"Gasp-"
A collective gasp instantly rose from everyone present.
Crushing a stone with her bare hand?!
"Th-this is way too much, isn't it?!"
"Boss, is... is your hand okay?"
Kinuie Tanihara cautiously approached, took Hanabishi Warabi's hand, and examined it over and over.
However.
That fair-skinned palm was completely unharmed, without even a single red mark.
"Is this... God's falna?"
Tōko Tsunemi and the others spoke in utter astonishment.
"Of course!"
Hanabishi Warabi brushed the stone dust off her hands, looking smug, as though it were only natural.
"In that world, as long as you're willing to work hard, as long as you dare to fight those monsters to the death, you can grow stronger!"
"This feeling..."
Hanabishi Warabi clenched her fist.
"It's absolutely amazing!"
Looking at her thoroughly awestruck subordinates, Hanabishi Warabi felt incredibly pleased.
Sure enough.
Returning nowhere with your newfound glory was like wearing fine clothes in the dark!
Meanwhile.
Beneath the enormous cherry tree on the other side of the dormitory building.
Compared to the bustle of the Courtyard, it was much quieter here.
"Is this what... getting stronger means?"
Nonon Mozunoya's gaze was somewhat blank as well.
After all.
Just moments earlier.
It had not just been Hanabishi Warabi.
Onigawara Rin had also casually snapped a dead twig off a tree.
Then.
With a gentle swing.
A falling petal had instantly split in two in midair!
The cut was smooth and even, as though made by the sharpest blade.
Yet what Onigawara Rin held was merely a fragile, dead twig!
"Is this... the secret art of Jikishinkage-ryū?"
Nonon Mozunoya muttered to herself, her eyes filled with shock.
"No."
Onigawara Rin shook her head and casually tossed away the twig.
"This is just... the basics."
"Over there, under God's guidance."
"I saw a broader world