Dropout Swordsman and Swordsmanship Academy [3] – part 2

At that moment, the air around Rose-san changed.

It was as if she had become one with her sword.

「Sakura Blossom One-Sword Style Secret Technique – Mirrored Sakura Slash!」

Four mirror strikes from the left and right respectively —an unstoppable eight-strike consecutive slash was unleashed.

(!?)

The technique which was elegant as the flurry of falling sakura blossoms – captivated me for an instant.

Eight furious slashes drew ever closer in the meantime.

However – ultimately, it’s nothing more than a 『consecutive attack』.

A small gap existed between each strike.

I firmly grasped those gaps, and unleashed my own technique to unravel her secret technique.

「Eighth Sword – Yatagarasu」1

This is a technique of slashing eight times with just one swing.

Although it is the same『Eight』, it is not a consecutive attack – it literally cuts eight times『Simultaneously』.

There was absolutely no gaps between each slash. A genuine『Eight slash with one stroke』.

Despite being delayed by more than one breath, my Yatagarasu tore into and devoured the Mirrored Sakura Slash.

「Impossible…!」

Rose, whose secret technique has been broken, exposed her defenseless body.

「-This is the end」

Towards her body which was full of openings – I unleashed a diagonal slash from her shoulder.

「Ka…!」

She dropped to her knee, and slowly fell forward on the ground.

Amidst the dead silence of the venue,

「Wi-Winner! ALLEN ROOOODORRE!」

The commentator announced the outcome.

Simultaneously, the venue erupted into cheers.

It was so very clearly – praise towards me.

Thus, I won at the Sword Festival, and I got a large sum of 100 thousand gold as the prize money.

■

Two days after the Sword Festival.

As usual, when I was swinging the sword alone in the schoolyard, a broadcast rang out – I was called to the principal’s office.

For some reason or another, I had a bad feeling about it.

(…Perhaps, it is about that rumour?)

That baseless rumour that I used a dark art and an underhanded method in the duel with Dodriel.

In a sacred duel, such underhanded methods are strictly forbidden.

Of course I didn’t do that, but the academy might not care for it.

(Haa… I might finally be told to quit this academy…)

Maybe Dodriel’s house – Baron Barton’s House, put some pressure on the academy.

(No, my grades are already at the very bottom of this academy in the first place. I am at position where it wouldn’t be odd to get expelled due to poor grades.)

Perhaps, even if the duel with Dodriel didn’t happen, I would have been sentenced to drop out eventually. The only difference is that it is happening sooner rather than later.

(Well, fortunately I attained the minimum strength thanks to the 100 million year button.)

If I have enough strength to win the Sword Festival, I can enter into the local knights order.

If I belong to the Knight’s Order, I can get a stable pay.

That way, I can make my mother in my hometown live an easy life.

(I have that path open to me now…)

When I was walking while thinking about that, I could see the principal’s office ahead.

When I knocked on the door, which was a little more exquisite compared to the classrooms, and named myself.

「Oh, Allen. I’ve been waiting!」

The door was opened vigorously, and the vice-principal who seemed to be in a good mood popped out from inside.

(Not only the principal, but also the vice-principal…)

There is no doubt anymore.

Unfortunately, it seems that I will be forced to leave today.

「Oops, let’s not talk over here. Please, come inside!」

「…Excuse me」

When I entered the room ushered in by the vice-principal, the principal who seemed to be in a good mood greeted me.

「Oh, Allen! I’m glad you came!」

「Th-Thanks.」

For some reason, both of them were in a good mood.

Maybe… they’re glad to be able to eliminate the academy’s good-for-nothing.

I sighed in my heart.

「Actually… you received an admission recommendation!」

The principal said something unexpected.

「Admission recommendation…?」

「Yes! From one of the prestigious Five Academy’s – Thousand Blade Academy!」

Thousand Blade Academy – even I have heard of this academy. No, it is one of the famous swordsmanship academies in the capital that everyone knows.

