Chapter 25

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Early morning. Ritsu, who barely needed any sleep, was taking a walk in the garden on the 11th floor. After having dinner yesterday and being told, “we’ll talk in detail tomorrow”, he got to spend a time which truly felt as if the clock had turned backwards, after which he took a brief nap.

“It’s probably because it’s connected to the rocky mountains, but there’s even hot-water springs here.”

Ritsu was at a loss for words, seeing the quality of facilities here. The road which connected the rocky mountains to his house, was highly reminiscent to the path which connected the rear mountains to his old house.

“Seriously, it’s way too similar.”

“Guess I’ll head back now.”

Remembering his promises with Igarashi and his grandfather, Ritsu went to the dojo after observing, more or less, the entire garden.

“Good morning.”

As Ritsu went inside the dojo, there stood Igarashi, as well as two other men on either side of him.

“Good morning. Allow me to introduce you to these two here.”

As Igarashi returned his greetings, the other two stepped in front.

“This is Iori Kei.”

“Honored to meet you.”

The man named Iori stepped in front of Ritsu, and asked for a handshake.

“I’m honored to meet you as well.”

“And this, is Utayo Guren.”

“Honored to meet you too.”

Following Iori, Utayo also requested a handshake.

“Yes, I’m honored to meet you as well.”

“These two here hold the rank of Ousei, same as me. This means, that us three are Ritsu-kun’s colleagues.”

Saying so, Igarashi introduced himself again as he laughed.

“Yes. There may be some parts which I don’t understand yet, but I’ll be under your care.”

Around the time when Ritsu finished his greetings, his grandfather Ryuugen entered the dojo.

“Morning. I was thinking of introducing mah’ grandson to you all, but you’ve gone ahead and done that already, it seems.”

Ryuugen laughed as he said so.

“Yes, we have exchanged our introductions. Let us introduce him to the lower floors as well.”

Utayo tried leaving the dojo after saying so, but Ryuugen stopped him.

“You all head down first, and explain to everyone in the assembly room. I have somethin’ to confirm, you see.”

Ryuugen implied, while looking at Ritsu.

“Confirm? I see.”

Utayo glanced at Ritsu and smirked, then continued.

“In that case, I would prefer to stay back and observe.”

“Mm? That so? I’m only confirmin’ the mold he’s made of, but, I see. Then you three decide with a game of Rock-Paper-Scissors.”

The moment Ryuugen said that, the three became engrossed in a serious game of Rock-Paper-Scissors.

“I lost…”

Muttering so, Igarashi went out of the dojo with hastened steps, probably to assist with assembly preparations downstairs.

“Ritsu, I reserved the seat of Ousei for you, but I’ll be checkin’ your abilities here first. No skills. Just like a practice rehearsal, I’ll attack you as well, so think of it as a sparring battle.”

Saying so, Ryuugen took one of the wooden swords in the dojo. Ritsu followed suit, and readied himself.

“Is body-strengthening allowed? If not, I won’t be faster than any regular human.”

Ritsu asked as he took his stance.

“Now that you mention, you did say somethin’ about not having status, didn’t you. Alright, I’ll allow it. Judge for yourself, and strengthen only enough to match my status.”

“Got it.”

Ritsu lightly wrapped Ki around his body, and braced himself.

“Here I come, gramps.”

Ritsu immediately took the initiative and closed in on Ryuugen, but was easily dodged.

(I think it’s okay to wrap a little more Ki around myself.)

The two who exchanged blows at increasing speeds, accelerated even more while watching each other, making it increasingly difficult to follow their movements with the naked eye.

“Mu.”

Ryuugen groaned a little, seeing Ritsu’s movements as he gradually raised his speed.

“That should be about it.”

Ritsu stopped his Ki-enforced strengthening after reaching a certain point.

(The basic abilities go up by quite a bit, depending on my status)

“It’s about time I got serious, gramps.”

“Good.”

The moment Ryuugen replied, Their figures flickered and disappeared, meeting halfway where they exchanged a single blow. After separating briefly, they met again to exchange blows.

The periods where they separated gradually grew longer, as their stare-off continued.

“We’ll leave it at that, for today.”

Ryuugen put down his wooden sword as he said that.

“You’re right. This is a mock-battle, after all.”

Ritsu did the same.

“So? Do I have what it takes to become an Ousei, Gramps?”

Ritsu asked half-jokingly.

“Mm? Yeah. From today, you shall officially presume the rank of Ousei. That’s fine yes, Utayo? Iori?”

Ryuugen confirmed with the two who watched the entire exchange.

“”Yes.””

“Then let’s go downstairs and start the assembly.”

The four, including Ritsu, left the dojo and descended down the stairs.

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