Magical Journey: The Other Shore Blooms on the Other Shore

"Master, is this how it is?" Ailijie raised her wooden sword and rushed forward. After a blur, the straw man was torn to pieces and scattered on the ground withered grass.

Although Qin was not too keen on Ailige calling him that, Ailige insisted on calling him that, just like how he couldn't resist the broom calling him "Master" back then, so now he just went along with it.

“Well done,” Qin said. “Now, practice with me.”

"With Master?" Ailige's gaze suddenly wavered. The scene of how the bear was torn to pieces by the zither was still vivid in her mind. I'm going to die, am I? I definitely will.

“Think about protecting your sister. Haven’t you always wanted to protect her?” Jean said.

younger sister……

Yes—she became disabled because of me—I must protect her.

Even my master—that's something I can do.

Alice drew her sword and charged toward the harp. As orcs, the vast majority were natural martial arts masters. Compared to humans, they were stronger, more energetic, and had better dynamic vision, except that their magical affinity was slightly inferior.

In just a few days, Ailijie had basically learned Professor Qin's basic sword moves.

Although Jean had never systematically taught any students, her only teaching experience came from the farce with the human cubs in Roberta. But it must be said that Alice was quite quick to understand; she could understand Jean's simple demonstrations very quickly.

After a brief clash of swords, Ailige's sword was knocked away by the zither.

Even though Qin had already restrained himself, for Ailige, Qin was still undoubtedly unsolvable.

Ailige felt as if she had returned to the helplessness she felt when facing those thugs. Even though she was the older sister, it was her younger sister who stepped forward to shield her from the thugs' daggers.

“I…” Alice stared blankly at the wooden sword that had been knocked away and stuck in the snow.

“You’ve always regretted it, haven’t you—regretted not standing up for me back then.” Qin drew her wooden sword. “If it’s just regret, then that’s all there is to it.”

"master……"

"Human life should be in our own hands. Not entrusted to some vague and uncertain heaven, nor to the pity of others." Qin handed over the sword. "Continue, Ailige."

Alice continued charging forward, sword in hand.

Tears welled up in her eyes.

When she was little, she loved to snuggle in her father's broad chest and drink the hot soup her mother made with her younger sister.

Although life was hard, she felt happy. She felt that with her parents around, even though the house was small, the sky was held up by her all-powerful parents.

But on that day—they left.

Without even saying goodbye, she and her sister left.

With their parents gone, only she remained to protect her younger sister. Eliza gave Milina the best of everything; she loved seeing Milina call her "sister" with a smile, saying that having a sister was the happiest thing in the world.

No matter how hard or tiring the work is during the day, seeing Milina's smile makes me feel like it can heal all my wounds.

As long as Milina is alive and well, that's all that matters.

I'm the older sister—it's all worth it.

But why—she channeled all her resentment into the sword, striking the zither with devastating force. Why—they, must they, steal away our hard-won happiness?

We don't know any of them.

Why? Why take all of this away...?

"The force is right, but the technique is messed up. This will only make you vulnerable to being exploited." Qin easily caught Ailige's slash.

Dealing with children only requires relying on their reflexes.

Even so, this is more than enough to deal with mindless wild beasts.

“Master—are you like them?” Ailijie suddenly asked.

"Don't let your emotions be swayed by what others think. Who I am is completely unimportant," Qin said.

"That's different."

In another clash of swords, Ailige's sword shattered into pieces.

The sparring session ended just like that.

……

According to the map provided by the official, this should be the location of the cabin. Elena walked along the snow path, carefully examining the map in her hand.

Her gaze fell upon a horned beastwoman girl wielding a sword who charged at a snow rabbit. Before the snow rabbit could even react, its throat was slit by the sword, and the girl lifted it up.

Hey hey?

That's... Erijie?

Elena certainly got her hands on Ailige's portrait. It was quite easy to identify; after all, horned people are distinctive, and orcs are easily distinguishable in a crowd.

The swordsmanship seemed both familiar and unfamiliar.

Elena slowly approached the cabin. She was spotted before she even got close.

"Who are you?" Elaine's voice came from behind Elena.

Wow, that's amazing! She managed to sneak up behind the witch without anyone noticing. Even though Elena didn't use her detection magic seriously, it's still impressive enough.

“I’m looking for Qin, is he here?” Elena asked.

"What is your relationship to your master?"

"Master?" Elena asked, somewhat surprised.

"Say it."

“A traveler traveling together is a friend.” Elena turned around and looked at the orc girl behind her. “I came here at his invitation.”

Alice still seemed to have not completely let go of her hostility, and there was something called displeasure in her eyes when she looked at Elena.

Huh?

How did I offend her? This must be the first time I've met her.

It must be because of that emotional trauma, it must be.

"I thought you'd come after the snow melted," Qin said as she slowly walked over. "You came much earlier than I expected."

Has he been acting strangely and disappeared for a long time?

"I was afraid you'd die in the house, so I came out to check on things beforehand," Elena retorted sharply, not to be outdone.

“Master won’t die—no—” Elaine was very dissatisfied with Elena’s words. “Apologize to Master.”

Huh? Why does this little girl explode at the slightest provocation?

Qin isn't in a hurry, why are you?

“Apologize!” Alice said righteously.

Forget it, don't argue with a child, besides, she's quite pitiful.

“I’m sorry, Qin,” Elena said.

"You also have your share of setbacks."

Hehe... I'll have to get my revenge when you get the short end of the stick.

“Alice, she’s my travel companion. Let’s make her dinner tonight,” Qin said.

Hmm? You actually have a conscience.

"Master, aren't you going to eat?"

“I can’t eat it.”

"Are you really complaining that my cooking is too bad? Even though the meat is half-cooked and I added too much chili..." Alice muttered.

I retract my assessment. Are you sure you're not here specifically to harm me? What have I done to deserve such a feast?

"I can't eat because of special reasons," Qin said.

"Alright..." Alice regretfully carried the snow rabbit she had just hunted into the wooden house. Then, the sounds of metal cutting instruments came from inside the house.