Chapter Seventy-One: Senior of the Poisoned Isle, and Aoki the Student

What is the most frightening illusion in life? Perhaps it’s telling yourself, “Just one more bite,” or, “Let me sleep five more minutes,” or, “I’ll rest my eyes for a moment.” When Aoki Tsukasa opened his eyes, he stared blankly at the empty classroom.

He pulled out his phone, still groggy from sleep, but with a jolt he was suddenly wide awake. How could it already be after school in the afternoon?!

He hurried to his feet and looked out the window. Only a few students remained on campus, the corridor was quiet, and not a soul could be heard.

Why didn’t anyone wake me up?! That rascal Maeda Tora just left me here at school? And how did I sleep so long? Did the class periods and breaks really not rouse me at all?

Scowling, Aoki Tsukasa rushed out of the classroom. He didn’t stop to think that, sleeping so soundly, no one dared disturb him. The poor male teacher, originally planning to give a lesson, was forced to turn it into yet another self-study period.

Ah, the afternoon’s English class was self-study as well.

Who knows how much effort the entire class and teachers expended, managing to hold self-study from morning to afternoon without waking Aoki Tsukasa.

Damn, this really wasted time! Thankfully, it had only been a dozen minutes since school ended, so he wasn’t too late.

Aoki Tsukasa jogged to the Kendo Club, pushed open the door, and saw Saeko Busujima’s gentle smiling face at the center of the room.

Saeko Busujima blinked at Aoki Tsukasa, watching him prepare his armor and gear without even catching his breath, and asked in puzzlement, “Did something happen today, Aoki? I think this is the first time you’ve ever been late.”

Aoki Tsukasa gave a wry smile as he donned his armor, sighing, “I only meant to nap for a bit between classes, but before I knew it, it was already this late.”

Saeko Busujima smiled, “I didn’t expect you to have moments like this, Aoki… Did you take your uniform to the tailor for repairs?”

Aoki Tsukasa looked down. The stitches on his school trousers and jacket were quite obvious. He shrugged, “Yes, but compared to the places you patched up for me before, it’s hardly an improvement. I thought they’d fix it seamlessly. Had I known, I wouldn’t have wasted the money.”

“Let’s begin!”

Perhaps his words of faint praise made Saeko Busujima a little happy. She smiled, raised her bamboo sword, and donned her armor. “Your recovery is truly remarkable… There’s not a scratch on you today.”

Aoki Tsukasa uttered a vague sound, unsure how to reply, and simply said, “The injuries weren’t that serious in the first place—it just looked worse than it actually was.”

Saeko Busujima smiled, saying nothing more.

She had wiped the blood from Aoki Tsukasa herself; how could she not know the true extent of his wounds? But she didn’t press further.

They began their familiar sparring routine.

Saeko Busujima’s strikes were sometimes swift and fierce as thunder, sometimes gentle and floating as willow fluff. Aoki Tsukasa was used to honing his skills under the overwhelming pressure she brought.

Indeed, though they both possessed third-level kendo abilities, Aoki Tsukasa was no longer as powerless as when he first began.

Their bamboo swords clashed again and again, the sound echoing. At last, with a dull thud, they stopped.

Saeko Busujima stared in astonishment at the bamboo sword that had struck her arm, unable to find words.

Aoki Tsukasa was equally stunned—just moments ago, it was as if he’d been inspired by the gods. His mind suddenly flooded with kendo knowledge and experience, and with a move like a celestial blade, he broke through Saeko Busujima’s defense and landed a strike on her arm.

[Kendo LV4: You have stepped into the vast world of true kendo with one foot. Bonus: Strength +1, Agility +1, Charisma +1. Experience (0/600)]

[Kendo breakthrough LV3—please select breakthrough direction.]

[Sword • Technique—Your moves become more agile. Your focus on technique accelerates learning new sword skills, and your innate kendo talent will improve with study. Extra attribute: Agility +1.]

[Sword • Combat—Your every movement becomes more lethal; kendo in your hands exists solely for battle. In combat, you often perform beyond your limits, and you gain kendo experience more efficiently in actual fights. Extra attribute: Strength +1.]

Aoki Tsukasa gazed at his upgraded kendo skill, delighted—though he had already decided that after reaching level three, he would devote study time to other fields, these extra attribute points were invaluable!

After a moment’s thought, Aoki Tsukasa chose [Sword • Technique] as his breakthrough path. After all, he’d never use kendo in real combat; for delinquent boys, fists sufficed. If he hurt someone with a blade, he couldn’t bear the responsibility.

With the added agility point, Aoki Tsukasa felt tingles throughout his body. His once-stiff joints were enveloped in warmth. Without testing, he knew his flexibility had improved.

He swung his bamboo sword lightly, and indeed, his explosive strength had increased, making him noticeably stronger.

[Kendo skill reached LV4, Dream Practice Room unlocked.]

Aoki Tsukasa hadn’t yet asked what this Dream Practice Room was, when Saeko Busujima laid down her bamboo sword, removed her mask, and sighed at him, “Aoki… You truly are a genius. Was this another moment of enlightenment?”

She smiled at him, her admiration unhidden.

“Busujima…senpai, you flatter me,” Aoki Tsukasa addressed her with her proper title for the first time that day, respectfully but a bit distant, as he always had.

Saeko Busujima’s smile stiffened, “Mm…”

What she wanted to hear was simply “Saeko.” Until now, Aoki Tsukasa had avoided calling her by name, unsure how to begin.

Feigning ignorance, Aoki Tsukasa watched the faint melancholy in Saeko Busujima’s smile, removed his armor, and quietly said, “I’ve been thinking about how to repay your kindness, senpai. It just so happens that the live-action film ‘Sword Hero Chronicle’ is out. Why don’t I invite you to see it? I noticed you have the protagonist’s figurine at home, so you must be a fan.”

“Invite senpai to a movie, and then to dinner… I wonder if that’s enough to repay your kindness.”

After he finished speaking, Aoki Tsukasa waited long for a reply.

Saeko Busujima hugged her bamboo sword, her gentle smile vanished, replaced by calm as she gazed absently at the distant azure sky outside the window, saying nothing.

“Oh, by the way, after today I’ll rarely have time to practice at the Kendo Club.” Aoki Tsukasa put his armor away, slid his bamboo sword into its rack, and looked up with a faint smile. “I’m really sorry—I might disappoint your expectations. You’ve worked so hard to help me practice, but I haven’t figured out how to repay you. It’s just that I have other important things to do, and there’s never enough time each day…”

“No need to say more.” Saeko Busujima withdrew her gaze from the sky, her tone peaceful and relaxed. “If your ambitions lie elsewhere, Aoki, I can only say I’m truly regretful. But your life is yours to decide. If you have more important things to pursue, then go ahead.”

“As for the movie…” Saeko Busujima lowered her eyes, walked past Aoki Tsukasa, and placed her bamboo sword in the rack.

“Let’s forget it. I’ve heard the live-action ‘Sword Hero Chronicle’ is dreadful.”

“Invite me again when the anime version comes out.”

Saeko Busujima tossed her armor casually in the corner, her expression unchanged, though beneath her purple hair, her calm eyes were faintly red. “Coincidentally, I’m tired today, so let’s stop here… Aoki.”

Aoki Tsukasa bowed silently to Saeko Busujima and turned to leave.

Saeko Busujima stood by the wall, raising her head to watch the sky through the small window. The only beautiful cloud drifted gently on the wind, and before long, was blown from her sight.

The patch of blue sky visible through that narrow window became empty once more.