New chapter of World Teacher is out! (1/1 chapter)

 

 

The Retired Old Man’s Rhapsody

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A few days after meeting Fia, I once again came to the Adlode Continent.

Last time I returned without having been able to explore properly because of the fuss with Fia. Well, she taught me many things, so it was truly worthwhile. As for the lover and such she blurted at parting, I decided to think about those when we can reunite. It is silly to worry over an uncertain future.

Last time was east, so this time I shall head west, the opposite direction. I hope there will be a settlement this time. One Fia is already more than enough elf for my stomach.

The east side had been nothing but flat forest, but this side is terrain with many hills and mountains. That much means more magic beast, and because human hands seldom reach here the possibility of a settlement is also low. Even so I flew in a winding pattern for the sake of searching, but still nothing could be seen. This side a miss as well, perhaps.

So that my efforts would not be wasted, I did not forget mapping during breaks. While I was filling in the map thinking where to head next, my ear suddenly caught something. I raised my face from the map and, if I pricked my ears, I could certainly hear something. Yet when I looked around there was nothing that made the sound. The sound came at a regular rhythm, and it seemed likely to be coming from the other side of one of the mountains. I could not ignore this.
I hurriedly folded the map and flew toward the source.

Rounding the mountain, what I found was a single house built on land cleared of trees. From a distance one could see smoke coming from what looked like a chimney, so there was no doubt someone lived there. All the same, to find a dwelling right in the very heart of such a forest, I wondered what kind of eccentric fellow might live there.

It would be fine to make a dramatic entrance from the sky, but that would likely invite unnecessary trouble, so I landed nearby and switched to walking. Through the thick forest, following what barely resembled an animal trail, I at last reached the house.

There was a man twice my size was splitting firewood. The sound that had guided me here was apparently the sound of chopping wood. The man wore a simple black shirt and trousers. His short hair was completely bleached white, and his left eye was ruined by a deep scar. He must be of an age bordering on old, yet the muscles honed upon his frame and the keen, almost murderous look in his gaze recalled an active warrior. An axe descending, swung without stagnation by those muscles. Though it was merely firewood he split, I honestly thought the refined movement was beautiful. This man would suit swinging a weapon on the very front lines of a battlefield far more than chopping wood in such a forest.

“…Who are you? Stop skulking about and come out.” (??)

Did he notice me while I hid my presence? Those muscles are apparently no display.

Since there was no reason to hide, I frankly revealed myself, and the frowning expression softened a little.

“Hmm, where did you wander in from?” (??)

“Pleased to meet you. I am Sirius. I came here because I happened to find it while taking a walk.” (Sirius)

“…What are you saying. Are you some sort of monster? If you oppose me I will show no mercy.” (??)

He pointed his axe toward me and sent forth the intent to kill as if he would strike at any moment.

Wait a moment. No matter how suspicious I might seem, is this not too hasty? I have spoken but a single sentence.

“No, no, not normal… but I am a human child. I have no intention of hostility whatsoever.” (Sirius)

I raised both hands to show I bore no enmity, and the man, while wary, lowered his axe. I thought he might say something, but he ignored me and resumed splitting wood.

So blatant an ignoring is almost refreshing. But being ignored renders my visit meaningless. I shall start the conversation.

“Excuse me, why do you live in a place like this?” (Sirius)

“I have no desire to speak with a noble. I do not know where you tracked me down, but there is nothing I will tell you. Take your guards and leave quickly.” (??)

He rejected me as if about to spit.

Is this old man under some misunderstanding? I understand he hates nobles, but I do not know him. First, we must clarify where we are at cross purposes.

“You must be mistaken. I came here by chance and did not come seeking you. Also, I am not a noble and I have no guards. You, who seem keen to sense presence, will understand that there is no one here besides myself.” (Sirius)

“…Indeed, there is none. So, how did you get here? This is not a place a single child should come alone.” (??)

“That is because there is a special magic there. I repeat, finding you was a coincidence.” (Sirius)

“Kid, do you know me?” (??)

“I do not. Only that I think you are quite skilled.” (Sirius)

The presence this Jii-san gave off was incomparable with Dee. The men who had attacked Fia seemed like dust by comparison. Perhaps my reply had been correct, for his guard thinned and he turned to face me.

