But Tsukuyo Inaba's body visibly stiffened for a moment.
After all.
This body of hers.
It was a broken body that doctors had condemned to death since childhood.
Blind, frail, and sickly.
Aside from swordsmanship, she had nothing.
If even her sole talent for the sword was rejected by a god, she would truly lose all worth in existing.
"No, Tsukuyo."
"You've misunderstood."
Haimo shook his head and gently placed a hand on the girl's still-trembling shoulder.
"Quite the opposite."
"In fact, you could say..."
"Your talent is absurdly powerful."
With that said.
Haimo rose from beside the bed.
He pulled up the nightgown that had slipped down, covering the girl's snow-white yet somewhat frail back.
Tsukuyo Inaba hurriedly put it back on, fumbling to pull her collar closed. The blush on her cheeks had yet to fade, but her sightless red eyes turned toward Haimo, disbelief written all over her face.
"When I call it extreme, I don't mean that as an insult."
"In a fight to the death..."
"What decides the outcome often isn't your greatest weakness, but your sharpest blade."
"As long as your blade is fast enough to cut your enemy's throat before he can strike at your weakness..."
"Then that weakness is no longer a vulnerability, but forbidden territory your enemy can never reach."
"For instance, your skill, 'Calamity Child,' grants you extraordinary perception and the ability to seize the initiative."
"That means you've already won half the battle before it even begins."
"And 'Fleeting Splendor'..."
"Gives you the potential to unleash power beyond your level's limits in a single instant."
"That means..."
"Even if you're a fragile Lv. 1 right now..."
"As long as you get an opportunity..."
"Even an opening that vanishes in a flash..."
"You could cut off the head of an enemy several levels above you."
"That potential to defeat someone stronger than you..."
"Is the shortest path to great feats."
In Orario.
Challenging opponents above one's level was the most efficient way to earn great feats.
Tsukuyo Inaba's ability to kill in a single strike was practically made for racking them up.
It was like playing a game.
While everyone else was still chipping away at health bars with basic attacks.
She could unleash her ultimate and kill in an instant.
Though she only had the strength for one strike.
As long as that strike landed.
She could slay even a god who stood in her way.
"The so-called One-Blade Asura probably refers to someone like you."
"So."
"Have a little confidence."
"Don't sell yourself short."
"You are the sharpest, most extreme sword."
"Born to sever fate itself."
"If your body is frail, simply don't let your enemies touch you."
"That is the asura's path of killing in a single strike."
Having finished.
Haimo reached out and gently ruffled Tsukuyo Inaba's long, silvery-white hair.
"Mmh..."
"I-is that... really true...?"
Feeling the warmth of Haimo's fingers stroking her head, and hearing his words of wholehearted affirmation.
Tsukuyo Inaba let out a whimper like a little kitten.
Her tense body immediately relaxed.
Her cheeks flushed even redder.
Like a cooked shrimp.
It wasn't just because Haimo's praise had struck straight at her heart.
It was also because of the warmth against her head.
That affectionate pat, treating her like a little child.
For Tsukuyo Inaba, who had been forced to grow up too soon, it was an entirely new experience.
She didn't dislike it.
In fact...
She found herself craving it a little.
"Y-yes! My lord!"
"Tsukuyo understands."
Tsukuyo Inaba's voice was barely louder than a mosquito's whine. She lowered her head slightly and gently nuzzled Haimo's palm like a kitten basking in affection.
Then.
Flustered, she shrank into the corner of the bed like a startled rabbit, her face bright red.
After all.
Although she was happy to be praised.
Having someone stare at her bare back all that time was still far too overwhelming for this sheltered girl.
Meanwhile.
With Tsukuyo Inaba's shining example before them.
The atmosphere in the room grew somewhat charged again.
After all.
For a warrior.
What could be more thrilling than seeing that quantified future, brimming with limitless possibilities, with their own eyes?
The girls began glancing back and forth at one another.
Their eyes were full of sparks they couldn't conceal.
"Since everyone's being so polite..."
"Little Satori won't hold back~"
"Little Satori wants to go second."
As Nemumeno Satori spoke, she started toward the bedside where Haimo stood.
However.
Before she could take a single step.
Whoosh-
A sudden gust swept past in front of her.
A tall figure strode straight past her, blocking the space between her and Haimo like a wall.
It was Sasamori Aya.
"Huh?"
Nemumeno Satori stopped and tilted her head, her fake smile stiffening for a moment.
"Aya, cutting in line isn't a good habit, you know?"
"Cutting in line?"
"This isn't about who came first."
"If you don't even have that much resolve, how can you talk about pursuing power?"
With that said.
Sasamori Aya turned straight toward Haimo, who was sitting beside the bed.
She didn't waste a single word.
She didn't even mentally prepare herself as Tsukuyo Inaba had.
Rustle-
Sasamori Aya raised her hands and seized her collar without the slightest hesitation.
She gave it a forceful tug.
Accompanied by the rustle of fabric.
She pulled the loose nightgown straight off and casually tossed it onto a nearby chair.
"Ah-!"
"W-what are you doing?!"
"Y-you're utterly shameless!"
The sight.
Made Kikakujō Mary shriek in shock and hurriedly cover her eyes.
Onigawara Rin's mouth fell open, and she froze on the spot.
Even Tsukuyo Inaba, huddled in the corner of the bed, couldn't help quietly raising her head.
Although she couldn't see, her keen perception still told her what had happened.
"Honestly..."
"Little Satori already raised her hand, you know."
Nemumeno Satori puffed out her cheeks at the sight and could only retreat.