The Swordsmanship Academy is divided into three parts: Elementary School, Middle School, and High School. The Gran Swordsmanship Academy is a middle school where students from 13 to 15 years old attend. Thousand Blade Academy is a high school where people aged from 16 to 18 years old attend.

「Our Gran Swordsmanship Academy, in the countryside, produced a student who got admitted to one of the Five Academy’s. –This is a ridiculous feat!」

「The reason for Thousand Blade Academy to call out to Allen is unknown but… at this point, it doesn’t matter if it was a slip up or anything else! The important matter is that, a student from our academy was admitted into one of the Five Academy’s!」

The principal and vice-principal talked with excitement throughout.

「You did really well, Allen!」

「As expected of a student from my school! You achieved a great feat!」

Both of them grasped my hands and shoulders,

「Ha, Haa…」

I could only respond with a half-hearted reply.

「Nevertheless, as expected of Allen! The truth is, I always had high hopes for you!」

「That’s right! You should read the graduation speech as the graduate representative! Of course, you will be given the top marks!」

Then they praised me eagerly and passionately non-stop.

I looked at them with cold eyes.

(Even though they neglected the bullying towards me until now… they changed their attitudes at the exact moment the admission recommendation came in from Thousand Blade Academy…)

Both of them wanted to get me into Thousand Blade Academy by all means it seems.

This Gran Swordsmanship Academy would probably get some『prestige』out of it.

However, what to do with this admission recommendation is not something that I can decide on my own.

「-I am sorry. I need to think about it a little.」

And the moment I conveyed my intentions.

「W-What do you mean by thinking?」

「Is it about accepting the admission recommendation!?」

The look in the eyes of the two changed.

「To go to Thousand Blade Academy, or belong to the Knights Order as a holy knight, or to accept requests from the masses as a magic swordsman… – To be frank, I haven’t decided yet.」

Exactly.

This choice is very important as it would dictate my path in the future.

「My mother back in my hometown – I need to discuss with my mother before I can give you an answer.」

I should return to my hometown and talk to my mother before giving an answer.

「How foolish! Are you going to waste the chance to get into that prestigious Thousand Blade Academy!?」

「If you graduate from one of the Five Academy of the capital, you can become a Senior Holy Knight! A bright career is waiting for you!」

「…I am sorry. I’m still not sure about what to do.」

Even after that, they persistently tried to send me to Thousand Blade Academy- I never gave into the persuasions.

In the end, the two people who lost their patience ended up saying 「I’m waiting for a good answer」and ended the topic for now.

「…Excuse me.」

And when I exited the room… perhaps they were called in by the principal. Or they heard the earlier broadcast. A great number of teachers gathered in front of the Principal Office.

「Allen! As I expected, you definitely have talent! How would you like to learn my Amaterasu Style?」

「No no! My Vacuum Style best suits him. How about it, Allen-kun? I can specially prepare the post of vice-instructor for you!」

「Just what are you guys saying!? Monsoon Style is most suitable for an excellent swordsman like Allen-kun!」

Apparently, the news that I had an admission recommendation from Thousand Blade Academy has already been spread among the teachers.

Three years ago – when I was a first-year student, I requested the teachers「Please accept me into your school!」, they refused me plainly.

Usually, if I asked swordsmanship questions, they would ignore me with an annoyed look… but now.

(I wonder if this is the so-called『to be a chameleon』…)

Of course, I didn’t feel like belonging to the schools of such terrible teachers.

Perhaps these people are soliciting me eagerly to advertise that「A student from our school has advanced to that prestigious Thousand Blade Academy.」

In other words, I’m only a means to attract customers.

「…I’m sorry, excuse me.」

「Ah, wait Allen-kun! At least listen first!」

Then I walked quickly through the crowd of teachers and went home alone.

(Haa…… For the time being, I have to go home this weekend and discuss with my mother.)

Even so… today, I feel like I’ve been exposed to the dirty nature of humans.

Mother and Paula-san — thinking about people like them who are decent, purified my impressions.

Then I went back to the dormitory for the time being.