“Hmm, it seems that you are not like those foolish nobles.” (??)

“Do not lump me in with foolish nobles. It offends me.” (Sirius)

“Hoho, you speak. Well then, if you are a guest I will at least give you tea. Come with me.” (??)

When I thought of nobles, the only one I knew was my father. I had told Jii-san I did not wish to be grouped with those sorts. Perhaps satisfied, he set down his axe and invited me into his house.

Jii-san’s house was a handmade log cabin. Neatly worked timber was used with nothing wasted, and its workmanship was not greatly different from things built in my previous life. A table and chairs stood in the center of the room, a stone oven, and carpets and bedding made from magic beast fur. To my surprise, he said he had made all of it himself.

“I had uselessly a lot of time and stamina, so though an amateur I tried to be particular about various things.” (??)

“No, no, for an amateur to be able to do this much is amazing. Perhaps you had talent?” (Sirius)

“I dislike filing everything under talent. Well, even if flattery, it pleases me to be praised.” (??)

It was not mere flattery, but still. That a single man had made these things meant the place must be all the more isolated. Undoubtedly it was more out of the way than my house. What reason on earth does he have for living in such a place?

I set aside the questions rising to my mind, sat into a chair, and the old man prepared tea and sat opposite me.

“Alas, I have no drink suited for children. This is my favored brew. If it does not suit your mouth then refrain.” (??)

“Oh, do not trouble yourself.” (Sirius)

The wooden cup held a green liquid. Smelling it gave no odd impression… yet one thing occurred to me. Though steam rose, Jii-san gulped it down, so I drank and took a breath.

“Fuu… delicious.” (Sirius)

“Oh? You understand this?” (Raioru)

“I do. This tongue-numbing heat and the bitterness that remains in the throat. Perfect after a meal, is it not?” (Sirius)

A bit rich perhaps, but there was no mistaking it. This was Japanese tea. I nearly burned myself for drinking hastily, but the nostalgic flavor made my face relax. The old man grew all the more jovial at my favorable reaction.

“Good, you understand, kid. Never would I have expected such a child to understand its taste.” (??)

“If you please, might you share this? If possible, I would also like to know the raw leaves.” (Sirius)

“Very well, I shall share it later.” (Raioru)

Generous Jii-san. That alone made this visit worthwhile.

“No one in the country understood it. That they cannot tell is wasteful people.” (Raioru)
“Indeed. By the way, may I ask your name?” (Sirius)

He lived alone in a place like this. He could be a criminal, yet at least I understood he was not the sort to poison me. He was someone I would like to learn from, so whatever he was I did not intend to change my attitude.

“I am Lior. Does that name awaken any memory?” (Lior)

“Lior? I feel as if I have heard it somewhere… hm?” (Sirius)

That’s right. I recalled seeing it in a book. The source as ever, Albert’s Travelogue.

That man, a sword saint said to be the strongest of the human folk, who sweeps all aside with a gigantic greatsword. When he swings his sword once, rock is crushed, and a destroying sword-flash severs dragons. People call him in chorus, that name is Strongest Sword Lior.

“Could you be the Strongest Sword Lior?” (Sirius)

“A tale of old. I am now nothing more than a retired old man.” (Lior)

Oh. I had thought him a strong man, but never imagined one of the strongest levels. I would very much like to spar with him. Yet despite the overflowing strength he radiates, I could not feel the fighting ardor. He sends lethal intent at suspicious persons, yet when he learns I am harmless he degrades into a mere retired old man. There must be some reason, including his hatred of nobles.

“You do not look like one fit for retirement. May I hear the reason?” (Sirius)

“Hmph, an impudent kid. Well, I have leisure anyway. It will be a long tale, but I shall tell it.” (Lior)

We refilled our emptied cups, and Jii-san began to tell his tale in a slow voice.

“I enjoyed training myself. Stacking training upon training, defeating various opponents, before I knew it, I was called the strongest. Nicknames like Strongest Sword I did not care for. But after becoming the strongest there were no more who could oppose me. Then I thought, why not raise opponents who can fight me, and so I took disciples. When I proclaimed it in the central kingdom of the continent, crowds gathered like mountains.” (Lior)

That is because he is the strongest. A little advertisement will draw as many as one desires.

