The all-powerful middle schooler

He pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly.

.......

As the sun sets, its soft and warm light shines upon the earth.

The two stood facing each other beside the sandpit.

"Hasegawa-kun, I have a favor to ask of you."

With her back to the sun, Saeko Busujima's expression gradually hardened, her eyes sharpening as she spoke with a resounding voice.

"Please allow me to become your disciple and learn the supreme swordsmanship!"

As she spoke, she knelt down on both knees, as if to kowtow.

Eh?

Should we go ahead and offer such a grand gesture?

Izumi Hasegawa was stunned for a moment.

"Wait, I didn't agree to that!"

He placed his hand on Dokdo's shoulder to prevent him from bowing.

"This is just to express my sincerity and gratitude. Whether you agree or not, I am able to see a wider world because of you, which is very important to me."

Saeko Busujima said with a serious expression.

"Well, that makes a lot of sense."

It's not that he can't understand the other person's mindset and thoughts.

When someone walks into a dead end and finds there's no way forward, and then someone suddenly cleaves the wall in front of them with a sword, that's truly a moving experience.

As you hear the news, you can die in the evening.

"However, there's no need for kowtowing, and I have no intention of taking on any apprentices right now."

With a slight pull, he caused Saeko Busujima to unconsciously stand up again.

"This, this is it..."

Upon hearing this, Saeko Busujima was severely traumatized, and her eyes instantly lost their luster.

So, someone like her simply isn't good enough for this man?

I am, after all, just a weak little girl who can't do anything.

Soon, Hasegawa Izumi made another unexpected turn.

"However, if it's just about teaching you swordsmanship, that's not something I can't do without it."

His original purpose in coming to Shuchiin was to find "like-minded people." Such people did not necessarily have to join Far East Magic; as long as they could travel together and exchange ideas, that would be enough.

Naturally, in his judgment, Poison Island Senior was also a promising talent who could enter the Dao.

"That's enough! This is enough!"

Saeko Busujima instantly came to life, her emotions running high, her eyes filled with enthusiasm, anticipation, and unwavering determination, showing that she was willing to give everything for this.

This is a behavior that only seekers of the Way exhibit.

Hasegawa Izumi had seen that devout look before...

A few years ago, when Mori Summer was guiding another newcomer, that newcomer also showed a similar look in his eyes.

Oh right, I think... her name was Sophia?

……

厶 "Pop".

Pulling the tab, Izumi Hasegawa sat down on the bench, tilted her head back and took a sip of cola, then looked at her senior who looked ready for anything.

"Senior Busujima, what are your thoughts on the levels of swordsmanship?"

"Do you mean kendo rank?"

This was the first thing Saeko Busujima thought of.

"Of course not. That's just a subtle division of strength in modern society, and it has nothing to do with the level of swordsmanship."

He shook his head and raised a finger, saying, "It's like a state of no thought, no desire, no self."

"I have heard my father mention something similar. For example, the first level of a swordsman is superb swordsmanship, which mainly involves practicing speed and technique. After having sufficiently superb swordsmanship, there is also the cultivation of mental techniques to regulate one's mental state to the most ideal level. This is called 'sword and mind as one'. Then there is 'the state of no mind,' where one is not attached to anything and achieves the state where the sword is one with one's soul, and the sword and the person become one. When using the sword, one will be more adept."

Saeko Busujima recalled her father's teachings and then slowly began to recount them.

Currently, she is in the state of 'sword and heart as one', which is why she can suppress the violent impulse in her heart. However, it is not stable. Only when she reaches the state of 'no heart' can she get rid of this impulse and even use it to enhance her swordsmanship.

"It's pretty much the same."

He spoke.

The so-called "sword and mind as one" means mastering the sword technique to a profound degree, being able to strike first after being attacked, and using the most appropriate change of move. The "state of no mind" is equivalent to "man and sword as one", which means that the mind and hand are in sync, and whatever move you think of, your hand will execute it without delay.

"Then let me guide you on how to quickly enter a state of no-mind."

"Eh?"

Saeko Busujima was stunned by these words, finding it hard to believe what she was hearing.

She had also heard her father describe the difficulty of this state of mindlessness. In modern times, only grandmasters have reached that level. Even her father, who came from a family of sword masters, only achieved it at the age of 38.

She's only a high school sophomore now, can she really master it?

But then she thought, didn't Hasegawa-kun do just that?

She instantly gained confidence.

"Let me see your sword techniques first."

With a casual toss of a Coke can into a trash can ten meters away, Izumi Hasegawa began her formal ministry.

Saeko Busujima held her breath and took the wooden sword out of the cloth sword bag. She began to practice as usual, swinging the sword freely like a dancing elf.

