"Confused?"
"Yes, Mibu-senpai's sword art is excellent, the best I've ever seen, but I don't understand why Mibu-senpai seems confused when you swing your sword?"
"You're mistaken, I'm not."
Faced with Yotsuba Mahiro's confident questioning, Mibu Sayaka was stunned for a moment, then said coldly:
"My sword is never confused."
Although she strenuously denied Mahiro's statement on the surface, a secret chord deep within her heart was touched.
Confused?
The fact was, yes.
Mahiro was not mistaken. As someone who was not an Ichiko Students, she was indeed deeply confused.
She was no worse than anyone else, and she put in so much effort and sweat, yet she couldn't gain recognition from others.
Instead, she was constantly looked down upon.
Subjected to scornful gazes.
Even in last year's exhibition match, she wasn't even qualified to challenge an Ichiko Students, but was instead ridiculed and rejected.
Many times, she doubted.
What did all her efforts for kendo amount to in the end?
Just sweat?
Moreover, she understood even less.
She had hidden all of this so well, yet the confusion in her sword was seen through by this junior she had just met.
"Is that so?"
Since Mibu-senpai didn't admit it, Mahiro wouldn't force her.
He walked into the dojo, took off his shoes, arranged them neatly at the entrance, then walked to the weapon rack and picked up a wooden sword.
Turning back, he pointed at Mibu Sayaka and said:
"Mibu-senpai, would you like to have a match with me? No magic involved, pure kendo."
Since there was no confusion in her heart, the best way to prove it was to have a match.
Mibu Sayaka understood this principle as well.
So she nodded, agreeing:
"Mm, no problem."
Although it was their first meeting, not even ten minutes had passed, perhaps it was because her inner secret had been exposed upon their first encounter.
Perhaps it was to convince herself.
Mibu Sayaka also wanted to have a match with this mysterious junior.
However, when she truly entered the arena and stood opposite Mahiro, striking her stance, she couldn't help but let out a soft gasp.
'What's going on?'
Although it was a new junior standing opposite her with a sword, for some reason, she seemed to see herself.
The way he held the sword, the stance he struck, and the fierce aura, were almost identical to her own!
No, it's an illusion.
It must be an illusion!
Mibu Sayaka closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, her gaze was filled with determination and seriousness!
"Then let's begin, Mibu-senpai," Mahiro said.
"Don't you need protective gear?"
"No need."
"Alright!"
Since Mahiro chose not to wear protective gear, Sayaka also decided to remove the black protective gear from her chest and throw it on the ground.
She was left only in her kendo uniform, which resembled a miko outfit.
In fact, not wearing protective gear in a match like this was very dangerous.
Although it was a wooden sword, its power was still considerable, and it could easily cause fractures if it hit the body.
"Here I come!"
Mibu Sayaka moved first.
"Kote!"
The wooden sword swung with a fierce whoosh, aimed at Mahiro's wrist.
Clang!
Her sword was blocked.
Wooden sword clashed violently with wooden sword, emitting a crisp crack.
The girl had already anticipated this.
Next, Sayaka launched a relentless series of attacks, showcasing her traditional sword style techniques without reservation!
Her offense was as aggressive as fire.
Just as the phrase "Wind, Forest, Fire, Mountain" describes, her attacks were like a raging inferno.
But the more Sayaka fought, the more startled she became!
For no other reason.
Sayaka felt that she wasn't fighting that mysterious junior, but herself!
Whether it was the sword moves, the stance, or even the sequence of strikes, it was completely her own thought process!
Not a single bit off!
Moreover, it was even more formidable, without any hesitation, a relentless sword technique!
So much so that in the end—
Thwack!
Her wooden sword was sent flying.
And Mahiro's sword was pressed tightly against her collarbone.
...I lost."
Sayaka lowered her head, biting her lip tightly.
She readily admitted her defeat, but her heart was filled with disappointment.
She hadn't expected to lose to a freshman, despite diligently practicing kendo every day.
But at the same time, she was very curious, so she asked:
...Can you tell me why? Mahiro, why did you use my sword moves?
Yotsuba Mahiro smiled apologetically, "Sorry, Mibu-senpai, that's a small trick of mine."
As he spoke, a fleeting arc of light flashed in his pupils.
Permanent Perception-type Magic—Copying Magic Eye.
The Fourth Research Lab called it that.
Whether it was magic or physical combat, as long as it was seen by the Magic Eye, he could instantly learn and master it.
Even Shiba Tatsuya's unique magic abilities like Decomposition and Recomposition were no exception.
He could even achieve CAD-less casting through it.
The Kudou Family's secret techniques were learned this way.
This was also the fundamental reason why Shiba Tatsuya couldn't kill him.
Therefore, what Mibu Sayaka faced just now was not so much Mahiro, but herself, a version of herself without any hesitation.
...
.....
....
Just as Mahiro was interacting with the beautiful kendo girl in the Kendo Club, the Club Alliance Headquarters was also discussing him.
"Hey, Katsuto Juumonji, have you heard about Yotsuba Mahiro?
Mayumi, the Student Council President sitting on the right, looked at Katsuto Juumonji, who was also from the Ten Master Clans, across from her.
He was a tall third-year male student, like a mountain.
Although he was only 185cm tall, his muscular physique made him look incredibly robust, like a giant rock.
Katsuto Juumonji heard Mayumi's question and slowly nodded.
"Yes, his average score in seven subjects and his practical magic assessment both just barely met the Ichiko Students' passing line."
However, this was not the main point.
The key was that he was a descendant of the Yotsuba Family.
Could it be that he was adopted from a branch family into the Yotsuba Tendo Main Family?
It wasn't impossible, or rather, it was commonplace. It was not uncommon for talented descendants to be adopted into the Tendo Main Family for training.
"Saegusa, has the Student Council's recruitment list for this year been finalized?"
"Katsuto Juumonji, are you implying...?"
"Yes, I want him to join the Student Council. This is the duty of a Ten Master Clans magician, and we should also support each other."
Katsuto Juumonji confirmed Mayumi's guess.
"That shouldn't be a problem."
Mayumi pondered.
The Student Council currently only needed to recruit one new student representative, Shiba Miyuki, so there was still a vacancy.
And even if it was full, an external position could be created specifically to bring Mahiro in.
Only Mahiro's academic performance...
"Um, may I say a few words?"
The third person in the Club Alliance Headquarters, a cool-looking short-haired girl sitting in the middle, spoke, drawing their attention.