Uesugi Tetsu's Kendo Talent Is Not Ideal

After parting ways with Ririko, Uesugi Tetsu, after a quick wipe-down and changing back into his school uniform, returned to his seat.

Although he hadn't been able to practice Kendo at noon due to Kondo Hideya, the Kendo club's advisor, Uesugi Tetsu harbored no resentment towards him. Instead, he felt grateful.

Because—

[Detected the appearance of a Tokoyo rift. You may now choose to enter Tokoyo for exploration.]

The moment he stepped onto the school track, this prompt reappeared before Uesugi Tetsu's eyes.

This meant he might no longer need to repeatedly die to low-level monsters in the four-star Edo Castle.

Instead, he had the opportunity to explore a potentially low-star map.

Even if it wasn't a suitable low-star map, it would still offer another option.

If not for being punished with laps today, Uesugi Tetsu, who had already decided on a life of going between "Ki-ai Technique during class, Kendo dojo after school," wouldn't have set foot on the track for who knows how long.

Not only that, but Uesugi Tetsu had further improved his Ki-ai Technique proficiency to make the laps easier, even incorporating some Ki-ai Technique skills into his breathing while running.

[Your skill, Ki-ai Technique Fragment, Proficiency +18!]

Japanese school class schedules are different from those next door. Here, they promote a "happy and relaxed" education. Classes start late in the morning and end early in the afternoon, not to mention any evening study sessions that last until nine or ten.

This is to give students more time to participate in club activities.

And if one aims to get into a good university through entrance exams, they have to pay for after-school cram schools. Relying solely on the meager education provided at school is unlikely to be enough.

[Your skill, Ki-ai Technique Fragment, Proficiency +12!]

When the dismissal bell rang, Uesugi Tetsu, who had spent the afternoon grinding his Ki-ai Technique proficiency, walked out of the classroom.

Just as he was about to look for Ririko, he found that she was already waiting for him outside the door.

Even though class had just ended, Ririko's Class F was a whole corridor away from his Class A.

"Did you run here?"

"I just made up an excuse and left early. You know I have privileges; it's not your first day knowing that."

As the two exchanged questions and answers, Uesugi Tetsu's memories began to flood back.

Ririko, who had won double championships at the Kendo competition "Jade Dragon Banner" last year, held a status even higher than ordinary teachers at the school.

For high school students practicing Kendo, the Jade Dragon Banner was akin to Koshien in baseball.

Generally, participating teams would select five members from the school's Kendo club to serve as the vanguard, second vanguard, central defender, vice-captain, and captain, respectively.

Tokugawa Ririko, who served as the captain, not only won the individual championship.

She even achieved an astonishing "one versus five" feat in a desperate situation where all her teammates had been defeated, leading Sakura Capital High School to win the team championship, giving the school momentum to make a name for itself nationwide.

If this were a fantasy novel, Ririko would likely be an invincible prodigy who made all her peers unable to lift their heads.

Such a genius was cherished by the school beyond measure. Perhaps only Kondo, who directly instructed her in Kendo, dared to scowl at her.

No wonder Uesugi Tetsu had felt the gazes of his classmates looking at him strangely since this morning.

Someone like Ririko, who stood at the pinnacle of the school's social hierarchy, was walking with him, a mere nobody with no special talents other than good looks, who liked anime and was obscure.

This matter alone was enough to become gossip.

Not to mention that Ririko had taken him to the Kendo dojo to try on a uniform, and many people had seen them running laps together in the afternoon.

"Uesugi-kun, if you truly wish to practice Kendo, the first thing you must do is achieve a state of mental tranquility."

In the hallway, Ririko spoke calmly.

"How exactly should I do that?"

Ririko instructed, "Let your mind cast aside external distractions and remain in a state as calm as a lake's surface."

"Okay."

Uesugi Tetsu collected his thoughts. With each breath, his Ki-ai Technique activated subconsciously. After his mind settled, he directly filtered out the surrounding whispers.