"Whoosh~"

A faint tearing sound could be heard in the air.

"Hmm, your movements are very standard. It's clear that you've put in a lot of hard work in this area, but hard work alone has its limits."

Hasegawa Izumi first applauded and praised, then began to nitpick.

"As I said before, your sword is too heavy and not free enough. You have concerns in your mind, so your sword path is always in a shackle and you can't open up a new path."

Saeko Busujima frowned slightly.

She hadn't paid attention to those words before, but now she understood why she had reached her limit—it was that pent-up, violent impulse hidden deep within her.

He continued his analysis: "While your inability to control that instinctive bloodlust is a limitation, it is also a help to you, senior."

Emotions are also a form of power. For example, a person is in completely different states when they are confident and when they are insecure. Furthermore, extreme anger can unleash far greater power than in a normal state.

"Is there any way to solve this?"

Saeko Busujima's heart was fluttering.

If she can do that, then she won't have to worry about hurting others because of losing control, and she will be able to interact with people normally.

"can."

Hasegawa Izumi gave an affirmative answer, then came up to her and extended his hand.

"Give me the sword."

"Oh."

Saeko Busujima parted her red lips slightly and subconsciously handed over the wooden sword, her gaze following the other person's figure as she turned around.

Under the setting sun, a dashing young man held a long sword, pointing it diagonally at the ground.

"Senior Busujima, pay attention, and memorize this sword technique well."

As soon as he finished speaking, he began to swing his sword. It looked fast, but it felt slow. His movements were fluid yet direct and swift.

Saeko Busujima stared intently, forgetting even to blink, completely absorbed in the sword dance.

The swordsman's steps constantly change, and the sword techniques change accordingly, yet they seem to remain true to the same principle despite the variations.

Furthermore, the same wooden sword that Mingming was using seemed to gleam with a cold light and exude a chilling aura when it was in the opponent's hands, making people feel fear.

Shortly afterward, the demonstration of the thirteen sword moves concluded.

"Did you write it down, senior?"

Hanase Izumi made a gesture of sheathing her sword, then turned around and asked.

"take note of it."

Saeko Busujima paused for a moment, then continued.

"It doesn't seem too difficult."

"This sword technique emphasizes intent over form, and it needs to be combined with incantations to unleash its full power. I will now pass on the incantations to you."

He took out his phone and added the senior as a LINE friend, then sent her the formula.

"Is this a mental cultivation technique?"

Saeko Busujima glanced at it briefly, her eyes filled with doubt.

This reminded her of a mnemonic for regulating one's mental state.

"That's right, this is the mental cultivation method."

After giving a mysterious smile, Hasegawa Izumi turned and left without looking back.

Watching the other person's departing figure until it disappeared from sight, Saeko Busujima silently gripped the wooden sword in her hand, thinking to herself.

"We will remember your kindness in spreading the knowledge today."

"If needed, I am willing to be the sword in your hand, cutting through everything for you!"

It's getting late.

Hasegawa Izumi stopped at her front door, hesitating for a moment.

With a 'click', just as he pushed the door open and entered, his sister's voice rang out.

"Kukuku, my other half! Have you completely forgotten me today? It's been too long since the time to offer sacrifices!"

Little Dove came running straight over from inside, pouting, clearly very dissatisfied.

"Cuckoo~"

During the few seconds of his silence, a deafening sound came from his sister's stomach.

"babble."

Xiaojiu blushed instantly and covered her cheeks.

"Okay, I'll go cook first. We can talk about any complaints later."

He reached out and ruffled his sister's soft blonde hair before hurriedly slipping into the kitchen.

Escape successful!

86. "Isn't it pretty good?"

"Sawamura-kun, is this really okay?"

"Eh, I don't understand what you mean, Sagano-san."

"I'm talking about Hasegawa-san. You two are childhood friends, right? Everyone knows that, but I feel like you two don't interact much, and you're even a bit distant. That shouldn't be the case."

"Being childhood sweethearts doesn't mean we have to act very intimately, right? It just means we've known each other for a long time."

"Does Sawamura really think that way? Even I feel uncomfortable thinking about Hasegawa hanging out with those girls every day. Who knows, maybe one day their feelings for each other will become so deep..."

“I can understand that feeling, but it doesn’t apply to me and Izumi… Izumi has been all alone for a long time, with only me by his side. That must have been too lonely. Now his social circle is getting bigger and bigger, and Ken has more like-minded friends. Isn’t that a good thing?”

Holding the handles of her handbag with both hands, Eriri walked slowly along the boardwalk of Detective Slope. Her mind was filled with yesterday's conversation, and she suddenly felt a little uneasy, biting her lip.

She admitted that she was indeed a little annoyed.