#29 – With the Unknown
“Phew…”
I collapsed into bed and let out a sigh.
The student battles of the Combat Technique Tournament.
They had put their all into it, and it had resulted in their highest number of wins. It was a better result than they could have hoped for.
They won in the Sword, Spear and General divisions.
Feri was defeated in Martial Arts, and placed 3rd. And with the group battle, the fight against the Imperial University had exhausted them.
Still, they had all done very well.
“…Come in.”
There was suddenly a knock on the door.
When I sat up, a man with glasses entered the room. He was a teacher at the Viskinel Academy, who taught lessons related to economics.
“Teacher Yukito. I’m sorry to disturb you while you are tired.”
“No, not at all. I’m the one who is sorry for leaving you to deal with the press.”
“Haha. It was nothing compared to your achievements.”
“The students are the ones who deserve praise. I barely deen anything in comparison.”
I chuckled.
From the beginning, they all had what it takes.
It was just that memories of defeat had taken their confidence and made them hesitate. And so I gave them a push, that’s all.
“About tomorrow, things should go according to schedule. However, there are several newspapers who are requesting interviews…”
“The students will be tired, so it will have to be another day.”
“Yes, of course.”
He smiled and said, ‘That is all I wanted to confirm,’ and bowed.
“…Also…”
“Yes?”
Right before closing the door.
His face poked in from the gap as he looked a little embarrassed.
“Your fight the day after tomorrow. I’ll also be rooting for you.”
“…Thank you.”
He closed the door then, and I chuckled.
He was usually very strict, and known as an intimidating teacher for the students. But he could be kind and thoughtful of others as well. In fact, he was well-liked by those who had already graduated.
It was interesting.
Even in a different world, people were the same.
They had various sides, and lived with many thoughts.
But on that note.
I really did not know anything about the old man.
He was quiet and always swinging his sword. He was my goal. That was all.
Before that, he had a life that I did not know. That I could never even imagine.
That was probably why I could not talk about him to Ms. Iria and the others.
I also didn’t want to ruin the mood.
But more than that, I think I was scared.
“Kuun…”
“Hmm, Kuro?”
I felt something warm against my hand, which drooped over the side of my bed. When I looked, I saw that Kuro was brushing against it.
“What? Are you trying to comfort me?”
I smiled at Kuro, who was curled up and closing his eyes.
As I petted him for a while, my sword, leaning against the wall, caught my eye.
I got off of the best and picked it up.
The same feeling as always.
Like my fingers were being sucked into it.
(…Ahh. What am I afraid of?)
It didn’t matter what he was called. We were still family. My memories of living with him would not be erased. Not be a lie.
Because this sword was always there.
It was a mirror that reflected me.
Thousands, tens of thousands of times… We had talked with swords.
And that was enough.
“Looking forward to how much you grow…huh?”
I looked down at the lights of the city that did not sleep.
And smiled at the feel of the sword in my hand.
“Wait for me, old man.”
◆ ◇ ◆
“Shouldn’t you have said something, Jin?”
In prime minister Melzes Rovel’s mansion.
Jin Raido listened quietly and took a sip from his cup.
Melzes smiled.
His stubbornness and unfriendliness was well-known. And so speaking on it further would not accomplish anything.
(Still…)
That resemblance. Especially, when he was younger.
An air… He did not really know how to describe it. When Jin was younger, he had been like a hungry wolf. But it wasn’t that. They were similar in a more fundamental way.
“Her Majesty was also very interested. Of course, she could not be showing anyone any favor before the tournament.”
“Don’t bother. He…is not the type who would want fame.”
‘Like you?’ Melzes thought.
He had not wanted to be called Sword Saint. But others, and then the world, had started to call him that.
Though, he had never indicated that he cared about what others thought.
In a way, that made the name even more appropriate.
And so they had to remember.
In the past, and the present as well, the only reason that he was cooperating with the empire was due to personal friendships.
“…By the way, Jin. You said that in terms of sword skill alone, he is already at your level. But in what areas is he lacking?”
Silence.
Melzes wondered if he should not have asked. But then Jin slowly opened his mouth.
“It is…”