When I saw the way Neal’s face saddened, I reassured him, “Take your time, Neal. You saw your work through to the end, didn’t you? I have my own work to do. That’s all. Don’t feel guilty.” He had already succeeded with his Wingroad performance. That was more than enough. “Good night, then.”
Besides, there was something else I absolutely had to do.
When I returned to my room, I checked everything I needed to for tomorrow just as I’d told my family I would.
Though, to be honest, even if I didn’t, Bendelio would be there. No matter what happened, he would support me. At least I would very much like him to do that much! If he didn’t, I would never forgive him! Even if he did, I would never forgive him!
Once it hit the right time, I stopped and put on a hooded coat. This was a quick one-off outing, so I’d just have to leave my hair as it was... Actually, no, let’s at least wear a black wig. It was so dark outside that I didn’t imagine the slight color difference would be noticed.
After getting changed into that simple disguise, I pulled the hood down to my eyes and sneaked out of the room.
I don’t detect anyone. Let’s get this over with.
I swiftly exited out onto the deck and ran down the thick anchor rope that connected the airship to the port. Whoops, there’s people down there. Are they staff? Or sailors? Whatever the case, I had to make sure I didn’t get caught, so I moved stealthily past them, making sure to stay alert for any further signs of people.
Nights on this island were tranquil. The spectators were already back at the capital, and it was winter. Barely anyone would wander around in the biting cold for no reason. I sometimes saw people on runs, most likely those who were still in the tournament. It was nice to see how motivated they were.
There weren’t many competitors left, but there were certainly a lot of staff out on patrol. The tournament was reaching its climax with only a few days left. The upcoming matches would be the culmination of everyone’s hard work. The last thing they wanted was for there to be trouble at such an important juncture, so the security detail had been stepped up.
Ah, there he is.
I’d been sneaking around the island to come to this accommodation. A man was standing by the entrance wielding both a long and a short sword.
“Hey, sorry for being a bit late. Did you have to wait long?”
The moment I spoke up, I was met with two slashes.
“Well, that’s no way to greet someone.”
I’d dodged, though. He was still way too slow.
“Tch... Still can’t touch you, huh?” With that click of his tongue, the man sheathed his sword. “I’ve wanted to see you again, child.”
The person I was meeting tonight was the Kenki, Asuma Hinoki. “There is a child who wants to see you. Wait here tonight if you’d like to meet with her.” That was the message I’d had Lynette bring to the infirmary—and it appeared she’d made sure to deliver it.
“As promised, I came to see you again because you’ve gotten stronger.” It was the promise I had sent to him after that night at the Umbral Arena. From how he’d improved, it seemed the black-suits had been kind enough to pass it on for me. “I have a little time to spare. Do you want to chat or do you want to spar? You can decide. Oh, but if it seems like we’re about to get caught by the staff, I’ll make a run for it. I’m sure neither of us wants trouble, yes?”
The Kenki silently crossed his arms. He wanted to get payback against me, but that was exactly why he was struggling to decide what he wanted to do. He likely wanted to have a conversation with me, but he also wanted to spar too. Martial artists were often selfish.
“What...are you?” he eventually asked.
“Someone stronger than you. You don’t need to know anything more than that, do you?”
His eyes ran over my face for a moment before he nodded. “You’re right. That’s more than enough.”
Of course it is. His interest in me was solely based in my strength, anyway. There were dangerous people like my attendant who didn’t even hesitate to say they didn’t care about my age...but he didn’t seem to be that kind of person, so I was relieved.
“Have I gotten stronger?”
“Yes, undoubtedly so. You’ve gotten even stronger than I thought you would.”
The reason I’d brought my wig to the island with me was in case I ended up meeting with him. Depending on the result of the match, I might not have.
“And I think you’ll only continue to get stronger.”
I was certain he’d sensed Lynette’s chi. Singing Palm was just an expulsion of external chi, after all. I wasn’t sure how much of it he’d grasped, but the fact he’d been aware of it meant that he would one day acquire it himself.
And when he did, his growth would be uninhibited. The acquisition of chi was like a tall, thick wall. Whether or not one could achieve it would greatly alter a martial artist’s strength.
I could teach him if I were his teacher, but...I couldn’t teach absolutely anybody. If I misjudged a student, they could easily slip up and kill someone. If it was between martial artists, then fair enough, but if it wasn’t? It’d be the worst thing ever for both of us.
If they were often around me as my student, then I could easily take responsibility for their mistakes. At worst, I may have to kill my student, and there would be no avoiding it in that case. As a teacher, it was my duty to correct my student if they strayed onto the wrong path and take responsibility for their actions. That was why I wouldn’t teach those who didn’t meet my criteria. The Kenki wasn’t my student, after all.
“You’ve reached the precipice, haven’t you?”
“Precipice? Do you mean the great will?”
Ah, he knows it under a different name than me. I do think it’s the same, though.
“The soul of the crane—empty mind, empty killing intent.”
“Don’t know what that is. Though it sounds like the meaning is the same.”
Pfft, he doesn’t know.
He...doesn’t know? My memories were vague so I couldn’t explain it properly, but...
“Like a crane in the twilight, fleeting and delicate, so quiet it’s almost frightening. He strides through an illusory backdrop, showing no presence, no hostility, no killing intent. That is the state of mind you reach upon that precipice of martial arts. At least, that’s what I remember.”
“No, seriously, never heard of it. A crane? I don’t get it.”
I see.
Well, I was old. Perhaps my sense just didn’t mesh with the young kids. I’m so sorry this old lady spoke a bunch of nonsense as if I understood exactly what you meant... Man, who does this guy think he is?! It pisses me off! If you don’t even consider the idea of letting the other save face or being considerate, you’re going to get punched in the face one day! By me!
“I guess I’ll go, then.”
What a waste of time. I should have just gone to bed.
“Wait.”
“What? Do you need something from an old fogey with such outdated sensibilities?”
“What are you talking about? Just hang on.”
The Kenki slowly drew his tachi.