Evening, in the kendo dojo.
Shūbīng was undergoing a new round of torment.
With another sharp clang of steel, the Asauchi in Shūbīng's hand fell to the floor.
Shūbīng looked at his right hand, trembling slightly from the pain, then at the blade lying on the ground.
Xin spoke lazily from across from him. "Pick it up. Continue."
Shūbīng bent down to retrieve the Asauchi, only to find that his hand could not exert any strength at all. He could only watch as the blade slipped from his grasp.
He sat down on the floor in frustration. "Let me rest."
"You're really weak, Shūbīng. At your level, becoming a Seated Officer someday will be hard enough."
Shūbīng had grown somewhat accustomed to Xin's words. Whenever he lost to him, he would receive the other boy's mockery. At first, it truly could reignite his fighting spirit, but now he could simply choose not to hear it.
Just then, someone entered the kendo dojo.
"Kanazawa?" Shūbīng was a little surprised that she would appear here at this time.
Remembering what had happened between her and Hinamori, Xin pondered briefly before asking, "Why are you here?"
Kanazawa first glanced at Shūbīng, who was sitting on the floor, then walked over and picked up the Asauchi lying on the ground, gripping it in her hand.
Xin raised an eyebrow slightly.
Kanazawa said, "My hands are itching."
Seeing this, Shūbīng quickly got to his feet and retreated to the side.
Xin chuckled. "I won't go easy on you."
Kanazawa held her blade horizontally before her, and a cold sharpness flashed through her beautiful eyes.
"Good!"
In a flash, she charged Xin with her sword in hand. The sharp blade streaked like flowing light, sweeping a semicircle through the air.
Xin took two steps back to