The Kendo Club.
Although not the largest club at Type-Moon Academy, its scale was among the most notable, boasting two independent kendo practice halls and a membership of over dozens of students.
"Good morning, Club President!"
As soon as she stepped into the practice hall, several members practicing kendo greeted her energetically.
"Good morning. Everyone is working hard."
The girl responded with a polite smile and offered words of praise to a few of them.
Those who voluntarily came to practice early in the morning were true kendo enthusiasts. For such individuals, necessary praise could serve as motivation for them to keep striving.
As expected, the young men were invigorated, and their practice swings became even more powerful.
The girl couldn't help but smile, feeling that her encouragement had been the right choice.
However, she was actually unaware—
The president of the Kendo Club was a renowned beauty at Type-Moon Academy.
Her facial features were exquisite beyond reproach. Her eyes carried both sharpness and gentleness. Her golden hair was neatly tied at the back with a blue ribbon. Though her figure was not as developed as other high school girls, her petite frame only made her more endearing.
This lovable girl was usually as serene as a still spring, making those who looked at her feel at ease.
But when she gripped her sword, her aura became so intense that even men were left in awe, exuding the presence of a general who had once dominated ancient battlefields.
This contrast—both fragile and formidable—made her particularly popular, and her personality had an infectious charm.
Just a single word of praise from her filled the young men with boundless energy.
The girl did not participate in practice swings.
She went alone to the second kendo practice hall next door, where she knelt in the most standard seiza position, closed her eyes, and calmed her mind.
Today, she had a match.
To be precise, it was a sparring session between fellow students.
Regardless of who her opponent was, she would prepare and fight with all her strength, never letting her guard down—this was the principle she adhered to.
Judging by the time, her opponent should be arriving soon.
"Artoria, are you here?"
A dignified female voice called from outside the dojo.
"...."
The girl opened her emerald-green eyes.
She stood up from the wooden floor, walked outside the dojo, and greeted her visitor.
"It has been a while, Scáthach-sensei."
"As polite as ever. Even I can't find a flaw in your manners."
The stunning woman in a purple business suit stood at the dojo's entrance, looking up and down at the renowned flower of the Kendo Club, a hint of nostalgia surfacing in her eyes.
"You must be quite happy now."
"...?"
Artoria slowly formed a question mark in her mind.
"No, it's nothing. I've brought your opponent."
Scáthach chuckled, brushing past the confusing topic, then raised her chin slightly toward the figure behind her in a subtle gesture.
Artoria followed her gaze.
She had not overlooked the young man.
Rather, when he stood before her, perhaps no one in this world could ignore his presence.
"Hello, Artoria-senpai."
Eiji gave a slight nod to the petite, golden-haired girl.
Artoria was sixteen years old, a second-year student at Type-Moon Academy, making her exactly one year ahead of him.
Incidentally, this was none other than the original Blue Saber.
His demeanor was calm and composed.
His temperament was impeccable.
His appearance was enough to make people lose their senses.
Altogether, Artoria's first impression of this junior was quite favorable.
"Hello, please come in."
Artoria turned around.
She led the two of them inside, removing their shoes at the entrance before stepping onto the polished, mirror-like dojo floor.
Eiji's gaze sharpened instantly.
Walking ahead of him, Scáthach bent over, and the perfectly curved shape of her hips, accentuated by her business suit, immediately came into view. She extended her delicate fingers, removed her high heels, and let her black-stocking-clad feet slip free, lightly touching the wooden floor.
"Hmm?"
Scáthach suddenly turned her head, her sharp gaze shooting toward the back.
"What is it?"
Eiji instinctively sensed danger. His eyes momentarily lost focus, and when he saw her turn around, he put on a startled and innocent expression.
"…No, maybe it was just my imagination. I felt like someone was staring at my backside."
Scáthach stared at him for a moment before turning back as if nothing had happened, stepping further into the dojo.
As expected of the Queen of the Land of Shadows—her intuition was terrifyingly sharp! She almost caught him!
Eiji kept a composed expression, but in his heart, he was secretly wiping off cold sweat.
"What's going on?"
"Looks like the president is going to fight someone?"
"No way, someone actually dares to challenge the president?"
The Kendo Club immediately became restless.
After realizing the situation, several young men couldn't help but show disbelief on their faces.
"Although the president looks delicate, she's the real deal—she's the reigning champion of the National High School Girls' Kendo Tournament!"
"A-kun is also a national track-and-field champion, so what's the big deal?"
In this school, championships were truly nothing special.
Eiji ridiculed inwardly.
Second Kendo Dojo.
Compared to the first dojo next door, this one was arranged more professionally, reserved for more advanced kendo students. Most beginners practiced in the first dojo.
Artoria did not refuse spectators.
A few members of the Kendo Club rushed to the second dojo, eager to witness the match firsthand.
"Whoa! It's him!"
"But has he ever practiced kendo?"
"Nope, he never joined any clubs in middle school. I remember that very clearly!"
"Wait, why do you remember so clearly? Don't tell me—hold up! So that's why you've been getting close to me lately!"
"Ah, no… This is a misunderstanding! A complete misunderstanding!"
Just like that, a pure friendship between men crumbled into dust.
Meanwhile, outside the dojo—
Many male and female fans who had followed Eiji to this place were buzzing with excitement.
"Pass it on—he's going to fight the Kendo Club's renowned flower president!"
"Pass it on—he and the Kendo Club's renowned flower president have a thing going on!"
"Pass it on—"
...
Inside the dojo.
Eiji had already donned a black-and-white kendo uniform, with a faceguard covering his features and a wooden sword in his hand.
He casually swung the wooden sword a few times, testing its weight and length.
Across from him, Artoria-senpai was similarly dressed, holding her wooden sword in a standard chūdan stance. Even through her faceguard, her serious expression was evident.
She was taking this match very seriously.
Eiji's playful practice swings came to a slight halt.
Then, he raised his wooden sword in the same stance, positioning his feet one in front of the other.
To treat a dedicated swordswoman with a casual attitude would be an undeniable insult.
"Please."
With a serious expression, Eiji spoke, signaling the start of the match.
***
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