“However, most offers were from nobles wanting the prestige of being my disciple. I taught those hungry for strength, but they were all spineless. If I was strict they fled, if I went easy, they screamed they had not grown. I reported to the king several times, but idiotic offers did not cease. Having no choice, I sought disciples myself who pleased my eye. I finally found a few, but all were commoners or from the slums, and the idiotic nobles began to make a fuss. It would have been fine had they only shouted to know their place or not to scorn nobles.

But, a few, maddened by jealousy and desire, seized the chance while I was absent, surrounded my disciples and rendered them bodies that could not even swing a sword. If it were only arms, fine, but some even died. I, in madness of rage, tracked down those nobles and threw the fools who had their arms cut off into the seat where the king and nobles gathered. After that, everything became absurd. I never wished to deal with nobles again, so I retired here.” (Lior)

When he finished the long explanation, Jii-san refreshed his throat with tea.

I now understood why he hated nobles and why his fighting spirit had faded. But, if I may offer my impression…

“Too lenient!” (Sirius)

“What did you say?” (Lior)

“Your retribution against the nobles is too lenient! Nobles who do such trivial things are nothing but a nuisance to the country; you ought to have cut away the whole family name.” (Sirius)

“…Hmm.” (Lior)

“You said you reported it to the king many times beforehand, yes? Yet this is the result. If you do not make them fully aware of the risk of attacking for such trivial reasons, they will swagger on forever.” (Sirius)

“Indeed. The nobles have accused me of going too far, but never before has anyone called it lenient.” (Lior)

“A disciple must not die before the master. It is important not only to teach but also to arrange the environment.” (Sirius)

This is my theory: a master must also create an environment suitable for his disciples. Certainly, the nobles were at fault, but Jii-san who slighted those nobles and left them to their devices was at fault as well. One must not only instruct harshly but also show one’s back to protect the inexperienced. This matters even more when disciples are few. As one who once aimed to be an educator, it is no issue to offer a lecture or two.

“Hmph, that stings the ear. What would a kid understand?” (Lior)

“Certainly, I am a child. Even so, I aim to be an educator. One who stands above must be able to admit his failures.” (Sirius)

“You aim to be an educator at that age? The ambition is fine, but do not think you can achieve it with half-hearted skill.” (Lior)

“Then shall we test it?” (Sirius)

I provoked him while putting out a little intimidation. I thought it rather blatant, but the old man narrowed his eyes and twisted his mouth.

“Very well. I thought you were no ordinary person. Let me see your true form.” (Lior)

A quarrelsome atmosphere indeed, yet fine if Jii-san has become willing. Let him show me the might that earned him the title of strongest.

We left the house and faced one another with wooden swords. Aside from Jiisan’s, the child’s sword seemed to have belonged to a deceased disciple. It was well used but carefully maintained, so it had been cherished. I thought it might break if swung in earnest, but the material of this wooden sword was extremely sturdy and ideal for training. No worry of it breaking, Jii-san answered confidently.

That Jii-san seems happy as he swings the wooden sword. Around here there are scarcely opponents other than monsters, so perhaps he is glad to be able to fight someone. In truth he is craving for people. A retired old man unsuited to retirement, indeed.

“If you land even a single blow on me, the lad wins. Be at ease. I shall go easy.” (Lior)

“Thanks for that. That composure will be what trips you up.” (Sirius)

“Babble not, kid. Show it by action rather than words.” (Lior)

Now then, having said much, I should not show a pitiful sight. Yet his lack of intent to begin may be proof he underestimates me. First, I shall change the tempo.

I approached as if for a stroll, and with two steps remaining I pitched my upper body forward and put strength into my legs to accelerate. From still to motion in an instant, the surprise speed made Jii-san start, though he managed to respond. As one called the strongest, he was indeed formidable, but the path of an attack born of desperate overconfidence is easy to read. I parried his slanting cut with my right wooden sword, ran past his flank, kept distance, and as we passed I touched his side with my left hand and waved it playfully.

