Ken yo, kaku katariki – 73
16 – Though I Am Weak
“…Hah.”
In the mansion garden, the sounds of breathing and cutting through air repeated over and over.
Thrusts, swings and feints… At a great speed, like a dance.
Eventually, fire joined in.
Like a single beautiful performance. The spear was enveloped in fire as sparks flew. And in the center was a girl with silver hair.
Still, not a single blade of grass burned in the garden, making the scene feel like something that was not reality.
However, even a novice could tell that each attack had the strength to kill.
And then…
Clang. The spear hit the ground, and all the fire and sparks disappeared. And everything was shockingly quiet.
Aize exhaled.
(…Hmm. Not bad.)
I felt as I always did. That was a relief. It was like the spear was an extension of my arm now.
The weapon was a part of my body.
Just then, the sounds of applause rang through the garden.
“Mimi.”
“Amazing! That was amazing!”
She said excitedly as she clapped.
“It was so fast that I could barely even see the spear! Oh, it is no wonder that you won!”
“Mmm… I did my best.”
But then I shook my head.
“You should see my teacher. He is much better.”
“Your teacher?”
“Yes. That is what a true master is.”
Compared to him… I shook my head.
In this world, there were people who were unbelievably strong.
I had learned that when I met him. Though, that was true for all of the students as well.
“But…should you even compare yourself like that?”
Mimi asked.
“No matter how amazing this teacher is, it doesn’t change the fact that you are amazing as well. Because you worked so hard. I can see it.”
Those words… I couldn’t help but smile and pat her on the head.
To compare—there was a reason for it.
The purpose of strength was to fight. The strong survived, and the weak died. The amount of effort did not matter.
Of course…I was not going to argue this point, when my sister was just trying to be nice.
(Effort…huh?)
Yes, I had desperately trained with this spear. Because I thought that there was no other choice.
However, the result of that now—this very moment, it was hurting Mimi.
If only my teacher were here as well.
He might destroy everything and save my sister.
—Such foolish thoughts flashed through my mind.
No, that would just be a crime. Forcing everything on to others, and living life the way you want to… Such a thing should not be allowed.
I hated my own weakness.
“It’s fine.”
Still—even if I am weak. I wanted to be able to feel proud in front of her, if no one else. She was the one person I had to protect, no matter what.
“Hmm?”
Mimi looked puzzled by my words.
I smiled and lowered my hand.
“Ah, sister. My hair is a mess…”
“Mmm.”
Mimi pouted as she fixed her hair with a comb. I smiled and then noticed that there was someone else in the garden.
“Mr. Rand.”
He was wearing his butler’s uniform, and carried a towel as he bowed.
I accepted the towel, and then he looked me in the eyes and said in a clear voice.
“The master is calling. Both of you are to see him in the study.”
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