[You have comprehended the Kendo realm "Mental Tranquility," Willpower +3]

With renewed spirit, Uesugi Tetsu thought, Are these Kendo realms common as dirt? You can break through just by changing your mindset.

When they reached the deserted area downstairs, Uesugi Tetsu suddenly noticed Ririko staring at him as if he were some kind of monster.

Uesugi Tetsu: "Is there something dirty on my face?"

Ririko was silent for two seconds before asking, "Mental Tranquility... you achieved it?"

Uesugi Tetsu asked, confused, "Isn't it just treating what strangers say as crap? Is it that difficult?"

After a moment of eye contact, Ririko, realizing he didn't seem to be joking, turned her head away and said as if nothing had happened, "Let's walk faster."

Achieving mental tranquility in an instant...

"It's true that it's not difficult," Ririko took a deep breath, trying hard to maintain a poker face. "But Uesugi-kun, you do possess more Kendo talent than the average person."

Uesugi Tetsu believed she was telling the truth and cupped his hands. "Then, I'll be counting on you, Teacher Ririko, from now on."

Ririko said nothing.

After changing into her practice uniform, Ririko first declined a slew of invitations from club members for sparring and guidance, then led Uesugi Tetsu to the deepest part of the Kendo hall.

Upon entering a smaller practice room and closing the heavy wooden door, the Kendo hall, noisy just moments before after class, fell silent.

Ririko, her hair tied in a high ponytail, her bare feet on the cool wooden floor, said, "This is the private room Teacher Kondo uses when he instructs me. It might as well be put to good use teaching you Kendo now, Uesugi-kun."

She took a brand-new bamboo sword out of its bag and solemnly handed it to Uesugi Tetsu.

Uesugi Tetsu accepted it with both hands. "Teacher Ririko, I will study diligently."

Ririko nodded noncommittally, then sat down cross-legged and began to explain. "My Kendo style is Tennen Rishin-ryū. Although I haven't obtained the Menkyo Kaiden certification, this is just a friendly spar between classmates, so it's acceptable."

What a disclaimer, Uesugi Tetsu thought.

As he was mentally criticizing, a prompt suddenly appeared before his eyes.

[Tokugawa Ririko is imparting the Kendo style · Tennen Rishin-ryū to you...]

His spirits lifted, and he listened intently, not daring to be the slightest bit careless.

"Unlike modern Kendo, we emphasize simplicity, practicality, and flexibility over how to score points in a match..."

After more than ten minutes of explanation, Ririko stood up. "Alright, let's start by learning how to stand and hold the sword."

[You have learned the Kendo technique · Tennen Rishin-ryū.]

[Tennen Rishin-ryū (Beginner 0/200)]

[Effect: None]

Wow, I've already learned the Kendo technique, and it's still in the "Beginner" state. And just the proficiency for "Beginner" is double what I needed for "Beginner" in Ki-ai Technique.

As expected of a legitimate Kendo style; it's not something a mere fragment of a Ki-ai Technique can compare to.

Two and a half hours later.

[After arduous training, your proficiency in the skill, Tennen Rishin-ryū, has increased by 1!]

Uesugi Tetsu, drenched in sweat, lowered his bamboo sword and stared at the barely changed progress bar, lost in thought.

"Uesugi-kun, your Kendo talent doesn't seem to be very ideal."

Ririko leaned on her sword, her small face serious, but her tone was gleeful, with a hint of sarcasm.

"But don't be too disappointed," she added, crouching down to pat Uesugi Tetsu's shoulder with a concerned tone. "Uesugi-kun, talent is something you can't force."

After watching Uesugi Tetsu, who remained silent, she softened her tone and added a comforting remark. "Besides, your breathing rhythm technique is quite good."

A curious little head peeked out from the edge of Uesugi Tetsu's vision. "Teach me?"

"Don't rush, I will teach you."

Uesugi Tetsu stared at the glaring "1" for a while longer, then began to rummage through his storage backpack. Finally, his gaze stopped when he saw the two remaining, sparkling [Soul Soothing Incense Ash].

He said:

"Let me be quiet for a moment and collect my thoughts first."