“If that had been a knife…what then?” (Sirius)

“On a battlefield it would be fatal. That I have grown this dull in retirement… how shameful.” (Lior)

At last, realizing his own neglect, he shook his head with a wry smile. Now he would go serious. Proof of that was his face bore a feral grin and his muscles swelled.

“My apologies, and I thank you, kid. My heart had nearly rotted away! Nuooh!” (Lior)

His roar produced a shockwave that made the surrounding trees quake mightily.

Good grief, he changed far too much. How lazy had he been in retirement? Merely standing there one could feel the pressure, and the monster and animals prowling about fled like spiders scattered. This tension brought to mind Shishou’s training. Each memory of that hellish sparring makes me want to cry but let that be for now.

The preparations were complete. Jii-san had become earnest, and from here the real fight would begin.

“That stance I have not seen before. Which style?” (Lior)

The Jii-san fixed his sword in an upper guard, a stance close to the Jigen-ryu style from my previous life. Jigen-ryu style stakes everything on the first strike. It seemed a stance most like Jii-san.

“My form is my own. I have no particular school.” (Sirius)

In contrast I took a half-body stance and pointed my sword, hiding the reversed hand at my body, a peculiar posture. My master trained me but had no formal school. He purely gave experience and the suitable movement for each moment. A flowing stance that shifts as situation demands. This form is convenient for me.

“I see. Then, I shall go first, kid!” (Lior)

Jii-san lunged with a stepping force that might cave the ground and facing the Strongest Sword I activated the magic ‘Boost’ to full. And then… I flipped the switch.

 

— Raioru　—

Boring.

I loved to train, I loved to fight, and because I loved it I kept becoming ever stronger until I was called the strongest. Yet, despite that, I became empty. Opponents who challenged for the sake of a name never ceased, yet each of them sank in one or two strikes.

Too weak. How long had it been since that burning fighting impulse rose within me? Boring. Without firewood a fire cannot burn. I continued to crave opponents, the firewood that burns the fire which is I.

Then, one day I realized. Rather than wait, make them. Raise disciples and have them fight me. Far more meaningful than merely waiting.

I began recruiting at once, but what gathered were brats of noble families, drenched in greed and unable to swing a sword properly. If a somewhat better one appeared, other nobles’ power would remove them. There were scums who tried to buy the disciple title with money, but I silenced such by giving them a single stroke. Indeed one should not wait for disciples but seek them. I traveled the world personally, searching for disciples ravenous for strength. Training the few I finally found was delightful. Disciples growing stronger every other day, perhaps the first time I felt joy outside of fighting. Yet… those nobles smashed it to pieces.

As revenge I cut off the arms of the ringleaders, but it did not lift my spirits at all. I no longer wished even to see a noble. In despair I left the country and retired to a sea of trees far from people. I built a house, fought magic beast, and spent tranquil days at ease. Yet the hole in my heart did not close.
When the heart wanes the body wanes. Even as my beloved sword began to feel heavier by degrees, my sense of crisis lessened as if weakened beyond concern. Blank days continued.

Then, I met the kid. A baffling kid.

This sea of trees was the sort of place even veteran adventurers seldom tread, and he appeared in the light garb one might wear to a neighboring town. I thought perhaps a new kind of monster and sent forth killing intent, or perhaps a foolish noble with guards had come to visit me. No one on this continent did not know me, yet the kid did not recognize me at sight and only understood when I revealed my name. That intrigued me. He was a kid who understood more than his years might show, and his taste in tea matched mine. Because it had been long since I met another person, my tongue had grown loose.

But then, of all things, he scolded me. Before I knew it, I had been provoked and, thinking to educate the saucy lad, I took the bait. I warded his attack and thought a light rap on his crown would make him repent and waited. Yet, the kid walked toward me at an odd leisure. I had never seen such behavior.

I watched the kid come naturally and, just before he entered my domain, I moved. I thought he had fallen, but he ran near the ground and leapt into my bosom. The old me would never have allowed such proximity. Surprised by my own decay, yet my body moved, but the reflex strike I sent was lightly parried, and the lad touched my rib and drew back.

“If that had been a knife…what then?” (Sirius)

Those words stung me, not at the kid, but at myself.

What on earth am I doing?

