why? Why am I so…weak…”
It was the smell of despair.
Thanks for the chapter, disciple number 2???
Yes, the old man was just terrible at communication.
Thank you for the chapter!
she’s not even listening. he pointed what she lacks yet she said she was weak. she should start training by listening.
thanks for the chapter.