"Hey, are you Xi Ye—the one signed up by that cute but fierce Koneko yesterday?"
A female student stood at the doorway, eyeing Xi Ye as she spoke.
"I guess so," he replied.
It seemed Koneko had quite the reputation, and the description fit her unusual power.
"Come with me."
The girl turned and added, "Mr. Xi Ye, it's best if you don't talk too much."
"Don't talk too much?" Xi Ye murmured.
He recalled the Kendo Club, its leader was Tsubasa Yura, a member of Sona's peerage.
The anime hadn't covered the details, but if she was anything like her queen, the so-called Ice Queen Sona, her subordinates likely shared that same cool demeanor.
He followed the girl inside.
Kendo practice was about to begin.
Since regular classes took priority, club activities were held after school. Kuoh Academy's setup reminded Xi Ye of his previous life in Japan: students kneeling in a circle around an instructor who stood at the center, leading the session.
"Go change."
The girl pointed toward a room marked Male and handed him a set of kendo gear.
Xi Ye took the uniform and went to change. As he did, a message from Koneko appeared on his phone:
Xi Ye-kun, I'll come to see you later. Go to the training ground you saw when you first arrived.
Unlike the other students kneeling on the floor, Xi Ye sat cross-legged.
The instructor demonstrated basic movements, which the students followed in sync.
To Xi Ye, it was boring.
He had expected something from a martial arts novel, flashing blades, dramatic techniques, but this was just basic cut, thrust, and parry. Cool in theory, dull in practice.
Then the instructor suddenly stopped and looked his way.
"New student. Come forward and practice with your senior."
He gestured toward a veteran club member.
"You," he added, nodding at the upperclassman.
The senior student smiled knowingly.
He could tell the instructor was annoyed and wanted him to humble the newcomer.
"Come on, junior. Let's have a little sparring session."
Xi Ye remembered the earlier advice, Don't talk too much. He hadn't expected to be singled out on his first day.
Well, if they want to practice...
Stepping onto the mat, someone handed Xi Ye a wooden sword. He tested its weight and balance.
"Don't worry. It's just a friendly match," the senior said with a smile. "We use wooden swords so no one gets hurt."
"Huh? Being underestimated..."
Xi Ye gave a resigned look.
"Begin."
The instructor gave the signal.
The senior stepped forward with a practiced swing.
To Xi Ye, the motion felt slow and feeble.
His body, passively enhanced by the Power Word, barely needed any magical effort.
BOOM!
Xi Ye blocked the strike and twisted his wrists smoothly, redirecting the force. Then, with a swift counter, he landed a precise blow.
SNAP!
The senior's bokken flew out of his hands and hit the floor with a clatter.
Xi Ye's sword stopped just under his opponent's chin.
"You lose."
It had happened in a blink.
The room went silent. Students stared, stunned, as if they'd seen a monster.
All eyes turned to the instructor.
A veteran beaten by a newcomer in one move?
If word spread, the club's reputation would take a major hit.
"I'll try."
The instructor stepped forward, gave the student a subtle nod to step aside, and picked up a bokken of his own.
"Please guide me," he said, taking a two-handed stance.
He attacked, faster and more refined than the student before.
Still not much better, Xi Ye thought, raising his sword.
BOOM!
Wood clashed against wood.
Xi Ye pushed the instructor back with brute force, then counterattacked.
This time, he deliberately slowed down, moving just fast enough to impress without exposing his inhuman abilities.
Even with that, the instructor struggled to react.
CRACK!
The instructor's bokken split in half.
Xi Ye's blade stopped just short of his forehead.
Hisss
A collective gasp echoed across the room.
Was this guy even a beginner?
They looked at each other. had someone planted a ringer?
Just then, Koneko walked in.
She blinked at the scene, momentarily stunned.
What is Xi Ye doing?
Then it clicked.
Is he... challenging the Kendo Club?
Xi Ye lowered his sword and turned to leave.
His eyes met Koneko's.
She walked over and, in a tone mixed with irritation and amusement, said,
"Xi Ye-kun~ I asked you to join the Kendo Club, not challenge it..."
Xi Ye gave an innocent shrug. His expression clearly said: They started it.
"He knows Koneko-chan," someone whispered.
The realization spread.
Everyone stared in disbelief.
They look like a couple!
Several students gave Xi Ye impressive thumbs-ups.
This guy is crazy strong...
They remembered when Koneko had visited the club before—she had defeated their captain. And now this newcomer had done something similar.
A couple of monsters?
Eventually, Xi Ye left the Kendo Club.
The official reason? "There's nothing more we can teach him."
"Hmph! Xi Ye-kun's swordsmanship is incredible!"
Koneko couldn't hide her satisfaction.
"Of course."
Xi Ye nearly said, I'm stronger than you... maybe even stronger than Rias, but bit his tongue.
Instead, he said,
"But I heard you challenged the Kendo Club, too. When you asked me to join, I figured I'd better have some skills, just in case."
"Ah! Xi Ye-kun~ I forgot about that!"
Koneko's face turned red.