This arrogance is the same as those fools of old. Though I had not been truly stabbed, it served as a wake-up blow. I understood that this fellow was not a child as he looked but a strong one worthy to be my opponent. The long-vanished fire flared, my body pulsed and grew hot.

This sensation… nostalgic.

We exchanged apology and thanks and reset. The lad — no, he too would go all out. He has no school and a stance I had not seen, but that matters not. Let him meet my school: Gōha Ittō-ryū.

Single Sword Style, First Sword: Goten.

A basic technique of raising the sword and pouring everything into the downward swing. A mere downward swing, yet if mastered it easily rends iron. Its arc was monotonous, but the intimidation from a wholehearted blow and the fastest sword flash make avoidance difficult.

Simple, therefore unavoidable. In fact, the majority of opponents ended by this. But how about this one? He stamped the ground as if cracking it and unleashed Goten… yet it was dodged. Moreover, with the narrowest evasion of only half a body shift. A smile broke at the reflexes that surely caught and avoided it.

Without a moment’s pause I followed the downward stroke with an upward cut at the foe with Second Sword: Gosho. He twisted and avoided this too, using the momentum of his evasive movement to slash, but I pulled the sword back to defend. Those two strikes had been attacks meant to surely finish him, yet he avoided without trouble and even added a counter.

My blood boiled at his strength beyond imagination. Undeniably he was an opponent upon whom I could throw my full strength. He seemed to compensate for the difference in physical ability with the magic ‘Boost’. I had faced such foes before but never seen a ‘Boost’ so perfected. It didn’t matter. Small details did not concern me. I would strike with all that I can.

I unleashed eight slashes in one breath, the Frenzy Blade: Sanpa. Half the slashes were deflected by sword contact, the rest were evaded. I imbued mana into the sword and released a wide-range shockwave, the Break Blade: Shoha. In the instant I raised it and left a gap, he slipped past my flank and moved to my rear, out of the shock range, and then struck. I leapt forward and evaded using the downward momentum.

Oh… my techniques do not connect, not one of them finds a mark. Haha, splendid! What an exhilarating time. I cannot help but revel in it. A supreme battle where one competes with strength and art, clashing with full force. The strength returns to my decayed body and the dulled technique is sharpened, it feels good. At last, the strong foe I ceaselessly thirsted for has appeared.

What of Strongest Sword? What of being the strongest? Certainly, someone who surpasses me stands here.

I wish to fight with my beloved sword instead of this wooden sword.
I wish to withdraw that a single blow decides victory and fight until limits.
I wish to don armor and fight a life-or-death duel.
I wish to keep fighting forever.

The revived heart spewed desire one after another, yet the aged body protested limit. My breathing grew rough, and I found myself on the defensive. It was proof enough. My body was far from its prime and had I not neglected training I might have fought longer. It was the price of my rotten days.

Had I met you earlier… no, it is late to say that now.

I strongly parried an attack aimed at the neck and he leapt high, taking distance. Strange… he should have countered using the momentum of the parry. As I adjusted my breathing puzzling at that, he too exhaled deeply and raised a single finger.

“We’ve both reached our limit. Let the next be the last.” (Sirius)

“……Hm.” (Lior)

I see, he too had reached his limit. There is no visible change, yet the faint trembling in his arm and the unevenness in his breath showed exhaustion. Even I could finally notice that his skill in hiding fatigue is remarkable. If we continued now, I would exhaust first, and he would win by grit. Yet he took distance and declared the last exchange. Truly grateful. I must answer him.

I steadied my ragged breath, gripped my sword anew, and took the Gōten stance.

Come, then. I shall show the greatest strike I can now produce.

He accelerated in an instant and launched into a straight frontal duel. I had the advantage in strength, but with an opponent whose actions I could not read who knows how it would turn out. He used the acceleration to scoop his sword up as if to lift, and I, simply, brought mine down straight from above.

*Pan*

A cracking sound not expected from mere wood resounded, and both our wooden swords shattered into fragments. Wooden swords could not withstand our blows it seems. I sighed thinking perhaps the blissful time had ended. But I was a fool. The battle was not yet over.

I realized that among the flying splinters when his foot caught my jaw.

Haha… indeed. The battle does not end just because weapons break.

At the instant his foot wavered, my consciousness flew away.

 

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