Chapter-03 · EP-043
Episode 43: First Swordsmanship Club
"Club hunting?"
I asked Murasakimura back.
"Yeah, Mamoru and I were planning to go club-hunting after school today. How about joining us, Ichinose-kun?"
Honestly, I was interested.
The clubs at this academy, instead of competing in national tournaments like normal high schools, had various unique clubs, and apparently membership was quite flexible.
The most popular were the various martial arts clubs. Since we'd be fighting goblins, which were humanoid monsters, on the third floor in the third semester of the first year, membership apparently increased around then for learning anti-personnel combat.
Having experienced that kind of combat myself yesterday, I was also interested in learning the necessary techniques.
"What clubs are you planning to check out?"
I asked, intending to decline if it wasn't a martial arts club. The answer from Murasakimura was unexpected.
"The First Swordsmanship Club."
"First… Wasn't the First club only for nobles?"
I had heard that there were First and Second Swordsmanship Clubs, and the First Swordsmanship Club was exclusively for nobles.
Then Mamoru Sendo, standing next to Murasakimura, began explaining.
"I looked into it. There's no rule anywhere stating you must be a noble to join. I hear that top-class martial artists come as instructors to the First Swordsmanship Club. In contrast, the Second Swordsmanship Club is apparently more like a hobby group. If that's the case, wouldn't you want to join the First Swordsmanship Club if you're going to join one?"
"Rules aside… The actual members are all nobles, right?"
"Apparently. Then we'll just have to become the first commoner members."
"Even if by some chance we got in, could you even do club activities peacefully with nobles?"
Murasakimura's dislike of nobles was special. He'd probably start a fight at the slightest provocation.
My question seemed on point. Murasakimura made a difficult face, thought for a moment, then answered.
"Getting along probably isn't possible. But I think just being able to receive instruction from the instructors would be good enough."
I was thinking it'd be a miracle if we weren't turned away at the door when someone interrupted our conversation.
"You're going to check out the First Swordsmanship Club?"
We looked at the speaker.
It was Iori.
"Ah, yes, Takigawa-san. That's the plan."
"Mind if I come along? I was curious about it too."
Iori, a secret battle maniac, had a gleam in her eyes.
After school, the four of us ended up going to check out the First Swordsmanship Club.
This academy had a martial arts gymnasium instead of a regular gymnasium, primarily used by the First Swordsmanship Club. I'd seen it from the outside, but this was my first time inside.
The sound of practicing students was audible even before entering. The thumping of feet on the wooden floor, vigorous shouts—you could tell it was lively.
Murasakimura asked for permission to observe, and surprisingly, it was granted smoothly.
Inside was quite spacious. There were bleachers on the second floor, capable of accommodating many people. In the training hall, students equipped with wooden swords and protective gear were practicing.
"Ohh! So this is the First Swordsmanship Club…"
I was a bit moved, as if seeing something rare.
Some students were lined up practicing swings, others were striking mannequins wearing armor, and some were practicing one-on-one sparring.
As we were captivated by the practice scenery, we were guided to folding chairs lined up in a corner of the hall. There were students who had arrived earlier for club observation, sitting and watching.
"Oh?"
"Hmm?"
The one who turned around upon seeing me was Hikaru Kujo from A-Class.
"You came to check it out too, young lady?"
"Yes. I haven't decided whether to join yet, but I wanted to look for a martial art that suits me."
"I see. There's archery, spearmanship, and others."
"That's right."
I sat in an empty seat… next to Mei Kisaragi, who was naturally sitting next to the young lady.
Iori sat next to me, and then Murasakimura and Sendo lined up beside her.
"…I owe you one."
Mei Kisaragi, sitting next to me, spoke. She was probably referring to Friday.
It was only three days ago, but rescuing them from the Huge Slime felt like a distant memory. Thanks to the jam-packed weekend.
Come to think of it, she'd been behind the young lady earlier, and I didn't think I'd gotten a direct thank you from Mei.
"Don't worry about it."
I answered lightly.
I tried to watch the First Swordsmanship Club's activities, but I was bothered by a gaze from the side.
It was Mei. Was she staring this way? When I looked, she seemed to be looking at Iori, not me.
"Mei-chan, you want to talk to Iori?"
"Ah… th-that's not it…"
"Iori, Mei-chan wants to thank you for Friday. Want to switch seats?"
"Hmm? Sure."
I thought I'd be considerate and offered to switch seats with Iori.
But Mei didn't seem to be able to start a conversation easily, so Iori went back to watching the swordsmanship practice.
"I… I'm grateful for Friday."
Perhaps embarrassed and unable to speak up, Mei finally opened her mouth.
"Yeah. Like Shirou said, don't worry about it. I just enjoyed fighting the Floor Boss."
Iori answered with a smile.
Keeping her eyes on the training hall, Mei spoke to Iori again.
"Um… what school of swordsmanship is yours?"
"School? No, I learned swordsmanship from my father and brother. I don't think it's any particular school."
"Is that so? Your sword work was remarkably graceful. I thought it must be from some famous school."
"Are you complimenting me? Thank you."
"Well, I suppose…"
Listening to their conversation from the side, I found it somewhat heartwarming.
Then, a member of the First Swordsmanship Club came over to us.
"Thank you for coming to observe the First Swordsmanship Club today. Now, those who wish to join will participate in a trial practice, actually holding swords and joining the training."
I had only intended to observe today, but Murasakimura and Sendo, who wanted to join, immediately stood up and went forward with the other prospective members.
"Hey, there's no way you guys will be accepted."
As expected, Murasakimura and Sendo were rejected.
Ah, I thought Murasakimura was being quiet today, but this was definitely going to turn into a fight…