Chapter-11 · EP-165

Episode 165: What to Do When Your Wooden Sword Is Grabbed

"You've improved a lot, Murasakimura."

"Huh?"

After school, during the Second Swordsmanship Club's practice, Iori praised Murasakimura's practice swings.

I was also at club today, and Hikaru and Mei, who are usually absent provisional members, were also there, so it was almost a full house.

Praising someone in front of a large crowd makes you look like a good boss, Iori. I remembered a past-life rule: scold in private, praise in public.

"Before, you had good days and bad days, but today is excellent. It's as if you've lost all hesitation."

Praised by Iori, Murasakimura answered with a slightly embarrassed expression.

"Maybe it's because I fought goblins consecutively. When I fought in real combat and wasn't swinging my sword well, my arms would get tired quickly. So I remembered the times I swung well in practice and fought like that, so maybe it just naturally became ingrained."

"I see. Maybe Shirou had Murasakimura fight with that in mind. Shirou gives guidance according to the person's skill level."

Hearing Iori overestimate me like that, I hurriedly interrupted their conversation to correct her.

"Wait a minute, Iori! I wasn't thinking that deeply!"

"You don't have to be modest."

Iori didn't understand. Neither did Murasakimura.

"Is that so? I didn't realize Ichinose-kun was thinking that much about me. I'm sorry. Thank you."

I keep telling you that's not it… I was starting to feel too bothered to correct them.

"Ichinose-kun, you might be suited to be a teacher."

"Why?"

I couldn't be bothered to talk anymore.

Then, perhaps remembering the previous exploration from the conversation, Sendo called out to Iori.

"Takigawa-san. Actually, during our exploration the other day, a goblin grabbed my wooden sword, and I couldn't do anything. What's the best way to handle that? Ichinose said to just kick it."

"Hmm? When your wooden sword is grabbed. Kicking might work, but my father told me that it can break your posture and sometimes put you in a worse situation, so it's better not to rely on it. But I think it depends on the situation. I'll show you what I would do. Sendo, grab my wooden sword."

Prompted by Iori, Sendo placed his own wooden sword on the ground and grabbed Iori's raised wooden sword with both hands.

"Is this okay? The goblin tried to take my wooden sword with incredible strength."

"Then try to take my wooden sword from me, just like that, Sendo."

"Yeah."

Sendo put strength into his grip.

But he seemed unable to do it properly, and he looked troubled.

"Alright, here I go."

When Iori said that, she tilted her wooden sword. Sendo's posture broke, as if pulled by the sword, and he fell forward.

"Huh?"

Even I didn't understand what had just happened.

At a glance, Sendo looked far stronger than slender Iori.

But it looked like Iori had knocked him down with tremendous force.

Had Iori become a high level without me knowing?

I secretly used Analysis to check; Iori was still level 4.

It was higher than Sendo's level 3, but I didn't think a single level would cause such a difference in strength.

"Takigawa-san, what just happened?"

"Want to try again?"

Prompted by Iori, Sendo grabbed her wooden sword again.

He couldn't take it from her, and was knocked down the same way.

"Sendo, quit messing around."

"No, I'm completely serious."

Sendo answered my jeer with a slightly annoyed expression.

But to me, it just looked like he was falling on purpose.

"Then why are you falling so easily?"

"I don't know. I can't put strength into it properly, and before I know it, I'm being knocked down."

Even hearing Sendo's explanation, I didn't understand.

Then Iori also called out to me.

"Want to try, Shirou?"

"Huh? Oh, sure."

When I grabbed Iori's wooden sword, I felt a strange sensation, as if my strength was being drained away.

When Iori tilted her sword, I felt a sense of danger, and I quickly let go.

The next moment, Iori's wooden sword was right in front of my forehead.

"If you let go, the attack will come immediately."

But if I hadn't let go, I probably would have been knocked down like Sendo.

It was like magic, but it wasn't a skill.

As I was wondering what it was, Iori explained.

"This is aiki."

"Aiki, like aikido?"

"I don't know much about aikido, so it might be different from aikido's aiki. This is a technique using the theory of aiki that I learned from my father."

"So ki does exist. No need for skills?"

At my response, Iori answered, looking a bit troubled.

"No, it's not that. This is a legitimate technique."

"A technique…"

Aiki – was it some kind of classical martial art?

It was a strange sensation – as if I had no footing, as if my body was being controlled.

"When you remove the opponent's 'path of power' in their arm and shoulder, they lose their strength. It's an old-style principle I learned from my father."

Even hearing Iori's explanation, I was completely lost.

Still, Iori's swordsmanship, and this technique called aiki – maybe old Japanese combat techniques are amazing.

I'd heard that explorers from the early Showa period when dungeons first appeared were strong. Was that because there were still many martial artists back then?

As I was imagining that, Hikaru, who had been silently practicing until now, approached.

She had been participating in practice today, but she seemed listless lately.

Everyone looked at Hikaru as she came before Iori.

"Takigawa-san, could you teach me that aiki technique as well?"

Hikaru's expression was deadly serious.