Chapter 24
Just as I placed my hand on the training facility’s door, Nanjou-kun came running after me.
“What are you doing here? Don’t you have student council work to do?”
“Wait! Why are you in the academy’s training facility?”
“Huh? Misaki-senpai asked me to spar with her, that’s all.”
“…Why you, though? Is this because of that shady record during summer break?”
“It wasn’t shady. Seriously, you’re getting annoying.”
I shook off his hand on my shoulder and broke free.
Twisting the doorknob, Nanjou still forced his way inside.
Ah, so that’s it.
“You think you might get a chance to fight Misaki-senpai off my leftover opportunity? How pathetic.”
“Wha…! N-no…”
“Hit the mark, huh? Excuse me! Misaki-senpai, are you here?”
Inside, the facility looked completely like an indoor tennis court.
Roughly two courts in size—probably the same size as fields used for official one-on-one combat matches.
I think even the training facility used the same dimensions.
Calling out, Misaki-senpai—already wearing what looked like combat attire, something between a rider suit and the usual tracksuit we use—ran toward us, looking happy.
But seeing Nanjou-kun, who shouldn’t have been there, her expression darkened slightly.
“Sorry, he barged in. He wants to spar with you, Misaki-senpai.”
“Hm… sorry, I don’t really have the time to coach high schoolers right now. Also, I don’t want to be watched, so maybe… could you hold back?”
I decided she’d have to tell him directly to make him give up.
But—
“But! You are training him! Why him? He’s the same guy who cheated during summer training!”
Of all things, he dragged me into it, spinning his assumptions as if they were fact.
Nanjou looked at me with a ‘See? I told you!’ expression—so infuriating.
…Enough. Time to crush him.
“Misaki-senpai, can I spar with Nanjou-kun first? If he shows potential, then please train him.”
“Huh? Uh… would that even work…?”
“It won’t! Hmph, finally giving up, Higashiyama? You think you can earn my silence about the cheating by showing mercy? Not happening. I’ll show him reality myself.”
“Enough talk. Let’s go.”
From the facility’s locker filled with basic training weapons, Nanjou selected a greatsword.
He strapped on elbow and knee protectors, then donned a headgear.
These functioned as armor, generating a barrier field that softened impact to some degree.
Better than the usual training gear, apparently, since the armor’s durability was remotely displayed on the field monitor.
On the surface, it seemed like a fun VR-style experience, but in reality, this kind of training required an explorer’s license or enrollment at a specialized academy—it’s inherently dangerous.
Even with low lethality, “some of the impact still reaches the user.”
“What’s the hold-up? Equip your weapons and armor!”
“I don’t need it. I’m fine bare-handed. Just come at me.”
“Huh? You think I’ll hold back?”
“Come, weakling.”
“…The blade isn’t sharp, it’s not metal, but it’s reinforced ceramic—harder than bone. You’ll regret this, Higashiyama.”
I had no intention of taking this seriously.
Even preparing seemed like a waste.
I just walked casually onto the field.
“Hey, Akira!”
“Just watch, Kasumi.”
Worried Kasumi, Misaki-senpai probably anticipating this, and Nanjou—convinced of his victory and the punishment he’d deliver to me.
No signal was needed; Nanjou’s movement became the start of the match.
The ceramic greatsword—probably around seven kilograms. A blow without armor would break bones.
He swung with perfect integration of weight, strength, and speed.
His whole body moved in sync, fully transmitting power into the sword.
“Akira, the essence of techniques like fajin or sunjin is learning to control the flow of power, the essence of force, and the focus point—master these, and even your sister-class opponents can instantly disperse or redirect any kinetic energy!”
In my previous life, I was drilled by my older sister into every technique and knowledge of combat on Earth.
I can’t yet reach that realm, but I’ve grown enough to handle obvious weaker opponents.
“Hah!”
I stopped his sword with a single finger.
Completely halting it, analyzing the flow, neutralizing the focus point, letting it pass through me and dispersing the force entirely.
Immediately after, I slapped Nanjou full-force across the cheek with my right hand.
I’d never seen anyone fly while spinning like that.
“I’ll just throw him outside.”
I dragged the unconscious Nanjou out of the facility and returned.
My anger wasn’t fully spent, but for today, that sufficed.
“…As always, amazing. Looks like today won’t even be a contest.”
“I got a bit serious because he pissed me off just now.”
“Fufufu… so last time you weren’t serious?”
“…Sorry. If I were serious, I’d use my sword normally.”
“Huh!? Not specialized in hand-to-hand combat!?”
Ah! So Misaki-senpai thought that!
“No, I fight bare-handed for my own training. Also, my favorite sword broke recently in an accident, so I’ve been hand-to-hand for a while. If that’s fine, I’d love to spar.”
“…You’re truly unfathomable. I’m glad someone my age is like you. Fighting you continuously will make me stronger. So today… I’ll go all out!”
She stepped onto the field, exuding a different presence than before.
Previously, she likely approached the training facility’s tournament lightly.
Now, she was serious, ready to challenge someone stronger than herself.
“Oh… can I wear armor against you, Misaki-senpai?”
“Ah… sorry… I got carried away…”
Right, I had forgotten too.
I stepped off the field and received the armor from Kasumi.
“Akira, you’re strong! Nanjou flew instantly! You stopped the sword with your hand?”
“Well, if you grasp the technique, you can do it.”
“Impossible! You’re like someone on a different level.”
“Worship me?”
“No! I’ll focus on long-range, thanks.”
Still the same as always. That made me happy and relieved.
With armor on, we returned to the field.
Now… the real one-on-one begins, likely against the strongest opponent in Meiou Academy’s exploration course.
This won’t be as easy as before.
With both of us in armor, the field automatically recognized that we were ready, starting the official match countdown.
…Now, I can imprint my recent victory experience into my body with the “10× Experience Gain” effect.
I wonder how far I can test my ability to sense points of power against this opponent—