“I’ll have to come up with some more dangerous abilities,” Uzame continued.
“That terrifies me.”
“Oh yeah. Be terrified.” Even if she got used to this way of fighting just a little, she wouldn’t be able to surpass those who were better. She wouldn’t be able to take down Uzame even if she improved in a small amount of time. Utto had fought earnestly, but the fight had still been a piece of cake for Uzame. The difference between their abilities wasn’t all that much, but it was a disparity that was hard to overcome. However, since Utto had fought, the Magyans had been accepted into the village. She felt a sense of victory from that. She couldn’t be too happy, though.
No matter how hard I try, how serious I am, there is still someone to whom I can’t hold a candle...which is most displeasing. I wonder if Lord Tahlan feels the same...
She began to drown in the feelings she’d experienced during the battle.
I thought that if I did my best like Lord Tahlan, I would be able to see results. But now I wonder if it was this hard for Lord Tahlan too...
All she could do in times like this was to try her best, complete her objective, and receive praise from those around her. Not to say that it wouldn’t be difficult, of course.
That poisonous woman somehow took Lord Tahlan away from his hometown. I wonder if he was at his limit, having been surrounded by those who could use Spirit Summoning...
His smile, as well as how he always tried his best, was wonderful. However, Utto never once thought that behind that smile, he was struggling. She had finally realized the truth.
I didn’t even try to understand... She had never even tried to touch on it. No matter how hard it was, she pushed him to be strong. She knew her shame, even if she never showed it. As such, other martial artists just saw her resolution.
The five families that had taken the three princesses into their care noticed it the most. “Uzame mentioned it, but that’s not her real ability, is it? I feel like that’s something she quickly scraped together to prepare for a fight against a Four Vessels Style user,” the Marionette Style master said, pointing out how unnatural she had appeared. “She comes off as experienced, yet her technique is unpolished. Even then, I don’t feel like she’s skilled with grappling or weapons... I wonder how she usually fights.”
The Marionette Style master continued to ponder over it as the Delusion Style master interrupted. “Wait a minute! There’s no way the master of the Marionette Style can’t figure this one out! Isn’t this what you guys are good at?” The others thought the same thing of the Marionette users, who were usually skilled at analysis. Everyone roared with laughter in response.
“I guess we all have to fight just like before. Whatever moves you’re good at, they ain’t gonna work!”
Nobody understood their fighting style. As a result, their curiosity was piqued.
“I wonder what would happen if they were to fight with us Delusion Style users...”
“They probably wouldn’t want to fight against you guys in the first place,” the Stormy Winds master said, nonchalantly poking some fun at the Delusion Style users. “You’re powerful, but those who rely on face-to-face combat dislike your style... Of course, if it were us, the Stormy Wind users, we could probably put up a good fight.”
The tall man, who towered over the others, began to tremble with excitement. “You’re right about that. I don’t mean to speak ill of the contest just now, but it’d probably be a much flashier fight.” He had an air of confidence regarding head-to-head combat, though he could also sense that the other houses didn’t want that to come to pass.
“I swear, you talk a big game, don’t you? Did you forget that when we weren’t able to handle her, you said to leave it to you, then probably got beat without being able to do anything?” The Revolving Circle Style master had had enough. It seemed he had hit a sore spot, as the master of the Stormy Winds Style suddenly looked withdrawn. “We’ve yet to grasp the intricacies of the Spirit Summoning Art... However, from what I have heard, it’s enough to rival her. She is able to win against someone that all of us combined were unable to defeat. It’s embarrassing to have her practice with people beneath her.”
He gave a slight warning to the youngsters who were celebrating. If they were careless, she could achieve a crushing victory against another martial art style. “If you are going to carry the pride of your school, I feel you should take it a little more seriously.”
He felt a strong sense of rivalry as he spoke. After all, the Four Vessels Style user had the upper hand and had only won by a small margin. Since they had fought in front of everyone, a standard had now been set. The Revolving Circle Style master would not look so kindly on a sloppy and careless defeat.
“That’s true...however! We will be first up!” The Shark Tooth Style users were the last to speak, but they were the first to suggest that they would welcome the guests. The other four houses were surprised, but they had also not been able to say that they would do it.
“They could work their way through the houses, learn their skills, and win in any battle. That is how martial arts works but...it’s not good form!”
They could explore their partner’s fighting style and construct the perfect tactics before fighting them. There was nothing wrong with doing so—in fact, it was exactly what Utto and the others were doing. However, avoiding defeat and forcing it onto others was just a little tacky.
“These women came here ready for defeat! Thus, we should prepare to be humiliated and welcome them in! Right, you guys?” The Shark Tooth Style users all laughed in response. It seemed this was a celebration of sorts, and it would be embarrassing for them if they were to appear frightened. “All right...tonight, we’ll take them in!”
The Testudo master looked over at the Shark Tooth Style users celebrating. Thankfully the situation calmed down but...I wonder what will happen in the future. They had once said to Saiga, who had visited the village, that they wanted nothing to do with the outside world. That wasn’t untrue, exactly, but more a product of their rational way of thinking. However, that wasn’t the only reason.
We’re still reclaiming our confidence. As a result, we long for the unknown world, seeking recognition from many people...knowing that it could lead to our downfall.
Their confidence, which had been destroyed by Ran, was beginning to recover after having received treasures from Arcana and Magyan. If Yabia and the others were able to achieve such great things, then the rest of the villagers should be able to as well. Such wishful thinking could lead to reckless behavior.
Soon, the dragons will come...and at that time, we will know powerlessness, even more so than we did with Ran.
Fearing losing their regained confidence, they put on a brave face and hid behind their fortitude. They kept telling themselves that they were strong as they threw themselves into unwinnable fights. As long as they did so, that sort of pointless conclusion could be waiting for them.
However, looking at those women who hold us in such high regard...makes me want to dream a little.
Thus, Utto, Toris, and Shiyoki were welcomed into the martial art families. Would they remain seasoned Spirit Summoning fighters, would they contribute to forming strong bonds with the village, or would they help improve the village itself? That was yet to be known...however, what they did know was that it was going to be difficult.